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plan objective. Wetlands are critically important nurseries for 

 many fish stocks. 



To address habitat issues, the Commission should establish a 

 process for reviewing potential actions that will affect them. 

 Once this process is established, the Commission will be able to 

 effectively comment to those agencies that regulate actions 

 affecting habitat areas. Furthermore, those regulatory agencies 

 should give serious consideration to the recommendations provided 

 by the Commission. 



To ensure that all States fully implement Commission adopted ^ 

 Interstate Fishery Management Plans (Plans) , mechanisms for 

 accountability must be in place. While Atlantic coastal States 

 participate in the development of Plans, they are not required to 

 implement and enforce management measures identified in adopted 

 Plans. The resulting inconsistent management strategies have 

 contributed to the continued decline of Atlantic coastal 

 fisheries. The exception is the Atlantic coastal migratory stock 

 of striped bass for which Plan implementation and enforcement is 

 required under the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act. 

 Thanks in part to coordinated actions of the Commission and 

 Federal and State agencies, striped bass populations are 

 rebounding along the Atlantic Coast. Of the 17 Plans that have 

 been adopted by the Commission, only three have been fully 

 implemented (striped bass. Northern shrimp, and spotted 



