Essential Fish Habitats (EFH) are the parts of the ocean where fish spawn, breed, feed and grow. Without them there would be no fisheries at all!

Where are these habitats? How large are they? Are they vulnerable to different kinds of fishing gear? How can we protect them without disrupting fisheries that are important to our economy?

The Marine Conservation Alliance works to ensure that there is seafood to feed the world. We must conserve essential fish habitat to sustain healthy, robust populations of commercially important fish species.

Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), as defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act, is an important part of our work around deep sea coral.

Many areas in the Alaska region have been closed to certain gear types, or closed to fishing entirely, to protect sensitive habitats. Map courtesy of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Many areas in the Alaska region have been closed to certain gear types, or closed to fishing entirely, to protect sensitive habitats. Map courtesy of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.