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Golden Tilefish Interim Measures

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Golden Tilefish Interim Measures Specification of Annual Catch Limits for Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) in the South Atlantic Region Golden Tilefish Interim Measures Environmental Assessment Regulatory Flexibility Analysis September 28, 2017 Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Document ABC acceptable biological catch M natural mortality rate ACL annual catch limits MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT Magnuson-Stevens ACT annual catch target Fishery Conservation and Management Act ALS Accumulated Landings System MARMAP Marine Resources Monitoring Assessment and Prediction Program AM accountability measures MFMT maximum fishing mortality threshold ASFMC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act B a measure of stock biomass in either weight or other appropriate unit MRFSS Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey BMSY the stock biomass expected to exist under equilibrium conditions when fishing at FMSY MRIP Marine Recreational Information Program BCURR the current stock biomass MSST minimum stock size threshold COUNCIL South Atlantic Fishery Management Council MSY maximum sustainable yield CS consumer surplus NARW North Atlantic Right Whale DPS distinct population segment NEPA National Environmental Policy Act EEZ exclusive economic zone NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service EFH essential fish habitat NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration EFH-HAPC essential fish habitat-habitat areas of NOR net operating revenue particular concern OY optimum yield ESA Endangered Species Act PS producer surplus F a measure of the instantaneous rate of fishing mortality SECRETARY Secretary of Commerce FCURR the current instantaneous rate of fishing SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review mortality SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center FMSY the rate of fishing mortality expected to achieve MSY under equilibrium conditions SERO Southeast Regional Office and a corresponding biomass of BMSY SMZ special management zone FMP fishery management plan SOUTH ATLANTIC southeastern united states FMU fishery management unit SPR spawning potential ratio LBS GW pounds gutted weight SSB stock spawning biomass LBS WW pounds whole weight Interim Measures i GOLDEN TILEFISH SSC Scientific and Statistical Committee TAC total allowable catch Interim Measures II GOLDEN TILEFISH Interim Measures for Golden Tilefish in the South Atlantic Documents: Environmental assessment Regulatory flexibility analysis Proposed actions: Temporarily reduce annual catch limits for golden tilefish Lead agency: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) For Further Information Contact: Mary Vara NMFS Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-824-5305 [email protected] Karla Gore NMFS Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-824-5305 [email protected] Interim Measures iii GOLDEN TILEFISH Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. iv List of Appendices ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 10 1.1 What Action Is Being Proposed? ............................................................................................... 10 1.2 Who is Proposing the Action? .................................................................................................... 10 1.3 What are Interim Measures? ....................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Where are Golden Tilefish Managed? ........................................................................................ 11 1.5 Why is NMFS Considering Action (Purpose and Need)? .......................................................... 12 1.6 What are the stock status recommendations for golden tilefish? ............................................... 12 1.7 What is the History of Management for Golden Tilefish ........................................................... 13 Chapter 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives ...................................................................................... 15 2.1 Revise the Annual Catch Limit for Golden Tilefish through Interim Measures ........................ 15 2.2 Comparison of Alternatives: ...................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 3. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................ 18 3.1 Habitat Environment ............................................................................................................ 18 3.1.1 Inshore/Estuarine Habitat ................................................................................................. 18 3.1.2 Offshore Habitat ............................................................................................................... 19 3.1.3 Essential Fish Habitat ....................................................................................................... 20 3.1.4 Habitat Areas of Particular Concern ................................................................................ 21 3.2 Biological and Ecological Environment ............................................................................... 22 3.2.1 Fish Populations Affected by this Amendment ................................................................... 22 3.2.2 Golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) ................................................................ 22 3.2.3 Stock Status of Golden Tilefish ........................................................................................ 26 3.2.4 Other Fish Species Affected ............................................................................................. 29 3.2.5 Protected Species .............................................................................................................. 29 3.2.5.1 North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) ............................................................................ 30 3.2.5.2 ESA-Listed Sea Turtles ................................................................................................ 30 3.2.5.3 ESA-Listed Marine Fish ............................................................................................... 33 3.3 Economic Environment ........................................................................................................ 35 3.3.1 Economic Description of the Commercial Sector ............................................................ 35 3.3.2 Economic Description of the Recreational Sector ........................................................... 40 3.4 Social Environment .............................................................................................................. 44 3.4.1 Landings by State ................................................................................................................ 44 3.4.2 Permits by State .................................................................................................................. 45 3.4.3 Fishing Communities .......................................................................................................... 46 3.4.4 Environmental Justice Considerations ............................................................................. 50 3.5 Administrative Environment ................................................................................................ 52 3.5.1 The Fishery Management Process and Applicable Laws ................................................. 52 3.5.1.1 Federal Fishery Management ....................................................................................... 52 3.5.1.2 State Fishery Management ........................................................................................... 53 Interim Measures iv GOLDEN TILEFISH 3.5.1.3 Enforcement ................................................................................................................. 54 Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences and Comparison of Alternatives ........................................ 55 4.1 Temporarily Revise the Annual Catch Limit for Golden Tilefish Through Interim Measures 55 4.1.1 Biological and Ecological ................................................................................................... 55 4.1.2 Economic Effects ............................................................................................................. 61 4.1.3 Social Effects .................................................................................................................... 63 4.1.4 Administrative Effects ...................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 5. Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................. 65 5.1 Affected Area ......................................................................................................................
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