Amendments to U.S. Caribbean Fisheries Management Plans - December 2015
Amendments were proposed for the U.S. Caribbean Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, and Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plans in December 2015. The amendments focused on modifying the timing of accountability measure-based closures and specifying the frequency of reviewing the selected approach. Public hearings were held to gather input, with discussions on seasonal closures, economic considerations, and the need for real-time information sharing with fishers.
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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 Caribbean Fishery Management Council 154th Meeting December 15 2015
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 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
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 Dates and Places: Public Hearings Puerto Rico: Monday, November 23 2015 - 7:00 p.m. a 10 p.m. Doubletree Hotel, Avenida de Diego, Santurce, Puerto Rico Tuesday, November 24 2015 - 7:00 p.m. a 10 p.m. -- Mayag ez Holiday Inn, N m.. 2701 Avenida Hostos, Mayag ez, Puerto Rico Wednesday, Noviembre 25 2015 - 2:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. -- Ponce Holiday Inn, Ponce , Puerto Rico USVI Monday, Noviembre 16 2015 - 7:00 p.m. a 10 p.m. -- Buccaneer Hotel, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. Tuesday, Noviembre 17 2015 - 7:00 p.m. a 10 p.m. -- Windward Passage, Holiday Inn Hotel, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 4 Public Hearings Results Deponents (Present) Action 1 Action 2 St. Croix St. Thomas San Juan 4 (14) 1 (5)* 16** (65) Alt. 2 Alt. 2 Alt. 2 =7 Alt. 4(b) = 1 NONE = 7 Alt. 5 (new) = 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 2 Alt. 2 = 8 Alt. 3 = 1 NONE = 5 Every year n=2 Mayag ez 9 (65) More information More information Ponce 2 (3) Alt. 2 Alt. 2 *Representing 32 commercial fishers of the STFA **4 Presidents of Fishing Associations
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 5 Public Hearings Results Summer months are better for them economically speaking, because this is a slow time for the tourism season. Seasonal closures already in place should be considered Each coast of Puerto Rico should be considered separately Factors to consider include: (1) decreased number of fishers; (2) environmental changes; (3) safety issues when forced to fish when closure in place, 4 -6 seas prevent fishers from going out; (4) basis for ACLs is wrong Research needs to be conducted in collaboration with fishers and inform decisions Need to manage for small scale fisheries
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 6 Public Hearings Results Get real time information Data collected should be audited to eliminate the ones that are not real before they are sent to the US Information should be brought to the fishers before the public hearings; informal meetings, workshops
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 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 7
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 Public Hearing Draft - Action 1 Alternative 1: No Action. December 31 going backward (All FMUs) Preferred Alternative 2: September 30 going backward (DAP s input) (All FMUs) Alternative 3: January 1 going forward (All FMUs) Alternative 4: Different fixed dates for individual or a group of FMUs on each island/island group 8
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 Public Hearing Draft - Action 1 Alternative 4 Sub-alternatives (by island/island group): Alternatives 4a (PR comm.), 4c (PR rec.), 4e (STT/STJ), 4g (STX), 4i (Caribbean-wide). Closure to start 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 start the last day of the month with lowest average landings 9
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 Public Hearing Draft - Action 1 Alternative 5: If there is a need to apply the closure for any species, this closure for recuperating the fishery from the over captures should be placed during the closed season for such species 10
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 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. 11
AM Based Closures Amendment December 2015 Action 2: Specify how often the approach to set the timing of AM-based closures selected in Action 1 should be revisited. IPT recommends specifying how the review/revisiting will proceed Content: Oral presentation of closure history over the past two years and verbal discussion by Council members with public comment at a Council meeting? Review needed? (IPT can help determine appropriate vessel to do this. Formal analysis? Written report?) Process: When will revisiting occur? Will changes be made through a plan amendment? Framework action? 12
Draft Timeline Today Council discusses outcomes of Public Hearings Amendment and Proposed Rule Comment Period Council revises alternatives of Action 2 as appropriate Staff to bring final document to Spring Meeting for final action 2015 2016 NOAA publishes Amendment/ Final Rule Council revises and approves codified text Council approves Amendment for Secretarial Review Final Rule Effective 13
14 Next Steps: Modify text in Alternatives 2 and 3 of Action 2, if appropriate. Provide additional information for Alternatives 2 and 3 of Action 2 to guide the review process. Direct staff to bring final draft to Spring 2016 meeting for final action
