Information about http://www.pcouncil.org/decisions/0608decisions.pdf
PACIFIC FISHERY…
Tags: coastal pelagic species, council decisions, council recommendations, developing management, fishery management council, landings, management changes, management measures, management organizations, management proposals, metric ton, migratory species, pacific fishery management, pacific fishery management council, pacific mackerel, regional fishery management, routine management, species management, thresher sharks, toll free 866,Pages: 8
Language: english
Created: Mon Jun 16 15:56:52 2008
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PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
7700 NE Ambassador Pl, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220
Telephone 503-820-2280 Toll Free 866-806-7204 www.pcouncil.org
COUNCIL DECISIONS - JUNE 2008 MEETING
Coastal Pelagic Species Management
The Council adopted the updated Pacific mackerel assessment and the following
management measures for the July 2008-June 2009 Pacific mackerel fishery:
· Establish a harvest guideline for the directed fishery at 40,000
metric ton (mt), providing an 11,772 mt set-aside for incidental
landings in other fisheries.
· Close the directed fishery and revert to an incidental-catch-only
fishery with a 45 percent incidental landing allowance when
Pacific mackerel are landed with other coastal pelagic species
(CPS), except that up to 1 mt of Pacific mackerel could be landed
without landing any other CPS. If needed, conduct an in-season
review of the 2008-2009 Pacific mackerel fishery at the nearest
feasible Council meeting, with the possibility of either releasing a
portion of the incidental set-aside to the directed fishery or
further constraining incidental landings to ensure total harvest
remains below the acceptable biological catch.
Highly Migratory Species Management
Changes to Routine Management Measures for 2009-2010 Seasons
The Council directed the Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT)
to begin developing management proposals to address recreational catch of
thresher sharks in central and southern California. Proposals will be evaluated at
the September Council meeting for release for public review. Final action is now
scheduled to be taken at the March 2009 Council meeting.
Council Recommendations to Regional Fishery Management
Organizations
The Council directed staff to forward the recommendations contained in the
supplemental HMSMT and HMS Advisory Subpanel report on needed
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international management actions to U.S. delegations to the Inter-American
Tropical Tuna Commission of the Northern Committee of Western and Central
Pacific Fisheries Commission, as appropriate.
Salmon Management
Klamath River Fall Chinook Overfishing Concern
The Council adopted criteria and rebuilding measures necessary to end the
Overfishing Concern (OC) for Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC), which was
triggered by failing to achieve 35,000 adult natural area spawners in 2004-2006.
The criteria to end the OC is achievement of natural area adult spawning
escapements of at least 35,000 in three of four consecutive years or of at least
40,700 in two consecutive years, beginning with 2007 spawning years.
The rebuilding plan adopted to achieve the criteria included a number of actions,
including changing fishery management objectives, altering hatchery practices,
intensifying research, and habitat improvements. The measure most affecting
ocean fishery management is managing for a minimum expected spawning
escapement of 40,700 until the OC is ended. The 2008 regulation setting process
was consistent with that recommendation.
Groundfish Management
Stock Assessment Planning for 2011-2012 Groundfish Fishery
Decision Making
The Council adopted the following full and updated stock assessments to be done
next year to inform management decisions for the 2011 and 2012 seasons:
Full Assessments Updated Assessments
1 Bocaccio rockfish Pacific ocean perch
2 Widow rockfish Canary rockfish
3 Yelloweye rockfish Cowcod rockfish
4 Petrale sole Darkblotched rockfish
5 Cabezon
6 Lingcod
7 Spiny dogfish
8 Splitnose rockfish
9 Greenstriped rockfish
10 Bronzespotted rockfish or
Greenspotted rockfish
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Bronzespotted and greenspotted rockfish are both candidates for the final full
assessment that the infrastructure can accommodate. The Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC) was charged to review the data informing both potential
assessments and recommend at the September 2008 Council meeting a maximum
of one of them go forward as a full assessment in the next management cycle.
The Council also adopted a new terms of reference for groundfish rebuilding
analysis, but deferred decision on a final terms of reference for stock assessments
and stock assessment reviews until the September Council meeting. Expected
revisions include at least (1) definition, process and utility in fishery management
decision-making of assessments that fall short of the data requirements for a full
assessment, and (2) resolution of the number of reviewers at stock assessment
review panels next year. The Council is also scheduled to approve a schedule of
2009 stock assessment review panel meetings in September.
