179th CFMC Regular Meeting Documents (August 11-12,2022) by Caribbean Fishery Management Council

Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 140 / Friday, July 22, 2022 / Notices supported education, research, stewardship, and training programming across the He‘eia community. The reserve also installed and launched monitoring equipment across the ahupua‘a to monitor water quality and abiotic and biotic features and changes related to sea level rise and coastal inundation; completed needs assessments for education and training needs in He‘eia; and supported various graduate assistants, fellows, and research interns. The revised management plan, once approved, would serve as the guiding document for the 1,385-acre (5.6 square kilometers) research reserve for the next five years. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed approval of this draft revised management plan in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500 through 1508). The public is invited to comment on the draft revised management plan. NOAA will take these comments into consideration in deciding whether to approve the draft revised management plan in whole or in part.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

meeting will be held on August 11, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on August 12, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., AST. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, 7012 Boca de Cangrejos Avenue, Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979. You may join the 179th CFMC public hybrid meeting via Zoom, from a computer, tablet or smartphone by entering the following address: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83060 685915?pwd=VmVsc1orSUtKck8 xYk1XOXNDY1ErZz09 Meeting ID: 830 6068 5915 Passcode: 995658 One tap mobile +17879451488,,83060685915#,,,,,,0#,, 995658# Puerto Rico +17879667727,,83060685915#,,,,,,0#,, 995658# Puerto Rico Dial by your location +1 787 945 1488 Puerto Rico +1 787 966 7727 Puerto Rico +1 939 945 0244 Puerto Rico Meeting ID: 830 6068 5915 Passcode: 995658 In case there are problems and we cannot reconnect via Zoom, the meeting will continue using GoToMeeting. You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https:// global.gotomeeting.com/join/ 971749317. You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (408) 650–3123 Access Code: 971–749–317. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miguel A. Rolón, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 270 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918–1903, telephone: (787) 398–3717. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following items included in the tentative agenda will be discussed:

[RTID 0648–XC190]

August 11, 2022

Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

9 a.m.–10 a.m.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.; 15 CFR 921.33) Keelin S. Kuipers, Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2022–15709 Filed 7–21–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

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DATES: The 179th CFMC public hybrid

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public hybrid meeting (in-person/virtual hybrid). SUMMARY: The Caribbean Fishery

Management Council (CFMC) will hold the 179th public hybrid meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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10 a.m.–12 p.m. —Puerto Rico Spiny Lobster Accountability Measure (AM) Application Discussion—NOAA Fisheries

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—Island-based Fishery Management Plans ([IBFMPs]/Regulations and Amendments Update—Marı́a LópezMercer and Sarah Stephenson, NOAA Fisheries —Potential Actions for IBFMPs Amendments: —Federal Permits for CFMC Fisheries—Maria Lopez, NOAA Fisheries —Pelagic Species Management, Options Paper—Sarah Stephenson, NOAA Fisheries 12 p.m.–1 p.m. —Lunch 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. —Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Report—Richard Appeldoorn, SSC Chair —NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Update— Kevin McCarthy, NOAA Fisheries —Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Technical Advisory Panel (EBFM TAP) Report—Sennai Habtes, EBFMTAP Chair —Report on July 20, 2022, District Advisory Panels (DAPs) Meeting on Deep-Water Reef Fish Fishing— Marcos Hanke, CFMC, and DAP Chairs 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. —Descending Devices in Caribbean Fisheries—Marcos Hanke, CFMC —Nassau Grouper Kits —U.S.V.I. Fish Traps Reduction Plan and Possible Compatibility in EEZ— Carlos Farchette 3:30 p.m.–3:45 p.m. —Break 3:45 p.m.–4:30 p.m. —NOAA Fisheries Draft Strategy for Advancing Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ)—Heather Blough and Brent Stoffle, NOAA Fisheries —Public Comment Period (5-Minute Presentations) 4:30 p.m.

—Call to Order —Roll Call —Swearing in New Council Member —Election of Officials —Adoption of Agenda —Consideration of 178th Council Meeting Verbatim Transcriptions —Executive Director’s Report

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—Adjourn for the day 4:30 p.m.–5 p.m. —Closed Session August 12, 2022 9 a.m.–9:30 a.m. —Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) 18th Session Update—Laura Cimo, NOAA Fisheries —WECAFC Spawning Aggregations Working Group, Big Fish Campaign— Ana Salceda

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 140 / Friday, July 22, 2022 / Notices

9:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m. —NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Update—NOAA Fisheries/SERO Staff 9:45 a.m.–10:45 a.m. —Outreach and Education Report— Alida Ortiz, OEAP Chair —Social Media Report—Cristina Olán, CFMC 10:45 a.m.–11 a.m. —Break

Special Accommodations

11 a.m.–11:15 a.m. —Gliders, Sail Drones and Autonomous Oceanographic Observations in the U.S. Caribbean—Patricia Chardón, Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS) 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m. —Liaison Officers Reports (15 minutes each) —St. Croix, U.S.V.I.—Mavel Maldonado, —St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.— Nicole Greaux —Puerto Rico—Wilson Santiago 12 p.m.–1:30 p.m. —Lunch Break

[FR Doc. 2022–15642 Filed 7–21–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

2:30 p.m.–3 p.m. —CFMC Advisory Bodies Membership —Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest

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3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. —Other Business 3:30 p.m.–4 p.m. —Public Comment Period (5-Minute Presentations) —Next Meeting —Adjourn Note (1): Other than starting time and dates of the meetings, the established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. To further accommodate discussion and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the date established in this notice. Changes in the agenda will be posted to the CFMC website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as practicable. Note (2): Financial disclosure forms are available for inspection at this meeting, as per 50 CFR part 601.

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Simultaneous interpretation will be provided. For simultaneous interpretation English-Spanish-English follow your Zoom screen instructions. You will be asked which language you prefer when you join the meeting. For any additional information on this public virtual meeting, please contact Diana Martino, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 270 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918–1903, telephone: (787) 226–8849. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 18, 2022. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. —Enforcement Reports (15-minutes each): —Puerto Rico–DNER —USVI—DPNR —U.S. Coast Guard —NMFS/NOAA

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The order of business may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the completion of agenda items. The meeting will begin on August 11, 2022, at 9 a.m. AST, and will end on August 12, 2022 at 4 p.m. AST. Other than the start time on the first day of the meeting, interested parties should be aware that discussions may start earlier or later than indicated in the agenda, at the discretion of the Chair.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XC165]

Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR Webinar VII for SEDAR Procedural Workshop 8: Fishery Independent Index Development Under Changing Survey Design. SUMMARY: The SEDAR Procedural

Workshop 8 for Fishery Independent Index Development will consist of a series of webinars, and an in-person workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The SEDAR Procedural

Workshop 8 Webinar VII will be held on August 9, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern. ADDRESSES:

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Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Those interested in participating should contact Julie A. Neer at SEDAR (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to request an invitation providing webinar access information. Please request webinar invitations at least 24 hours in advance of each webinar. SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie

A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571– 4366; email: Julie.neer@safmc.net SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf

of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multistep process including: (1) Data Workshop; (2) Assessment Process utilizing webinars; and (3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report that compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report that describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, HMS Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO’s; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion in the webinar are as follows: Participants will discuss data analysis for the SEDAR Procedural Workshop 8.

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Table of Content 1

Table of Motions ..................................................... 3

Call to Order and Roll Call .......................................... 4

Adoption of Agenda ................................................... 5

4 5

Consideration of 176th and 177th Council Meetings Verbatim Transcriptions ....................................................... 6

Executive Director’s Report .......................................... 6

Outcomes of the Moored FADs Working Group Meeting—Rachel O’Malley ... 14

Questions/Comments ................................................ 16

IBFMP and Amendments Update ......................................... 22

Spiny Lobster OFL/ABC Update and Council’s Request to NOAA Fisheries 23

Questions/Comments ................................................ 25

Gear Amendment: Modification to Buoy Gear Status Update ............. 26

Questions/Comments ................................................ 27

14 15

Potential Actions for IBFMP Amendments—Trawling and Other Net Gear and Options Paper ....................................................... 40

Questions/Comments ................................................ 49

Pelagic Species Management Measures—White Paper ..................... 60

Questions/Comments ................................................ 64

EBFM TAP Report—Sennai Habtes, Chair ................................ 80

Questions/Comments ................................................ 85

Scientific and Statistical Committee Report—Richard Appeldoorn ...... 86

Questions/Comments ................................................ 96

Southeast Fisheries Science Center Updates—Kevin McCarthy ........... 98

Questions/Comments ............................................... 106

District Advisory Panel Chairs Report on March 2022 Meetings ....... 107

St. Thomas/St. John—Julian Magras, Chair ......................... 107

St. Croix—Edward Schuster, Chair ................................. 110

Puerto Rico—Nelson Crespo, Chair ................................. 111

Questions/Comments ............................................... 113

30 31

Identifying Critical Habitats of Juvenile Nassau Grouper in Puerto Rico—Evan Touhy .................................................... 117

Questions/Comments ............................................... 126

33 34 35

Understanding Essential Fish Habitat of Queen and Cardinal Snappers and Associated Fish Communities of the Deep-Water Snapper Fishery: From Fishers’ Knowledge to Scientific Language—Jorge García-Sais ... 133

Questions/Comments ............................................... 148

1 2

Squid fishing: New Opportunities in Deep Sea Fishing—Jannette RamosGarcía ............................................................. 155

3 4

Characterization of Prey Diversity of the Commercially-Important Queen Snapper— Stacey Williams/Diana Beltrán ............................. 158

Questions/Comments ............................................... 171

Microplastics in the Caribbean Study—Dalila Aldana ................. 174

Questions/Comments ............................................... 183

Recreational Fisheries Summit— Marcos Hanke/Carlos Farchette ....... 185

Questions/Comments ............................................... 186

Dolphin Fish Studies on FADs—Wessley Merten ........................ 187

Questions/Comments ............................................... 199

Outreach and Education Report— Alida Ortiz ......................... 203

Questions/Comments ............................................... 207

Social Media Report—Cristina Olán .................................. 208

Questions/Comments ............................................... 210

Liaison Officers Reports ........................................... 211

St. Thomas/St. John—Nicole Greaux ................................ 211

Puerto Rico—Wilson Santiago ...................................... 212

Questions/Comments ............................................... 215

Fisher-Scientist Concepts—Marcos Hanke ............................. 216

Questions/Comments ............................................... 227

Enforcement Reports ................................................ 233

Puerto Rico—DNER ................................................. 233

Questions/Comments ............................................. 234

NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement ......................... 235

Questions/Comments ............................................. 239

Other Business ..................................................... 244

Public Comments .................................................... 248

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Table of Motions PAGE 28: Motion to request the staff to develop a scoping white paper to amend the Saint Croix Fishery Management Plan to determine if it is feasible to allow persons to fish for and possess certain highly migratory and pelagic species from the red hind spawning aggregation seasonally closed area of Saint Croix. The closed area is defined in the current regulation at 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A). This area includes portions of Lang Bank. The motion carried on page 37. PAGE 57: Motion to request staff to move forward with the preparation of an amendment to each of the island-based FMPs to address trawl and net gear as discussed in the options paper presented at the April 2022 CFMC meeting. The motion carried on page 57.

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CARIBBEAN FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL 178TH REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING COURTYARD MARRIOTT ISLA VERDE, PUERTO RICO APRIL 19-20, 2023 The Caribbean Fishery Management Council convened on Tuesday morning, April 19, 2022, and was called to order at 8:15 a.m. by Chairman Marcos Hanke. Call to Order and Roll Call MARCOS HANKE: On today, April 19. We are going to start the meeting. It's 9:13 am. This is the 178th CFMC meeting. We are in Puerto Rico. We're going to start by opening this meeting and roll call is going to start from Cristina's side. My left. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: Staff. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Good morning. Cristina Olán, Council

Buenos días. Liajay Rivera, Council Staff.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER:

Graciela García-Moliner, Council Staff.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER:

María López, NOAA Fisheries.

CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Carlos Farchette, Council Member.

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: member.

Good morning. Jean-Pierre Oriol, Council

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Good morning. Tony Blanchard, Vice Chair. MARCOS HANKE:

Good morning. Marcos Hanke, Chair.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Miguel Rolón, Council Staff.

DIANA T. MARTINO:

Diana Martino, Council Staff.

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Good morning. Andy Strelcheck, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office. JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Good morning. Jocelyn D’Ambrosio, NOAA Office of General Counsel. KEVIN MCCARTHY: Good morning. Kevin McCarthy, Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 4

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NELSON CRESPO: Good morning, everyone. Nelson Crespo, DAP Chair of Puerto Rico. JULIAN MAGRAS: Morning, everyone. Julian Magras, DAP Chair Saint Thomas/Saint John. RICHARD APPELDOORN: HOWARD FORBES:

Good morning, Rich Appeldoorn, SSC Chair.

Good morning. Howard Forbes, DPNR Enforcement.

MANNY ANTONARAS: enforcement.

Morning. Manny Antonaras, NOAA Office of law

WILSON SANTIAGO:

Wilson Santiago, Puerto Rico Fisheries Liaison.

ORIAN TZADIK:

Orian Tzadik, PEW Charitable Trust.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

Iris Oliveras, Council Staff.

MARÍA DE LOS A. IRIZARRY: Staff. MARCOS HANKE: out? Liajay.

Good morning. María Irizarry, Council

Now the online people. Cristina, can you help me

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Okay. Online we have Aida Ortiz Sotomayor, Chelsea and Evan Tuohy, Edward Schuster, Gabriel J. Pecunia Malave, Helena Antoun, Jack McGovern, Jesús Rivera Hernández, John Walter, Julio Cotto, Laura Cimo, Nicole Greaux, Loren Remsberg, Maria Angeli Leon, Martha Prada, Michelle Duval, Michelle Schärer, Rachel Eckley, Rachel O'Malley, Sarah Stephenson, Stephanie Martínez Rivera, Vanessa Ramírez, and Wessley Merten. That is all on the list. Adoption of Agenda MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Liajay. We are going to go now for the adoption of the agenda. Any Council member can help me out on this. Adoption of the agenda. CARLOS FARCHETTE: as written.

Yes. Carlos Farchette, move to adopt the agenda

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Second.

MARCOS HANKE: Any comment? Any opposition? Everybody in agreement? 5

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Yes. Everybody in favor say aye. GROUP: Aye. Consideration of 176th and 177th Council Meetings Verbatim Transcriptions MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Consideration of the 176TH and 177TH Council meeting verbatim. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Motion to accept the 176th and 177th verbatim transcripts as written. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: MARCOS HANKE:

Second.

All in favor say aye.

GROUP: Aye. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Before the Executive Director report, I want to request everybody to speak loud and close to the mic in order for the participants, virtual participants, to hear as well and for the recording. And also, the meeting will end sharp at 12 because you have lunch for the people that are present because we need to be there sharp at 12:00 pm. Miguel, Executive report. Executive Director’s Report MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The first thing I would like to do is to read a letter from the record that we received, and-- Se oye ahora. Mira a ver. How about now? Okay. Sorry for that. Diana will read a letter for the record that was sent to us by the Office of International Fisheries Affairs, and we would like to include it-- no se está grabando. Si, el problema es la mascarilla. Okay. Hello. So, Diana will read the letter for the record. Okay. DIANA T. MARTINO: Okay. Dear Mr. Rolón, I am writing to express appreciation for the Council support for the work of the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission WECAFC, the advisory regional fisheries body responsible for promoting the effective conservation management and development of living marine resources in the wider Caribbean. 6

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At the 17th session of WECAFC, held in July 2019 with the Caribbean Council's support and guidance, the United States successfully proposed to expand the mandate of WECAFC's joint working group on flying fish in the Eastern Caribbean to incorporate dolphin fish and other pelagic species not managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. The dolphin fish stock is of great importance to the United States. Supporting active commercial and recreational fisheries throughout the Southeastern United States and wider Caribbean. As you are well aware ongoing U.S. efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important stock will only be realized through a meaningful collaboration with other nations that are effectively fishing in this shared stock. Under this wider mandate, the working group will continue to function in a technical and advisory capacity. This provides a platform for the United States to share its best available science and advance the interest of the U.S. fishermen in the sustainable fishery. Your active engagement on the part of the Council will be critical to the working group's success. Furthermore, I wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the Council in support of the WECAFC’s Joint working Group on queen conch and the organization's joint working group of spawning aggregations. The Council has supported the development of fishery management plans, training modules for assessment and management and communication and outreach tools to better manage these fishery resources of high economic and social value in the WECAFC convention area. I also wish to thank the Council for regularly hosting meetings of these subsidiary bodies to help monitor and advance progress. In closing, I commend the Council for its leadership and partnership in the work of WECAFC, and I look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in the future. Sincerely, Rogers Christop. That's it. MARCOS HANKE: Miguel.

Thank you, Diana. As part of the executive report.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Okay. I would like to take this opportunity to do something that I should have done a long time ago. Sometimes it's emotional, but anyway, bear with me. Somebody asked me one day whether I have a right hand at the office. Well, I feel like 7

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an octopus because I have many right hands. Today I want to recognize three of them. Boy, they going to kill me for this, but anyway. The first one is Iris Oliveras. Iris, will you please come over here? She didn't know. I told her that she was going to be here to tell people to use their face mask and just put a leg to them so they can fall if they don't have it. IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

Oh my God.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Well, Iris has been with us for a long time.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

25 years.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

25 years.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

This week.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: And the voice that most of you heard when we were before the pandemic. “Hello. Good morning. This is the Caribbean Council.” It was Iris. For that we are really appreciative of your effort. I appreciate all your work, your friendship. This is a reef in a bottle that [inaudible] for us. Today we want to honor you with the reef in the bottle. IRIS N. OLIVERAS: me.

Thank you. You got me surprised. You surprised

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Well, that’s the point.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS: This is beautiful. Even though it has been-Thank you, Miguel and everybody that was involved with this. Very pleased in remembering that this week it was my 25th work anniversary. It was like “really, that long. Oh, 25 years?” And then I started counting back my age when I came to the accounting, I said, okay. Okay. No, don't say it. No. No, I won't say anything. It has been beautiful days, rough days, and a lot of challenges. Not for me only, but for the rest of the Council, but everything became the way that it was supposed to be when we had some steps that, or things that happened, not, not necessarily inside the Councils, but everything was completed, accomplished and I'm very, very proud of being part of the Council. It is in my memory, the- It was meant to be, even though a lot of things happened with the pandemic and everything, whatever. I was supposed to be there, and I'm glad I am still there, and I'll be there for anybody that need anything, I'll be there. Just let me know. Just let Miguel know and we'll do our best to help on anything that we can. 8

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MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Thank you very much.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

Thank you. Thank you.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

The second one.

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

Sorry, sorry.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

The picture?

IRIS N. OLIVERAS:

Yeah, the picture.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Good. The second one has a face that whenever I'm about to make a mistake with the bunny, she looks at me and says, “don't say that; you cannot do it.” It's, Angie, you are not going to escape, so please come over here. Angie has been with us for a long time. Actually, she had a time for almost nine, ten years that she went to work for another people, but then we convinced her to come back. When she came back, we had a problem. Our fiscal officer had resigned at that time, and we had to close three years at a time. And for those you who know about numbers and grants, you know how difficult it is. I called her, and I said, “Can you do this?” And she said, “Are you crazy?” “No, I'm not. I'm desperate. Can you do it?” And she said, “yes.” And she has been with us since. How many years since that time? More than 11. More than 20 years you have been with us in and out. So, for that, we want to recognize you today with another reef in a bottle. So, the Council wants to recognize you for all your hard work for all these years, and I hope that you stay with us some more time. Unless, you get a lot of money, then you're excused. You want to say something? MARÍA DE LOS A. IRIZARRY: MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

She doesn't want to say anything, so—

MARÍA DE LOS A. IRIZARRY: MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: [applause]

No.

Just thank you.

Okay. So, like in the Oscars, we are set.

Yeah. Then, another person that keeps me out of trouble because she always kicks me in under the table. You don't see it, but she 9

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does it. Every time that I feel telling somebody what I think, they say, “Don't do that. You're the Executive Director. He's a sob, but you have to keep your cool.” So, I have been receiving a lot in this right leg here. We all know her because she's always working with the reservations, with the hotels. When something goes wrong, we call her. Diana Martino, we all know her. So, she's another one that’s going to say, “You don’t do that” pero-- Anyway, we want to recognize you too, for all these years working alongside with me and the rest of the gang, the staff, Council members. I used to go to fisher's meetings with Diana. I remember, I went to a meeting in Saint Thomas, and they said, “Is Diana coming.” “No.” “okay.” So, they left. So, I want Diana to come over here. These are made by a biologist who happens to also be an artisan in Puerto Rico, Mario Tacher. He and his wife are also professional, but they do this for us. At this time-- where are you? --We want to recognize all your years We have been together for 30 something. DIANA T. MARTINO:

36.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: 36 years. Well, myself, the Council, the staff, we want to recognize you at this time. I know that you hate this stuff. DIANA T. MARTINO:

Yeah, thank.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: But here it is. Don't drop it and say something. You can say something. DIANA T. MARTINO: You fooled me. [laughter] Because I'm the one who always gets this and then you put it all in one box. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Yep.

DIANA T. MARTINO: And he gave me the box. And I was like, “Wow. What a big one.” Anyway, thank you, Miguel. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

You’re welcome. You deserve it. [applause]

Yeah. We need pictures for Alida’s report. Okay. And it's a cliche, but I say, last but not least. But at this time, we want to recognize one person that I met a long time ago, and that person is always the same, you know, in front of you, in the back of you, is always the same. He knows the fishery 10

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back and forth. I mean, like the back of his hand. He has been one of the best Council members we have ever had here. This is his last official meeting of the Council, unless we have one between here and August 10th. His last Chair and executive director meeting will be in May and it's Tony Blanchard. Tony has been, as I said, you know, one of the best Council members we have ever had. He always defended the fishery or defended the fishers. Even though they might be from Puerto Rico, he always sticks his neck out for them. He's the only one who has sat next to the RA, one time that Roy Crabtree challenged him to sit next to him because he was talking about things that Roy should have. [crosstalk] he put it there. Then after that, Roy told me, don't ever let me do that again. In a personal capacity. I'm a dog lover. He's a dog lover. More than me. We have kind of a special bond there. Today you are not going to escape without a reef in the bottle that we have for you today. These are fish in Saint Thomas. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: It is? I don’t remember us having manatees though. [laughter] MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Please. Marcos,

Marcos wanted to say something at this time.

MARCOS HANKE: Good morning, everyone. I want to say and address Tony, but I want to take an opportunity also to recognize everybody else that was here, Angie, Iris and Diana. With the guidance of Miguel as a team, they have a good atmosphere and a productive environment at the Council. As a Chairman and Council member for many years thank you to all of them for all their support. Now, Tony. Tony and I have a very productive relationship because I really appreciate, once we can agree and disagree, keep the communication and this is what the Council is about. The relationship that Tony and I have is of mutual respect. We have been very sincere to each other, and he teaches me a lot of things. I thank you for that and I thank you for your honesty and for pulling my ear sometimes and making me think a little deeper about things. This is what a good Council member does. It is not just the knowledge that you bring to the table; it is the other personal aspects that you bring to the table that are unique and special. Thank you very much, Tony. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Appreciate it. [applause] 11

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Okay. Well touching on this with Roy. Me and Roy bumped heads a lot of times back and forth, back and forth. He'll tell you. But I think Roy respects me because I was a man at held my ground and I can tell him I don't back off for anything unless I believe I'm wrong or you could prove me wrong. Like I said, I don't follow a weaker man than me down the road. I would follow somebody strangle, which I don't find too much of them, but if we go along the same road, you have to have me buy into it and believe that we are doing the right thing. When I came on the Council years ago, I came out with the intention of looking out for the fishery, the best I could manage it. Looking out for the fishers, the communities, because to me it is all about the fishery. And the fishery cannot be excluding the fishermen and the other user groups. You're tourists, so on and so forth. This all a big-- it's like a puzzle that you're trying to manage. I believe when I walked in the door, I walked in not compromising myself, and I believe I could walk out without doing so. I believe I was straightforward. We didn't always agree. But then, at the end of the day, you didn't bring me here to agree to anything. You bring me here to manage. And me and Rich bumped heads a few times, but I respect him coming from a different angle. It was a learning experience for me. I learned a lot of things. I learned about the ins and outs of how fisheries are managed. I wasn’t always right, but I will be the first one, when I realize I'm not right to tell you, “Listen, I was wrong.” So, at the end of the day, I believe I came in with a plan. I succeeded the best I could with what I had in front of me, and I will leave and leave the torch for somebody else to carry. I'm just hoping that they do as good a job, that they take the fishers, the communities, the fishery into consideration like I did. I can say at the end of the day, the way I walked in the door is the way we leave. Head high, walking in and out. When I am in a place, nobody has to doubt that. I am there. They know I’m there. Just by my presence they know I’m there. So, like I said, I wasn’t always right, but I'm willing to concede to be wrong, but show me that I am wrong first. And like I say, it was a good experience. I mean, for me, for the most part, it was a good experience. Some of it was a little back and forth. Like I said, I didn't agree with some things, but we didn't always agree. But show me where I am wrong first and then I'll agree with you.

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So, at the end of the day, I appreciate the time I was here. I actually lasted longer than I thought, because, in my opinion, sitting in this position, you have to have political ties and I don't have that. I don't fall to anybody. You understand? I believe you're going to put me here to do a job. That's why you signed on for. Whether I agree with you or I don't agree with you, I agree to do that job and that's what I think I have done. So, like I said, I will leave carrying my shield, like I walked in carrying it. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

And I appreciate the time. [applause]

Come on Marcos. We can’t do this without the Chair. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you everyone for being part of this special moment. Miguel, go ahead. ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah, I just wanted to thank Tony as well. I know the commitment it takes to serve on the Fishery Management Councils and the time it takes away from your business, from fishing, from other activities, your family. So, I know it's not an easy commitment and at the fishery service, we certainly appreciate everyone's time that is spent, obviously, in these meetings and helping us to manage the nation's fisheries. I laughed obviously when you talked about Roy, but Roy does send his regards and appreciates your time and work on the Council. And you're exactly right, you didn't always agree with him, but we always respected you for your input and your views, and it helped us be a better agency and a better Council for that. So, thank you, Tony. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's about it. We are also-- I’m sending an email to everybody. We are having problems with reservations and presentations. I know that people are always challenged for time, but the presentation should be in the hands of Cristina at least five days before the meeting. Otherwise, we run the risk of not being able to have the presentation on time for the meeting. So, we will send emails to everybody to remind them of that. And the other thing is the reservation. The hotels are a little bit edgy nowadays, because people make reservation the wrong days or the wrong times, and then they try to-- well, sometimes they don't show up. So, we are going to remedy that. From now on we are going to have a block of rooms. Everybody will have the memo from Diana, and you'll be responsible for making your reservation, and 13

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calling the hotel. Outside that day, we are not responsible for any reservation, because any reservation that is made, that is no show, the Council has to pay for it. And they are really getting very strict at the hotel. We were able to work here because Diana knows the people. She put her magic to work, and we were able to cancel some of those reservations. Of course, if somebody have, like Alida today, an emergency with the family or whatever, we take all actions to alleviate the problem. But I don't want to say anything else. The reason we had this letter read today is because the Council from the get-go and been working with international fisheries. Because as you'll know, we are responsible for fishery that is shared upstream and downstream with other countries. 38 countries, including countries and territories like us for the United States. So, this is important to be recognized because we would like to continue working with the NOAA fisheries. Now the contact person in the region is María Del Mar. She participates at the discretion of the RA at these meetings with the Western Central Atlantic Fisher Commission, OSPESCA is another international group, and the CRFM, which is the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism that encompasses nine countries that are members and up to seventeen with observers and members. So, it is important component of our fisheries. Marcos, Carlos have participated as Chairs at the meetings with the working groups. And today we are going to hear from one of them. A report by Rachel on the meeting that was held recently. So, with that, Mr. Chairman, we thank you for the opportunity for this report and we would like to continue the agenda. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Miguel. The next item on the agenda is the presentation that will be made by Rachel O’Malley. Rachel. Outcomes of the Moored FADs Working Group Meeting—Rachel O’Malley RACHEL O’MALLEY: Good morning, everyone. I'm Rachel O'Malley. I'm a foreign affairs specialist with NOAA Fisheries in the Office of International Affairs Trade and Commerce. It's nice to see you all today. We've already heard this morning in the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission, or WECAFC, is a regional fisheries body with a geographic area extending from the South Atlantic coast of the United States to the waters of Brazil. There are 34 member countries. I'm here to give you a brief report out from the recent meeting of 14

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WECAFC's working group on fisheries using moored fish aggregating devices or FAD. The meeting was held virtually on February 14th through 16th, and we were fortunate to have a very robust U.S. delegation participating. I'd like to extend a big thank you to Miguel and Marcos for their active engagement and input both before and during the meeting. We're also fortunate to have Dr. Wess Merten participating on the U.S. delegation, as well as a strong showing of fishery staff from Southeast Region, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division and Headquarters. Our overarching objective for this international meeting was to build increased regional collaboration that can help support longterm sustainability of living marine resources. While we are always striving to manage fisheries responsibly in the United States, cooperation with foreign partners is of critical importance when it comes to shared stocks. Based on the tone of the meeting, I think we have a good foundation to continue advancing that. The meeting began with a series of presentations by WECAFC member countries that offered descriptions of their moored FAD fisheries. A presentation was also given on behalf of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Members collectively Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Haiti, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada. These countries have in place a sub-regional management plan for FAD fisheries approved in 2018, which is focused on small scale artisanal fishers whose livelihoods are significantly supported by FADs. The Subregional Management plan is designed to help these smallscale fishers address food security issues by more efficiently fishing offshore pelagic resources while following safe, responsible, and sustainable fishing practices. So, this formed the starting point for the working groups consideration of a draft regional management plan that expands the geographic scope to the wider Caribbean and provides us with a framework to guide the implementation of best practices. Flexible approach allows for some countries to manage moored FADs directly. While here in the United States, we manage the various fisheries that are using FADs. In addition to the regional management plan, the working group reviewed and discussed several other documents, including a guide for improved monitoring of moored FAD catches, and improved assessment of the impact of moored FAD fishing on fish stocks. 15

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The main conclusions of the working group, which centered on the importance of data collection and reporting throughout the region were incorporated in a draft recommendation that will be reviewed by WECAFC’s Scientific Advisory Committee next week, and then forwarded for consideration and adoption by the commission at its meeting in July of this year. Also, just to reiterate, WECAFC has a newly mandated working group on dolphinfish and flying fish would meet in January 2023. The mandate of that group is to address coastal pelagics that are not managed by ICCAT. And the creation of this group happened thanks to efforts by the Caribbean Council. So again, thank you to everyone who contributed to that effort, and we'd like to continue a dialogue with the Council in preparation for the meeting of that group perhaps at a Council meeting later this year. And I hope to meet many of you in person then. So, I'll stop here and offer either Marcos or Miguel or any of my NOAA colleagues an opportunity to highlight anything I missed there. And also, happy to take questions. Thank you. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Rachel. Tony Blanchard.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Morning, Rachel. Good presentation. I got a question for you. I noticed that when you mentioned the countries that was involved, that Saint Barts, and I don't believe Saint Martin was included, and I don't believe Guadalupe was included unless I missed it. Is that the case? RACHEL O’MALLEY: I can't recall if they were present at the meeting. I don't have a list of participants in front of me, but I can confirm that for you and get back to you. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Right, because it looks like the French countries were not involved in the process. Whether it is by choice or I'm not Sure, but it just sticks out to me if that's the case. RACHEL O’MALLEY: There were definitely some French speaking countries involved, and I know Guadalupe has been active in many of the working groups. I just can't remember about this particular one, but I can find out for sure. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: RACHEL O’MALLEY:

Okay.

Yeah, I’ll put that information in the chat, 16

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maybe. MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Yeah, Tony. Some of those members are represented with their organization. The CRFM for example, represents these countries. For this particular working group, not all the countries have these devices working for the moored fishery aggregated devices, and that's the reason why they don't show up at the meetings, but they are all represented. The CFMC is just an observer, and we are part of the U.S. delegation, but the other countries, when they are not present, they are represented by this group. OSPESCA, for example, is the Central American countries. So, you may not see them at the meetings, but they are represented, and we have exchange with them. Then WECAFC, the big umbrella, represents everybody. All the members there. So, the reason why some members decide not to show up at these meetings is because they have several working groups during the year, so they allocate the resources to those who are closest to their interests in the fisheries. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Miguel. Anybody else from the Council? No? I just want to mention that I'm very glad to participate on those working group and especially give us a perspective of how well the US is doing in deploying and managing and approaching FAD fishery or moored FAD. That also is a tool that as a Council member and part as a participant of this fishery, we need to be aware, and have the need to inform our public of the implications about FAD fishery and so. On those lines, thank you very much, Rachel, for the opportunity. CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE:

Marcos.

