Factors Influencing the Headwaters, Nontidal, Tidal and Mainstem Fish Habitat Function

Description

In support of the Chesapeake Bay Program's Fish Habitat Outcome Two-Year Work Plan (2018-19), the Sustainable Fisheries and Vital Habitat Goal Implementation Teams (GITs) obtained funding from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) to conduct a workshop to develop a Fish Habitat Assessment Framework for the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. The workshop’s objective was to identify the necessary information and analytical approaches needed to assess the condition and vulnerability of fish habitat in the watershed in order to identify the condition and primary drivers of fish habitat change, better guide conservation and restoration planning and investments, develop specific habitat management objectives to support the productivity of fish stocks and evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to conserve and restore fish habitat. The workshop was designed to: (1) Examine existing habitat assessment tools at the regional and national level. (2) Identify opportunities to improve upon and integrate with existing assessments. (3) Determine criteria for the selection and ranking of fish habitat condition and stressor variables. (4) Identify and prioritize which of these variables have the greatest influence on habitat condition and vulnerability. (5) Identify research gaps and priorities. (6) Recommend a framework for developing such an assessment, if supported by partnership agencies and stakeholders.