1. 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
St. Thomas, USVI

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

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)