Carlos.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: So, is there going to be a plan for FADs in the WECAFC region or just mentioning that there's a committee working on FADs for the whole international arena? RACHEL O’MALLEY: Yes. So, the next step is that the regional management plan that was approved by this working group will be reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee of WECAFC. Then, it goes to the WECAFC Commission, which is meeting in July and it will be up to the commission to approve the plan. CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Is a draft that we can see? 17

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MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: We can locate the document and send it to anybody. If you look at the webpage of the WECAFC, there are documents there that we can share with you. But I will make a note of getting copies of those documents that addressed the issue of mooring Fishery Aggressive Device. Remember there are two Fishery Aggregating Devices, the one that you anchor, that we call them mooring, and the one that you do not anchor. We will send copies of that to you. Somebody asked me what the Caribbean Council involvement will be. Well, we have to follow Magnuson-Stevens Act, as you know. So, at the time that, that we have a need for managing those Fishery Aggregating Devices we will do so. So, I will send you copies of all the documents, Carlos, and anybody who wants it. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah, I know that their rules are a little different to ours, being U.S., but we do require-- in working with our sanctuary committee, we're required to have Army Corps permits to deploy these things. So, I'm not sure exactly what-- when I see the plan, I'll have a little more knowledge on it. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: That's a good point. Each country has a different way, different governance to approach this. When I was working with the FADs in Puerto Rico, we needed to touch base with five different agencies. The Corp of Engineer is the lead one, the Coast Guard, National Marine Fishery Service, and, of course, the local government. So, it is a complex problem, but there is a challenge and I believe that the group is going to present to the full WECAFC in July, their recommendations. Either we will have a plan at that time or the draft of a plan. And the way it works, remember the working group prepares a plan or any document, it goes to the equivalent of the SSC, which is the SAC, the scientific group and then the document is submitted in full. Every two years the commission meets. It's submitted in full and if it's approved, then it became a management plan. Different from our management plan that you have to implement it via regulations. Those management plans, once they are approved, each country will implement the prepared regulations for the adoption of the plan. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Miguel. Tony.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I just got a question because I'm here listening to the back and forth, back and forth. Anybody ever think 18

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that maybe by deploying all of these FADs, that is going to affect the way of how the fish migrate at certain times of the year? Because you are actually attracting them to something that they're going to hang around once they have the fish. But we all know that fish move from one place the next during the year and during the season, whether it be by barometric pressure, by sargassum, whatever. So, you are actually putting up like, in a way, like a fence, an invisible fence, that it could go through it if it so chooses. My thing is this, we might see this as a positive, but we don't really know how this is going to affect the movement of the fish during the year because we have installed all of these FADs. That's what I am looking at. I am not saying it's a good thing. I am not saying it's a bad thing. I am saying, this is something we need to think about. You know, because sometimes what we think is a good thing, is actually not a good thing. MARCOS HANKE: To your point, Tony, all of those considerations and others are explored in those meetings. In general lines, Rachel, I would like to say to the group that the way we do moored FAD fishing in the U.S. Caribbean is with the highest standards that are in terms of data collection, in terms of the deployment, in terms of how responsible we are with these operations. Those groups really facilitate that conversation on a broader scale of the Caribbean. But all those considerations that you are, from a fisherman standpoint, are considering and are included in those discussion. I invite everybody to read what Miguel is going to send to you about WECAFC and be aware. Because, now more than ever, since we are going to manage wahoo, blackfin tuna and dolphin, this discussion is going to be relevant to this Council into the future. Thank you. Rachel, do you want to say anything else to end the presentation? Richard. One second. Richard, question for Rachel? RICHARD APPELDOORN: Oh, no, it's just a comment following Tony’s question. Toward the end of today, we're going to be hearing a presentation from Wess Merten about the FAD program here in Puerto Rico and he's been looking at the question of fish movement. So, he might be the person you want to direct that question to. But I think what you'll find is that, yes, the fish will come in, hang around a FAD for a while and then move. So, instead of having, maybe, a smooth migration trajectory they're doing, maybe, kind of a connect the dots type of trajectory. But he'd be the one to ask that question.

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MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Richard. Rachel, you have one more question from Carlos. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah. Well, I think this comment is really involving in the U.S. Caribbean. One of the biggest complaints of the Saint Croix Fishery Advisory Committee has had with FADs is that when we deploy FADs with an Army Corps permit in place, if the FAD breaks away and it's not replaced immediately, or, you know, a couple years down the road, we have to reapply again for an Army Corps permit for a FAD that's already been approved at the same location. The committee wants to know if there's any way that they can have a blanket permit, that once the FAD is in place, it can be replaced every time it breaks away without having to go through this long process of Army Corps permits again. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for your comments. This is also part of the discussion of those committee in some sense. Rachel, do you want to say something in response to Carlos. Then we have Julian Magras to make a question. RACHEL O’MALLEY: I'm sorry. It was difficult to hear that last question. I think it was a question about the permitting process. MARCOS HANKE: The question was, once we have a FAD in Saint Croix installed, let's say that FAD move away, if there was a blank form or a process in which the whole process of going to Cuerpo de Ingenieros and the other agencies can be expedited. Can be quicker for the replacement of the FAD. RACHEL O’MALLEY: Okay. I'm sorry. I think I'm probably not the best person to answer that question. That was the question, and this is something that we can follow up. The question Miguel was, once they lose the FAD, the FAD breaks out, if there was something, a process that can make it quicker to reinstall the FAD instead of passing through the whole process again of-- yeah. Okay. We're going to address it. We are going to look for a better an answer for you, Carlos, later on. We don't have the way to fully answer to you. María. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yeah. I will find that out for you. We have in our office, through NOAA Fisheries, sometimes, with protected resources division, worked on consulting from some of these FADs. So maybe I can ask some of our colleagues about the process and I will get back to you. I wrote it down. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you María. Julian.

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JULIAN MAGRAS: Just a quick question. Have you guys been looking at revisiting the size limits for the wahoo and the dolphins, since we're going to be adding all of these FADs, to ensure that we are also protecting the species with the size limits. MARCOS HANKE:

Is the question directed to Rachel?

JULIAN MAGRAS:

Yes.

MARCOS HANKE: Okay. At WECAFC level, is there any discussion about size limits related to the FAD fishery, Rachel? RACHEL O’MALLEY: Not at this time, but that's an issue that could be discussed within this new working group that's going to meet next year. So, we should continue our dialogue about that. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Miguel. And that's the last question, or participation. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Yeah. This working group was addressing mostly the mooring FADs, not the species itself. Going to Tony's comment, we have a situation in the Caribbean, it's called gauntlet fishery. Gauntlet fisheries is where every country catches whatever they can of a population that migrate from one point to another. In the case of the dolphinfish, they migrate from the Southern Caribbean all the way to Cuba. And for another part of the-- actually from North Carolina down. We have two species that, as you know, do that. So, the reason to bring this to your attention is to let you know what is happening, what these other countries are thinking under the umbrella of WECAFC. And then, as a Council member, to think for the future when we have the island-based implemented, whether you are going to consider anything related to mooring FADs. We also can send a letter to Muñiz. He is the director of the Corp of Engineers in Puerto Rico. The Corp of Engineers has the last word on many of these things. So, we certainly, for the August meeting, will try to get you the best information available so you can take it from there. And remember, the FADs are two types, the floating ones and the anchor ones. We are talking about the anchoring ones. You may want to prohibit the floating ones and that's some consideration by countries. But this tool has been used since the times of Christ, before that, and it had been documented. So, it is not something that you can pull away from the fishery as easy as you can think, in many countries. So, that's why we are concentrating with the 21

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WECAFC region, at this time, on the mooring FADs and that's for you to consider. Probably for the next meeting, Mr. Chairman, we can put that in the agenda if you wish, so we can bring more information to you. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. Thank you very much, Rachel. Do you want to make a question? Go ahead, Andy. ANDREW STRELCHECK: Well, I just wanted to respond specifically to Julian. So, we will be receiving a presentation from María and Sarah Stephenson this morning about size limits for pelagic species and certainly we'll talk about in the context of whether the Caribbean Council wants to move forward with an options paper. But certainly, given the migratory nature of the species that we're managing here, makes sense obviously, if we are going to move forward with size limits or bag and trip limits that we also consider this in the broader Caribbean region and encourage, obviously management more holistically than just the territories in Puerto Rico. MARCOS HANKE:

Good point. Thank you very much. Rachel, last word?

RACHEL O’MALLEY: Sure. thanks for the opportunity to be here today and if anyone has further questions or maybe you'll have questions after you have a look at the regional management plan, feel free to email me. My address is at the end of the short paper that was included in the briefing book. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. Excellent presentation again. Thank you so much. Next item on the agenda, Island-Based Fishery Management presentation by María López-Mercer, and Sarah. IBFMP and Amendments Update MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Good morning. This is María López from NOAA Fisheries. So, for this part, there's no presentations. We have some slides for the next items. We just want to give a brief update on where we are with Island-Based Fishery Management Plans proposed rule. At this time, we are very happy that NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office has concluded their review of the proposed rule and the proposed rule has been sent to NOAA Fisheries headquarters for review. That means that after the NOAA Fisheries Headquarters conductor thorough review, again, this is a very vague proposed rule, then what proceeds is the publication of the proposed rule, and then the opening of the public comment period of 30 days. So, 22

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I don't have a date for that, but hopefully by the next meeting in August we will have news about whether it's going to be published, that proposed rule, and opening the comment period. So, unless anybody else have other questions about the IslandBased FMPs please stand by for other updates, hopefully soon. MARCOS HANKE: part?

Thank you, María. Do you have Sarah too? Any other

Spiny Lobster OFL/ABC Update and Council’s Request to NOAA Fisheries MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yes. So, Cristina, can you present the slide that says FMP amendments? So, what we want to do right now is just go real quick through some of the amendments that-- not that one, the other one. --some of the amendments that the Council has discussed during the past year that will be amendments to the island-based FMPs, once those are implemented. Just to give you a brief summary of the decisions the Council made and where we are on this stage, so that when the Island-Based FMPs are in place, you know that these are other actions that are going to be coming. So, Sarah, if you want to take it from here. SARAH STEPHENSON: Hi, good morning. I'm going to give you a little refresher on the first amendment to the Island-Based FMPs that we worked on, which was the modification of spiny lobster management reference points based on the SEDAR 57 stock assessments for spiny lobster. It's a generic framework amendment to the FMPs, so it applies to each management platform. The issues that were addressed in the amendment were to update the management reference points for spiny lobster to account for the SEDAR 57 stock assessments and application of the Council's acceptable biological catch control rule. That control rule was included in each of the FMPs, and it specified what to do based on tiers. So now that we have an accepted stock assessment, the spiny lobster stock is now in tier three. So, that got updated with this amendment as well. The amendment also revises the AM trigger, the accountability measure trigger, for the final lobster stocks. The status of it. The Council did take final action in August of 2021. So, it may be a while and hence the refresher. And then, NMFS is preparing the proposed rule and associated documents for that. And as soon as we know the final effective date for the FMPs, we'll start moving forward with the proposed rule package. So, we anticipate that it will be almost immediately after the FMPs. 23

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Next slide please. So, there's two actions in the amendment. Action 1 modifies the spiny lobster overfishing limits, acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits for spiny lobster for each island. Alternative 1 was the no action, so it just left things as they were specified in each of the FMPs and that would be under tier four of the control rule, which was data limited with no accepted assessment. Alternative 2, looked at, the Council could have selected a variable catch approach for specifying the OFLs and ABCs, and essentially the ACLs in which the values would change from year to year, but the preferred alternative, Alternative 3, the Council selected the constant catch approach for specifying the OFL and ABCs, and then deriving the ACLs from that. So, the values for the three years were set at a constant value. And then, you can see the sub-alternatives there. Which management uncertainty buffer the Council selected was 3B, which sets the ACL at 95 percent of the ABC. Next slide Action 2 modified the trigger for the accountability measure. The trigger is the years of landings that are used to compare to the ACL. So, Alternative 1 was the no action. It would use the trigger that's described in each of the FMPs, which did a ramp up of landings. So, it would use a single year of landings, followed by the next subsequent year of landings, followed by a two-year average of landings, then a three-year average of landings, and then thereafter a progressive running three-year average. And then, there was also the clause that the NMFS Southeast Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, may deviate from the specific time sequences used, to determine if the ACL was exceeded. So, for instance, these years that are specified in the slide were written a couple years ago, they could be refreshed to use the most recent years of landings available. So instead of 2018, we could use 2020. And so, all of the dates would be updated. So, that's the no action. That's going to be your accountability measure for the majority of stocks, the other stocks included in the Island-Based FMPs. Next slide please. Alternative 2 was the preferred alternative selective, and it's going to use the most recent three years of landings to evaluate 24

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whether an AM is triggered. And then the AM would be triggered if those average landings exceed the average ACLs in place during those years. And that language just is in the interest or in the eventuality that there may be ACLs in one year of landings data that are different because they were under a different management regime or from a different time period. But so, we're going to compare average landings to average ACLs. Under this amendment, the ACLs would be constant. So, averaging the same number three time just results in that same ACL number. The years of landings can be adjusted to account for the best scientific information available. That's just in the eventuality that maybe landings aren't available for some reason or another. There was a third alternative to just use a single year of landings to evaluate if the AM was triggered but that was not selected. And next slide, I believe takes you to the gear amendment. So, María, do we want to do questions at the end or— MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I think you can do questions on the spiny lobster now if that's okay. So, we don't change the subject. SARAH STEPHENSON: So, yes. Are there amendment, the spiny lobster amendment?

any

questions

the

Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Any question on the spiny lobster amendment? This is basically a status report of what is going on up to now. Hearing none. María, do you want to say something? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: No, I just want to say that I believe that in the Science Center presentation, they're going to talk a little bit more, Kevin, is my understanding, of other plans for the spiny lobster in terms of updates to the values and SEDAR, etcetera. So, more information will be provided from that part, when Kevin gives his presentation. And then we can obviously return, like if there's anything that you guys have any additional questions regarding the amendment, then Sarah's going to be available too. MARCOS HANKE:

Kevin.

KEVIN MCCARTHY: I mean, the short answer to that is that there's an update assessment that's happening this year and the results of that should be made available for the fall meetings of the SSC and the Council. MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. Looks like the things related to the lobster 25

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are getting better, improving the data and making better decisions on it following the guidance of the Council. Sarah can you keep going. Gear Amendment: Modification to Buoy Gear Status Update MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Okay. I believe it's me now. Okay. So, this is the other action that the Council discussed last year. This is the modification to the definition and use. This is going to be an amendment also to the FMPs for each one of the islands, Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas and Saint John and Saint Croix. The issues that were addressed in the amendment was modifying the definition of buoy gear in federal regulations to allow for the use of up to 25 hooks to fish commercially. That was the issue that was addressed. The other issue was the interest on the Council of limiting the use of buoy gear to those fishing commercially only. The Council took final action for this amendment in December 2021. At this time NMFS is working with associated documents and will have a proposed rule ready for when the island-based FMPs are in place. Next slide, please. This has taken a little bit longer to show in here, so. All right. So, there were two actions. The first action is the buoy gear prohibition for recreational fishing. There was a no action. The it is set in our regulations, is that boy gear is an authorized gear type for recreational harvest in the Caribbean, as found in 50 CFR 600.725, which are the regulations that list the authorized gear. This will make no changes. That doesn't mean that the gear is used, it just means that for some fisheries in the Caribbean, it was not listed as a prohibited gear. It's an authorized gear. So, Alternative 2, which was the alternative that was preferred by the Council, which just is a broad prohibition on the use of the buoy gear for those fishing recreationally in federal waters off the three islands. Next slide. Okay. So then, Action 2 was the modification of the buoy gear definition. The way that our regulations read is that the number of hooks-- one of the items in the description of the buoy gear is that the number of hooks that could be used with that gear was 10. So then, we have two alternatives. One alternative would modify the definition as it applies to the commercial sector fishing only 26

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for managed reef fish in the EEZ of each one of the islands to allow the use of up to 25 hooks connected between the buoy and the terminal end. And then, we added a third alternative, as required by the Council, so that allowing the use of up to 25 hooks would be allowed for all authorized commercial fisheries, not just for the managed reef fish. So, this is the alternative that was prepared. So, this was just a refresher. So, you know, the decisions that you previously made and once the Council takes final action, then NOAA Fisheries steps in and starts preparing the documents and the proposed rule. Now after the break we are going to be talking about. Two new actions that the Council requested for staff to prepare and to present. One of them is regulations regarding the use of trawl gear and other nets in the Caribbean EEZ. That's an option paper. And the second action that we are going to be discussing is related to pelagic species managements. Pelagic species are new to management under the FMPs, and there was interest in the Council in exploring different management regimes, for example, size limits, trip limits, etcetera. So, we are going to be providing some background information of the different things that the Council can do to manage this new species. Any questions? Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: at this time?

María, do you need any motion from the Council

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I do not; not at this time. This is just a summary of what do you guys have already done? Mm-hmm. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, María. Great job. Great presentation. Anybody else from the Council? We all in agreement that it reflects what we have been discussing and the document is really reflecting the great job of the Council together with the job you guys did on the office. Carlos. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah. I have another amendment. So, I'd like to know, maybe, when's a good time to maybe present this after you go through the break or whatever. I'm not sure when. MARCOS HANKE:

In terms of your logistics, what is the best time, 27

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María? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Let's see, so the break is for 10:45. So, I think we can discuss it right now if you want to do that. Okay. MARCOS HANKE:

I believe it’s a good timing. Go ahead.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Give me a second here. I got some notes. Okay. The recreational, commercial and rec for hire fishers have requested a review of the regulations that govern the seasonal closed area for red hind and Lang Bank. There is a need to address pelagic and HMS fishing at the top of Lang Bank, Saint Croix during the seasonal closure for red hind at the spawning aggregation area. 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A) states that from December 1st through February 28th, no fishing in those parts of the area that are in the EEZ. Before I-- can I get a slide up there on the screen, the one that I sent on Lang Bank to Cristina. Actually, the slide I have up there is just for reference so that you all can see the water depth that I'm talking about. But while they bring that up. The deep-water area of 25 to 75 fathoms is heavily used for trolling and fishing during the time of the closure for multiple HMS and pelagic species by commercial charter for hire and rec sectors. Fishers have said that species such as wahoo, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, albacore, mahi, kingfish and swordfish, which are top water species, are active during the December to February closure time and these species should be allowed to be fish because it would not have an impact to the species that are being protected in the bottom. Also, billfish such as white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, and longbill spearfish are also fished at the top of Lang Bank. Although I got some new information that this occurs in a little deeper water than what I'm going to show up there. What the fishers are concerned is that while hooked up and working the fish, they may inadvertently drift into the edge of the closed area. And also, that while [inaudible] making a wide turn to come about, they have found themselves partially in the closed area during the December to February time period. Fishers use the shelf edge as a natural FAD for while trolling and fishing. There are approximately, between all sectors, 40 to 50 vessels that are impacted by the two-mile-long area that prohibits fishing at the top of Lang Bank.

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So, I have a motion, and that motion is similar to the language on 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(iii)(B), which states for the Grammatik Bank that from February through April 30th, no person may fish for or possess any species of fish except highly migratory species, in or from the Grammanik Bank closed area. And then it went on to define the fish. MARCOS HANKE: the screen?

Carlos, can you have the language of the motion on

CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE: now.

I also sent that.

They had it a little while ago, but it's not there

CARLOS FARCHETTE: But there's a slide there-- Okay. That's the motion that I want. So, it'd be, request staff to develop an option paper to amend Saint Croix’s IBFMP namely 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A) by inserting the language that: no person may fish for or possess any species of fish, except highly migratory and pelagic species, in or from the red hind seasonal closed area of Lang Bank, Saint Croix. But I have a slide up there with the water depths from a GPS, from a fisherman. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: That's not necessary now what we need is a second to continue the discussion. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: MARCOS HANKE:

Second.

discussion about-- María.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Carlos, for bringing that up. So, one of the things that I want to point out is that now we are managing pelagic species, so I think maybe saying, “Council-managed pelagic species,” and then obviously this will need, I would assume, the SSC to look into this. So, that could be something perhaps that the Council can task. And then obviously, you know, consultation with our HMS folks too. So, I mean, there's a lot of things to do here, but I just wanted to bring that up, at least apart from the pelagics, because my understanding is that in the Grammanik Bank text, there's no distinction for the pelagics. Right? Okay. Yeah. Because before we didn't manage the pelagic species but now, we are managing those pelagic species. So, the Council will need to evaluate also what 29

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would be the effect, not only on the fish that this closure is aiming to protect, which is the red hind and other species that aggregate in the area, but also the effects on the species that the Council is managing. Okay? So, noted. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, María. Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Also, for the record, we don't have authority to manage highly migratory species, but we're talking about the cost of pelagics you may want to modify your language here. What we do need to, if the Council proceeds with this, is we need to immediately connect with the highly migratory office and see if they can join in in the discussion about that possibility. But certainly, we are talking about the cost of pelagics species dolphin, wahoo and others. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Miguel. And adding to what Miguel brought to the table is that we cannot forget-- I'm sorry --that in other areas in Puerto Rico we have a similar discussions and lessons learned of a similar discussion that we need to take in account to do something probably much better on this case. We are in another step or another level to address this and I already shared with Carlos a few points with him, and this is for future discussion. Graciela. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, just to remind everyone of the conversations that the Council has had in previous years when we deal with other pelagics at these areas. So, a couple of issues. One, the vertical structure of the fish community at those places. Two, the bycatches from the trolling activities-- (trolling as in T-R-O) activities that actually the spoons can bring up reef fish from the deep. I know that you're talking about, you know, fairly deep waters. But thirdly, the rugosity of these areas, even at depth, with the probability of planers, for example, or any kind of weighted line that they might be using while trolling for pelagics could impact the habitat. So those issues are discussed when we started dealing with seasonally closed areas. So, we would need the information on bycatch, for example, what species have been harvested while carrying out these activities. But we will be looking into that. And also, additionally, any other activity that might be happening from dropping the lines that you might be looking for other species. So, we know that these things happen. So, you know, just to let you know of past history of the discussion of the Council. 30

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MARCOS HANKE: That that was exactly the conversation I had with Carlos. It's complicated, but it's not impossible to address. Right? And anybody else? LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Let me see the depth of water.

MARCOS HANKE: Let me give a turn to Andy, in the meantime, while they put the depth of water. ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah. I'm certainly supportive of the motion and exploring this through an options paper. We have looked at this in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and I think we've addressed it more through gear restrictions in addition to the kind of prohibitions on species that could be maintained. So, you would want to look at gear stowage requirements as well as kind of the gear allowance requirements and specific to trolling through an area that's typically closed to bottom fishing. Right? So, we can look at those regulations and come back with more information. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you. Carlos.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah. So, María made a good point. Should, I change my language to include that Council manage pelagics in there? okay. MARCOS HANKE:

Graciela

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: I mean, you could, but you could also request the information from the Highly Migratory Species Group to see if-MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Wait, wait. Point of order. Let the owner of the motion-- put it on the screen, the motion, again, and then Carlos can work it out. In essence what they're writing here is that we want to concentrate our efforts on those species that are managed by the Council and then contact the highly migratory species office to get their input into further discussion of the issue. CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE:

On that note.

Go ahead.

CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Since I read in the handbook that it is written 31

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in there for Grammanik Bank, that they're allowed to fish for highly migratory species. I don't know if, since we don't manage it, I don't understand why that was in there, but I’ll change the wording for— MARCOS HANKE:

Graciela.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah. So, I'll go ahead and put “no person may fish for or possess any species of fish except Council-managed pelagics and other pelagic species” because there's some other pelagics that the Council does not manage. MARCOS HANKE:

Tony, do you agree with the changing language?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Let me see up on the screen.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: And while I'm-- should I go ahead and remove this thing about the HMS until-- okay. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: the screen.

Graciela, let Carlos dictate what he wants on

CARLOS FARCHETTE: So, we can remove the reference to highly migratory, HMS. Right? No? MARCOS HANKE:

Carlos. Jocelyn, can you support us on this motion?

JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Sure. So, some folks were asking about Council authority here with HMS and certain highly migratory species that are defined in the Magnuson Stevens Act, there's jurisdiction given to the fishery service to manage those. So, you can't directly manage those species, but when you're trying to protect your areas that the Council manages from fishing impacts, you can prohibit all fishing. We also have gear restrictions in these areas. So, the current regulation that prohibits all fishing is okay, and I understand that we're now trying to say, well, are there certain exceptions, like certain types of fish that fishing that we want to allow in this closed area? So, if you're asking for an option paper, maybe you might want to not be super prescriptive, but you could say, except for certain species where the possibility for impacts with the fishery that you're protecting, I believe it's a red hind spawning area, might not be as much of a need, perhaps that's what you're sort of trying to explore. So I wouldn't necessarily try to spell out the types of species you're excluding, but you could be general, like sort of maybe say, except for, if it's HMS species, if there's pelagic species, 32

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whether or not you manage them, I don't know if there's certain species that their folks are fishing for there that you want to allow and to explore the potential for that. So maybe rather than trying to note all of those species now, you could direct staff to try to come back with recommendations for which fishing in that area you might want to open it up to. So, on that point, in terms of the language, maybe you could say except for certain species of fish, including potentially HMS and pelagics. And then, staff can come back with options and explain, based on what you're going to say about depth or what the research shows, potentially, species you might want to exempt from this closed area. So, just to state it again, maybe try to be less prescriptive with the types of fish so you can really explore options. MARCOS HANKE: One second, Miguel. Carlos, do you, do you want to follow the guidance on the language of-CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE: later?

Yes.

And change the language to-- and revise by Tony

CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Yes.

MARCOS HANKE: Jocelyn, can you help Carlos with the language specifically on the board. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: While she’s thinking about it. You know, make it simple. What you want is an options paper to see where the pelagics are, will be able to allow to be fish in the area or not. Because in the motion you're trying to have the whole regulation written. So, a simple option will be to instruct the staff to prepare an options paper to give information whether we can allow pelagic species to be fished in the water column on those areas. MARCOS HANKE:

Jocelyn.

JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: I agree. That’s a great idea, Miguel, just to be a little more general so we can-- rather than trying to develop exactly what we're going to do now, to develop the sort of ideas for where we want to go. So, rather than saying-- right now you're sort of proposing the exact amendment, but maybe you could be more- I can't amend your motion, but if you would want to and could get a second to, as Miguel said, explore amending the island-based FMP to allow fishing for certain species, including highly 33

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migratory species and pelagics in that closed area. And then just to note, it's very helpful to have the regulation that you're looking at, but when we do implement the island-based FMPs, that citation will change, but we would note that in any document we prepare. MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: I propose to table this and allow Carlos to write something with Jocelyn and then come back after the break and you can propose the language again and we can continue. It is a very important point and we wanted to make it sure that— MARCOS HANKE: I think it's a good strategy to be more productive on the language and so on and to move along. Graciela, last word and we'll go for a break. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, keep in mind also that the Council is developing an ecosystem plan. So, ecosystem issues that are in your strategic plan are also important. So that will come into the picture. But as Miguel said, you know, keep it to see what species you're really speaking of, what other species could be harvested because the Council is also involved in sustainable fisheries and other fisheries that can grow out of the changes that are taking place in management. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Graciela. Carlos, last word?

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Yeah. Real quick. I mean, if we can put up the screen with my slide on the water depth that Tony wanted to see, and I wanted to show something there also. MARCOS HANKE: Yeah. In the meantime, while they look for the image, we're going to make a break and we can address that after the break. CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE:

Sounds good.

Thank you.

(Whereupon, a brief recess was taken.) MARCOS HANKE: For the people online, we are going to restart in a few minutes. We’re just setting up some details. Just wait a one or two minutes. We'll be back. Let restart the meeting. We are waiting for two things pending 34

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from before the break. One was the image requested by Carlos and by Tony Blanchard. Carlos wanted to make a point about that. And also, the motion. Carlos, which one are we going to address first? The motion? Go ahead. Yes, the motion. CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Okay.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Carlos es más fácil olvidarte de ese language y escribir una línea para preparar el scoping document for allowing pelagics. CARLOS FARCHETTE:

I didn't understand that.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Que es más fácil, en vez de bregar con esa, poner alternative language de lo que tú quieres, completa de lo que tú quieres. Y entonces, si eso es preparar un scoping meeting, well then, the motion will be to prepare a scoping document to address the possible fishing of coastal and highly migratory species in the area of Lang Bank or whatever. CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Okay.

MARCOS HANKE: Carlos, question. Just for the group to understand, that motion that is in there is the one that you guys worked on with the support of the legal counselor. Do you want to keep that motion? CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE: motion?

Yeah. Yes. Yes.

That's your motion. Tony, do you agree with the

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

I think you should include a—

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Point of order again. Yes, this is not-- what the group would like to do is to have a scoping document to prepare and then just have the motion rewritten the way you want it, and then— MARCOS HANKE:

Which is there.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Just so you can say, well, this is applicated.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: I'll read that, what's there now, right? Since that's a new motion. So, I'll just read that.

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MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: No. You can get rid-- according to Robert, you are the owner of the motion and the seconder. Okay? If you want to substitute the language for what you want to do, this is the time to do it. So, you can substitute a new language and usually “my motion will read that.” CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Okay.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: I believe that what Jocelyn and María are talking about is that to use the system that we have we can ask the staff to prepare scoping document. Remember, when we have the scoping document, you consult with the SSC, whomever you want to consult with and yours will go to public hearing. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. Carlos, to follow the process-- Carlos, is that the motion that you work on the break that you want to read for the record to see if Tony accepts? Go ahead. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Right. So, I'm going to redo the language on my motion to read, “Request staff to develop a scoping white paper to amend the Saint Croix Fishery Management Plan to allow persons to fish for and possess certain highly migratory and pelagic species from the red hind spawning aggregation seasonally closed area of Saint Croix. The closed area is defined in the current regulation at 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A). This area includes portions of Lang Bank.” MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Instead of “to allow the person” “if feasible, to allow” because the scoping means that’s what it's going to present to you. Now you're telling them, “Prepare a scoping meeting because we want to include this fishery there.” So, I suggest that we put “if feasible, to allow.” CARLOS FARCHETTE: to allow.” Right. MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. Yeah. Just add that, right, “if feasible,

Okay, Tony?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Okay. Well, I would say that you should include the highly migratory species that we manage and the ones that we don't manage. You understand? In case at some point in time those species that we are not managing becomes under us to manage. MARCOS HANKE: To Tony’s point. Jocelyn, can you clarify the language and the implication of the previous language read by Carlos?

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JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Sure. So, this language really allows the Council to identify which species you would want to create an exception for. So, you could look at species that you don't manage right now to say it would allow fishing for them. So, it would allow that. We were trying to make it broader, so that-- we don't really know which species it would be appropriate to allow fishing for possession in this area. So, this broader language allows exploring the types of managed and unmanaged species you might want to allow fishing for. MARCOS HANKE: Amended.

Do you agree with the language presented by Carlos?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: MARCOS HANKE:

Yes.

Okay.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Okay. So, I would like to go back to Tony's question on water depth so I can put up my— MARCOS HANKE: But we have a motion there that we have to discuss and finish the discussion. Graciela, you want to— Okay. the motion that was presented to us is “Request the staff to develop a scoping white paper to amend the Saint Croix Fishery Management Plan to determine if it's feasible to allow persons to fish for and possess certain highly migratory and pelagic species from the red hind spawning aggregation seasonally closed area of Saint Croix. The closed area is defined in the current regulation at 50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(A). This area includes portions of Lang Bank.” That's the motion. We have a motion made by Carlos Farchette and second by Tony Blanchard. It's open for discussion, for formal discussion. Andy? ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah, I mean, as I mentioned earlier, I'm supportive of the motion. The way I would see this as an options paper is that staff could bring back species that could be accepted or allowed for harvest, as well as look at gears or methods that may or may not be prohibited within that closed area. And then also potentially looking at the spatial extent of the area that would be authorized as well. So, kind of three prongs there that should be evaluated and then as the paper develops, could take that to the SSC and others for review. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Anybody else? Any opposition? Hearing none. All in favor say aye. GROUP:

Aye. 37

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MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries. And now, Carlos, the image.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: Okay. So, Blanchard wanted to see what depths to see what we're talking about. So, if I can get that slide up there. Okay. I don't have a laser pointer, so I'm going to just walk up there because even if I had a laser pointer, I shake so much that you’d all get seasick. So, let me. Okay. I know you can hardly see it, but this is a little red dash line, inside of that is the seasonally closed area of Lang Bank. So, and what I asked the fisher to do was to bring this from fathoms to feet. So, we're dealing with feet here. So, you can see right on the edges, 472 feet, 459, on the inside it's 315. So, when they're passing by, if they hook up, this is what I was talking about, when they're fighting the fish or drifting, they might end up inside there. Not that they're fishing inside, because they don't come all the way in here to look for those species. They're always on the edge. On the edge using the edge of the natural FAD. So, that's what I'm talking about. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Carlos. Graciela.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, Carlos. So, I don't see any rugosity on the bathymetry that you're showing. Do you know if we have a better map of the area to account for the sea mounts? MARCOS HANKE: Graciela.

