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Gulf Council Motions: January 24-25, 2007 Point Clear, Alabama
This document contains the full chronology of motions made at the full Council session of the Gulf Council , including failed, substituted, and amended motions. Budget Motion: Table the state liaison funding issue until the March meeting, until actual 2007 funding is determined. Motion carried with no objection Data Collection Motion: that the Council begin an amendment to develop a trip ticket reporting requirement for the for-hire sector of the Gulf of Mexico Motion carried with no objection Motion: That the Council supports the Federal registration of recreational anglers in the EEZ as required in the MSFCMA, and by letter will advise Dr. Hgoarth and Dr. Crabtree of its position on this issue. Motion carried with no objection Joint Reef Fish/Shrimp Reef Fish Amendment 27/Shrimp Amendment 14 Motion: Action 1: add an Alternative 4 that would have a TAC of 3.0 mp Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 1: add an Alternative 5 that would set TAC at zero for a two year period (2008 and 2009). Motion failed by voice vote Motion: Action 1: The preferred alternative be Alternative 3 (5.0 mp TAC) 2 fish bag limit with the preferred suboption Option a: 16-inch minimum size limit and June 1 – September 15 recreational fishing season (107 days) Amendment: preferred suboption: 14-inch minimum size limit and June 1 – August 15 recreational fishing season (76 days) Amendment: to add a suboption for a 14-inch minimum size limit and June 1 – August 15 recreational fishing season (76 days); and to not have a preferred suboption for Action 1, alternative 3 Amendment carried Motion as amended: Action 1: The preferred alternative be Alternative 3 (5.0 mp TAC) 2 fish bag limit; add a new suboption for a 14-inch minimum size limit and June 1 – August 15 recreational fishing season (76 days); and to not have a preferred suboption Motion as amended carried by voice vote Motion: modify Alternative 2 of Action 2: Assume a 5% reduction in post-hurricane fishing effort and landings when evaluating alternative TACs in Action 1. Motion: to table the motion until a compiled report is completed Motion to table carried with no objection Motion: Action 3, For hire captain and crew bag limit – The preferred alternative be Alternative 2: the red snapper bag limit for captain(s) and crew of for-hire vessels is zero Motion carried with no objection Substitute Motion: Action 3, For hire captain and crew bag limit – The preferred alternative be Alternative 1 – no action – the captain(s) and crew of a for-hire vessel may retain the same daily bag limit of red snapper as allowed for each passenger. Substitute motion failed on voice vote Motion: Action 4, that the preferred alternative be Alternative 2 – Reduce the minimum size limit in the commercial red snapper fishery to 13-inches TL. Motion carried with one opposed Motion: Action 1 Alternative 3, to add a suboption e. for a 13-inch minimum size limit for the recreational fishery June 1 through July 31 fishing season (61 days) Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 5 – the preferred alternative be Alternative 2c – require the use of non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait in the harvest of red snapper from the EEZ, and require the use of venting tools and dehooking devices when harvesting red snapper from the EEZ Amendment: Action 5 – add a suboption d: – require the use of: non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait in the harvest of reef fish from the EEZ; and require the use of NMFS approved venting tools and dehooking devices when harvesting all reef fish from the EEZ Amendment carried with no objection Motion as amended: Action 5 – the preferred alternative be Alternative 2d - d: – require the use of: non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait in the harvest of reef fish from the EEZ; and require the use of NMFS approved venting tools and dehooking devices when harvesting all reef fish from the EEZ Motion as amended carried with no objection Motion: substitute actions 5, 6 & 7 from the NMFS DEIS (Tab E, No. 10) for actions 6 & 7 that are in the current draft (August 2006) of Amendment 14/27 (Tab E, No. 5). Motion carried with no objection Motion: Suboptions: Action 7, Preferred Alternative 2: A: SEFSC provide an annual report to the Council on the assessment of shrimp effort yearly for the 10-30 fathom area in the western Gulf (zones 13-21) B: shrimp effort assessment team of scientists do an assessment of shrimp effort