Conservation and management of the living marine resources of Fire Island National Seashore

Conover, David; Cerrato, Robert; Wise, William

The marine and estuarine environments of Fire Island National Seashore support a diverse assemblage of living marine resources and the habitats upon which these resources depend. By living marine resource, we primarily mean those marine organisms that are of particular economic, recreational, ecological, or charismatic value; those that are rare; and the essential habitats of these species. Historically, Fire Island National Seashore has not actively managed the submerged portion of its property (i.e., below the high tide line), yet the marine areas of the Park are substantially larger than its land area. Human population growth and development in the coastal zone are dramatically increasing nationwide. With the recognition that we must manage and protect ecosystems, not just individual species, the need for strategic plans encompassing both the terrestrial and marine components of National Park Service units is clear. Living marine resources and human activities affecting these resources should be an important element to the new General Management Plan. The purpose of this paper is first to describe the living marine resources of Fire Island National Seashore in terms of individual key species, essential habitat, and as part of the larger Great South Bay and Mid-Atlantic Bight ecosystems. Second, we describe the history and present status of commercially and recreationally harvested species, the extent to which these activities have occurred within the vicinity of Fire Island, and the potential impact these activities might have on living marine resources. Third, we describe the various government agencies, programs, and environmental groups that play a regulatory or advisory role in the management of the Great South Bay and adjacent mid-Atlantic region, and with which Fire Island National Seashore will cooperate during the General Management Plan process. Finally, we suggest and outline a living marine resource management plan for the Seashore, including: general goals and objectives; potential management actions; a strategy for implementation; and research and monitoring efforts that will be needed to ensure the success of, and adaptively improve, the management plan before and after implementation.

Conservation and management of the living marine resources of Fire Island National Seashore

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