Environmental Assessment Issuance of a Protected Species Conservation and Recovery Grant to the New York Department of Conservation (Award File 4720039) to Conduct Research on Atlantic Sturgeon Aggregations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight.

摘要

Under section 6 of the ESA, NMFS is authorized to cooperate with states to the maximum extent practicable in carrying out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species, and monitoring of candidate species. Scientific research is an important means of gathering valuable information about protected species to inform conservation and management measures to recovery listed species, and avoid the listing of candidate species. The purpose of this proposed action is to provide financial assistance to support research that helps determine the connectivity among and fine-scale habitat use within Atlantic sturgeon aggregation areas in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. This information would help inform the implementation of gear restricted management areas to reduce bycatch. Specifically, the funded work would be used to (1) delineate timing of movements, residence periods of Atlantic sturgeon within aggregations, and exchange from multiple known aggregation areas; (2) identify fine-scale spatial and temporal movement patterns within aggregation areas; (3) estimate the relative contributions of different Atlantic sturgeon breeding areas to these aggregations; (4) assess and evaluate management alternatives by estimating population proportions that would be protected under a number of spatial and temporal closure scenarios. Section 6(d) of the ESA allows NMFS to provide financial assistance to any State, through its respective State agency that has entered into a section 6 agreement with NMFS, to support conservation activities for threatened and endangered species, or to monitor the status of candidate species and recently de-listed species.