yearly for the 10-30 fathom area in the western Gulf (zones 13-21) Amendment: to expand the range from zones 10 to 21 Amendment carried by hand vote Motion as amended: Suboptions: Action 7, Preferred Alternative 2: A: SEFSC provide an annual report to the Council on the assessment of shrimp effort yearly for the 10-30 fathom area in the Gulf (zones 10-21) B: shrimp effort assessment team of scientists do an assessment of shrimp effort yearly for the 10-30 fathom area in the Gulf (zones 10-21) Motion as amended carried with no objection Motion: Suboptions: Action 7, Preferred Alternative 2, add two new suboptions: Option c. SEFSC will do an annual assessment of the previous year’s shrimp effort for 10-30 fathom area in the western Gulf (zones 10-21) and determine the duration of the closure in statistical areas 13-17 and report this to the Regional Administrator for administrative action. Option d. A shrimp effort assessment team of scientists will do an annual assessment of the previous year’s shrimp effort for the 10-30 fathom area in the western Gulf (zones 10-21) and determine the duration of the closure in statistical areas 13-17 and report this to Gulf Council and then the Council will report to the Regional Administrator for administrative action. Revised Motion: Suboptions: Action 7 (Tab E, No. 10), Preferred Alternative 2, add two new suboptions: A: SEFSC provide an annual report to the Council on the assessment of shrimp effort yearly for the 10-30 fathom area in the Gulf (zones 10-21) B: SEFSC will do an annual assessment of the previous year’s shrimp effort for 10-30 fathom area in the Gulf (zones 10-21) and determine the duration of the closure and report this to the Regional Administrator for administrative action. Revised Motion carried with no objection Motion: The Preferred Alternative for Action 7 (Tab E, No. 10) be: Alternative 2 without a suboption preference indicated: Establish a framework procedure to adjust the effort target and closed season for the shrimp fishery in the Gulf within the scope of alternatives identified in Action 6. Motion carried with no objection Motion: the Preferred Alternative be Modified Alternative 3: Establish a target reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper to be 74 percent less than the benchmark years of 2001-2003. Motion carried with no objection Motion: to add an alternative to Action 5 to establish a target reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper to be 60 percent less than the benchmark years of 2001-2003. Motion carried with no objection Motion: The preferred alternative be Modified Alternative 3: Establish a target reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper to be 74 percent less than the benchmark years of 2001-2003. Motion carried by a vote 8 to 7 with two abstentions Substitute Motion: There be no preferred alternative for Action 5 Substitute motion failed due to tie roll call vote (Dr. Crabtree abstained) Motion: Action 6 (EIS, Tab, E, No. 10), the Preferred Alternative be: Alternative 2: Establish a seasonal closure in the 10-30 fathom zone off Louisiana in the western Gulf of Mexico in conjunction with the closure of the EEZ off Texas. Annually evaluate the level of effort and associated red snapper reduction, and adjust the duration of the closure, as necessary, in accordance with the framework outlined in Action 7. Amendment: adjust the area closure Amendment carried Motion as amended: Action 6 (EIS, Tab, E, No. 10), the Preferred Alternative be: Alternative 2: Establish a seasonal closure in the 10-30 fathom zone off Louisiana in the western Gulf of Mexico in conjunction with the closure of the EEZ off Texas. Annually evaluate the level of effort and associated red snapper reduction, and adjust the duration and area of the closure, as necessary, in accordance with the framework outlined in Action 7. Amendment: insert “on the same start date as” Amendment carried Motion as amended: Action 6 (EIS, Tab, E, No. 10), the Preferred Alternative be: Alternative 2: Establish a seasonal closure in the 10-30 fathom zone off Louisiana in the western Gulf of Mexico on the same start date as the closure of the EEZ off Texas. Annually evaluate the level of effort and associated red snapper reduction, and adjust the duration and area of the closure, as necessary, in accordance with the framework outlined in Action 7. Amendment: to remove “off Louisiana” Amendment carried Motion as amended: Action 6 (EIS, Tab, E, No. 10), the Preferred Alternative be: Alternative 2: Establish a seasonal closure in the 10-30 fathom zone in the western