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Restoration Activities
Case: Montrose/PV Shelf, CA
Fishing and Fish Habitat Restoration:
Construct Artificial Reefs and Fishing Access Improvements
Constructed reefs have often
been employed as a means of recruiting and/or producing fish as mitigation for
environmental impacts. An MSRP-constructed reef would have the added objective
of diversifying the fish community available to pier anglers in areas that are
highly impacted by Fish Consumption Advisories (FCA’s). Increased fish
diversity will increase chances to catch the species of fish that are safe to
consume. In addition, the species most affected by FCA’s (white croaker) tend
to avoid rocky habitats, so construction of reefs near pier-fishing sites would
have the added benefit of reducing the abundance of this highly-contaminated
species. Several critical considerations will guide reef location and design (e.g.,
extent of FCA’s, sediment contamination, existing fishing pressure,
accessibility, suitability for kelp recruitment and establishment, and
consideration of other human uses). This action will require supplemental
analysis, design, and public and environmental review prior to implementation.
This
action may also include fishing access improvements (e.g., improvements to
piers) to facilitate and encourage fishing in a reef project area. Together,
reef construction and fishing access improvements can target fishing sites
where the continued impact of contamination is greatest (i.e., where fish
consumption advisories are in effect), measurably improve the opportunities for
catching fish lower in contamination, and do so in a self-sustaining manner.
Access improvements can also act as compensatory restoration for past losses in
fishing opportunities resulting from fish consumption advisories by enhancing
the quality of the fishing experience.
Costs for
reef projects vary depending on reef size, materials, nature and extent of fishing
access improvements, and potential cost sharing with partners, the Trustees
estimate potential costs of $3 million to $4 million per site, and propose an
objective of constructing two to three reefs in the initial implementation
phase of the Restoration Plan.
Project Update
The Trustees
are currently investigating the feasibility of a reef project adjacent to the
Belmont Pier in Long Beach California.
This site is within an existing “Do Not Consume” area for white
croaker, which are commonly caught by anglers from the pier. The
Trustees will be conducting a comprehensive survey of the site in
2009. The data from these surveys will be used to prepare a
preliminary design and cost estimate for the reef. This project will
include public meetings to obtain input on the project design and
implementation. The Trustees hope to construct the reef in the fall
of 2010.
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An example of an artificial
reef located in Santa Monica Bay. |
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Artificial reefs can attract
a diveristy of marine life such as the treefish shown
here. |
| David Witting / NOAA |
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David Witting / NOAA |
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