They are working on the edge of the drop off,

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: And in the options paper you have a very beautiful, clear picture of where we are. The whole thing. MARCOS HANKE:

Okay.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: MARCOS HANKE: question.

I have some other—

Tony? Tony requested the image. He wants to ask a

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: No, I was just curious to look at the image to see how shallow the water comes, because from the depth of water I see there, I can't see them hooking any hind or any bottom dwellers at that depth of water. I mean, unless you are right down and you talking four hundred something feet of water. So even if they come up another hundred feet at the bottom to span you talking about over 300 feet of water. So, I really don't think 38

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trolling in that depth of water is going to be a problem for the reef species that we are managing. MARCOS HANKE: I think we are getting into the discussions that are going to be the result of the options paper. We need to keep moving forward. We have the motion. I think we are pretty much done with this. Tony has the image and has something else on his mind to be supportive or not from this discussion in the future. I think we can keep going up with the agenda. Do you have anything else that you need to say, Carlos? Very brief. CARLOS FARCHETTE: No. Yeah, I'm good. Mr. Strelcheck had mentioned about the gear types that would be-- that'll be worked out. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. The processes will start. Let's keep going. Next item on the agen-- yes, we are already voted. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I wanted to add something for this action. So, all that information that you provided, Tony and Carlos, we noted it and we're going to be contacting, as we usually do for preparation of the backgrounds, contacting the fishers and trying to get as much information of what's going on in this area in preparation for this background white paper. So, we can be very informed and be able to bring that information to the Council so they can make an informed decision. But thank you for contributing all of that. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Thank you very much, María. presentation, potential actions or IBFM amendments. María.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: While Cristina puts the presentation. So, this is one of the actions that the Council requested during the last Council meeting. MARCOS HANKE:

María, one second, please.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER:

Yes.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Very quick. We just received a note that one of our past Chairs of the Council really passed away, Jose L. Campos. We would like to start the meeting with a minute of silence to recognize Jose Campos. Mr. Campos was an active Council member for many years, sports fisherman, controversial at times as he called himself, but he was always ready to contribute to the discussion of the Council that he participated in local international meetings. We would like to ask the Council to have a minute of silence on his behalf, and Diana will note the family that we took this action today. 39

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MARCOS HANKE:

Minute of silence. María, please proceed.

Potential Actions for IBFMP Amendments—Trawling and Other Net Gear and Options Paper MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Thank you. And we're really sorry for his loss. So, what we are going to be discussing right now and in the next presentation are two actions that the Council requested staff to work on. The first one is going to be related to trawl gear and other net gear in federal waters of Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas and Saint John. And this is a presentation on a draft options paper, or decisions paper as we call it as well, that you have in your briefing book documents. I tried to do this presentation as closed as possible as the options paper, but feel free to refer to the options paper for any additional information. Next slide. Okay, so the issues that are addressed are considering a potential prohibition on the use of bottom trawl gear and certain net gear in the U.S. Caribbean federal waters as a precautionary approach to prevent negative impacts on the seabed. For example, and this is information that was discussed during the past Council meeting, destruction of coral habitat and sponge habitat in the Caribbean and on target and non-target species through bycatch. We all know that the use of certain bottom tending gear such as pots, traps, bottom longlined, gillnets or trammel nets is currently prohibited year-round in the seven Council-managed seasonally closed areas that, for purposes of this document, we are defining as marine managed areas. These are Bajo De Sico, Abrir la Sierra, Tourmaline in Puerto Rico, and then in the U.S. Virgin Islands Grammanik Bank, the Mutton Snapper spawning aggregation area, the Hind Bank, and that Red Hind Spawning Aggregation Area East of Saint Croix, which includes a portion of Lang Bank. However, there are no specific provisions on the use of trawl gear in these or other areas in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, with the exception of the Hind Bank MCD, because the Hind Bank MCD has a year-round prohibition on all fishing. So, there's also gillnets and trammel nets, that was another of the types that were discussed, and they have been prohibited for the harvest of reef fish and spiny lobsters since 2005. However, gillnets are allowed for the harvest of other species, for example, baitfish, in federal waters, but they must be tended at all times. There are no federal regulations regarding the use of gillnets or 40

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trammel nets for the harvest of Council-managed pelagic species, which are new to management under the Island-Based FMPs and the Council has discussed in the past developing an action to restrict harvest of pelagic species with these two gear types. Now also note that there are certain nets that are also regulated by NMFS in the highly migratory species fisheries that we are not dealing with in here. Next slide. So, these were the two Council motions that were passed at the December meeting. The first motion said, “Prohibit the use of trawling gear from within the marine protected areas or the Council Marine Managed Areas, how we call it in this document, of the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone. And the second motion was to request staff to develop an options paper to prohibit the use of gillnets, trammel nets, trawl nets, drift nets, and purse seines for harvesting fish in U.S. Caribbean EEZ. Next slide. So, the next slides are going to give a brief overview of what we're talking about. With respect to trawl regulations, federal regulations at 600.10 defines trawl as a cone or funnel-shaped net that is towed through the waters and can include a pair trawl that is towed simultaneously by two boats. NOAA Fisheries also defines bottom trolling as a fishing practice that herds and captures the target species by towing a net along the ocean floor. And there are some examples of these types of bottom trawling, like otter trawls, beam trawls, and towed dredges that many of these are used and managed in other U.S. regions to capture groundfish, shrimp, and other bottom associated species. Other types of trolls are called mid-water trawling, which are also called pelagic trawls. These consist of a large net towed through the water column. So, trawls, for purposes of federal fisheries, are an authorized gear type for use in the non-fishery management plan commercial fisheries under each of the Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Saint John and Puerto Rico fishery management plans. There is no evidence that trawl gear is or has been used for fishing in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean except for exploratory fishing or research that was conducted many, many years ago. And again, we added this information in the sources. If you want to read a little bit more about it, all of the sources are included in the options paper. Puerto Rico territorial fishing regulations prohibit the use of trawl gear and drift nets in their jurisdictional waters. But to 41

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our knowledge, the U.S. Virgin Islands do not have specific regulations prohibiting the use of trawl gear in their waters. Next slide. So, the discussion about trawl gears is really not new. In the 2004 essential fish habitat generic amendment to the fishery management plans of the U.S. Caribbean in its associated final environmental impact statement, the Council made a recommendation to take action to ban the use of trawls in the exclusive economic zone. At that time, the Council noted that this gear type was not used by commercial fishermen, but it recognized a potential for feature use. And as the rationale for the recommendation, the Council indicated that the complex mosaic of coral on the insular shelf left little space available for trawling that would not have direct impacts on coral. Thus, a prohibition on trawling will prevent use of a gear with high risk of adverse fishing impacts on sensitive and important habitats of the U.S. Caribbean. These recommendations have not been included in an amendment to date. So, there was no action taken at the time. However, in that recommendation, the Council also recommended that the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all trawling in state waters, in the territorial waters. Now the Council is interested in a potential provision on the use of trawls in the Council marine-managed areas or seasonally close areas, and or in the exclusive economic zone of Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas and Saint John and Saint Croix, for several reasons, and these reasons were brought to the Council's attention during the past presentation at the December meeting by Council staff. Number one, it was noted that trawls have the potential to damage coral habitat, including deep-water corals, also sponge habitat and deep-water sponges that are present in the U.S. Caribbean; that they could entangle protected species in our waters; that they could damage Caribbean habitats designated as essential fish habitat in habitat areas of particular concern for managed species under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. And there were also noted some economic considerations related to the use of trawling gears, for example the potential for damaging or losing gear and the economic considerations for that, as well as also implications for the bycatch of managed and unmanaged species that are not protected species. Next slide. The Council also mentioned in the presentation that there was 42

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interest in potential implications, if any, that continuing to allow trawling for non-FMP species-- When I say non-FMP species is because this is the only groups of species that this gear is listed as an authorized type in federal regulations --as an authorized type in the EEZ, including Council Marine-Managed Areas may have on whether the existing Council Marine-Managed Areas qualify conservation areas under Executive Order 14008. This order establishes the goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030. And we have heard during previous Council meetings details about what this entails. So, efforts are underway to determine how much of the lands and waters already qualify as conserved. For example, the Council Coordination Committee has established a subcommittee on areabased management to review these marine-managed areas to assess the level of protection they provide. The Council has been interested in whether areas it has protected will or could meet any conservation standards developed to implement the E.O. Next slide. Now let's briefly talk about gillnets and trammel nets, which are types of drift nets. So, these are nets that hang vertically in the water column without being anchored to the bottom. They're an authorized gear type for the commercial harvest of managed and non-managed pelagic species and the commercial harvest of non-FMP species in each of the island management areas. Trammel nets-- and I'm talk, sorry, I was talking in there about gillnets. And then trammel nets are not an authorized gear type for any U.S. Caribbean fisheries. And please note that when I refer to authorize, I'm talking about the list of authorized fisheries under federal regulations that if you recall we have seen this before for the buoy gear amendment and this is included also in the regulations that are going to be part of our changes to this, in terms of how the authorized fisheries are organized, in terms of, before it was all U.S. Caribbean and by reef fish, spiny lobster, queen conch or coral FMP. Now they're going to be fisheries by each one of the islands. So, for purse seines. Purse seines is a large rule of netting deployed around entire area or school. It's not an authorized gear type for any U.S. Caribbean fisheries. So now, why are we worrying about these two, purse seines and trammel nets, if they're not authorized? This is because, the same as in buoy gear before, a person could petition the Council to use these gear types. And when that happens, the Councils and NMFS 43

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could take action whether to allow or prohibit the use of that gear. So, the Council-- and I added in here the regulation, and I'm going to read it. It's on 50 CFR 600.725(v). A person or vessel is prohibited from engaging in fishing or employing fishing gear when such fishing gear is prohibited or restricted by regulation under an FMP or other applicable law. However, after December 1, 1999, an individual fisherman may notify the appropriate Council, or the Director, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species, of the intent to use a gear or participate in a fishery not already on the list. Ninety days after such notification, the individual may use the gear or participate in that fishery unless regulatory action is taken to prohibit the use of the gear or participate in the fishery. For example, through an emergency or interim regulations. We're bringing this up because it may be of the Council’s interest if they really want to prohibit, prevent, that a person requests the use of this gear types that are already prohibited, and maybe in the interest of the Council, if they desire to then address a broad prohibition. Okay, next slide. Okay, well we were preparing this options paper. There's some characteristics of the net fishery or issues that the Council may want to consider when they're discussing this. First is the use of certain nets to catch baitfish. For example, regulations show the use of cast nets and surface gillnets, which are single wall, that they have to be tended all times. It was also brought to the Council's attention that the use of surface gillnets to harvest flying fish from federal waters, particularly in Saint Croix. There will also be some specification of reporting and monitoring needs. There's also compatibility or lack of compatibility of regulation with territorial waters. For example, gillnet use is allowed in Puerto Rico waters. What if there is any need for-Would there be any need for any HMS exception that we will have to consult with our HMS partners? And we also, like we discussed this morning, the management of pelagic migratory species in other regions. For example, management of dolphinfish in the South Atlantic. Because, as you know, these pelagic migratory species are transboundary, and they are a shared resource. So, what happens in one area will have repercussions in other areas. So, it's important to keep into consideration other management regimes that are occurring in the area. For the pelagic species in particular, in the next presentation, the next action, we are going to be discussing specific management 44

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measures for those pelagic species. And then other things that we may want to be looking at is regulations that already protect EFH in the U.S. Caribbean. Next slide. Okay, so the way that we set it up is as one action right now. These are just options. This doesn't mean that this is what's going to end up in the amendment. This is just so the Council can provide input as to where they want to go. This gives an idea of how the action can be developed. For this action in particular, we have not created an interdisciplinary plan team yet. That will be something that will come up if the Council decides to move forward with this. So, there's one action and that one action, at this time, will prohibit the use of trawl gear, gillnets, trammel nets and purse seins in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, just like the motion that was set on December 21st, requested. The Option 1 would basically not do anything, right? Typically, we add an option one and we evaluate what happens if we don't do anything. So, under this action, we retain the authorized gear types for the commercial recreational harvest in federal waters of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John and Puerto Rico. I want to note something in here. The way that we said this, is in general for the three Islands, because that’s how the Council was trying to do this during the last time because there was an interest from the three islands to do something like this. However, if any of the islands will want to take a different approach, we can certainly address that. We can divide it into different islands. So, every island, you know, as part of the island-based management plans, they can make their own decisions. So, by no means this means that everybody has to be gripped together. I just wanted to make that clear. Okay. And then, for Option 2, would prohibit the use of trawling gear in federal water of Saint Croix and Saint Thomas and Saint John. And we added two sub-options in here. One sub-option will be prohibiting the use of trawling only in the seasonally closed areas or marine-managed areas in federal waters of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Puerto Rico. And the other options would allow for prohibiting the use of trawling gear for all fishing. So, this is more like a broad prohibition of the gear. So, that's something that the Council can consider if they want to do per all the waters or do you want to just do it just for the marine-managed areas? We have set up some slides that explain what each one of the options 45

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would do. Next slide please. So, Option 3. The Option 3 deals with gillnets. So, prohibit the use of gillnets in federal water of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Saint John and Puerto Rico. Now, in this one, we didn't do the same as in the trawl gear because, as you know, gillnets are already prohibited for use in the Council’s seasonally managed areas, right? So, there's no need to include that in here. However, we have two options, one that would prohibit the use of gillnets for all fishing and then we added another sub-option that will be for all fishing except for baitfish, right? So, this option would allow for fishers to use a certain type of gillnet to fish for baitfish. Now, I want to bring up in here that the Council will need to define what baitfish is and will have to define also what are the characteristics of this gear that differentiate it from the gillnet that will be excluded from being used in this area. So, that's something that the Council will have to make decisions on. Option 4 deals with the prohibition of trammel nets for all fishing in federal waters. And Option 5 prohibits the use of purse seins. So, those two are the ones that I mentioned before that are not really authorized for any of the fisheries right now, but it could be in the Council's interest if they want to just do a broad prohibition for all use to prevent that there's some petitions to use the gear in the future. Okay, so let's go to the next slide please. All right, so this is just what it would do. Option 1, if you don't do anything, this is what happens. So, right now trawl gear is an authorized gear for the commercial non-FMP species. So, these are other species that the Council doesn't manage that could be harvested, that the fishermen will normally harvest. We understand that these are not used, and it's banned in Puerto Rico waters. So, these are just notes. For gillnets. Gillnet is an authorized gear in the commercial pelagic species, commercial non-FMP species and commercial nonFMP pelagic species. They're not allowed for reef fish, spiny lobster or in marine-managed areas by the Council. They are allowed in Puerto Rico waters, and they're not allowed in U.S.V.I. waters. However, there are specific gillnets that are allowed in U.S.V.I. for baitfish.

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And then, trammel nets. Not authorized, however they're also not allowed for reef fish, for spiny lobster or to use in the MMA. And then purse seines are not authorized and our understanding is that they are not used. So, I'm not mentioning here cast nets. I don't think cast nets was something that the Council mentioned during the last time. I don't know if there is a need to include anything for cast nets. I believe these are more coastal. Mm-hmm. okay So, next slide please. So, this is what option two would entail. If you prohibit the trawling gear, this will be a broad prohibition on the use of all trawl gear for harvest of all commercial and recreational species, managed and non-managed, which would be either applicable only to Council manage-marine areas or throughout the EEZs of Puerto Rico, Saint Croix, and Saint Thomas. So, that was the two sub-options. By taking this action, the Council would prevent negative potential ecological and biological and physical effects from the use of trawl in the future. For example, we mentioned habitat destruction and bycatch, either in Council MMAs only or throughout the whole EEZ. Next. Okay. And then with respect to the use of gillnets, a broad prohibition on the use of gillnets for fishing for all commercial and recreational species managed and non-managed, that will be sub-option A, or for all fishing, with the exception for the use of gillnets for the harvest of baitfish. And as I mentioned earlier, would require the Council to clearly define what is a baitfish and specify the type of gillnet use, as well as, if the exception would apply to both sectors, commercial or recreational, or if it would be different. Our understanding is that in federal waters there's minimal use of gillnets for pelagics and for non-FMP species. Some of the reasons cited was the depth, the distance from the coast, and the preference for using other gear. By taking this action, the Council also prevents negative ecological and biological effects from the use of gillnets, for example, preventing the bycatch of undersized individuals, protected species and other target and non-target species. And although the use of certain types of gillnets used for catching baitfish commercially and recreational would allow fishermen to continue using this specific bait nets in federal water. So, that will be what sub-option 3b would provide. 47

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Okay. And then the next slide. Now the last ones are Option 4 and Option 5. Option 4 prohibits the use of trammel nets for all fishing in the EEZs of the three islands. They're already prohibited for fishing for Councilmanaged reef fish and spiny lobster and are they are also banned in Council MMAs. And option five would prohibit the use of purse seines. Purse seins are really not used in federal and territorial waters, and they are not listed as an authorized gear types under any U.S. Caribbean fish. So, as I mentioned earlier, Option 4 and Option 5 would specifically prohibit the use of this gear. Therefore, it would not be possible for a fisherman to request the use of this gear as would otherwise be allowed under federal regulations for gears that are not included in the NMFS authorized gear list. Okay, I'm almost close to the end, the next slide. So, these are the next steps. Council to decide if they want to move forward with the action. If yes, indicate if any changes are needed to the scope of the actions and/or the alternative, so staff can go and prepare a document. Identify any information, requirements and sources. And task staff with the creation of an IPT for development of an amendment. So, we could move forward with this action right away, if that's what the Council desires. Now, before we do that, let's go to the next couple of slides. The next one, please. Because we want to start the conversation about the bait nets. So, that's important. Sorry for the amount of text that's included in here, but I’ll try to summarize it. So, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the only type of gillnet allowed are single-wall surface gillnets that are targeting baitfish. And this is from the regulations. The nets may not be more than 1,800 feet in length as measured by the float line and may not be used within 20 feet of the bottom. The mesh size may not be smaller than 0.75-inch square, or 1.5-inch stretch. Only one bait net is permitted per boat and all other prohibited nets may not be possessed onboard vessels in territorial waters. There's a specific species that can be caught with the baitfish, Ballyhoo, gar, flying fish, round jack and bigeye scad. And based in conversations, the approximate number of fishers that use these nets could be very minimal.

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So, in Puerto Rico, this fishery, the bait net fishery uses bottom and surface gillnets, or ‘trasmallo’ or ‘filete’ and trammel nets, ‘mallorquín’ consisting of a trammel with three net cloths tied to a line of buoys. The gillnet or trammel nets cannot have mesh size greater than six inches as measured from knot to knot of extension. For trammel nets, the outer cloths may not have a mesh larger than six inches from knot to knot. Additionally, trammel nets used for bait fishing may not be more than a quarter inch from knot-to-knot opening. Now the regulations in Puerto Rico-- and I know this is only a summary of the territorial waters and this is just for context, so we know what's going on in the territories. The regulations permit the use of gillnets and trammel nets, except in inner water and river mouths. Additionally, it prohibits the use of gillnet and trammel nets in conjunction with diving equipment, except by written authorization from the Secretary for the capture of lionfish. So, let's go to the next slide. This is a picture that Carlos provided showing-- do you have a-- can you put in-- Okay. Thank you. So, this is a bait net that is used in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I apologize, but for some reason, our fisher was cut out, not on purpose. Carlos, what is the name of the fisher that provided-CARLOS FARCHETTE:

Yes. José Alberto Sánchez.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Thank you, Carlos. Thank you to José Alberto Sánchez for showing us the type of bait net that they use. Okay. So, with that said, I think if you guys have any questions or discussion, I’ll be happy to assist. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Probably not the time, María, but Nelson Crespo brought to our attention, and I know this is the time the-- Nelson Crespo brought to our attention that there is a new way of capturing deep-water snappers and groupers. Some people are using deep-water fish trap. So, I don't know if the Council want to discuss this at the time or at least mention it, but I would like the Chair to allow Nelson Crespo to briefly tell us what's going on and what is the worry that the fishers have with this new gear.

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NELSON CRESPO: Thank you, Miguel. That was about two months ago that a group of fishermen from the Northeast side of Puerto Rico brought the concern about fishing for queen snapper with traps was being developed. Also, the plan of those fishermen is to cover around the whole island. I think this is an issue that has to be addressed and studied because it'll cause damage not only to the fishery, but also to the habitat because they have to use huge traps that if you compare it with a piece of weight that we use for the vertical longlines for the deep-water snapper, when that hits the bottom, it’s going to kill everything, corals, habitats, whatever, and can also kill the fishery [snaps fingers] like this. Right now, we have a healthy fishery, a queen snapper fishery, very healthy. I'm pretty sure that we caught double or triple that was reported right now. But if these actions continue and we don't take attention and try to regulate or do something about it, this fishery is going to-- the days are counted for this fishery. It is going to end in a few years. MARCOS HANKE: Just a follow up. Nelson, just to put in context for the whole Council to understand. On the past, we did have some capture of silk snapper, blackfin and other snappers with traps. That has happened before. But what you are reporting is the use of the trap to fish for queen snapper. Queens, correct? NELSON CRESPO:

Yeah.

MARCOS HANKE: Okay. I just want to make sure for everybody to be on the same page. NELSON CRESPO: Yeah, yeah. In the past, and I see is still happening, but in little stage the use of traps for snapper unit one, that I don't agree at all, but, you know, we can handle that. But for the queens, due to the hard currents we have, a loss of one trap of queens [snaps fingers] can be like this because you are not going to find them because of the hard currents we have in the bottom. So, if we lose one trap, how many pounds of queen snapper are we going to lose? And how many fishes are going to be killed until this trap is destroyed? Thousands of pounds. That is, for me, it's something that we have to put real attention. At least investigate or try to make some study about it. MARCOS HANKE: I'm going to rely on you to give, if you can have pictures for us in the future, or more information for us to know a little more about it. Miguel?

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MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: No, it's just a matter of procedure to ask María Del Mar. For the Council to take this question, what would be the best, appropriate way to do it? At this time with the document prepared, or will it require a different document? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Well, that depends. This is María, NOAA Fisheries. That depends on if you would like us to explore something like this within this action per se, or do you want to do it through another, through a different action? MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: That's my point. Because from-- by the way, thank you very much for an excellent work. You people are [inaudible]. I believe that these actions that you presented today are ahead of whatever possible action we would do with traps. And at this time, probably we need to gather more information before we proceed. So, my suggestion to the Council is to be mindful that this is happening and after this meeting, I will talk to Crespo and see what other information we can get for the meeting in August. But the Council should take action on this part because we have been discussing about the trammel nets and everything. Can you put back a slide where you have the next steps? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: And, Miguel, if I may add to that. So, this is obviously a developing situation that Nelson is bringing up to the Council's attention. So, I would think that the next step would be to investigate more and bring more background information. I mean, traps are obviously not allowed in the marine-managed areas. So, if they are being used for whatever in marine-managed areas, then that is unlawful. The other thing is that we do not have a distinction within reef fish as to what constitutes deep-water reef fish at this point. We're calling them reef fish, so I would think that one of the things that we would have to do, not just for this, in the near future, if the Council wants, is to make distinctions between different groups and see if we can-- that's also part of the right for the gear amendment that we want to do, is to see what types of gears are used for what and then start, kind of like, tackling that in that way. So, again, it's a developing action. My suggestion would be, if you want to include it in here, then that's fine. We'll go back and we'll start looking into this. That doesn't mean that that will constitute like an option for this, because obviously it's a developing situation. We can always move forward with this if that's what the Council desires, and then the Council can task staff to look into this situation because obviously there's many 51

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angles that have to be looked at, because traps aren't an allowed gear to be used in federal waters. However, if there are if there are concerns about the impact to the habitat and the impact to the fishery, then that's something that we would need to, of course, evaluate. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, María. Tony.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I agree with Miguel. I think we need to move forward on these trawls and the seins nets. Put a ban to it. The only thing I see here that I would say that we probably should not put a ban on, is the nets that are used for baitfish, like the flying fish and so on in federal waters. But as for the trawls, in my opinion, it is more of a destructive thing than anything else. And we are talking about allowing them in federal waters? The Virgin Islands-- and speaking on Virgin Island’s terms. We only got three and a half miles over territorial waters. We already have a very small area in which we are allowed to fish in. Why is it that we would want to allow this gear inside there, is my question. It’s more of a destructive thing to me. It will destroy more than benefit, in my opinion, because of the bycatch issues, the damaging of the reef and so on and so forth. And who is going to manage in the event that we say, “well, you know what, we are going to allow it at certain depth of water, half of the bottom.” Who is going to manage that? How are you going to know that that's actually what's happening? So, I think at the end of the day, it's not used already, why would we allow it to be used now, when we are coming on with more management plans and strategies? I think we need to shut the door now. I think the only thing that really, we should look at is the seins that are used for catching baitfish. And that's just my take on it. I don't see why we would allow a problem to arise when we have it right now under control, to certain degree because nobody's using again at this point in time. So why open the door? Why bring attention to it? That's my question. So, right now, I would move to ban the nets in federal waters. Ban the use of the nets except for the nets for bait fish. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. And just a follow up on you is, the need of defining well what the net for baitfish is, to prevent fishing. If we don't do a good definition, you can easily lay down those gillnets alongside to the wheat patches and catch many species of fish that are recruiting there, like amberjack, almaco jack, small 52

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mahis, and so on, and others. We need to do it carefully. I want to move forward because the lunch is coming, and this is a very important thing. María, I have many comments here that are aligned, again, with what you just stated. The work that you did is perfect. I was just going to concentrate on comments that add to your logic is that we have been observing the movement of some species to the deeper water. One, the trawling situation impacting deeper water areas, where the EEZ is mostly on, we are going to have an extra effect by having species that were, on the past, shallower, that now are moving deeper. I’m going to give you an example. I just talked to Tommy Forte and on the landings from the deeper water for silk, blackfin and so on, they're having 50/50, almost, landings of red hind and other shallow water species that otherwise were not there. This is something that I observed on my charter too. I just want to add to the logistics, right, on this rationale that we are developing, that there is indication of feedback from the industry where we're having more species going to the deeper water where we want to prevent the trawling to happen, not to damage those habitats where those fish are moving too, or expanding the range where they have been if we compare to the past. And about the cast net. The cast net is something that we shouldn't include because the charters and the commercial fishermen and everything, they have it on the boat. We're going to create more problem than anything. And even if you want to really impact the resource with the cast net, is going to be really hard to do it. I don't see any problem of excluding the cast net from this discussion. Those are the two points I wanted to bring. Yes. Miguel and Tony. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Yes. It's a matter of the process. The slide that you have on the screen is asking for the Council’s direction. For example, I believe that we all agree to move forward. And if yes, then we need to address a, b and c. In this case, María, what do you really need here? A motion that the Council accepts the process to move forward. And then, when do you think that a, b and C should be addressed? At this time or another meeting or in between? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Well, I think-- so based on what I heard, I feel like you are comfortable with the options that we included in the draft paper.

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There's no interest on separating them by island. We can just keep it simple. So, I would think that the identification of information requirement sources, I think this is important in terms for the bait net fisheries. So, we will have to do some background information. We will take care of that and contact the fishers and Carlos, Tony, if you are able to provide that information to us so we can characterize the bait fishery as well as possible. And then, for the next Council meeting, we can bring some specifics about what those exceptions would be, because that's very, very important, as Marcos said, so we don't end up messing it up. And then, I would say that a motion perhaps to move forward with an amendment. So, you can test that to prepare an amendment to the island-based FMPs to each one of the FMPs, that would include the options presented in the options paper, today. MARCOS HANKE: Okay. Can you help with the language, suggest the language on the screen for any of the Council member to analyze, maybe to move the process quicker. Jean? JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: So, I just had a quick question. Do we have to define bait fish if we focused on the size limitation of the nets, like they do in the V.I. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Did regulations too, or not?

you

have

bait

fish

defined

the

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: So, I know that-- I don't know that we have, because we have the different classes of bait fish, but I saw that in the recommendations or in the different options we talked about if you did this option, you'd have to define what bait fish is and do, I believe you said, specific requirements. And so, I was just curious as to whether or not if we limit the actual size of the net and focus on the gear type, then-- Like, let's say we said, maximum one-inch with like one-and-a-half-inch stretch or something like that. --if you, then you would have to define what bait fish. Because it just looks like if you have to define bait fish, then you are going through a whole longer process as well. MARCOS HANKE: To your point. I think it is important, because to prevent problems in the future, there are bait fish that are valuable, recognized and valuable, for the industry that create a socioeconomic positive or need for it and in order to explore and do this now, will prevent a fishery for other things that we unintentionally are not thinking about. Right? We just closed the door on two ways, by the gear and by the list of species that are 54

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allowed to be kept on the boat during the fishery. I think that's responsible from our part, even though it's harder to do, to do it at this point. That just a comment. Tony. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I agree with Marcos. I think we do need to specify what is bait fish. Because one may not be bait fish to you, is bait fish to me. So, to the end of the day, I understand trying the route of going with a mesh size, but that still does not take care of the species that you're looking for as bait fish. In other words, I could say, “Well, listen, bait fish to me is a hard nose this big.” To another guy, “No, I don't want that for bait, I want a sprat.” “I want ballyhoo.” So, I think by specifying exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have a better grasp on what is considered bait fish. And bait fish could even be a type of fish, a certain size. You attack the guys that fish mahi, they may use a small mahi to catch a big mahi or yellow tuna, that's bait fish. You ask them, that's bait fish. To me, I'll take it home and eat it or I'll sell it. So, it all depends on who you are asking and the questions that you're asking, you're going to get an answer for. So, I say by specifying what a bait fish is, whether it be a type of fish or a type of fish at a certain size, I think that's the route that we need to go, along with the type of nets that we use. MARCOS HANKE:

Andy?

