Draft Actions and Alternatives for the Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) SERO Island-Based Fishery Management Plans (FMPs)
159th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Regular Meeting April 18-19, 2017 St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Draft Actions and Alternatives Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 1 - Determine Species to be Included for Management in the X Island FMP Action 2 - Establish Stocks or Stock Complexes in the X Island FMP Action 3 - Management Reference Points Action 4 - Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island Action 5 - Framework Procedures for the X Island FMP
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2 Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas/St. John (STT), and Puerto Rico (PR) FMPs
Preferred Alternative 2 – For those species for which landings data are available, indicating the species is in the fishery, the Council will follow a stepwise application of a set of criteria to determine inclusion/exclusion in FMPs Criterion A. Include: overfished species, prohibited harvest species due to ecological importance, or species with seasonal closures or size limits. Criterion B. From the remaining species, exclude: species that infrequently occur in federal waters based on expert analysis guided by available data. Criterion C. From the remaining species, include biologically vulnerable species or species with essential ecological value, as determined by expert analysis. Criterion D. From the remaining species, include economically important species based on threshold of landings or value and important bycatch species, as established by expert analysis.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3 Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the (STX, STT, and PR) FMPs
Puerto Rico FMP Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 63 finfish species (*18 new finfish species)
Finfish Species New to Management under the Puerto Rico FMP Family Species common names Snappers Cubera snapper Groupers Yellowmouth Triggerfishes Gray triggerfish Jacks Crevalle jack, African pompano, Rainbow runner Eagle and Manta Manta, spotted eagle ray, sting ray Little tunny, Blackfin tuna, King mackerel, Cero, Wahoo, Mackerels and Tunas Tripletail Barracudas Great barracuda Dolphin fishes Dolphin, Pompano dolphin
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4 Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the STX, STT, and PR FMPs St. Croix FMP Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 43 finfish species (* 2 new finfish species)
Finfish Species New to Management under the St. Croix FMP Family Species common names Mackerels and Tunas Wahoo Dolphin fishes Dolphin
St. Thomas/St. John FMP Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 47 finfish species (*3 new finfish species) Finfish Species New to Management under the St. Thomas/St. John FMP Family Species common names Groupers Yellowmouth Mackerels and Tunas Wahoo Dolphin fishes Dolphin
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5 Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 1. No Action. In the X Island FMP, retain the stocks/stock complexes presently used for management in the X Island EEZ under the Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates (Coral) FMPs.
Alternative 2. Do not organize the species in the X Island FMP in stock complexes. Species would be managed as individual stocks.
Alternative 3. Manage species in the X Island FMP as individual stocks or as stock complexes, based on scientific analysis, including one or more of the following: cluster analysis based on landings patterns; outcomes from the SEDAR Caribbean Data Evaluation Workshop (2009) (only for species previously managed that will remain in the FMP); biological/life history similarities and vulnerability (for all species); or, expert opinion from the scientific and fishing communities (for all species). (Tables)
Alternative 4. Where there are stock complexes, select an indicator stock based on any of the following (Sub-Alternatives TBD)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6 Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for PUERTO RICO
Stock/Stock Family or Class Species Name Common Name Complexes Strombidae -- True conchs Queen conch Lobatus (Strombus) gigas Queen conch Palinuridae -- Spiny lobster Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus Caribbean spiny lobster Apsilus dentatus Black snapper Lutjanus buccanella Blackfin snapper SU1 Lutjanus vivanus* Silk snapper* Rhomboplites aurorubens Vermilion snapper Pristipomoides aquilonaris Wenchman Pristipomoides macrophthalmus Cardinal snapper SU2 Etelis oculatus* Queen snapper* Lutjanidae -- Snappers SU3 Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper
Lutjanus analis* Mutton snapper*
SU4 Lutjanus jocu Dog snapper Lutjanus apodus Schoolmaster SU5 Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper SU6 Lutjanus cyanopterus Cubera snapper
* Indicator species (draft)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7 Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs (Puerto Rico...)
