If approved, the zones would prohibit deep-water fishing in the spawning areas, although fishing at the surface probably would still be permitted. These zones would complement other habitat protections along the Southeast coast that also are designed to safeguard fish and corals to maintain healthy ocean ecosystems. Providing undisturbed areas for fish to spawn could aid in the recovery of depleted species such as red snapper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind, which need more time than some other fish to reach their best spawning years.

For more information, click here.