preferred management options for spotted seatrout in north carolina marine fisheries commission...

Preferred Management Options for Spotted Seatrout in North Carolina

Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting

Raleigh

May 13, 2010

Committee Reviews & Public Meetings

Southeast Regional Advisory Committee April 14, 2010

Inland Regional Advisory Committee April 15, 2010

Central Regional Advisory Committee April 19, 2010

Finfish Advisory Committee April 20, 2010

Habitat Advisory Committee April 21, 2010

Northeast Regional Advisory Committee April 22, 2010

Review of Committee and Public Input

Spotted Seatrout Advisory Committee April 28, 2010

Marine Fisheries Commission May 13, 2010

Issues Addressed in the FMP

• Achieving sustainable harvest • Enforcement of size, creel limit and gear

regulations in Joint, Coastal or Inland Fishing Waters

• Management measures to address user group

competition• Impacts of cold stun events on the population• Closing gig fishery from December-March

Sustainable Harvest

Background• 2009 stock assessment indicated the stock in NC/VA has

been overfished and overfishing has been occurring throughout the 18-year time series.

Issue• Establish harvest reductions that achieve sustainable

harvest by rebuilding the spawning stock biomass above the threshold level and end overfishing within 10 years.

Spawning Stock BiomassOverfished Status

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

SSB Threshold (F20%)

YearSp

aw

nin

g S

tock

Bio

ma

ss (

lb)

Fishing MortalityOverfishing Status

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.8

Year

Ave

rage

Fis

hing

Mor

talit

y

Sustainable Harvest

Size Bag Limit

14 " 57%

14-24 " 53%

END OVERFISHING IMMEDIATELYREDUCTION REQUIRED

2 fish

2 fish

50 lbs

50 lbs

Trip Limit

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Sustainable Harvest

28.5%

28.5%

14 "

OVERFISHING - ASSESS IN 5 YRS1/2 REDUCTION NEEDED TO END

REQUIREDREDUCTION MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

COMMERCIAL FISHERY

Minimum Size (TL)

14 "

RECREATIONAL FISHERYREDUCTION REQUIRED

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS Minimum Size (TL)

Commercial Suite of Options

32.0%

26.3%

29.9%31.8%28.5%

All Gear Combined, 173,981 lbs

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE HARVEST Commercial Fishery

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS % REDUCTION

14-inch minimum size limit and: • 150 lbs/day/operation • 200 lbs/day/operation • Seasonal closures: December 1 - January 31

February 1- August 31 • Annual Commercial Quota/All Gear:

Commercial Suite of Options (continued)

28.5%

28.5%

Long Haul Seines/Swipe Nets: 350 lbs/operation/day or 700 lbs/person/week

All other gear: 100 lbs/operation/day or 200 lbs/person/week

Stop Nets-4,595 lbs; Beach Seines-5,139 lbs;

Long Haul Seines/Swipe Nets-22,930 lbs; and

All other gear: 100 lbs/operation/day or 200 lbs/person/week

• Annual Trip Limits/high volume gear:Stop Nets: >500 lbs/operation/day or 2,100 lbs/person/week

Beach Seines: 150 lbs/operation/day or 300 lbs/person/week

• Annual Commercial Quotas/high volume gear:



14-inch minimum size limit and:

Suite of Options (continued)

28.5%

28.5%

November-February: 300 lbs/operation/day

29.7%

• Gill Net Weekly Trip Limit; 200 lbs/person/week



14-inch minimum size limit and:

• Weekend Closure- no possession on weekends

High Volume Fisheries: Annual quota or Trip Limit option

All other gear: 100 lbs/person/week

• Gill Net Seasonal Trip Limit: March-October: 25 lbs/operation/day

High Volume Fisheries: Annual quota or Trip Limit option

All other gear: 100 lbs/person/week

November-February: all gear out of water (including RCGL)

Commercial Recommendations

AC

RECOMMENDATIONend overfishing ½ way with 14-inch minimum

size AND:

