Summer FlounderAmendment

August 13, 2014Washington, DC

Review of Revised Draft Scoping Document

Objectives

Joint Council/Board review of revised draft scoping document/Public Information Document

Approval for public scoping hearings

Council Motion – December 2013

I move that the Council, prioritize, pursuant to its strategic plan, the development of an amendment to the FMP for Summer Flounder that will review and update the goals and objectives of the plan and re-examine the fishery management strategies for the commercial and recreational fisheries.– Nolan/McMurray (12/0/0); Motion carries

June Council Meeting Council reviewed draft scoping

document–Revisions suggested–Plan for Council/Commission

coordination

Following June meeting:–Collaborated to revise draft

document

Scoping Scoping is an "Early and open process for

determining scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action“

Public input process to inform development of range of alternatives

Written comment period, scoping hearings

Document

Commission: Public Information Document

Council: scoping document

Major Revisions Since June Document follows Commission PID

format

Added background on management, stock status, fisheries

Split potential amendment topics into issues with public comment trigger questions

Areas of Difference

Public comment instructions

Slight differences in Introduction and Purpose

Amendment process and timeline description

Amendment DevelopmentFishery Management Action

Team (FMAT)–Council staff, Commission staff, GARFO, NEFSC

Working groups–Issue-specific–Broader range of expertise

TimelineDecember

2013Council initiates amendment

April-June 2014

Draft action plan developed; Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) formed

June 2014Council’s Demersal Committee meets to discuss scoping process

August 2014Council/Board review of draft joint scoping document

Fall 2014Scoping hearings and public comment period

Timeline (Continued)

Winter 2014/2015

Council and Board identify priority issues for inclusion in the amendment; Issue-specific working groups established; initial development of options

Spring/Summer 2015

Continued development of options (FMAT/working groups); meetings of the FMAT, working groups, Council/Board, Advisory Panel

Fall 2015/ Winter 2016

Management Board/Council reviews FMAT and working group recommendations for options

Spring/Summer 2016 Range of options refined and approved

Timeline (Continued)

Fall 2016 DEIS finalized; Board/Council, selects preferred options; public hearings

Winter 2016/Spring 2017

Management Board/Council considers public comments; final action; rulemaking and comment periods (5-7 months)

Amendment Purpose 1) Perform a comprehensive review of all

aspects of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) related to summer flounder

2) Update the FMP goals and objectives for summer flounder management

3) Modify management strategies and measures as necessary to achieve those goals and objectives.

Potential Amendment Issues List is not limiting – exists to solicit

public comment

Not all listed items will necessarily be addressed in amendment

Priority issues for further development to be identified by Council/Board after scoping period

Issue 1: FMP Goals & ObjectivesCurrent goals and objectives:

1. Reduce fishing mortality in the summer flounder fishery to assure that overfishing does not occur.

2. Reduce fishing mortality on immature summer flounder to increase spawning stock biomass.

3. Improve the yield from the fishery.

4. Promote compatible management regulations between State and Federal jurisdictions.

5. Promote uniform and effective enforcement of regulations.

6. Minimize regulations to achieve the management objectives stated above.

Issue 2: Commercial/Rec Allocation

Is current split appropriate?

–60% of Total Allowable Landings to commercial fishery and 40% to recreational fishery

If not, how should current allocations be revised?

Issue 3: Commercial Management

Potentially including:

Commercial gear requirements Minimum fish size requirements Possession limit and trigger requirements Time/area closures and exemption programs Licensing Commercial quota allocation strategies Landings flexibility (regional, coastwide,

other)

Issue 4: Recreational Management

Potentially including:

Recreational bag, size, season requirements

Gear requirements and restrictions Inter-jurisdictional

management/Conservation Equivalency Measures specific to party/charter or

private angler sectors Recreational quota allocation strategies

Other Issues Issue 5: Discards in the

recreational and commercial fisheries

“Other issues”–Ecosystem, habitat, bycatch, and protected resources issues

–Data collection requirements and protocols

From Council and Board

Move forward with document for public scoping process?

© Michael Eversmier

Questions?

© Michael Eversmier