Family or Class Stock/Stock Complexes Species Name Common Name GU1 Epinephelus striatus Nassau Grouper GU2 Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper Epinephelus guttatus* Red hind* GU3A Epinephelus adscensionis Rock hind Cephalopholis cruentata Graysby GU3 Cephalopholis fulva* Coney* Serranidae -- Groupers Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper Epinephelus morio Red grouper GU4 Mycteroperca tigris Tiger grouper Mycteroperca venenosa Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis Yellowmouth grouper Hyporthodus flavolimbatus Yellowedge grouper GU5 Hyporthodus mystacinus Misty grouper Scarus coeruleus Blue parrotfish Parrotfish 1 Scarus coelestinus Midnight parrotfish Scarus guacamaia Rainbow parrotfish Scaridae -- Parrotfishes Scarus vetula Queen parrotfish Scarus taeniopterus Princess parrotfish Sparisoma chrysopterum Redtail parrotfish Parrotfish 2 Sparisoma viride Stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband parrotfish Scarus iseri Striped parrotfish Acanthurus coeruleus Blue tang Acanthuridae -- Surgeonfishes Surgeonfish Acanthurus tractus Ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus chirurgus Doctorfish Canthidermis sufflamen Ocean triggerfish Balistidae -- Triggerfishes Triggerfish Balistes vetula* Queen triggerfish* U.S.Balistes Department ofcapriscus Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationGray triggerfish | NOAA Fisheries | Page 8
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs (PUERTO RICO)
Stock/Stock Family or Class Species Name Common Name Complexes Wrasse 1 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish Labridae -- Wrasses Halichoeres radiatus Puddingwife Wrasse 2 Bodianus rufus Spanish hogfish Holacanthus ciliaris Queen angelfish Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes Angelfish Pomacanthus arcuatus Gray angelfish Pomacanthus paru French angelfish Sphyraenidae -- Barracudas Barracuda Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda Lobotidae -- Tripletail Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis Tripletail Manta Manta birostris Manta Myliobatidae -- Eagle and Manta Spot Eagle Aetobatus narinari Spotted eagle ray (chucho) Sting ray Dasyatis americana Sting ray Haemulidae -- Grunts Grunts Haemulon plumieri White grunt JU1 Caranx hippos Crevalle jack Carangidae -- Jacks JU2 Alectis ciliaris African pompano JU3 Elagatis bipinnulata Rainbow runner Coryphaena hippurus* Dolphin* Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish Dorado Coryphaena equiselis Pompano dolphin Tuna 1 Euthynnus alletteratus Little tunny Tuna 2 Thunnus atlanticus Blackfin tuna Scombridae -- Mackerels and tunas K01 Scomberomorus cavalla King mackerel K02 Scomberomorus regalis Cero Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo Classs Holothuroidea -- Cucumbers All (several families and sps) Sea cucumbers Sea Cucumbers Class Echinoidea -- Urchins All (several families and sps) Sea urchins Sea Urchins All Corals (soft, hard, mesophotic, deep-water) CoralsU.S. Department ofSeveral Commerce families | National and Oceanic species and Atmospheric Corals Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST.CROIX
Family or Class Stock/Stock Complexes Species Name Common Name Strombidae -- True conchs Queen Conch Lobatus (Strombus) gigas Queen conch Palinuridae -- Spiny lobster Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus Caribbean spiny lobster Apsilus dentatus Black snapper Lutjanus buccanella Blackfin snapper SU1 Lutjanus vivanus Silk snapper Lutjanidae -- Snappers Rhomboplites aurorubens Vermilion snapper SU2 Etelis oculatus Queen snapper
Lutjanus griseus Gray snapper SU3 Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper SU4 Lutjanus analis Mutton snapper SU5 Lutjanus apodus Schoolmaster SU6 Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper GU1 Epinephelus striatus Nassau Grouper GU2 Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper Cephalopholis fulva Coney GU3 Cephalopholis cruentata Graysby Epinephelus guttatus Red hind GU4 Epinephelus adscensionis Rock hind Serranidae -- Groupers Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper Epinephelus morio Red grouper GU5 Mycteroperca tigris Tiger grouper Mycteroperca venenosa Yellowfin grouper GU6 Hyporthodus mystacinus Misty grouper
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10 Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. CROIX
Stock/Stock Family or Class Species Name Common Name Complexes Scarus coeruleus Blue parrotfish Parrotfish 1 Scarus coelestinus Midnight parrotfish Scarus guacamaia Rainbow parrotfish Scarus vetula Queen parrotfish Scaridae -- Parrotfishes Scarus taeniopterus Princess parrotfish
Sparisoma chrysopterum Redtail parrotfish
