Draft Actions and
Alternatives for the
Draft Environmental Impact
Statements (DEIS)
SERO
Island-Based Fishery Management Plans (FMPs)
159th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Regular Meeting
April 18-19, 2017
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Draft Actions and Alternatives
Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS)
for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 1 - Determine Species to be Included for Management in the X Island FMP
Action 2 - Establish Stocks or Stock Complexes in the X Island FMP
Action 3 - Management Reference Points
Action 4 - Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for
Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
Action 5 - Framework Procedures for the X Island FMP
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2
Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the St.
Croix (STX), St. Thomas/St. John (STT), and Puerto Rico (PR) FMPs
Preferred Alternative 2 – For those species for which landings data are available,
indicating the species is in the fishery, the Council will follow a stepwise
application of a set of criteria to determine inclusion/exclusion in FMPs
Criterion A. Include: overfished species, prohibited harvest species due to ecological importance, or
species with seasonal closures or size limits.
Criterion B. From the remaining species, exclude: species that infrequently occur in federal waters based
on expert analysis guided by available data.
Criterion C. From the remaining species, include biologically vulnerable species or species with essential
ecological value, as determined by expert analysis.
Criterion D. From the remaining species, include economically important species based on threshold of
landings or value and important bycatch species, as established by expert analysis.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3
Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the
(STX, STT, and PR) FMPs
Puerto Rico FMP
Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 63 finfish
species (*18 new finfish species)
Finfish Species New to Management under the Puerto Rico FMP
Family
Species common names
Snappers
Cubera snapper
Groupers
Yellowmouth
Triggerfishes
Gray triggerfish
Jacks
Crevalle jack, African pompano, Rainbow runner
Eagle and Manta
Manta, spotted eagle ray, sting ray
Mackerels and Tunas
Little tunny, Blackfin tuna, King mackerel, Cero, Wahoo,
Tripletail
Barracudas
Great barracuda
Dolphin fishes
Dolphin, Pompano dolphin
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4
Action 1: Determine Species to be Included for Management in each of the
STX, STT, and PR FMPs
St. Croix FMP
Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 43 finfish
species (* 2 new finfish species)
Finfish Species New to Management under the St. Croix FMP
Family
Species common names
Mackerels and Tunas
Wahoo
Dolphin fishes
Dolphin
St. Thomas/St. John FMP
Queen conch (1), spiny lobster (1), sea cucumbers, sea urchins, all coral, and 47 finfish
species (*3 new finfish species)
Finfish Species New to Management under the St. Thomas/St. John FMP
Family
Species common names
Groupers
Yellowmouth
Mackerels and Tunas
Wahoo
Dolphin fishes
Dolphin
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX,
PR) FMPs
Alternative 1. No Action. In the X Island FMP, retain the stocks/stock complexes
presently used for management in the X Island EEZ under the Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster,
Queen Conch, and Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates (Coral) FMPs.
Alternative 2. Do not organize the species in the X Island FMP in stock complexes.
Species would be managed as individual stocks.
Alternative 3. Manage species in the X Island FMP as individual stocks or as stock
complexes, based on scientific analysis, including one or more of the following: cluster
analysis based on landings patterns; outcomes from the SEDAR Caribbean Data
Evaluation Workshop (2009) (only for species previously managed that will remain in the
FMP); biological/life history similarities and vulnerability (for all species); or, expert
opinion from the scientific and fishing communities (for all species). (Tables)
Alternative 4. Where there are stock complexes, select an indicator stock based on any
of the following (Sub-Alternatives TBD)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for PUERTO RICO
Family or Class
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Species Name
Common Name
Strombidae -- True conchs
Queen conch
Lobatus (Strombus) gigas
Queen conch
Palinuridae -- Spiny lobster
Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Caribbean spiny lobster
Apsilus dentatus
Lutjanus buccanella
Lutjanus vivanus*
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Pristipomoides aquilonaris
Pristipomoides macrophthalmus
Black snapper
Blackfin snapper
Silk snapper*
Vermilion snapper
Wenchman
Cardinal snapper
Etelis oculatus*
Queen snapper*
Lutjanus synagris
Lane snapper
Lutjanus analis*
Mutton snapper*
SU4
Lutjanus jocu
Lutjanus apodus
Dog snapper
Schoolmaster
SU5
Ocyurus chrysurus
Yellowtail snapper
SU6
Lutjanus cyanopterus
Cubera snapper
SU1
SU2
Lutjanidae -- Snappers
SU3
* Indicator species (draft)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs (Puerto Rico...)
