atlantic surfclam and ocean quahogs
DESCRIPTION
Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean quahogs. August 2013 Meeting. Recall. In June, two additional SC/OQ issues that came up at SSC meeting, were presented to Committee and Council Updating surfclam and ocean quahog BRPs How the OY range in FMPs related to ABC and catch limits. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean quahogs
August 2013 Meeting
Recall In June, two additional SC/OQ
issues that came up at SSC meeting, were presented to Committee and Council –Updating surfclam and ocean
quahog BRPs
–How the OY range in FMPs related to ABC and catch limits
Mechanism to Update BRPs
Quahog overfishing definition from SAW 48 (2009) has not been updated in FMP
5 years and not updated; not timely
Amendments are not the most efficient mechanism to update BRPs/stock status determination criteria in the FMP and keep them current
Mechanism to Update BRPs
Other FMPs have incorporated an improved approach (SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs since 2007)
Administrative mechanism added to the FMP that enables these stock status determination criteria to be used by Council for specs. without additional action by Council or NMFS
Reduces the burden on staff (Council and NMFS) resources
Mechanism to Update BRPs
Completed as Framework for SFSCBSB and Dogfish FMPs
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP less flexible for Frameworks
Would need to be addressed through categorically excluded Amendment
Optimum Yield (OY) Range
OY range developed in FMP for both surfclams and quahogs in 1980s
Developed well before the Reauthorization
Limits Council flexibility to set recommendations outside of this range (higher or lower)
SSC is not limited as to how ABC can be set; Council cannot exceed ABC
OY Range NS1 Guidelines: "NMFS believes that
fisheries managers cannot consistently meet the requirements of the MSA to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing basis, OY [optimum yield] unless they address scientific and management uncertainty."
Sets up potential conflict w/ OY range
OY Range SSC sets upper bound on what OY range
can be and that changes w/ time (not fixed value)
Also confusion that range is in landings but OY (yield) typically given as catch
Staff recommend the Council consider the utility of this range under new catch limit system and how it fits with the SSC recommendations for ABC
OY Range In the list of Framework action for
the FMP
Could be completed as a categorically excluded or environmental assessment Framework
Staff Recommendations
Cost Recovery Amendment, also includes updates to quahog overfishing definition and EFH Updates
Been in the works for 5 years
Approaching point at which NEPA recommends rescoping
Staff Recommendations
Cost Recovery FMAT has not met in about 3 years
FMAT members may have other work priorities now
Amendment numbers have been overtaken, no longer 15; now Cost Recovery Amendment 17
Staff Recommendations
1) Include alternatives for the BRPs and the OY Range in Cost Recovery Amendment (Amendment 17).
2) Request new FMAT be formed for Amendment 17.
3) Rescope Amendment 17 to reacquaint the public with the intent of the action/timelines.