U.S. Caribbean Reef Fishery Management Plans Amendment Summary
Amendments were proposed in June 2016 to the U.S. Caribbean Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, and Corals And Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plans. The focus was on the timing of Accountability Measure (AM)-Based Closures, with two key actions: modifying the implementation timing of AM-based closures in the EEZ and setting the frequency of revisiting the chosen approach. Different alternatives were presented for each action, varying in closure dates and application based on fishery management units and island management areas. The amendments aimed to improve fisheries management practices in the U.S. Caribbean region.
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Amendments to the U.S. Caribbean Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, and Corals And Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plans Timing of Accountability Measure-Based Closures Draft Amendment/Environmental Assessment June 2016
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Actions and Management Alternatives Amendment consists of two actions: - Action 1: Modify the timing for the implementation of AM- based closures in the EEZ - Action 2: Specify how often to revisit the approach selected in Action 1 2
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 1 Alternative 1: No Action. December 31 going backward (All FMUs) Preferred Alternative 2: September 30 going backward (DAP s input) (All FMUs). If Alt 5 also chosen for FMUs that include species with seasonal closures, Alt 5 regs govern those FMUs affected. Alternative 3: January 1 going forward (All FMUs). If Alt 5 also chosen for FMUs that include species with seasonal closures, Alt 5 regs govern those FMUs affected. Alternative 4: Different fixed dates for individual or a group of FMUs. AM-based closure dates would end the last day of the month that has the highest or the lowest landings based on monthly average landings through time, using 2012-2014 as the most recent three years of available landings data. 3
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 1 Alternative 4 Sub-alternatives (by island management area): Dates identified in Alts 1-5 would apply for any year AMs need to be implemented for that particular FMU, unless and until the chosen closure dates are revised as described in Action 2. Alternatives 4a (PR comm.), 4c (PR rec.), 4e (STT/STJ), 4g (STX), 4i (Caribbean-wide). Closure to end the last day of the month with highest average landings Alternatives 4b (PR comm.), 4d (PR rec.), 4f (STT/STJ), 4h (STX), 4j (Caribbean-wide). Closure to end the last day of the month with lowest average landings - Tables 2.2.1 2.2.5 in Document 4
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 1 Alternative 5: For FMUs that include species with seasonal closures in U.S. Caribbean federal waters, AM-based closures resulting from an ACL overage for these FMUs would be timed to be continuous with the seasonal closure. The AM- based closure will extend either forward or backward from the seasonal closure into the year as specified in Sub- Alternatives 5(a) through 5(n) for the number of days necessary to achieve the required reduction in landings. - Pages 31-33 in Document (includes Table 2.2.6) 5
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Alternative 5 Sub-alternatives 5a-5n (by FMU and island management area): Sub- Alternative Island Mgt. Area or PR sector Date Date Seasonal Closure/species Applicable FMU for AM 5a PR - Commercial Feb 1 Apr 30: Black, red, yellowfin, tiger, yellowedge 5c PR-Recreational May 1st going forward Grouper Complex 5e STT/STJ 5f STX 5b PR Commercial Dec 1 last day Feb: Red hind west of Puerto Rico Nov 30th going backward Grouper Complex 5d PR Recreational 5g PR Commercial Snapper Unit 3: mutton, lane, gray, dog, schoolmaster, mahogany 5i PR Recreational July 1st going forward Apr 1 Jun 30: Mutton and lane snappers 5k STT/STJ Snapper Complex 5m STX 5h PR Commercial SU1 (all + wenchman) 5j PR Recreational Oct 1 Dec 31: Silk, black, blackfin, vermillion Sep 30th going backward 5l STT/STJ Snapper Complex 5n STX 6
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 1 Alt 5 Effects (vary by FMU and date) Economic Could decrease costs associated with having two closures instead of one (positive), could have closures during economically important times (negative), current harvest efficiencies resulting from fishing adjacent to a seasonal closure would be interrupted (negative) Social and Cultural Could have closures during socially and culturally important times (negative); greater complexity of regs could be more confusing for fishers (negative) Biological AM closure ending or starting immediately before or after the spawning closure may have biological benefits (positive for species affected) Physical Extended protection to habitat during period immediately before or after the spawning closure by reducing anchoring activities and reducing gear interactions used for those specific species (positive). Administrative One closure instead of two could ease enforcement (positive) but more complex info for public compliance and enforcement efforts (some species in AM closure not included in species closure, more dates to keep track of) (negative) 7
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 1 Summary of Effects Alternative Alt 1 (Dec 31 end) Positive effects Negative Effects Closure during high demand period in USVI and West Coast of PR Avoids fishing during bad weather Alt 2 (Sept 30 end) (Preferred) Avoids fishing during bad weather; Avoid closure during high demand period in USVI and West Coast of PR May result in long closure due to AM closure consecutive with seasonal closures (SU1) Alt 3 (Jan 1 start) Established start date (easier to plan for); High probability of abutting or overlapping with seasonal closures May have a closure going into Lent; high tourism season in USVI; high probability of abutting or overlapping with seasonal closures (SU1) Longer closures during low demand periods; Shorter closure during high demand periods (varies by alt) Alt 4 (various based on high landings/low landings) Longer closure during low demand periods; Shorter closures during high demand periods (varies by alt) Alt 5 (AM closure consecutive with seasonal closure for certain species) Extends protection of spawning activity; decreases adjustments needed to switch fisheries due to closures; eases enforcement for affected species in some ways More complex regs; makes enforcement and compliance more difficult; current harvest efficiencies could be interrupted
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Action 2: Specify how often the approach to set the timing of AM-based closures selected in Action 1 should be revisited. Alternative 1. No Action. Do not specify how often the approach chosen should be revisited. Preferred Alternative 2. Revisit the approach selected no longer than 2 years from implementation and every 2 years thereafter. Alternative 3. Revisit the approach selected no longer than 5 years from implementation and every 5 years thereafter. Revisiting the approach that sets the timing for AM closures can involve revisiting the dates selected, criteria for choosing the dates, or any other aspect of the rule. 9
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Draft Timeline Today Council discusses Public Hearings, reviews document. Council discusses alternatives, reconsiders or confirms preferred alts Council reviews and approves codified text Council approves Amendment for Secretarial Review Decides if taking final action at August meeting Amendment and Proposed Rule Comment Period 2016 2017 NOAA publishes Amendment/ Final Rule Council holds Public Hearings, if necessary Final Rule Effective 10
Timing of AM-Based Closures Amendment June 2016 Next Steps: Review alternatives (including Alt 5) and preferred alternatives Motion to reconsider or confirm preferred alternatives Consider Public Hearings schedule Consider taking final action (August Council Meeting?)
12 Motions Move to hold one public hearing in Mayaguez/Cabo Rojo and one public hearing at the Council meeting in San Juan in August 2016. Blanchard/Hanke Motion carries
