Staff Presentation
4. Scallops - June 21-23, 2016 #1
Jonathon Peros Council Staff
Council Meeting June 22, 2016 Portland, ME 1
Council Action 1. Approve Scallop Research Set-Aside
Priorities for 2017 and 2018 2. Update Council’s Scallop Research Set-Aside Policy 3. Initiate Scallop Framework 28 Committee Recommendations identified for each item NEFSC Update on Federal Scallop Survey and HabCam4 2
Scallop RSA Background Scallop RSA program began in 1999 Evolved over time but overall 1.25 million pounds set-
aside each year to fund research projects ($10-$15 mil) About 10-15 projects are funded annually to about 5-10 different organizations At least biennially the Council recommends the research priorities that are used in the funding announcement
3
Research Topics by Allocated Dollars (2010-2016) Parasite/Infection Survey/Habitat 3% 3% Discard/ Inc. Mortality 6% Biology 6%
Survey 39%
Ecosystem/ Habitat 6%
Turtle 8%
Bycatch 29%
Grand Total 39.17% 29.00% 7.75%
Research Topic Survey Bycatch Turtle Ecosystem/ Habitat 6.20% Biology 6.10% Discard/ Inc. Mortality 5.41% Survey/Habitat 3.27% Parasite/Infection 3.11% Grand Total 100.00%
4
2016 Awards – Announced April 7, 2016 By Research Topic 10%
Biology
15%
Bycatch 17%
Survey 27%
6%
Turtle Survey/Habitat
25%
Parasite/Infection
Fifteen projects, $15,589,853 awarded
Doc #2a 5
2016 RSA Surveys Doc #2a
Map Credit: NMFS CRP
6
2017 RSA Surveys Doc #2a
Map Credit: NMFS CRP
7
#1 – Scallop RSA Priorities Doc #2a – Staff Memo re: Scallop RSA program Doc #2b – Scallop Committee Recommendations for Priorities Doc #10 – Correspondence
Recent Meetings: “RSA Share Day” – Joint PDT/AP Meeting (May 4 – Doc #6) PDT Conference Call (May 25 – Doc #7) Advisory Panel and Committee Meetings (June 7/8 – Doc #7/8) Committee: Supports PDT and AP Recommendations (Consensus Statement #1, Motion #2)
8
#1 – RSA Priorities: Recommendations for 2017/2018 HIGHEST: Intensive Access Area Surveys of 1) Elephant Trunk and 2) Closed Area II and surrounds Intensive Survey of Closed Area I “sliver” Continue resource wide surveys of Georges Bank and Mid-Atlantic HIGH: Bycatch research (small scallops, non-target species) Scallop Meat Quality research
Doc #2a and #2b 9
#1 – Recommendations for 2017/2018 MEDIUM: Non-harvest mortality of scallops Loggerhead turtle research Research to evaluate scallop spat and seeding projects OTHER: Updates to Habitat Characterization Research Environmental Stressors Research on LPUE projections Other Resource Surveys to expand/enhance coverage Doc #2a and #2b 10
#2 – Council’s Scallop RSA Policy Document #2c Developed in 2014 – Add transparency, describe process Overall, RSA Process coordinated by NEFMC and NEFSC Council sets priorities (June); NMFS solicits proposals; applications submitted through GRANTS.GOV; Technical reviews; management review panel meeting (relevant Council, AP, PDT, NEFSC staff, and other individuals); finally NEFSC Director makes final decision since that is a requirement of the NOAA Grants process.
11
#2 - RSA Review Process: New for 2016 Separate technical panel convened to review survey proposals 5 technical experts reviewed all survey proposals (2 NMFS and 3
non-federal scientists) Two meetings: one about process and review of survey methods peer review and a second to discuss each proposal No consensus – individual comments are submitted by each reviewer Rationale: in the past high variance between reviewers, difficult to compare similar scores, request from Council to share peer review results with reviewers, difficult to find 90 individual reviewers each year – more efficient) Initial input: higher level of technical review, more consistent, NEFSC hopes to use in the future again 12
#2 - Council’s Scallop RSA Policy Operations Handbook (p. 71 - 72) Looking to broaden description of review processes
Committee: No Objections to modified policy
Additional details about RSA process and program provided
in 2017 FFO and a NEW FAQ document Doc #2c 13
Questions?
