Specifications and Management Measures · 4 4.1 Updates to status determination criteria, formal rebuilding programs and annual catch limits • Status Determination Criteria •

Specifications and Management Measures

Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan

Jamie M. Cournane, PhD

NEFMC Staff

Groundfish Plan Coordinator

NEFMC Meeting

October 1, 2014

Outline

• Timeline

• Likely Range of Alternatives

• Specifications

• Management Measures

2

3

20

14

June Council initiated FW53

Jul-Sep Develop specifications and measures

Sep/Oct Council selects measures to include in FW53

Oct-Nov Develop NEPA analysis

Nov Council takes final action on FW53

Timeline

Doc 8

4

4.1 Updates to status determination criteria, formal rebuilding programs and annual catch limits

• Status Determination Criteria

• Annual Catch Limits

4.2 Commercial and Recreational Fishery Measures

• Windowpane flounder sub-ACLs and AMs

• GOM cod inshore spawning closure

• Roll-over provision for specifications

• Sector ACE carryover provisions

• Changes to trawl gear regulations

• Recreational management measures process

Likely Range of Alternatives

Committee recommends

dropping items below

the line

Doc 8, 9a & 9c

5

4.1.1.1 Option 1: No Action

4.1.1.2 Option 2: Revised Status Determination Criteria

• Reference points for GB yellowtail flounder would be

unknown:

– TRAC agreed to no longer use the VPA assessment

model.

– Lack of a stock assessment model framework means no

historical estimates of biomass, fishing mortality rate or

recruitment can be calculated.

• No changes to reference points for other stocks.

• Updated numerical estimates provided for all stocks

assessed in 2014 for reference purposes.

4.1.1 Revised Status Determination Criteria

Doc 9c: Alternatives pp.1-3

6


4.1.2.2 Option 2: Revised Annual Catch Limit Specifications

For eight groundfish stocks:

– GB yellowtail flounder FY 2015- FY 2016

– GB Cod FY 2015 (EGB)

– GB Haddock FY 2015 (EGB)

– GB Winter Flounder FY 2015- FY 2017

– Pollock FY 2015-FY 2017

– GOM Cod FY 2015- FY 2017

– GOM Haddock FY 2015- FY 2017

– GOM Winter Flounder FY 2015- FY 2017

4.1.2 Annual Catch Limits

Doc 9c: Alternatives pp. 3-12

7

August

• Gulf of Maine haddock

• Georges Bank yellowtail flounder

September

• Gulf of Maine cod

October

• Gulf of Maine winter flounder,

• Georges Bank winter flounder,

• Pollock, and

• Gulf of Maine cod (potentially revisit ABC)

SSC 2014 Recommendations

Doc 2 & 5, Tab 12

8

OVERVIEW

– Benchmark Assessment, SARC 59

– Stock is not overfished and overfishing is not

occurring

– Recreational discards being accounted for at

50% mortality

– Recent year classes have been driving increases

Gulf of Maine Haddock

Doc 10 &12d

9

SSC ABCs/OFLs

– Default control rule applied at 75%FMSY

– ABCs

• FY 2015: 1,454 mt

• FY 2016: 1,772 mt

• FY 2017: 2,125 mt

– OFLs

• FY 2015: 1,871 mt

• FY 2016: 2,270 mt

• FY 2017: 2,707 mt

Gulf of Maine Haddock

Doc 2, Tab 12

10

OVERVIEW

– Low productivity

– Historic low catches

– Low surveys indices

– Poor recruitment

– Declines in condition

– Assessment model rejected for catch setting and stock

status

– Empirical approach developed at benchmark used for

catch setting

Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder

Doc 10 and 12c

11

SSC ABCs/OFLs

– ABC for FY 2015 and FY 2016 354 mt, based

on exploitation rate of 16%

– OFL remains unknown

Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder

Doc 2, Tab 12

12

OVERVIEW

– SSB is very low

– F is high

– Recruitment is poor

– Truncated age structure

– Stock is in very poor condition

– Surveys continue to decline and are at lows

Gulf of Maine Cod

Doc 10 & 12e

13

SSC ABCs/OFLs

– FY 2015- FY 2017 Constant

• OFL = 514 mt

• ABC = 200 mt

Gulf of Maine Cod

Doc 5, Tab 12

14

SSC ABCs/OFLs

– Potentially revisit ABCs at October SSC meeting

– Request that PDT examine incidental bycatch

– Ask the Advisory Panels:

• What is the estimated level of total catch needed

for the industry to remain economically viable?

• What is the lowest level of incidental, non-target

catch that the industry can achieve?