Parrotfish 2 Sparisoma viride Stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband parrotfish Sparisoma rubripinne Redfin parrotfish Scarus iseri Striped parrotfish Acanthurus coeruleus Blue tang Acanthuridae -- Surgeonfishes Surgeonfish Acanthurus tractus Ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus chirurgus Doctorfish Holacanthus ciliaris Queen angelfish Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes Angelfish Pomacanthus arcuatus Gray angelfish Pomacanthus paru French angelfish Haemulon sciurus Bluestriped grunt Haemulidae -- Grunts Grunt U 1 Haemulon plumieri White grunt Holocentridae -- Squirrelfish Squirrelfish Holocentrus rufus Longspine squirrelfish Queen Balistidae -- Triggerfish Balistes vetula Queen triggerfish Triggerfish Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish Dolphin Coryphaena hippurus Dolphin Scombridae -- Mackerels and tunas Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo Class Holothuroidea – Cucumbers All (several families and sps.) Sea cucumbers Sea Cucumbers Class Echinoidea -- Sea Urchins Urchins All (several families and sps.) Sea urchins All Corals (soft, hard, mesophotic, deep- Corals Several families and sps. Corals water)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 11 Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST.THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Stock/Stock Family Scientific Name Common Name Complexes Strombidae -- Queen Conch Lobatus (Strombus) gigas Queen conch True conchs Palinuridae -- Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus Caribbean spiny lobster Spiny lobster Apsilus dentatus Black snapper Lutjanus buccanella Blackfin snapper SU1 Lutjanus vivanus Silk snapper Lutjanidae -- Rhomboplites aurorubens Vermilion snapper Snappers SU2 Etelis oculatus Queen snapper Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper SU3 Lutjanus analis Mutton snapper SU4 Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper GU1 Epinephelus striatus Nassau Grouper GU2 Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper Cephalopholis fulva Coney GU3 Epinephelus guttatus Red hind grouper Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper Serranidae -- Epinephelus morio Red grouper Groupers GU4 Mycteroperca tigris Tiger grouper Mycteroperca venenosa Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis Yellowmouth grouper GU5 Hyporthodus flavolimbatus Yellowedge grouper Hyporthodus mystacinus Misty grouper U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 12
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs (Continue) Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Stock/Stock Family Scientific Name Common Name Complexes Scarus coeruleus Blue parrotfish Parrotfish 1 Scarus coelestinus Midnight parrotfish Scarus guacamaia Rainbow parrotfish Scaridae -- Parrotfishes Scarus vetula Queen parrotfish
Scarus taeniopterus Princess parrotfish
Sparisoma chrysopterum Redtail parrotfish
Sparisoma viride Stoplight parrotfish Parrotfish 2 Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband parrotfish Scarus iseri Striped parrotfish Sparisoma rubripinne Redfin parrotfish Haemulon plumieri White grunt Grunts 1 Haemulidae -- Grunts Haemulon sciurus Bluestriped grunt Grunts 2 Haemulon album Margate Calamus bajonado Jolthead porgy Calamus pennatula Pluma Sparidae -- Porgies Porgies Calamus penna Sheepshead porgy Archosargus rhomboidalis Sea bream Carangidae -- Jacks Jacks 1 Caranx crysos Blue runner
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 13 Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs (Continue) Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Stock/Stock Family Scientific Name Common Name Complexes Acanthurus coeruleus Blue tang Acanthuridae -- Surgeonfishes Acanthurus tractus Ocean surgeonfish Surgeonfishes Acanthurus chirurgus Doctorfish Labridae -- Wrasses Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish Holacanthus ciliaris Queen angelfish Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes Angelfish Pomacanthus arcuatus Gray angelfish Pomacanthus paru French angelfish Balistidae -- Triggerfishes Queen triggerfish Balistes vetula Queen triggerfish (Old Wife) Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish Dolphin Coryphaena hippurus Dolphin Scombridae -- Mackerels and Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo tunas Classs Holothuroidea -- All (several families and Cucumbers Sea cucumbers Sea Cucumbers species) Class Echinoidea -- All (several families and Urchins Sea urchins Sea Urchins species) All Corals (soft, hard, Corals Several families and species Corals mesophotic, deep-water)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 14 Action 3: Define Management Reference Points for Stocks/Stock complexes in each of the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John and St Croix FMPs (*UNDER DEVELOPMENT)
(DRAFT) Action 3(A): Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule for Stocks/ Stocks Complexes in the X Island FMP.
