Releases – August 15, 2013
The Commission’s South Atlantic State-Federal Fisheries Management Board approved two addenda–Addendum I to the Omnibus Amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Spanish Mackerel, Spot, and Spotted Seatrout, and Addendum I to Amendment 2 to the Interstate FMP for Red Drum.
Addendum I to the Omnibus Amendment establishes a pilot program that would allow states to reduce the Spanish mackerel minimum size limit for the commercial pound net fishery to 11 ½ inches during the summer months of July through September for the 2013 and 2014 fishing years only. The measure is intended to reduce waste of these shorter fish, which are discarded dead in the summer months, by converting them to landed fish that will be counted against the quota.
The Addendum responds to reports about the increased incidence of spanish mackerel 1/4 to 1/2 inch short of the 12 inch fork length minimum size limit in pound nets during the summer months. While the fish are alive in the pound, once the net is bunted and bailing commences, they die before being released. This may be due to a combination of temperature, stress, and crowding.
While individual fishermen have experimented with different wall or panel mesh sizes depending on the target species, there is no consistent use of cull panels. Those who have used cull panels have noted the difficulty and lack of success in being able to release the undersized fish quickly enough to prevent dead discards during this time of year.
The measure will only apply for the 2013 and 2014 fishing years after which the success of the program will be evaluated for consideration in years beyond 2014. Interested states would be required to notify the Commission of the specific time period it intends to use the minimum size limit exemption.
The Board also approved Addendum I to Amendment 2. The Addendum revises Amendment 2’s habitat section to include current information on red drum spawning habitat and habitat by life stage (egg, larval, juvenile, sub-adult, and adult). It also identifies and describes the distribution of key habitats and habitats of concern, including threats, habitat bottlenecks (habitat or habitat characteristics that limit the sustainability or recovery of red drum), and ecosystem considerations.
Both addenda will be available on the Commission’s website (www.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (703) 842-0740. For more information, please contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (703) 842-0740 or via email at krootes-murdy@asmfc.org.
After considering public comment during its June meeting in Stuart, FL, the Council voted not to move forward with an amendment that would have required the use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on all vessels with a South Atlantic Commercial Federal Snapper Grouper Permit.
The Council received a total of 333 written comments on Amendment 30 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, and the overwhelming majority were against the proposed measures.
Comments included concerns about monthly costs associated with operating the units, maintenance costs, and concerns about having fishing activities monitored. The Council heard emotional testimony during public hearings and received written letters opposing the requirement from fishing organizations, Congressional offices, and county and state governments, including a Resolution from the SC State House of Representatives.
The Council had considered the requirement for the satellite-based monitoring program to improve data collection and better quantify fishing locations to improve management and compliance in the fishery, including enforcement of area closures and marine protected areas. “We’ve consistently heard concerns from constituents about the costs associated with the use of VMS,” said Council Chairman David Cupka. “I believe there are other methods to get the information we need for now without this added expense.”
A cooperative research project involving electronic video monitoring on a selected number of commercial vessels was conducted by Sea Grant in 2010 and the results were recently presented to the Council. During discussions, Council members agreed on the need to continue to look at methods to improve data collection using improved technologies.
“My hope is that the people that provided passionate comments will remain involved in the management process as the Council moves forward with its Visioning Process,” said Council member Anna Beckwith. “We welcome input on better ways to collect data for management.”
The Chairmen of the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and New England Fishery Management Councils signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this month to help coordinate the protection of deep sea corals off the east coast of the United States from Maine to eastern Florida.
The MOU will serve as a framework for cooperation during the development and implementation of management measures to protect deep sea corals. Rather than establish specific requirements for each council, the MOU identifies areas of consensus and strategies to promote more effective coordination of deep sea coral conservation efforts among the councils. Click here to read the full MOU.
Over the past three decades, marine researchers have discovered highly diverse deep sea coral communities on the continental shelf and slope off much of the east coast. These deep sea coral communities play an important role in the marine ecosystem and provide habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates.
Most deep sea corals are slow-growing and fragile, making them particularly vulnerable to damage from certain types of fishing gear such as bottom trawls. A wide variety of species have been discovered off the Atlantic coast, ranging from large, structure-forming types to small, solitary species. Some, such as Oculina varicosa found in the South Atlantic region, form tall pinnacles that can reach heights of more than 100 feet. One mound discovered in the South Atlantic was estimated to be between 1,000 to 1,500 years old.
Many recent deep sea coral discoveries have been the result of NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program. Launched in 2009, the program has conducted in-depth deep water coral research on specific regions of the U.S., including the South Atlantic (2009-2011) and the Northeast (2013-2015). High-resolution bathymetry mapping combined with videos and samples from remotely operated vehicles (ROV) have revealed additional coral habitats in all regions while also giving the public a window into the ocean’s depths through live underwater video feeds. Learn more aboutout the program at http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/.
Meanwhile, Council actions to protect deep sea corals have been ongoing for some years. The South Atlantic Council has managed both shallow water corals and deep sea corals as part of its Coral, Coral Reef and Live/Hardbottom Fishery Management Plan for more than two decades. In 2010, it created the largest deepwater coral protected area off the Atlantic coast with the designation of five areas as Deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, providing protection from potential threats from fishing gear, energy exploration and development, and other human impacts.
The Mid-Atlantic Council is considering several types of protection, such as designation of “deep sea coral zones” where management measures would be applied in areas where corals are present. The New England Council is considering similar protections for areas in the Gulf of Maine, canyon areas off Georges Bank and Southern New England, and for the four New England seamounts in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.
The three regional fishery management councils collectively are responsible for developing regulations for more than 114 species of fish and shellfish in federal waters (3-200 miles from shore) off the eastern seaboard and for protecting important fish habitats, including preventing fishing activities from damaging marine habitats.
