RJ
02-22-2007, 09:25 AM
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) met last week in Claymont, DE and approved Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Secretarial submission. This Amendment is designed to rebuild the scup fishery. The Council opted to rebuild the scup resource within seven years by using a constant fishing mortality rate. If approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) this calendar year, the plan would take effect January 1, 2008 and recovery would be achieved by January 1, 2015.
As there is no current ****ytical estimate of the scup stock biomass, the current exploitation rate for this fishery cannot be determined. Consequently, rebuilding projections for this fishery are based on survey indices, and total allowable catch and landings are calculated using relative exploitation rates. Given this data poor circumstance, the Council also requested that periodic reviews be conducted by its scientific advisors to determine if the stock can indeed achieve the seven year rebuilding target.
To this end, the Council requested that a review of biological reference points (BRP) be conducted after the RV Bigelow has completed two years of service. If it is determined that the stock cannot rebuild within the seven year period established by Amendment 14, then the Council will subsequently recommend measures to rebuild the stock as soon as possible after the seven years but not to exceed the maximum 10 years authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
In addition to adopting a seven year rebuilding period Amendment 14 also includes provisions to allow gear restricted areas (GRA) that are currently addressed and modified through the scup specification setting process to be modified through frameworks.
Framework 7 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP was introduced and reviewed at this meeting. This framework affords the Council more flexibility for incorporating the biological reference points used for purposes of stock status determination into the management process in a more timely manner. Reference points are used to determine whether or not any of the FMP's stocks are overfished or experiencing overfishing.
In addition, the framework would also establish a scientific peer review mechanism to address the application of stock status determination criteria following a new or revised stock assessment. This action would allow for revisions to reference points during the specification setting process in lieu of the more protracted amendment or framework process. The Council selected redefining the status determination criteria based on the most recent peer reviewed stock assessment (Alternative 2) as its preferred alternative.
The Council also reviewed and approved an updated version of Amendment 9 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP. This Amendment has been repeatedly delayed for a number of reasons, but following revisions made to the document by NMFS staff the formal public hearing process and comment period can begin following the forthcoming publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP was also addressed at this meeting for the purpose of receiving an update on the timeline and status of butterfish rebuilding efforts. The Council approved for inclusion in Amendment 10 a motion that would authorize sectors in the Illex and Loligo squid fisheries and provide for a procedural structure for the Council and NMFS to review, approve, and implement sectors using a framework mechanism or other appropriate action if those sectors are found to be consistent with the procedures and provision of the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP.
The Council also recommended that a letter be provided to the Marine Protected Area Center regarding its Draft Framework for Developing the National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The letter will emphasize: the need to consider broader representation by the Council in the federal advisory process, the need for the Center to clarify how the interaction of the Marine Protected Areas with the nation's evolving ecosystem management frameworks will be achieved, and requests that the new Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act be addressed in terms of how the new requirements that are contained therein may affect Marine Protected Areas.
The Council received a summary report on the 44th Stock Assessment Workshop regarding surfclams, ocean quahogs, and the skate complex. The summary report on these assessments was presented by Dr. Jim Weinberg of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He also provided a copy of the Center's Reference Document 07-03.
Jim Gartland, Project Manager responsible for the most recent Northeast Area Monitoring Assessment Program Survey conducted under the auspices of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, provided the Council a presentation on the survey's methodology and results.
Gregg Waugh of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council made a brief presentation to the Council regarding the South Atlantic's Snapper-Grouper and Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMPs. Owing to the northward migration of stocks included in these two plans into the southern area of the Mid-Atlantic Council's jurisdiction, there are potential impacts on Mid-Atlantic fishermen. It was suggested that the South Atlantic Council consider developing a bycatch allowance for fisheries in the southern area of the Mid-Atlantic Council's jurisdiction that incidentally take these FMPs' species. Gregg assured the Council that its concern would be addressed by the South Atlantic Council as it moves forward on Amendments to these two FMPs.
