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Summary of Scoping Meetings on Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs)

Summary of Scoping Meetings on Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs). Caribbean Fishery Management Council 131 st Council Meeting June 23-24, 2009 Carambola Beach Resort & Spa St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Location and Dates of Public Meetings.

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Summary of Scoping Meetings on Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs)

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  1. Summary of Scoping Meetings on Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs) Caribbean Fishery Management Council 131st Council Meeting June 23-24, 2009 Carambola Beach Resort & Spa St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

  2. Location and Dates of Public Meetings • April 27, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico • April 28, 2009, Ponce, Puerto Rico • April 29, 2009, Fajardo, Puerto Rico • May 4, 2009, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico • May 6, 2009, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands • May 7, 2009, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

  3. Number of Attendees

  4. What are ACLs and AMs? • Annual Catch Limits (ACL) is the level of annual catch of a stock or stock complex that serves as the basis for invoking accountability measures. • AMs are management controls to prevent ACLs, including sector-ACLs, from being exceeded, and to correct or mitigate overages of the ACL if they occur. These need to be determined for all fisheries in the US.

  5. 3. How does one determine the actual values for the ACLs? Corresponds with yield at MFMT (FMSY) Estimated during stock assessments Overfishing Limit (OFL) Catch (lbs) MFMT is the maximum fishing mortality threshold. It is the fishing mortality rate that produces the maximum sustainable yield (or a proxy thereof) OFL is an annual amount of catch that corresponds to the best estimate of MFMT applied to a stock or complex’s abundance; MSY is the long-term average of such catches. Increasing

  6. 3. How does one determine the actual values for the ACLs? Overfishing Limit (OFL) Set by Council’s SSC ABC ≤ OFL Should account for scientific uncertainty (from stock assessment) Acceptable Biological Catch Catch (lbs) Increasing ABC is a level of a stock or stock complex’s annual catch that accounts for the scientific uncertainty in the estimate of OFL

  7. Catch (lbs) Increasing 3. How does one determine the actual values for the ACLs? Overfishing Limit (OFL) Set by Council ACL ≤ ABC ≤ OFL Triggers accountability measures if met or exceeded Acceptable Biological Catch Annual Catch Limit ACL is the level of annual catch of a stock or stock Complex that serves as the basis for invoking accountability measures.

  8. Stocks and Stock Complexes Needing Action in this Amendment • The following species need action before 2010: • Parrotfishes – 10 species • Snapper Unit 1 – silk, blackfin, black and vermillion snapper (wenchman) • Grouper Unit 4 – yellowfin, tiger, red, black (yellowedge and misty) • Queen conch (only in St. Croix, USVI)

  9. Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Unit • Alternative 1. No Action. Do not change the stock complexes in the Reef Fish FMU • COMMENT: Preferred by all deponents in the USVI • Alternative 2. Modify the FMU by: • Sub alternative A. Separating the Parrotfish Unit into 2 complexes. Parrotfish Unit 1 would include princess, queen, redfin, redtail, stoplight, redband, and striped parrotfishes and Parrotfish Unit 2 would include blue, midnight, and rainbow parrotfishes

  10. New Parrotfish Unit 2 Rainbow (guacamayo) Midnight (judio) Blue (azul)

  11. Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Unit • Alternative 2. Modify the FMU by: • Sub alternative B. Separate Grouper Unit 4 into 2 complexes and add black grouper to Grouper Unit 4. Grouper Unit 4 would include yellowfin, red, tiger, and black grouper and Grouper Unit 5 would include yellowedge and misty grouper.

  12. Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Unit • Alternative 2. Modify the FMU by: • Sub alternative C. Add cardinal snapper (Pristipomoides macrophthalmus) to Snapper Unit 2 (with the queen snapper) and move wenchman (Pristopomoides aquilonaris) into Snapper Unit 1.

  13. Moved to Snapper Unit 1 Pristipomoides aquilonaris Pristipomoides macrophthalmus Added to Snapper Unit 2

  14. Snapper Units

  15. Grouper Units

  16. Parrotfish Units

  17. Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Unit • Alternative 3. Examine reef fish FMU and reassign species not targeted, retained, sold, or used for personal consumption as ecosystem component species.

  18. Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the RF FMU Comments: • Suggests that the midnight and rainbow parrotfish species be separated from the rest of the parrotfishes. Deep water species. • Red grouper is rarely seen in the free diving depth range, suggested it be treated as the Nassau grouper, as threaten. • Red grouper is a small grouper that has been fished and there is a need to evaluate the species and treat it as a separate unit. • Action 1, Alternative 2, Sub alternatives A, B and C

  19. Action 2: Annual Catch Limits for Queen conch (Strombus gigas) off St. Croix • Alternative 1. Do not set an ACL for queen conch off St. Croix. • Alternative 2. Set the ACL for queen conch off St. Croix equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994-2006 = 90,000 pounds. The ACL would include both state and federal water landings.

