Linkages between fishery habitat quality, stressors, and fishery populations

Abstract

Increasing human population densities and development along the coasts of the United States pose a threat to fish populations through alteration of their habitats due to modification of upland watersheds, increased inputs of nutrient and domestic and agricultural chemicals, and direct habitat replacement or destruction. Injuries to these habitats will in turn affect populations of marine and estuarine organisms. To effectively evaluate the impacts of human activities on essential fish habitat we propose a framework to assess the linkages between fishery habitat alteration and modification and fishery production and community structure in coastal environments. Inherent natural variability makes it difficult to detect changes to the population or community. Therefore, we target structural and functional components of fish habitat as assessment endpoints, rather than the fish populations that utilize those habitats.