October 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 19.
SUMMARY OF ASMFC 2009 SUMMER MEETING
changes to the transfer provisions for the Simpson. Motion carries. Grout, seconded by Mr. Simpson. Motion mation available about the stock and fishery.
commercial fisheries for both black sea bass ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS MANAGE- passes. The Board’s action was requested by
and scup summer period (May 1-October 31) MENT BOARD (18 August) Move to include a provision in the Draft the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to
managed under the Commission’s plans. Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum that prohibits commercial quota accommodate its legislative process as well
The FMP does not provide adequate guid- Addendum II for Public Comment rollovers if the striped bass fishing mortality as ensure that the current management pro-
ance for Commission-only state-by-state The Commission’s Atlantic Striped rate exceeds the Plan target or if the spawning gram is extended while menhaden research
quota management. As a practical matter, Bass Management Board has approved for stock biomass is below the Plan target. Mo- efforts continue. Virginia’s legislature, which
states routinely under harvest or slightly public comment Draft Addendum II to tion made by Mr. R. White, seconded by Mr. meets January through March each year, is
overharvest their state-specific allocations Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Man- Augustine. Motion carries. responsible for regulating the menhaden re-
due to delays in reporting, inconsistencies in agement Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Motion to add a provision to create duction fishery in state waters. With a new
the data collection processes, unanticipated Draft Addendum proposes to allow unused transfer allowances of the coastal commercial Addendum in place this year, Virginia state
changes in catch rates, and implementation coastal commercial quota of striped bass to quota between states. Motion made by Mr. administrators can work with the legislature
delays in trip limit changes or fishery clo- be rolled over from one year to the next. Diodati, seconded by Mr. Simpson. Motion in early 2010 to amend Virginia law to extend
sures. The FMP requires that each state de- Options include state eligibility fails. the harvest cap without the current cap expir-
duct overages from the following year’s and the amount of unused quota that may be Motion that option 2 under state eligibil- ing.
quota when they occur. The Draft Adden- carried over. The Draft Addendum also out- ity be stricken from Draft Addendum II. Addendum III established the current
dum proposes a process to reconcile quotas lines procedures for implementing and moni- Motion made by Mr. McCloy, seconded by annual cap of 109,020 metric tons on reduc-
to address states unintended minor toring quota roll over. Under the Draft Ad- Mr. Simpson. Motion passes. tion fishery harvests in Chesapeake Bay as a
overages. dendum, roll over would be prohibited if the Motion to postpone this addendum precautionary measure while research was
Specifically, the Draft Addendum proposes fishing mortality rate exceeds the Plan’s tar- until the annual meeting after the next stock conducted to address the question of menha-
to establish clear policies and administrative get or if the spawning stock biomass is below assessment update is presented. Motion den abundance in the Bay. The cap has been
protocols to guide the allocation of transfers the Plan’s target. made by Mr. Diodati, seconded by Rep. in place since 2006 and will extend through
from states with underages to states with The existing management program ad- Abbott. Motion fails. 2010. Harvest for reduction purposes is pro-
overages. dresses coastal commercial quota overages, Move to approve Draft Addendum II for hibited in the Chesapeake Bay when 100% of
It also proposes to automatically recon- requiring payback of an overage in the sub- public comment as amended today. Motion the cap is landed. Over-harvest in any given
cile a state’s overage in its entirety in a year sequent year, yet it is silent on coastal com- made by Mr. Carpenter, seconded by Mr. year would be deducted from the next year’s
where the coastwide quota or fishing period mercial quota underages. Since the imple- Gilmore. Motion carries. quota. Addendum III also includes a provi-
(e.g. scup summer period) quota was not mentation of Amendment 6, coastal commer- ATLANTIC MENHADEN MANAGEMENT sion allowing under-harvest in one year to be
exceeded. The proposed options would al- cial quota underages have been more com- BOARD (19 August) credited only to the following year’s cap, not
low Commission staff to streamline and coor- mon than overages. While avoiding a quota Atlantic Menhaden Board Approves to exceed 122,740 metric tons. Since Adden-
dinate the transfers of quota as well as allow overage signifies managerial success, a Draft Addendum IV for Public Comment dum III was implemented, reduction landings
for quota transfers to reconcile overages quota underage represents lost opportunity The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden of menhaden from Chesapeake Bay has not
after year’s end. to commercial harvesters. Quota underages Management Board has approved for public exceeded the cap.
