Summer Flounder Amendment August 13, 2014 Washington, DC Review of Revised Draft Scoping Document

Objectives Joint Council/Board review of revised draft scoping document/Public Information Document Joint Council/Board review of revised draft scoping document/Public Information Document Approval for public scoping hearings Approval for public scoping hearings

Council Motion – December 2013 I move that the Council, prioritize, pursuant to its strategic plan, the development of an amendment to the FMP for Summer Flounder that will review and update the goals and objectives of the plan and re- examine the fishery management strategies for the commercial and recreational fisheries. I move that the Council, prioritize, pursuant to its strategic plan, the development of an amendment to the FMP for Summer Flounder that will review and update the goals and objectives of the plan and re- examine the fishery management strategies for the commercial and recreational fisheries. –Nolan/McMurray (12/0/0); Motion carries

June Council Meeting Council reviewed draft scoping document Council reviewed draft scoping document –Revisions suggested –Plan for Council/Commission coordination Following June meeting: Following June meeting: –Collaborated to revise draft document

Scoping Scoping is an "Early and open process for determining scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action“ Scoping is an "Early and open process for determining scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action“ Public input process to inform development of range of alternatives Public input process to inform development of range of alternatives Written comment period, scoping hearings Written comment period, scoping hearings

Document Commission: Public Information Document Council: scoping document

Major Revisions Since June Document follows Commission PID format Document follows Commission PID format Added background on management, stock status, fisheries Added background on management, stock status, fisheries Split potential amendment topics into issues with public comment trigger questions Split potential amendment topics into issues with public comment trigger questions

Areas of Difference Public comment instructions Public comment instructions Slight differences in Introduction and Purpose Slight differences in Introduction and Purpose Amendment process and timeline description Amendment process and timeline description

Amendment Development Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) –Council staff, Commission staff, GARFO, NEFSC Working groups Working groups –Issue-specific –Broader range of expertise

Timeline December 2013Council initiates amendment April-June 2014 Draft action plan developed; Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) formed June 2014 Council’s Demersal Committee meets to discuss scoping process August 2014 Council/Board review of draft joint scoping document Fall 2014 Scoping hearings and public comment period

Timeline (Continued) Winter 2014/2015 Council and Board identify priority issues for inclusion in the amendment; Issue-specific working groups established; initial development of options Spring/Summer 2015 Continued development of options (FMAT/working groups); meetings of the FMAT, working groups, Council/Board, Advisory Panel Fall 2015/ Winter 2016 Management Board/Council reviews FMAT and working group recommendations for options Spring/Summer 2016 Range of options refined and approved

Timeline (Continued) Fall 2016 DEIS finalized; Board/Council, selects preferred options; public hearings Winter 2016/ Spring 2017 Management Board/Council considers public comments; final action; rulemaking and comment periods (5-7 months)

Amendment Purpose 1) Perform a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) related to summer flounder 1) Perform a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) related to summer flounder 2) Update the FMP goals and objectives for summer flounder management 2) Update the FMP goals and objectives for summer flounder management 3) Modify management strategies and measures as necessary to achieve those goals and objectives. 3) Modify management strategies and measures as necessary to achieve those goals and objectives.

Potential Amendment Issues List is not limiting – exists to solicit public comment List is not limiting – exists to solicit public comment Not all listed items will necessarily be addressed in amendment Not all listed items will necessarily be addressed in amendment Priority issues for further development to be identified by Council/Board after scoping period Priority issues for further development to be identified by Council/Board after scoping period

Issue 1: FMP Goals & Objectives Current goals and objectives: 1. Reduce fishing mortality in the summer flounder fishery to assure that overfishing does not occur. 2. Reduce fishing mortality on immature summer flounder to increase spawning stock biomass. 3. Improve the yield from the fishery. 4. Promote compatible management regulations between State and Federal jurisdictions. 5. Promote uniform and effective enforcement of regulations. 6. Minimize regulations to achieve the management objectives stated above.

Issue 2: Commercial/Rec Allocation Is current split appropriate? Is current split appropriate? –60% of Total Allowable Landings to commercial fishery and 40% to recreational fishery If not, how should current allocations be revised? If not, how should current allocations be revised?

Issue 3: Commercial Management Potentially including: Commercial gear requirements Commercial gear requirements Minimum fish size requirements Minimum fish size requirements Possession limit and trigger requirements Possession limit and trigger requirements Time/area closures and exemption programs Time/area closures and exemption programs Licensing Licensing Commercial quota allocation strategies Commercial quota allocation strategies Landings flexibility (regional, coastwide, other) Landings flexibility (regional, coastwide, other)

Issue 4: Recreational Management Potentially including: Recreational bag, size, season requirements Recreational bag, size, season requirements Gear requirements and restrictions Gear requirements and restrictions Inter-jurisdictional management/Conservation Equivalency Inter-jurisdictional management/Conservation Equivalency Measures specific to party/charter or private angler sectors Measures specific to party/charter or private angler sectors Recreational quota allocation strategies Recreational quota allocation strategies

Other Issues Issue 5: Discards in the recreational and commercial fisheries Issue 5: Discards in the recreational and commercial fisheries “Other issues” “Other issues” –Ecosystem, habitat, bycatch, and protected resources issues –Data collection requirements and protocols

From Council and Board Move forward with document for public scoping process? Move forward with document for public scoping process? © Michael Eversmier

Questions?