Offshore communites of sargassum weed have been identified as “Essential Fish Habitat,” in U.S. Fishery Management Plans for Billfish and other highly migratory species. Abundance of a great many fish is directly associated with abundance of this sea-borne habitat.

That’s why there is so much broad support to protect sargassum from harvest in U.S. territorial waters, because it is so vital, especially to juvenile sealife.

However, since sargassum is still wide-open to harvest farther offshore, it needs more protection. That’s why the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) has submitted a proposal to NOAA Fisheries, urging the U.S. to seek a resolution calling on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)’s 39 member nations, to protect sargassum from harvest.

According to the NCMC, pro-active measures now would help ensure sustainable resources for the future.

FS