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah, I mean, good points being made here, and I think this is where the interdisciplinary planning team can help us in terms of clearly defining intent and ensuring obviously that the regulations are consistent with what we're trying to prohibit, or for that matter, authorize with regard to bait fishing. I noted, for example, with the bait net regulations, it was a minimum or mesh size that was being specified. Well, if there's no maximum, that opens the door for a lot of different net gear potentially to be considered for harvesting bait fish, which might be problematic. Right? So how we define bait fish or how we define the gear types is important. A couple things of note. I know Miguel made the comments about what, Nelson, had mentioned with trap gear. I certainly would encourage the Council to include that as early in the process as possible. We can always decide that that's not something we want to move forward with. And so, if staff could consider that now and bring back information in August as part of this action, I think 55

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that's helpful. And if we decide not to proceed, then we decide not to proceed at that stage based on the information. But the rationale I'm hearing in terms of impacts to habitat ghost fishing is very consistent with reasons why we would be considering prohibitions on other gear in this action. So, the purpose and need seem to be very consistent with why we'd want to consider limitations on trap gear. The other comment I'll make, which relates to kind of additional information. I think it would be helpful when we meet again in August to talk about the socioeconomic consequences of allowing or prohibiting these gear types, right? So right now, we're being precautionary, we're wanting to avoid habitat destruction, we're wanting to avoid bycatch. Some of those gears don't impact necessarily habitat, don't necessarily have a lot of bycatches, but there's potential socioeconomic consequences if it allows for fisheries to catch a lot of fish at once and create market gluts or run into closures of annual catch limits because harvest is ramped up because those gears are now being more prominently used. So, I think more discussion of that would be helpful as well in terms of our rationale. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. On the same lines about the socioeconomic impact. Once we analyze or we really express our concerns about habitat destruction and the things that María put out there, for sure on artisanal fisheries is more scaled. Once you allow gears like a trawling, to be in place, that is very costly, it’s more on a bigger scale thing, for sure it’s going to be a big disruption on the whole socioeconomic dynamic of the Caribbean. That's from my point and from what I heard from the Council. It is not compatible to what we do over here. And we want to prevent this style of fishery that has an impact on reaching the ACL very, very quick or damaging the resource that supports multiple species for multiple artisanal fishery sources. And that's the reason, in terms of socioeconomic, we want to prevent, be very precautionary to prevent the way we do fishery in the Caribbean. It is compatible to the mosaic of habitat that we fish, with multiple gears and so on that you guys already know. Did I address well your points? Yes? Okay. And I made a list that some of them will be repetitive, but in order to create the record that you request, Andy. On terms of trawling, precautionary approach to protect shallow and deeper water reefs and sensitive benthic habitats that are essential for many important species, and its different life stages. Example, deep-waters snappers, groupers, lobster, and many 56

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others that are essential in our fishery, the way it's conducted nowadays. Also, in support to the EBFM approach that we’ve worked so hard on. I think it's important to not allow for the trawl gear to be used on our area. Note that this gear is not part of the traditional fisher and have no socioeconomic impact importance for us. If you pursue the prohibition of this, the trawl gear, it will help to protect the habitat, prevent overfishing of bait fish and other forage species that support our environment and the fishery. We don't want a herring fishery or a sardine fishery here cutting the legs of the fishermen, of going out and or having access to the bait fisheries, the cast net that all it will do is increase the price of the bait and create a big problem on the ecosystem. In addition, it will change the traditional artisanal fishery landscape that happened for many years in the Caribbean. And I already brought the point that the species moving deeper is a big concern either because they are spreading more around because we are doing a great job on management or because of climate change, they are moving down. We really don't know what is going on, but it is going on. We don't want the trawling to be something, to mess up those, those environments. And that's it. The other comments I did before about the cast net and so on. Miguel, and I would like to also after, Miguel, to see the motion, the suggested motion language. Go Miguel. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: No, no, no. What we were thinking, we are close to 12 o'clock. Actually, it's 12 o'clock. So, consulting with María, probably, it's best to start at one o'clock with the motion, so you will be able to have a clear picture of what the motion should be. I suggestions to break for lunch now. So, allow María. MARCOS HANKE:

Agree, María?

Yes?

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I agree. One of the things that, that we can consider, the Council can consider if they want to include an action that will evaluate the traps at this time. So that's something that we can definitely talk about when we come back from lunch. MARCOS HANKE: okay. What I hear is that we want this to move forward and do another process for the trap-- Maybe can include, but what I hear from other Council members is that we want to make sure that we don't get stuck restarting with the trap but we going to discuss that after lunch. Thank you. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. That's correct.

We are back sharp at one o'clock here. Thank you 57

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for the virtual attendees and for everybody. I'll see you guys back here at one o'clock. Thank you. (Whereupon, the meeting recessed for lunch on April 19, 2022.) - - APRIL 19, 2022 TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION - - MARCOS HANKE: Let’s restart the meeting. It's 01:11, and we are all back in the room here ready to go. The motion will be presented by María Del Mar, a suggested language, to see if Carlos takes over from there to expedite the process. Go ahead, María. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Okay. So, the motion would be to request staff to move forward with the preparation of an amendment to each of the island-based FMPs to address trawl and net gear as discussed in the options paper presented at the April 2022 CFMC meeting. MARCOS HANKE:

Any second?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Second.

MARCOS HANKE: Discussion? I hear no discussion. Any opposition? All in favor say, aye. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Aye.

MARCOS HANKE: Motion carries. One absent member, which is the Puerto Rico representative from the DNR. And Jean-Pierre Oriol who is also absent. We have quorum. He is probably on the meeting outside. Vanessa's connected virtual; I believe. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Was she able to vote? No, no está. No está. ¿Cristina, Vanessa votó? Que si votó. MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries. What is the next step now, María?

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I cannot vote yet. It says in there. I don't know. Maybe open the forum for Vanessa? MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: No. You don't need to, the motion already carried so we can go to the next thing. MARCOS HANKE:

The record is clear. Thank you. Go ahead, María. 58

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MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yes. The next presentation would be by Sarah Stephenson from the Caribbean branch and SERO. She's going to be talking about pelagic species. MARCOS HANKE:

Andy.

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Before Sarah presents. So, I did want to go back to the discussion we were having about the trap fishery and find out Council intent. Sounds like obviously more information is needed. Do we want to at least give staff direction to not necessarily develop a white paper, maybe bring a presentation, more information back to it as at a future Council meeting with regard to the trap fishery. MARCOS HANKE:

I think it's a good idea. Go ahead, Tony.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I think the first step we need to take is to find out how much guys are actually doing this, an idea of how much traps are involved in it. That way, I think it's a beginning point to figuring out how it's going to get dealt with. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. And also, to find out-- this is an assignment for Nelson and for the rest of the Council member. The description of the trap, how deep they fish, if it's state of federal waters, and maybe you guys can help me out information that is pertinent for us to discuss this in the future, but this is what I can come up with right now. This is what we would like to see as a presentation from your office, María, trying to find out to copulate all these information to present on the next Council meeting. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: That's correct. We can work with Council staff to put together a presentation, collecting information from various sources, including the fishers and Council members that brought this to the Council's attention. And then what we have available for August, that will definitely help start a conversation on this. We don't need a-- I don't think we need a motion for that, it's just to task staff to do that. okay? Noted. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you. Carlos.

CARLOS FARCHETTE: So that would be only for the deep-water trap fishery. Right? okay. MARCOS HANKE:

Yes, Carlos. Thank you for the clarification.

Anything else María, on the same lines or we can keep going? Next 59

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item on the agenda. It's ecosystem-based fishery. Let me see here. The pelagic species management white paper. That's Sarah. Pelagic Species Management Measures—White Paper SARAH STEPHENSON: Hi. Yes. Good afternoon. Thank you. I'll be walking through the white paper that was developed for this meeting, which outlines management measures the Council could consider developing for pelagic species that are new to federal management. Next, please. The Island-based FMPs were approved by the secretary of commerce in September 2020. As we heard earlier, the proposal to implement the FMPs, which contains all the regulations now organized by platform. Oh, did it? Did it go away? So, slide two, please. Okay. Thank you. So, yes, the island-based FMPs were approved and set to-- no. It's scrolling again. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Sarah, give us a moment. We're trying to figure out what's going on with the slides. Thanks. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Apologies for the technical difficulties, but it's moving by itself, so we're trying to get it. MARCOS HANKE: Graciela, is it Sarah’s side or is here? It's here? Okay. For the virtual attendees, just please be patients, we are fixing the problem, some technical problem here with the virtual presentation. Thank you. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: We're going to try a new technique. So, we'll go ahead. Slide number two, please. Sarah, are you there? SARAH STEPHENSON: the PowerPoint?

Yes. Do you do you still want me to send you

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Well, let's try slide number two, and we're going to do a play and pause, play and pause. Okay. So, that one or the next one? SARAH STEPHENSON: Thank you.

Hold on. So, yes, this slide, slide number two.

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The National Marine Fisheries Service has prepared a proposed rule to implement, as we heard earlier, and that contains all the regulations now organized by island platform. And that has cleared the Southeast regional office and is in the review process at headquarters. The island-based FMPs include pelagic species that are new to federal fisheries management. Each FMP established annual catch limits and established accountability measures for the pelagic stocks. As part of the accountability measures an annual catch target was set at 90 percent of the annual catch limit. And that annual catch target serves as the accountability measure trigger. In other words, the value that the annual landings will be compared to. Next slide, please. Here's a list of the pelagic species managed under each FMP. For Puerto Rico, and Pompano, dolphin, are managed in a stock complex together. Little tunny, and Blackfin tuna, are together in a complex; and king mackerel and cero mackerel are together in a complex. All the other species listed here are managed as individual stocks. Next, please. At the December 2021 Council meeting, some pelagic species that are new to management under the FMPs were discussed by constituents and Council members. The Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel Chair presented a summary from their October 2021 meeting in which they discussed compatible state and federal regulations. The Puerto Rico DAP recommended that the Council consider establishing size limits and bag limits for recreational fishing in federal water similar to the regulations in place in Puerto Rico state waters. Which are seen summarized here in this table. Following a presentation from the Beyond Our Shores Foundation Director on the dolphinfish research program, Council members discussed concerns about the potential for overharvesting juvenile dolphinfish in the region due to fishing that occurs during the influx of sargassum mats. Next slide, please. The Chair of the Saint Thomas and Saint John DAP commented that the Saint Thomas and Saint John Fishery Advisory Committee, which is a U.S.V.I. territorial committee, previously recommended size 61

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limits and bag limits dolphin and wahoo for recreational fishing, and that the fishery advisory committee plans to propose those limits for consideration from both state and federal managers. It was also noted during the December meeting that the Saint Croix FAC had similar discussions at their previous meetings for recommending dolphins in wahoo from size one. Currently, there are no commercial or recreational size limits, commercial trip limits, or recreational bag limits set for dolphin or wahoo in U.S.V.I., state, or federal waters. Next slide. Following these discussions, at the December meeting, the Council directed staff to develop a white paper for size limits for dolphin, wahoo, and mackerels and recreational bag limits for dolphin in Wahoo. And just to note, king and cero mackerel are only managed in U.S. Caribbean federal waters under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan. Staff developed a white paper, which is included in the Council's briefing book for this meeting. Along with this background information, the white paper includes a brief history of management for dolphin, wahoo, and king mackerel in the Southeast region. The paper summarizes the management measures established and the rationale for those measures for the species as managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Next, please. The white paper also includes a high-level description of the U.S. Caribbean fisheries for the pelagic species managed under each FMP, including a snapshot of landing information. These plots show the annual recreational landings and commercial landings for the Puerto Rico pelagic species for years 2000 through 2017. The recreational landings are represented by the black bars and the commercial landings are the gray bars. You can see that for dolphin, wahoo, great barracuda, and tripletail, which are the four plots on the left side of the slide. The majority of the pounds landed during the time period are from the recreational fishing sector. Next slide, please. Recreational landing's data were not collected for the U.S.V.I., so the landings presented in the document for dolphin and wahoo 62

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for Saint Thomas/Saint John and for Saint Croix are only commercially reported landings. Even though recreational landings have not been available in Puerto Rico since 2017, or at all, for the U.S.V.I., the white paper includes information on commercial, recreational and tournament fishing for the pelagic species. Next slide, please. At this meeting, the Council could determine which management measures to develop, such as commercial or recreational size limits, commercial trip limits, or recreational bag limits, and for which species. Additionally, the Council could revise the accountability measure provision included in each FMP for the pelagic stocks and stock complexes to include size limits, bag limits, or trip limits as the responsive action that the Council and NMFS could take when the accountability measure has been triggered. In other words, when landings exceed the annual catch target. For example, if the landings for dolphin exceed the annual catch target, the Council and NMFS could implement a commercial trip limit instead of a management action, like shortening the fishing season for dolphin. Following this meeting, staff could begin work on an option paper for the desired management options. Next, please. Establishing minimum size limits for the pelagic species would allow the Council to restrict the harvest of fish below a certain size, reducing the amount of fish that could be harvested before they've had a chance to reproduce. The size limit options could be recommended based on an available life history information, such as size at first maturity and landings and length data where those are available. For this management measure, the Council could consider establishing a minimum size limit for the commercial sector, establishing a minimum size limit for the recreational sector and whether or not to specify the same recreational size limit in federal waters of Puerto Rico that apply in state waters for king mackerel, which was 20-inches fork length or for cero Mackerel, which is 16-inches fork length. Next, please. Establish same recreational bag limits or commercial trip limits for the pelagic species would allow the Council to limit the amount of fish removed from the fishery and reduce the harvest of smaller 63

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fish, especially for species that occur in large schools. Commercial trip limits could limit catch if highly efficient gear is employed in the fishery, and both commercial trip limits and recreational bag it could assist in preventing localized depletion. For this management measure, the Council could consider establishing a trip limit for the commercial sector, establishing a bag limit for the recreational sector and whether or not to specify the same recreational bag limit in federal waters off Puerto Rico that apply in state waters, which for dolphins, is 10 per person per day or 30 per vessel per day. And for wahoo, king mackerel and cero mackerel, five of each species per fisher per day or 10 animals per vessel per day. Next. To try to assist the Council in this selection process, the white paper includes a selection matrix for both the size limit and the quota limit management measures. This is the selection matrix for considering minimum size limit for the pelagic species under each FMP. The asterisk on the species name represents the species that have regulations specified in Puerto Rico state waters. So, for each FMP, the Council would select either ‘yes or no’ for each species, whether they wanted to develop a minimum size limit and for which fishing sector, and then provide just a brief rationale where a size limit was desired. Next. And this is the selection matrix for considering commercial trip limits and recreational bag limits for the pelagic species. Again, the asterisk are the species that have regulations specified in Puerto Rico state waters. And next is, before we start the discussion on which management measures you might like to discuss. Are there any questions? Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

I don't see any-- yes. Jean-Pierre.

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: Thank you for that. So, Stephanie, I just was curious, for the U.S.V.I., if you are aware. So, shortly after the December meeting, we actually put out our draft recreational limits for a 60-day public notice. I didn't see them sort of referenced in the presentation. So, I was just curious as to whether or not you were aware of them. 64

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SARAH STEPHENSON: No. I wasn't. And so, I can include that. If we move forward, I can update that information and include that. JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: Okay. Because I do have what the V.I.-- so, we closed our public notice period in February, I think it was February 21st or 22nd. So, I do have the regulations that are now in the process of being signed and I have what those specific numbers are. They're actually similar to the numbers that we were talking about here in terms of 10 individuals per person or not to exceed this amount for vessel. So, I’ll share that to be posted as well. MARCOS HANKE: Just for the for the record and for us to be informed, can you state it-JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL:

Sure.

MARCOS HANKE: --what those are? Because in a way that if it's similar to Puerto Rico and we can start to look for some logic or something that is compatible-JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE:

Correct.

--ecological, biological justifiable.

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: And I know that our goal was to actually have these numbers to be on the compatibility side of things. So, the new proposed regulation states that there is a combined recreational bag limit of no more than 10 dolphinfish or wahoo per person per day, not to exceed 32 per vessel per day. And not to exceed four wahoo per person per day or 20 wahoo per vessel per day. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. Tony? Have some technical difficulties again. Bear with us. We'll let you know soon as soon as we fix it. For the people online, can you hear us? SARAH STEPHENSON: MARCOS HANKE:

Hi. This is Sarah. I can hear you again.

Thank you very much, Sarah.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: MARCOS HANKE:

And I can hear also.

Thank you, Alida. We have Tony.

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LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Okay. Where to start? Well, I have to start at the beginning. We are right now in the process of coming up with some numbers in order to manage the dolphin and the wahoo. Now, like Miguel stated this morning, we're working with WECAFC to come across the Caribbean with one management plan, by the sound of it, that we all could buy into. So, we start there. I think that's the first step we need to start when we start talking about size limits and bag limits. The other thing is which this is something we also need to look at. The Saint Thomas, Saint John and Saint Croix, the regulations that are running the dolphin of wahoo are all off of commercial landing. Now, I'm willing to bet you that the recreational guys, probably outnumber the commercial guys in this fishery, maybe 10 to one if not more. Yet we don't have those numbers on the books. So, really the only one we are regulating here is the commercial guy, which I don't think this is the way we need to manage. You know, before this all-started years ago, this discussion first started with Roy, sitting in the same chair, and me and Roy butted heads because I told Roy, I understand how the ACL process works. Once you catch and it's a species that is being managed, you also have to come with an accountability and numbers to back it up. I said, Roy, we only got the commercial landings and the only thing you would really be managing off of is commercial landings. Is that fair to the fishery? Basically, is what I tell him, which I don't think so. When the former director was there, we started on a program of collecting data for the recreational. We had asked the Council, or the Council was asked basically to give us a time period for Virgin Islands. A time period to come up with some numbers that would reflect the fishery. For whatever reason, the information stopped coming in. So, right now we're back to square one. Where we are trying to manage a fishery off of commercial landings alone, which I think you're shooting yourself in the foot. And we are forced to because we are mandated by law to come up with something that will not work, in my opinion. So, to the end of the day, the question is this, are we really managing this fishery correctly? And in my opinion, no. So, I go do, since I’m good at what I do. I go ask for exactly what I want. I would like to see that we give the Virgin Islands, especially, five years to come up with that recreational data and commercial data and the wahoo and dolphin, specifically, because of the numbers that we have that would not really reflect the fishery 66

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that we are dealing with. So that when we come up with an ACL-and when I say “we” I mean the Council, because I will not be here, --that it would give a good reflection of what we are managing, instead of just managing or saying that we're managing something which we really need to be managing. The other thing we need to look at is, if we are coming on a panCaribbean level to manage these fish, maybe we need to see what the other countries have out there that is working for them so far, or that they are looking at before we come to the table with something completely off chart to try and make it work and have everybody else try bend to us. The other thing is, I was listening at the recreational numbers, because I didn't have a chance to look at that information, what the commissioner put on to look at for the bag limits and the size limits for the dolphin and wahoo. When he mentioned 32 wahoo per boat, okay? That's what he had said, right? For recreational. Now, I don't know if people's idea of recreation or my idea of recreation is two different things. But in my opinion on recreation. Recreation is you're going all day because it's like a hobby to you. You enjoy the sport or the game. If you catch, you catch. If you don't catch, you don't catch. I think for a boat to bring in 32 wahoos because they have the ability to, because the fish bite in. I don't think that's recreational. Because if you look at the recreational vessels, you got guys that are running aboard a property that cost two or 300,000 dollars and they got, probably, four big engines on the back of it and their sole thing to do is basically have fun. So, do you need to have fun with 32 dolphin and wahoo or 32 wahoos? Whatever it is. So, we need to force a value, in my opinion. We need to figure out what the recreational is. Because if we're managing a fishery and we want such strict restrictions and the commercial guy that this is all he does to make money, and this is what his sole livelihood is. And then, you're having a guy that he got any kind of money that he could blow, because this is just what he does. I mean, is that really fair across the board? And if you look at it, the recreational guys outnumber the commercial guys, especially in Florida, you will probably have an idea of what I'm saying. How much does the rec compare with the commercial guys? So, to the end of the day, who's really impacting this fishery? Is it the commercial guys or is it recreational guys? If you have to put the numbers together. Who are the guys that dipping into this 67

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deepest? And what I'm saying is not that they shouldn't be able to take home fish to eat. I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is just like you have a day season in the states, because you have the ability to shoot fight there for a day. Is that being that allowed? No, it's not. They give you a tag and they tell you, “Well, listen, you got this among for the season. You shoot them, or you don't shoot them, that ain’t on us, that's on you.” I think we need to have the same mindset to some degree. When we manage fisheries, and we need to realize that certain guys just do this because this is their job. And other guys do this because this is how we have fun. And as for the head boats, they take all guys and charter. Right? Before they leave the dock, they are paid. Before I leave the dock, I have to make a certain amount of money to cover my expenses before I come back to the end of the day. These guys don’t have it covered and then someone then brings the same fish back to the dock and floored it and sold it for a cheaper price and a black market. So, the point I'm trying to make here is, I want to ask for at least five years to give the Virgin Islands an opportunity to come to the table. Yes, I asked for this before, it was three years and that program stopped for whatever reason. The data stopped coming in. To get an opportunity to step up now and say, “Well, listen, we will get serious; we will get this data together.” To actually get some numbers that reflect what we do in it. Instead of you saying, “We will come up with some numbers, because we got to come up with some numbers” and try to work with WECAFC. And so, what they are looking at the regulations, and I'm saying that we agree with exactly what they say. But I think if we come in on a pan-Caribbean level, we need to all be able to work with each other and come to some kind of middle ground where we could all work. So, that's basically what I'm trying to bring across the table here. And I think, to me, that that's a sensible thing to do but, you know, I'm probably not the most sensible guy on a table. MARCOS HANKE: Tony, I will take this-- I recognize your position because we have a very long history in Puerto Rico. I want to look to Nelson about this discussion. We traveled through those weeds a long time ago. I recognize that it's different for Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. in some senses. But on this issue, it's not too different. This is a complicated thing to address. I'm just going to give you some examples. For the recreational industry, when you make tournaments, there is an implication about the amount of fish that 68

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you allow them to keep. In terms of the rules and the functionality and how attractive the tournaments will be. That's number one. Number two, if we don't have size limit-- this is what I think there is potential to create here. If we don't have size limit, four small mahi per person, if you have 6 people on the boat, or five people on the boat is basically the numbers close to the 30 that we are talking about. And that's four little mahis that are adults already, it's not a lot of meat. Right? There is that scenario too. Puerto Rico tried to address that by making a provision of no sale for the charters and for the recs. There are ways to do this. I think we can put on the table the discussion and learn from the mistakes that Puerto Rico made on the past. I have a lot of things to say. I don't want to take the time to do this now, but I recognize your point. I don't think it's that simple of saying this study is too much, which I believe is not because there is a deep implication for the charter and the and the recreational fishermen for many other reasons. We need to keep talking about this. Anybody else? Julian and Nelson. JULIAN MAGRAS: I just wanted to-- I went searching for the information that was submitted before. Back on August 26, 2019, we submitted a letter to the commissioner at that time, the Saint John/Saint Thomas FAC submitted this letter under the Chairman, Mr. Claude Berry. I'm not going to read the entire letter, but what was recommended for the commercial side because we didn't have any information on the recreational site was, the fork length for the dolphin to be 24-inches fork length minimum size, 10 fish per angler, no more than 60 fish per boat. This is commercial. For the Wahoo was 36inches fork length minimum size, with two per angler, no more than six wahoos per boat. We came up with these numbers. We held a Fishery Advisory Committee Meeting down at the French Town Community Center and we invited all the commercial guys who was fishing in for these species. And we gathered their input, and these were the numbers that they would like to see. So, I'm just supporting them. It goes back a couple of years, but this is what was presented from the FAC and the commercial side. And then just a chime into what Tony was saying. We did ask for that three years reprieve under the ex-director, Ruth Gomez, and it was granted. We haven't revisited those numbers, the program 69

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stops. I don't know where we are today. But to go along with what Tony is saying, if I don't know what the process is and given us an opportunity to try to regather this information both commercial and recreational it would be greatly appreciated. I don't know how else to put it. And we definitely need to look at the recreational size and bag limits. I guess the size limits would be across the board the same. But the numbers of fish per angler per boat per day, should be way down than 32. They're not selling and what happens is, if you allow these boats to catch this quantity of fish, they're going to be illegally selling the fish in our restaurants and hotels competing with the commercial guys who have to put the money out before they even go fishing. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. I recognize all those complications, and we need to keep discussing. I want to followup with a question to María. this is a decision per island, right? We still can divide these decisions per island based on the graphics that you present. MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yeah. At this point, I mean, the islands can choose different management regimes, you know, as long there is enough background. I think at this point, we're gathering information as to what the Council would like to do. But yes. MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. Thank you. Nelson.

NELSON CRESPO: If we start talking about this term, maybe we're going to need one week. I agree with Tony. I also agree with Julian. And I also agree in part with you Marcos regarding the 30 pieces of fish. If they don't impact the black market, that's the problem. In my opinion-- and I said this before, 10 fish for a recreational vessel is more than enough. Because like Tony says, you are going- because this is a hobby, you are going recreationally. If you catch, you catch, if you don't, you don't. If you got a piece of fish and you can split it with the people that are in the boat, it's okay. But more than 10 fish is definitely going to impact the market and it's going against the commercial fishers. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Nelson. Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Okay, Mr. Chairman. No, I was talking about a matter of procedure. The dolphin wahoo has been included in the WECAFC new-- well, not new, but the Flyingfish Working Group is now called the Flyingfish-Dolphin Wahoo Working Group. Because we 70

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recognize, at the international level, that we have issues in every country and throughout the region with these species. In the case of the mahi-mahi, the dolphinfish, we have two species at least, one in the Northern part of the Caribbean, one in the Southern part of the Caribbean. I'm sorry. In the in the case of the dolphinfish, we have two populations. We have, in the past, after we tried to get the three Councils of the Southeast, Gulf, South Atlantic, and the Caribbean working on these two species. But we stop it because we had some issues and problems and then priorities on the other two Councils. Now we are dealing with the question of what to do with the dolphin and the wahoo. We included-- we, the Caribbean Council and the U.S. Delegation and the WECAFC, included the dolphin and the wahoo in the working group because we believe it is to the interest of the whole Caribbean to address these species. There are two issues with the dolphin. One is a biological issue, and the other one is the socioeconomic. It's an economic issue. One is dealing with allocation, but this is what you're talking about now. You're not talking about the biology of the darn thing. You're talking about allocation. In the case of allocation, you have to be mindful that we cannot tell Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands and what to do in terms of allocation. Unless there's a, you know, a federal issue with it. So, this talk about quotas and things like that, has to be done at the local level. Puerto Rico has been dealing with this for a long time. Some people want five fish only and others, of course, if you are recreational, you want 30 or 40 or whatever. They do not eat that. They sell it for shack money or gas money. That's something that has been opposed by commercial fishers everywhere you have this issue discussed. So, what we need to hear from the Council is number one, what are the next steps that you would like to instruct the staff regarding these two species? You have heard the presentation today. So, definitely, you need information on the biology, so far what we have, socioeconomy of the two species and probably you will need to address the commercial and the recreational separately, if you have that that information. So, you will be able to then decide what to do. In the case of the dolphin, it lasts around three years on average. So, if you, let's say that you have a strict regulation in the U.S. Caribbean that is not compatible with the rest of the 71

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upstream, you aren't doing nothing for the biology. You may be able to do something that's related to allocation. I bring this to the discussion because, before you continue with all the discussion, you need to have all the information possible. That’s what María is saying and Graciela. We need to get that information for you in the format that you will be able to discuss it. But I believe that we have allocation. We have size limit. We have quotas. Those are the issues that you would like to address at the appropriate time. The dolphin-wahoo working group will meet probably this year, if COVID allows. These same issues that you're discussing here, will be included in the agenda. If not, we are going to meet on the first part of 2023. And certainly, we would like to bring to the discussion, whatever the Council decides to push for the management and strategy of these two species. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you. Graciela.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, María was just finding out and I think Sarah is the one that knows who sent those the information. So, we have a couple of issues. One, the definition of a recreational fisher under the MSA. Second, we do have a recreational fishing license that is supposed to be required by anyone who is fishing recreationally in the EEZ. So, it's available to Count My Fish or something like that. MRIP has not been working in the U.S. Caribbean for a while now, but we'll hear from Kevin about that. But there is also the local recreational license and the data that are being collected by the U.S.V.I. and Puerto Rico. So, we've been talking to the locals about what information its available. What issues are they facing. And the sale of fish during tournament times, etcetera, it is a big issue. It is floating the market. We need to bring in the socioeconomies to deal with that aspect of the regulations. But as Miguel was saying, you know, there is some basic information on the biology of the species that it's worthwhile also, putting on the table. But the MSA-- can we read the definition of the MSA, which is really? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: or pleasure.

Recreational fishing means fishing for sport

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, it’s de facto then, if you harvest fish from the EEZ, prohibited to be sold on land. I mean, that's 72

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for example, one big issue that we have. Can we, the federal government, do something regarding stricter definition of what the recreational fishers can do, if you have a permit from the EEZ, then you cannot sell it on land. So, there are a lot of discrepancies in terms of what we can and cannot do, or at least that's the way we feel. So, you know, in that sense, we really need a little bit more direction in order for us to develop something that would be hardcore. MARCOS HANKE:

Andy.

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Well, first a comment to what you just said, Graciela. Typically, with prohibition of sale, it's tied to a permit. Right? And so, that's the challenge here is not having that federal permit nexus. But I think, certainly, we are open to exploring options that could bring back to the Council with regard to how we might be able to prohibit sale or what that could look like. We've kind of jumped into the debate and discussion about the validity of size limits and bag limits and trip limits and I wanted to take a step back. I appreciate Tony's comments coming right out of the gate. Recreational fishing has a substantial impact on fisheries management, right? In the Caribbean, we don't have a fundamental understanding of how much is being landed because we aren't collecting that data through surveys at this point. It is represented as of 2017. We've had some discussions about how to stand it back up, but it hasn't been stood back up. The U.S.V.I. has not collected long term recreational landings data. So, we are flying blindly, a little bit, with regard to what we know or what we don't know with regard to recreational fisheries. It seems like we can all agree that if we're going to consider size limits, there's some value with regard to size limits both from a market, a socioeconomic standpoint, as well as biologically, right. A size of maturity to prevent growth over fishing. And so, what I would be interested in, if the Council's willing to pursue an options paper is, determining what species we think might be in most need of a size limit, and options that would look at what those size limits might be and obviously consideration for commercial, recreational or both fisheries. For the bag and trip limits, you know, the trip limits on the commercial side, to me really would need to be tied into, are we having issues with the catch limit being met or exceeded. 73

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Typically, we put in trip limits to make the fishery less efficient, to control effort. In this instance, we're not regularly bumping up against catch limits, so trip limits may not be needed at this time on the commercial side. For bag limits, because of my comments earlier, I mean, we may want to consider exploring recreational bag limits, just as a way of kind of managing effort and overall harvest, and we could have staff bring back a range of options with regard to bag limits for certain species where there might be a need for those bag limits. So, I make those suggestions because I am supportive of an options paper. It doesn't bind us to anything. But if we'd want to narrow the focus of what the staff brings back to us, I think this is the time to be able to discuss that. MARCOS HANKE:

Tony?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I was glad when you guys said the information. So, I will ask the same question I just asked about 10 minutes ago. Can the Council give the Virgin Islands five years to get its information together? MARCOS HANKE:

Kevin.

KEVIN MCCARTHY: Thanks. So, just to remind everybody. The Science Center, right now, is working in collaboration with the FW and the Virgin Islands to develop a survey design for the entire fishery. So that's rec, commercial, for hire. And in Puerto Rico, as we've seen last week at the SSC meeting and at other meetings, here is a similar effort going on in Puerto Rico. That's a little bit farther ahead in terms of the commercial side. So, there have been a number of years getting a survey designed developed for the commercial sector and now DNER is working with a little bit of help, very little bit of help. It's their project for sure, but a little bit of help from the Science Center looking at the recreational side. So those surveys and the design of those surveys have begun. You know, it's going to take a few years to get to get rolling on it. So that five-year window of getting a survey design and getting some pilot stuff will probably do that within five years. Then there's always the question of funding to keep it long term. So that's something we're working on at the Science Center, the funding side, as well as the design side. So, there are people in the field right now working on that project.

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MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you. Tony.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Well, I don't, to be honest with you, I don't see it as complicated as that. I am going to explain to you why. I'm not a guy that's running any show. The only show I run is my own. But seeing that we have registration every year-- and I could make this very simple. The guys are coming to register the boats. They will tell you whether they rec, fishermen or they are commercial fishermen by the license as a whole. Meaning, the commercial guys are the only guys with license. The questionnaire could go, “do you fish for such and such?” on a recreational basis. You get the number of participants that say “yes,” you tell them “Okay. Well, listen, we need this information in this fishery. Just like the commercial guy has to turn in a catch report every time he goes out; well, you're responsible for your fishery, my friend and this is what we need.” Have them be responsible for their fishery. Because remember, this is their fishery too. You want you want to make people responsible for something, you need to give them the responsibility, and see where they go from there, and I'll tell you, whether they really care about it, or they don't care about it. So, what I'm saying is you get them the paperwork, “listen, this is the papers you need to fill out every time you go out, and you do recreational fishing.” Have them hand it in and that's where you get your foot in the door to start the gathering of information for the fishery. And like I said, I ain’t the guy behind the scenes running anything. But to me that would be a starting point where I think is a very good starting point because you have the players whether they have to come and register the boat because they have it for pleasure or they have it for to make money. MARCOS HANKE:

Yes, Kevin.

