The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has designated Kachemak Bay as its next habitat focus area due to fisheries like dungeness crab and shrimp declining in the bay over the past few years.
That southern portion of the Cook Inlet is particularly vulnerable due to the economic richness in tourism, recreation, subsistence, commercial fishing, and marine transportation.
As a habitat focus area NOAA will concentrate efforts and resources on clearly defined habitat objectives in Kachemak Bay and can be considered for federal funding opportunities.
Another effect of the designation is that NOAA would seek to improve the way coastal data and science is used in a systematic approach to improve decision making for that area.
To see a larger report on the designation, click here.