Caribbean Fishery Management Council Developing Compatible Regulations for Three Seasonally Closed Areas off Puerto Rico: Abrir La Sierra Bank, Bajo de Sico, and Tourmaline Bank Caribbean Fishery Management Council 148th Meeting December 11-12 2013 St. Thomas, USVI

Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline Bank are under federal and territorial jurisdiction Abrir La Sierra is under federal jurisdiction only

FEDERAL WATERS: Fishing and possession of reef fish prohibited from 1 October to 31 March each year. 9 nm Bajo de Sico Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Bajo de Sico. No anchoring allowed at Bajo de Sico.

9 nm Tourmaline Abrir La Sierra FEDERAL WATERS: ALL FISHING PROHIBITED for all species from 1 December to 28 February each year. Anchor removal system required if anchoring. Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra. State Waters: No anchoring allowed all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra (all in EEZ).

Traps, pots, bottom longlines and nets are prohibited YEAR ROUND Management Bajo de Sico Tourmaline Abrir La Sierra Seasonal Area Closure EEZ 1 Oct-30 March (6 months) 1 Dec – 28 Feb (3 months) PR NONE Gear Banned Traps, pots, bottom longlines and nets are prohibited YEAR ROUND Species/gears managed during seasonal area closure Reef Fish ONLY ALL Fishing Prohibited (including pelagics, lobster, reef fish, queen conch) Anchoring Prohibited Allowed (retrieval system) Prohibited (but all EEZ) Seasonal Closures Red hind (Dec-Feb); SU1 (Oct-Dec); GU4 (Feb-April); Mutton (Apr-Jun); Lane (Apr-Jun); QC (Jan-Dec) Red hind (Dec-Feb); Silk/blackfin (Oct-Dec); yellowfin grouper (Feb-Apr); Mutton (Apr-May); QC (Aug-Oct)

Modify Length of Closed Season 3 Months (December 1-End of February) Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bank 6 Months (October 1-March 31) Bajo de Sico 6 Months (December 1-May 30) 12 Months Other

Federal Closures – Western Puerto Rico Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Abrir la Sierra   Bajo de Sico Tourmaline Bank Red, Black, Tiger, Yellowfin, Yellowedge Grouper Mutton and Lane Snapper Black, Blackfin, Vermilion, Silk Snapper Red Hind

Prohibit Fishing Activities All Species* Harvest (Abrir La Sierra and Tourmaline Bank) Harvest and Possession Council-Managed Reef Fish Harvest Harvest and Possession (Bajo de Sico) Spiny Lobster * “All Species” includes Coastal Migratory Pelagic and Highly Migratory Species

Prohibit Anchoring No Anchoring Prohibitions Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bank Prohibited 3 Months (December 1-End of February) Prohibited 6 Months (October 1-March 31) Prohibited 6 Months (December 1-May 30) Prohibited 12 Months Bajo de Sico

Prohibit Spearfishing No Spearfishing Prohibitions Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bank Bajo de Sico Prohibited 3 Months (December 1-End of February) Prohibited 6 Months (October 1-March 31) Prohibited 6 Months (December 1-May 30) Prohibited 12 Months

Next Steps This Meeting Before Next Meeting Next Meeting Review Outcomes of Scoping Hearings Define Purpose and Need Direct Staff to Develop Public Hearing Draft, including Actions and Alternatives Before Next Meeting Develop Public Hearing Draft Next Meeting Approve for and Schedule Public Hearings

Comments Received (11-25-13) Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bajo de Sico Seasonal Closure 3 months (6) 6 months Species to be managed Reef fish Reef fish* Prohibit fishing and possession Prohibit anchoring No** Prohibit spearfishing No, allow spearfishing for pelagics and HMS No, , allow spearfishing for pelagics andHMS No Compatibilidad en leyes estatales y federales; (6) Nelson – compatibilidad como Bajo de Sico; Pauco si funciona BDS aplicar a ALS/Tour; * Sein – permitir pesca de arpon para jureles y especies pelagicas; No** Garrido – dejar que se anclen para colirubia y carites (fondeados con luz)