Mission Statement: to integrate information about bay and estuarine habitats and selected species, identify research needs, and develop ecosystem-based management recommendations using a collaborative process
Humboldt Bay and the Eel River Estuary contain diverse physical habitats including rivers; brackish and salt marshes; eelgrass meadows; tidal flats; large benthic areas of sand, mud and gravel; and sand and rock beaches. Nearshore ocean habitats include reefs, plains, and submarine canyons. These habitats are affected by natural and human-induced factors including coastal development, sea level rise, complex oceanographic processes, dredging, levees, pollution, diversions, and certain types of fishing gear. Subtidal and intertidal habitats must be assessed, maintained, and enhanced to support fisheries, wildlife, and recreational and commercial activities.
Subtidal and intertidal habitats in Humboldt Bay and the Eel River Estuary have not been the focus of much research and consequently the location and abundance of habitats and their utilization by aquatic species are not well understood. This project will develop a comprehensive, long-term management vision for protection, restoration, and appropriate use of the subtidal/intertidal system in the Humboldt-Eel River Estuary study area. The project will identify challenges and threats to the Humboldt Bay-Eel River Estuary ecosystem and provide a scientific basis to guide protection strategies, restoration and research priorities, and management policies of public resource agencies, as well as future decisions involving the preservation, enhancement, modification and use of subtidal and intertidal habitats.