Family or Class
Stock/Stock Complexes
GU1
Species Name
Epinephelus striatus
Common Name
Nassau Grouper
GU2
Epinephelus itajara
Goliath grouper
Epinephelus guttatus*
Red hind*
Epinephelus adscensionis
Rock hind
Cephalopholis cruentata
Graysby
Cephalopholis fulva*
Coney*
Mycteroperca bonaci
Epinephelus morio
Mycteroperca tigris
Black grouper
Red grouper
Tiger grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowfin grouper
Mycteroperca interstitialis
Yellowmouth grouper
Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
Yellowedge grouper
Hyporthodus mystacinus
Misty grouper
GU3A
GU3
Serranidae -- Groupers
GU4
GU5
Parrotfish 1
Scaridae -- Parrotfishes
Parrotfish 2
Acanthuridae -- Surgeonfishes
Surgeonfish
Balistidae -- Triggerfishes
Triggerfish
Scarus coeruleus
Blue parrotfish
Scarus coelestinus
Midnight parrotfish
Scarus guacamaia
Rainbow parrotfish
Scarus vetula
Queen parrotfish
Scarus taeniopterus
Princess parrotfish
Sparisoma chrysopterum
Redtail parrotfish
Sparisoma viride
Stoplight parrotfish
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
Redband parrotfish
Scarus iseri
Striped parrotfish
Acanthurus coeruleus
Blue tang
Acanthurus tractus
Ocean surgeonfish
Acanthurus chirurgus
Doctorfish
Canthidermis sufflamen
Ocean triggerfish
Balistes vetula*
Queen triggerfish*
U.S. Balistes
Department ofcapriscus
Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| NOAA Fisheries
Gray triggerfish
| Page 8
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs (PUERTO RICO)
Family or Class
Labridae -- Wrasses
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Wrasse 1
Wrasse 2
Species Name
Common Name
Lachnolaimus maximus
Halichoeres radiatus
Bodianus rufus
Holacanthus ciliaris
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Pomacanthus paru
Hogfish
Puddingwife
Spanish hogfish
Queen angelfish
Gray angelfish
French angelfish
Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes
Angelfish
Sphyraenidae -- Barracudas
Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Great barracuda
Lobotidae -- Tripletail
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
Tripletail
Manta birostris
Manta
Spot Eagle
Aetobatus narinari
Spotted eagle ray (chucho)
Sting ray
Dasyatis americana
Sting ray
Grunts
Haemulon plumieri
White grunt
JU1
Caranx hippos
Crevalle jack
JU2
Alectis ciliaris
African pompano
JU3
Elagatis bipinnulata
Rainbow runner
Dorado
Coryphaena hippurus*
Coryphaena equiselis
Dolphin*
Pompano dolphin
Tuna 1
Euthynnus alletteratus
Little tunny
Tuna 2
Thunnus atlanticus
Blackfin tuna
K01
Scomberomorus cavalla
King mackerel
K02
Scomberomorus regalis
Cero
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Wahoo
Manta
Myliobatidae -- Eagle and Manta
Haemulidae -- Grunts
Carangidae -- Jacks
Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish
Scombridae -- Mackerels and tunas
Classs Holothuroidea -Sea Cucumbers
Class Echinoidea -Sea Urchins
All Corals (soft, hard, mesophotic, deep-water)
Cucumbers
Urchins
All (several families and sps) Sea cucumbers
All (several families and sps) Sea urchins
U.S. Department ofSeveral
Commercefamilies
| Nationaland
Oceanic
and Atmospheric
Administration
Corals
species
Corals
| NOAA Fisheries | Page 9
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST.CROIX
Family or Class
Strombidae -- True conchs
Palinuridae -- Spiny lobster
Stock/Stock Complexes Species Name
Queen Conch
Spiny Lobster
Common Name
Lobatus (Strombus) gigas
Panulirus argus
Queen conch
Caribbean spiny lobster
Apsilus dentatus
Black snapper
Lutjanus buccanella
Blackfin snapper
Lutjanus vivanus
Silk snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Etelis oculatus
Vermilion snapper
Queen snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Gray snapper
Lutjanus synagris
Lane snapper
SU4
Lutjanus analis
Mutton snapper
SU5
Lutjanus apodus
Schoolmaster
SU6
Ocyurus chrysurus
Yellowtail snapper
GU1
Epinephelus striatus
Nassau Grouper
GU2
Epinephelus itajara
Goliath grouper
Cephalopholis fulva
Cephalopholis cruentata
Epinephelus guttatus
Coney
Graysby
Red hind
Epinephelus adscensionis
Rock hind
Mycteroperca bonaci
Black grouper
Epinephelus morio
Red grouper
Mycteroperca tigris
Tiger grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowfin grouper
Hyporthodus mystacinus
Misty grouper
SU1
Lutjanidae -- Snappers
SU2
SU3
GU3
GU4
Serranidae -- Groupers
GU5
GU6
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. CROIX
Family or Class
