Denny
09-17-2007, 11:57 AM
September 17, 2007
Radisson Hotel
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
727-572-7800
Hey all. Time to make some voices heard. Tonight, the Gulf Council is taking public input on final action for the Amberjack and Gray Triggerfish amendment.
Most galling is the fact that a last minute, back door addition was made to the amendment, STEALING the recreational sector's fair share of the fishery. This would cost the recreational sector harsh reductions in the upcpoming amendment.
'The recreational sector conserved while the commercial sector went over their quota unrestrained for years. The recreational sector should not be punished for conserving their sustainable resource. Fair is fair.'
Go to www.thefra.org to get the full formatted document.
Here it is:
FRA positions on the Gulf Council’s
Amendment 30A, Greater Amberjack and Gray Triggerfish
GREATER AMBERJACK
Action 1. Modifications to Greater Amberjack Allocations –
We support Alternative 1 Status Quo No allocation change
The allocation shall remain at 84% recreational 16% commercial, which was set in amendment 1 in 1990.
The years used to set this allocation were 1981 thru 1987 and were chosen due to the fact that those years had the least amount of government regulations imposed on anglers in both the recreational and commercial sectors. This time period indicated a more natural state of fishing, as opposed to a later time period during which the social behavior of fisherman had been changed by regulations.
Action 2. Modifications to the Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan
We support the Preferred Alternative 2. Modify the rebuilding plan specified by Secretarial Amendment 2. It reads:
Directed TAC levels for the 2008 through 2012 would be set at the directed yield for
each year as defined by the constant FOY projection from the 2006 assessment. TAC for
2008 would be 1.9 mp, TAC in 2009 would be 2.5 mp, TAC in 2010 would be 3.1 mp,
TAC in 2011 would be 3.5 mp, and TAC in 2012 would be 3.7 mp.
Given that the assessment is so uncertain, this will allow us to maintain a sustainable harvest while we gather further information on the fish.
Action 3. Accountability Procedures for the Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan
We support Alternative 1. No action. Do not establish an accountability procedure for the greater amberjack rebuilding plan.
We are concerned that MRFSS ( Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey) would be used as the landings figure by which the RA could adjust the quota. MRFSS is NOT an in season or even year to year reliable indicator of landings, as stated by the National Research Council’s 2006 report on MRFSS.
Action 4: Greater Amberjack Recreational Management Alternatives
We support none of the listed alternatives and ask that the following alternatives be considered as preferred. We oppose any reallocation of the fishery.
We support ADDING Alternative 6 - A one amberjack per day per angler limit, 30 inch minimum and making it the Preferred Alternative.
According to Stu Kennedy, Gulf Council staff biologist, this option would result in a 16.4% decrease in recreational harvest, given a 10% recreational release mortality. With the existing 84% allocation to the recreational sector, we only need a 15% reduction for the recreational sector.
The recreational sector conserved while the commercial sector went over their quota unrestrained for years. The recreational sector should not be punished for conserving their sustainable resource. Fair is fair.
The recreational sector relies on the opportunity to fish as an economic driver. One fish per day per angler is the lowest acceptable limit for Greater Amberjack.
Action 5: Greater Amberjack Commercial Management Alternatives
We support NO REALLOCATION. We support the establishment of management measures which will constrain the sector to its quota.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH
Action 6: Thresholds and Benchmarks for Gray Triggerfish
We support Preferred Alternative 2.
It reads as follows: Set MFMT equal to FMSY (proxy = F30%SPR); set MSST equal to (1-M)*SSBMSY (proxy = (1-M)*SSB30%SPR); and set OY as the yield associated with:
Preferred Option a: 75 percent of FMSY (proxy = F30%SPR) when the stock is at
equilibrium
This is a fairly standard method of stock evaluation.
Action 7. Gray Triggerfish Rebuilding Plan
We support Alternative 2. Establish a constant F rebuilding plan for gray triggerfish defined by the constant FOY projection from the 2006 assessment. Directed TAC levels for the 2008 through 2012 would be set at the directed yield for each year; TAC for 2008 would be 0.5 mp, TAC in 2009 would be 0.58 mp, TAC in 2010 would be 0.66 mp, TAC in 2011 would be 0.73 mp, and TAC in 2012 would be 0.79 mp.
