Seagrass Management Amendment 4 to the Corals and Reef Associated Invertebrates FMP (Coral FMP) 144 th Council Meeting December 19-20, 2012

Action: Modify management of seagrass species in the Coral FMP Alternative 1. No action. Alternative 2. Prohibit the harvest of seagrass species. Sub-Alt. 2(a). Prohibit harvest and establish ACL= 0. Sub-Alt. 2(b). Prohibit harvest and establish ACL > 1 lbs ww to account for harvest associated with scientific research*, exempted fishing, or exempted educational activities as described in 50 C.F.R. § Alternative 3. Designate seagrasses as Ecosystem Component species. Alternative 4. Remove seagrass species from the Coral FMP. PREFERRED

CODIFIED TEXT  Carib Seagrass PR codified_v2.docx Carib Seagrass PR codified_v2.docx

Timeline  February 6, 2013: Publish Notice of Availability of Amendment  60-day comment period  February 25, 2013: Publish Proposed Rule  30-day comment period  May 31, 2013: Publish Final Rule  30-day cooling period  July 1, 2013: Final Rule effective

CFMC 144 Final Action

Action: Remove all species of seagrass from the Coral FMP. Not targeted either from the EEZ or from PR and USVI state waters There is no commercial or recreational harvest of seagrasses in federal or state waters and future harvest is not anticipated Identified seagrass meadows are more common in state waters of Puerto Rico and the USVI Removal from Coral FMP would not affect EFH and HAPC designation Compliant with the MSA