Caribbean Fishery Management Council148th Meeting

December 11-12 2013St. Thomas, USVI

Developing Compatible Regulations for Three Seasonally

Closed Areas off Puerto Rico: Abrir La Sierra Bank, Bajo de Sico,

and Tourmaline Bank

Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline Bank are under federal and territorial jurisdiction

Abrir La Sierra is under federal jurisdiction only

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

Bajo de Sico

Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Bajo de Sico. No anchoring allowed at Bajo de Sico.

FEDERAL WATERS: Fishing and possession of reef fish prohibited from 1 October to 31 March each year.

9 nm

9 nm

Tourmaline

Abrir La Sierra

FEDERAL WATERS: ALL FISHING PROHIBITED for all species from 1 December to 28 February each year.Anchor removal system required if anchoring.

Federal and State Waters: Prohibited use of traps, pots, nets and bottom longlines all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra.

State Waters: No anchoring allowed all year at Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra (all in EEZ).

Management Bajo de Sico Tourmaline Abrir La Sierra

Seasonal Area ClosureEEZ 1 Oct-30 March

(6 months)1 Dec – 28 Feb (3 months)

1 Dec – 28 Feb (3 months)

PR NONE NONE NONE

Gear BannedEEZ Traps, pots, bottom longlines and nets are prohibited

YEAR ROUNDPR

Species/gears managed during seasonal area

closure

EEZ Reef Fish ONLY ALL Fishing Prohibited (including pelagics, lobster, reef fish, queen conch)

PR NONE NONE NONE

Anchoring

EEZ Prohibited Allowed (retrieval system)

Allowed (retrieval system)

PR Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited (but all EEZ)

Seasonal Closures

EEZ Red hind (Dec-Feb); SU1 (Oct-Dec); GU4 (Feb-April); Mutton (Apr-Jun); Lane (Apr-Jun); QC (Jan-Dec)

PR Red hind (Dec-Feb); Silk/blackfin (Oct-Dec); yellowfin grouper (Feb-Apr); Mutton (Apr-May); QC (Aug-Oct)

Modify Length of Closed Season• 3 Months (December 1-End of February)

• Abrir La Sierra• Tourmaline Bank

• 6 Months (October 1-March 31)• Bajo de Sico

• 6 Months (December 1-May 30)

• 12 Months

• Other

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Abrir la Sierra

Bajo de Sico

Tourmaline Bank

Red, Black, Tiger, Yellowfin, Yellowedge Grouper

Mutton and Lane Snapper

Black, Blackfin, Vermilion, Silk Snapper

Red Hind

Federal Closures – Western Puerto Rico

• All Species* • Harvest (Abrir La Sierra and Tourmaline Bank)• Harvest and Possession

• Council-Managed Reef Fish• Harvest• Harvest and Possession (Bajo de Sico)

• Spiny Lobster• Harvest• Harvest and Possession

Prohibit Fishing Activities

* “All Species” includes Coastal Migratory Pelagic and Highly Migratory Species

Prohibit Anchoring

• No Anchoring Prohibitions• Abrir La Sierra• Tourmaline Bank

• Prohibited 3 Months (December 1-End of February)

• Prohibited 6 Months (October 1-March 31)

• Prohibited 6 Months (December 1-May 30)

• Prohibited 12 Months• Bajo de Sico

Prohibit Spearfishing

• No Spearfishing Prohibitions• Abrir La Sierra• Tourmaline Bank• Bajo de Sico

• Prohibited 3 Months (December 1-End of February)

• Prohibited 6 Months (October 1-March 31)

• Prohibited 6 Months (December 1-May 30)

• Prohibited 12 Months

Next Steps• This Meeting

• Review Outcomes of Scoping Hearings• Define Purpose and Need• Direct Staff to Develop Public Hearing Draft,

including Actions and Alternatives

• Before Next Meeting• Develop Public Hearing Draft

• Next Meeting• Approve for and Schedule Public Hearings

Comments Received (11-25-13)Abrir La Sierra Tourmaline Bajo de Sico

Seasonal Closure 3 months (6) 3 months (6) 6 months

Species to be managed Reef fish Reef fish Reef fish*

Prohibit fishing and possession

Reef fish Reef fish Reef fish

Prohibit anchoring No** No** No**

Prohibit spearfishing

No, allow spearfishing for pelagics and HMS

No, , allow spearfishing for pelagics andHMS No