Gulf of Maine Cod

Doc 5, Tab 12

15

• EGB cod

• Total TAC: 650 mt

• US TAC: 124 mt

• EGB haddock

• Total TAC: 37,000 mt

• US TAC: 17,760 mt

• GB yellowtail flounder

• Total ABC: 354 mt

• US ABC: 248 mt

TRAC/TMGC

Doc 5, Tab 1

16


4.1.3.2 Option 2: Scallop Fishery GOM/GB Windowpane Flounder Sub-ACL

4.1.3 GOM/GB Windowpane Flounder Sub-ACLs


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• Scallop FW 26 is developing the AM.

• The Scallop PDT and Groundfish PDT are coordinating.

• Other components catches are very low and sub-ACLs are not recommended at this time.

Windowpane Flounder Sub-ACLs and AMs

Doc 9a & 9c

18

Recent Windowpane Flounder Catches

Doc 9a: pp. 3

19

• Recent scallop fishery catches of northern windowpane flounder, including the 90th percentile, median, and mean, are provided for consideration of a range of fixed percentage values that could be allocated to the scallop fishery.

• The current alternative uses recent catch history as the basis of the allocation, which is consistent with the development of the GB yellowtail flounder and southern windowpane flounder sub-ACLs for the scallop fishery.

Windowpane Flounder Sub-ACLs and AMs

Doc 9c

20

Calendar

Year

Catch

(mt)

Limited

Access

Scallop

Dredge

(mt)

Limited Access

Scallop Fishery

Catches as

Percent of

Total

General

Category

Scallop

Fishery Catch

Assumption

(mt)

Total

Scallop

Fishery Catch

As Percent of

Total

A B B/A C (B+C)/(A+C)

2001 229 22 9.6% 4 11.2%

2002 176 21 11.9% 4 13.9%

2003 377 13 3.4% 4 4.5%

2004 328 7 2.1% 4 3.3%

2005 968 17 1.8% 4 2.2%

2006 683 73 10.7% 4 11.2%

2007 1091 98 9.0% 4 9.3%

2008 376 43 11.4% 4 12.4%

2009 440 15 3.4% 4 4.3%

2010 236 9 3.8% 4 5.4%

Mean (average), 2001-2010

6.7% 7.8%

Median,

2001-2010 6.4% 7.6%

90th percentile, 2001-2010 11.9% 13.7%

Doc 9c Alternatives: Table 11, pp. 14

21

The PDT does not have existing analyses to develop alternatives for these section. These were new concepts at the Committee meeting:

• Motion 8: GOM/GB and SNE Windowpane Flounder Groundfish sub-ACLs for sector and common pool

• Motion 5: GOM/GB Windowpane Flounder Bycatch Limit for Sectors

Related Groundfish Committee Motions

Doc 9c, 15 & 17

22

Questions?

23


4.2.1.2 Option 2: Adopt additional inshore spawning closures for GOM cod

• Add additional GOM cod spawning closures in the Gulf of Maine for commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries.

• All commercial and recreational groundfish fishing would be closed in these 30 minute blocks for:

» May: 124, 125, 132, 133, 139, 140

» June: 132, 133, 139, 140, 147

» November-January: 124-125

» March-April: 124, 125, 132, 133

4.2.1 GOM Cod Spawning Area Closures


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No Action

Doc 9c: Alternatives Fig. 1, pp. 16

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May 1-May 31


26

June 1- June 30


27

Nov 1- Jan 31


28

Mar 1- Apr 30


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1) CATT-developed discrete seasonal areas for winter and spring closures

2) CATT-developed adjustments to GOM rolling closure areas

3) Reinstate GOM rolling closures for all limited access groundfish permit holders

4) Remove some sector rolling closure exemptions and incorporate the CATT-developed adjustments to the rolling closure areas (Hybrid of Options 2 and 3)

5) Winter closure west of 70°W for GOM cod

6) Prohibit fishing by private recreational and charter/party fishing vessels in inshore spawning closure areas

PDT-Developed GOM cod inshore spawning closure options

Doc 9a

30

Motion 8:

The GAP supports small focused areas to protect spawning. These areas should be discrete and dynamic, not static, due to the unpredictability of timing and precise area to ensure real protection. Such areas should be based on science and monitored closely, validating spawning activity. The goal of spawning areas should be to enhance the reproductive success of the fish while being the least disruptive and costly to the fishery.

Motion carried 6/0/3.

Related Discussion-Groundfish Advisory Panel

Doc 15

31


4.2.2.2 Option 2: Restrictions on trips in the GOM

– Would prohibit commercial vessels fishing west of 70° W longitude from also fishing east of 70° W longitude, or in another broad stock area, on the same trip, unless carrying an observer.

– Vessels fishing east of 70° W longitude in a one broad stock area (i.e., GOM or GB) may not fish west of this line or in another broad stock area (i.e., GOM or GB) on the same trip without an observer.