Alternative 1. No action. Retain the specification of an ABC control rule by the methods used in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments, as applicable (varies per Island). For those species not previously managed in federal waters of X Island, no ABC control rule is established.
Alternative 2. The OFL and ABC will be set by the Council’s SSC on an ad hoc basis for each stock/stock complex.
Alternative 3. For a stock/stock complex in the X Island FMP, adopt the ABC Control Rule described in Table X. See Flowchart
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 15 (DRAFT) Action 3A
Flowchart
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 16 Action 3(B): Annual Catch Limits for Stocks/Stocks Complexes in the X Island FMP.
Things to Consider • Council establishes management uncertainty • Optimum Yield (OY) = the amount of fish which will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems. • OY was set as = ACL in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments • The AM Triggers Amendment is based on the relationship between the ACL and OY.
DRAFT Alternatives (TBD*)
Alternative 1. The ACL would be derived by the methods used in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments, as applicable. For species not previously managed in federal waters, no ACL is determined.
Alternative 2. For a stock/stock complex in the X Island FMP, determine the ACL based on the formula in one of the sub-alternatives below and the ABC established in Action 3(A).
Sub-Alternatives 2a -2x. ACL = ABC x buffer
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 17
Action 3(B)(ii): Annual Catch Limit Allocation and Management (Puerto Rico FMP
only)
Separation of recreational and commercial sectors
Alternative 1. No action. Do not specify sector-specific ACLs.
Alternative 2. Specify separate commercial and recreational ACLs
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 18 Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
EFH: "those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity.”
• Identification and Description of EFH must occur for any new species added to the FMPs and any existing designations removed for species not included in the island- based FMPs.
Alternative 1. No action. Do not describe and identify EFH for species not previously managed in federal waters of X Island.
Alternative 2. Describe and identify EFH according to functional relationships between life history stages of federally-managed species and X Island marine and estuarine habitats.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 19 Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
Alternative 3. Use other method(s) to describe and identify EFH for species not previously managed in federal waters of X Island. The March 2004 Final EIS for the Generic EFH Amendment explored a number of concepts that could be used depending on data availability. Some of these methods for describing EFH include:
1) Designating EFH based on distribution data (distribution of habitat types, fish species and fishing effort) (Level 1 data – surveys of presence/absence; simple habitat/species associations).
2) Designating EFH based on habitat-related densities of the species (EFH would be defined as the area where the density or relative abundance of a species life stage is above a threshold level) (Level 2 – Survey/fishery related CPUE as proxy for density; or spatial modeling of probability of occurrence, or other forms of habitat suitability models).
3) Using spatial data to designate EFH (Level 2 - would use spatially explicit, qualitative or quantitative information that link fish distributions and habitat to describe and identify EFH).