Committee Actions
The Bycatch/Limited Access Privilege Program Committee met and delayed any action on the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) Amendment until additional information is available. The Committee indicated that a meeting of the Joint SBRM Committee should take place prior to any further action being taken on the Amendment. It also reviewed the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act regarding the Act's authorization of Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP).
The Ecosystems Committee met and received presentations from a NMFS official regarding Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities and windmill farms. The Committee also received an industry perspective from Blue Water Wind regarding its proposal related to off-shore wind energy opportunities and their potential impacts on marine resources. The Committee also discussed the establishment of special management zones (SMZ) related to artificial reefs that are located in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) adjacent to the territorial waters of the Council's constituent states. The issues discussed (among others) included gear conflicts and user privileges, but no position was taken by the Committee. It was decided that more information would be needed on this issue prior to making any recommendations from the Committee to the Council. The issue will be addressed at the Committee's April meeting.
The Tilefish Committee met and reviewed the current status of Draft Amendment 1 to the Tilefish FMP. It also provided Council staff guidance regarding future actions related to Amendment 1. The principal measures being considered in Amendment 1 are: the development of a Limited Access Privilege Program for participants in this fishery, new reporting requirements, the establishment of a recreational fishing sector, and updates to essential fish habitat descriptions.
The Executive Committee met and discussed the future role of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) as detailed in the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act and also discussed the Act's requirement for the training of new Council members, overcapitalization and overcapacity issues related to the Limited Access Privilege Program, integration of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) into one process, and the need to integrate experimental fishing permits (EFP) with the Council's Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program.
The Law Enforcement Committee met and reviewed enforcement priorities for the 2007 fishing year, briefly addressed maritime security issues impacting the fishing industry, and emphasized the need to create more publicity for the Council's Fisheries Achievement Award.
This press release will be available on our website in a downloadable PDF format in the coming days. Please visit:
http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/press/press.htm
NOTICE: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council maintains an e-mail directory of constituents that have specifically requested receiving communications from the Council electronically. Such requests can be made by sending an e-mail message to info@mafmc.org, or by phone, fax, or letter directed to the contact listed below.
As there is no current ****ytical estimate of the scup stock biomass, the current exploitation rate for this fishery cannot be determined. Consequently, rebuilding projections for this fishery are based on survey indices, and total allowable catch and landings are calculated using relative exploitation rates. Given this data poor circumstance, the Council also requested that periodic reviews be conducted by its scientific advisors to determine if the stock can indeed achieve the seven year rebuilding target.
To this end, the Council requested that a review of biological reference points (BRP) be conducted after the RV Bigelow has completed two years of service. If it is determined that the stock cannot rebuild within the seven year period established by Amendment 14, then the Council will subsequently recommend measures to rebuild the stock as soon as possible after the seven years but not to exceed the maximum 10 years authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
In addition to adopting a seven year rebuilding period Amendment 14 also includes provisions to allow gear restricted areas (GRA) that are currently addressed and modified through the scup specification setting process to be modified through frameworks.
Framework 7 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP was introduced and reviewed at this meeting. This framework affords the Council more flexibility for incorporating the biological reference points used for purposes of stock status determination into the management process in a more timely manner. Reference points are used to determine whether or not any of the FMP's stocks are overfished or experiencing overfishing.
In addition, the framework would also establish a scientific peer review mechanism to address the application of stock status determination criteria following a new or revised stock assessment. This action would allow for revisions to reference points during the specification setting process in lieu of the more protracted amendment or framework process. The Council selected redefining the status determination criteria based on the most recent peer reviewed stock assessment (Alternative 2) as its preferred alternative.
