Fisheries Management Development in U.S. Caribbean Islands
Fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean Islands is undergoing development, focusing on establishing fishery management units, revising management reference points, identifying essential fish habitat, and considering various criteria for unit establishment. Data on commercial and recreational landings in Puerto Rico, as well as St. Thomas/St. John, provide insights into current management status and potential future actions.
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U.S. Caribbean Island U.S. Caribbean Island- -Based Fisheries Management Fisheries Management Development of FMPs Development of FMPs Based Southeast Regional Office St. Petersburg, Florida September 10, 2024
Island-Based Draft Actions 1. Establish fishery management units (FMUs) for each island-based fishery management plan (FMP). 2. Revise and/or establish management reference points for the FMUs. 3. Identify essential fish habitat for new species. 4. Other management measures? 2
Action 1. Identify Fishery Management Units (FMUs) Alt 1. Retain all FMUs from the current species-based FMPs (e.g., Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster) Alt 2. Include FMUs for which landings are reported regardless if they are currently managed by the Council. Alt 3. Establish FMUs based on pre-determined criteria. 3
Possible Criteria to Consider when Establishing FMUs Average Landings Biology Habitat Range State vs. Federal waters Economic Importance Target Species Bycatch Method of Harvest Indicator Species Protected Resource Depth Socio Cultural Species Others? 4
Puerto Rico: Commercial Landings 1983-2011 180,000 380,000 Presently Managed Presently Not Managed 360,000 160,000 340,000 320,000 140,000 300,000 280,000 120,000 260,000 240,000 100,000 220,000 200,000 80,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 60,000 120,000 100,000 40,000 80,000 60,000 20,000 40,000 20,000 0 0 5
Puerto Rico: Recreational Landings 2000-2012 1,400,000 400,000 350,000 1,200,000 Presently Managed Presently Not Managed 300,000 1,000,000 250,000 800,000 200,000 600,000 150,000 400,000 100,000 200,000 50,000 0 0 6
St. Thomas/St. John: Commercial Landings 2000-2012 30,000 160,000 140,000 25,000 Presently Not Managed Presently Managed 120,000 20,000 100,000 15,000 80,000 60,000 10,000 40,000 5,000 20,000 0 0 7
St. Croix: Commercial Landings 1998-2012 70,000 280,000 260,000 60,000 240,000 Presently Not Managed 220,000 Presently Managed 50,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 40,000 140,000 120,000 30,000 100,000 80,000 20,000 60,000 40,000 10,000 20,000 0 0 8
Action 2. Modify or Establish Management Reference Points or Proxies for FMUs. 1. Retain existing management reference points/proxies. 2. Revise existing management reference points or proxies for FMUs managed by the Council. 3. Establish management reference points or proxies for new FMUs (Required). 10
Action 3. Identify Essential Fish Habitat Alt 1. No Action. Do not identify essential fish habitat for new FMUs added to the Puerto Rico FMP. Alt 2. Describe and identify EFH according to functional relationships between life history stages. Alt 3. Designate habitat areas of particular concern in the Puerto Rico FMPs based on confirmed spawning locations and on areas or sites identified as having particular ecological importance to managed species. 11
Draft Timeline Summer/Fall 2 015 Hold a second round of scoping meetings in St. Croix, St. Thomas/St. John, and Puerto Rico. Council to consider comments from public hearings and Draft EIS. Council approves public hearing draft for the FMPs and the Draft EIS. (selects preferred alternatives). Spring 2014 Winter 2014 Council directs staff to develop proposed Rule, Final EIS, and complete the FMPs. 2014 2015 NOAA publishes FMPs, Final Rule and Final EIS. Council passes a motion to schedule scoping hearings. Council discusses outcomes of scoping hearings. Publish Draft EIS for public review. Spring 2016 Winter 2013 Summer 2014 Spring 2015 Hold public hearings in St. Croix, St. Thomas /St. John, and Puerto Rico. Council directs staff to develop FMPs for public hearing and Draft EIS. Today 12
Next Steps 1. Schedule SSC meeting for March (or ASAP) 2014 to establish species selection criteria, consider SDC revision/setting. 2. Schedule scoping meetings for March/April 2014 to present criteria, receive additional alternatives. 3. Present scoping outcomes to Council at April 2014 meeting, receive go-ahead to fully develop alternatives and sub-alternatives. 13
Questions? 14