Preliminary Review of Exempted Fishing Permits for 2009
The Council adopted five exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications (attachments
1-4 and 6 to this agenda item in the June briefing book) for public review. Many
of the EFP applications will need revision according to Council guidance, which
will be forwarded to EFP applicants before their applications are submitted to the
Council in September, when a final decision on 2009 EFPs will be made.
Inseason Adjustments to 2008 Fisheries
The Council adopted the following inseason adjustments:
Limited Entry Multi-Species Trawl Fishery
· Increase Sablefish coastwide to limits specified in the attached table
· Increase Dover sole and Other Flatfish for vessels using selective flatfish
gear in areas north of 40° 10' N lat as specified in the attached table
· Decrease petrale sole limits in areas north of 40° 10' N lat as specified in the
table below.
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RCA Boundaries
Other Slope
Subarea Period Inline Outline Sablefish Longspine Shortspine Dover Flatfish Petrale Arrowtooth Rock
N 40 10 1 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 40,000 150,000 1,500
Large 2 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 150,000 1,500
Footrope 3 No Change from 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 20,000 150,000 1,500
4 Status Quo 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 20,000 150,000 1,500
5 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 20,000 150,000 1,500
6 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 150,000 1,500
North SFFT 1 5,000 3,000 3,000 40,000 70,000 10,000 10,000 1,500
2 5,000 3,000 3,000 50,000 70,000 18,000 10,000 1,500
3 No Change from 5,000 3,000 3,000 40,000 50,000 18,000 10,000 1,500
4 Status Quo 7,000 3,000 3,000 50,000 80,000 18,000 10,000 1,500
5 7,000 3,000 3,000 50,000 80,000 16,000 10,000 1,500
6 7,000 3,000 3,000 50,000 80,000 10,000 10,000 1,500
38 - 40 10 1 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 50,000 10,000 15,000
2 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 15,000
3 No Change from 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 15,000
4 Status Quo 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 15,000
5 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 15,000
6 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 50,000 10,000 15,000
S 38 1 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 50,000 10,000 55,000
2 14,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 55,000
3 No Change from 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 55,000
4 Status Quo 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 55,000
5 24,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 30,000 10,000 55,000
6 19,000 25,000 25,000 80,000 110,000 50,000 10,000 55,000
Open Access Sablefish South of 36° N lat
· Implement a 1,000 lb per month limit for the month of August
· Implement a 2,100 lb per 2 month limit in periods 5 and 6
Limited Entry Daily Trip Limit Sablefish Fishery North of 36° N lat
· Increase the daily trip limit to 500 lbs in period 4 through the remainder of
the year
California Recreational Fishery
· That NMFS review and consider conforming action to regulations
implemented by the state of California between the June and September
Council meetings if necessary
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Amendment 20: Trawl Rationalization Alternatives
The Council adopted a preliminary preferred alternative on trawl rationalization,
putting the Council on track for taking final action during its November 2008
meeting. The alternative was developed through 16 separate motions. Details will
be summarized and available on the Council website the week of June 16. The
draft environmental impact statement is scheduled to be released in September
2008. Public hearings will be scheduled for late October 2008.
2009-2010 Groundfish Harvest Specifications, Management Measures,
and Rebuilding Plan Revisions
The Council adopted final 2009-2010 groundfish harvest specifications,
(acceptable biological catches and optimum yields) and revised rebuilding plans
for cowcod, canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish at their
June meeting. Final management measures for 2009-2010 groundfish fisheries
were also decided at the June Council meeting. Please see the Council's soon to be
published summer newsletter for more details on these decisions.
Habitat
Current Habitat Issues
The Council approved the Habitat Committee's proposed letter to the Minerals
Management Service on wave energy development, with revisions.
Marine Protected Areas
Review of Rationale for Marine Protected Areas in the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary
The Council adopted the recommendations of the SSC and the HC regarding
further review of marine protected areas (MPA) in the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). These recommendations will be conveyed in a letter
from the Council Executive Director to the MBNMS that will include advice on
the analysis of existing closed areas and their ability to meet Sanctuary goals and
objectives as well as the development of criteria for evaluating MPA proposals.
Council staff will coordinate with the MBNMS on the next steps in the process
including a report to the Council in 2009.
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Administrative Matters
Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization Implementation
The Council heard presentations from NMFS and Council staff regarding proposed
regulations implementing new environmental review procedures and new
provisions to end overfishing such as annual catch limits and accountability
measures. Regarding revised environmental review procedures, the Council
members will provide additional comments to Council staff by July 1, 2009 to
facilitate a response letter to NMFS by August 12. Council staff will also
coordinate as appropriate in the development of a potential joint comment letter
signed by all eight Regional Fishery Management Councils on this matter.
