caribbean fishery management council 150 th meeting august 12-13 2014 rio grande, puerto rico

Caribbean Fishery Management Council150th Meeting August 12-13 2014

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Developing Compatible Regulations for Three Seasonally

Closed Areas off Puerto Rico: Abrir la Sierra Bank, Bajo de Sico,

and Tourmaline Bank

Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline Bank are under federal and territorial jurisdiction

Abrir La Sierra is under federal jurisdiction only

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries |

Bajo de Sico

Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Bajo de Sico. No anchoring allowed at Bajo de Sico.

FEDERAL WATERS: Fishing and possession of CFMC managed reef fish prohibited from 1 October to 31 March each year.

9 nm

Bajo de Sico: EEZ=62%

Current Regulations 2014

9 nm

Tourmaline

Abrir La Sierra

FEDERAL WATERS: ALL FISHING PROHIBITED for all species from 1 December to 28 February each year.Anchor removal system required if anchoring.

Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra.

State Waters: No anchoring allowed all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra (all in EEZ).

Tourmaline EEZ =71%

Management (2014) Bajo de Sico Tourmaline Abrir La Sierra

Seasonal Area ClosureEEZ 1 Oct-30 March

(6 months)1 Dec – 28 Feb (3 months)

1 Dec – 28 Feb (3 months)

PR NONE NONE NONE

Gear BannedEEZ Traps, pots, bottom longlines and nets are prohibited

YEAR ROUNDPR

Species/gears managed during seasonal area

closure

EEZ Reef Fish ONLY ALL Fishing Prohibited (including pelagics, lobster, reef fish, queen conch)

PR NONE NONE NONE

Anchoring

EEZ Prohibited Allowed (retrieval system)

Allowed (retrieval system)

PR Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited (but all EEZ)

Seasonal Closures

EEZ Red hind (Dec-Feb); SU1 (Oct-Dec); GU4 (Feb-April); Mutton (Apr-Jun); Lane (Apr-Jun); QC (Jan-Dec)

PR Red hind (Dec-Feb); Silk/blackfin (Oct-Dec); yellowfin grouper (Feb-Apr); Mutton (Apr-May); QC (Aug-Oct)

OpenClosed

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecRed Hind*Federal WatersPR State WatersMutton snapperFederal WatersPR State Waters

Lane snapper

Federal WatersPR State WatersGrouper Unit 4Federal WatersRed grouperBlack grouperTiger grouperYellowedge grouper

Yellowfin grouper

PR State WatersYellowfin grouper

Snapper Unit 1Federal WatersBlack snapperVermillionBlackfin snapperSilk snapperPR State WatersBlackfin snapperSilk snapper

Abrir la SierraFederalState (N/A)

TourmalineFederalState

Bajo de SicoFederal State

Federal Waters

Yellowfin only in PR waters

Federal Waters

PR State Waters

FEDERAL AND STATE WATERS - Puerto Rico

SeasonalClosures

AreaClosures

All fishing

Reef fish

ACTION 1: MODIFY LENGTH OF CLOSED SEASON

• Alt 1: No Action

• Alt 2: Modify the Bajo de Sico closed season to be Dec 1-Last day of Feb.

• Alt 3: Modify the closed season to be Oct 1-March 31 (Preferred)

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub-Alt b: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)

• Alt 4: Modify the closed season to be Dec 1-May 31.• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 5: Modify the closed season to be year-round.• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

Alternatives selected by the deponents during the public hearing on ABT compatibility (July 18 2014)

Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6MS 5b 3NC 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)AM 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)FC 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)MR 2 6 3 4 5 (NEW)RL 2^ 3 4 AllowFL 2^ 3 4 4 All sp banVP 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)RJ 2^ 1 6 3 1 1AL 3 6 ModifyPS AllowLR AllowALG 1 6 ModifyJC NC NC NC NC NC NCJR 1/Open all AllowJDM 1 1 1 /6 1 1 1 /Allow

^Action 1 tied to Action 6 and Action 5 (Alt. 4=open water column);

ACTION 6: MODIFY SPEARFISHING ACTIVITIES

• Alt 5 (NEW): Prohibit spearfishing for all species during the

seasonal closure established in Action 1 (Alternative 2) • Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank • Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico • Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

Alternative proposed by NC* - comments received at the PH of July 18 2014 supported his statement in toto

