atlantic large whale take reduction plan proposed rule mid-atlantic council meeting august 15, 2013
TRANSCRIPT
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
Proposed Rule
Mid-Atlantic Council Meeting
August 15, 2013
ALWTRP RevisionsPurpose and Need
Serious injury and mortality of large whales (including highly endangered right whales) remains too high
Proposed changes would strengthen current measures designed to protect large whales under MMPA
Large whales continue to be entangled in vertical lines (pot/trap and gill net gear)
ALWTRP
DEIS contains six alternatives Primary purpose is to reduce the
number of vertical lines in the ocean
Improve gear marking
Northeast Measures
Increase in number of pots/traps per trawl (vertical line reduction)
Seasonal closures for pot/trap fisheries in areas surrounding Cape Cod Bay, Jordan Basin, and Jeffrey’s Ledge
Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries
Mid-Atlantic Measures
Continue monitoring and increase outreach to improve compliance with ALWTRP
Request that state partners provide annual gear characterization reports (effort monitoring)
Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries
Southeast Measures
Set maximum breaking strength of weak links (600 #) and buoy lines (2200 #)
Establish new pot/trap management area based on current GN areas
One buoy line/trap (no multiple trap trawls)
Gear must be returned to shore at termination of trip (Fed waters)
Southeast Measures cont.
Gear must be returned to shore at termination of trip (Fed waters)
Require sinking buoy lines (except where line attaches to buoy) and must be free of objects
Increase size and frequency of current gear marking scheme for pot/trap and gill net fisheries
Public Comment Deadlines
DEIS - by September 13, 2013 Proposed Rule – September 16, 2013 Comments received verbally at public
hearings FAX – 978-281-9394 Mail
Public Comment
Comments received verbally at public hearings (16)
FAX – 978-281-9394 Mail : Mary Colligan, NMFS (55
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 09130) Email: [email protected]
Remaining Public Hearings
Gloucester, MA August 19th, 6-9 pm NOAA Regional Office55 Great Republic Dr
Portsmouth, NH August 20th, 5-8 pm Urban Forestry Center27 Elwyn Road
Wilmington, NC August 26th , 5:30- 7:30 pm New Hanover Public Main Library201 Chestnut St
Virginia Beach, VA August 27th, 6-9 pm Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library4100 VA Beach Blvd
Manahawkin, NJ August 28th, 6-9 pm Stafford Township Hall260 E. Bay Ave.
Ormond Beach, FL September 9th, 4:30-6:30 pm Ormond Beach Public Library30 S Beach St.
Jacksonville, FL September 10th, 5-7 pm Port Authority2831 Talleyrand Avenue
Brunswick, GA September 11th, 5-7 pm Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources1 Conservation Way
Charleston, SC September 12th, 5-7 pm SCDNR Marine Resources Research Institute217 Ft. Johnson Rd