The Council also reviewed and approved an updated version of Amendment 9 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP. This Amendment has been repeatedly delayed for a number of reasons, but following revisions made to the document by NMFS staff the formal public hearing process and comment period can begin following the forthcoming publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP was also addressed at this meeting for the purpose of receiving an update on the timeline and status of butterfish rebuilding efforts. The Council approved for inclusion in Amendment 10 a motion that would authorize sectors in the Illex and Loligo squid fisheries and provide for a procedural structure for the Council and NMFS to review, approve, and implement sectors using a framework mechanism or other appropriate action if those sectors are found to be consistent with the procedures and provision of the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish FMP.
The Council also recommended that a letter be provided to the Marine Protected Area Center regarding its Draft Framework for Developing the National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The letter will emphasize: the need to consider broader representation by the Council in the federal advisory process, the need for the Center to clarify how the interaction of the Marine Protected Areas with the nation's evolving ecosystem management frameworks will be achieved, and requests that the new Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act be addressed in terms of how the new requirements that are contained therein may affect Marine Protected Areas.
The Council received a summary report on the 44th Stock Assessment Workshop regarding surfclams, ocean quahogs, and the skate complex. The summary report on these assessments was presented by Dr. Jim Weinberg of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He also provided a copy of the Center's Reference Document 07-03.
Jim Gartland, Project Manager responsible for the most recent Northeast Area Monitoring Assessment Program Survey conducted under the auspices of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, provided the Council a presentation on the survey's methodology and results.
Gregg Waugh of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council made a brief presentation to the Council regarding the South Atlantic's Snapper-Grouper and Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMPs. Owing to the northward migration of stocks included in these two plans into the southern area of the Mid-Atlantic Council's jurisdiction, there are potential impacts on Mid-Atlantic fishermen. It was suggested that the South Atlantic Council consider developing a bycatch allowance for fisheries in the southern area of the Mid-Atlantic Council's jurisdiction that incidentally take these FMPs' species. Gregg assured the Council that its concern would be addressed by the South Atlantic Council as it moves forward on Amendments to these two FMPs.
Committee Actions
The Bycatch/Limited Access Privilege Program Committee met and delayed any action on the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) Amendment until additional information is available. The Committee indicated that a meeting of the Joint SBRM Committee should take place prior to any further action being taken on the Amendment. It also reviewed the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act regarding the Act's authorization of Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP).
The Ecosystems Committee met and received presentations from a NMFS official regarding Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities and windmill farms. The Committee also received an industry perspective from Blue Water Wind regarding its proposal related to off-shore wind energy opportunities and their potential impacts on marine resources. The Committee also discussed the establishment of special management zones (SMZ) related to artificial reefs that are located in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) adjacent to the territorial waters of the Council's constituent states. The issues discussed (among others) included gear conflicts and user privileges, but no position was taken by the Committee. It was decided that more information would be needed on this issue prior to making any recommendations from the Committee to the Council. The issue will be addressed at the Committee's April meeting.
The Tilefish Committee met and reviewed the current status of Draft Amendment 1 to the Tilefish FMP. It also provided Council staff guidance regarding future actions related to Amendment 1. The principal measures being considered in Amendment 1 are: the development of a Limited Access Privilege Program for participants in this fishery, new reporting requirements, the establishment of a recreational fishing sector, and updates to essential fish habitat descriptions.
The Executive Committee met and discussed the future role of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) as detailed in the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act and also discussed the Act's requirement for the training of new Council members, overcapitalization and overcapacity issues related to the Limited Access Privilege Program, integration of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) into one process, and the need to integrate experimental fishing permits (EFP) with the Council's Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program.
The Law Enforcement Committee met and reviewed enforcement priorities for the 2007 fishing year, briefly addressed maritime security issues impacting the fishing industry, and emphasized the need to create more publicity for the Council's Fisheries Achievement Award.
This press release will be available on our website in a downloadable PDF format in the coming days. Please visit:
http://www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/press/press.htm
NOTICE: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council maintains an e-mail directory of constituents that have specifically requested receiving communications from the Council electronically. Such requests can be made by sending an e-mail message to info@mafmc.org, or by phone, fax, or letter directed to the contact listed below.