U.S. Caribbean Island-Based Fisheries Management – Development of FMPs Southeast Regional Office St. Petersburg, Florida

Island-Based Draft Actions Establish fishery management units (FMUs) for each island-based fishery management plan (FMP). Revise and/or establish management reference points for the FMUs. Identify essential fish habitat for new species. Other management measures?

Action 1. Identify Fishery Management Units (FMUs) Alt 1. Retain all FMUs from the current species-based FMPs (e.g., Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster) Alt 2. Include FMUs for which landings are reported regardless if they are currently managed by the Council. Alt 3. Establish FMUs based on pre-determined criteria.

Possible Criteria to Consider when Establishing FMUs Average Landings Biology Habitat Range – State vs. Federal waters Economic Importance Target Species Bycatch Method of Harvest Indicator Species Protected Resource Depth Socio Cultural Species Others?

Puerto Rico: Commercial Landings 1983-2011 Presently Managed Example of managed species that would be dropped if, for example, a 20K landings limit was chosen (i.e., squirrelfishes, aquarium trade, tilefishes, angelfishes, surgeonfishes).

Puerto Rico: Recreational Landings 2000-2012 Example of managed species that would be dropped if, for example, a 20K landings limit was chosen (e.g., wrasses, boxfish, grunts, squirrelfish, porgies, angelfish, tilefish, surgeonfish, goatfish).

St. Thomas/St. John: Commercial Landings 2000-2012 Example of managed species that would be dropped if, for example, a 20K landings limit was chosen (i.e., angelfish, squirrelfish, queen conch, wrasses, goatfishes).

St. Croix: Commercial Landings 1998-2012 Example of managed species that would be dropped if, for example, a 20K landings limit was chosen(e.g., jacks, boxfishes, porgies, goatfishes, angelfishes squirrelfishes, aquarium trade, wrasses)

Choice of years: Decreasing landings

Action 2. Modify or Establish Management Reference Points or Proxies for FMUs. 1. Retain existing management reference points/proxies. 2. Revise existing management reference points or proxies for FMUs managed by the Council. 3. Establish management reference points or proxies for new FMUs (Required).

Action 3. Identify Essential Fish Habitat Alt 1. No Action. Do not identify essential fish habitat for new FMUs added to the Puerto Rico FMP. Alt 2. Describe and identify EFH according to functional relationships between life history stages. Alt 3. Designate habitat areas of particular concern in the Puerto Rico FMPs based on confirmed spawning locations and on areas or sites identified as having particular ecological importance to managed species.

Draft Timeline Today Summer/Fall 2 015 Spring 2014 Winter 2014 2014 Hold a second round of scoping meetings in St. Croix, St. Thomas/St. John, and Puerto Rico. Council approves public hearing draft for the FMPs and the Draft EIS. (selects preferred alternatives). Council to consider comments from public hearings and Draft EIS. Council directs staff to develop proposed Rule, Final EIS, and complete the FMPs. Summer/Fall 2 015 Spring 2014 Winter 2014 2014 2015 Council passes a motion to schedule scoping hearings. Council discusses outcomes of scoping hearings. Council directs staff to develop FMPs for public hearing and Draft EIS. Publish Draft EIS for public review. Hold public hearings in St. Croix, St. Thomas /St. John, and Puerto Rico. NOAA publishes FMPs, Final Rule and Final EIS. Winter 2013 Spring 2016 Summer 2014 Spring 2015 Today

Next Steps Schedule SSC meeting for March (or ASAP) 2014 to establish species selection criteria, consider SDC revision/setting. Schedule scoping meetings for March/April 2014 to present criteria, receive additional alternatives. Present scoping outcomes to Council at April 2014 meeting, receive go-ahead to fully develop alternatives and sub-alternatives. Direct staff to complete the draft actions and alternatives document and take it to scoping meetings for further review and feedback. I would prefer that these scoping meetings take place after the SSC has reviewed and discussed draft actions, alternatives, criteria to determine what species are in or out of the FMPs, and reviewed the alternatives to establish management reference points or proxies. My goal is to publish a solid scoping document that has been preliminary reviewed and approved by the SSC, Council, SEFSC, and SERO.  After scoping meetings, we would be working hard to complete the DEIS for each island.

Questions? Stoplight parrotfish, terminal phase

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