To enhance protection of SAV, the Commission adopted an SAV policy in 1997 with the goal of preserving SAV, and ultimately achieving a net gain in SAV distribution and abundance.
Habitat Special Reports
In-depth reports on specific topics or issues of particular importance to fisheries management and conservation.
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The body of current knowledge and expertise in manmade reef development and technology has been produced either directly or indirectly through all these state efforts. This document represents the collective knowledge and policy direction of the state programs, through the interstate marine fisheries commissions, and is intended to be complementary to the Plan and any subsequent revisions thereto.
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ASMFC is establishing this policy on submerged aquatic vegetation, emphasizing both the true seagrasses and freshwater species, because of the important role SAV plays in the habitat of ASMFC managed species, and because some of these species utilize both seagrass and freshwater SAV habitats during their ontogenetic development.
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The decision to focus ASMFC’s attention on submerged aquatic vegetation was prompted by increasing concerns that the coast-wide health of this valuable resource may be declining, that certain human activities may be adversely affecting SAV, and that the Commission may need to take action in its fishery management plans (FMPs) to protect SAV as valuable fish habitat. Based on those facts, Habitat Committee Chair Tom Fote (NJ) established the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Subcommittee on May 28, 1996.
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Technical working papers from a symposium on artificial reef development held at the American Fishery Society Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, August 29, 2995
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The Artificial Reef Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was established in 1984 to provide critical advice to the Commission on development of artificial reefs along the Atlantic Coast. The committee is composed of the senior state scientists responsible for marine artificial reef programs in eleven of the Commission’s fifteen member states (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida). Representatives of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency also participate on the committee. The following report was produced…
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Artificial reef programs have traditionally relied upon vessels as the primary source of material for artificial reef construction. Over the past several years, the increasing cost of preparing these vessels and the fluctuating availability of suitable craft have led several states to use other types of reef materials. In spite of these problems, vessels still play a major role in many state and local artificial reef programs. This survey was developed to assess the role of vessels as artificial reef materials in the Gulf and Atlantic States.
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In 1987, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission identified the need to develop a comprehensive coastwide planning guide to assist states in preparing and implementing state artificial reef programs. Lacking a comprehensive, coastwide guide from which to develop individual state plans, many states have borrowed from a few existing plans developed to meet state-specific needs. The following guide goes beyond the scope of most of these parochial plans and provides a broad overview of planning components, as well as specific recommendations to guide the development of a state artificial reef plan policy.
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This profile is the first effort to systematically examine the artificial reef programs and projects along the Atlantic coast of the United States and includes information on both artificial reef programs and permitted artificial reef sites
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