Action 8. Accountability Procedures for Gray Triggerfish
We support Alternative 1. No action.
Do not establish an accountability procedure for the gray triggerfish rebuilding plan.
The Council could address landings overages and implement management measures to constrain harvest to Total Allowable Catch as specified in the preferred rebuilding plan by developing a regulatory amendment to the Reef Fish FMP.
Action 9. Modifications to Gray Triggerfish Allocations
We support Alternative 1. Status Quo
Maintain allocation of gray triggerfish TAC between the recreational and commercial fisheries as the average share during the years 1981 through 1987. The recreational fishery would receive 93 percent of the TAC and the commercial would receive 7 percent.
Action 10. Gray Triggerfish Regional Management.
We support Preferred Alternative 1.
No Action. Manage gray triggerfish on a Gulfwide basis. Implement Gulfwide management measures to reduce gray triggerfish landings by 49 percent overall to end overfishing and rebuild the stock.
Action 11. Gray Triggerfish Recreational Management Alternatives
We support ADDING Alternative 5. Increase size to 13” for a 42% reduction, which exceeds the required 40% reduction with no reallocation of the fishery.
This is a small size increase and not a concern for anyone.
Action 12. Gray Triggerfish Commercial Management Alternatives
We support NO REALLOCATION. We support the establishment of management measures which will constrain the sector to its quota.
Meeting times and locations:
All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. local time ending no later than 10:00.
September 12, 2007
Palacios Recreational Center
2401 Perryman
Palacios, Texas
361-972-2387
Edgewater Beach Resort
11212 Front Beach Road
Panama City, Florida
800-331-6338
September 13, 2007
Holiday Inn Emerald Beach
1102 S. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas
361-883-5731
September 17, 2007
Radisson Hotel
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
727-572-7800
September 18, 2007
Sombrero Cay Club Resort
19 sombrero Blvd.
Marathon, Florida
305-743-2250
September 19, 2007
Clarion Hotel
12635 S. Cleveland Avenue
Ft. Myers, Florida
239-936-4300
Radisson Hotel
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
727-572-7800
Hey all. Time to make some voices heard. Tonight, the Gulf Council is taking public input on final action for the Amberjack and Gray Triggerfish amendment.
Most galling is the fact that a last minute, back door addition was made to the amendment, STEALING the recreational sector's fair share of the fishery. This would cost the recreational sector harsh reductions in the upcpoming amendment.
'The recreational sector conserved while the commercial sector went over their quota unrestrained for years. The recreational sector should not be punished for conserving their sustainable resource. Fair is fair.'
Go to www.thefra.org to get the full formatted document.
Here it is:
FRA positions on the Gulf Council’s
Amendment 30A, Greater Amberjack and Gray Triggerfish
GREATER AMBERJACK
Action 1. Modifications to Greater Amberjack Allocations –
We support Alternative 1 Status Quo No allocation change
The allocation shall remain at 84% recreational 16% commercial, which was set in amendment 1 in 1990.
The years used to set this allocation were 1981 thru 1987 and were chosen due to the fact that those years had the least amount of government regulations imposed on anglers in both the recreational and commercial sectors. This time period indicated a more natural state of fishing, as opposed to a later time period during which the social behavior of fisherman had been changed by regulations.
Action 2. Modifications to the Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan
We support the Preferred Alternative 2. Modify the rebuilding plan specified by Secretarial Amendment 2. It reads:
Directed TAC levels for the 2008 through 2012 would be set at the directed yield for
each year as defined by the constant FOY projection from the 2006 assessment. TAC for
2008 would be 1.9 mp, TAC in 2009 would be 2.5 mp, TAC in 2010 would be 3.1 mp,
TAC in 2011 would be 3.5 mp, and TAC in 2012 would be 3.7 mp.
Given that the assessment is so uncertain, this will allow us to maintain a sustainable harvest while we gather further information on the fish.
Action 3. Accountability Procedures for the Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan
We support Alternative 1. No action. Do not establish an accountability procedure for the greater amberjack rebuilding plan.
