pacific coast groundfish bycatch management for protected species implementing noaa fisheries’...
TRANSCRIPT
Pacific Coast Groundfish Bycatch Management for Protected SpeciesImplementing NOAA Fisheries’ Biological Opinion
West Coast Region
Alison Agness1, Steve Copps1, Jon McVeigh2, and Chuck Tracey3
1 NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region2 NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center3 Pacific Fishery Management Council Staff
November 12, 2013
BackgroundWhat is a Biological Opinion?• Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act requires federal
agencies to insure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in the adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat.
• Document which includes: (1) the opinion of Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries
regarding the above; (2) a summary of the information on which the opinion is based; and (3) a detailed discussion of the effects of the action on listed species or
designated critical habitat.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2
Background (Cont.)
NOAA Fisheries’ Biological Opinion
Lead: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region• Action: Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery• Issued: December 7, 2012• Affected Species: Green Sturgeon, Eulachon, Humpback Whales, Steller
Sea Lions Effect of delisting?, Leatherback Sea Turtles• Effects: Bycatch or entanglement in fishing gear; WA/OR/CA sablefish pot
fishery, specific to Humpback Whales • Incidental Take Authorized: 5-year average of 1 whale/yr and up to 3
whales in a single year• MMPA 101(a)(5)(e) Permit Issued: for incidental take of Humpback
Whales in WA/OR/CA sablefish pot fishery, issued September 4, 2013U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3
Background Cont.What are Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs), Terms and Conditions (T&Cs), and Conservation Recommendations?• “Reasonable and prudent measures” are nondiscretionary measures
to minimize the amount or extent of incidental take (50 CFR 402.02). “Terms and conditions” implement the reasonable and prudent measures (50 CFR 402.14). These must be carried out for the exemption in section 7(o)(2) to apply.
• “Conservation recommendations” are suggestions regarding discretionary measures to minimize or avoid adverse effects of a proposed action on listed species or critical habitat or regarding the development of information (50 CFR 402.02).
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4
Pacific Coast Groundfish RPMs and T&Cs
• Management Planning• Take Reporting• Take Monitoring• Species-Specific Measures• Mainly related to Observer Program biological
sampling
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5
_________________________________________
Implementing the RPMs and T&Cs
Management Planning – Lead: PFMC in Coordination with NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region
Develop a Pacific Coast Groundfish and Endangered Species Workgroup (PCGW) - ✓• Develop terms of reference - ✓• Identify membership - ✓• Convene on a biennial basis• first meeting TBD, end of 2013 or early 2014
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6
Implementing the RPMs and T&Cs (Cont.)
Take Reporting – Lead: Northwest Fisheries Science Center• Characterize changes in fishing effort• By gear type that may result from implementing IFQ
management program.• Report on biennial basis
• Update reporting of take• Fleet-wide take reporting on a biennial basis• Annual tracking of observed take (observer programs and
stranding networks)• Immediate notification (specific to whales and sea turtles)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7
Implementing the RPMs and T&Cs (Cont.)
Take Monitoring – Lead: Northwest Fisheries Science Center• Identify goals for minimum observer coverage levels to achieve fleet-
wide take estimates, and • Develop a plan for implementation• Not relevant to Humpback Whale entanglements
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 8
Species Fisheries SourceGreen Sturgeon
LE groundfish bottom trawl and at-sea hake fisheries
Al-Humaidhi et al. 2012
Eulachon LE groundfish bottom trawl and at-sea hake fisheries
Al-Humaidhi et al. 2012
Steller sea lions
LE groundfish bottom trawl and at-sea hake fisheries
Jannot et al. 2011
Leatherback sea turtles
Sablefish pot/trap fishery Jannot et al. 2011 and stranding records
Conservation Recommendations
Specific to Humpback Whales • Require or recommend unique, visual marking of sablefish
pot/trap gear as identifiable to a specific fishery (e.g., Crab v. Sablefish or OA/LE/Tribal?)
• Report, track and retrieve pot/trap gear that becomes lost.• Assess and promote use of available technology to
minimize loss of sablefish pot/trap gear.• Investigate the practice of storing sablefish pot/trap gear in
the ocean.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9
Questions?
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10