(Continues on next slide)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 20 Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
4) Habitat suitability models (uses habitat suitability modeling prepared by NOS to infer information about species distribution, and possibly relative density (i.e. assuming that habitats with a higher suitability support greater abundances of a species life stage).
5) Designating EFH based on data on growth, reproduction, or survival rates within habitats (obtained from tagging data (growth), fecundity data by area).
6) Designating EFH based on production rates by habitat.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 21 Action 5: Framework Procedures for each of the Island-Based FMPs
• The purpose of the framework is to allow the Council to more expeditiously adjust reference points and management measures in response to changing fishery conditions (usually takes less time than an amendment)
Alternative 1. No action. Do not modify the existing framework procedure for implementing management measures in the X Island FMP.
Alternative 2. Adopt the base Framework Procedure listed in Table X.
Alternative 3. Adopt the more broad Framework Procedure listed in Table Y.
Alternative 4. Adopt the more narrow Framework Procedure listed in Table Z.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 22 Types of Framework Procedures Open frameworks address issues where there is more policy discretion in selecting among various management options developed to address an identified management issue, such as changing a size limit to reduce harvest. Takes less time than an amendment to an FMP.
Example: Changing the commercial quota for queen conch in STX in 2013 (Regulatory Amendment 2 to the Queen Conch FMP).
Alternative 2 (base) has two types of open frameworks: Types of Open Frameworks Abbreviated Framework Standard Framework Regulatory changes that do not qualify as routine or Can be used for routine or insignificant changes insignificant. Request is made with letter or memo from the Council to the RA with supporting analyses (biological, social, Requires a completed framework document with economic) supporting analyses If RA concurs and approves action, it will be implemented through publication of FR Notice. Council to specify the list of Actions that can be taken under each Framework (set thresholds of what can be done under each, for example, bag limit change of 1 fish (Abbreviated) Closed Frameworks address much more specific factual circumstances, where the FMP and implementing regulations identify specific action to be taken in the event of specific facts occurring, such as closing a sector of a fishery after their quota has been harvested. ü The action’s ecological, economic, and social impacts have already been described in the analyses prepared when the framework measure was adopted. These actions are taken by “rule-related notices” Example: AM-based closures in 2016 fishing year when an ACL has been exceeded. Federal Register Notice announcing the closures.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 24 Action 5: Framework Procedures - Summary comparison of draft alternatives Alternative 2 (base) Alternative 3 (broad) Alternative 4 (narrow)
Types of - Open abbreviated (Abbv.) - Open - Open Framework - Open Standard - Closed - Closed (FMW) - Closed Processes When can - New stock assessment or other comparable scientific In response to any additional Only when there is a new open information. information or changed assessment. framework be - New info or circumstances circumstances. used - When changes are required to comply with applicable law or court order. Abbreviated FMW can be used for minor or insignificant changes. Standard framework for all other allowed changes. Actions that - Abbreviated Open FMW can be used for actions that - Open FMW can be used for a - Open FMW can only be used for can be taken are considered minor and insignificant representative list of actions, plus specific listed actions. other measures deemed - Standard Open FMW. Used for all others. List of actions that can be taken under Abbv. And Standard Open FMW appropriate by the Council. - Closed FMW can be used for a are given. - Closed FMW can be used for a specific list of actions. specific list of actions, plus any - Closed FMW can be used for a specific list of actions. other immediate actions specified in the regulations. Public Input Requires public discussion in at least one Council meeting. Requires public discussion at one Requires public discussion during at Council meeting least three Council meetings, and discussion at separate public hearings within the areas most affected by the proposed measures. APs/SSC The Council may convene its SSC or an AP(s), as Convening the SSC or an AP(s) The Council shall convene its SSC participation appropriate prior to final action is not required. and an AP(s). How is a - Abbv. requires a letter or memo from the Council with Via letter, memo, or the completed Via letter, memo, or the completed request of supporting analyses FMW document with supporting FMW document with supporting action made - Standard requires a completed FMW document with analyses. analyses. supporting analyses. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 25 Summary/Status of Draft Actions and Alternatives Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 1 - Determine Species to be Included for Management in the X Island FMP * Preliminary Preferred – Alternative 2 Action 2 - Establish Stocks or Stock Complexes in the X Island FMP * Final draft groupings recommended by SSC and DAPs. - Indicator species for some groups? Action 3 - Management Reference Points * Preliminary Preferred – Alternative 3 for all islands/species: Use ABC Control Rule (ABC CR) recommended by SSC - Action 3 sub-actions and alternatives will be modified based on the ABC CR (see flowchart) - New sub-action to allocate harvest between commercial and recreational sectors (Puerto Rico only)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 26 Summary of Draft Actions and Alternatives DEIS’s for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 4 - Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island * Alternatives: methods previously evaluated/used for rest of managed sps.
