The NOAA says that this year's measurement is equivalent to more than four million acres of habitat potentially unavailable to fish and bottom species.
Qatar plans to expand fish farming to meet growing demand for fresh fish in local markets and maintain stocks in offshore Gulf waters in the face of devastating climate change.
Hurricane Sally's incredibly slow pace, which at times was just 3 miles per hour, and its stalling over the Gulf represent a climate change effect that's triggered more destructive and frequent storms.
Survey results showed halibut numbers were down 23 percent from last summer, according to scientists at the International Pacific Halibut Commission interim meeting.