14
Council Meeting June 22, 2016 Portland, ME 15
#3 - FW28 Timeline June 2016 - Initiate Action July through Oct – Development and analysis of measures November 2016 – Final Action January 2017 – Proposed Rule out for Public Comment April 2017 – Expected Implementation Doc #3 16
#3 - FW28: Potential Measures 1. Specifications 2. Restrict possession of shell stock inshore of the DAS
Demarcation Line north of 42° 20’ N (NGOM) 3. Modifications to the process for setting scallop fishery annual catch limits (ACL Flowchart) 4. Potential Modifications to GB Access Areas 5. Dredge Modifications to Protect Small Scallops Committee: No Objections to this ranking at June meeting Docs #3, #4, #5 17
1. Specifications FY2017 and Default measures
for FY2018 ABC/ACLs Access area allocations General Category IFQ LA DAS allocations TAC for NGOM Set-asides
Allocations more complex this year: Interplay with GB AA measures, ACL flowchart, NGOM TAC 18
2. Possession of Shell Stock Inshore of DAS Demarcation Line (NGOM) Doc. #4 Council added priority in April Provision exists in the fishery
42°20′ N
south to 42°20′ N Measure would expand existing prohibition throughout the range of the fishery
19
3. ACL Flowchart Doc #5 Two issues: Disconnect between catch limits and allocations
ACLs are based on total biomass in all areas (>40mm) Allocations only include adult biomass in area available to fishery
Potential management uncertainty introduced in past
actions
Initial alternatives developed by PDT AP and Committee provided input in March and June More work planned to refine alternatives this summer 20
4. Modifications to GB Access Areas Access to areas for
scallop fishery post OHA2 final rule requires Council action FW28 - Focus on expanding Closed Area 1 – Include “sliver” Modifications to other potential access areas in later action Closed Area I focus supported by the Advisory Panel and Committee 21
5. Dredge Modifications to Protect Small Scallops Important Issue
1.5:1 Hanging Ratio (2 mesh per ring alternating with 1 mesh per ring = 1.5 ratio overall)
Additional research is
needed Should Remain a Council Priority for 2017
Maximum of five rows of rings in Apron
Committee Motion #3: Not develop in FW 28 Source: Goff, K. D. 2002. Ring diameter and closed area scallop fisheries. Masters thesis, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. (Note: labels and colors added to original figure). Insert figure of hanging ratio courtesy of Coonamessett Farm Foundation.
22
Modify Yellowtail Flounder Accountability Measures (AMs) Scallop Committee Motion #4
NEW Priority for 2016 Modify AMs: time/area closures to reflect gear restrictions Limited Access, LAGC IFQ Dredge & Trawl Fleets AMs not triggered for either GB or SNE/MA yellowtail Transfer of GB and SNE/MA YT to Groundfish Fishery in
FY2015 (GB = 7.9mt, SNE/MA = 22.3mt) FY2016: Increase in GB yellowtail scallop sub-ACL (+4 mt) Decrease in SNE/MA yellowtail scallop sub-ACL (-34 mt)
23
Modify Yellowtail Flounder Accountability Measures Staff Input (requested in Committee Motion #4): FY2016 scallop catch of YT sub-ACL through May: GB YT – 4.9% (2mt), SNE/MA YT – 29.5% (9.4mt)
NEW for 2016, Involves Scallop and Groundfish PDTs Full plate for 2016 already Analysis heavy alternative Northern Windowpane scallop sub-ACL being considered Scallop AM would need to follow (next Framework)
Important issue – Include in 2017 priority setting with Northern Windowpane AM development 24
Questions?