KEVIN MCCARTHY: So, the purpose of this port sampling survey is not to come up with a list of fishers who may be rec or who may be commercial. It's to get at the landings by those different sectors and the size composition of the landings by those different sectors. So, it designed or will be designing a survey to get at what's actually coming to the dock. So how many fish are being landed and how big are they? And what species? So obviously, it's not going to be limited to dolphin and wahoo. 75

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But the idea is not so much to survey, are the Fishers saying they're commercial or are they saying they're recreational or are they saying they're for hire? It is to get at what are the landings from those different sectors? So that's so that's the purpose of that of that work. If I'm understanding your comments correctly. MARCOS HANKE: I need to make a comment because before this discussion, we had this discussion and actually we made some recommendations to Clay Porch a long time ago about the same approach that Tony was doing to Puerto Rico. Because in order to design what you want to design right now, it will be very important to know the universe and the style of fishing that the recreational fishermen do. If they go diving for lobster, or if they go pelagic, if they will go reef fishing. That first layer of information, we are losing the opportunity. I think what Tony just said is complimentary and an important first layer that we don't have on hand because we don't have a license first. But as an alternative to know the universe, that's a low hanging fruit. I'm sticking with that saying, right? I understand what you said. I'm really connecting the two ideas with this participation. We have Jean-Pierre. Good. JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: So, I just wanted to make two comments. I think the first is that I do not think, particularly on the U.S.V.I. side, that we're going into anything blindly. I believe the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, over the years, again, this is my second stint on this board. Right? So, from my previous stint in ‘13 and ‘14 and my previous involvements in ‘08, I can remember a number of times where there were recreational fishing surveys taking place in the territory. I know specifically that a contractor named Peter Freeman, who's a socioeconomic person, who was working with the division of Coastal Zone Management at the time, was also working as a subcontractor doing surveys in the territory on the recreational sector back in ‘14 and ‘15 and ‘16 prior to his relocation to the States in 2018. Second, to your point, Tony, about the last one in terms of thing. We don't want to mix the boarding registration with the fishing. But exactly what you're stating, in terms of licensing, filling out those reports, everything. That's exactly what we're doing in the regulations. We're making sure that people apply for, receive tags, have to get a permit and have to be subject to the reporting requirements set out by the department. Because, again, we're not 76

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trying to say that the only pressure that's out there is the commercial sector. We're trying to put some of the owners as well on the recreational sector, which is having an impact. And so, making them subject to the same types of rules and regulations of the commercial, that's the goal of the department. That's what we're pushing forward. MARCOS HANKE: I think this discussion is getting very deep into the into the weeds, but Jean-Pierre, one comment is that we don't need to know the universe of how many recreational fishermen are every year, this effort that Tony just mentioned, and I totally understand the value of it, can be done sporadically just for us to have some information of how many people intend to go fishing. And I can go back, if Kevin wants, I can share with him the questions; actually, I think I did the questions with Nelson at that meeting that we presented to Clay for this effort. I think, please don't put that on the empty basket there. There is a possibility, right? It's an opportunity. Anyway, I need to move the meeting forward. Miguel. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: You know, to decide what you want to do. And also, you don't you need to trust the scientists. You know, they are not going to say something or do something without really knowing what they're going to do. They have a plan to design the surveys, and they are best available information that they were going to collect. But at this time, María, do you need a motion from the Council whatsoever, or do you have enough instruction to follow, to continue? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: I don't know if Sarah has something, but I think we need guidance from the Council to what they want to do. I mean, if the Council is not ready to move forward with something at this point, then we can certainly discuss it during the next Council meeting. I mean, as Andy mentioned, bringing an options paper doesn't bound us to anything. Like, we can bring an options paper, you know, with some alternatives and options of different management regimes that we can do and if when you discuss it, you decide that this is not the route that you want to take, then that's what we ought to do. MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel?

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Because, in that case, because you have a lot of other stuff to discuss here in the agenda.

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I suggest that the Council instruct the staff to prepare an option paper, as suggest by Andy and mentioned by María. You will have the element of judgment in the future to discuss and then you would be able to know what are the gaps that you need to fill, what are the information that you have in place, what are the biological parameters that you need to address? And what are the socioeconomic parameters that you need to address? By the way, you need to do this for the U.S. Caribbean, I mentioned that we are having this effort internationally, but our task is to address this under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. And of course, we need to be mindful of the international concept and so forth. When they do this, they also do a review of the literature. So, all this information that we are talking about would be presented to you by the group that is going to prepare the option paper. The staff has a lot to do between here and August. I would say that the option paper will be ready when they have it ready this year. So, if we don't do it at the August meeting, by the December meeting we will be able to have that information. And remember, we have good news at this meeting, which is that probably the islandbased FMPs will be adopted this year. And with that, Mr. Chairman, if you all agree, I believe that the staff have enough guidance to follow-up and prepare that options paper. María? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yeah. Let me bring Sarah, because this is the option that she's working on. She may have additional information. SARAH STEPHENSON: Thank you, María. I just wanted to see if the developing the options paper, would you like that for all the pelagic species that are going to be managed, which just has a few extra ones for Puerto Rico, the king and cero mackerel, the two tunas, great barracuda, and tripletail. Or are we only interested in helping these kinds of measures for dolphin and wahoo? MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: The original idea is that the wahoo and the dolphin will be the poster boys for what we want to do, but certainly we would like to have as much as possible information on the other species considered. And that's what I was saying that we cannot pretend to have everything for the August meeting. There's a lot of work here aside from the other words that the team is working on. So, if we can collect information on the dolphin and wahoo and the species that you're saying here, then the Council will be in a better position to make a decision. We have one fellow there, the tripletail. The tripletail is one of 78

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those pieces that people don't know much about but is included in our recipe book. So, we probably will be trying to develop the strategy for the use of the tripletail. So, for the record, if that’s what you want, then the answer to Sarah will be that we would like to have the options paper with as many species as possible with the workload that they have. Because we don't have to do it all in one shot, they can identify those species that you are in need on more information, but at least you will be able to have, on the mayor ones, you will have some information that you and look at where you are and where you want to be. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. I think all the list of species that are on the board right now have to be addressed. Part of the rationale, Sarah, if I go dolphinfish, as part of that catch composition, there is wahoo, mackerel, blackfin and tripletail, and barracudas, they're going to be there using the same base, same rod, same everything. Right? And I think we need to address all of them at the same time since the beginning. Just like Miguel said. Get information and start this scoping action. Go ahead, Graciela. Last one is Graciela unless Andy wants to say something for us to move along. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Yes. I was saying, we really need direction on what you want to do. Do you want us to go ahead and prepare an options paper for all of the manage pelagic species that are in the island-based FMP. Okay. MARCOS HANKE: Be mindful too that in terms of the Council process, because some of them are new species, most of them, it's important to start to develop the record and the management and the whole information publicly. It basically is a scientific outreach for the fishermen and people that participate on this meeting. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: We do, then, need to make a requirement of data sharing from the local governments because they're really collecting a lot of the information that might not necessarily come to the Science Center, and any efforts that they are carrying on so that they keep us in the loop so that we know where everyone's heading, especially, you know, Puerto Rico probably is a little bit ahead of the game because of the tournaments, etcetera, that they do monitor. So that's the data request that we need. I think we share that with the Science Center and the regional office. So, we'll, you know, following your advice, we'll get in touch with the local 79

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governments and— MARCOS HANKE: Yes. Please get in touch with them and follow-up on your request. Next item on-- María, you have the-- María, do you have the instructions and a clear record on the next steps on this presentation that Sarah did? MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Yes. I believe-- this is María from NOAA Fisheries. Yes. We have the information that we need. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. Thank you. Miguel?

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Before we continue, just for the record. I just received the letter from Damaris Delgado. In order for her to be able to vote and everything, you have to have this letter. I would like to read it for the record. The letter is addressed to Dr. Andy Strelcheck, Regional Administrator from the acting Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Anaís Rodríguez, and the letter states that Damaris Delgado will be the delegate representing the Department of Natural Resources and as alternate will be Dr. Ricardo López from DNR Fisher Research Laboratory. So, the letter is on the record and is going to be sent to your office, that way she is able to participate and vote. She's now on the internet and with this, I believe that Mr. Chairman, you will need to ask whenever we have a vote, what is the pleasure of Damaris and Vanessa who are in the Zoom. MARCOS HANKE: Noted. Thank you, Miguel. Next presentation. Let's try to catch up here. It's the Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Technical Advisory from Sennai Habtes. Sennai. EBFM TAP Report—Sennai Habtes, Chair GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, Mr. Chair, Sennai is not able to join us because he's attending another meeting, but Kevin will be presenting for him. MARCOS HANKE:

Kevin. Go ahead.

KEVIN MCCARTHY: Thank you. So, I'm going to rely on other TAP members who may be on the call or who are in the room and in fact, I'm going to put over to Orian a couple of the slides because he's more in tune with some of those issues than I am. So, I'm going to walk you through this presentation.

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I'm seeing it for the first time today. Not right this minute, but today, because I think Sennai thought he might have a moment to join us, but I think he's slammed in another meeting. So, I’ll walk you through this. Are we advancing again without trying to? I think, yep, we are. It's trying to move us along. So, I think we've got one more before that. It's just an introductory slide. This I think much of this presentation was made last week at the at the SSC meeting. So, for those of you who saw that presentation, this will be very familiar. Next slide. So, just some background. You've seen a lot of this information before having to do with the EBFM policy coming out of NOAA and the fisheries service. Mainly, it's just to show support for the implementation of EBFM as a management tool to better inform and enable decisions regarding tradeoffs among and between fisheries, aquaculture, protected species, biodiversity and habitats, and recognizing the interconnectedness of these ecosystem components. There's some background there. I won't read through this whole slide for you. You’ve seen much of this before. Next slide. And so, to get back to the EBFM TAP Charter, why does that group exist? Why did you all, as a Council, form this group. It's to provide the Council ongoing scientific advice on ecosystem-based fishery management for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for habitat status, social and economic impacts of management measures, and ecosystem-based impacts, or stressors, on sustainability of fishing practices. So, that's basically the reason for being for this committee. So, that was just basically a reminder to all of us and it doesn't hurt to be reminded of why the committee exists. Next slide? So, we've seen this diagram on the left, the process of fishery ecosystem plans. We began at the top, where are we now. We've, I think, as a committee resolved many of those steps in that first section and we've now moved on to this step two, where are we going? And the step on the right is just-- the bullet points underneath number two on the left are just blown up on the right. And we're working through those. 81

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So, articulate a vision; develop strategic objectives, and how to develop those; assessment of risk; prioritize those strategic objectives, develop a strategy; and develop some operational objectives, and develop a plan to present options to the Council. So that's the process of the step two. That's where we are now and as a committee, and that's what we're working through. Next slide. So, is this where I'm turning it over to you or is it the next one? I got one more. okay. So, the goal of-- and again, this is mostly background material you've seen before. The overarching goal of the Fishery Ecosystem Plans is to promote ecosystem-base approaches to ensure healthy, resilient and productive marine ecosystems and the fisheries resources dependent upon those ecosystems. And then there are a number of things to consider within that mission. I'll just pick out a few, increases human community resilience within the context of changing ecosystems. That's certainly something that's receiving a lot attention at the national level. Define present ecosystem status and functionality; identify additional ecosystem essential species in need of conservation and management. There's a whole list of issues that fall within this ecosystem-based approach. Next slide. ORIAN TZADIK: Okay. I'm going to take over from here. This is Orian Tzadik, EBFM TAP member, for the record. So, the list here that you're looking at is based on a meeting we had in March. These were the presentations that were given and some of the list of potential collaborators. So, on the right-hand side, you can see kind of the topics of a lot of those presentations. They had to do with ecosystem components and a lot of this kind of step one of the processes, where are we now? So, the Smithsonian, for example, did some really innovative mangrove mapping project that was really exciting and got better mangrove maps for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands than we've ever seen before. You know, likewise, we kind of worked through some of this stuff and we heard from the Science Center, about the strategic plan, and then obviously outreach and education. Some of the CARICOOS stuff had to do with the sargassum as well. All these are kind of components of the ecosystem, trying to get a better 82

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handle of where we are, what's going on in the ecosystem. What I want to point out are the two presentations that are kind of highlighted on the left there and give them a little bit more detail. And so, The Lenfest project headed by that's supposed to be J.J. Cruz Motta and Stacey Williams and Tarsila Seara are working as one of the groups creating some of these conceptual models. They gave us a really cool presentation about how their conceptual models are working and how they going to, from those conceptual models, derive indicators. And then using those indicators combined with indicators from actual data sets, they're going to compare the two and see where we are and see what kind of data gaps we have. I'll go into that more on the next slide. And then also we had a presentation from Kelly Montenero, who, with Mandy Karnauskas, did the-- what's it called? --Ecosystem Status Report and they themselves developed indicators based on the available data sets. So, it’s actually really exciting because we have all these different groups creating indicators that we can then compare against each other. Next slide, please. So, I kind of ran through that really quick and we're going to rewind right now and talk about the conceptual models. So, I believe everybody in this room at some point has taken part in of these conceptual model workshops. There are three different groups kind of completing these workshops. One was the Council, one was Mellivora Consulting. And then one is listed here as ISER Caribe, but it's this larger Lenfest group. There were seven different stakeholder groups that were represented among 32 conceptual models. So, that's a huge lift, compared to many other regions, that’s way more stakeholder involvement than a lot of other regions. We really tried to get good representation across the board of different stakeholder groups and then even within those stakeholder groups tried to make sure, you know, for example, the ones that we're still missing actually are some of the fisher groups, the social scientists that were working on this insisted that we have 13 unique conceptual models from fisher groups in Puerto Rico alone. So, we're really trying to make Sure we get everybody's input at a at a lot of different scales. And then we're in the process of trying to merge these things together at overall conceptual models for each island. And so that starts with creating like terminology among the models. And then, what they are going to do with this is, kind of, once they've 83

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created the like terminology, the idea is to see how similar different groups are to each other and then the same group is to other groups within that group. Right? So, how does fisher group on the West Coast of Puerto Rico compared to fisher groups on the East Coast of Puerto Rico? And then how do those groups compare to those in the Virgin Islands, etcetera. And then also, really interestingly, how do the fishers compare to, let's say, the managers or the academics or the DAPs. That's also all within that. Then the idea is to kind of create this tiered approach where you would be looking at these similarities among and within groups to eventually get to a single conceptual model per island. Those conceptual models will be based on, the components of those will be based on the amount, the times, the frequency of occurrence from the smaller models. Right? So, if we heard in every single model that something simple, like may maybe you know, pollution affects coral reefs. If we heard that in every single model, that'll make it to the top model. If we only heard that in one of the 32 models, it likely wouldn't get to that top model. We're going to include all of the conceptual models in the final report, but this melded one will be where we then get indicators from. And then I'm not going to run through this whole process, but the indicators will then be used to inform the indicators that are derived from the data and see how well those matches up. So, what do the stakeholders think? What does the data tell us? How do they overlap? And where are the data gaps? Next slide, please. And so, that's what this data procurement and assimilation is. Again, this was presentation I think developed for the SSC. So, I'm not going to go through all of these steps. Happy to talk to anybody at the break about it though. The important thing here is that last bullet there that is to identify data gaps between stakeholders and the data derived view of the system. So how does the data collect from things like SEAMAP, NCCOS, the NCRMP programs. How do those data differ from that that the stakeholders are telling us? Or do they? And if so, where are the different and what are the gaps that we should explore further. And then the idea behind creating these indicators is then assessing risk to do with the indicators. And like I was saying before, it's pretty exciting because we're going to have all these different avenues of deriving these indicators, including the ecosystem status report. Next slide, please. Back over to Kevin. 84

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KEVIN MCCARTHY: Okay. So, back to me. As a consequence of the work that the TAP is doing, we've developed a number of working groups, and you can see those on the left. I won't read through all of the membership other than to say, we've reached out to other groups, like the like the SSC and the Science Center and some others, to help fill out these working groups. So, we've got a conceptual model's melding working group that Orian just talked about their work. Ecosystem indicators. Again, you’ll see Kelly Montenero there. She's been doing that work as well as J.J. and others. A risk assessment group, data repository group. And then finally, what we haven't filled out yet is drafting the FEP because that's, you know, the ultimate result of all of this. So that’s going to rely on the work of all the other groups. So, that's to be determined and coming in the future. Next slide. So, the next steps, these in red, are the completed or nearly complete. Some of this conceptual model work is still ongoing. I don't want to read each and every one of these, but we could certainly discuss them as the Council sees fit. But progress is being made. That's the main point of this first slide, then a number of a number of tasks have been done or will soon be done. But there are a number of things left to do. So, next slide. This is still on our to do list, and you can see this runs out through December of 2023. So, there's a year -- a little over a year and a half more of work to do in this timeline. But ultimately, in December of 2023, the goal is to submit the FEP for Council approval. I believe that is the last slide. Yes. So, Happy to take any-- well, let me stop before I say, “take any questions” and ask other TAP members who are in this meeting, either here or online, if you've got any additional information to add. I'm just going to open it up to the TAP Members. Happy to hear your comments. If there are none, then I'll open it up to questions. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: It’s open for question. Let's try to speed up the process we are behind on the schedule. Any question? I think the slides and the presentation was clear enough. The 85

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Council is well aware of what is going on with the TAP. Thank you very much for the presentation. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: MARCOS HANKE:

You have Alida Ortiz online.

Alida Ortiz. Go ahead, Alida.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: The only thing is that I want to let you know that in the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel, we will have a meeting in July that will be dedicated to what are the strategies, the outreach strategies that we can use or that the group, the working group of the fisher ecosystem plan needs for that plan. So, we'll have probably the same presentation that Kevin is doing, and then we will discuss this with the entire panel. Just to note. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Alida. Next item on the agenda is the Scientific and Statistical Committee Report. Richard? Scientific and Statistical Committee Report—Richard Appeldoorn RICHARD APPELDOORN: Thank you, Marcos. While we're waiting for the presentation to come up, I'll just start by saying that the SSC met two days last week. It's the first time we had met since July, so there were lots of things to get through. Okay. The next slide. So, among the issues discussed, first was an integrative analysis and visualization of the SEAMAP C data. It's a very interesting presentation by J.J. Cruz Motta on the SEAMAP data and how they've gone through this and basically created what they call the gold standard as to say it's been proved and put into a good format that now can be used to address a number of interesting questions about how, in the example he gave, how communities might be changing over the time, and what the drivers of those are, and sometimes it might be something in the environment. Sometimes it's how we've changed, how we've done the sampling. But they show up nicely in the data. We heard one from the Science Center on Caribbean branch, this is something that the Council I think was briefed on, either the last meeting or the meeting before that. We also had, from the Science Center, an update on the research inventory, which is an inventory of cataloging all the kinds of research that have been done in fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean and trying to put that into a database. We also had an update on the SEDAR stock assessment matrix, which 86

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is basically a look at what species are we interested versus what do we actually have data that we can use to analyze and therefore what species do we need to perhaps target for additional data collection. So, it's kind of a data triage look at things and Kevin gave us that presentation. That's followed by an update on the spiny lobster, OFLs, ABC's. It was pretty much what you guys heard this morning in very short presentation. I gave a presentation on the National SSC that's going to be meeting this August 15 through 17 in Alaska and the subject is on EBFM and we'll be sending myself as the Chair and also J.J. Cruz and Tarsila Seara as part of the ecosystem-based group, representing the Caribbean Council for that. We had presentation on the lobster selectivity study that's being done. This is one of the big recommendations that came out of the stock assessment for spiny lobsters. We weren't really clear on the gear selectivity. So, that's underway. We got a presentation of showing how they're approaching that with different traps of different characteristics that made them selective for different sizes and we can see how they operate with what's in the environment. One clear thing that was not being incorporated in that was the issue of depth and there might be larger lobsters at depth. Anyway, it's an ongoing study and we have yet to see what the results will look like. Next. We also had several kinds of presentations on the ecosystem-based fishery management program. Essentially the same presentation you just heard on the on the TAP. We also had a more detailed presentation on the Lenfest program which was sort of what Orian was talking about here and also one on how to meld the conceptual model. So, they went into a little bit more detail on the statistical way that they're going to approach bringing all these models together. Status of the island-based FMPs was also presented. I think you have already heard that. Again, something the Council has been dealt with in several meetings in the past that the SSC has not been up on was the five-year strategic plan, and that has some importance because it feeds into, you know, what data do we need, and this is where we're working at. So, the last 2 things there are the Puerto Rico Port Sampling and Catch Validation Project, it’s a summary of the MER Consultant’s program of port sampling around Puerto Rico and the Life History Update by Virginia Shervette, I think the Council has also heard 87

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that in the past. Next? You can just hold it there. The last 2 items there are really what I'm going to spend my time talking about because what we wanted to get to, was the SSC research plan recommendations and those two topics are what we spend most of our time discussing and have the most relevance into looking at what the research recommendations might be. So next, back one. No. The one pack. There we go. Okay. This is a program that was started some time ago, got interrupted by María, then since, has gotten most of its stuff done and report written and submitted into the Science Center. They've done a lot of interesting things and one is the incorporation of digital methods. So, they're at a stage now where they have basically a camera system that looks down on a board, that board will also function as a balance. So, very quickly, you could slide a fish on the board, the video is running, so it records the fish. It can measure the length automatically from the grid on the board and the balance estimates the weight and you move on to the next fish. They have been teaching this system how to recognize species using artificial intelligence, and I've been feeding it tens of thousands of images of fishes to get it to identify those species and it's gotten very good at it. And I'll talk more about that in a second. So those incorporation additional methods have greatly increased the amount of information that can be collected in any unit of time with the goal, of course, of minimizing the disruption to the fisher in having his catch or her catch looked at and also getting more information during that time. Another thing that came out of this is just the estimation of what the catch might be. One of the interesting details was that 24 species accounted for 87 percent of the catch. We pointed out that two species, spiny lobster and conch accounted for over 50-- it was 51 or 53 percent of the catch. So, you're getting a good view of what the species composition is. We spent a lot of time talking about how this applies to expansion factors. There were some really interesting things that came out of this. So, some species tend to match the raw data that's collected from the commercial fisheries reporting program. I should point out something that Todd Gedamke and others emphasized, is that none of the data sets we're looking at should be considered perfect, not the MER Consultant data sets, not the commercial landings data set, these are things that all have their biases, 88

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and we're going to talk about those. So, as I was saying, some species from the MER consultant data, matched the raw data from the commercial reports in Puerto Rico. One of the examples of that was spiny lobsters. Whereas other species matched well with the expanded data, using the expansion factors. As an example, that was conch. So, there's some interesting dynamics going about different sectors and how much they're reporting or not reporting. There were unexpected landings that showed up. Not unexpected that they showed up, but how much or how valuable they were. Two examples were the common octopus. So, there's several octopus species that occur in the fishery, but the common octopus was the number nine species on that list. Another one was a single species of slipper lobster. Again, there are several species that show up in the fishery but a single species, and I forget the actual name of it, showed up as number 27 on the list. Some of the species were not targeted well. okay? This is based on a pilot sampling program that ran for several months and then they started running the full program and during that, they realized they were not getting some things and they switched how they were doing things that worked out fairly well, but they were still some species that were not targeted well from the way the sampling program was run. Certainly, rare species always have a problem because you just don't get enough data on those. But there are others where the landings occur outside the normal sampling time or at normal sampling sites. And one example was yellowtail snapper which frequently the landings were made at night. Another one was the multi-day trips coming back from Mona frequently, they're coming in very early in the morning. And so, the port samplers were missing those. So, at least they're able to identify places where they think they're missing things and be able to adjust accordingly. Then there were some species that are just confusing. We don't know why we weren't fitting either the expanded or not expanding, so there's other dynamics that are going on with how those are reporting or how they were being sampled in the MER program. Next. So, there are applications and next steps that can use this data. So, the main point was that the full data set really needs to be analyzed and you'll hear me emphasizing that again. The purpose of 89

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this was to be able to better target the distribution effort of port samplers so we get a better estimate of what the catch is, and then subsequently what kinds of expansion factors and how those expansion factors would be calculated. So, we could start getting towards species specific expansion factors instead of coast wise expansion factors. One of the things we did find, however, is that the expansion factors on the level of total catch do in fact work quite well compared to the MER data. So, they were aligning well and that's good news for how we were looking at those expansion factors. But as I said before on a species-by-species basis, that's where we start having problems because you're dealing with smaller data sets if we were to calculate those expansion factors on a speciesspecific basis, so. The MER data suggests that there will be species that we can use expansion factors for in species that we should not use expansion factors for, and there'll be other ones where we need to have more information. So, another recommendation coming out of this is that we need to have continued targeted, prioritized sampling. So, this is not the full-blown sampling that MER Consultants were doing, but including in the normal port sampling, some more targeted sampling to address certain things. One of the things that has come out of this, using this digital technology is that we can provide species composition of the catch from using these digital tools. And this means that on landings forms where we have aggregates like parrotfish, or something like that, we can use the data coming from the port sampling to actually split these into species-specific groups. And that's because we have the technology now to recognize the species as a fish is sliding across this digital board. And so that will give us a much better view at what our composition is for species we're not collecting that species-specific data on. And this relieves the burden of doing that from the fishermen. So, we don't ask them to start identifying everything they catch. We can do that using these digital tools. It also provides length-frequency data which is essential for looking at mortality and changes in mortality over time, or say, the relation of the catch in population to the size of maturity, for example. So, if you're sliding these fish across the board, you're getting length frequency information. When I say, targeted prioritized sampling, if we're interested in looking what's happening at specific species, say, our indicator species for the various groups or something's coming up for SEDAR in a few years and we want to make sure we have good length frequency data, we 90

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can target our sampling for that. Third thing that we're hoping to have this kind of program do is verify expansion factors and as I said, get those down to species specific, if we can get. And because this is targeted and prioritized, this is all done at a much-reduced effort and cost compared to what the MER program was doing. So, with a little bit more effort and costs, we could get much more benefits out of the port sampling that we're doing now. I don't think the effort is the problem, as Kevin reminds us all, cost isn't an issue that we've all had to deal with and, you know, everybody's looking at ways about how we can do all those, because we recognize the urgency of that. And so again just to reiterate the last thing would be to incorporate these new digital methods into the port sampling program for Puerto Rico. And eventually, the Virgin Islands as that comes to fruition. Next. So, the last thing was the Life History Update that was given by Virginia Shervette. Life history information, we're talking about is age, growth, longevity, maturation, age and size of maturation, and spawning seasons. And she gave us-- I know that Council has heard her give a presentation before. She went into a very long and detailed species by species account. I don't think I have all the species up here. These were just the ones in my notes. So, red hind and coney for the groupers; mutton snapper, Blackfin, queen snapper and silk sapper; hogfish; the parrotfishes are the stoplight, queen, redtail, redband, and princess parrotfishes; and also, white grunt. So, in each one of those, she went through, you know, how much data does she have? What islands are they coming from? What gears are they coming from? What do we know so far in terms of, say, oldest individuals to date, etcetera? Next. And kind of summarizing across those things, appears that the otolith ageing techniques that are being used are well validated. And I should point out that although, Virginia was giving presentation, and she and her lab have done a lot of the work. This is a collaborative effort across lots of people, agencies, fishers, etcetera, who are feeding data into the system and trying to process this.

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Data collection and processing tend to be really good when there is funding for that, but most species are being done on kind of an ad hoc or opportunity basis. That is to say, programs are sending samples to her lab and she's trying to process a number of these with available funds. You are kind of just sticking them in the pipelines as they go through. A lot of people have been helping in that. The Puerto Rico fisheries lab sends a lot of stuff from SEAMAP. I know Julian's been really helpful in getting things from the Virgin Islands. But it is as an opportunity on an ad hoc basis. There is potential gear select issues when trying to look at things like growth and so, for some species, there needs to be more targeted sampling to make sure that we get the samples to be able to parse out that selectivity. She gets a lot of gut samples that are stored when they're available, and they could be used for diet composition, but they're not being really processed now because of lack of funding. The opportunist. She gets a lot of opportunistic gonads and gut samplings, but frequently, as I say, more often than not, these are suffering because they're not properly iced or otherwise preserved before they hit the dock. And for the gonad samples, she was commenting that that already degrades the viability of those samples for that kind of work. So, although she's been pursuing opportunistic things, when possible, even that effort suffers from things beyond her control. Next. So, all this says, kind of, there needs to be more targeted work, and that targeted work needs to be linked to priority species, say, as we're coming up to SEDAR or, again, just targeting those species who are the indicator species under the management plans, and all those priorities need to be targeted with funding. So, if you want to have you know, age, data or life history data for species x, and we know this is coming up, there should be a funding program that is allowing that to be done either, you know, her lab or someplace else, but it's really difficult to do all this stuff without that kind of coordination between getting the work done and deciding what species you want to have done and having the funding there to complete all that. Next. So, all of this then fed into research recommendations. This is something we had hoped to spend More time on. Our last formal attempt was back in 2014, so that was a while ago. We had only two hours to make this discussion. Nevertheless, that 2014 study was 92

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useful because a lot of the questions still remain. A lot of those priorities still remain. Nevertheless, we did not go through all that report in the two hours. So, what we were able to do is, first of all, it was weighted by that plan. It was weighted by the presentations on port sampling and life history that I've just gone through. It was weighted, I think, mostly on things related to stock assessments, at least initially, but we got other things in there. There are new developments, EBFM, what we call the (h)(2) flexibilities and if you remember, those are flexibilities for setting OFLs and ABCs when catch data are insufficient. So, we could look at trends and say, catch per unit effort and set OFLs and ABCs in terms of catch per unit effort rather than actual biomass. E-reporting is coming online, both in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. There are digital tools like what MER Consultants was using, and so some of our recommendations dealt with those kinds of things. In the end, what we did was just kind of produce a bullet list of research priorities as a starting point. So, we really didn't have a discussion or formal ranking of these bullets. So, this is not necessarily an inclusive list at all or exclusive list. There's a lot more work to be done, but it's a starting point. And having said that, I'll go through the bullets. So next slide. Grouped into a number of headings. So, first thing would be to improve the landings data. At the top of our list, as I mentioned before, was to analyze the MER report from the Puerto Rico landings; to improve the port sampling; to improve expansion factor estimation, and its application; and to increase the length composition data. It would also-- the next bullet is to improve landing's data collection via digital tools. Again, kind of a message that came out of the MER project. Evaluate digital formats for reporting and validate versus paper reporting. So digital formats for catch reports are being starting to be used in Puerto Rico on the Virgin Islands. We think there's some space there for those to be evaluated and then also compared to how they perform versus paper reporting. And lastly, initiate a MER-style study of landings in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I understand that is in the works someplace. We strongly recommend that that effort be given priority.

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Next? So, the next group is the collection of biological data for life history and population parameters. So, we want to improve biological data collection via digital tools. Again, we can, particularly length information from those. And then, we'd like to have timely prioritization of collection by species, as to say, what species do we need? Again, what a seed are going to look at? What do the island-based plans require for their indicator species? Let's prioritize those and get data collection targeted for those. There was also, as part of this recommendation, that we review and formalize the stock prioritization process. We had one recommendation for effort estimation. I was generally acknowledged that estimating effort is difficult, even from the catch data. And so, it was suggested that we develop alternate methods for estimating effort. One of those that came out would say, the [inaudible] of using drones to get an aerial picture of how many boats are out and where they're located to get an idea of what the fishing effort might be. This would obviously bring in any kind of vessels that are out there, both commercial and recreational. Next? So, EBFM. I'll admit from right from the start that this is kind of a catchall heading, for two reasons. One, there are things that didn't fit nicely into other things, but they deal with EBF kinds of issues like closed areas. And the other reason is that, as you've already heard, the EBFM effort that's underway through the TAP is going to be producing, at some point through their analysis, a detailed, I think, analysis of where the gaps are in our data to be able to implement EBFM and use those indicators that we would like to have. So, those things are not in this list because they haven't given those to us, but they're going to be coming in the next year. So, keep that in mind. But what we have here now is to evaluate the effectiveness and impacts of closed areas, and there's some multiple themes on this below. Develop habitat maps from existing national ocean surface multibeam and lidar data. So, they have the capability of taking that data and generating habitat maps which they demonstrated some years ago with Abrir la Sierra. Habitat maps are really important, not just for EBFM, but for a lot of the sampling programs, especially something, the independent ones like SEAMAP really would be much better if we had habitat maps. Review the status of spawning aggregations within closed areas and evaluate the closed seasons, the timing of closed seasons relative 94

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to the timing of spawning seasons. Investigate the functional ecology of our habitats, that is to say, has some of that function been degraded because the habitats themselves have become degraded either through climate change or coastal impacts or whatever? And construct an electronic species habitat database. Much in line of how the Center is working on their research inventory. You know, could we have a database on species habitat use as well? Next. In preparation for the (h)(2) flexibilities, I think there should be some simulations to test alternative ACLs or actually it's ABCs and OFLs for using (h)(2) flexibilities. How to incorporate uncertainty into defining ABCs from OSLs. And again, we need to collect life history information to run simulations in the same way that we would run SEDAR. So just emphasizing the need for more life history information. But just as to be able to run the models that we ran with spiny lobster for the last SEDAR, there was a whole management strategy evaluation process that ran actually two years, I think, to learn, using simulation, how to approach the models and what models could do best under what data scenarios, we would need the same kind of simulation testing for alternatives under these (h)(2) flexibilities. For monitoring and surveys, another heading. We want to continue and expand monitoring and surveys. So, monitor a program for fish population in closed areas. Obviously, the fishery can't do that because they're closed. Expand, enhance, whatever you want to call it, cooperative fisheries-based surveys. That was something that was emphasized repeatedly that all this works better if we're doing this collaboratively and cooperatively. And to that, there was really interesting suggestion to train and delegate to fishers, fisheries monitoring activities. And that was based on some programs that I think have been developed for the Great Lakes where they've specifically had trained partners for that, and it worked really well. So, to my understanding, I'm not familiar with these directly, but these are the kinds of things that the SSC would like to be able to get back together and discuss so we can elaborate on some of these. Remember, these are just bullet points that people kind of just put out there, and I've cut them down to reduce their redundancy. Next. I think there's, yeah. So, socioeconomic data for management. 95

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Determine the economic values of fisheries that can be used in assessing benefits and costs for alternative management measures. And periodic systematic collection of data to provide a baseline and compared to bases for social impact assessments. So, it's sort of the same thing as the previous one except the social data instead of economic data. And a sub one on that was research to assess and integrate local ecological knowledge into decision making. So again, trying to utilize the information from our fishers much more effectively and continuously into that process. And all of the above would be facilitated, not just this thing, but all the recommendations that I presented would be facilitated with an MOU between the Council, the Science Center and the territories for how they're doing their monitoring and data collection. So, we're all kind of on the same team as, what species do we want to look at? What data are we trying to get from those? When are we going to do those analyses? So, when it comes time to do them, we have what we need with, you know. We all recognize we have limited resources both in personnel and in time and the more we're on the same page about what we want to do, the more effective we're going to be using our personnel and our resources. So, I think that's it. Thank you. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: One burning question for the-- Any question? Because we're really behind the schedule. Kevin. KEVIN MCCARTHY: This isn't too much a question as a comment getting back to the review of the MER study in Puerto Rico. I just heard, coincidentally because we've been after this for a while. I think the end of last week, or maybe this week, that we got some money from headquarters to do a CIE review, which may not be what everybody wants to do, but is one mechanism to review that. So that money is coming through. We may be able to get that reviewed either beginning in July, which may be optimistic, but it may not come through until October. But the money is there and available so that will move that process along. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you.