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Species Name
Common Name
Scarus coeruleus
Scarus coelestinus
Scarus guacamaia
Scarus vetula
Scarus taeniopterus
Sparisoma chrysopterum
Sparisoma viride
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
Sparisoma rubripinne
Scarus iseri
Acanthurus coeruleus
Acanthurus tractus
Acanthurus chirurgus
Holacanthus ciliaris
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Pomacanthus paru
Haemulon sciurus
Haemulon plumieri
Blue parrotfish
Midnight parrotfish
Rainbow parrotfish
Queen parrotfish
Princess parrotfish
Redtail parrotfish
Stoplight parrotfish
Redband parrotfish
Redfin parrotfish
Striped parrotfish
Blue tang
Ocean surgeonfish
Doctorfish
Queen angelfish
Gray angelfish
French angelfish
Bluestriped grunt
White grunt
Holocentrus rufus
Longspine squirrelfish
Balistes vetula
Queen triggerfish
Coryphaena hippurus
Dolphin
Acanthocybium solandri
Wahoo
Cucumbers
All (several families and sps.)
Sea cucumbers
Urchins
All (several families and sps.)
Sea urchins
Corals
Several families and sps.
Corals
Parrotfish 1
Scaridae -- Parrotfishes
Parrotfish 2
Acanthuridae -- Surgeonfishes
Surgeonfish
Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes
Angelfish
Haemulidae -- Grunts
Grunt U 1
Holocentridae -- Squirrelfish
Balistidae -- Triggerfish
Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish
Scombridae -- Mackerels and tunas
Class Holothuroidea –
Sea Cucumbers
Class Echinoidea -- Sea Urchins
All Corals (soft, hard, mesophotic, deepwater)
Squirrelfish
Queen
Triggerfish
Dolphin
Wahoo
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 11
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST.THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Family
Strombidae -True conchs
Palinuridae -Spiny lobster
Lutjanidae -Snappers
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Scientific Name
Common Name
Queen Conch
Lobatus (Strombus) gigas
Queen conch
Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Caribbean spiny lobster
SU1
Apsilus dentatus
Lutjanus buccanella
Lutjanus vivanus
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Black snapper
Blackfin snapper
Silk snapper
Vermilion snapper
SU2
Etelis oculatus
Queen snapper
SU4
Lutjanus synagris
Lutjanus analis
Ocyurus chrysurus
Lane snapper
Mutton snapper
Yellowtail snapper
GU1
Epinephelus striatus
Nassau Grouper
GU2
Epinephelus itajara
Cephalopholis fulva
Epinephelus guttatus
Mycteroperca bonaci
Epinephelus morio
Mycteroperca tigris
Goliath grouper
Coney
Red hind grouper
Black grouper
Red grouper
Tiger grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowfin grouper
Mycteroperca interstitialis
Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
Hyporthodus mystacinus
Yellowmouth grouper
Yellowedge grouper
Misty grouper
SU3
GU3
Serranidae -Groupers
GU4
GU5
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 12
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
(Continue) Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Family
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Scientific Name
Common Name
Scarus coeruleus
Blue parrotfish
Scarus coelestinus
Midnight parrotfish
Scarus guacamaia
Scarus vetula
Scarus taeniopterus
Sparisoma chrysopterum
Sparisoma viride
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
Scarus iseri
Sparisoma rubripinne
Rainbow parrotfish
Queen parrotfish
Princess parrotfish
Redtail parrotfish
Stoplight parrotfish
Redband parrotfish
Striped parrotfish
Redfin parrotfish
Grunts 1
Haemulon plumieri
Haemulon sciurus
White grunt
Bluestriped grunt
Grunts 2
Haemulon album
Margate
Calamus bajonado
Calamus pennatula
Jolthead porgy
Pluma
Calamus penna
Sheepshead porgy
Archosargus rhomboidalis
Sea bream
Caranx crysos
Blue runner
Parrotfish 1
Scaridae -- Parrotfishes
Parrotfish 2
Haemulidae -- Grunts
Sparidae -- Porgies
Carangidae -- Jacks
Porgies
Jacks 1
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 13
Action 2: Establish stocks or stock complexes in each of the (STT, STX, PR) FMPs
(Continue) Alternative 3. (DRAFT) – Recommendations from SSC and DAPs for ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN
Family
Acanthuridae -Surgeonfishes
Labridae -- Wrasses
Pomacanthidae -- Angelfishes
Balistidae -- Triggerfishes
Coryphaenidae -- Dolphin fish
Scombridae -- Mackerels and
tunas
Classs Holothuroidea -Sea Cucumbers
Class Echinoidea -Sea Urchins
All Corals (soft, hard,
mesophotic, deep-water)
Stock/Stock
