Fish Habitat Outcome:Factors Influencing Progress
Several factors could impact our ability to improve the effectiveness of fish habitat conservation and restoration efforts. These factors have directly informed the management actions our partners will take to achieve the Fish Habitat outcome.
Government Agency and Non-governmental Organization Engagement
Before the Fish Habitat Action Team can develop a workshop approach or assessment framework to support the conservation and restoration of fish habitat, it must determine which data and tools would be most useful to government agencies, non-governmental organizations and local community members, and ensure restoration practitioners can access these resources.
Partner Coordination
Government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other Chesapeake Bay Program partners will be critical participants in a future workshop that will inform a potential fish habitat assessment for the Chesapeake Bay.
Scientific and Technical Understanding
After compiling a comprehensive list of the data and tools that are available to support the conservation and restoration of fish habitat, some gaps are apparent. Some habitats (e.g., nearshore habitat) are often underrepresented in fish and benthic surveys. New research could begin to close the gaps in these data-poor areas.