Success Story: AMCC

A diversity of seafloor life in a deep, coldwater garden near Adak Island in the Aleutians by R. Stone, NOAA.

Organization: Alaska Marine Conservation Council

ACF Support in 2005: $84,500

Project: Protecting Cold Water Coral from Bottom Trawling

In perhaps one of the greatest conservation achievements of the year, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) voted unanimously to protect over 60% of the Aleutian Islands fishing grounds from bottom trawling. This was a final decision in a multi–year process to evaluate the effects of bottom trawl gear on sensitive ocean habitats, such as valuable living coral forests and sponge beds. This change represents a policy shift from allowing destructive bottom trawling everywhere in the unique Aleutian Islands to permitting the gear only in certain areas. The decision advances conservation while allowing for viable fisheries to continue.

&ldqo;This decision to curtail bottom trawling in coral and sponge habitat is a rewarding outcome to a long and arduous public process. The case is clear for protecting these remarkable and rich seafloor oases,” said Dorothy Childers of Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC). “Recognizing these living ocean habitats as part of Alaska's great natural heritage is good for long-term ocean health and sustainability of our valuable fisheries.”

The Aleutian Islands are home to a globally significant diversity of coldwater coral species. In the last few summers, scientists using submersible cameras documented 69 taxa (species and subspecies) of coral, of which 25 are found no place else on earth. They report that the western Aleutians may be the evolutionary center of origin for some coldwater corals. Red Bubblegum Coral by R. Stone, NOAA.

Corals, sponges and other species form the living seafloor that in turn provides shelter and protection for numerous fish species including long-lived rockfish. Scientists liken the coral gardens to tropical reefs because of the dense clusters of colorful corals and sponges. Once toppled or crushed by bottom trawl fishing gear, coral gardens can take decades or more to recover.

“The decision represents an encouraging departure from what looked to be a head–in–the–sand approach,“ said Ben Enticknap, AMCC Fishery Project Coordinator and member of the NPFMC”s habitat committee charged with developing management alternatives for the environmental impact statement. “We are gratified that our efforts made a difference and the North Pacific Council adopted a more precautionary management approach to habitat conservation.”

This is an issue that AMCC has been working on for years, in conjunction with other ACF grantees such as Oceana and The Ocean Conservancy.

AMCC is a community-based organization of people who care about the health and future of Alaska's oceans and coastal communities. Their members include fishermen, subsistence harvesters, marine scientists, small business owners and families. AMCC is working to protect and restore our marine environment through sustainable fishing practices, habitat protection, and local stewardship. The Alaska Conservation Foundation has provided $514,624 of support to AMCC since 2000.