Hawaii FEP - Western Pacific Fishery Council

• Biological availability of toxic substances• Damage to sensitive habitats• Current patterns/water circulation modification• Loss of habitat function• Contaminant runoff• Sediment runoff• Shoreline stabilization projectsConservation Measures1. To the extent possible, fill materials resulting from dredging operations should be placedon an upland site. Fills should not be allowed in areas with subaquatic vegetation, coralreefs, or other areas of high productivity.2. The cumulative impacts of past and current fill operations on EFH should be addressedby federal, state, and local resource management and permitting agencies and should beconsidered in the permitting process.3. The disposal of contaminated dredge material should not be allowed in EFH.4. When reviewing open-water disposal permits for dredged material, state and federalagencies should identify the direct and indirect impacts such projects may have on EFH.When practicable, benthic productivity should be determined by sampling prior to anydischarge of fill material. Sampling design should be developed with input from state andfederal resource agencies.5. The areal extent of the disposal site should be minimized. However, in some cases, thinlayer disposal may be less deleterious. All non-avoidable impacts should be mitigated.6. All spoil disposal permits should reference latitude–longitude coordinates of the site sothat information can be incorporated into GIS systems. Inclusion of aerial photos mayalso be required to help geo-reference the site and evaluate impacts over time.7. Further fills in estuaries and bays for development of commercial enterprises should becurtailed.8. Prior to installation of any piers or docks, the presence or absence of coral reefs andsubmerged aquatic vegetation should be determined. These areas should be avoided.Benthic productivity should also be determined, and areas with high productivityavoided. Sampling design should be developed with input from state and federal resourceagencies.9. The use of dry stack storage is preferable to wet mooring of boats. If that method is notfeasible, construction of piers, docks, and marinas should be designed to minimizeimpacts to the coral reef substrate and subaquatic vegetation.208