Action 5 - Framework Procedures for the X Island FMP * Four alternatives modified from Gulf/SA/Caribbean Councils framework procedures.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 27 Next steps: • IPT continues developing the draft alternatives and effects analyses to include on each of the DEIS for each island management area. • IPT incorporates recommendations from July SSC meeting on Action 3 (Management Reference Points) into first versions of DEIS’s • Council reviews the draft alternatives and provides input at the August 2017 Meeting. • The preferred alternative for each Action will become the management measure that will be included in the respective FMP.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 28 IBFMP Draft Timeline (Updated 4/2017) Reviewed DRAFT Ac ons and Alterna ves; Goals and Objec ves December 2016 Council Mee ng from PR, STT/STJ, STX; Ac on 3 guidance; Next steps Finalized Ac on 1 species selec on. Discussed Ac on 2 groupings. Scheduled new SSC Mee ng for April 2017 to finalize Ac on 2 and February 2-6, 2017 SSC Mee ng Ac on 3 Reviewed and Commented on Ac ons and Alterna ves-emphasis groupings . Meanwhile, staff con nued development of DRAFT March 7-8, 2017 DAP Mee ngs FMPs Public Hearing Dra s and DEIS’s Finalized Ac on 2 groupings. Finalized Ac on 3 year sequences for Puerto Rico. April 3-7, 2017 SSC Mee ng Scheduled new SSC Mee ng for July 2017 to finalize Ac on 3. April 18-19, 2017 Council Mee ng SSC preliminary outcomes; DAP input Spring/Summer IPT Con nue development of DEIS’s with info available July 10-14, 2017 SSC Mee ng Finalize Ac on 3 for all island management areas Summer 2017 IPT Con nue development of DEIS’s with informa on from SSC mtg. Review outcomes of July SSC Mee ng; Review first dra of DEIS’s; August 15-16, 2017 Council Mee ng Choose Preferred Alts* Fall 2017 IPT Finalize FMPs PHDs and DEIS’s for December Council Mee ng Council reviews FMPs PHDs and DEIS’s (if no changes needed Dec 13-14, 2017 Council Mee ng approve for public hearings and DEIS’s publica on) Winter 2018 Staff Publish DEIS’s for public comment. Hold Public Hearings Spring 2018 Council Mee ng Council votes to submit FMPs for Secretarial approval U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 30 Additional Slides
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 31 *Action 5: Framework Procedures (DRAFT)
• Allows a class of actions to be undertaken pursuant to procedures described under the particular Island-Based FMP without requiring an amendment to the underlying FMP. Thus management actions can be adjusted within the scope and criteria established by the FMP and implementing regulations, which differs from revising management measures through a lengthier amendment to the FMP.
• In this action, framework measures are intended to describe future management actions, which would be implemented within a range as defined and analyzed in the FMPs and associated analyses. If the action proposed does not fall within the scope of the FMP, then the FMP must be amended and framework actions cannot be used.
• Management measures that could be adjusted through framework amendments include quotas adjustments, closures, bag/trip limits, gear rules, and reference point modifications.
• The purpose of the framework is to allow the Council to more expeditiously adjust reference points and management measures in response to changing fishery conditions
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 32