WRITTEN COMMENTS ACTION 1

Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6

EF (Ciel) 5b; 1 (AT) 1 (AT); 5b Prohibit 4 3

CL 4 Prohibit (De-May) Prohibit 3 Prohibit Prohibit

JK^ 3 all fishing ban 3 3 2; prohibit all fishing Prohibit all

PEW 4a; 4b; 4c 3a; 3b 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3b 2; 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3b; 3c

Sierra Club^ 4a; 4b; 4c 3a; 3b 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3b 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3b; 3c

RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ

JP (form letter) 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

HS allow possesion 6

RL 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

JLG 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

Diego 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

CR 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

Lutjanus jocu 1 Jan-30 April No fishing allow 6 Prohibit 3 Allow and pelagics allow

ACTION 2: MODIFY REEF FISH FISHING ACTIVITIES


• Alt 2: Prohibit fishing for Council-managed reef fish in Bajo de Sico during the seasonal closure established in Action 1*

• Alt 3: Prohibit fishing for and possession of Council- managed reef fish during the seasonal closure established in Action 1 (Preferred)

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub-Alt b: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)


Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6MS 5b 3NC 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)AM 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)FC 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)MR 2 6 3 5 (NEW)RL 2^ 3 AllowFL 2^ 3 4 All sp banVP 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)RJ 2^ 1 6 3 1 1AL 3 6 ModifyPS AllowLR AllowALG 1 6 ModifyJC NC NC NC NC NC NCJR 1/Open all AllowJDM 1 1 1 /6 1 1 1 /Allow








RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ








ACTION 3: MODIFY SPINY LOBSTER FISHING ACTIVITIES


• Alt 2: Prohibit fishing for spiny lobster in Bajo de Sico during the seasonal closure established in Action 1

• Alt 3: Prohibit fishing for and possession of spiny lobster during the seasonal closure established in Action 1• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 4: Prohibit fishing for spiny lobster year-round• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 5: Prohibit fishing for and possession of spiny lobster year-round• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 6: Allow fishing for spiny lobster year-round (Preferred)• Sub- Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub- Alt b: Bajo de Sico (Preferred)• Sub- Alt c: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)








RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ








ACTION 4: PROHIBIT ANCHORING


• Alt 2: Prohibit anchoring during the seasonal closure established in Action 1

• Sub-Alternative a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alternative b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alternative c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 3: Prohibit anchoring year-round (Preferred)• Sub-Alternative a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub-Alternative b: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)








RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ








ACTION 5: MODIFY HMS FISHING ACTIVITIES


• Alt 2: Upon request of the Council, prohibit bottom longline fishing for HMS year- round in Bajo de Sico (Preferred)

• Alt 3: Upon request of the Council, prohibit fishing for HMS in some or all of the three areas during the seasonal closure established in Action 1

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 4: Upon request of the Council, prohibit fishing for HMS in some or all of the three areas during the seasonal closure established in Action 1, with an exception that would allow only surface trolling, as defined at §635.21(a)(4)(iv), for all HMS (Preferred)

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico (Preferred)• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)

• Alt 5: Upon request of the Council, allow fishing for bigeye, albacore, yellowfin and skipjack (BAYS) tunas with speargun fishing gear in some or all of the three areas during the seasonal closure established in Action 1

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank


Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6MS 5b 3NC^ 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)AM 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)FC 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)MR 2 6 3 5 (NEW)RL 2^ 3 AllowFL 2^ 3 4 All sp banVP 2^ 6 3 5 (NEW)RJ 2^ 1 6 3 1 1AL 3 6 ModifyPS AllowLR AllowALG 1 6 ModifyJC NC NC NC NC NC NCJR 1/Open all AllowJDM 1 1 1 /6 1 1 1 /Allow

^open water column








RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ









• Alt 1: No Action: Retain the existing spearfishing regulations in each of the Abrir La Sierra Bank, Bajo de Sico, and Tourmaline Bank managed areas.