Gulf of Mexico on the same start date as the closure of the EEZ off Texas. Annually evaluate the level of effort and associated red snapper reduction, and adjust the duration and area of the closure, as necessary, in accordance with the framework outlined in Action 7. Amendment: to remove “western” Amendment carried Motion as amended: Action 6 (EIS, Tab, E, No. 10), the Preferred Alternative be: Alternative 2: Establish a seasonal closure in the 10-30 fathom zone in the Gulf of Mexico on the same start date as the closure of the EEZ off Texas. Annually evaluate the level of effort and associated red snapper reduction, and adjust the duration and area of the closure, as necessary, in accordance with the framework outlined in Action 7. Motion as amended carried Motion: Public Hearing Locations for Reef Fish Amendment 27/Shrimp Amendment 14 for the April/May period Abbeville, LA Mobile, AL Chauvin, LA Pascagoula/Biloxi, MS Belle Chase/New Orleans, LA Orange Beach, AL Tampa, FL Destin, FL Ft. Myers, FL Brownsville, TX Aransas Pass/Corpus Christi, TX Palacios, TX Galveston, TX Motion carried by voice vote Motion: Form an Ad Hoc Recreational Red Snapper AP that would be charged with developing new ideas to manage the recreational/for-hire red snapper fishery and report back to the Council Motion carried by voice vote Motion: to request runs be completed to 40% reduction in mortality associated with discards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of circle hooks to request runs be completed to 10% reduction in mortality associated with discards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of venting tools to request runs be completed to 10% reduction in mortality associated with discards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of dehooking devices Amendment: total reduction of 50% mortality rate of circle hooks, venting tools, dehooking devices based on open and closed season Amendment carried Motion as amended: total reduction of 50% mortality rate of circle hooks, venting tools, dehooking devices based on open and closed season. To request runs be completed to 40% reduction in mortality associated with disacards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of circle hooks to request runs be completed to 10% reduction in mortality associated with disacards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of venting tools to request runs be completed to 10% reduction in mortality associated with disacards for the recreational Sector based on the requirement of dehooking devices Substitute motion: total reduction of 10% Amendment: Total reduction of 5% and 50% Amendment carried Substitute Motion as amended: to conduct runs based on total reduction of 5% and 50% mortality rate of circle hooks, venting tools, dehooking devices based on open and closed season of the recreational sector Substitute Motion: Request SEFSC to conduct runs based on total reduction of 5% and 10% mortality rate of circle hooks, venting tools, dehooking devices based on open and closed season of the recreational sector Substitute motion carried by voice vote Motion: To have the SEFSC give the Council presentations on the release mortality in relationship to depth of water and dolphin predation on fish in the Gulf Motion carried with no objection. Motion: To have Council ask NMFS to lower the TAC in the interim rule to 5 ½ mp Motion failed by a roll call vote of 5 to 9 Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel/Red Drum (Aquaculture) Motion: Action 1, Preferred Alternative be Alternative 2 – Require a NMFS permit to operate a marine aquaculture facility in the Gulf EEZ Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 2, that the Preferred Alternative be 2b – Aquaculture permits are effective for 10 years and the permits may be renewed in 5 year increments Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 3, the preferred alternative be Alternative 3a and 3b – Establish one or more of the following permit condition; a. obtain an assurance bond for the removal of aquaculture structures when an operation terminates. b. i. limit genetic impacts on wild Gulf Stocks ii. aquatic animal health management iii. collecting and spawning broodstock and rearing fingerlings iv. environmental monitoring Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 4 – the preferred alternative be alternative 4 – Allow the aquaculture of all marine species native to the Gulf of Mexico, except highly migratory species and prohibited species (Nassau grouper and goliath grouper) Amendment: to remove “and prohibited species (Nassau grouper