RICHARD APPELDOORN: Kevin, that's really great news. And you know, I actually argued with Kevin last week, it was like, well, CIE is kind of like over the top in terms of, you know, what maybe needs to be done, but if we can get that, wow, you know, that'd be great. MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel? 96

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MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to tell Graciela. Please, meet after the meeting. Sometime in the future, meet with Richard and to identify from the list of dots any project that might be of priority to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, but specifically to the SSC. And then, maybe we can identify some that can be funded by the Council. Some of those studies that Richard and the SSC Group believe are burning question that we should address as soon as possible. RICHARD APPELDOORN: Alright. I could sort of do that just based on the discussions we have, but we actually didn't get to a point of trying to rank any of these things. I guess the take home message, which I should have repeated at the end is, the SSC wants to come back at this and have a lot more time to give you something much more formalized. So, to the degree that we could schedule a meeting to that, that's what we would like. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: That's what I was pursuing. So, please take note and between Richard and you can put together a meeting. It could be a Zoom meeting, but if we can do it hybrid, that’s the way to go. So, if we do that before the next meeting, and in between, the Chair and I have the authority to allocate some of the funding for the specifics that you addressed. But the important part is that, after hearing that presentation, we want to hear from the Council. Do you agree with that? Do you agree that we should prioritize and then have this meeting and put some money into it? Because I'm scared with the whole list. Who the hell is going to do all that? But Richard knows that too. RICHARD APPELDOORN: You know, and you can see there that we didn't even talk about recreational landings, which is – MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Yes.

RICHARD APPELDOORN: -- is obviously a big issue. This is, you know, at the end, we were just okay, everybody gave us their top things and we created a list and pared it down to reduce redundancy. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Yes, so I suggest allowing Graciela and Richard to put together a meeting, an agenda and the timing for that. That should be between here and in August. I know that summer is coming very quick and some of you that belong to the SSC, you have your duties with the university and so forth. So, if you agree with that idea, then Graciela can take charge of it.

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MARCOS HANKE: I think we all agree with that. I don't see anybody in opposition to that, especially because you're going to have a meeting to make the priority and to have a final product for the Council to evaluate later. Graciela, please? GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: One thing, the SSC received the strategic plan of the Council. I mean, that specifies strategies. Things that the Council wants to get done that the stakeholders have told us to direct our attention to. So, between the SSC, the Science Center, the technical advisory panel and the Council, I think, and the regional office, we can all move this forward in a very directed way. I hope, I think. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: The thing is we don't need to come back to the Council to tell you or ask you whether we do it or not. You already approved it. Time is of the essence because the budget now-Anyway, we can do it with the authority that we have. So, after this meeting, we can, you know, choose what are the priorities and identify who can do it, and maybe go into the bidding process and what have you. But this is excellent. Thank you very much, Richard. MARCOS HANKE: Okay. Let's keep going with the agenda. I have to be-- let's go with the next presentation. Kevin with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center update. Southeast Fisheries Science Center Updates—Kevin McCarthy KEVIN MCCARTHY: Thanks, Marcos. I'll try and be quick. So, this is just the update from the Science Center, the Caribbean fisheries branch. I think I took credit for more than just the fisheries branch, I should point out now that there are three branches at the Science Center that have the name Caribbean in them. There's the Gulf and Atlantic-- or sorry the Gulf and Caribbean reef fish branch. There is the Atlantic and Caribbean reef fish branch and then there's the Caribbean fisheries branch which I'm in. Next slide. So, what we're going to see here. I'm going to give you an update on we stand with some stock assessments, our strategic planning work at the Science Center, the Caribbean Research inventory. You've seen that presentation before, so I won't spend too much time there, but just to give you an update. Port sampling design work. Gear selectivity studies. The data triage work or the matrixing that it's sometimes called. 98

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Next slide. So, we'll start with stock assessments. So, this has got a lot of information on it. We're not going to dive into all of it other than to give you enough for it to serve as a reminder for me to tell you about SEDAR 80. This is Queen Triggerfish on all the islands. Lead analyst is Nancy Cummings. Adyan Rios is heavily involved in the project as well. We've got a timeline there on the right. We are currently in the middle of the modeling exercise; all the data are in, and Nancy is working on models. Because we are now island based, that means that we're really doing 3 individual stock assessments. That is something to keep in mind. One of the big milestones that we've had in this assessment is that for the first time we're using indices of abundance and we're also incorporating local life history information out of Virginia Shervette's lab. The goal is to have this done and to SEDAR by July one and to the Council a week later. Next slide. We talked a little bit about this. María did earlier today, we will have a spiny lobster update assessment, which should inform OFL and from there, ABC and ACL, but that's the work of other groups, the SSC and Council, but OFL should come out of that. This is going to be pretty much a strict update assessment following on from the assessment that was done a few years ago. We think it will be done. The plan is to have done for the fall SSC meeting. What will happen is that we’re going to update the length and landings data, life history information will be the same. The terminal year of the data is dependent upon the availability, in Puerto Rico anyway, of the electronic logbook data. So, we're working on that issue, but it will be complete through 2021 for the Virgin Islands. An operational assessment for spiny lobster is on the calendar for 2024 and in an operational. We will revisit life history assumptions. We will look at additional data sources for inclusion in the model. But for this year, the only new data that we might include would be the gear selectivity information as it is available. So, if that's available, we'll include it. If not, it'll be a strict update with just updating the time series of landings and length information. Next slide. 99

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So, upcoming. I hope I got the right species in here. So, in 2023, we'll be looking at yellowtail snapper in Saint Thomas/Saint John, and in Puerto Rico, and stoplight parrotfish in Saint Croix. And as I mentioned, in 2024, it'll be spiny lobster assessment for all islands. Next slide. So, let's look at our strategic planning efforts. So, the goal is to develop a strategic plan for data collection, analytical best practices, outreach and education in the U.S. Caribbean. I don't mean outreach and education by the Council. This is for Science Center. The first year we're looking at the Science Center work. So, here's a bunch of people whose many of the names you may recognize. They're all principal investigators in this work. But we will be getting information and input from more people than what you see on that list. These are just the people who helped write the proposal and get the money. Next slide. So, we've got three years of funding. The first year, what we're going to focus on is the Science Center. We want to get the Science Center strategic plan in order. Then in the second year and moving forward, we'll be involving the Council, Council staff, SERO, territorial partners, lots of other people. And what we're going to do in the first year is identify data gaps, many of them are recognized through their projects inventory in the data triage, which you'll see in a in a few minutes. We want to optimize data collection strategies, prioritize and coordinate them. As Rich mentioned, we all know that there are resource limitations and so with those limited resources, we need to get the most bang for our buck. And we want to improve process. So, data delivery systems and analyses. We want to be very efficient. We don't have a big staff, so we don't want to spend a lot of time doing analysis that we can improve and automate. So, we've got a planning workshop coming up on the sixteenth through the nineteenth of May. There will be Council and SERO folks who were there, sort of as observers. But, again, this is a Science Center plan that will then be expanded in the coming year. Next slide. So, we'll move on to the Caribbean research inventory. This is a this is a work that you've seen in the past. Rachel Eckley has 100

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presented it. Really what is, is an inventory or database of U.S. Caribbean work. We started with NOAA funded projects because they were the easiest one to find. But we haven't limited it to that, but that's still the primary objective. And so, it identifies existing data sources that were NOAA funded. We can use it to identify data gaps. We can focus on areas for additional data collection. But what we're building is a central centralized repository, and it's a searchable database. Next slide. So far, Rachel's cataloged 542 different projects, over 1200 documents. It's uploaded to what we're calling the online database manager. This is a system that resides at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, so it's a searchable database. It includes a bunch of other data sets. We've got a management history. We've got HMS pelagic logbook history. We've got morphometric conversions. So, there's a lot of other data sets that live in there that we can use, but we're adding to that ODM, as it's called, this Caribbean data set as well. Next slide. So, they're currently working on formatting this online data system. Upcoming, we'll want to get some folks who are involved as testers. So, people who go online, log into this system, and search it, and use it, and see where it breaks, so that we can fix it, and/or make it more user friendly and the try to fit the needs of the users. So, we'll be looking for people to help test that in the future. Right now, it's a limited access system but we're going to investigate how we can add outside folks to have access to this database. I don't quite know what that's going to look like because I don't own the database at NOAA. But we're going to see what we can do. In the future, the plan is to add additional non-NOAA funded work. Like I say, as we come across those, we're adding them, but primarily, we're focused on the NOAA funded research. I already mentioned the accessing the data. So, next slide. So, let's look at some other projects that are in progress. So, the Puerto Rico Survey design project, Rich, spent a lot of time talking about that, so we won't dive into that too much other than to say we're really happy with the way that is coming to be. We worked with MER for a number of years on that beginning way back when Steve Turner was still around, if any of you remember him. 101

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So, it's been quite a few years and it's nice to see that coming along as well as it has. So, one of the bullet points for research recommendations coming out of the SSC was to do something similar in the Virgin Islands, and that's exactly what that second one is. The U.S. Virgin Islands Survey design project. That's where the Science Center is in collaboration with DFW in the Virgin Islands to do a very similar kinds of study, except to say that it's expanded beyond just the commercial fishery. It will include recreational fishery, the forhire fisheries. The attempt to get the entire fishery and all those sectors. We've got another project that we ran into some contracting issues last year, but we think we've got those smoothed out so we will be able to move the money this year to help with that artificial intelligence work, that machine learning that Rich talked about in processing samples. The goal there is to improve port sampling efficiency, so that the fishers are not standing around waiting for the port samplers for too long. Rich also mentioned the lobster trap selectivity project. That's I believe wrapping up. So hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we'll see the report and the information coming out of that. We've got similar project again with DFW as a collaborator in the Virgin Islands. We're also collaborating with University of the Virgin Islands, and the park service. They've provided divers to do supplementary work for those trap selectivity projects in the Virgin Island. Next slide. Okay. A couple more. I think I've already mentioned that top one, so I'll skip it. We're also working on life history. Again, as Rich mentioned, life history is a big important part of stock assessments among other things. Our interest is primarily in the stock assessment application. So, we've got a project where we're looking at shallow water, getting samples from shallow water. It says lobster, but that's incorrect. This is not limited to lobster. The issue we're trying to get at there is where are all the small fish? Because you'll see a lot of information in life history. You see a lot of curves, growth curves, and things like that. And often, they're under sampled for the small fish because that's not what fishers bring back to the dock. You’ll see a lot of samples in the size range where fish are landed, but not very many when they're small and sometimes not very many where they're very big. So, part of this life history project is to identify where can we 102

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find those small fish? So that is a cooperative research project that is working with the fishers in Puerto Rico to find the habitat that those smaller fish are in and to sample them effectively. We've got a lobster recruit survey as well. That's been going on for about a year now. Also, it's a cooperative project working with commercial fishers in Puerto Rico. The idea is to get an abundance index of those lobsters that on the next molt or two molts are going to be big enough to be caught in the fisheries and what can that tell us as a predictor for how many lobsters we think are okay to catch in the coming year. So, it's sort of this predictive model of catches next year? I mentioned the management history database. This is just a database of management actions. A lot of our data are fishery dependent, meaning they come out of the fishery and so they're affected by management actions. If you change a minimum size, that's going to change catch rates, because the catches coming back to the dock are going to differ. If you increase the minimum size limit or if there's a closed season, those sorts of things really impact the data, and we have to understand them. So, we spent a lot of time on that management history database. It includes not just Caribbean data, but data from the entire Southeast. The electronic logbook data is not our project, but we are working with ShellCatch, with DNER, with ACCSP, with other folks at the Science Center to migrate the data from the ShellCatch cloud database to another storage place where we can access it. “We” being the Science Center. Because right now we don't have direct access to those data. There was also a lot of talk about correction factors and their calculation. That takes DNER staff a lot of time. It's very burdensome. And so, we're looking at ways to automate the calculation of that correction factor. And if we do that, you know, that that opens up a possibility of getting, as Rich was talking about, those species-specific correction factors. So, we can move away, perhaps, it's not our call, It's DNER's call, from a single- well, there's a single expansion factor for each coast, North, South, East, West. And if we want to make that specific to species, having an automated way of making that calculation will make that process a lot easier. So, we're hopefully headed in a positive direction there where we can relieve some of the DNER staff burden for getting these correction factors and maybe have them sooner in the year than we have had in the past because it's so burdensome to make those 103

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calculations as in the current process. Next slide. Okay. So, I'll go through this quickly. So, the date of triage. So, this is just a schematic of the whole stock assessment process. You know, there's data collection, then there's a modeling phase, then we give some catch advice. Then it moves over to management, which is you all, and setting, you know, once we get that management advice as in overfishing limit. Then from there, you all make decisions about catch limits and catch targets and ABCs and all of that sort of thing. So, in order to have this process work well, and get to a place where we have the best chance of success we went into this review of the data, which we're calling the data triage. So which data are available to inform this process? Because if you don't have abundance data, that can be a problem. If you don't have the biological data, the life history data, that's a real problem. If you don't know the catch, that's a real problem. If you don't know the size composition. All of those things, if they're missing, really mess up your chances of having a successful stock assessment. So, we don't want to start in a whole. We don't want to start knowing, “Hey, we want to do such and such species” only to find out that we're missing critical data. So that's the purpose of this project. To identify those species that have the data right now that we think we have a good shot at attempting a stock assessment or we can identify those species that are maybe missing an important piece and that's where we put resources towards. You know, if we're missing life history on a particular species, let's fund some life history work on that species. So, next slide. So, this is kind of what it looks like here. So, you could see this is Saint Thomas and Saint John. These are the top ten species, and they're the top ten species in terms of number of fish that have been measured through the port sampling over the years. So, across the top, you've got commercial landings. We know the commercial landings by species in Saint Thomas and Saint John beginning in 2011. That's really the middle of 2011. So, the beginning of that fishing year. Most of them are 2011, except for spiny lobster, which had always been reported by species going back to 1974. So that's really an impressively long time series. We've got size composition for these species. Again, you'll see 104

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the number of years. I think that when we did this analysis, I think we went through 2019. So, from 2019, back 31 years, we've got size data for yellowtail snapper. Here green means we think it's sufficient for an assessment. The purple we're still investigating. The black means we don't have the data. And that sort of orange color, TBD, is also something that requires more investigation. So only one of these is coming up black, that spiny lobster, because you'll see on the right index, that means a catch per unit effort series. Fishery Ind is fishery independent survey. And in this case, it's a diver survey, and that diver survey was not designed to go after spiny lobster, it was designed for finfish. So, that's why you're seeing that x, that black box. So, so there's still a lot of investigating to do particularly life history and the index work but it's progressing. So next slide. We won't spend a lot of time on these. These are the last couple of slides. So, Saint Croix, similar layout. Again, these top ten are the top ten because they the most animals measured. So, again, you know, it's very similar to Saint Thomas in terms of a time series of data, and the size composition. Where you see these purple, the size composition samples per year, when you dive into those data a little bit, you want to have some minimum number of animals that were measured each year. And we're still unclear as to whether we have sufficient sample size, year by year a year and which years are covered for those bottoms, what, five species. Life history, still have a lot of homework to do. As far as the indices go, fishery independent is not going to work for blackfin snapper or for redtail parrotfish. They're just not seeing a lot of redtail. Any deep-water species is going to be problematic in a diver Survey. So, if they're not seeing sufficient numbers there, they're going to get that black box. The purple may change as well as we dive more into those data and look at sample sizes. I won't get into all the technical stuff now, I’m happy to talk about it, you know, offline. Next slide. And here the same for Puerto Rico. A few more black boxes because we've got some deep-water stuff like a silk snapper, they're just not going to see those in an in a diver survey. The divers may be in the wrong habitat for laying snapper, for example, and they're not after spiny Lobsters, so they're in the wrong habitat for that. Oh, before you move on, I should also say that we're taking notice 105

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of which of these species are indicator species because they should be prioritized. The same with the, we call them single species unit. So, yellowtail snapper is on its own in the management unit. It is its own indicator, so that should also be prioritized. If there's a species like stoplight parrotfish, it's a member of a management unit, but it's either not the indicator species or there is no indicator species. So, there are some other things to think about in prioritizing which species we want to try for a stock assessment. In addition to the available data, if it's an indicator, that would suggest it should be a higher priority. Next slide. I think that's it. So, thank you very much. Any questions? A lot of this you've seen before. So, this is mainly an update. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Yeah. Thank you very much for a very good presentation. I'll ask the Council members to follow-up with Kevin offline. We need to make a very-- one question if there are any very important questions at this moment --to make a break five minutes and come back. You have a question? EDWARD SCHUSTER: Yeah. I just wanted to ask Kevin. If you go back to the slide, you had surgeon fish and then on the other box, you had doctorfish. And then later on in the slide, you had blue tang. I was just hoping that it wouldn't cause any confusion in future reference. I was just hoping that we could keep it consistent. I don't know if you want to go back, and I can reference it. If you noticed it. KEVIN MCCARTHY: Sure. Yeah, if we can go back to it, was it the one with all the boxes? This— EDWARD SCHUSTER: KEVIN MCCARTHY:

One more, I think. Yeah. Saint Croix.

EDWARD SCHUSTER: Right there. Yeah. It says doctorfish, then blue tang and then in the slide before that, it had a surgeonfish, I think. KEVIN MCCARTHY: Right. That's probably how it's showing up in the data. So, we're not making that distinction. We're just, as it shows up in the data, either as the landings or the size composition, that's probably how it's listed.

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EDWARD SCHUSTER: Yeah. But, you know, I noticed that because of what we've been through before with our common name and then a scientific name. KEVIN MCCARTHY: Right. You're exactly right. That's an important point that we're-- that everybody knows what everybody else is talking about. I agree with you. EDWARD SCHUSTER:

Thanks.

MARCOS HANKE: Anybody else in Zoom or in presence? No. We're going to take a break of five minutes. We'll be back in five minutes. (Whereupon, a brief recess was taken.) MARCOS HANKE: Yes. We're going to restart the meeting. I want to inform the group that-- Hello? I want to inform the group that the presentation of dolphinfish study made by Wessley Merten that was going to be done by Wessley Merten is going to pass for tomorrow at 10AM. The next presentation online is the district advisory panel Chair report. We will start with Sant Thomas. I'm going to restart because there was an issue with the recording. The presentation of Wessley Merten about dolphinfish is going to be passed for tomorrow at 10AM and going to rearrange the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting. Right now, we're going to follow-up with DAP Chair Reports starting with Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas, Julian? District Advisory Panel Chairs Report on March 2022 Meetings St. Thomas/St. John—Julian Magras, Chair JULIAN MAGRAS: Good afternoon, everyone. Julian Magras, for the record. I'll be giving my report on the marine protected areas, the areas particular concern, and might take on the SSC meeting. In my report here, I'm just going to in the slides. I'm just going to update the highlighted notes that were made by the members of the District Advisory Panel, and I will meet them on March 22nd. Next slide. So, I had full attendees. Attendance from the fishers, recreational fishers, divers, association members. And who we had absent again at this meeting was representation from the local government, the liaison for Saint Thomas/Saint John District, enforcement from the Saint Thomas/Saint John District, federal enforcement and the PEW Charitable Trusts. The reason I bring this up here is because since 107

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we first did the conceptual models meeting where we had attendance of all entities, we have not seen any of the representatives on the right. And I think it's very important for us to continue to do our job as members. And we need the support of these entities in order to have a lot of the questions that are on the table answered and we shouldn't have to wait for follow ups. Next slide. The areas of particular concern on the issues and questions that the committee had were: what law created APC and how these were defined and established? What is the purpose of an APC? Where the fishers or public involved? Dates when each APC were established and with what objectives. And also, we need to see studies conducted or ongoing. These questions and studies need to be presented to the DAP. Next slide? So, I spoke at the meeting on February ninth about the V.I. Coral Reef Monument. The lighter ones are my comments that I made, and the committee agreed with them, but they also had some extra points that they wanted to make and that was the committee has requested to see the results of studies that have been completed and reported. And also, in the V.I. Coral Reef Monument, another issue is a marina has just been approved within the monument and a lot of concerns come up. If you're a protected area, which is a coral reef monument, how do you approve a marina to be built within this monument. So, that was their comment. Next slide. The V.I. National Park. I think the only thing that was highlighted there was also the request of reports within the park. The committee would like to see reports that have taken place of everything that's been ongoing with the closure of the National Park? Are we doing better? Are we doing worse? What's going on? What's the outcome? Next slide. The Southeast Saint John Marine and Wildlife Sanctuaries, better known as STEER. It's pretty much the same request. A request of the studies and reports that have taken place and what is the plan to correct the issues and violations within the sanctuaries? Next slide.

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The Grammanik Bank. okay. Can we go to the next slide? I think the notes are in the next slide. So, these are the take backs from the committee. Reports needed to be presented to the DAPs, the SSC and CFMC of the studies that have been taking place inside the seasonal closure. We have one of the divers who actually is a committee member, and she works for the University of the Virgin Islands. She repeatedly had an issue with the PR boats poaching in and around the bank. So, I don't know what can be done or discussion about that. And also, this year, they were lucky to see a large number of the nassau grouper actually spawning. They actually got to see them while they were doing their thing. Which was very positive for the bank, and she also said that the numbers were very high for the nassau grouper in that area this year. Next slide. And then, the Hind Bank. We had some heavy discussion of what's taking place in there. After the meeting, I received an email from Sarah Heidmann and she would like to give a presentation at the December Council meeting, if the Council would agree. She would give her presentation on work that has been done within the MCD for the last ten years. She's one of the individuals along with Rick Nemmeth and his team that have been doing a lot of the studies and she find it very important after a request to be willing to give reports to the fishers and to the SSC and the Council members. Next slide. I was in attendance at the SSC meeting last week. It was a very intense meeting. It was a very good meeting. Of course, Richard always does a great job with running that meeting. I put up some comments that that came from myself, and the comments are the SEAMAP report, I think, moving forward, involving fishermen in the study, would make a big difference. More money needs to be allocated to the life history collection so SEDAR assessments can have a better outcome. Fishermen are onboard in getting the samples needed to help with assessments, example, otoliths. Deep-water snapper study to take place in U.S.V.I. with a stakeholder’s involvement. I didn't elaborate on it here, but I’ll just say this. I think, we need to have some more discussion on what actually is going to be taking place and how it's going to be taking place. I know Graciela, you're working with that group. So, I think we need to have some discussion outside of this meeting on that. The MER study that took place in P.R. was presented; the outcome was sketchy because of the role the expansion factors have to play. 109

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Other issues we see with the MER project. It hasn’t received final blessings as yet from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Discussion to move forward in the U.S.V.I. has concerns with the fisheries. We don't use expansion factors. Fishers in the U.S.V.I. are working with Virginia Shervette providing fish samples needed to complete assessments. Next slide. So, in conclusion for my committee, this is what we have. The MPAs and APC reports need to be presented to the committees. Presentations to be given at the December CFMC, if approved, on the 10-year study of the MCD. Government agencies who sit in a DAP to start attending meetings, also the Pew and Liaison representatives. Liaison for Saint Thomas/Saint John needs to get involved with fishermen and host workshop. Proud to hear all of what's happening in P.R. with their liaison. The next couple of slides you're going to see where we mentioned a couple of conflicts of interest. This is how we feel. Maybe it's not a conflict of interest, but we want to put a note out there. We also see a conflict of interest with the MER consultants being pushed by Todd Gedamke as a senior founder of this company. He shouldn't be a member of the SSC pushing this company. It was clearly seen at the SSC meeting by me and other individuals that it was a nonstop portion of, “Let's move this project to U.V.I. Let's move it. Let's move it.” When it pertains to someone getting money to do a study and it affect our livelihood, and you set him in a decision-making committee, it draws great concerns to us. We also see a conflict of interest with Sennai Habtes, as being the Chairman of the TAP, because when he became Chairman, he was at the university, now he's the chief of fisheries for DFW in a decision-making role. That can sway outcomes of the conceptual models. And last but very important, is money being approved for Virginia Shervette to close life history gaps? And that's the presentation from the DAP for Saint Thomas/Saint John. Thank you. I'm open for questions. MARCOS HANKE: Let's finish with all the presentations first. The next presentation is DAP Chairman of Saint Croix. St. Croix—Edward Schuster, Chair EDWARD SCHUSTER: Good afternoon, everybody. Edward Schuster, for the record. DAP Chairs, Saint Croix.

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We had pretty much a full attendance except for a few people that asked to be excused and some had logged on online. The meeting went well. We had a lot of input on there, and the outcome of that was pretty simple. I'll start off with what Carlos mentioned on the Council this morning as a motion. The concern was during the time of the Hind Bank closure, there’s no fishing, especially with bottom tending gear. Some of the attendants on the DAP that represent the recreational fishery wanted to know if, you know-- it's very important for them as recreational fishers and the tournament during the time when the pelagics are there, that they use the deep-water shelf as a FAD, especially the dolphin, the wahoo, tuna, bigeye that Carlos had mentioned among other species as swords, and marlin, and so forth. That was an issue. But the main concern besides that, was one of our members that a part of an organization core wanted to know if they could have or how would they go about getting a special permit to go within these MPAs and hunt for lionfish and what we did is we didn't narrow it down to lionfish. We know the lionfish now are invasive species, but we don't know what the future holds. So, we wanted to say just invasive species. We never know maybe some other thing with four eyes and ten fins might show up, besides the lionfish. So that was one of the inquiries, how they may acquire a permit to eradicate invasive species within these MPAs. Because they have put in a request to go into the East End Marine Park, which is actually a territorial issue and they had put in a request to get a permit and it's still pending with no response from DPNR. With that said, basically, that's what came about our DAP meeting. MARCOS HANKE: Chair.

Thank you, Eddie. Nelson, from Puerto Rico, DAP Puerto Rico—Nelson Crespo, Chair

NELSON CRESPO: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. At the last meeting of our Advisory Panel on March 24, among other things, we were discussing the matter of the MPAs. Puerto Rico has three MPAs in federal waters located at the West part of our island. Due to the short distance between them, and the shared jurisdiction between the state and federal government in Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline, the confusion of regulations, not only among fishermen, but also among enforcement agency, is significant. It's necessary to establish as far as possible amortization of regulation in these areas. This would greatly help to avoid confusion between all parties involved and would facilitate the 111

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little enforcement that exists around on behalf of the fishing and the resource. The panel agreed that due to the size of our island, trying to create more MPAs would do more harm than good. This would force commercial fishermen to look for more distant areas to be able to carry all their work increasing their cost and putting their life at risk at the same time. And actually, it would create fishing pressure in areas where it currently doesn't exist. Without constant monitoring, illegal fishing would increase and there’s a possibility that invasive species reach the area causing great damage to the ecosystem. In Puerto Rico, we have a great number of MPAs that should be taken into consideration if the possibility of creating more MPAs is studied to comply with the President executive order 14008. This panel agrees that it is necessary to address the issue of land-based pollution and the violation of local and federal law in our protected area without an effective response from state and federal authorities that prefer to look the other way instead of doing their job. It's evident that, unfortunately, in our island, there is any control of this regard. We have the most recent example in Salinas Bay, where the press has catalogued it as an environment crime and an unprecedented ecological disaster. There is an area that was acquired with NOAA funds and under management of both federal and state authorities where mangroves are destroyed. The area was filled illegally, residents built, most of them, with water and electricity service obtained illegally from the government. Boat ramps are built around, sampling station were destroyed and, of course, irreparable damage was caused to the habitat. According to the press, all this without any state or federal authority doing anything to stop it, although people from the area filed a complaint from the beginning and warned them about the destruction that was going on. And let me tell you, we have many other areas along the island in the same situation. During and after our meeting, I was talking with several members of our panel and fishermen who approached us, and we all agreed that we have better options to protect our resources. How I’ve said before, the management plans implemented by this Council are giving good results and it has already been proven that in regions, such as the Caribbean where there is good management, is not necessary to have more MPAs. And the beauty of this is that most of the fishermen respect them. We must develop and outreach and education campaign to impact as many sectors as possible. It's necessary to have an inventory of the MPAs in the island and create an effective orientation sign that does not cause visual pollution. 112

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It can have a QR Code where the visitor can obtain additional updated information of each area. It was also suggested to manage so that the electronic nautical chart shows where the location of each MPA is and advertised then by tourist agencies, hotel, restaurant, airlines, etcetera. If we don't let know the protected areas that we have, how are we going to take care of it? We also talked about the need to establish a program for the collection of marine debris in all the protected areas on the island like Raimundo Espinoza are doing in the East Coast of Puerto Rico. Another issue we talked about was the increase of recreational fishermen where many of them become poachers, and this is an issue that must be addresses. This has created conflicts between recreational and commercial fishermen. It is necessary that the recreational fishing license on the island be implementing once and for all. This should have as a requirement the education program at PEPCO and a workshop that brings information about the MPAs and collect the data of their landings. They are not aware that MPAs and other fishing regulation apply equally to them. Establishing a school of fishermen is a topic that is gaining more interest to the point that a senator from the West of Puerto Rico is evaluating the possibility of establishing one in a closed school on the West of Puerto Rico. Finally, we talked about the need to create more workshops about the management of fishing catches that include fishermen, vendors, restaurants and hotel staff. That concludes my report. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for an excellent report of the three DAP Chairs. Now, time for questions. Jocelyn? JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Thank you, Marcos. I just wanted to go back to the report from the Saint Thomas/Saint John District Advisory Panel and to just the questions about the conflict of interest. So, obviously the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service take seriously any statements or thoughts that there might be a conflict of interest. There are specific rules that apply to Council members and they relate to financial conflicts and there's recusal rules if there's votes on matters that could affect someone's financial interests. We don't have rules that apply to the Advisory Panel Members on that level. For the SSC, obviously, we're concerned about 113

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objectivity, especially if there's peer review or recommendations for best available science, we want to make sure that persons are able to be objective and avoid any appearance of conflicts where they're reviewing their own research. But here, it looks like we've spoken before about Sennai Habtes and his participation on the Technical Advisory Panel, and I don't necessarily see any conflict of interest there. I'm not necessarily sure how it might have, his participation or his change in position, might affect his objectivity. But the Council, of course, can look into it, but we've discussed that matter before. I'm not familiar with the facts of what happened at this most recent SSC meeting. But again, we want to make sure that if persons are involved in research, that they're presenting their research and that they're able to be objective. So, if there's potential management outcomes or recommendations, they might recuse themselves if appropriate and just avoiding any potential conflicts if there's way that they might recommend something that has financial consequences for them. But again here, I don't know the facts and whether or not there's a conflict there. But these are serious things to consider, and we can continue talking about them. But at least on the Technical Advisory Panel front, we haven't seen an issue in the past, and we want to be careful with researchers just making sure that they're disclosing their association with it and, you know, for example, people have recused themselves from best available science determinations because they want to make sure that they're saying “This is my research, but others can certify it.” I'm not exactly sure what happened at this meeting, but definitely serious allegations and something we'd want to make sure we understand. MARCOS HANKE: Jocelyn, do you have a question or is it just a statement that you're making. JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Just a statement about conflicts and if there's any other information that folks want to provide. MARCOS HANKE:

Richard?

