Gulf Coast Fisherman

January 4, 2008 (MASGP-08-001-01)

AN ADVISORY FOR GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH FISHERMEN

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) expects to complete the implementation of new management measures for the commercial and recreational reef fish fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico during 2008.  In October, NOAA Fisheries proposed new requirements for fishermen to use non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with natural baits, and to have a dehooking device and a venting tool onboard their vessel.  Dehooking devices are commonly available at fishing tackle outlets, or may be made by the fishermen.  As proposed, the hook removal device would be required to be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. That would require the dehooking end to be blunt, and all edges rounded.  The device would have to be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the reef fish fishery.  At least one venting tool would be needed onboard to deflate the swim bladders of reef fish that fishermen intend to release.  This tool would need to be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. Use of a tool such as a knife or an ice-pick would not be permissible.  For best results, the venting tool should be inserted into the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches behind the base of the pectoral fin.  The tool should be inserted just deep enough to release the gases, so that the fish may be released with minimum damage.

The intent of these requirements is to reduce discard mortality when releasing fish.  These new measures are part of a recent amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico developed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.  NOAA Fisheries Service announced the availability of this amendment for public comment on July 26, 2007, and accepted comments on the amendment through September 24, 2007.  NOAA Fisheries Service partially approved Amendment 27 on October 19, 2007, including these measures to reduce discard mortality when releasing fish. NOAA Fisheries Service published a proposed rule to implement the measures in Amendment 27 on October 23, 2007, and accepted comments on the proposed rule through December 7, 2007.  A final rule implementing the approved portions of Amendment 27 is expected to be published in early 2008, and to be effective in the 2008 fishing year.

CHANGES TO GULF REEF FISH VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM (VMS) AND RED SNAPPER INDIVIDUAL FISHING QUOTA (IFQ) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) is publishing a final rule revising the VMS reporting requirements and power-down exemptions for the Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery.  In addition, the rule provides new options for fishermen in the red snapper IFQ fishery to provide their 3-hour advanced landing notification.  The final rule has an effective date of January 26, 2007.

Currently, all owner/operators of vessels with a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef  fish are required to have an operating VMS unit onboard. This includes charter vessels and headboats with a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, even when under charter.  This program was implemented through Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico.  Requirements for this commercial reef fish VMS program include a provision for the VMS unit to send a position report to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) once an hour, 24 hours a day.  An unintended consequence of this action is a vessel, while in port, can have its battery drained unless hooked up to an external power source.  This is because some VMS units draw more power than anticipated.

The final rule provides measures to rectify these issues which include:

(1) An in-port exemption allowing a VMS unit to send a position report once every four hours, rather than every hour.
(2) Expansion of the power-down exemption to include a vessel that is “in port” for 72 consecutive hours or more.
(3) A more logical explanation of how owners/operators of qualified vessels can apply for and obtain a VMS power-down exemption.

Power-down exemptions will apply to any vessel continuously out of the water or in port for more than 72 consecutive hours. The vessel owner must obtain a valid letter of exemption from the OLE VMS program office and comply with all conditions and requirements of that letter, and a copy of the letter of exemption must be on the vessel with their permit at all times. Prior to the power down, the owner or operator of the vessel must file a report to OLE VMS program personnel via the VMS unit’s e-mail, that includes the name of the person filing the report, vessel name, vessel U.S. Coast Guard documentation number or state registration number, commercial vessel reef fish permit number, vessel port location during VMS power down, estimated duration of the power down exemption, and reason for power down. The owner or operator enters the power-down code through the use of the VMS Declaration form on the terminal and receives an e-mail confirmation of the power-down authorization from OLE.

Contact information for OLE is:
NOAA Fisheries Service
Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Phone: (800) 758-4833; Fax: (727) 824-5318

Amendment 26 to the Reef Fish FMP established the red snapper IFQ program.  A part of this program requires the owner or operator of a vessel landing IFQ red snapper to notify OLE of the time, location of landing, and name of the IFQ dealer where the red snapper are received.  This notification must occur by telephone 3 to 12 hours in advance of landing in the IFQ program. However, reliance on a telephone-based notification method has proven to be impractical in some circumstances (e.g., where cell phone range is inadequate).  Thus, in addition to reporting via telephone, IFQ participants will now be able to report a three-hour notification of landing through their VMS unit, or by completing an electronic form available on the Southeast Regional Office's IFQ Web site (http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/).

SEA GRANT TO HOLD MARINE RESEARCH PLANNING WORKSHOPS

The Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant College Programs are planning a series of workshops in Gulf states to discuss priorities for a regional marine research plan.  The Sea Grant programs are collaborating with federal, state, university, non-governmental and other groups to identify research priorities for the Gulf.  A synthesis of more than 115 strategic plans and about 1,500 research survey responses already have contributed to the planning effort.

GCRL FISHERIES WORKSHOP

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs will host a Workshop on Mississippi’s Marine Fisheries, Thursday, January 24, 2008 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Caylor Auditorium.

GCRL scientists will provide information on some of the ongoing programs related to speckled trout, tripletail, sharks, and federal management issues.  Coastal anglers will find these presentations particularly useful.  There will be door prizes, refreshments and awards for top local taggers.  For more information, contact Read Hendon by phone 228-872-4202.

Sincerely,


Dave Burrage

Marine Resources Specialist
MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center