and goliath grouper)” Amendment carried with one objection Motion as amended: Action 4 – the preferred alternative be alternative 4 – Allow the aquaculture of all marine species native to the Gulf of Mexico, except highly migratory species. Motion as amended carried with one objection Motion: Action 5 – Don’t have a preferred alternative; and add a new action that would develop alternatives to establish criteria or a framework procedure for approval of aquaculture systems Substitute motion: to add an additional alternative and have it be the preferred alternative: to have NOAA Fisheries evaluate each proposed aquaculture system on a case-by-case basis to ensure reliable offshore growing system technology is used to provide environmental safeguards Substitute motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 6, the preferred alternative be alternative 3 – do not establish marine aquaculture areas, but establish criteria for siting marine aquaculture facilities. Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 7, the preferred alternative be alternative 1 – no action (status quo). Do not restrict access around marine aquaculture facilities Motion carried with no objection Motion: Action 8, the preferred alternative be alternative 2 – Establish one or more of the following reporting and recordkeeping requirements for aquaculture permits…(listed on page 37 of the Jan. version) Motion carried with no objection Motion: Public Hearing sites for Aquaculture Amendment: Tampa, FL Panama City, FL Orange Beach, AL Biloxi/Pascagoula, MS New Orleans, LA Galveston, TX Corpus Christi, TX Motion carried with no objection Mackerel Motion: To approve Draft Mackerel Amendment 18 for public hearings. Motion carried with no objection Reef Fish Regulatory Amendment for Vermilion snapper: Motion: Alternative 2a be the preferred alternative – reduce the recreational and commercial size limit to 10-inches TL for vermilion snapper Amendment: to include Alternative 2c as a preferred alternative – eliminate the April 22 through May 31 commercial closed season for vermilion snapper Amendment carried by voice vote Motion as amended : Alternative 2a and 2c be the preferred alternative – reduce the recreational and commercial size limit to 10-inches TL for vermilion snapper; and to include Alternative 2c as a preferred alternative – eliminate the April 22 through May 31 commercial closed season for vermilion snapper Substitute Motion: All of Alternative 2 be the preferred alternative Substitute motion carried by voice vote Motion: to submit the regulatory amendment for vermilion snapper to the Secretary for implementation Motion carried by roll call vote of 15 to 2 Amendment 30 (gag, amberjack, triggerfish, and grouper): Motion: that Council convene the SSC to review the discussion of MSY and MFMT and MSST, possibly in conjunction with the March meeting Motion carried with no objection Motion: Add Alternative 4 to Action 3 of the scoping document to close the shallow water grouper fishery when the aggregate quota is reached. Motion carried with no objection Motion: To add a 1 fish bag limit under Action 4. Motion carried with no objection Motion: Move Alternatives 4 and 5 under Action 5 to the considered but rejected section Motion carried with no objection Motion: Have staff address triggerfish in Amendment 30 with better action items regarding fishing in regional areas, rather than Gulf-wide Motion: Request NMFS to review how the geographic scope of the fishery would affect the assessment. Motion carried with 2 objections. Motion: Scoping hearing locations for Amendment 30 - Naples/Southwest FL - Tampa/ Madeira Beach, FL - Panama City, FL - Orange Beach, AL - New Orleans, LA - Galveston, TX - Pascagoula/Biloxi, MS Motion carried with no objection Red Snapper ITQ Program Motion: Regarding Red Snapper ITQ regulations: The Council’s intent for landing was when the vessel arrived at the dock Motion carried with no objection Shrimp Motion: to support the continuation of the Cooperative Texas Closure for 2007 throughout the EEZ off Texas to the 200-mile limit Motion carried with no objection Motion: To endorse the expanded use of government funded Electronic Logbooks to enhance the annual shrimp fishing effort assessment process Motion carried with no objection SSC Selection Motion: to appoint a select committee of SSC members to monitor the activities and progress of the Design and Analysis Group and report periodically to the Council. Elbert Whorton Albert Jones Luiz Barbieri George Guillen Motion Carried
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