DOCSLIB.ORG

Reinitiated Biological Opinion on Groundfish Fisheries Affecting Humpback Whales

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reinitiated Biological Opinion on Groundfish Fisheries Affecting Humpback Whales Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological and Conference Opinion Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (Reinitiation of consultation #NWR-2012-876) – Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) NMFS Consultation Number: WCRO-2018-01378 ARN 151422WCR2018PR00213 Action Agency: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Affected Species and NMFS’ Determinations: ESA-Listed Species Status Is Action Is Action Is Action Is Action Likely Likely to Likely To Likely to To Destroy or Adversely Jeopardize Adversely Adversely Affect the Species? Affect Modify Critical Species? Critical Habitat? Habitat? Humpback whale Endangered Yes No No No (Megaptera novaeangliae) – Central America DPS Humpback whale – Threatened Yes No No No Mexico DPS Consultation Conducted By: National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region Issued By: _______________________________ Barry A. Thom Regional Administrator Date: October 26, 2020 ESA Section 7 Consultation Number WCRO-2018-01378 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7 1.1. Background ..................................................................................................................................................................7 1.2. Consultation History ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.3. Proposed Federal Action ........................................................................................................................................ 8 1.3.1 Overview of the Components and Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery ............................ 8 1.3.2 Overview of Trawl Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................10 1.3.3 Limited Entry - At-sea Pacific Whiting Cooperatives ...........................................................................................11 1.3.4 Limited Entry - Shorebased IFQ Program .................................................................................................................11 1.3.5 Limited Entry - Fixed Gear ................................................................................................................................................12 1.3.6 Open Access Fishery ...........................................................................................................................................................13 1.3.7 Tribal Groundfish Fisheries..............................................................................................................................................13 1.3.8 Recreational Fisheries .......................................................................................................................................................15 1.3.9 Catch Monitoring ...................................................................................................................................................................15 1.3.9.1 At-Sea Pacific Whiting Sector ........................................................................................................................................16 1.3.9.2 Shorebased IFQ Sector .....................................................................................................................................................17 1.3.9.3 Fixed Gear Sector ................................................................................................................................................................17 1.3.9.4 Tribal Sector .........................................................................................................................................................................19 1.3.9.5 Recreational Sector ............................................................................................................................................................19 2. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT: BIOLOGICAL AND CONFERENCE OPINION AND INCIDENTAL TAKE STATEMENT ................................................................................................................ 20 2.1. Analytical Approach .............................................................................................................................................. 20 2.2. Rangewide Status of the Species and Critical Habitat ............................................................................... 21 2.2.1 Climate Change ......................................................................................................................................................................21 2.2.2 Status of the Species ............................................................................................................................................................22 2.2.2.1 Mexico DPS....................................................................................................................................................................27 2.2.2.2 Central America DPS.................................................................................................................................................27 2.2.2.3 Current Assessment of Abundance and Distribution of ESA-listed Humpback Whale DPSs ... 28 2.2.3 Status of the Species’ Proposed Critical Habitat .............................................................................................................31 2.2.3.1 Mexico DPS....................................................................................................................................................................34 2.2.3.2 Central America DPS.................................................................................................................................................34 2.3. Action Area ................................................................................................................................................................ 34 2.4. Environmental Baseline ....................................................................................................................................... 36 2.4.1. Climate Change and Other Habitat Impacts ....................................................................................................................36 2.4.2. Human-caused Mortality and Injury of Humpback Whales .....................................................................................37 2.4.2.1 Mexico DPS....................................................................................................................................................................39 2.4.2.2 Central America DPS.................................................................................................................................................39 2.5. Effects of the Action ............................................................................................................................................... 