The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) projects approved to receive USFWS‐NFHP FY2013 funding. The following two project proposals submitted to the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) were approved to receive funding:
Expanding Marine Meadow Habitat in the Peconic Estuary, NY
Marine meadows play an important role in providing ecosystem services while serving as preferred or essential habitat for a wide array of native fish species. In New York waters, it is estimated that over 80% of eelgrass habitat has been lost since the 1930’s due to natural and anthropogenic causes. To address the need to re-establish submerged aquatic vegetation in the Peconic Estuary, areas suitable for eelgrass restoration will be identified and restoration planting conducted. The public will have an opportunity to take part in these restoration efforts through participation in two land-based workshops. For more information on this project please view the in depth project fact sheet or contact Kimberly Barbour, Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Project text and photo provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
Restoring Coastal Fish Habitat Using Oysters, Mussels, and Marsh Grass at Guana Peninsula, FL
This project, located specifically at Wright’s Landing, in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, will restore and enhance fish habitat by preventing shoreline erosion and promoting shoreline accretion using a combination of mussel and oyster-based living shorelines. Combined with Spartina alterniflora planting, living shorelines have stopped or reversed erosion and provided critical habitats for plants, fishes, and invertebrates. Specifically, restored marsh and reef will provide nursery and feeding habitat for forage fishes (mummichog, silversides) that utilize emergent salt marsh habitats, as well as juvenile commercial and recreational species (drum, shrimp) that utilize oyster reef and shallow nearshore habitats. For more information on this project please view the in depth project fact sheet or contact Kelly Smith, University of North Florida.
Project text provided by Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Photo provided by Matt Kimball.