% Reduction

VOTE

Southeast • May 1 – Sept 30 closure 22.59 in favor

(unanimous)

Central • Weekend closure 29.75 in favor

chair abstained

Northeast - 1.8

6 in favor,1 opposed,

chair abstained

Inland • Dec 1 – Jan 31 closure 29.95 in favor,

1 opposed

Finfish • 150 lbs/operation/day 32.0

4 in favor, 1 opposed,

chair abstained

SST AC • Weekend closure 29.7


chair abstained

Recommendation for Sustainable Harvest Commercial Fishery

SST AC & DMF Recommendation Take ½ reduction to end overfishing; 14-inch minimum size and

weekend closure (no possession 5 p.m. Friday- 5 p.m. Sunday)• March-October: gear may be in the water • November-February: no commercial gear (RCGL gear included) in water

Option agreement: SST AC, DMF, Central AC

DMF Recommendation clarification “no commercial gear”:• No long hauls, no beach seines, no gill nets (includes drift nets, set nets,

run around gill nets), no RCGL gear. • Stop nets may be set, but no hauls or strikes may be made on weekends • Exemptions: Albemarle Sound & Currituck Sound

Sustainable Harvest

Size

28.5% 29.0%

RECREATIONAL FISHERYREDUCTION REDUCTION

REQUIRED ACHIEVED MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Bag Limit

OVERFISHING - ASSESS IN 5 YRS1/2 REDUCTION NEEDED TO END

14 " 6 fish

Recreational RecommendationsAC RECOMMENDATION

end overfishing ½ way with:%

ReductionVOTE

Southeast

• 14-inch minimum, 10 fish bag, May 1-Sept 30 closure 47.1

9 in favor(unanimous)

• Promote the use of barbless hooks - consensus

Central• 12-inch minimum, 4 fish bag, May-June closure 31.5


chair abstained

Northeast • 14-inch minimum, 5 fish bag 33.5


chair abstained

Inland

• 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag 29.06 in favor,

(unanimous)

• Promote the use of circle hooks & natural baits - consensus

Finfish • 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag 29.07 in favor,

(unanimous)

SST AC

• 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag 29.06 in favor,

chair abstained

• Promote the use of barbless hooks - consensus

Recommendation for Sustainable Harvest Recreational Fishery

SST AC & DMF Recommendation

End overfishing ½ way; 14-inch minimum size and 6 fish bag limit

Agreement: SST AC, DMF, Inland, Finfish

Sustainable Harvest Adaptive Management

DMF proposes an adaptive management frameworkGiven uncertainty in the actual level of harvest reductions that will be realized once these measures are put in place, and the continuing evolution of fishing restrictions from the Endangered Species Act:

DMF/MFC may consider new information brought forward and revise the FMP sustainability measures accordingly; examples• “sea turtle settlement” results in quantifiable reductions in commercial

harvest• weekend closures may not be as effective as anticipated due to

recoupment

Possible actions: changes in bag/trip limits, season/area closures

Enforcement

Background• MFC is responsible for managing, protecting,

preserving and enhancing marine and estuarine resources, while WRC is responsible for regulating fishing activities in Inland Waters.

Issue• Improving compliance with and agency

enforcement of management measures in Joint and Coastal or Inland Fishing Waters.

Enforcement

AC Recommendation (original) Marine Patrol officers be given general police authority Develop mutual aid agreement between DMF Marine

Patrol and WRC Wildlife Enforcement officers for Inland Fishing Waters.

DMF Recommendation Develop mutual aid agreement between DMF Marine


Enforcement

SST AC & DMF Recommendation (final) Develop mutual aid agreement between DMF Marine


Enforcement Recommendations

AC RECOMMENDATION VOTE

Southeast

• Endorsed AC original recommendation for general police authority & • Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement


Central• Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement

6 in favor,chair

abstained

Northeast• Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement

7 in favor,chair

abstained

Inland• Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement


Finfish• Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement


chair abstained

SST AC• Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement

5 in favor,2 abstained

Enforcement

Agreement: SST AC, DMF, Northeast, Central, Inland,

& Finfish

User Group Competition

Background• Commercial gill net and recreational hook and line

fishermen have been in competition for seatrout, and in some instances, competition has escalated to conflict.

