3.10 Marine Species
Management Practices. Management practices that reduce habitat impacts and work synergistically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of this taxon. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and part- nerships should be utilized to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that utilize existing regu- latory frameworks to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable. Land conservation or preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above all, it increases ecosystem resilience.
3.10 Marine Species 3.10.1 Introduction
Te management and protection of migratory, pelagic, or other marine species fall under a host of jurisdictions in North Carolina depending on the location of the species at a given point in time. Similarly, there is inter-jurisdictional responsibility for management of coastal, estuarine and marine habitats that are critical to marine species survival. Tis presents a constant challenge to resource managers because coordinated eforts among multiple agencies are necessary to manage the fsh and wildlife resources of the state efectively. Four agencies have jurisdiction and authority over particular estuarine and marine (aquatic) species in the state:
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries
• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF)
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), when the species are in inland waters. Marine and pelagic species were not directly prioritized during the Taxa Team evaluation process primarily for reasons of
Green Sea Turtle (P. Lindgren WikiMedia) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:P. Lindgren#/media/File:Green_Sea_Turtle_grazing_ seagrass.jpg. Used under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.5
jurisdictional limitations and lack of information. However, marine species and habitats are a critical resource for North Carolina, and the management and conservation of those
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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