Commercial trip limits for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the Southern Zone
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- Action: Modify the system of quota and trip limit adjustments for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Southern Zone Alternative 1 (No Action).
- Alternative 2
- Alternative 3
- Preferred Alternative 4
SummaryThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) is proposing an action in Framework Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (CMP FMP) in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 2) to modify the commercial trip limit system in the Southern Zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. The trip limit in place for the area north of the Georgia/Florida boundary is 3,500 pounds (lbs) all year. The trip limit and quota system for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida begins with a trip limit of 3,500 lbs from March 1 through November 30. Starting December 1, there is no trip limit on weekdays and a 1,500-lb trip limit on weekends, until 75% of the adjusted quota (adjusted quota = 250,000 lbs below the specific commercial annual catch limit (ACL)) is landed, after which the trip limit is 1,500 lbs every day. When 100% of the adjusted quota is reached, the trip limit is reduced to 500 lbs until the end of the fishing year or until the full quota is met or projected to be met. Since the trip limit system has been in place, fishery conditions and regulations have changed. When the current trip limit system for the EEZ off Florida was put in place, the total allowable catch (TAC) for commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel was 3.87 million pounds (mp). The current commercial ACL for Atlantic Spanish mackerel, set in Amendment 18 to the CMP FMP (GMFMC/SAFMC 2011), is 3.13 mp, and the South Atlantic Council has proposed a commercial ACL of 3.33 mp in Framework Amendment 1 (Table S-1). Both the current and proposed commercial ACLs are lower than the TAC that was in place when the trip limit system was implemented. Additionally, the lack of a Spanish mackerel trip limit in Florida waters on weekdays beginning December 1 may contribute to early closures under the 3.13 mp ACL. Table S-1 Harvest parameters in whole weight currently in place and proposed in Amendment 20B, Framework 1 and this amendment for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel.
The adjusted quota was calculated based on the number of vessels and the catch rates at that time, and was intended to allow small vessels to catch 500 lbs after the adjusted quota was caught. However, both the number of vessels and the catch rates have changed in the past 20 years and may have reduced the effectiveness and necessity of the adjusted quota. Lastly, Amendment 20B to the CMP FMP proposes to establish a Northern Zone and a Southern Zone at the North Carolina/South Carolina boundary, with separate commercial quotas for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. To reduce complexity within the proposed Southern Zone by having consistent trip limits across the entire zone, the South Atlantic Council proposes changes to the trip limit system that currently applies just to the EEZ off Florida to the entire Southern Zone (the EEZ off South Carolina, Georgia and Florida). In accordance with the provisions set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regulations found at 50 CFR 622.389 (Adjustment of Management Measures), the intent of Framework Amendment 2 is to modify the current trip limit system for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel to tailor the system to current fishery conditions and new catch limits, while increasing social and economic benefits of the CMP fishery. Framework Amendment 2, with the integrated Environmental Assessment, was available for public review before and during each South Atlantic Council meeting where the action will be discussed, during the proposed rule phase of the rulemaking process, and online at www.safmc.net. Action: Modify the system of quota and trip limit adjustments for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Southern Zone Alternative 1 (No Action). Do not modify the current system of trip limits for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel (see Discussion section of this chapter). Alternative 2. Establish a trip limit of 3,500 lbs for the Southern Zone for March 1- November 30. After December 1, when 75% of the adjusted Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, the trip limit would be reduced to 1,500 lbs until the end of the fishing year or until the Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, at which time the commercial sector in the Southern Zone would be closed to harvest of Spanish mackerel. Alternative 3. Establish a trip limit of 3,500 lbs for the Southern Zone. When 75% of the Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, the trip limit would be reduced to 500 lbs until the end of the fishing year or until the Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, at which time the commercial sector in the Southern Zone would be closed to harvest of Spanish mackerel. Preferred Alternative 4. Establish a trip limit of 3,500 lbs for the Southern Zone. When 75% of adjusted Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, the trip limit would be reduced to 1,500 lbs. When 100% of adjusted Southern Zone quota is met or projected to be met, the trip limit is reduced to 500 lbs until the end of the fishing year or until the Southern Zone commercial quota is met or projected to be met, at which time the commercial sector in the Southern Zone would be closed to harvest of Spanish mackerel. Directory: sfa -> management -> councils -> operational guidelines -> templates sfa -> The Web never closes templates -> Content and Status of Active Amendments sfa -> Colonization of Mars Why is Mars our best choice? Download 491.09 Kb. Share with your friends:
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