RICHARD APPELDOORN: Yeah, with respect to the SSC meeting, I didn't see any even avenue for a conflict of interest. The question was about Todd. He was presenting the results from the MER Consultants study. There was no discussion of anything that would involve him or that company doing anything in the future, what we 114

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were requesting is that that study be analyzed, so the results could be put into practice. I was glad to hear that Kevin has sound money to move in that direction, but there was no discussion of anything or any study that his company would somehow be in some advantageous position or advocating. Now obviously, when we talk about the data needs for the Caribbean. It's up to those who have money to say, “okay, how are we going to handle these things? Is it going to be done through work through the Center or through a grant program? Or whatever.” But the conflict-of-interest clauses in those are substantial and if that company were to try to apply in response to some avenue of funding, they'd have to be able to meet those things. If it should ever come up to the SSC for some kind of recommendations, you know, then that person would have to recuse themselves from any kind of voting in that stuff, but none of that was happening at this meeting. The SSC does not make decisions. We only make recommendations. So, I didn't see where that was an issue. Respecting Julian's view on things, because I do respect Julian. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Julian. Briefly, please.

JULIAN MAGRAS: Yeah. Just a little follow-up. I understand what he's saying, but the feel that I got is, on every opportunity at that meeting-- and the minutes are there. The minutes are there for everybody to listen to. This is not personal. Personal friendship stays outside the door. When we come in the door, we come in the door to do our job. On every opportunity of both days of moving this project to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every opportunity there was, it was mentioned. I wouldn't go no further to make it argumentative. All I would ask is the committee members of the Council, listen to the minutes and, hopefully, the minute will prove why I have the concern that I have. So, if we're going to try to push the same project in the Virgin Islands, with MER consultants, the co-founder is Todd Gedamke. I have a problem with him being-- and this happened before where he was taken off of this committee for the same exact reason. Okay? So, all I'm saying, I find it a conflict of interest, and my officials that I speak to on a daily basis, could not believe that this was happening again. So, I am putting it out there for discussion. I bring to the table what my people ask me to bring to the table, and I also bring my views to the table. That's why I am sitting in the room for. And if I see a problem, it's my duty as the Chair of the District 115

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Advisory Panel for Saint Thomas/Saint John to bring my issue forward. Now if the decision I made, is made by the Council and by the lawyers that it's not a conflict of interest, well then, we move forward from there. But I’ll put it on the table as a conflict of interest. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Richard, and we move on.

RICHARD APPELDOORN: Yeah. So, yeah, I invite the people to listen to the transcripts. The only thing we said was that we needed a similar program in the Virgin Islands. It was never-- in fact, it was certainly alluded to that this would not be MER that would be doing that. Kevin then told us that that's already moving forward. So, this never came up. I used the term MER like project, meaning a port sampling project that's statistically designed to try and improve port sampling and catch estimates within the Virgin Islands. At no point, and I mean at no point, were we ever discussing or recommending that Todd or MER Consultants be involved in any program in the Virgin Islands regarding that kind of port sampling program. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Richard. Next presentation is-- yes. Vanessa, question? LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Okay. I will read it out loud for Vanessa. It says question for the DAP Puerto Rico or Miguel. Were all the members present in the last PRDAP meeting? Was the issue of absences resolved? MARCOS HANKE:

Nelson.

NELSON CRESPO: Well, most of them were present. So, I think we have today, on the closed session, the evaluation for the upcoming members. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Nelson. Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Nelson recommended some names, and we put them in the SSC. This afternoon, we are going to go into the closed session and tomorrow, the Council will announce membership on each one of the panels, you know? We need to reappoint X many members because their time expired this April 22nd, and we will be able to discuss it tomorrow in the open. 116

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MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Miguel. Next presentation is Identified Critical Habitats of Juvenile Nassau Grouper in Puerto Rico. I think Evan is the one presenting. Evan Tuohy. Welcome, Evan. The floor is yours. Identifying Critical Habitats of Juvenile Nassau Grouper in Puerto Rico—Evan Touhy EVAN TUOHY: Alright. Thank you. Thank you very much to the Council and to the Chairs and everybody for this opportunity to present the research of this small pilot. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER:

Speak louder.

EVAN TUOHY: Close or closer. Okay. Thank you very much for the opportunity to present the results of this small pilot project that we have been conducting for over the past year and a half. My name is Evan Tuohy with Isla Mar Research Expeditions. Our project is identifying the critical habitats of juvenile nassau grouper in Puerto Rico. And this was funded by the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council and supported by 787Fishing Charters. Next slide, please. Alright. So, the original decline of nassau grouper has been well documented. It dates back to the 1970s with the first implications of plastic population decline that continued into the next decade, into the 1980s, where they were ultimately considered commercially extinct. Which then prompted management and conservation measures to be enacted in 1990. They were listed as no take in the federal waters surrounding Puerto Rico. 14 years later, Puerto Rico followed suit by an enacting the same no take designation in the surrounding waters of Puerto Rico and local waters of Puerto Rico. However, over the past 20 years of this type of management and conservation action, they have shown little to no or somewhat slow signs of recovery. Next slide, please. This can be contributed to some of their life history characteristics, slow growth, late age at maturity. I'm sorry those shouldn't be there. But I’ll continue. Slow growth, late age at maturity and they are a demersal species, meaning that they are closely associated to the habitat, the benthic habitats in which they are found. And they also have a complex two-part life stage, like many other reef fish species, meaning they begin life as a 117

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pelagic larval form, which drift to coastal habitats where they then settle, and they utilize multiple different habitat types and migrate into deeper reefs where they mature and eventually form spawning aggregation. Now, the majority of the work or research and available data that we have on this species is primarily for the adult life stage and how it relates to reproduction. But the reality of the matter is, given the current population and conservation status, that really any negative effects or implication to any of these various life stages will ultimately have a negative impact on the adult form. Next side, please. Alright. So, therefore, we set out to bridge some of the gaps in that information by identifying these habitats used by those sub adult and juvenile life stages as they mature and migrate into the offshore keep your reefs. We began this work in the Northeast side of the island in Luquillo, Fajardo, and the Ceiba areas. This was largely in part due to anecdotal accounts of increased sightings of juveniles both on the reefs and catch for that area. We conducted 43 scouting expeditions where we located 23 nassau grouper at 15 different sites. They range from the early juvenile sizes all the way up until the adult stages. Next slide, please. So, our strategy. We set out to document the size distribution of the nassau grouper from an inshore to offshore gradient in various habitats at three different spatial scales. We chose these three different spatial scales because they directly correspond to either already existing or long-term data sets that are currently being conducted here in the region. So, it gives us a direct comparison to the available data that is already available to us and currently being collected. Next slide. Alright. So, the methods. We started at the largest scale possible, conducting-- we scouted the areas that nassau group were reported, those anecdotal evidence. We did this by using large scale long drifts using either scuba or snorkeling. Then we used the information gathered from those sightings, and the habitat characteristics from the areas that we sighted to expand the search into other areas, by exploring other areas with similar characteristics.

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Once we compile the database of sightings and locations and abundances and size distributions of those sightings, we then return to these sites and conducted a benthic and topographical assessment to characterize the habitat surrounding where these individuals were sighted. We analyze these results to look at trends by size class. We did this using PERMANOVA to look at distinct groups within habitat type where these individuals were cited, along with both the abundance and size distribution of these individuals. Next slide. So, our largest spatial scale was the kilometer, hundreds of meters, or kilometer scale. This essentially corresponds to the NOAA habitat map. What NOAA uses to characterize all the benthic habitats surrounding the island and in the U.S. Caribbean. Once we had a GPS coordinate of the sighting, we then overlaid that onto the habitat map, and we recorded the habitat type. But we also looked at other distances to other available habitats that nassau grouper are known to inhabit but also, the shoreline as well. The distance from shore, the distance to the nearest coral reef, the distance to the nearest mangrove habitat or sea grass bed, things of nature. Next slide, please. Further refining that scale, we then went down to the tens of meters scale and basically, we conducted a NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Reef Fish Visual Census to analyze not only the fish populations, not just nassau grouper, but the other fish that were the area where the nassau grouper were excited, but also to characterize the benthic and topographical composition of the area immediately surrounding where the nassau grouper were sighted. And that area constituted a 15-meter in diameter cylinder or 7.5-meter radius around the area where the nassau group was identified. Next slide, please. And to the finer scale within that cylinder where we surveyed immediately around the nassau grouper, we then conducted a series of photo quadrats using three parallel 25-meter transects laid seven meters apart within that cylinder, where we then laid 18 photo quadrats in that area and took pictures and later analyzed that to identify the species composition and proportion making up that benthic habitat where those nassau grouper were found. Alright. Next slide.

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So, these are the results of those 23 individuals that were sighted with these longer scouting expeditions. As you can see, of those 23, 21 of these fish were all immature, ranging from the early juvenile life stage with six to 15 centimeters all the way up to the borderline transitioning to their adult life stage. The majority of them were large juveniles, in the size range of 15 to 30 centimeters corresponding to a fish that's roughly settled within that year, maybe a little longer for 30-centimeter fish. But because these were all juveniles, one of the assumptions of these sightings and the subsequent analysis, is that they had settled in or near the habitats where they were encountered. These juveniles aren't going to undergo large scale reproductive migrations that has been reported for this species. And because they're immature, they were thought to pretty much be within the area where they were sighted. Next slide, please. So, at the largest spatial scale. Next slide, the kilometer scale. Again, next slide. The results indicate that all of these sightings-- this solely just based in the sighting information overlaying that with the NOAA habitat map --all sightings were found in-- or almost all sightings were found in seagrass beds. So, seagrass beds, and they were also close to shore. Next slide. So, a good example of this would be the area of Las Cabezas, where within this bay, we identified multiple areas that had nassau grouper. As you can see from the habitat map and the color-coding scale down there at the bottom, every single sighting was found in continuous seagrass, so dense seagrass beds or seagrass fairly dense of 70 to 90 percent coverage. As we further analyze some of the result and really got in the water to analyze the benthic composition, we found this later wasn't the best scale to really look at it, which is why we later refined our scale. But as you can see, for the most part, they were all utilizing or found within seagrass beds. Next slide. The exception to that would be three of the larger individuals that we found. They were found further from shore. Most of the other group sightings were found about 3 to 400 meters from shore, so fairly close. But these larger individuals were found approximately three to four kilometers on deeper offshore patch 120

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reefs. Which, this does fit what's known about the species, whereas as they mature and grow, they migrate to further offshore into deeper reefs and deeper habitat. So, this does fit into some of the biological information that is present for this species. But one thing I'd like to note was if you just are using the habitat map as classification of these habitats that they are found on, you can see that, yes, it shows that they were found on patch reefs, but the white area completely surrounding that area is listed as unknown. So, there's not much known about that habit. Based on our large-scale drifts that we conducted or longer drifts that we conducted while collecting this data, I can confirm that this white area is also a continuation of that continuous seagrass bed, indicating that although the larger individuals are using deeper offshore reefs, those reefs are immediately adjacent within a hundred meters to seagrass beds indicating that even as they're reaching adulthood, that seagrass environment is still very important to these migrations and is likely acting as a buffer to these migrations into deeper habitats. Next slide. As I mentioned, we located 26 individuals. Now, just using the habitat map alone, we are actually only able to identify the habitats based on the habitat map for 16 of those fish. So, it doesn't really have the resolution to really give us an idea of the types of habitats that you're using solely based on the habitat map. But even then, you can still see that seagrass has an important role. Those top three middle columns, even the artificial habitat was completely surrounded by seagrass. So about 75 percent of all the fish were found in habitats completely surrounded or within these seagrass beds. Next slide, please. So, refining our scale to the tens of meters. Next slide. So, the abiotic footprint. One of the first things we do after we get to the site where we saw a nassau grouper and finished the fish survey, recording the fish that are in the area, we look at the abiotic footprint, which is essentially just an aerial view conducted by the diver where we estimate the proportion of the abiotic coverage of that habitat. And as you can see, sand or these unconsolidated sediments, which are colonized by seagrass. So, this 36 percent sand, those are the seagrass beds. Those are a significant proportion of the habitat, but you can also see that close to or over 60 percent of that area within the seagrass beds 121

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inside that cylinder is some type of hard bottom habitat. Whether it's consolidated hard bottom or rubble habitat. So, seagrass does play an important role, but it's also hard bottoms within that seagrass that doesn't show in the habitat maps. Next slide. Analyzing the topographical complexity of these hard bottoms located within the cylinder. They were all fairly low relief. 85 percent of all the hard bottom within these habitats were less than one meter or three feet tall. So, it's fairly low complexity, not very high. And next slide. And the same can be said for the soft substrates located within the cylinders as well. And this is the height of the seagrass, the sponges and the Gorgonians and sea fans found within those habitats as well, 80 percent were less than a half a meter, about a foot and a half tall within there. So, these are fairly low complexity environments. Next slide. So, the finest scale, the 1-meter scale conducted by the photo quadrats. Next slide, please. The results to that were, as most reefs are, they were biologically complex. We identified 36 types of benthic organisms or benthic groups to the nearest species level. But the top three that predominantly stood out in all of the habitat surveyed, where, as I keep mentioning, the sea grass-- well, to the species level, it was turtle grass or Thalassia. Then there was a mixture of some sand. And then, what was covering these hard substrates was predominantly turf and filamentous macroalgae. Alright? So, it's not necessarily, we weren't seeing-- it didn't necessarily need to be high coral cover, sponge covers or anything like that. This is low relief, low complexity, hard bottoms consolidated by turf sediments. Next slide. Alright. So, our main conclusions that we drew from the analysis was: at the largest spatial scales, nassau groupers are found in seagrass beds with some unknown habitats, based on the mapping. 122

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And also, a few were found on patch and or linear reefs, but that's based on the minimum mapping unit given by the NOAA habitat maps. At the medium scale, we're really refined and start to pick apart what’s really going on in the area immediately adjacent to these fish. It was actually small discrete and low-relief patches of hard bottom or hard substrate and surrounded by unconsolidated sediments, colonized by seagrass or turtle grass. And, again, at the smallest spatial scale, these hard bottoms, they were they were primarily, the predominant biological coverage was turf algae and macroalgae, and then it was also some pavement rubbles and sand and all of them were surrounded, again, by turtle grass. Next slide. Alright. So, one thing I'd like to point out is that these essential fish habitats or these habitats used by these smaller individuals, as I mentioned before, were all very close to shore. These smaller juveniles are found on shallower areas near shore habitats. Those being close to shore make these more vulnerable to what's going on land-based, you know, land-based construction development, especially when it's being uncontrolled. If you're a resident of the Caribbean, you know that is an everpresent threat, an increasing threat, of some of these habitat destruction, coastal habitat destruction. But not only is it really going to affect the coastal communities, but it also affects the near shore communities and resources as well. Next slide, please. Another interesting component that was exposed with the analysis and the data is the importance of bays and lagoons acting as nursery habitats to this species. So, the predominant zones surrounding the areas that were surveyed, were either bays and lagoons or bank and shelf zones. Alright? We've surveyed, in our large-scale drifts and surveys, we surveyed three times greater the area in the bank and shelf zones. However, there were 11 times the densities of juvenile nassau grouper located within the bay and lagoon environments in the surrounding area. So that really, kind of, shows the importance of these environments as nursery habitats, and that's largely contributed to the larval retention dynamics of these environments and zones. Next slide, please.

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Another important component as well is on every single site that we surveyed and conducted a fish survey where a nassau grouper was observed, other commercially and ecologically important species were observed as well, but at much higher densities than nassau grouper. So, these are red hinds, the yellowtail snappers, other snapper species, grunts, surgeonfishes, and parrotfishes as well. So, these are not just important for nassau groupers, but these are important for other extremely important species that contribute to not just the fishery, but also ecosystem function for the area and for the coastal coral reef ecosystems. And if you compare it to a similar species of red hind, the nassau grouper, they still were in very low densities. When you compared to the densities that we saw of juvenile red hinds in the area, the red hinds were still at two to three times greater densities than nassau groupers in these areas. So, they still have a way to go before they can reach the population statuses of something like a red hind. Next slide. So, one output that we had from this project, we were able to develop both a website and a phone application as well. So, the website, MerosPR. It's a bilingual website. It's focused primarily for the regulations in Puerto Rico, but there's also biological and fish identification information that will help to identify the differences between the different group or species that are commonly encountered here in Puerto Rico. There's also information on the closures, the seasonal and species closures in the island as well. Both the application and the website have an outlet to where the users or various stakeholders, whether you're a commercial fisher, recreational fisher, diver, photographer, where you can actually go and report sightings of nassau grouper or goliath grouper or any grouper that you found in the area, and that will give us a chance to go and further explore other locations and further expand this analysis so we can continue to fill these knowledge gaps on the life history of this species. Next slide, please. Alright, the next steps. As I mentioned, this was a small pilot project. It was actually, the funding was continued and funded by the NOAA Species Recovery Grant Program. So, for the next three years, we're going to expand on this project. Continue and expand exploring areas around Puerto Rico and identifying the habitats where juvenile, not just juveniles, but also adult nassau grouper 124

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reside. We also incorporated some FSA monitoring as well into there. Up until recently, there have been almost no identified nassau grouper aggregations here in Puerto Rico. I say up until recently, there was one on the West Coast. But with another project, we actually were able to identify a second location in Puerto Rico. This is not just for nassau grouper, there were also yellowfin, black grouper and at a different time of the year, we also identified an aggregation of mutton snapper there as well. So, these this continued FSA monitoring is extremely valuable for assessing long term dynamics and populations over time. Not only that, but it's also a continued priority of the SSC in these District Advisory Panel meetings as well. We also have an education and outreach campaign as well that we have this project. So, we're going to be talking with enforcement, various fishers, and types of fishers, and community members to develop signage, community signage, further demonstrate and get this information some of it which can be con confusing to users and stakeholders in the area and we're going to be giving workshops to better facilitate that outreach and the distribution of this information to make it easier for everybody in the area. And lastly, the acknowledgments. This project would not be possible without the following people, captain Marcos Hanke of 787Fishing. He facilitated the field portions of these projects providing decade’s worth of catch information and habitat and his knowledge of the local habitats. Carlos Zayas, of SEAMAP-C, was a vital part of all data collection for this project. We had student volunteers as well from the UPR system, Chris Morales and Charlier Dones, and actually, it was the input of Chris Morales that helped us identify one of the areas of highest densities of nassau groupers in the area. Thanks to his input. And then also, the Pirate Snorkeling Shack Water Sport Rental and Tours, they facilitated equipment usage to be able to access some of these areas that were near shore that were not accessible by boat. Also, I'd like to thank the various stakeholders and contributors to the MerosPR website. Just to leave you with the final conclusions in the next slide and thank you very much. Any questions. I also have a copy if anybody's interested. I do have a guide that we have, which will help better identify the differences between the grouper species. There's also information on seasonal closures and closed areas in Puerto Rico as well. And thanks to the Council, we're going to be printing a lot more versions of these in both 125

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Spanish and English and these would be freely available to widely tribute to various stakeholders in the area. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Evan. Tony?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Good presentation. I got a question for you because I'm kind of curious. I noticed that you say the other grouper species that you notice was the coney, the hind, I believe it was? EVAN TUOHY:

Yes.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Did you notice any other kind of groupers when you were looking for a nassau? EVAN TUOHY: Yeah. So, we did see in the area, a yellowfin grouper and also comb grouper. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

The what?

EVAN TUOHY: Comb. C-O-M Yeah. It's Mycteroperca acutirostris, is the scientific name. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Okay.

EVAN TUOHY: I'm sorry. I know. I know. It's not a common grouper species found, but it is present in the Caribbean, but generally at low densities. But that was another one that we did fine. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: what you were saying? EVAN TUOHY:

Like, tens of meters from shore. Yes.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: EVAN TUOHY:

And that was all in shallow water, is

Okay.

Yep.

MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for the question. I have a question. No graysby on those— EVAN TUOHY: Yeah. There actually were graysby. In the report, which if anybody is interested in the report, the findings of the report, the detailed findings, I can send that out. But there is a list of all the other commercially and ecologically important species. But grouper species, coneys, graysbys. Graysbys were 126

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actually, fairly low densities, but they were present there as well. Red Hind. MARCOS HANKE: EVAN TUOHY:

Yes. Thank you, everyone.

We did not see any red Grouper, no.

MARCOS HANKE: clear. Andy?

Let me go to the channel here for record to be

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Great presentation. You've already answered one of my questions. I'd be very didn't seen the report. You had mentioned money was provided by NOAA Fisheries through a recovery grant program. My office is currently actually working on an ESA critical habitat rulemaking for a nassau grouper. I don't know if you worked with Pat Opay or anyone in my office but would definitely want the information you've collected to help support that work. EVAN TUOHY:

Okay. Excellent. Yeah. Thank you.

MARCOS HANKE:

Richard.

RICHARD APPELDOORN: Yeah. Just one quick question. I've seen for a lot of species where you find really small juveniles in sort of unexpected places that water quality is really an important factor in determining whether you're going to find things or not. At least from the pictures you showed, you had really clear water. I don't know if that's just because it makes good pictures, but did you have much variability in that in the places that you were looking at, would that be a factor? EVAN TUOHY: Yes, there was variability in water quality, especially in the Fajardo area. The closer that you get to the Fajardo River, water quality essentially plummets pretty drastically. Not only did we not find any nassau grouper there, but it also largely impeded our ability to sample those areas. So, just because we didn't find any with our visual and census, doesn't necessarily mean they weren't there. Talking with some of the fishers who are continuing to provide some of their catch data, since we've gone there, they have caught nassau grouper in some of those areas where we haven't been able to survey because of poor water quality. So just because we didn't find them there, doesn't mean that they actually aren't there. RICHARD APPELDOORN: Yeah. I was thinking more of the very early juveniles. You weren't really [crosstalk]

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EVAN TUOHY: Right. Right. I mean and that would be a gear selectivity issue, you know. Like, we're, right now at least, not able to go in and survey those areas based on poor water quality. But. MARCOS HANKE:

Graciela.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So where do they come from? And the reason why I'm asking is because the Council received a presentation from Miguel Canals, and the connectivity that we have from the sources, which are the spawning aggregations that we already have under management. And one idea would be to backtrack the information using those models to see where they actually come from and to actually help in finding the critical habitat near shore. Where do the drifters end up? Where does the simulations take you? So, you know, that's one of the projects that we have discussed and hopefully, it will come to fruition. MARCOS HANKE: That's actually going to help to support the idea of analyzing how those protected areas are working. Right? RICHARD APPELDOORN: [crosstalk] Since we're talking about basically one spawning aggregation in the Virgin Islands as the potential source, genetics might be a way to pin that down as well. EVAN TUOHY: Since we already know, I have identified areas of sampling; we could potentially get and continue to collect genetic samples to analyze that data as well and to address those questions. MARCOS HANKE: Are there any other question for Evan? Anybody online? Vanessa? Go ahead. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: I can read it out loud. So, the question is, did any of these nassau observations were on the West side of Puerto Rico and near buoy six? It seems like they have some reports of adults around. EVAN TUOHY: Right. So, that's one of the things. So, given that this was a small pilot project, we refined our search to the Northeast of the island. But based on some of the report data that we have from iMero or MerosPR, we are finding some reports of adults around the buoy six area and also indications of spawning there as well. So, yes, there are some reports on the West Coast. I know some of the avid divers and dive shops that visit there regularly see them, but we have not yet had a chance to go and do that same benthic habitat characterization that we did for this project. But that is in the plan. 128

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MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Evan. Graciela.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, one more thing in terms of developing technology to look at these areas that are really bad water quality that you can’t see in front of your nose. So that's another issue that we have because we might have a really good recruitment of juvenile nassau to the area, but we don't know about it. So, there are things that, you know, developing technology that can be used to do that. So, remind me to send you, there was an RFP recently out, for that kind of thing. EVAN TUOHY: And the one thing I'd like to bring up, and this is just based on my anecdotal observation from being in the water at those sites. So those areas with poor water quality, the preliminary, like, just benthic observational habitat characterization, they were distinctly drastic-- Like, they were drastically different habitats, different benthic compositions, different seagrass compositions, that did differ from what we were seeing based on this analysis. And that's not to say that they still cannot settle there. But whether or not survivorship is high, if they do manage to settle there, that’s a completely different question. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. Thank you very much. Because this is very close to my heart because I’ve participated since the beginning, I wanted to bring this to the table to all of you. This started with a word that each gave me their anecdotal information. Because of the anecdotal information I was collecting, thanks to Evan and his group, it organized the support to organize this anecdotal information and do a project to make something valuable out of it. This is the pathway, that segue for the presentation that are going to do it on the second day, they're going to also address the same approach. Which way, us as a fisherman, can we support and develop knowledge about our fishery and our species. And thank you very much, Evan, for the great effort you guys did. I can testify that this has been evolving and including divers, snorkels, tour operators, and other people that can support, with the anecdotal information, but in an organized form, under a scientific method and something well designed like you guys did, to produce information like this that we didn't have before. Thank you very much. EVAN TUOHY:

No. Thank you for the opportunity.

MARCOS HANKE: Seeing no other questions. We are going to adjourn the meeting. It's five o’clock. The meeting is adjourned. Thank 129

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you to all the participants for your patience. I'm sorry about the delay on the agenda, but I think we have a very good discussion. There is something else. I cannot hear. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Just to make it clear, is the presentation of Jannette Ramos today? Or is it going to be for tomorrow? MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Tomorrow.

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Okay. Thank you.

MARCOS HANKE: Okay. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everyone. At 05:30, there's a closed section at this same room, just the Council members. Thank you. (Whereupon the meeting recessed on April 19, 2022.) - - APRIL 20, 2022 WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION - - MARCOS HANKE: Good morning, everyone. We are ready to start the meeting. It is 9:05 AM. This is the second day, April 20th, 2022. I will request all the presenters to speak close to the mic and to the people online to raise their hand for questions and people in the room to raise their hand for a turn to speak. We have a very loaded agenda today. I need everybody to be succinct, quick and effective. I will give you some signs when time is really up, and you need to speed up. Okay? Yesterday there were some things that we need to cover; we went overtime but I asked all the presenters today, to help the Chair run on time. Thank you very much. The first-- do you want to say something? MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Roll call. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. We will make the roll call on the room first. We are having some technical difficulties. Bear with us. We are ready now. We will keep going. Let’s make the roll call starting from Cristina, from my left.

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CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Cristina Olán, Council Staff. Buenos días. Liajay Rivera, Council Staff.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: CARLOS FARCHETTE:

María Del Mar López, NOAA Fisheries. Carlos Farchette, Council member.

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL:

Jean-Pierre Oriol, Council member.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: MARCOS HANKE:

Graciela García-Moliner, Council Staff.

Tony Blanchard, Vice-Chair.

Marcos Hanke, Chair.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Miguel Rolón, Council Staff.

DIANA T. MARTINO:

Diana Martino, Council Staff.

ANDREW STRELCHECK: Regional Office.

Andy Strelcheck, NOAA Fisheries Southeast

JOCELYN D’AMBROSIO: Counsel.

Jocelyn D’Ambrosio, NOAA Office of General

KEVIN MCCARTHY: Center.

Kevin

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: NELSON CRESPO: Puerto Rico.

McCarthy,

Southeast

Fisheries

Science

Reni García, invited speaker.

Good morning, everyone. Nelson Crespo, DAP Chair,

JULIAN MAGRAS: Good morning, everyone. Julian Magras, DAP Chair, Saint Thomas/Saint John. RICHARD APPELDOORN: HOWARD FORBES:

Rich Appeldoorn, SSC Chair.

Good morning. Howard Forbes, DPNR Enforcement.

MANNY ANTONARAS: Law Enforcement.

Good morning. Manny Antonaras, NOAA Office of

DALILA ALDANA: conferencia.

Dalila Aldana, investigadora invitada a esta

MARÍA DE LOS A. IRIZARRY:

María Irizarry, Council staff. 131

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STACEY WILLIAMS: ORIAN TZADIK:

Stacey Williams, invited speaker.

Orian Tzadik, PEW Charitable Trust.

WILSON SANTIAGO:

Wilson Santiago, Puerto Rico Liaison Officer.

JANNETTE RAMOS-GARCÍA: Grant Program. DIANA T. MARTINO:

Jannette Ramos-García, Puerto Rico Sea

We are Good.

MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Diana. We are going to pass now to the virtual attendees. Liajay, please. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Alida Ortiz Sotomayor, Damaris Delgado, Diana Beltrán, Edward Schuster, Jack McGovern, Jesús Rivera Hernández, John Walter, Kate Overly, Laura Cimo, Nicole Greaux, Martha Prada, Michelle Schärer, Rachel Eckley, Rachel O’Malley, Sarah Stephenson, Stephanie Martínez Rivera, Virginia Shervette, Vanessa Ramírez, Wessley Merten, Yamitza Rodríguez, and a nonidentified phone number ending with 821. If you can identify yourself, please do so. That would be all in the list. MARCOS HANKE: Please the person that has just the phone number, write in the chat— LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Ramírez. Gracias. MARCOS HANKE:

She

just

identified

herself.

Vanessa

Ok. Thank you very much. Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Just for the record. Those two members of the Council, Damaris Delgado and Vanessa Ramírez, are entitled to vote. So, you have the whole committee, the whole Council membership present. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much, Miguel. I just want to remind the people attending this meeting, that we have the dolphinfish study presentation included on the agenda today that passed from yesterday and also a very brief presentation from Jannette Ramos from Sea Grant. Those are going to be just before the break. We are going to start with the presentation, but before that, Miguel Rolón. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is very quick. We tend to take people for granted but at this time I would like to 132

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recognize the work by Maria Del Mar and Sarah Stephenson and the big boss, Jack McGovern, and the biggest boss this year, Andy Strelcheck. I would like to hear a round of applause for this people. The work that they have done is tremendously important, if you don’t know, and they’ve worked their ass off just to make this Council look good. So, a round of applause for these people. [applause] MARCOS HANKE: Yes. I want to add to that that it is not just doing a great job it is always forward to trying to do new things to make the job easier and more effective. Thank you very much. First presentation is Reni García in Understanding Essential Fish Habitat of Queen and Cardinal Snappers and Associated Fish Communities of the Deep-Water Snapper Fishery. Reni. Understanding Essential Fish Habitat of Queen and Cardinal Snappers and Associated Fish Communities of the Deep-Water Snapper Fishery: From Fishers’ Knowledge to Scientific Language— Jorge García-Sais JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Buenos días, y gracias a todos.

Este proyecto es un proyecto que está en progreso, es un proyecto que trata sobre un estudio colaborativo entre una parte científica, en este caso yo, y los pescadores de Puerto Rico, y de las Islas Virgen. Básicamente, es un estudio que pretende adelantar el conocimiento de esta pesquería, combinando el conocimiento científico con el conocimiento de los pescadores. Esta es una experiencia que no es ajena a mi información. Yo considero que posiblemente yo he aprendido tanto de los pescadores como de las clases que he cogido a través de mi carrera, así es que esto es una continuación en esa dirección. El próximo. Antes que nada, yo quisiera darle mi agradecimiento por la participación y colaboración de tres pescadores que participaron en este proyecto hasta el momento, aunque pretendemos que sean muchos más. El señor Luis Román de Añasco, el señor Jorge González de Guánica, y el señor Rodolfo Abrahams de San Juan, estuvieron participando con nosotros hasta ahora en este proyecto, que está en pleno curso, en pleno progreso. Los objetivos del proyecto incluyen documentar la pesquería de pargo de agua profunda, pero más que documentar la pesquería es documentar la experiencia de la pesquería. Documentar la 133

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experiencia de la pesquería mediante salidas con los pescadores al mar. O sea, hacer trabajos con ellos mar afuera. Caracterizar mediante instrumentación oceanográfica y video, las características del hábitat béntico y de las características oceanográficas. Reni, está muy bien, es que hay un problema con técnico. Es un problema con la traducción que están atendiendo. Un momentito, por favor. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: A mí me gustaría tener control, pero-- te voy a hacer así. Me avisan. MARCOS HANKE: We are waiting for the zoom participants to readjust their settings to listen to the presentation. Thank you for waiting, Reni. CARLOS FARCHETTE: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now, before I forget I have a topic for other business at the end of the day. It is fish trap reduction. MARCOS HANKE: This is a test. Esto es una prueba en español para ver si la traducción está funcionando. Esto es una prueba para las personas virtuales. Por favor, envíen un texto confirmando que están escuchando la traducción. Thank you very much. Go ahead, Reni, and Thank you. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Gracias.

