NCCOS Project Explorer (NPE)

Evaluation of Critical Offshore Habitats and their Susceptibility to Fishing/Harvest Impacts at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary(2005)

Project Description:
The offshore shelf and canyons of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) contain hard-bottom substrates suitable for the growth of deep-sea corals and sponges. Such species with their three-dimensional structure can be of value as potential habitat for other associated fishes and invertebrates including commercially important species. However, due to their exposed structure, they may be especially vulnerable to natural or anthropogenic events that cause physical disruption of the seafloor. Moreover, due to slow growth and recruitment rates, these fauna may require a long time to recover from any such disturbances. Learning more about the presence and condition of deep-sea coral and sponge assemblages within the OCNMS is a high-priority management need for the sanctuary. Accordingly, NCCOS and OCNMS scientists have initiated a study of deep-sea coral/sponge assemblages at the OCNMS and their potential vulnerability to anthropogenic activities in the area. The project began in June 2004 with a pilot survey funded by a NMSP/NCCOS Partnership Agreement. The survey was conducted on the NOAA Ship McArthur II using the Navy’s Phantom DHD2+2 ROV. Results of this initial effort were very productive in documenting for the first time the presence of the reef-building stony coral Lophelia pertusa in sanctuary waters and providing evidence of anthropogenic influences in the area (e.g., trawl marks in sediment, lost long-line fishing gear). A follow-up survey, supported by a combination of funding from OE, NURP, NCCOS, and OCNMS, was conducted May-June, 2006 to learn more about the presence and characteristics of these species and to look for any additional signs of anthropogenic influences. The survey was conducted onboard the NOAA Ship McArthur II using the ROPOS ROV (Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility) and involving scientists from OCNMS, NCCOS, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Aquanautix Consulting. Based on recent acoustic profile and fisheries data, we have identified areas of hard substrates potentially suitable as coral/sponge habitat at 48 sites within the OCNMS, including locations within and outside an Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) closure zone established by NMFS in June 06. On our 2006 ROV survey, we were able to complete dives at 15 of these 48 sites and document corals at 14 of them. Future efforts will seek to explore the remaining uncharacterized habitats. Overall project objectives are as follows: (1) To locate and characterize coral/sponge assemblages in the sanctuary; (2) To identify other species associated with coral/sponge habitat; (3) To document any potential anthropogenic effects on corals/sponges and their associated fauna; (4) To document the type of substrates that coral/sponge species inhabit to verify acoustic-profile data and support related habitat-mapping efforts; and (5) To provide new information to help support management decision-making regarding sanctuary and deep-sea coral resources.

Expected Outcome:
Learning more about the presence and condition of deep-sea coral and sponge assemblages within the OCNMS, their vulnerability to potential environmental disturbances, and the possible need for protective zoning in such critical habitats has been a high-priority management issue for the Sanctuary. In addition, the U.S. and many other nations are beginning to recognize the tremendous value of such resources and to adopt steps to manage and protect them. Recommendations for a new program within NOAA, aimed specifically at the protection of deep-sea corals and sponges, have been presented under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005 (S.2012) as passed by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in December 2005. Research and protection of deep-sea coral communities are also specifically called out in the Administration’s Ocean Action Plan. Results of the present study will be made available to the fullest extent possible to support future deliberations relating to such concerns and policies. The OCNMS also encompasses the usual and accustomed (U&A) fishing grounds for four federally recognized treaty tribes -- the Makah, Quileute, Hoh and Quinault -- who have sovereign status and are co-managers of these fishery resources. In 2006, NOAA Fisheries accepted recommendations of the Pacific Fishery Management Council to promote conservation of ground-fish and sustainable fisheries by closing specific areas along the west coast of the U.S. as essential fish habitats (EFH) and/or habitat areas of particular concern (NOAA Fisheries 2006). One of the areas selected for closure from non-tribal, bottom-trawl gear is identified as “Olympic 2,” which occurs within the OCNMS. NOAA Fisheries also works with the tribes towards the goal of ensuring that, within their U&A fishing grounds, adequate measures are in place to protect EFH. It is anticipated that results of the present study will also be of direct use in related co-management efforts of both NOAA Fisheries and the treaty tribes.