Fisheries Management Regulations for Bajo de Sico, Tourmaline, and Abril la Sierra
Regulations for Bajo de Sico include a 6-month closure allowing trolling for specified species, restrictions on fishing gear, habitat protection measures, and fishing limitations. Similarly, Tourmaline and Abril la Sierra have seasonal closures with specific rules for lobster fishing and anchoring to protect the environment and ensure sustainable fisheries management.
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1- Bajo de Sico:6 month closure (Dic1 to May 31) Allow to fish commercially and recreationally the water column trolling(*HMS definition) also blue water hunting for HMS species and coastal pelagic species ( *allowable examples: Blackfin tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, rainbow runner and king-mackerel). NO bottom tending gear like lobster traps, bottom gears, jigs and any other gear with bottom interaction*Create a list) NO anchoring all year to protect the habitat especiealy fragile corals listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) NO fishing after 5:30pm . NO fishing for CFMC managed species. NO chumming with live or dead bait during close season NO conch or lobster fishing
Rational: - Allow commercial fishermen troll to catch Wahoo, Dorado ,Yellowfin tuna, Skypjack tuna and Blackfin tunas . This activity is reported to be essential for commercial fishing community either for consumption or for bait(skipjack tuna is used as bait for deep snapper fishing) -Allow recreational fishermen and charters to fish trolling for HMS and coastal pelagic species(list to be developed). This area is very important for charters and recreational fishermen because wahoo and billfishes feed and pass through the area. Trolling on the area represent no or minimal interaction with the bottom. The majority of charter clients that choose to fish on the west of Puerto Rico, are looking to fish in one of the best fishing grounds for blue marlin in the world, and that include Bajo de Sico.
Bajo -Due to sporadic lobster fishing activity, predominant deep depth on the fishing area and the size of the lobster population , lobster fishing should not be allow. This approach is supported by CFMC study made by Garcia-Sais et al. -The long distance traveling and the high fuel cost, create a great amount of logistics and it is a eminent risk to the fishermen, this is another reason to prohibit lobster fishing on Bajo de Sico. -Due to the geografical ( distance and deep water) around Bajo de Sico.Differences on geomorphology( seamount w/limited shalow habitat) the limited connectivity presumed with other spawnig grounds on the insular platform of PR as well the differences in the species composition that aggregate to spawn on this area, bajo the sico should be managed apart from Tourmaline and April la Sierra, specially knowing the great spawning importance for multiple grouper species including the nassau grouper (ESA).
2- Tourmaline and Abril la Sierra: Close from dic/15 to March,15 due to recent new scientific information for this area - Due to the biological and geo-morphological conectivity between those areas, the regulations must be the same. This way helping law enforcement agents to perform their very essential task that will translate in to better fishery and socio- economic benefit - Commercial fishing for lobster should be allow during open season, maybe under especial permit. - Anchoring for commercial only (under special requirements and/or permit*) this is create more protection for the habitat
Tourmaline- Abrir la Sierra - Commercial fishing for yellowtail snapper should be allow during open season on both areas. Commercial fishermen are the ones that really depend socio-economicaly on the yellow tail snapper fishing. Recreational fishermen should not be allow to anchor, due to the high risk and inexperience on the execution during anchoring. -Recreational fishermen,commercial and Charter should be allow to fish and possess HMS and coastal pelagic (BF tuna,Dorado, Wahoo, Rainbow runner and king mackerel*) during closed season.
