Preferred Management Options for Spotted Seatrout in North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting Raleigh May 13, 2010

Committee Reviews & Public Meetings Southeast Regional Advisory CommitteeApril 14, 2010 Inland Regional Advisory CommitteeApril 15, 2010 Central Regional Advisory CommitteeApril 19, 2010 Finfish Advisory CommitteeApril 20, 2010 Habitat Advisory CommitteeApril 21, 2010 Northeast Regional Advisory CommitteeApril 22, 2010 Review of Committee and Public Input Spotted Seatrout Advisory CommitteeApril 28, 2010 Marine Fisheries CommissionMay 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 Biomass Overfished Status

Fishing Mortality Overfishing Status

Sustainable Harvest

Commercial Suite of Options

Commercial Suite of Options (continued)

Suite of Options (continued)

Commercial Recommendations AC RECOMMENDATION end overfishing ½ way with 14-inch minimum size AND: % Reduction VOTE Southeast May 1 – Sept 30 closure in favor (unanimous) Central Weekend closure in favor chair abstained Northeast in favor, 1 opposed, chair abstained Inland Dec 1 – Jan 31 closure in favor, 1 opposed Finfish 150 lbs/operation/day in favor, 1 opposed, chair abstained SST AC Weekend closure in favor, 2 opposed, 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

Recreational Recommendations AC RECOMMENDATION end overfishing ½ way with: % Reduction VOTE Southeast 14-inch minimum, 10 fish bag, May 1-Sept 30 closure in favor (unanimous) Promote the use of barbless hooks - consensus Central 12-inch minimum, 4 fish bag, May-June closure in favor, 1 opposed, chair abstained Northeast 14-inch minimum, 5 fish bag in favor, 1 opposed, chair abstained Inland 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag in favor, (unanimous) Promote the use of circle hooks & natural baits - consensus Finfish 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag in favor, (unanimous) SST AC 14-inch minimum, 6 fish bag 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 framework Given 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 Patrol and WRC Wildlife Enforcement officers for Inland Fishing Waters.

Enforcement SST AC & DMF Recommendation (final)  Develop mutual aid agreement between DMF Marine Patrol and WRC Wildlife Enforcement officers for Inland Fishing Waters.

Enforcement Recommendations ACRECOMMENDATIONVOTE Southeast Endorsed AC original recommendation for general police authority & Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement 9 in favor (unanimous) 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 6 in favor (unanimous) Finfish Endorsed DMF recommendation Mutual Aid Agreement 5 in favor, 1 opposed, 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 ACRECOMMENDATIONVOTE 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 conflict 6 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 Recommendation A.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. B.Research on cold stun events

Cold Stun Recommendations 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 Recommendation A.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. B.Research on cold stun events

Cold Stun Recommendations ACRECOMMENDATIONVOTE 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 6 in favor (unanimous) Finfish SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority 7 in favor (unanimous) 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

Cold Stun Recommendations SST ACRECOMMENDATIONVOTE A SST AC’s original recommendation, status quo, Director’s proclamation authority 6 in favor, 1 opposed, 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

Cold Stun Recommendations  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 1 st –March 31 st 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 ACRECOMMENDATIONVOTE Southeast SST AC’s original recommendation: No gigging Dec 1 st -March 31 st 4 in favor, 3 opposed, 1abstained Central DMF’s recommendation: status quo 6 in favor, chair abstained Northeast DMF’S recommendation: status quo 7 in favor, chair abstained Inland DMF’s recommendation: status quo 6 in favor (unanimous) Finfish DMF’s recommendation: status quo 7 in favor (unanimous) SST AC SST AC’s original recommendation: No gigging Dec 1 st -March 31 st 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 Harvest DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLAND 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 harvest spotted 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) DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLAND Regulations need to be in place for a minimum of 3 years to assess their effectiveness. The 5 year FMP review schedule needs to be adhered to The matter should be revisited within 3 years due to problems with the stock assessment model ----

Enforcement DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLAND Development of a mutual aid agreement between DMF & WRC for inland fishing waters Same as DMF Endorsed SST AC original recommendation for general police authority Same as DMF

User Group Competition DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLAND Move forward with the mediation policy process to resolve conflict between spotted seatrout fishermen Same as DMF

Cold Stun (A) DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLANDHABITAT 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) DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLANDHABITAT 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 DMFSST ACSOUTHEASTCENTRALNORTHEASTINLAND Status quo. DMF to continue to track contributions of gigs to overall landings Same as DMF No gigging December-March Same as DMF