Complexes
Scientific Name
Common Name
Surgeonfishes
Acanthurus coeruleus
Acanthurus tractus
Acanthurus chirurgus
Blue tang
Ocean surgeonfish
Doctorfish
Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus
Hogfish
Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Queen angelfish
Gray angelfish
Pomacanthus paru
French angelfish
Balistes vetula
Queen triggerfish (Old Wife)
Dolphin
Coryphaena hippurus
Dolphin
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Wahoo
Queen triggerfish
Cucumbers
Urchins
Corals
All (several families and
species)
All (several families and
species)
Sea cucumbers
Sea urchins
Several families and species Corals
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 14
Action 3: Define Management Reference Points for Stocks/Stock
complexes in each of the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John and St Croix
FMPs (*UNDER DEVELOPMENT)
(DRAFT) Action 3(A): Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule for
Stocks/Stocks Complexes in the X Island FMP.
Alternative 1. No action. Retain the specification of an ABC control rule by the methods
used in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments, as applicable (varies per
Island). For those species not previously managed in federal waters of X Island, no ABC
control rule is established.
Alternative 2. The OFL and ABC will be set by the Council’s SSC on an ad hoc basis for
each stock/stock complex.
Alternative 3. For a stock/stock complex in the X Island FMP, adopt the ABC Control
Rule described in Table X.
See Flowchart
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 15
(DRAFT)
Action 3A
Flowchart
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 16
Action 3(B): Annual Catch Limits for Stocks/Stocks Complexes in the X Island FMP.
Things to Consider
• Council establishes management uncertainty
• Optimum Yield (OY) = the amount of fish which will provide the greatest overall benefit
to the Nation, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities,
and taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems.
• OY was set as = ACL in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments
•
The AM Triggers Amendment is based on the relationship between the ACL and OY.
DRAFT Alternatives (TBD*)
Alternative 1. The ACL would be derived by the methods used in the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean
ACL Amendments, as applicable. For species not previously managed in federal waters, no ACL is
determined.
Alternative 2. For a stock/stock complex in the X Island FMP, determine the ACL based on the
formula in one of the sub-alternatives below and the ABC established in Action 3(A).
Sub-Alternatives 2a -2x. ACL = ABC x buffer
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 17
Action 3(B)(ii): Annual Catch Limit Allocation and Management (Puerto Rico FMP
only)
Separation of recreational and commercial sectors
Alternative 1. No action. Do not specify sector-specific ACLs.
Alternative 2. Specify separate commercial and recreational ACLs
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 18
Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for
Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
EFH: "those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding,
feeding or growth to maturity.”
• Identification and Description of EFH must occur for any new species added to the
FMPs and any existing designations removed for species not included in the islandbased FMPs.
Alternative 1. No action. Do not describe and identify EFH for species not previously managed in
federal waters of X Island.
Alternative 2. Describe and identify EFH according to functional relationships between life history
stages of federally-managed species and X Island marine and estuarine habitats.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 19
Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed
in Federal Waters of X Island
Alternative 3. Use other method(s) to describe and identify EFH for species not previously
managed in federal waters of X Island. The March 2004 Final EIS for the Generic EFH
Amendment explored a number of concepts that could be used depending on data availability.
Some of these methods for describing EFH include:
1) Designating EFH based on distribution data (distribution of habitat types, fish species and
fishing effort) (Level 1 data – surveys of presence/absence; simple habitat/species
associations).
