Research on Coastal Habitat

One of the three goals in NOAA’s Strategic Plan is to “protect and maintain the health of coastal marine habitats”.

There is a clear connection between the health of coastal habitats and the productivity of our fisheries resources. Many fish species are “estuarine dependent” during their early life history. Through NOAA’s Coastal Ocean Program, researchers at Milford Laboratory have been investigating how habitats function as nurseries for young fish and shellfish. By characterizing important habitats and assessing the growth and survival of animals that live in those habitats, we are developing tools which can be used inventory our precious coastal resources. We are gaining a better understanding of how physical habitat, environmental influences, and ecological interactions, limit the population size of our marine resource species. We are also exploring ways to restore degraded habitats and augment natural stocks, as part of NMFS’s efforts to rebuild and maintain sustainable fisheries.