Bajo de Sico Public Hearing Summary Caribbean Fishery Management Council 131 st Council Meeting June 23-24, 2009 Carambola Resort St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Location and Dates of Public Hearings April 22, 2009, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands April 23, 2009, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands April 27, 2009: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Number of Attendees NAlternative favored Per centDeponents Mayagüez68* 4 67* Action 1, 2d Action 1, 1 Action 2, 3 94% 6% 94% 18 (+2 written) of 50 present S. Thomas1Action 1, 2d1 St. Croix4Action 1, 2d2 NOTE: 1 comment was referred to the CFMC from the GMFMC longline regulation *A total of 54 commercial fishers were represented by N. Crespo, Rincón Commercial Fisherman’s Union; Unknown number of recreational Breath Hold Spear Fishers, Puerto Rico Free Divers Club was also represented.

Comments: Preferred Alternative – open the water column and extend protection by three months to the bottom Most in favor of protecting fish spawning aggregations and stated that the size of the fish harvested shows that the seasonal closures fore red hind and silk are working (compatible regulations) Beach seines prohibited in the state waters and need BDC open to get bait for the deep water snapper fishery (skipjacks, rainbow runner, bonito, vaquita) Heavy seas, not for deep water snapper fishing, thus need to fish for yelowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, dolphin fish, wahoo and mackerels to maintain income

Comments: If there is no place to harvest bait, then there is no fishing and therefore, no income Recreational fishers have no license and are favored since they are not regulated but commercial fishers are. What are the benefits of keeping the water column closed (socio-economic benefits) during this economic crisis Allow for blue water hunting targeting pelagics (wahoo, greater amberjack), no bycatch (apnea or free divers)

Comments: Charter operations have grown in numbers along the with the development of tourism in the area (since 1996) Busiest months are during the actual closures (wasted yield?) (December-February) and is an anachronism Allow recreational and commercial harvest from the water column; it doesn’t harm the bottom Safety issues if angling farther away (La Corona, Pichincho) To protect coral, no anchoring

Comments: No Action (#8): review the original no fishing for HMS; consider all the other regulations that are in place including the seasonal closures for red hind, snapper unit 1, ban on bottom gear, size limits of yellowtail snapper and spiny lobster and the closure of Nassau, Goliath and queen conch.

Issues Anchoring Compatibility (EEZ/PR; CFMC/HMS) Allow yellowtail snapper – description of the fishery Allocation to recreational fishing (commercial fishing for tunas, dorado, mackerels and wahoo?) Use of planers

Planers and coral Lots of criticisms for keeping the water column closed: no harm to the bottom, allow commercial, charter and recreational harvest of HMS, billfish, coastal pelagics BUT MPA WORKSHOP (1994) – recommendation prohibit HMS and all fishing from MCD and other seasonally closed areas because of the use of planers and the potential for interaction with the coral and bottom habitat.

Status Quo Seasonal closure December through February, every year (protect red hind spawning aggregation) Fishing is prohibited “Fishing means: (A) the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; (B) the attempted catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; ( C) any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; or (D) any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through ( C). (except scientific research by scientific vessel) No bottom tending gear allowed year long (pots, traps, bottom long line, gill and trammel nets)

Action 1: Extend the Closed Season for Bajo de Sico Dec-FebOct-MarDec-MayJan-Dec No FISHING ALL sp + HMS Alt. 1 No Action (Status quo) Alt. 2a Alt. 3a Alt. 4a No FISHING No Possession ALL sp + HMS Alt. 2b Alt. 3b Alt. 4b Most restrictive No Fishing FMP sp. Alt. 2c Alt. 3c Alt. 4c No Fishing No Possession FMP sp. Alt. 2d (Preferred) Alt. 3d Alt. 4d

Alternative 2 (Preferred): Establish a 6 month closure of Bajo de Sico from October 1 – March 31 in order to provide better protection for spawning aggregations of large snappers and groupers as well as coral reef habitat. Alternative 2 (Preferred): Establish a 6 month closure of Bajo de Sico from October 1 – March 31 in order to provide better protection for spawning aggregations of large snappers and groupers as well as coral reef habitat. Option a: Prohibit fishing for all species, including HMS Option a: Prohibit fishing for all species, including HMS Option b: Prohibit fishing for and possession of all species, including HMS Option b: Prohibit fishing for and possession of all species, including HMS Option c: Prohibit fishing for council managed species Option c: Prohibit fishing for council managed species Option d (Preferred): Prohibit fishing for and possession of council managed species Option d (Preferred): Prohibit fishing for and possession of council managed species Action 1: Extend the Closed Season for Bajo de Sico

Action 2: Prohibit Anchoring by Fishing Vessels. Alternative 1: No Action - do not prohibit anchoring by fishing vessels. Alternative 1: No Action - do not prohibit anchoring by fishing vessels. Alternative 2: Prohibit anchoring for 6 months. The 6- month closure will coincide with the closure period chosen in Action 1. Alternative 2: Prohibit anchoring for 6 months. The 6- month closure will coincide with the closure period chosen in Action 1. Alternative 3 (Preferred): Prohibit anchoring year- round. Alternative 3 (Preferred): Prohibit anchoring year- round.