2) Designating EFH based on habitat-related densities of the species (EFH would be defined as
the area where the density or relative abundance of a species life stage is above a threshold
level) (Level 2 – Survey/fishery related CPUE as proxy for density; or spatial modeling of
probability of occurrence, or other forms of habitat suitability models).
3) Using spatial data to designate EFH (Level 2 - would use spatially explicit, qualitative or
quantitative information that link fish distributions and habitat to describe and identify EFH).
(Continues on next slide)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 20
Action 4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for Species Not Previously Managed
in Federal Waters of X Island
4) Habitat suitability models (uses habitat suitability modeling prepared by NOS to infer
information about species distribution, and possibly relative density (i.e. assuming that
habitats with a higher suitability support greater abundances of a species life stage).
5) Designating EFH based on data on growth, reproduction, or survival rates within habitats
(obtained from tagging data (growth), fecundity data by area).
6) Designating EFH based on production rates by habitat.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 21
Action 5: Framework Procedures for each of the Island-Based FMPs
• The purpose of the framework is to allow the Council to more expeditiously adjust
reference points and management measures in response to changing fishery
conditions (usually takes less time than an amendment)
Alternative 1. No action. Do not modify the existing framework procedure for
implementing management measures in the X Island FMP.
Alternative 2. Adopt the base Framework Procedure listed in Table X.
Alternative 3. Adopt the more broad Framework Procedure listed in Table Y.
Alternative 4. Adopt the more narrow Framework Procedure listed in Table Z.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 22
Types of Framework Procedures
Open frameworks address issues where there is more policy discretion in selecting among
various management options developed to address an identified management issue, such as
changing a size limit to reduce harvest. Takes less time than an amendment to an FMP.
Example: Changing the commercial quota for queen conch in STX in 2013 (Regulatory
Amendment 2 to the Queen Conch FMP).
Alternative 2 (base) has two types of open frameworks:
Types of Open Frameworks
Abbreviated Framework
Can be used for routine or insignificant changes
Standard Framework
Regulatory changes that do not qualify as routine or
insignificant.
Request is made with letter or memo from the Council
to the RA with supporting analyses (biological, social,
Requires a completed framework document with
economic)
supporting analyses
If RA concurs and approves action, it will be
implemented through publication of FR Notice.
Council to specify the list of Actions that can be taken under each Framework (set thresholds of what
can be done under each, for example, bag limit change of 1 fish (Abbreviated)
Closed Frameworks address much more specific factual circumstances, where the
FMP and implementing regulations identify specific action to be taken in the event of
specific facts occurring, such as closing a sector of a fishery after their quota has been
harvested.
 The action’s ecological, economic, and social impacts have already been
described in the analyses prepared when the framework measure was adopted.
These actions are taken by “rule-related notices”
Example: AM-based closures in 2016 fishing year when an ACL has been
exceeded. Federal Register Notice announcing the closures.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 24
Action 5: Framework Procedures - Summary comparison of draft alternatives
Alternative 2 (base)
Alternative 3 (broad)
Alternative 4 (narrow)
Types of
Framework
(FMW)
Processes
-
- Open
- Closed
- Open
- Closed
When can
open
framework be
used
-
New stock assessment or other comparable scientific
information.
New info or circumstances
When changes are required to comply with applicable
law or court order.
Abbreviated FMW can be used for minor or insignificant
changes. Standard framework for all other allowed changes.
In response to any additional
information or changed
circumstances.
Only when there is a new
assessment.
Actions that
can be taken
-
Abbreviated Open FMW can be used for actions that
are considered minor and insignificant
- Open FMW can only be used for
specific listed actions.
-
Standard Open FMW. Used for all others. List of actions
that can be taken under Abbv. And Standard Open
FMW are given.
-
Closed FMW can be used for a specific list of actions.
- Open FMW can be used for a
representative list of actions, plus
other measures deemed
appropriate by the Council.
- Closed FMW can be used for a
specific list of actions, plus any
other immediate actions
specified in the regulations.
Open abbreviated (Abbv.)
Open Standard
Closed
- Closed FMW can be used for a
specific list of actions.
Public Input
Requires public discussion in at least one Council meeting.
Requires public discussion at one
Council meeting
Requires public discussion during at
least three Council meetings, and
discussion at separate public
hearings within the areas most
affected by the proposed measures.
APs/SSC
participation
The Council may convene its SSC or an AP(s), as
appropriate
Convening the SSC or an AP(s)
prior to final action is not required.
The Council shall convene its SSC
and an AP(s).