Issue• Determine management measures to reduce conflicts

between recreational and gill net fisheries.

User Group Competition Recommendations


Southeast • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict 9 in favor,

(unanimous)

Central • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict 6 in favor,

chair abstained

Northeast • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict 7 in favor,

chair abstained

Inland • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict 6 in favor

(unanimous)

Finfish • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict 7 in favor

(unanimous)

SST AC • Mediation policy process to resolve conflict6 in favor

chair abstained

User Group Competition Recommendations

SST AC & DMF Recommendation:

Move forward with the mediation policy process to resolve conflict

Agreement: DMF, SST AC, Southeast, Central, Northeast , Inland , Finfish

Cold Stun Events

Background• Death of large numbers of spotted seatrout following severe cold

spells has been well documented. Periodic increases in mortality associated with cold stuns should be considered when implementing management measures.

Issue• Periodic increases in mortality associated with cold stun events can

have a negative impact on population size. Should information and quantification of cold stun events be considered for incorporation into fisheries models and/or management decisions?

Cold Stun Recommendations

SST AC Recommendation (original)A. Status quo with the assumption the director will intervene in

case of a catastrophic event and do what is necessary in terms of temporary closures by water body. The proclamation needs to be an informed decision based on quantifiable data and outcome needs to be quantified post-closure.

B. DMF research on cold stun events

DMF RecommendationC. Give sustainable harvest options the opportunity to work in

rebuilding stock to 20% SPR so the SSB is large enough to recover more easily from cold stun events.

D. Research on cold stun events


SST AC Recommendation (final)A. Status quo with the assumption the director will intervene in

case of a catastrophic event and do what is necessary in terms of temporary closures by water body. The proclamation needs to be an informed decision based on quantifiable data and outcome needs to be quantified post-closure.

B. Research on cold stun events

DMF RecommendationC. Give sustainable harvest options the opportunity to work in

rebuilding stock to 20% SPR so the SSB is large enough to recover more easily from cold stun events.

D. Research on cold stun events



Southeast• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority

9 in favor,(unanimous)

Central

• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority, but to delete the word “assumption”

6 in favor, chair abstained

Northeast• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority

7 in favor,chair abstained

Inland• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority


Finfish• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority


Habitat

• DMF’s recommendation to give sustainable harvest options the opportunity to work • More research on the habitat requirements of sst

7 in favor, one opposed


SST AC RECOMMENDATION VOTE

A• SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority


chair abstained

• SST AC’s final recommendation (same), status quo, Director’s proclamation authority consensus

B• SST AC’s original recommendation, DMF research 7 in favor,

chair abstained

• SST AC’s final recommendation, research

6 in favor,chair abstained


Agreement A: SSTAC, Southeast, Central,

Northeast, Inland, Finfish Agreement A: DMF, Habitat

Agreement B: Southeast, Central,

Northeast, Inland, Finfish Agreement B: SST AC, DMF, Habitat

Closing the Gig Fishery December 1st –March 31st

Background• Operates in areas where water is clear during

the cold winter months and fish are lethargic

Issue• AC recommended a closure of the gig fishery

December 1 – March 31

Gig Fishery

AC Recommendation (original) No gigging from December 1 through March 31, annually

DMF Recommendation Status quo. DMF to continue to track contributions of gigs to

overall landings

Gig Fishery Recommendations

SST AC & DMF Recommendation (final) Status quo. DMF to continue to track contributions of gigs to

overall landings

Gig Fishery Recommendation


Southeast• SST AC’s original recommendation: No gigging Dec 1st-March 31st

4 in favor, 3 opposed, 1abstained

Central • DMF’s recommendation: status quo6 in favor,

chair abstained

Northeast • DMF’S recommendation: status quo7 in favor,

chair abstained

Inland • DMF’s recommendation: status quo6 in favor

(unanimous)