We are concerned that MRFSS ( Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey) would be used as the landings figure by which the RA could adjust the quota. MRFSS is NOT an in season or even year to year reliable indicator of landings, as stated by the National Research Council’s 2006 report on MRFSS.
Action 4: Greater Amberjack Recreational Management Alternatives
We support none of the listed alternatives and ask that the following alternatives be considered as preferred. We oppose any reallocation of the fishery.
We support ADDING Alternative 6 - A one amberjack per day per angler limit, 30 inch minimum and making it the Preferred Alternative.
According to Stu Kennedy, Gulf Council staff biologist, this option would result in a 16.4% decrease in recreational harvest, given a 10% recreational release mortality. With the existing 84% allocation to the recreational sector, we only need a 15% reduction for the recreational sector.
The recreational sector conserved while the commercial sector went over their quota unrestrained for years. The recreational sector should not be punished for conserving their sustainable resource. Fair is fair.
The recreational sector relies on the opportunity to fish as an economic driver. One fish per day per angler is the lowest acceptable limit for Greater Amberjack.
Action 5: Greater Amberjack Commercial Management Alternatives
We support NO REALLOCATION. We support the establishment of management measures which will constrain the sector to its quota.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH
Action 6: Thresholds and Benchmarks for Gray Triggerfish
We support Preferred Alternative 2.
It reads as follows: Set MFMT equal to FMSY (proxy = F30%SPR); set MSST equal to (1-M)*SSBMSY (proxy = (1-M)*SSB30%SPR); and set OY as the yield associated with:
Preferred Option a: 75 percent of FMSY (proxy = F30%SPR) when the stock is at
equilibrium
This is a fairly standard method of stock evaluation.
Action 7. Gray Triggerfish Rebuilding Plan
We support Alternative 2. Establish a constant F rebuilding plan for gray triggerfish defined by the constant FOY projection from the 2006 assessment. Directed TAC levels for the 2008 through 2012 would be set at the directed yield for each year; TAC for 2008 would be 0.5 mp, TAC in 2009 would be 0.58 mp, TAC in 2010 would be 0.66 mp, TAC in 2011 would be 0.73 mp, and TAC in 2012 would be 0.79 mp.
Action 8. Accountability Procedures for Gray Triggerfish
We support Alternative 1. No action.
Do not establish an accountability procedure for the gray triggerfish rebuilding plan.
The Council could address landings overages and implement management measures to constrain harvest to Total Allowable Catch as specified in the preferred rebuilding plan by developing a regulatory amendment to the Reef Fish FMP.
Action 9. Modifications to Gray Triggerfish Allocations
We support Alternative 1. Status Quo
Maintain allocation of gray triggerfish TAC between the recreational and commercial fisheries as the average share during the years 1981 through 1987. The recreational fishery would receive 93 percent of the TAC and the commercial would receive 7 percent.
Action 10. Gray Triggerfish Regional Management.
We support Preferred Alternative 1.
No Action. Manage gray triggerfish on a Gulfwide basis. Implement Gulfwide management measures to reduce gray triggerfish landings by 49 percent overall to end overfishing and rebuild the stock.
Action 11. Gray Triggerfish Recreational Management Alternatives
We support ADDING Alternative 5. Increase size to 13” for a 42% reduction, which exceeds the required 40% reduction with no reallocation of the fishery.
This is a small size increase and not a concern for anyone.
Action 12. Gray Triggerfish Commercial Management Alternatives
We support NO REALLOCATION. We support the establishment of management measures which will constrain the sector to its quota.
Meeting times and locations:
All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. local time ending no later than 10:00.
September 12, 2007
Palacios Recreational Center
2401 Perryman
Palacios, Texas
361-972-2387
Edgewater Beach Resort
11212 Front Beach Road
Panama City, Florida
800-331-6338
September 13, 2007
Holiday Inn Emerald Beach
1102 S. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas
361-883-5731
September 17, 2007
Radisson Hotel
12600 Roosevelt Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
727-572-7800
September 18, 2007
Sombrero Cay Club Resort
19 sombrero Blvd.
Marathon, Florida
305-743-2250
September 19, 2007
Clarion Hotel
12635 S. Cleveland Avenue
Ft. Myers, Florida
239-936-4300