Without complex habitats, populations of the fish that depend on structured habitats may suffer population declines, take longer to recover from other threats such as overfishing or be displaced by other species.

The virtual disappearance of deep-sea coral influences fish distribution in the area, depriving fish of refuge from predators, removing spawning or rearing areas or displacing prey or other food. In the Pacific, rockfish, atka mackerel, walleye pollock, cod, sablefish, flounders and other flatfish, crabs, shrimp and other economically important fish inhabit coral and sponge areas.

The coral habitats in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico also support large numbers of fish, including snowy groupers, sea bass, jacks, golden crab, rock and royal red shrimp, red snapper and sharks.

In some cases, experiments have shown that the same fish may be caught by hook and line or by fish trap without causing the habitat disturbances or changes in species composition that bottom trawling can lead to.

It is critical that remaining areas of structurally complex habitat be protected from damage by large rollers and rockhoppers. Stopping trawling in areas that have already been altered will allow for recovery to begin. Protecting structurally complex habitat would result in more fish for both fishermen and fish consumers, a richer diversity of species and a healthier marine ecosystem.