Finfish • DMF’s recommendation: status quo7 in favor

(unanimous)

SST AC

• SST AC’s original recommendation: No gigging Dec 1st-March 31st

4 in favor, 1 opposed, 3 abstained

• SST AC’s final recommendation: DMF’S recommendation: status quo

4 in favor, 1 opposed, 2 abstained

Gig Fishery Recommendations

SST AC & DMF Recommendation Agreement: SST AC, DMF, Central, Northeast,

Inland & Finfish

Research Recommendations

Habitat AC: Research to improve the juvenile index Research to relate habitat quality to spawning success

Preferred Management Options Needed for the Following Issues:

• Achieving sustainable harvest (commercial & recreational)• Enforcement of size, creel limit and gear regulations in

Joint, Coastal or Inland Fishing Waters• Management measures to address user group competition• Impacts of cold stun events on the population• Closing gig fishery from December-March

Sustainable HarvestDMF SST AC SOUTHEAST CENTRAL NORTHEAST INLAND

• ½ reduction needed, 6 fish bag, 14-inch minimum size, and weekend closure for commercial gears (no possession on weekends), gear will need to be removed on weekends, November-February

• Western Albemarle Sound and Currituck Sound exempt from weekend gear removal

• Same as DMF (commercial & recreational)

• Promote the use of barbless hooks

• No use of gill nets as RCGL gear to harvestspotted seatrout

• ½ reduction needed, 10 fish bag, 14-inch minimum size, and May-September closure

• Promote the use of barbless hooks

• Commercial: same as DMF

• Recreational:½ reduction needed, 12-inch minimum size, 4 fish bag, May-June closure

• Commercial:½ reduction needed, 14-inch minimum size

• Recreational: ½ reduction needed, 5 fish bag, 14-inch minimum size

• ½ reduction needed, 6 fish bag, 14-inch minimum size, and December-January closure for commercial gears

•Promote the use of circle hooks and natural baits

Sustainable Harvest (cont)

DMF SST AC SOUTHEAST CENTRAL NORTHEAST INLAND

• Regulations need to be in place for a minimum of 3 years to assess their effectiveness. The 5 year FMP review schedule needs tobe adhered to

• The matter should be revisited within 3 years due to problems with the stock assessment model

- - - -

Enforcement


• Development of a mutual aid agreement between DMF & WRC for inland fishing waters

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF• Endorsed SST

AC original recommendation for general police

authority

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF • Same as DMF

User Group Competition


• Move forward with the mediation policy process to resolve conflict between spotted seatrout fishermen

• Same as DMF • Same as DMF • Same as DMF • Same as DMF • Same as DMF

Cold Stun (A)

DMF SST AC SOUTHEAST CENTRAL NORTHEAST INLAND HABITAT

• Give the sustainable harvest options the opportunity to work in rebuilding the stock to 20% SPR

• Status quo with the assumption that the Director will intervene in the event of a catastrophic event and do what is necessary in terms of temporary closures by water body, but the Director’s proclamation needs to be an informed decision based on quantifiable data and the outcome needs to be quantified post the closure

• Same as SST AC

• Same as SST AC

• Same as SST AC

• Same as SST AC

• Same as DMF

Cold Stun (B)

DMF SST AC SOUTHEAST CENTRAL NORTHEAST INLAND HABITAT

• More extensive research on cold stun events (DMF, Universities, etc)

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF

• Same as DMF

Gig Fishery


• Status quo. DMFto continue to track contributions of gigs to overall landings

• Same as DMF • No gigging December-March

• Same as DMF • Same as DMF • Same as DMF

preferred management options for spotted seatrout in north carolina marine fisheries commission...

Documents