How is a
request of
action made
- Abbv. requires a letter or memo from the Council with
supporting analyses
- Standard requires a completed FMW document with
supporting analyses.
Via letter, memo, or the completed
FMW document with supporting
analyses.
Via letter, memo, or the completed
FMW document with supporting
analyses.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 25
Summary/Status of Draft Actions and Alternatives
Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS)
for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 1 - Determine Species to be Included for Management in the X Island FMP
* Preliminary Preferred – Alternative 2
Action 2 - Establish Stocks or Stock Complexes in the X Island FMP
* Final draft groupings recommended by SSC and DAPs.
- Indicator species for some groups?
Action 3 - Management Reference Points
* Preliminary Preferred – Alternative 3 for all islands/species:
Use ABC Control Rule (ABC CR) recommended by SSC
- Action 3 sub-actions and alternatives will be modified based on the ABC CR (see flowchart)
- New sub-action to allocate harvest between commercial and recreational sectors (Puerto
Rico only)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 26
Summary of Draft Actions and Alternatives
DEIS’s for the Island-Based FMPs
Action 4 - Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Description and Identification for
Species Not Previously Managed in Federal Waters of X Island
* Alternatives: methods previously evaluated/used for rest of managed sps.
Action 5 - Framework Procedures for the X Island FMP
* Four alternatives modified from Gulf/SA/Caribbean Councils framework
procedures.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 27
Next steps:
• IPT continues developing the draft alternatives and effects analyses
to include on each of the DEIS for each island management area.
• IPT incorporates recommendations from July SSC meeting on Action
3 (Management Reference Points) into first versions of DEIS’s
• Council reviews the draft alternatives and provides input at the August
2017 Meeting.
• The preferred alternative for each Action will become the
management measure that will be included in the respective FMP.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 28
IBFMP Draft Timeline (Updated 4/2017)
December 2016
February 2-6, 2017
Reviewed DRAFT Actions and Alternatives; Goals and Objectives
Council Meeting from PR, STT/STJ, STX; Action 3 guidance; Next steps
Finalized Action 1 species selection. Discussed Action 2 groupings.
Scheduled new SSC Meeting for April 2017 to finalize Action 2 and
SSC Meeting
Action 3
Reviewed and Commented on Actions and Alternatives-emphasis
groupings . Meanwhile, staff continued development of DRAFT
FMPs Public Hearing Drafts and DEIS’s
Finalized Action 2 groupings.
Finalized Action 3 year sequences for Puerto Rico.
Scheduled new SSC Meeting for July 2017 to finalize Action 3.
March 7-8, 2017
DAP Meetings
April 3-7, 2017
SSC Meeting
April 18-19, 2017
Council Meeting SSC preliminary outcomes; DAP input
Spring/Summer
IPT
Continue development of DEIS’s with info available
July 10-14, 2017
SSC Meeting
Finalize Action 3 for all island management areas
Summer 2017
IPT
August 15-16, 2017
Continue development of DEIS’s with information from SSC mtg.
Review outcomes of July SSC Meeting; Review first draft of DEIS’s;
Council Meeting Choose Preferred Alts*
Fall 2017
IPT
Dec 13-14, 2017
Finalize FMPs PHDs and DEIS’s for December Council Meeting
Council reviews FMPs PHDs and DEIS’s (if no changes needed
Council Meeting approve for public hearings and DEIS’s publication)
Winter 2018
Staff
Spring 2018
Council Meeting Council votes to submit FMPs for Secretarial approval
Publish DEIS’s for public comment. Hold Public Hearings
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 30
Additional Slides
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 31
*Action 5: Framework Procedures (DRAFT)
• Allows a class of actions to be undertaken pursuant to procedures described under the
particular Island-Based FMP without requiring an amendment to the underlying FMP.
Thus management actions can be adjusted within the scope and criteria established by
the FMP and implementing regulations, which differs from revising management
measures through a lengthier amendment to the FMP.
• In this action, framework measures are intended to describe future management
actions, which would be implemented within a range as defined and analyzed in the
FMPs and associated analyses. If the action proposed does not fall within the scope of
the FMP, then the FMP must be amended and framework actions cannot be used.
• Management measures that could be adjusted through framework amendments include
quotas adjustments, closures, bag/trip limits, gear rules, and reference point
modifications.
• The purpose of the framework is to allow the Council to more expeditiously adjust
reference points and management measures in response to changing fishery conditions
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 32