The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission's (PSMFC) Habitat Program is involved in programs on the West Coast that further habitat protection for anadromous, estuarine, and marine fish species. Program efforts are focused on estuarine and watershed conservation and restoration, and watershed education for decision makers. The program also works to assist fishermen and communities with recycling fishing nets, gear, and other marine debris.

An essential element of the Habitat Program is participation on committees that advise policy makers on habitat conservation, including:

• The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (PFMC) Habitat Committee
• The Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP)
• The West Coast Governors’ Alliance on Ocean Health

The program began in 1990 with a focus on marine debris abatement from the fishing sector and encouraged recycling and adequate port facilities for handling refuse. It soon expanded to a focus on a wider fish habitat protection including oil pollution abatement and other watershed habitat issues.

Activities & Achievements

The Habitat Program encourages and supports efforts to improve fish habitat through work that puts projects on the ground, educates decision makers, informs policy, and fosters collaboration. This work is advanced through:

• Participation on the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (PFMC) Habitat Committee
• Support for and participation in the Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP)
• Support for and participation in non-profit watershed council and land conservancy habitat conservation and restoration efforts
• Management of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s (OWEB) small grant funds for the Central Oregon Coast
• Participation in U.S. Forest Service (USFS) forest stewardship efforts
• Sponsorship of watershed tours for decision makers and the media
• Management and support of fishing net and gear recycling programs
• Support for Essential Fish Habitat work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Pacific Fishery    Management Council (PFMC)
• Support for the West Coast Governor’s Alliance on Ocean Health – Marine Debris Technical Advisory Committee

Partners & Funding

The program collaborates with state, federal and tribal agencies, non-profit groups, coastal communities and fishing groups, and the recycling industry to achieve its objectives. By providing management and administrative support to groups, managing projects directly, and supporting partnerships and partners as they set, update and accomplish strategic plan elements, common goals are advanced. Program funds come primarily from U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Sport Fish Restoration Funds and NOAA’s Interjurisdictional Funds supplemented by grant funds for specific projects and activities (e.g., NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board).

Additional Information

Visit the Habitat Program website at: habitat.psmfc.org.

For more information contact Fran Recht, Program Manager, by email to frecht@psmfc.org, or call 541.765.2229.