Fishermen and other interested groups may result from changes in fish abundance or comment Draft Addendum IV to Amendment Fishermen and other interested groups
are encouraged to provide input on Draft distribution, environmental factors, fishing 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan are encouraged to provide input on Draft
Addendum XX, either through attending effort, and regulatory measures. for Atlantic Menhaden. The Draft Adden- Addendum IV, either through attending pub-
public hearings or providing written com- The Draft Addendum presents a hypo- dum proposes extending the Chesapeake lic hearings or providing written comments.
ments (a subsequent press release on sched- thetical situation to analyze the potential Bay reduction fishery harvest cap, estab- Copies of Draft Addendum IV can be ob-
uled public hearings will be released once the effect of allowing roll over. Had all unused lished through Addendum III, for an addi- tained by contacting the Commission at (202)
hearings have been finalized). Copies of coastal commercial quota in 2003 through tional three years (2011 – 2013). Under the 289-6400 or via the Commission’s website at
Draft Addendum XX will be available by 2007 been rolled over and then harvested in proposed Addendum, the Board would an- www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Pub-
August 28 and can be obtained by contacting 2004 through 2008, the average increase in nually review measures to determine if they
Continued on Page 20.
the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the the total coastal commercial quota would are appropriate given the most recent infor-
Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org have been less than 15 percent and the aver-
under Breaking News. Public comment will be age increase in the total coastwide harvest
accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 8, less than two percent. An analysis by the
Our customers’ boats are part of our family.
2009 and should be forwarded to Toni Kerns, Technical Committee indicated that a 15 per-
Senior FMP Coordinator for Management, cent increase in the coastal commercial quo-
1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washing- tas would have a limited effect on the fishing
ton, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at mortality rate, and that large fluctuations in
tkerns@asmfc.org. recreational harvest, which is not regulated
Meeting Summary by quota, present a greater level of risk of
The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black exceeding the fishing mortality target or
Sea Bass Board reviewed an update of the threshold. However, the Technical Commit-
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management tee also noted that the potential effect of roll
Council’s (Council) progress on the Omni- over on the stock increases if quota
bus Draft Amendment to develop annual underages occur due to population decline.
catch limits (ACLs) and accountability mea- Other concerns included the two to three year
sures (AMs). The Council is currently draft- lag in reporting the fishing mortality rate
ing options for the Draft Amendment that will estimate for any given year and that allowing
be considered for public comment in April roll over could provide an incentive to under
2010, including the development of a risk report harvest.
policy. The Council is also developing op- Fishermen and other interested groups
tions for how to integrate ACLs and AMs for are encouraged to provide input on Draft
Cyrus Hagge (left) with Jason Curtis of PYS
each Council managed species, including Addendum II, either through attending pub-
launching Cyrus’ boat on a clear 20° day in February.
summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. lic hearings or providing written comments (a
The Board discussed and recommended an subsequent press release on scheduled pub-
“I’ve been coming to Portland Yacht Services for years because
approach for the future role of the Monitoring lic hearings will be released once the hearings
they’re as passionate about boating as I am.” Cyrus Hagge – Customer
Committee and its interaction with the Sci- have been finalized). Copies of Draft Adden-
ence and Statistical Committee and the Advi- dum II will be available by August 28 and can
Our dedicated staff provides the kind of service that keep owners like
sory Panel. The Commission and Council be obtained by contacting the Commission at
Cyrus Hagge coming back year after year. The PYS team has the experience,
leadership will meet to address this issue. (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission’s
training and certifications to efficiently handle both the routine and
Staff presented preliminary recreational har- website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking
extraordinary needsof virtually any type of boat or yacht, sail or power.
vest estimates for summer flounder, scup, News. Public comment will be accepted until
• Long-term Annual Maintenance • Outboard & Inboard Repowering
and black sea bass for 2009 through wave 3 5:00 PM (EST) on October 8, 2009 and should
• Moorings, Dockage and Storage • Generators, AC & Refrigeration
(end of June). The Board was concerned with be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Co-
• Painting & Fiberglass • Full Parts & Rigging Departments
• Refits, Repairs & Restorations • Systems Repairs & Design
the estimates for scup and black sea bass and ordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor,
asked staff to present projections for black Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051
We invite you to visit our marina and boatyard near the historic Old Port,
sea bass harvest at the ISFMP Policy Board (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject
by land or sea, today! Check out our qualifications at portlandyacht.com
meeting. For more information, please con- line: Draft Addendum II).
tact Toni Kerns, Senior Fishery Management Motions
Plan Coordinator for Management, at (202) Motion to accept the 2009 FMP review.
289-6400 or tkerns@asmfc.org. Motion made by Mr. Augustine, seconded
Motions by Mr. Adler. Motion carries by consent.
Motion to approve Draft Addendum XX Motion to amend to remove option 1 &
58 Fore Street • Portland, ME 04101
for public comment, as modified. Motion 3 from section 2.3.4 of the rollover term sec-
T: 207.774.1067 • F: 207.774.7035 • E: service@portlandyacht.com
made by Dr. Pierce, seconded by Mr. tion of Addendum II. Motion made by Mr.
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