Description: NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provided these habitat data layers to NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) for BOEM’s consideration in the spatial model developed by NCCOS for BOEM’s OR Call Areas and proposed Wind Energy Area (WEA) designation. Using the best available data, five habitat types were selected: essential fish habitat conservation areas (EFHCA), rocky reef groundfish habitat areas of particular concern (mapped and probable), deep-sea coral habitat suitability, continental shelf break, and methane bubble streams. Click here for a complete description of NMFS’ habitat data recommendations and methodologies used to develop the combined layer.Disclaimer for NMFS’ Role in NCCOS Offshore Wind Spatial Planning Work for BOEM: NCCOS is providing BOEM with technical assistance to support BOEM’s spatial planning in relation to offshore wind projects. This support is being provided with funding resources from NCCOS and through reimbursable support from BOEM to NCCOS. NMFS is providing technical assistance to NCCOS regarding available science (i.e. data layers and modeling methods) for BOEM’s consideration in their spatial modeling efforts. These efforts are supporting BOEM's ocean and coastal planning activities related to siting of call areas, wind energy areas, and transmission cable routing. The information provided by NMFS to NCCOS is purely technical in nature and does not reflect or constitute an official agency policy, position, or action. Official NMFS positions related to spatial planning for offshore wind activity will be submitted by NMFS through written comments to BOEM during the planning and review processes for each activity.