40 2.5.1 Humpback Whale Effects Analysis .......................................................................................................................................40 2.5.2 Exposure and Response to Interactions with the Sablefish Pot Fishery ...................................................... 43 2.5.2.1 Bycatch Estimates ......................................................................................................................................................43 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion October 2020 Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (Reinitiation 2020) – Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 2 ESA Section 7 Consultation Number WCRO-2018-01378 2.5.2.2 Bycatch Risk in the Catch Share (CS) Sector ..................................................................................................46 2.5.2.3 Opportunistic Entanglement Reports ...............................................................................................................47 2.5.2.4 Sablefish Pot Fishery Entanglements by Humpback Whale DPS .......................................................... 48 2.5.3 Risk of Trawl Interactions .................................................................................................................................................53 2.5.4 Risk of Prey Removal...........................................................................................................................................................55 2.5.5 Response to Entanglement ...............................................................................................................................................56 2.5.6 Risk for ESA-listed Humpback Whales ........................................................................................................................57 2.6. Cumulative Effects .................................................................................................................................................. 59 2.7. Integration and Synthesis.................................................................................................................................... 59 2.7.1 Mexico DPS Humpback Whales ......................................................................................................................................60 2.7.2
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Federal Register/Vol. 82, No. 8/Thursday, January 12, 2017/Notices
    3726 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 8 / Thursday, January 12, 2017 / Notices SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Washington, DC 20230 (or via the issuance, quota transfers, use caps, crab Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Internet at [email protected]). harvesting cooperatives, protections for Conservation and Management FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries, Reauthorization Act established the CCC Requests for additional information or arbitration system, monitoring, by amending Section 302 (16 U.S.C. copies of the information collection economic data collection, and cost 1852) of the MSA. The committee instrument and instructions should be recovery fee collection. consists of the chairs, vice chairs, and directed to Sally Bibb, (907) 586–7389 II. Method of Collection executive directors of each of the eight or [email protected]. Regional Fishery Management Councils SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Respondents have a choice of either authorized by the MSA or other Council electronic or paper forms. Methods of members or staff. NMFS will host this I. Abstract submittal include online, email of meeting and provide reports to the CCC This request is for extension of a electronic forms, mail, and facsimile for its information and discussion. All currently approved information transmission of paper forms. sessions are open to the public. Updates collection. III. Data to this meeting will be provided in The king and Tanner crab fisheries in subsequent notices and additional the exclusive economic zone of the OMB Control Number: 0648–0514. information will be posted on http:// Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Form Number: None. www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/management/ are managed under the Fishery Type of Review: Regular submission councils/ccc/ccc.htm when available.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 112Th Congress
    Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 112th Congress Eugene H. Buck Specialist in Natural Resources Policy Harold F. Upton Analyst in Natural Resources Policy November 4, 2011 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R41613 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 112th Congress Summary Fish and marine mammals are important resources in open ocean and nearshore coastal areas; many federal laws and regulations guide their management as well as the management of their habitat. Aquaculture or fish farming enterprises seek to supplement food traditionally provided by wild harvests. Commercial and sport fishing are jointly managed by the federal government and individual states. States generally have jurisdiction within 3 miles of the coast. Beyond state jurisdiction and out to 200 miles in the federal exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the federal government (National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS) manages fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) through eight regional fishery management councils. Beyond 200 miles, the United States participates in international agreements relating to specific areas or species. The 112th Congress may oversee implementation of the MSFCMA as well as address individual habitat and management concerns for U.S. commercial and sport fisheries in an attempt to modify the balance between resource use and protection. Additional concerns might include providing additional
    [Show full text]
  • Catch Share Management in New England: Groundfish Sectors
    Catch Share Management in New England: Groundfish Sectors Kimberly Gordon Date: _________________________ Approved: ________________________________ Dr. Douglas Nowacek, Advisor Masters project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master of Environmental Management degree in the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences of Duke University May 2010 ABSTRACT: The management of domestic fisheries by the use of catch shares has become a topic of increased attention in recent years. The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) recently voted to adopt a catch share program for their Northeast Multispecies Fishery, proposing the addition of 17 new sectors which will manage a collective quota for the multispecies complex. This paper discusses the specifics of the Fishery Management Plan amendment as it pertains to the sector program and highlights three potential concerns that have been raised with regard to the implementation of sectors: insufficient monitoring, excessive consolidation, and impacts on communities. An exploration of actions taken by other regional Fishery Management Councils to address these concerns provides insight into potential management options that the New England Fishery Management Council may wish to consider as they move forward. These options are evaluated in the context of New England’s groundfish fishery, culminating in recommended actions that would enhance the ability of the management program to achieve its desired goals. Evaluation of the monitoring program in the British Columbia Groundfish Fishery reveals the potential benefits of full monitoring coverage for the Northeast Multispecies Sector program. Considering accumulation limits set in 10 domestic catch share programs to address consolidation reveals the need for the NEFMC to establish accumulation limits at a level commensurate with the management plan’s total objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area APPENDICES
    FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area APPENDICES Appendix A History of the Fishery Management Plan ...................................................................... A-1 A.1 Amendments to the FMP ......................................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B Geographical Coordinates of Areas Described in the Fishery Management Plan ..... B-1 B.1 Management Area, Subareas, and Districts ............................................................................. B-1 B.2 Closed Areas ............................................................................................................................ B-2 B.3 PSC Limitation Zones ........................................................................................................... B-18 Appendix C Summary of the American Fisheries Act and Subtitle II ............................................. C-1 C.1 Summary of the American Fisheries Act (AFA) Management Measures ............................... C-1 C.2 Summary of Amendments to AFA in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 ................ C-2 C.3 American Fisheries Act: Subtitle II Bering Sea Pollock Fishery ............................................ C-4 Appendix D Life History Features and Habitat Requirements of Fishery Management Plan SpeciesD-1 D.1 Walleye pollock (Theragra calcogramma) ............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Golden Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program 5-Year Review
    Golden Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program 5-Year Review September 2017 Prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Council Address NMFS Address Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Greater Atlantic Regional Northeast Fisheries 800 North State Street, Fisheries Office Science Center Suite 201 55 Great Republic Drive 166 Water St Dover, DE 19901 Gloucester, MA 01930 Woods Hole, MA 02543 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 2 LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 6 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 7 2.0 SUMMARY OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM REVIEW ............................ 8 3.0 PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .............................................................................. 9 4.0 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM ..................................................... 9 4.1 PRE-GTF-IFQ STOCK STATUS AND MANAGEMENT HISTORY ...............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 70, No. 182/Wednesday, September 21
    55334 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Notices 15 minutes for a request for a Dolphin DATES: Written comments must be IV. Request for Comments Mortality Limit; 10 minutes for submitted on or before November 21, Comments are invited on: (a) Whether notification of vessel arrival; 60 minutes 2005. the proposed collection of information for a tuna tracking form; 10 minutes for ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments is necessary for the proper performance a monthly tuna storage removal report; to Diana Hynek, Departmental of the functions of the agency, including 60 minutes for a monthly tuna receiving Paperwork Clearance Officer, whether the information shall have report; and 30 minutes for a special Department of Commerce, Room 6625, practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the report documenting the origin of tuna (if 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., agency’s estimate of the burden requested by the NOAA Administrator). (including hours and cost) of the Estimated Total Annual Burden Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). proposed collection of information; (c) Hours: 135. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Estimated Total Annual Cost to clarity of the information to be Requests for additional information or Public: $519. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the copies of the information collection burden of the collection of information IV. Request for Comments instrument and instructions should be on respondents, including through the Comments are invited on: (a) Whether directed to Amy S. Van Atten, (508) use of automated collection techniques the proposed collection of information 495–2266 or [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • FISHERY ECOSYSTEM PLAN of the SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION VOLUME IV: THREATS to the SOUTH ATLANTIC ECOSYSTEM and RECOMMENDATIONS Apri
    FISHERY ECOSYSTEM PLAN OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION VOLUME IV: THREATS TO THE SOUTH ATLANTIC ECOSYSTEM AND RECOMMENDATIONS April 2009 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 (843) 571-4366 / FAX (843) 769-4520 Toll Free (866) SAFMC-10 Email: [email protected] THIS IS A PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL PURSUANT TO National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. FNA05NMF4410004 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ABC Acceptable Biological Catch ACCSP Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program ACE Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve APA Administrative Procedures Act AUV Autonomous Underwater Vehicle B A measure of stock biomass either in weight or other appropriate unit BMSYB The stock biomass expected to exist under equilibrium conditions when fishing at FMSY BOYB The stock biomass expected to exist under equilibrium conditions when fishing at FOY BCURRB The current stock biomass CEA Cumulative Effects Analysis CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CFMC Caribbean Fishery Management Council CPUE Catch per unit effort CRP Cooperative Research Program CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement EA Environmental Assessment EBM Ecosystem-Based Management EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EFH Essential Fish Habitat EFH-HAPC Essential Fish Habitat - Habitat Area of Particular Concern EIS Environmental Impact Statement EPAP Ecosystem Principles Advisory Panel ESA Endangered Species Act
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating Common Dolphin Bycatch in the Pole-And-Line Tuna Fishery In