  20. Action 2: Annual Catch Limits for Queen conch (Strombus gigas) off St. Croix (cont.) Alternative 2. Set the ACL for queen conch off St. Croix equal to: • Sub alternative C. The current allowable catch level established by the U.S.V.I. government for St. Croix = 50,000 pounds. The ACL would include both state and federal water landings. The season for queen conch would run from November 1 – June 30, or until such time the ACL is met; additionally, there would be a 200 conch per boat limit. • Sub alternative D. Zero in the EEZ. The state waters ACL would be set equal to the current allowable catch level established by the U.S.V.I. government for St. Croix = 50,000 pounds.

  21. Action 2: Annual Catch Limits for Queen conch (S. gigas) off St. Croix: Comments • Action 2, Alternative 1:Do not set an ACL for queen conch off St. Croix. No Action preferred by all deponents in the USVI (STFA, STXFA, Fishers, other stakeholders) • (D.O./STT): “St. Croix was over harvesting its conch resources due to the negligence of DPNR in carrying out its management responsibilities. However in 2008, when I was Director of Fish and Wildlife, a 50,000 lb quota was established and the closed season expanded. On April 8, 2009 DPNR announced that the quota had been exceeded and that the season would be closed until next November. Current Territorial rules are sufficient to regulate conch fishing which occurs primarily within Territorial waters.”

  22. Comments On Queen Conch • Comment (F.L./PR Fisher) : “The Queen Conch Fishery in the EEZ has been closed for over Five Years and I was wondering, "What is the state of the Queen conch population in the west coast of Puerto Rico EEZ“ Answer; No one knows, In state waters the catch of Queen Conch has been steady for the past five years, logic suggests that would mean that the Queen Conch population in the EEZ has been rebuilt. • Suggestion: The council might consider issuing 5 limited entry permits to fisher(s) in the region who can be trusted to submit daily catch data, this could be done over a three year period. That data might prove that the Queen Conch is not over fished, however fishers might choose to keep the area closed for stock enhancement purposes or allow some limited fishing be performed. (This idea would also allow fishers to have more input, which can lead to less confrontation between legislators and the user groups)”

  23. Comments On Queen Conch • (D.O./STT): “Puerto Rico. PRDNER studies are clearly indicating resource recovery of the conch resource there. Therefore prior overfishing is not currently taking place.” • (D.O./STT): “St. Thomas/St. John. There is virtually no fishery for conch. Prior studies contained in the CFMC conch management plan indicate potential yield over 200,000 lbs. Recent yields have been less than 10,000 lbs. Clearly there is no overfishing.”

  24. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 • Alternative 1. No Action. • Sub Alternative A. Do not set an ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 or Parrotfish Unit 2. • Sub Alternative B. Do not establish an ACL for Parrotfish Unit 2, but include Parrotfish Unit 2 in the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1.

  25. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2: Comments • Alternative 1. No Action. • STFA • St. Thomas stakeholders (n=8) • STXFA • St. Croix Fisher (n=1) • St. Croix Fisher not clear if No Action and re-evaluate in 5 years or ACL=0 in EEZ and re-evaluate in 5 years

  26. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 2. For Parrotfish Unit 2: • Sub alternative A. Set the ACL equal to zero in the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish 5 years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. Set the ACL equal to zero in the EEZ and recommend to Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. that the ACL be set equal to zero in state waters.

  27. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2: Comments • Alternative 2. For Parrotfish Unit 2: • Limit of 1 of the 3 parrotfish per person per day; the records are from Puerto Rico (largest individuals) for midnight and rainbow. • Allow only recreational harvest.

  28. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off Puerto Rico equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1999-2006 = 80,000 pounds (ACLG February 2009 recommendation) • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  29. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2: Comments • Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off Puerto Rico equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation. • One Fisher in Puerto Rico supported this alternative.

  30. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2: Comments • Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off Puerto Rico equal to • Proposes to establish an ACL for parrotfish units and divide it on a 50/50 between the commercial and recreational fishers. For example, multiply the average amounts calculated from the commercial catch by 2 and then divide it by 2. (e.g., 80,000 x 2 = 160 ÷ 2= 80,000 pounds for each sector).[The commercial and recreational fishers fish the same kind of fish and in the same areas. There are many more recreational fishers than commercial fishers.]

  31. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 4. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off St. Thomas/St. John equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1999-2006 = 50,000 pounds (ACLG February 2009 recommendation) • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  32. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit1 off St. Croix equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1999-2006 = 250,000 pounds (ACLG February 2009 recommendation)

  33. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off St. Croix equal to: • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar). • Sub alternative D. The average landings during 1976-1990 = 82,000 pounds (discussed at the ACLG and SSC February 2009 meeting). • Sub alternative E. The average landings during 1983-1990 = 82,000 pounds (SEFSC recommended time frame for pre-gillnet fishery).