4.2.2 Additional Measures for GOM Cod

Doc 9c: Alternatives pp. 20

32


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Motion 4:

The RAP would support for analysis purposes a small or no possession of GOM cod if it means continued prosecution of other recreational fisheries (e.g., haddock, pollock, etc.). The RAP reserves its judgment on haddock bag limits, size limits, seasons, etc. for FY 2015 until such data is provided. The RAP requests this information be provided in a timely manner.


Related Discussion-Recreational Advisory Panel

Doc 14

34

Motion 5d:

The GAP recommends to the Committee several proposed measures to be analyzed for the purpose of eliminating the directed GOM cod fishery, reducing bycatch, while allowing for harvest of other stocks. (Measures are intended to last 1 year.)

The GAP recommends the following:….

[see list of 7 ideas next]



Doc 15

35

Motion 5d (Continued): 1) Trawlers would be required to use a 6.5” square mesh codend when

fishing west of 70°15’;

2) Gillnets would have an increased mesh size to 7 or 7.5” or a limit on a number of gillnets that may be fished west of 70°15’;

3) Limit on stand-up gillnets, either the number of nets being used or the season that they can be used in, west of 70°15’;

4) Trawlers would be required to use selective fishing gears (e.g., separator trawl, raised footrope trawls etc.) fishing west of 70°15’.

5) Develop the CATT spawning closure area alternatives;

6) No recreational fishing allowed in any of the closed areas (CATT areas and WGOMAC);

7) No lobster gear allowed in the CATT areas or WGOMAC areas.


Doc 15

36

Questions?

37


4.2.3.2 Option 2: Percentage Rollover Provisions for Specifications

– A percentage of the prior year’s ACL would be rolled over in the absence of specifications at the start of the fishing year due to a delay in rule making.

– A percentage less than 100% of the prior year’s ACL reflects a more precautionary approach to rollover provisions than carrying forward 100% of the prior year’s specifications.

– Rollover specifications would be replaced by OFL, ABC, and ACL values upon rulemaking.

– Catches occurring while rollover specifications are in place (after May 1st

through final rulemaking) would be counted against the updated ACL for the FY.

4.2.3 Rollover of Groundfish Specifications


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4.2.3.2 Option 2: Percentage Rollover Provisions for Specifications

Sub- Option A: Would allow for an 80% rollover of the prior year’s ACL

for all groundfish stocks for the start of the following FY.

4.2.3 Rollover of Groundfish Specifications


39

Roll-over provision for specifications

The PDT proposes the OSC consider a default measures approach as was done in the Scallop FMP, as opposed to straight rollover of specifications. Such an approach is warranted in the Groundfish FMP for the following reasons:

– Stock statuses vary widely within the multispecies complex, and multiple stocks are currently rebuilding;

– Changes in the status of individual stocks have caused drastic increases and decreases in ABCs within the complex from one fishing year to the next; and

– Having default measures in place by May 1st ensures the timely start of the FY.

Related Discussion - PDT

Doc 9a

40

The PDT proposed default measures approach could include:

• Specifications for May 1 - August 31 of the fishing year (an interim ACL) that reflects prior year’s commercial and recreational catch rates.

• A percentage (e.g., 22%) of the prior year’s ACL could be used to set specifications in advance of May 1. Each time ACLs are established, a formulaic application of the prior year’s ACL could be used for the following fishing year default for potential use in the interim between May 1 and August 31 while specifications are finalized.

Related Discussion - PDT

Doc 9a

41

Motion 1:

That the GAP recommend to the Committee that the Committee recommend that NMFS make the resources available to get stock assessments (as vetted and determined by the NRCC) done on-time, so that specifications can be in place on-time.



Doc 15

42

Motion 2: • That the GAP recommend to the Committee that the

Committee recommend in the event that specifications do not get in place on-time, that the last year’s specifications remain in place until new measures are implemented.

• The GAP does not support the PDT’s suggestion (for a default percentage approach) and is concerned that some sectors, which concentrate their fishing in the summertime, could find their allocations improperly restricted.



Doc 15

43


4.2.4.2 Option 2: Modification to Sector ACE carryover

– This option would cap the maximum available unused sector ACE carried over from the previous fishing year (e.g., FY 2014) at the ABC level minus the ACL for the fishing year in which the carryover will be landed (e.g., FY 2015).

– In addition, this alternative includes the previously used accountability measure criteria developed for the June 2014 emergency action: sectors would continue to be required to pay back carried over catch used only when both the sector sub-ACL and total stock ACL are exceeded.

4.2.4 Sector ACE Carryover


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Questions?

Documents

Specifications and Management Measures · 4 4.1 Updates to status determination criteria, formal rebuilding programs and annual catch limits • Status Determination Criteria •