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