Proposed regulations implementing annual catch limits were published in the
Federal Register on the same day the Council discussed this issue precluding a
detailed review of the materials by the Council or its advisory bodies. The 90-day
public comment period is currently scheduled to end on September 8, the first day
of the September Council meeting. The Council Executive Director has requested
an extension of the comment period to allow the Council to fully deliberate the
matter in September and respond in writing shortly thereafter. If an extension is
not granted, Council members will forward specific comments on the proposed
rule to the Council staff by August 15 to be included in a Council response.
Update and Communications of Research and Data Needs
The Council approved a public review draft which incorporates the
comments of the SSC, the Highly Migratory Species Management Team
and Advisory Subpanel, the Salmon Advisory Subpanel, and the Habitat
Committee. A revised document will be posted to the Council web site
reasonably soon after the June Council meeting. The Council is
scheduled to adopt a final document at the September 2008 Council
meeting in Boise, Idaho.
Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures
Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team
The Council appointed Ms. Cyreis Schmitt to the Oregon position, replacing Mr.
Brett Wiedhoff.
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Highly Migratory Species Management Team
The Council confirmed the reappointment of Mr. Brian Hallman to the Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission position and Mr. Ricardo Belmontes as his
alternate.
Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee (EFHRC)
The Council reviewed the nominations for the initial groundfish EFHRC and the
following recommendations emerged for consideration by the Council Chair:
1) Comply with the NMFS Northwest Region recommendation to add a second
NMFS Northwest Region position;
2) Remove the designation of "scientist" from the "scientist affiliated with a
conservation organization" positions and refer to them simply as a
"conservation organization representative" position;
3) Include an Enforcement Consultant (EC) position in the membership; and
4) Do not create an additional position for fishing ports, on the basis of the
committee's charge to screen and review proposals for changes to the EFH
for their technical sufficiency and biological significance.
In view of those comments, the Council chair announced the following
appointments as members, and where specified, as designated alternates:
NMFS Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers--2 Positions
Dr. Waldo Wakefield, Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Ms. Mary Yoklavich, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
NMFS Northwest Region--2 positions
Mr. Steve Copps, Senior Policy Analyst
Mr. John Stadler, Habitat Conservation Division Regional EFH Coordinator
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries--1 position
Mr. Ed Bowlby, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Member)
Ms. Karen Reyna, Gulf of Farrallones National Marine Sanctuary
(Alternate)
Scientists At-large--2 positions
Dr. H. Gary Greene, Professor Emeritus at Moss Landing Marine Labs
Dr. Chris Goldfinger, Associate Professor of Marine Geology at the College
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University.
Fishing Industry--2 positions, bottom trawl and non-trawl bottom gear
Bottom Trawl:
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Mr. Brad Pettinger, Brookings, OR (Member)
Mr. Scott McMullen, Astoria, OR (Alternate)
Non-Trawl Bottom Gear:
Mr. Robert Eder, Newport, OR (Member)
Mr. Bernie Bjork, Astoria, OR (Alternate)
Enforcement Consultant--1 position
Mr. Dayna Mathews
Conservation Organization--2 positions
Mr. Santi Roberts, Oceana, Monterey, CA
Ms. Megan Mackey, Pacific Marine Conservation Council, Portland, OR
The newly formed EFHRC will meet to provide recommendations to the Council
at its September 2008 meeting regarding EFHRC officers, operating procedures,
charge, and review criteria and scheduling.
Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
The Council made several significant adjustments to draft September 2008,
November 2008, and March 2009 Council meeting agendas to allow for most of
the November 2008 Council meeting time to be allocated to final decision making
on the groundfish trawl rationalization program, including:
1) Postponing review of sardine allocation under Amendment 11 from the
November 2008 Council meeting to the June 2009 meeting;
2) Moving groundfish EFP approval and final stock assessment planning to the
September 2008 Council meeting;
3) Postponing final action on highly migratory species management measures
(thresher shark restrictions) and a NMFS report on future albacore
management options to March 2009;
4) Postponing the next step of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorized Act
implementation of measures to end overfishing to the March 2009 Council
meeting; and
5) Postponing the November 2008 Habitat Committee report until the March
2009 Council meeting.
A revised draft proposed agenda for the September 2008 Council meeting in Boise,
Idaho will be posted on the Council website www.pcouncil.org in the near future.
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