• Alt 2: Prohibit spearfishing for Council-managed reef fish during the seasonal

closure established in Action 1• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

• Alt 3: Prohibit spearfishing for all non-HMS-managed species, including

Council-managed reef fish and coastal migratory pelagics, during the seasonal closure established in Action 1 (Preferred)

• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank (Preferred)• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico (Preferred)• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank (Preferred)

• Alt 4: Prohibit spearfishing for all non-HMS-managed species, including

Council-managed reef fish and coastal migratory pelagics, year-round• Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank• Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico• Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank


• Alt 5 (NEW): Prohibit spearfishing for all species during the

seasonal closure established in Action 1 (Alternative 2) • Sub-Alt a: Abrir La Sierra Bank • Sub-Alt b: Bajo de Sico • Sub-Alt c: Tourmaline Bank

Alternative proposed by NC* - comments received at the PH of July 18 2014 supported his statement in toto








RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ








Participation and Comments Received:

#People present Comments Written Comments

Mayagüez PH** 62 (44 signed in) 17 2

Written *** Comments

16 (7,933;186)

**Presidents and Representatives speaking on behalf of fishing associations***NGOs, Amnea Groups submitted comments on behalf of their memberships

Comments Received (July 18 2014)Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bajo de Sico

Seasonal Closure 3 (Dec-Feb) 3 (Dec-Feb) 3 (Dec-Feb)

The following apply during the seasonal closure

Prohibit fishing and possession

Open water columnAllow lobster fishing



Prohibit anchoring

Yes(Allow for yellowtail) Yes Yes

Prohibit spearfishing Yes, all species Yes, all species Yes, all species


Action 1 Action 2 Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6MS 5b 3NC 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)AM 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)FC 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)MR 2 6 3 4 5 (NEW)RL 2^ 3 4 AllowFL 2^ 3 4 4 All sp banVP 2^ 6 3 4 5 (NEW)RJ 2^ 1 6 3 1 1AL 3 6 ModifyPS AllowLR AllowALG 1 6 ModifyJC NC NC NC NC NC NCJR 1/Open all AllowJDM 1 1 1 /6 1 1 1 /Allow

^Action 1 tied to Action 6 and Action 5 (Alt. 4=open water column);

WRITTEN COMMENTS







RR 4? 5? 2?

sunmonkeys allow

JHQ








Comments

• Yellowtail snapper fishers need to anchor; use of anchor retrieval system in place

• Lobster harvesting by hand/snare while SCUBA

• Free diving spear fishing for pelagics• Trolling for HMS and coastal pelagics

Next Steps• This Meeting

• Consider outcomes from July Public Hearing in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

• Consider comments received during comment period• Consider Public Hearing Draft of Amendment• Determine Final Preferred Alternatives

• December Meeting• Review codified text• Approve Amendment for Secretarial Review

FEDERAL AND STATE WATERS - Puerto RicoOpen

Closed Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Red Hind* F/ S F/S Mutton snapper F/S F/S F

Lane snapper F F F Grouper Unit 4 Red grouper F F F Black grouper F F F Tiger grouper F F F Yellowedge grouper

F F F

Yellowfin grouper F/S F/S F/S

Snapper Unit 1 Black snapper F F FVermillion F F F

Blackfin snapper F/S F/S F/S

Silk snapper F/S F/S F/S Abrir la Sierra F F F Tourmaline* F F F Bajo de Sico* F F F F F F *State Open

TABLE 2.1

Current Species Closures Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Red Hind (west of 67°10' W only) X X X

Vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snappers X X X

Red, black, tiger, yellowfin, and yellowedge grouper X X X

Lane and mutton snapper X X X

Proposed Seasonal Closure

Proposed Alternative 1 (Current Seasonal Closures) A, B, T A, B, T B B B A, B, T

Proposed Alternative 2 B B B

Proposed Alternative 3a (Preferred) A A A A A A

Proposed Alternative 3b (Preferred) T T T T T T

Proposed Alternative 4a A A A A A A

Proposed Alternative 4b B B B B B B

Proposed Alternative 4c T T T T T T

Proposed Alternative 5a A A A A A A A A A A A A

Proposed Alternative 5b B B B B B B B B B B B B

Proposed Alternative 5c T T T T T T T T T T T T

COMMENTS PH: ACTION 1


MS 5b 3

NC** 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

AM 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

FC 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

MR 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

RL 2 3 Allow

FL 2 3 4 All sp ban

VP 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

RJ 2 1 6 3 1 1

AL 3 6 Modify

PS Allow

LR Allow

ALG 1 6 Modify

JC NC NC NC NC NC NC

JR 1/Open all Allow

JDM 1 1 1 /6 1 1 1 /Allow

NL 2 2 6 3 5 5 (new)

RE allow lionfish

MV 2 6 3 5 (NEW)

caribbean fishery management council 150 th meeting august 12-13 2014 rio grande, puerto rico

Documents

action alt

tourmaline bank preferred

sierra bank subalt b

sico subalt c

sierra bank preferredsubalt

sierra banksubalt b

sicosubalt c

action 6ms5b3nc2