Tab C, No. 5(a) 10/10/18 Modifications to Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Size and Possession Limits Draft Framework Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region October 2018 This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA15NMF4410011. This page intentionally blank ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COVER SHEET Draft Framework Amendment 7 to Modify Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Size and Possession Limits Type of Action ( ) Administrative ( ) Legislative (X) Draft ( ) Final Responsible Agencies: National Marine Fisheries Service Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Southeast Regional Office Council 263 13th Avenue South 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Tampa, Florida 33607 727-824-5305 813-348-1630 727-824-5308 (fax) 813-348-1711 (fax) http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov http://www.gulfcouncil.org Contact: Kelli O’Donnell Contact: Ryan Rindone [email protected] [email protected] Contact: Rich Malinowski [email protected] Gulf Cobia Size and i Possession Limits ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT ABC acceptable biological catch ACL annual catch limit ACT annual catch target ALS accumulated landings system AM accountability measure ASFMC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission BiOP biological opinion CMP coastal migratory pelagics CHTS Coastal Household Telephone Survey CS consumer surplus Councils Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils DPS distinct population segment EA environmental assessment EEZ exclusive economic zone EFH essential fish habitat EIS Environmental Impact Statement EJ environmental justice ESA Endangered Species Act FES (mail-based) fishing effort survey FL fork length FMP fishery management plan GDP gross domestic product GMFMC Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Gulf Gulf of Mexico Gulf Council Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council HAPC habitat area of particular concern IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change LHWG Life History Working Group MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act MRIP Marine Recreational Information Program MSY maximum sustainable yield NARW North Atlantic right whales NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency NOR net operating revenue OFL overfishing limit OY optimum yield PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PS producer surplus RQ regional quotient SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center Gulf Cobia Size and ii Possession Limits SEFSC-SSRG Southeast Fisheries Science Center Social Science Research Group SERO NMFS Southeast Regional Office South Atlantic Council South Atlantic Fishery Management Council SSC Scientific and Statistical Committee VOC volatile organic compounds ww whole weight lw landed weight Gulf Cobia Size and iii Possession Limits TABLE OF CONTENTS Environmental Assessment Cover Sheet ......................................................................................... i Abbreviations Used in this Document ............................................................................................ ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 History of Management ........................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 2. Management Alternatives ............................................................................................ 8 2.1 Action 1: Modify the Minimum Size Limit for the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia .................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Action 2: Modify the Possession Limit for the Gulf Cobia .............................................. 15 Chapter 3. Affected Environment ................................................................................................ 19 3.1 Description of the Fishery and Status of the Stock ........................................................... 19 3.1.1 Description of the Fishery ......................................................................................... 19 3.1.2 Status of the Stocks ................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Description of the Physical Environment .......................................................................... 22 3.3 Description of the Biological/Ecological Environment .................................................... 26 3.3.1 Cobia Life History and Biology ................................................................................ 26 3.3.2 Bycatch ..................................................................................................................... 27 3.3.3 Protected Species ...................................................................................................... 28 3.3.4 General Information .................................................................................................. 29 3.4 Description of the Economic Environment ....................................................................... 33 3.4.1 Commercial Sector.................................................................................................... 34 3.4.2 Recreational Sector ................................................................................................... 39 3.5 Description of the Social Environment .............................................................................. 48 3.5.1 Fishing Communities ................................................................................................ 48 3.5.2 Environmental Justice Considerations ...................................................................... 52 3.6 Description of the Administrative Environment ................................................................ 54 3.6.1 Federal Fishery Management .................................................................................... 54 3.6.2 State Fishery Management ........................................................................................ 55 Gulf Cobia Size and iv Possession Limits Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 56 4.1 Action 1: Modify the Minimum Size Limit for the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia .................................................................................................................................. 56 4.1.1 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Physical Environment ......................................... 56 4.1.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Biological and Ecological Environments ........... 56 4.1.3 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Economic Environment ...................................... 58 4.1.4 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Social Environment ............................................ 60 4.1.5 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Administrative Environment .............................. 61 4.2 Action 2: Modify the Possession Limit for the Gulf Cobia .............................................. 62 4.2.1 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Physical Environment ......................................... 62 4.2.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Biological and Ecological Environments ........... 62 4.2.3 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Economic Environment ...................................... 64 4.2.4 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Social Environment ............................................ 67 4.2.5 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Administrative Environment .............................. 68 4.3 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................ 68 Chapter 5. Regulatory Impact Review ......................................................................................... 72 Chapter 6. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis ................................................................................. 73 Chapter 7. List of Agencies, Organizations and Persons Consulted ............................................ 74 Chapter 8. List of Preparers ......................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 9. References .................................................................................................................. 76 Appendix A. Other Applicable Laws ........................................................................................... 78 Appendix B. Considered but Rejected