MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Open Ocean Restoration Plan 2 has been approved by the Deep Water Horizon Trustee Council. 18 projects totaling almost $226 million were selected to help restore marine life.
The oil spill in 2010 devastated marine life and habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. This plan represents the largest amount of funds by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment dedicated to restore these oceanic marine resources.
According to the announcement, the projects will:
- Develop innovative and voluntary tools for commercial fishermen to reduce
bycatch of fish and recreational anglers to help more released fish survive. Identify opportunities to partner with commercial fishermen to reduce the riskof sea turtle bycatch, and local organizations to protect sea turtlenesting habitat .- Develop
and implement tools and techniques to reduce risks to marine mammalsfrom vessel collisions, ocean noise, and disasters. Better understand deep-sea (mesophotic and deep benthic) coral habitat toimprove their management and protection, remove threats, and developnew restoration techniques.Develop voluntary ways to protect and restore marine resources that are based inand supported by science.
A draft of the plan was released in May for a 79-day public comment period during which the Trustees received 53 comments, mostly supportive. To see the final plan and other details about the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group, click here.
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