  34. Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and Parrotfish Unit 2 (cont.) • Alternative 6. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 in the U.S. Caribbean equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1999-2006 = 380,000 pounds. • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  35. Comments on Parrotfishes • “Puerto Rico. One of the NMFS proposals is to set the ACL at 80,000 lbs (current landings levels). By definition, the ACL is less than the overfishing level. Therefore Parrotfish in Puerto Rico (by the MSRA definition) are not overfished.” (D.O./STT) • “St. Thomas/St. John. One of the NMFS proposals is to set the ACL at 50,000 lbs (current landings levels). By definition, the ACL is less than the overfishing level. Therefore Parrotfish in St. Thomas/St. John are not over fished.” (D.O./STT) • “St. Croix. In April 2008, DNER closed the primary fishing technique for Parrotfish in St. Croix which was accounting for as much as 90% of the parrotfish landings. This clearly should address claims of overfishing.” (D.O./STT)

  36. Comments on Parrotfishes • Allow for recreational harvest • Requested that a quota be established for recreational fishers (free divers). Free divers are interested in record fish by spear fishing and he stated that the divers can select the largest fish. • Limit of 1 of the 3 parrotfish per person per day; the records are from Puerto Rico (largest individuals) for midnight and rainbow. • The commercial and recreational fishers fish the same kind of fish and in the same areas. • There are many more recreational fishers than commercial fishers. • No change in amount of parrotfish harvested commercially

  37. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 • Alternative 1. No Action. Do not set an ACL for Grouper Unit 4 • COMMENTS: • STFA • St. Thomas stakeholders (n=8) • STXFA • St. Croix Fisher (n=1) • St. Croix Fisher not clear if No Action and re-evaluate in 5 years or ACL=0 in EEZ and re-evaluate in 5 years

  38. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 (cont.) • Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Grouper Unit 4 off Puerto Rico equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero in the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average corrected landings for identified Grouper Unit 4 species during 1994-2006 = 10,000 pounds. The ACL would include both state and federal water landings.

  39. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 (cont.) • Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Grouper Unit 4 off Puerto Rico equal to (cont.): • Sub alternative C. The average corrected landings for identified Grouper Unit 4 species during 1994-2006 plus the average proportional corrected landings estimate for Grouper Unit 4 species landed in the generic “Sea Basses” category during 1994-2006 = 15,000 pounds. • Sub alternative D. A sufficient level of catch for collecting needed data on the fishery. This catch level would be established by SEFSC, in cooperation with Puerto Rico, for purposes of scientific data collection.

  40. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4: COMMENTS • Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Grouper Unit 4 off Puerto Rico equal to (NEW): • “Sub alternative E. Establish a preliminary 50,000 lb ACL in the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after implementation.” (F.L./PR: Commercial fisher disagrees with all other sub-alternatives. No rationale provided in the written comments.)

  41. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 (cont.) • Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Grouper off St. Thomas/St. John at: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St Thomas/St John and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all Grouper species = 61,000 pounds as part of a Grouper ACL • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all Grouper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  42. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 (cont.) • Alternative 4. Set the ACL for Grouper off St. Croix at: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St Croix and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all Grouper species = 32,000 pounds as part of a Grouper ACL • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all Grouper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  43. Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4 (cont.) • Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Grouper in the U.S. Caribbean equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state water ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1999 - 2006 = 203,000 pounds • Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

  44. Comments on Grouper Unit 4 • “Puerto Rico. One of the NMFS proposals is to set the ACL at 10,000 lbs (current landings levels). By definition, the ACL is less than the overfishing level. Therefore Grouper Unit 4 in Puerto Rico is not overfished.” (D.O./STT) • “St. Thomas/St. John. One of the NMFS proposals is to set the ACL at 61,000 lbs as part of a single grouper unit (current landings levels). By definition, the ACL is less than the overfishing level. In addition, the primary spawning aggregation for yellowfin groupers was closed in 2005 and the Hind Bank MCD has been shown to be highly effective in enhancing red hind average sizes and numbers. Many of the remaining species are Ciguatoxic and are simply not harvested. Therefore Grouper Unit 4 in St. Thomas/St. John are not overfished.” • “St. Croix. One of the NMFS proposals is to set the ACL at 32,000 lbs as part of a single grouper unit (current landings levels). By definition, the ACL is less than the overfishing level. Therefore Grouper Unit 4 in St. St. Croix are not overfished.”

  45. Action 5: Annual Catch Limits for Snapper Unit 1 • Alternative 1. No Action. Do not set an ACL for Snapper Unit 1 • COMMENTS: • STFA • St. Thomas stakeholders (n=8) • STXFA • St. Croix Fisher (n=1) • St. Croix Fisher not clear if No Action and re-evaluate in 5 years or ACL=0 in EEZ and re-evaluate in 5 years

  46. Action 5: Annual Catch Limits for Snapper Unit 1 • Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Snapper Unit 1 off Puerto Rico equal to: • Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish a state waters ACL, but rely on the data collection program described later in this document and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 five years after implementation. • Sub alternative B. The average corrected landings for identified Snapper Unit 1 species during 1999-2006 = 300,000 pounds

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