Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean quahogs August 2013 Meeting

Recall In June, two additional SC/OQ issues that came up at SSC meeting, were presented to Committee and Council In June, two additional SC/OQ issues that came up at SSC meeting, were presented to Committee and Council –Updating surfclam and ocean quahog BRPs –How the OY range in FMPs related to ABC and catch limits

Mechanism to Update BRPs Quahog overfishing definition from SAW 48 (2009) has not been updated in FMP Quahog overfishing definition from SAW 48 (2009) has not been updated in FMP 5 years and not updated; not timely 5 years and not updated; not timely Amendments are not the most efficient mechanism to update BRPs/stock status determination criteria in the FMP and keep them current Amendments are not the most efficient mechanism to update BRPs/stock status determination criteria in the FMP and keep them current

Mechanism to Update BRPs Other FMPs have incorporated an improved approach (SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs since 2007) Other FMPs have incorporated an improved approach (SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs since 2007) Administrative mechanism added to the FMP that enables these stock status determination criteria to be used by Council for specs. without additional action by Council or NMFS Administrative mechanism added to the FMP that enables these stock status determination criteria to be used by Council for specs. without additional action by Council or NMFS Reduces the burden on staff (Council and NMFS) resources Reduces the burden on staff (Council and NMFS) resources

Mechanism to Update BRPs Completed as Framework for SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs Completed as Framework for SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP less flexible for Frameworks Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP less flexible for Frameworks Would need to be addressed through categorically excluded Amendment Would need to be addressed through categorically excluded Amendment

Optimum Yield (OY) Range Optimum Yield (OY) Range OY range developed in FMP for both surfclams and quahogs in 1980s OY range developed in FMP for both surfclams and quahogs in 1980s Developed well before the Reauthorization Developed well before the Reauthorization Limits Council flexibility to set recommendations outside of this range (higher or lower) Limits Council flexibility to set recommendations outside of this range (higher or lower) SSC is not limited as to how ABC can be set; Council cannot exceed ABC SSC is not limited as to how ABC can be set; Council cannot exceed ABC

OY Range NS1 Guidelines: "NMFS believes that fisheries managers cannot consistently meet the requirements of the MSA to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing basis, OY [optimum yield] unless they address scientific and management uncertainty." NS1 Guidelines: "NMFS believes that fisheries managers cannot consistently meet the requirements of the MSA to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing basis, OY [optimum yield] unless they address scientific and management uncertainty." Sets up potential conflict w/ OY range Sets up potential conflict w/ OY range

OY Range SSC sets upper bound on what OY range can be and that changes w/ time (not fixed value) SSC sets upper bound on what OY range can be and that changes w/ time (not fixed value) Also confusion that range is in landings but OY (yield) typically given as catch Also confusion that range is in landings but OY (yield) typically given as catch Staff recommend the Council consider the utility of this range under new catch limit system and how it fits with the SSC recommendations for ABC Staff recommend the Council consider the utility of this range under new catch limit system and how it fits with the SSC recommendations for ABC

OY Range In the list of Framework action for the FMP In the list of Framework action for the FMP Could be completed as a categorically excluded or environmental assessment Framework Could be completed as a categorically excluded or environmental assessment Framework

Staff Recommendations Cost Recovery Amendment, also includes updates to quahog overfishing definition and EFH Updates Cost Recovery Amendment, also includes updates to quahog overfishing definition and EFH Updates Been in the works for 5 years Been in the works for 5 years Approaching point at which NEPA recommends rescoping Approaching point at which NEPA recommends rescoping

Staff Recommendations Cost Recovery FMAT has not met in about 3 years Cost Recovery FMAT has not met in about 3 years FMAT members may have other work priorities now FMAT members may have other work priorities now Amendment numbers have been overtaken, no longer 15; now Cost Recovery Amendment 17 Amendment numbers have been overtaken, no longer 15; now Cost Recovery Amendment 17

Staff Recommendations 1) Include alternatives for the BRPs and the OY Range in Cost Recovery Amendment (Amendment 17). 1) Include alternatives for the BRPs and the OY Range in Cost Recovery Amendment (Amendment 17). 2) Request new FMAT be formed for Amendment 17. 2) Request new FMAT be formed for Amendment 17. 3) Rescope Amendment 17 to reacquaint the public with the intent of the action/timelines. 3) Rescope Amendment 17 to reacquaint the public with the intent of the action/timelines.