June 23, 2009 — The Caribbean Fishery Management Council inched closer to finalizing plans to halt overfishing of 21 species this week, gathering suggestions from Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico fishermen on a complex menu of alternative approaches to meeting the new federal mandate. But the regulatory process is far from over, with a number of steps and many more hearings before actual catch restrictions are implemented.
A dozen or so representatives of Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico fishing associations attended the proceedings, with several taking to the microphone between the many presentations by biologists and fisheries experts to add their suggestions to the growing list of options under consideration.
"Don’t worry if there is something you don't like," said Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to the various commercial and recreational fishing groups, environmental groups and others attending the meeting at St. Croix's Carambola Beach Resort Tuesday. NOAA and the CFMC both operate under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which ultimately oversees the regulatory process.
Crabtree said all the suggestions that come out of this week's meetings and from perhaps "a couple more meetings between now and August," would be incorporated into a menu of options the council would consider for the final draft plan.
"That is really how I see this going; we're not really going to be at the point of decision until December," he said.
Once the council has produced a "final" document, there will be more public hearings both in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, said Miguel Rolón, CFMC's executive director. After those hearings, a final fishery management plan will be submitted to Commerce, which will then begin drafting regulations based on that plan.
Through the new Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act, the federal government mandates that annual fish catch limits or other fishing limitations be in place by 2010 to prevent a fisheries collapse and ensure long-term sustainability. The law directs regional regulatory bodies under the Department of Commerce such as the CFMC to put together plans, with public input, that meet the federal requirements.
Queen conch, several species of grouper, snapper and a spectrum of parrotfish species are all on the table for new or more restrictive catch limits or other conservation mechanisms. The council is compiling alternatives that range from no action to adding additional areas to those already closed during spawning seasons. Other alternatives include reducing the fishing season and increasing the size of closed areas.
For more information on the council's proposed alternatives, visit caribbeanfmc.com. You can submit comments about the proposals by email to the council at: miguel_Rolón_cfmc@yahoo.com. Or send your written questions or comments to:
Miguel A. Rolón
US Department of Commerce
Caribbean Fishery Management Council
268 Muñoz Rivera Ave., Suite 1108
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918-1920
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