Protect Offshore Habitat

Protect and enhance the health of offshore habitats and their associated species.

The offshore habitats of Long Island Sound support a wide range of marine species, including important biota such as sponges, cold-water corals, and key recreational and commercial fishery species. Recognizing the value of these ecosystems, a 2004 settlement between New York, Connecticut, two power companies, and a cable company directed $6 million toward enhancing the health of the Sound’s seafloor and associated resources. This funding helped launch the Long Island Sound Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative, an effort to map the entire seafloor to improve understanding of ecological characteristics, biodiversity, and threats such as invasive species and the impacts of underwater infrastructure.

The Partnership will build on the progress made through this Initiative by supporting and implementing 25 offshore habitat restoration and management projects by 2035. These projects will focus on mapping offshore seafloor habitats, collecting data, and assessing species beyond the 10-foot contour depth at Mean Lower Low Water. Seafloor mapping data and additional partner resources will guide efforts to prioritize future protection and restoration work, with an emphasis on preserving fragile and biodiverse habitats.

The Partnership will also promote the conservation of offshore habitats by supporting regional planning initiatives, including the Long Island Sound Blue Plan and the New York Ocean Action Plan. In addition, it will encourage the designation of protected areas and buffer zones, such as the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR), and advance the implementation of federal, interstate, and state species management plans.

Actions

• Promote science-based marine spatial planning that balances human use of the Sound and protects ecosystem functions of offshore habitat and species while considering the existing natural, social, cultural, historic, and economic characteristics of Long Island Sound.
• Support the Long Island Sound Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative and apply the collected data to refine and expand upon other initiatives supporting coastal and marine spatial planning and designation of protected areas and buffer zones.
• Promote stewardship and restoration of offshore habitat in the Sound by supporting the development and implementation of action plans and programs that incorporate meaningful community science, engagement, and participation.

Programs