    Estimating common dolphin bycatch in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores Maria Joa˜o Cruz1,2, Miguel Machete2, Gui Menezes1,2, Emer Rogan3 and Mo´nica A. Silva2,4 1 Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Ac¸ores, Portugal 2 MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and IMAR—Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Ac¸ores, Portugal 3 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Enterprise Centre, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland 4 Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA ABSTRACT Small-scale artisanal fisheries can have a significant negative impact in cetacean populations. Cetacean bycatch has been documented in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores with common dolphins being the species more frequently taken. Based on data collected by observers on ∼50% of vessels operating from 1998 to 2012, we investigate the influence of various environmental and fisheries-related factors in common dolphin bycatch and calculate fleet-wide estimates of total bycatch using design-based and model-based methods. Over the 15-year study dolphin bycatch occurred in less than 0.4% of the observed fishing events. Generalized additive modelling results suggest a significant relationship between common dolphin bycatch and duration of fishing events, sea surface temperature and location. Total bycatch calculated from the traditional stratified ratio estimation approach was 196 (95% CI: 186–205), while the negative binomial GAM estimated 262 (95% CI: 249–274) dolphins. Bycatch estimates of common dolphin were similar using statistical approaches suggesting that either of these methods may be Submitted 21 August 2017 used in future bycatch assessments for this fishery.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimated Humpback Whale Bycatch in the U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, 2002 - 2019
    Agenda Item G.4.a NMFS Report 4 June 2021 Estimated Humpback Whale Bycatch in the U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, 2002 - 2019 M. Bradley Hanson1, Thomas P. Good1, Jason E. Jannot2, and Jason Eibner2 Northwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA 2725 Montlake Blvd. E. Seattle, WA 98112 2021-05-24 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction and Background ............................................................................................................................. 4 U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries ......................................................................................................... 8 Northwest Fisheries Science Center Groundfish Observer Program ............................................ 9 Humpback Whale Bycatch in West Coast Groundfish Fisheries ..................................................... 9 Methods ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Data Sources ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 Estimating
    [Show full text]
  • (MSC) Announcement Comment Draft Report for Client Jeong Il
    Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Announcement Comment Draft Report for Client Jeong Il Corporation Antarctic krill fishery On Behalf of Jeong Il Corporation, Seoul Prepared by Control Union UK Ltd. September 2020 Authors: Henry Ernst Julian Addison Gudrun Gaudian Sophie des Clers Jung-Hee Cho Control Union UK Ltd. 56 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9AH United Kingdom Tel: 01590 613007 Fax: 01590 671573 Email: [email protected] Website: http.uk.controlunion.com Contents CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 1 QA ............................................................................................................................................... 2 GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 3 2 REPORT DETAILS ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Authorship and Peer Reviewers .............................................................................................. 6 2.2 Version details ......................................................................................................................... 8 3 UNIT(S) OF ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION ..................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Commercial Fishing Guide |
    Texas Commercial Fishing regulations summary 2021 2022 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 – AUGUST 31, 2022 Subject to updates by Texas Legislature or Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission TEXAS COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATIONS SUMMARY This publication is a summary of current regulations that govern commercial fishing, meaning any activity involving taking or handling fresh or saltwater aquatic products for pay or for barter, sale or exchange. Recreational fishing regulations can be found at OutdoorAnnual.com or on the mobile app (download available at OutdoorAnnual.com). LIMITED-ENTRY AND BUYBACK PROGRAMS .......................................................................... 3 COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN LICENSE TYPES ........................................................................... 3 COMMERCIAL FISHING BOAT LICENSE TYPES ........................................................................ 6 BAIT DEALER LICENSE TYPES LICENCIAS PARA VENDER CARNADA .................................................................................... 7 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND OTHER BUSINESS LICENSES AND PERMITS LICENCIAS Y PERMISOS COMERCIALES PARA NEGOCIOS MAYORISTAS Y MINORISTAS .......... 8 NONGAME FRESHWATER FISH (PERMIT) PERMISO PARA PESCADOS NO DEPORTIVOS EN AGUA DULCE ................................................ 12 BUYING AND SELLING AQUATIC PRODUCTS TAKEN FROM PUBLIC WATERS ............................. 13 FRESHWATER FISH ................................................................................................... 13 SALTWATER FISH .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wreckfish ITQ Review
    Review of the Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota Program of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council August 2019 A publication of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award Number FNA10NMF4410012 Table of Contents Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................................................3 List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................................4 List of Figures ..............................................................................................................................................5 Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................................6 1 Introduction and Background ..............................................................................................................7 1.1 Legal requirements for the review ............................................................................................... 7 1.2 Pre-ITQ management ................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 ITQ program description ............................................................................................................ 10 1.3.1 ITQ Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]