25
Jonathon Peros Council Staff
Council Meeting June 22, 2016 Portland, ME 1
Council Action 1. Approve Scallop Research Set-Aside
Priorities for 2017 and 2018 2. Update Council’s Scallop Research Set-Aside Policy 3. Initiate Scallop Framework 28 Committee Recommendations identified for each item NEFSC Update on Federal Scallop Survey and HabCam4 2
Scallop RSA Background Scallop RSA program began in 1999 Evolved over time but overall 1.25 million pounds set-
aside each year to fund research projects ($10-$15 mil) About 10-15 projects are funded annually to about 5-10 different organizations At least biennially the Council recommends the research priorities that are used in the funding announcement
3
Research Topics by Allocated Dollars (2010-2016) Parasite/Infection Survey/Habitat 3% 3% Discard/ Inc. Mortality 6% Biology 6%
Survey 39%
Ecosystem/ Habitat 6%
Turtle 8%
Bycatch 29%
Grand Total 39.17% 29.00% 7.75%
Research Topic Survey Bycatch Turtle Ecosystem/ Habitat 6.20% Biology 6.10% Discard/ Inc. Mortality 5.41% Survey/Habitat 3.27% Parasite/Infection 3.11% Grand Total 100.00%
4
2016 Awards – Announced April 7, 2016 By Research Topic 10%
Biology
15%
Bycatch 17%
Survey 27%
6%
Turtle Survey/Habitat
25%
Parasite/Infection
Fifteen projects, $15,589,853 awarded
Doc #2a 5
2016 RSA Surveys Doc #2a
Map Credit: NMFS CRP
6
2017 RSA Surveys Doc #2a
Map Credit: NMFS CRP
7
#1 – Scallop RSA Priorities Doc #2a – Staff Memo re: Scallop RSA program Doc #2b – Scallop Committee Recommendations for Priorities Doc #10 – Correspondence
Recent Meetings: “RSA Share Day” – Joint PDT/AP Meeting (May 4 – Doc #6) PDT Conference Call (May 25 – Doc #7) Advisory Panel and Committee Meetings (June 7/8 – Doc #7/8) Committee: Supports PDT and AP Recommendations (Consensus Statement #1, Motion #2)
8
#1 – RSA Priorities: Recommendations for 2017/2018 HIGHEST: Intensive Access Area Surveys of 1) Elephant Trunk and 2) Closed Area II and surrounds Intensive Survey of Closed Area I “sliver” Continue resource wide surveys of Georges Bank and Mid-Atlantic HIGH: Bycatch research (small scallops, non-target species) Scallop Meat Quality research
Doc #2a and #2b 9
#1 – Recommendations for 2017/2018 MEDIUM: Non-harvest mortality of scallops Loggerhead turtle research Research to evaluate scallop spat and seeding projects OTHER: Updates to Habitat Characterization Research Environmental Stressors Research on LPUE projections Other Resource Surveys to expand/enhance coverage Doc #2a and #2b 10
#2 – Council’s Scallop RSA Policy Document #2c Developed in 2014 – Add transparency, describe process Overall, RSA Process coordinated by NEFMC and NEFSC Council sets priorities (June); NMFS solicits proposals; applications submitted through GRANTS.GOV; Technical reviews; management review panel meeting (relevant Council, AP, PDT, NEFSC staff, and other individuals); finally NEFSC Director makes final decision since that is a requirement of the NOAA Grants process.
11
#2 - RSA Review Process: New for 2016 Separate technical panel convened to review survey proposals 5 technical experts reviewed all survey proposals (2 NMFS and 3
non-federal scientists) Two meetings: one about process and review of survey methods peer review and a second to discuss each proposal No consensus – individual comments are submitted by each reviewer Rationale: in the past high variance between reviewers, difficult to compare similar scores, request from Council to share peer review results with reviewers, difficult to find 90 individual reviewers each year – more efficient) Initial input: higher level of technical review, more consistent, NEFSC hopes to use in the future again 12
#2 - Council’s Scallop RSA Policy Operations Handbook (p. 71 - 72) Looking to broaden description of review processes
Committee: No Objections to modified policy
Additional details about RSA process and program provided
in 2017 FFO and a NEW FAQ document Doc #2c 13
Questions?
