The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) has taken a lead role in the development of a regional Aquatic Habitat Plan as part of the National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI). SARP has been working with its partners, including 13 southeastern states fisheries management agencies, Gulf and Atlantic marine councils and commissions, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other public and private stakeholders, in development of the Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan. A SARP Habitat Planning Team first met in March of 2006 to develop a vision and guidance for completing a regional plan during 2007. A workshop to draft the regional plan was set for October 2006. The Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan is on schedule to be the first regional plan associated with the NFHI, and may serve as a model for other areas of the country. This presentation introduced SARP and its role in the development and implementation of the regional Aquatic Habitat Plan. It also provided an initial summary of the region planning workshop results and information on how SARP is coordinating regional efforts with national efforts to meet the goals of the National Fish Habitat Initiative.