14
Council Meeting June 22, 2016 Portland, ME 15
#3 - FW28 Timeline June 2016 - Initiate Action July through Oct – Development and analysis of measures November 2016 – Final Action January 2017 – Proposed Rule out for Public Comment April 2017 – Expected Implementation Doc #3 16
#3 - FW28: Potential Measures 1. Specifications 2. Restrict possession of shell stock inshore of the DAS
Demarcation Line north of 42° 20’ N (NGOM) 3. Modifications to the process for setting scallop fishery annual catch limits (ACL Flowchart) 4. Potential Modifications to GB Access Areas 5. Dredge Modifications to Protect Small Scallops Committee: No Objections to this ranking at June meeting Docs #3, #4, #5 17
1. Specifications FY2017 and Default measures
for FY2018 ABC/ACLs Access area allocations General Category IFQ LA DAS allocations TAC for NGOM Set-asides
Allocations more complex this year: Interplay with GB AA measures, ACL flowchart, NGOM TAC 18
2. Possession of Shell Stock Inshore of DAS Demarcation Line (NGOM) Doc. #4 Council added priority in April Provision exists in the fishery
42°20′ N
south to 42°20′ N Measure would expand existing prohibition throughout the range of the fishery
19
3. ACL Flowchart Doc #5 Two issues: Disconnect between catch limits and allocations
ACLs are based on total biomass in all areas (>40mm) Allocations only include adult biomass in area available to fishery
Potential management uncertainty introduced in past
actions
Initial alternatives developed by PDT AP and Committee provided input in March and June More work planned to refine alternatives this summer 20
4. Modifications to GB Access Areas Access to areas for
scallop fishery post OHA2 final rule requires Council action FW28 - Focus on expanding Closed Area 1 – Include “sliver” Modifications to other potential access areas in later action Closed Area I focus supported by the Advisory Panel and Committee 21
5. Dredge Modifications to Protect Small Scallops Important Issue
1.5:1 Hanging Ratio (2 mesh per ring alternating with 1 mesh per ring = 1.5 ratio overall)
Additional research is
needed Should Remain a Council Priority for 2017
Maximum of five rows of rings in Apron
Committee Motion #3: Not develop in FW 28 Source: Goff, K. D. 2002. Ring diameter and closed area scallop fisheries. Masters thesis, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. (Note: labels and colors added to original figure). Insert figure of hanging ratio courtesy of Coonamessett Farm Foundation.
22
Modify Yellowtail Flounder Accountability Measures (AMs) Scallop Committee Motion #4
NEW Priority for 2016 Modify AMs: time/area closures to reflect gear restrictions Limited Access, LAGC IFQ Dredge & Trawl Fleets AMs not triggered for either GB or SNE/MA yellowtail Transfer of GB and SNE/MA YT to Groundfish Fishery in
FY2015 (GB = 7.9mt, SNE/MA = 22.3mt) FY2016: Increase in GB yellowtail scallop sub-ACL (+4 mt) Decrease in SNE/MA yellowtail scallop sub-ACL (-34 mt)
23
Modify Yellowtail Flounder Accountability Measures Staff Input (requested in Committee Motion #4): FY2016 scallop catch of YT sub-ACL through May: GB YT – 4.9% (2mt), SNE/MA YT – 29.5% (9.4mt)
NEW for 2016, Involves Scallop and Groundfish PDTs Full plate for 2016 already Analysis heavy alternative Northern Windowpane scallop sub-ACL being considered Scallop AM would need to follow (next Framework)
Important issue – Include in 2017 priority setting with Northern Windowpane AM development 24
Questions?
25