Sí, estábamos en los objetivos. O sea que, uno de los objetivos es básicamente salir con los pescadores, con mis instrumentos oceanográficos y los instrumentos de ellos, que son las caras, las artes de pesca, si es que llevas las calas, las artes de pesca. Así es que, tu llevas las calas, las artes de pesca y yo llevo mis instrumentos oceanográficos, estamos en el mismo sitio, vamos a ver qué podemos aprender de este trabajo combinado. Próxima. Entonces, no tan solo sacar los datos, sino compartir la información con los pescadores que salen de sus propias áreas de pesca, con énfasis en dos especies que son de mucha importancia comercial, el cartucho y el cardinal, la muniama del hondo. Aunque, pues, básicamente, estamos incluyendo la comunidad completa de peces, pero, la clave es sacar la información exactamente de donde ellos están pescando y no de áreas generales, etcétera. Sino que ellos puedan ver de dónde ellos mismos están tirando las calas, ¿Cuál es la información que sale de ahí? 134

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La próxima. Queremos hacer un inventario de todas las especies de peces asociadas con esta pesquería. No tan solo los de importancia comercial, sino todos. Esto nos va a dar una información más completa sobre la comunidad de peces en donde se pescan estas estas especies importantes. Además, esa información nos ayuda, poco a poco, a desarrollar la información necesaria para producir modelos conceptuales de cómo es que funciona esta pesquería y poder hacer planes de manejo en acuerdo a esto. La próxima. Queremos describir en detalle la distribución tanto espacial como con profundidad de las áreas de pesca de estas especies en particular, que sabemos que hay una estratificación de especies a través de toda de toda la región. Próxima. Queremos también evaluar mediante unas muestras de tejido, la posible conectividad entre Puerto Rico y las poblaciones de cartucho entre Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes, que es parte de una tesis de Maestría que está siendo un estudiante del departamento de Ciencias Marina, María Del Pilar García. Próximo. En términos de la metodología. Básicamente, lo que estamos haciendo es salir con los pescadores a sus áreas de pesca con nuestros equipos oceanográficos y poder registrar la información en tiempo real en su área y durante la pesca que ellos están haciendo. Próxima. Estamos obteniendo información de captura y esfuerzo de pesca, incluyendo la información de sus métodos de pesca, el número de calazos que ellos-- o sea, no tan solo ver el esfuerzo de pesca desde el punto de vista de lo que se pesca al día, sino-- porque los pescadores ya hemos visto que su día de pesca varía mucho, es el esfuerzo en términos de cuántos drops, de cuántos calazos. ¿Cuánto se pesca por calazo en un día de pesca? La profundidad, las especies que se pescan, los tamaños, la condición de las gónadas, o sea, las condiciones reproductivas, y cualquier contenido que puedan tener en la boca además de la carnada. Adelante. 135

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Estamos haciendo una serie de perfiles de CTD para para estudiar lo que es la variabilidad y las características de la columna de agua en las áreas de pesca de los pescadores. Esto incluye, la temperatura del agua, salinidad, densidad y profundidad. Adelante. También estamos enviando hacia abajo, en la misma área de pesca de los pescadores, una cámara con un housing a prueba de agua, con unas luces programables para ver el hábitat béntico donde mismo están pescando los pescadores. Adelante. Además, como había mencionado, estamos adquiriendo unas pequeñas muestras de tejido, y de otolitos en individuos representativos de cada área, para analizar estas tasas de crecimiento y conectividad genética, entre las poblaciones de Puerto Rico y de las Islas Vírgenes. Adelante. Esto es unas fotos de los instrumentos que se están usando. El instrumento de la izquierda es un CTD. Es lo que llamamos un mini CTD. Es un instrumento pequeño para embarcaciones pequeñas, que registra temperatura, salinidad, presión, profundidad a alta precisión, y el de la derecha son las luces programables con la cámara, que es el equipo que estamos enviando hacia abajo para fotografía las áreas de pesca. La próxima. Cuando hablamos de del hábitat, si ven el título del proyecto, realmente, esto es un estudio sobre el essential fish habitat del cartucho. Como la pesquería del cartucho, y de la muniama del hondo, al igual que todos estos peces de agua profunda, ocurre fuera de la plataforma insular. Fuera de la plataforma insular, no es solamente una masa de agua, sino que hay una serie de masas de agua que se acomodan verticalmente como si fuera un bizcocho de estos de boda, en base a su densidad. Como ven, se han identificado al menos cinco masas de agua, que están dentro del área del Caribe, el área oceánica del Caribe. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: internet se cayó.

Reni, me vas a disculpar de nuevo, pero el

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JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Se cayó y el leaser no-- se cayó también.

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

¿Y estoy con el ethernet?

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Mm, nada que ver. Nada que ver.

MARCOS HANKE: Okay. For the virtual attendees, we have some internet problems. We will let you know as soon as we can fix the problem. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Ahora sí.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

¿Aquí necesitas que hable?

Sí.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: está oyendo? LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Vanessa dice que el audio está de vuelta.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: ¿Qué más? LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Okay. ¿Me estás oyendo? ¿Cristina, me

El audio está bien. Gracias, Vanessa.

¿Y video se ve?

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Okay, pues, proyecta. ¿Pero ya podemos proyectar y empezar? Ahora, como corremos contra el reloj, ya vamos a ponernos, aunque salgan, tú estás pendiente de todo lo que salga. Okay. ¿Ya estamos? MARCOS HANKE: Hello, everyone. We are back. Thank you for your kindness and for waiting so long. We will let you know as soon as we start. The group says that we are ready. Reni, please proceed. Thank you. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

Gracias, Mr. Chairman.

Me voy a tomar un poquito, yo sé que estamos apretados de tiempo, pero yo me voy a tomar un tiempito para explicar esto, porque esto es la base de todo. Quizás en futuras presentaciones yo pueda ir más específico sobre todos los datos del proyecto que, de hecho, todavía en producción. Realmente, o sea, lo que le estaba diciendo es que el mar Caribe está altamente estratificado, verticalmente por diferentes masas de agua, que vienen a diferentes densidades, y por eso es que se agrupan y se ordenan de acuerdo a su densidad. 137

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Realmente, la capa de agua mixta es la capa de agua que mayormente está afectando las áreas de la plataforma insular. Sin embargo, las áreas de pesca de pagos de agua profunda incluyen, fundamentalmente, estas dos masas de agua. Son masas de agua, que una es el subtropical underwater, y la otra es del mar de los sargazos. Ambas masas de agua provienen del mar de los sargazos. Aquí están las profundidades y las temperaturas a las cuales se obtiene estas profundidades. Básicamente es la medula del centro de estas masas de agua. Cada una de estas de masas de agua tiene lo que se llama una firma o un ‘signature,’ que está provisto por su combinación de temperatura y salinidad. La temperatura y la sanidad son los parámetros o factores que se conocen como factores conservadores. O sea, que no varían de acuerdo a los organismos, porque se conservan. Cada masa de agua tiene sus características de temperatura y salinidad, y, por ende, densidad y se acomodan verticalmente de acuerdo a su densidad. La próxima. Estas masas de agua que le estaba hablando, que es el subtropical underwater, y el sargazo sea water, que también se conoce como el agua del Atlántico central, se encuentran al Norte, o sea, en el Atlántico Norte, y son una de las zonas de menor productividad del planeta. O sea, son zonas sumamente áridas en términos de su producción, debido a que están permanentemente estratificadas y debido a que no hay mezcla entre aguas profundas y la capa superficial donde está iluminada y, por ende, ocurre la mayor parte de la producción primaria, o sea, la producción del fitoplancton, pues los nutrientes se agotan. Son áreas que están, lo que llamámos fuertemente limitadas por un nutriente que es el nitrógeno. Ustedes van a decir, “Pero Reni, cómo es posible, si en el mar del sargazo, que se producen toneladas de sargazo, ¿Cómo vas a decir que esta es un área árida?” Bueno, es un área árida, lo que pasa es que el sargazo produce su propio, o sea, no obtiene su nitrógeno del mar, lo puede obtener del mar, pero lo puede obtener también de la atmósfera, o sea, del aire, básicamente, y por eso su producción no está limitada por nitrógeno, sino que puede producir grandes cantidades y es una de las fuentes más importantes de nutrientes en esta zona, el sargazo per se. Otra fuente bien importante, que es un proceso bien importante que afecta a las pesquerías de nosotros acá abajo, es la corriente del Golfo. ¿Por qué la corriente del Golfo? La corriente del Golfo es una corriente alta en nutrientes, que es una corriente bien rápida, 138

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que tiene lo que llamamos en oceanografía, una vorticidad positiva, y a veces es tan rápida que se desprende de la plataforma insular y entra como unos anillos, que llamamos anillos fríos, bien ricos en nutrientes a esta zona y, posiblemente, parte de esas zonas de alta productividad puedan entrar al Caribe. De hecho, la mayor parte del flujo de estas aguas entra al Caribe por los pasajes, pero principalmente por tres pasajes que hay acá abajo, al Norte de Trinidad y Tobago, que son el pasaje de Grenada, el de Santa Lucía y el de San Vincent. La mayor cantidad de flujo viene de ahí. Próxima. Hay muchas otras interacciones, o sea, se puede estar una hora hablando sobre esto, pero realmente no hay tiempo. Este, vamos a hacer lo más importante, que es básicamente presentar los datos que se obtuvieron con los pescadores. Como vemos, estos son los perfiles de temperatura. Aquí están las profundidades cada cincuenta metros, hasta cuatrocientos metros, que es donde ellos pescan, y aquí las temperaturas que van aumentando cada dos grados. Como ve, hay alguna separación en temperatura, esta separación en la capa superficial está relacionada a las diferentes temporadas, está afectada por la temperatura del aire, y vemos claramente la presencia de lo que nosotros llamamos la capa mixta. La capa mixta básicamente es una zona donde la temperatura no varía con profundidad. Es una temperatura homogénea. Esto es un indicio de mezcla y esto es lo que caracteriza la capa mixta superficial del Caribe. La profundidad de esta capa mixta es importante, porque es lo que mantiene esta área bien mezclada aquí y depende del viento. Mientras más fuerte el viento, más profunda es la penetración de esta capa mixta. Aquí están las áreas en donde se ha estado trabajando hasta ahora, incluyen Añasco, Bajo de Sico, la Corona del Sur, Parguera, Playa Santa, Caja de Muerto y San Juan. Vemos como la temperatura varía rápidamente después de los setenta metros, ochenta metros. Esta zona de una variación bien rápida se conoce como la termoclina. Y ven cómo vas abajo, ya para los trescientos cincuenta metros, trescientos treinta metros, la temperatura no varía mucho entre sitio y sitio, se mantiene constante. De hecho, todos los estudios confirman que la mayor parte de las variaciones tanto en temperatura como en salida en el Caribe, ocurren en los primeros mil doscientos metros de agua, y después de ahí, la temperatura es básicamente constante, es similar entre área y área.

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La próxima. Este es el perfil de salinidad. Como vemos, capa mixta, la salinidad en esta capa varía mucho de acuerdo a la lluvia, de la lluvia a la escorrentía de los ríos. También varía de acuerdo a o está influenciada por el advenimiento de agua, de lentes de agua del Orinoco y del Amazonas. Vemos también que hay una zona de variación bien rápida, bien fuerte de salinidad con profundidad, esto lo conocemos como el haloclina, que es un área de donde, no tan solo la salinidad, sino que la densidad, afectada por la salinidad, aumenta también rápidamente y crea básicamente un sello, aquí, entre la masa de agua superficial y las demás masas de agua más abajo. Vemos aquí el máximo de clorofila-- perdóname, el máximo de salinidad que se conoce como la firma principal del subtropical underwater, y más abajo está el sargazo sea water. De nuevo, la mayor parte de la variación ocurre sobre los trescientos metros. Aquí ya vemos cómo la salida se empieza a estabilizar en base a las áreas después de los trescientos metros. La próxima. El perfil de densidad. El perfil de densidad es la resultante de estos dos factores de temperatura y de salinidad. Van a ver lo importante que es para las pesquerías este concepto, porque realmente se separan las masas. No hay conexión entre esta masa de agua, hay muy poca conexión física entre estas masas de agua y la masa de agua de la superficie, aunque vemos cómo se interrelacionan en la próxima laminilla. Mira, aquí, esto es un estudio de Seijo-Ellis et al., 2019. En realidad, el estudio se realiza en el 2017 al Sur de Saint Thomas. A bordo del Nancy Foster, se tomaron todos estos estos perfiles, temperatu-- lo mismo que les había mostrado, temperatura, salinidad, densidad, y clorofila. Y la razón que traigo este slide es para enseñarle este dato, porque este dato yo no lo tengo en mi proyecto y es sumamente importante. Lo que vemos aquí, lo que quiero enseñarles es que el máximo de clorofila correlaciona con el máximo de salinidad. Quiere decir que este máximo de clorofila no refleja-- a casi ciento treinta metros, no refleja la producción de clorofila en este sitio, sino que lo que refleja es que aquí es que se está sedimentando todas las células de fitoplancton. Toda esa productividad de esta parte de la capa mixta que ocurre aquí se está sedimentando y se queda estancada en este punto como si fuera un falso bentos. Este falso 140

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bentos está producido por el gradiente de densidad. O sea, que hay una mayor densidad y esas partículas de fitoplancton, básicamente, se quedan sobre esta zona. Y este máximo de clorofila, aquí, este layer, puede ser sumamente importante para explicar la productividad de los cartuchos en aguas profundas. ¿Por qué? Porque hay un montón de-- hay diferentes organismos particularmente los eufácidos y otros copépodos de diferentes tipos de micro zooplancton, que pueden estar haciendo migraciones verticales de esta zona, alimentándose aquí, y luego yéndose abajo nuevamente donde pueden ser capturados por los peces. La próxima. Ok, esto es una muestra de un eufácido. Los pescadores, si ustedes ven este tipo de organismo en la boca de los cartuchos, eso es una indicación de que lo que yo le estoy diciendo pudiera estar ocurriendo. Y particularmente quizás no sea un artículo importante en la dieta de los cartuchos, pero sí lo es para los calamares. Y los pescadores saben que donde están los calamares están los cartuchos. La próxima. Entonces, ¿cuáles son las fuentes potenciales de productividad que pueden estar sosteniendo estas poblaciones de cartucho y de muniamas en el ámbito de los doscientos o los cuatrocientos metros? La próxima. Una es como lo que estaba diciendo, la sedimentación de esta materia orgánica, producida en el surface mixed layer, que una vez empieza a sedimentarse, empiezan a formarse unos microbial loops que le dan un contenido adicional, nutricional a estas partículas y pueden estar creando un nivel, un layer, una zona de alta productividad justo en el borde, entre la capa superficial y las capas profundas donde se pescan los cartuchos. La próxima. Nutrientes y zooplancton y material orgánico, pueden estar viniendo de las masas de agua en el Atlántico Norte, tanto del subtropical underwater como del sargazo sea water, a través de estos canales, y ya vienen con su zooplancton, y vienen con su material orgánico. Como le dije, proveniente de diferentes fuentes que están disponibles en esa zona. La próxima. 141

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Ok, lo que les estaba hablando. El zooplancton y micronecton, que incluyen los eufácidos, también se conocen como el krill, lo que comen las ballenas. Característicamente, esta estos organismos se agrupan en escuelas bien densas, que, de hecho, ahí es donde comen las ballenas, porque de lo contrario, estos pesos no tienen suficiente alimento para la energía que gastan, así que comen en sitios donde hay agregaciones. Y estos estos organismos se caracterizan por tener estas migraciones verticales hacia áreas de donde hay alta alimentación y después bajar para metabolizar en aguas más fría la comida que se come, un proceso que se llama como parachute transport, hacia el fondo. La próxima. También hemos visto que el cartucho es un carnívoro oportunista. El cartucho lo mismo come en la columna de agua, que come del fondo. O sea, come de los dos lados. Posiblemente haya unas relaciones ontogenéticas, o sea, que el cartucho va cambiando de hábitos alimenticios y de estrategia alimenticia, según va desarrollándose. Particularmente, la experiencia de los pescadores y lo que comparten conmigo es que los peces pequeños tienden a quedarse en áreas regionales y a alimentarse bastante y dependen bastante del bentos, del fondo, para su alimentación, mientras que los cartuchos grandes, lo que hacen es que se forman en escuelas y van detrás de los calamares, como ellos dicen, corren, y van detrás de los calamares buscando áreas de alta alimentación, lo cual hace sentido, porque si, porque realmente es difícil explicar la productividad de pesca en estas zonas oligotróficas, o sea, de bajos nutrientes y de baja productividad, a no ser que sea que los peces están encontrando áreas de alta concentración de alimentos. Concepto que se conoce como pirámides invertidas. Que se conoce también que aplica para explicar la abundancia de tiburones en las áreas de arrecifes de coral. Adelante. Y pudiera haber también una producción de zooplancton e ictioplancton, basada en la re-mineralización de los nutrientes que ya hay en el fondo y que posiblemente eso es una es una fuente de alimentación también. La próxima. Esto es una foto que yo tomé desde un ROV a unos quinientos y pico, casi seiscientos pies de profundidad muy cerca de las áreas de pesca, para que vean que, en el fondo, a estas profundidades ya afótica hay bastante producción de coral no simbiótico. O sea, que 142

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básicamente los arrecifes de coral de Puerto Rico aparentemente no están restringidos a la zona de la plataforma insular, sino que allá abajo donde viven los cartuchos y los chillos, también hay arrecifes de coral o por lo menos, comunidades de coral. Adelante. Okay, esto entonces, yo quería poner en perspectiva lo que era el hábitat de pesca de estas especies. Una perspectiva espacial. Como vemos, yo paré en las diferentes zonas de profundidad. Tengo que admitir que esto es un estimado crudo, porque estos son áreas de superficie en metros cuadrados, calculadas de forma horizontal. No considera las áreas que están proyectadas verticalmente, como vamos a ver qué ocurre en la mayor parte de las plataformas insulares. Sin embargo, cabe destacar que las áreas de pesca entre doscientos y cuatrocientos metros incluyen prácticamente un 20 porciento del área total entre cero y cuatrocien-- o sea, básicamente entre cero y cuatrocientos metros, que es lo que incluye esencialmente la plataforma insular, más la pendiente insular en estas islas. O sea, que básicamente toda la zona del promontorio de la isla, incluyendo el slope, lo que llaman el insular slope. Básicamente, está cerca de los cuatrocientos metros. Así es que, básicamente, esta estas profundidades, en Puerto Rico, incluyen casi el 20 porciento. Sin embargo, en las Islas Vírgenes, y aquí estoy incluyendo, San Thomas, Santa Cruz, San John, son un poco más de que son 6 porciento. Hay bastante mayor área, bastante mayor área en Puerto Rico, y vamos a ver por qué. La próxima. Fundamentalmente, esto es un mapa, aquí tienen las zonas profundas. Como le digo, aquí es muy difícil ver las áreas en la escala vertical. ¿No? Y como vemos, a través de prácticamente toda la isla, Islas Vírgenes también, estas áreas están prácticamente únicamente en algunos sitios relacionadas a las pendientes insulares. Sin embargo, en Puerto Rico, al oeste de Puerto Rico tenemos lo que es Puerto Rico Southern Fault. Esto, básicamente, es una cadena de montañas que unen a la República Dominicana con Puerto Rico. Aquí hay unas zonas de pesca muy importantes y una de las cosas que más justifica que el área oeste de Puerto Rico sea una de las áreas de mayor producción de pesca de pargos de agua profunda y de peces de agua profunda. 143

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Áreas de pesca, aquí están los rabos de Aguadilla, áreas que se conocen de pesca. Aquí, en esta zona de aquí, salimos para pescar las áreas de Añasco. Aquí, increíble, hay una cadena de montaña que parece que uno estuviera en la Cordillera Central, pero submarina. Una serie de montañas aquí en esta zona. Bajo de Sico. Aquí el área de Desecheo y una cosa que los pecadores llaman la Corona del Norte, que es un pináculo que sale aquí al este del Desecheo. Hay otras áreas de pescas famosísima, como le dije, el Bajo de Sico, la Corona del Sur, el Guineo, aquí está el área del Pichincho, con el área del medio, aquí hay otra zona que conocen algunos pescadores que se llama la 178, ellos llaman las 178 brazas, un área de buena pesca de cartucho aquí también. La próxima. Aquí, en la en la zona Este, Vieques, Culebra, las Islas Vírgenes, hay una zona bien amplia, de entre cincuenta y cien metros de profundidad, no la hemos explorado, no sabemos de lo que es, quizás los pescadores nos puedan dar más información cuando nos volvamos para las islas vienen a hacer trabajos allá. Sin embargo, vemos que sí, hay unas áreas bien interesantes de pesca, zonas de hábitat, de hábitat de pesca de pargos de agua profunda, asociados al veril, o sea, a la plataforma, a la pendiente insular de las plataformas. Aquí en el Sur de San Thomas, también hay un área bastante amplia en San Thomas/San John, de entre cincuenta y cien metros. Algunas de estas áreas son áreas conocidas de desove de peces de importancia comercial, como de la cabrilla y los meros, en particular, cerca del área del MCD y de Grammanik Bank. Adelante, la próxima. En Santa Cruz, la mayor parte del hábitat está circunscrita a la pendiente insular. Aquí en el área de Lang Bank, un poco más área de pesca, o sea, de hábitat de pesca. Y entonces, la parte Sur, pues es un área bastante amplia, con zonas hasta de cuatrocientos metros, bastante amplia. No conocemos el tipo de hábitat que hay en esta zona, esperamos que con la ayuda de los pecadores de Santa Cruz podamos explorar un poco esta zona de aquí. La próxima. La próxima. Ok, pues, yo hice un pequeño ejercicio, reduciendo un poco de los datos que me hicieron llegar del Consejo de Pesca del Caribe. Me dicen que estos son datos que el origen de estos datos es parte de las capturas, para Puerto Rico expandidas, para San Thomas y San 144

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John directa, de los informes pesqueros, entre el 2015 y 2017, que pensé que era un buen tiempo, ya que en el 2018 empezaron a surgir todas las anomalías de los huracanes y de los temblores y de las pandemias y de todo lo demás. Así que 2015 o ‘17 me parecía un buen período para hacer este análisis, y separé la pesquera comercial solamente de peces, no carrucho, no langosta, no cangrejos, no nada más, solamente peces, para peces que llamo profundos demersales. O sea, los peces de fondo, todos los pargos y los meros de agua profunda; los pelágicos que incluyen el dorado, la sierra, los petos, todo lo demás; lo que es peces costeros de la plataforma; y de los de los costeros pelágicos, eso es básicamente todos los jureles y esos peces costeros; creo que incluí la sierra carita aquí, y el king mackerel lo incluí acá. Aquí está el king mackerel, el peto, y los dorados principalmente. Como vemos, la captura de peces demersales en el área de Puerto Rico son mucho mayores que en las Islas Vírgenes. Posiblemente esto esté explicado en base a la a la mayor área de cobertura, o sea, en la mayor área de hábitat que hay en Puerto Rico. Pero también hay otras razones porque ya nosotros hemos estado oyendo aquí en este Consejo de Pesca, por mucho tiempo, que hay problemas de ciguatera con pargos de agua profunda en San Thomas. Yo no sé hasta qué punto-- yo francamente no sé hasta qué punto eso es cierto, o si eso todavía aplica, o si se dejan de pescar los peces por la cuestión de la ciguatera, realmente yo no sé, pero lo que sí, es que hay una diferencia bastante marcada entre lo que es el recurso pesquero asociado a estas profundidades en Puerto Rico, comparado con las Islas Vírgenes. Así que, es importante considerar que posiblemente haya unas razones más allá de la cuestión de la ciguatera, sino que el hábitat es mucho más amplio en la plataforma de Puerto Rico. Adelante. Aquí, esto es un resumen hasta ahora. ¿Verdad? Básicamente, estamos hablando de diez días de pesca. O sea, de diez salidas con los pescadores. Se han obtenido trece especies en la cala. Hay diferencias en el esfuerzo pesquero. Algunss pescan con boyas, otros pescan directamente con el cordel. Básicamente, en total, en estas diez salidas, combinando los tres pescadores, se han obtenido 251.4 libras de peces landed, o sea, de peces abordados. Ellos no abordan los tiburones y hay un peso considerable en esos tiburones. Básicamente, quizás pudiera haber sesenta, setenta libras más de tiburones asociado a esto, pero estos no están incluidos. Si estan incluidos en términos de las especies. Aquí tenemos el dusky smooth hound, Squalus, los hexanchus también, pero básicamente el principal componente de la pesquería es el 145

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cartucho a estas profundidades entre doscientos y cuatrocientos metros. Recogimos ciento diecisiete peces, el total de libras fue ciento setenta y ocho, y el promedio por libra, 1.5 libras por pez. Yo me quedé sorprendido de la cantidad de muniama que vienen con esa pesca. La muniama, que es una muniama de más de una libra. Es un buen pez de sartén. A los pescadores se los pagan igual, por lo menos en el área Oeste los pagan igual. Así que, estas dos especies realmente son las principales de la pesca a estas profundidades. La próxima. Ah, déjame, por favor, la anterior, la anterior, que quería hacer un señalamiento rapidito. Quería decirles que, aunque son diez días de pesca, yo creo que realmente, como se debe medir el esfuerzo de pesca, bien medido, es con los números de drops, o sea, con los números de calazos, en otras palabras. O sea, porque un pescador-- yo he salido con tres pescadores diferentes y los tres tienen un esfuerzo pesquero-- en un mismo día, el esfuerzo pesquero puede ser el doble o el triple uno del otro. O sea, en términos de los calazos. Así es que en términos de la captura por calazo es básicamente dos libras, es lo que yo pude medir allí. Veinticinco libras de captura por día, por pescador. Con toda la variabilidad que hay entre los tres pescadores, un pescador solamente salió dos días, así es que no es completamente equiparable. Definitivamente el esfuerzo varía entre pescador y pescador. Adelante. Además de la pesca de estas especies, nosotros estamos haciendo un esfuerzo por recoger toda la información posible de las especies que están relacionadas a este hábitat, para poder después incluir estos elementos en lo que es un modelo conceptual de esta zona, de esta pesquería en particular. Hay cosas aquí que yo no sé lo que son todavía. O sea, este puffer salió de casi mil pies de profundidad, y no sé lo que es. No lo encuentro por ningún sitio. Este conger, cada vez que la cala caía en el fondo fangoso en San Juan, salía un conger de esto para afuera. Eso es un problema para el pescador, porque no es fácil sacarlo de ese anzuelo, y a veces vienen dos y tres de ellos en un calazo. El spiny dogfish, es un pez que cuando dice llegar a la cala, es un problema, porque a veces son dos y tres de ellos, cuatro de ellos en una cala. Forman un enredo bien brutal. El 146

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pescador pierde mucho tiempo y energía tratando de sacar estos tiburones de la cala. Es realmente admirable ver cómo esta gente brega con esos peces, ahí, a mano. Aquí vemos el juvenil de un misty grouper, de una guasa. También se coge a profundidades entre seiscientos y ochocientos pies. No es la primera vez que yo lo veía en una pesquería de esta. Así que estamos haciendo un esfuerzo por recoger estas especies y la información de estas especies. Seguimos tratando de conseguir las identificaciones. Quizás más adelante, incluyamos análisis de tejido para hacer análisis de DNA y ver si podemos conseguir las especies de acuerdo a su contenido genético. La próxima. Entonces, las condiciones preliminares del estudio. O sea, la pesquería de pargos de profundidad en el ámbito de los doscientos a cuatrocientos metros está básicamente asociado a la masa de agua del sargazo. Adelante. Las características físicas y biológicas de la columna son relativamente estables, y están dominadas por una estratificación permanente y condiciones oligotróficas, o sea, condiciones de poca productividad. Adelante. Sin embargo, la productividad aparenta estar bien fuertemente relacionada a la cadena alimenticia del plancton, aunque con un componente béntico también que todavía no hemos podido determinar cuán realmente importante es. Pero sabemos que está asociada aparentemente durante la época juvenil de estos peces, particularmente del cartucho, alimentación directamente del fondo. Adelante. La sugerencia mía, según yo lo veo y lo propongo, es que un factor clave que está influenciado y sosteniendo la productividad, de los pargos de agua profunda y su distribución espacial, debe estar relacionada a la alimentación en estos en estos parchos, en estos patches de zooplancton y de micronecton, que puede incluir copépodos, eufácidos, pero particularmente el principal depredador de ellos, que son los calamares. O sea, los calamares van buscando el zooplancton y el micronecton y los cartuchos, saben dónde encontrar los calamares.

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Este zooplancton/micronecton con los calamares pudieran estar produciendo lo que se conoce como un discattering layers, y si yo fuera pescador, estaría buscando estos discattering layers en mí ronda. Porque donde están los calamares, van a estar los cartuchos grandes, y eso pudiera ser un factor que pudiera mejorar el performance de la pesquería en esta zona. Como le dije, les mostré por qué yo pienso esto. Porque básicamente hay mucha pesquería en agua bien poco productiva lo cual quiere decir que estos peces pudieran estar viviendo y fusionando dentro de lo que conoce como el concepto de las pirámides invertidas. Adelante. Como les dije, los mayores porcentajes de pesca, de especies de agua profunda en los landings comerciales de los peces en Puerto Rico, relativo a las Islas Vírgenes, pudiera estar influenciada por la mayor cantidad de hábitat que hay en la zona oeste, entre otras cosas. Y esa es mi presentación, disculpen si me pasé un poquito por mucho. Tuve problemas técnicos, pero cualquier pregunta, con mucho gusto. Esto es un estudio que está en progreso, ya se rendirá un informe detallado completo con estas pesquerías. De nuevo, agradezco la participación de los pescadores y estímulo a cualquier pescador que esté oyendo esta presentación, o que esté aquí presente, que esté interesado en el en participar en el proyecto, hay una compensación económica para ellos por día de cuatrocientos dólares, y realmente estarían haciendo una contribución bien importante al conocimiento de su propia pesquería. Gracias. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Reni, gracias por la presentación. Gracias por la pasión que pones en lo que hace. Así que seguiríamos comunicandonos. Vamos a tener espacio para dos preguntas. We are going to have space for three questions. Please be very brief. Tony, Richard, and Nelson. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Morning. Good presentation, there was a lot of information on this presentation. Now, what I noticed was you mentioned the ciguatera. That, basically, you didn't find any ciguatera in Puerto Rico where they did the fishing. But I know in Saint Thomas there is cases of ciguatera, especially with the blackfin snappers in deep water. Now, I know it was mentioned 148

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before that ciguatera was caused by a microalgae that was found in shallow water. We are talking about deep water now. So, my question is this. How accurate is the assumption that the microalgae that was mentioned is actually the culprit in the ciguatera. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Well, I don't think that anybody has the perfect answer to your question. I think that-- well, what I know is that ciguatera is not just the result of an algae, but actually the combination of algae plus bacteria. So, maybe any specific site can have a different combination of those. I am not sure about that. My knowledge was that this is a process that was associated mostly with shallow waters. Mostly with areas of the insular shelf. I don't know what is behind the incidence of ciguatera associated with deep water. Particularly in areas where it's mostly aphotic. So, that algae doesn’t have any light. So, if it doesn't have any light, how's it a light there? you know. You know what's the dynamics of that? You know, I frankly can't answer your question because I don't know. All I know is that for years or for decades, I should say, I’ve heard recognized fishermen of the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly in Saint Thomas saying, stating, that in part there is limitation on the fishing on this deep-water snapper population because of the ciguatera issues. I mean, there's a fisherman here from Saint Thomas that knows not much more about that than me. Probably that question should be directed to them. MARCOS HANKE: Reni, your presentation really was not about ciguatera, right? You just made a point about the ciguatera. I think we can, and we will address ciguatera with other presentations. I would like the questions to be to the point of your presentation, about what you just presented. Miguel. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: And also, I think that we are confusing signature water with ciguatera. They are two different things. What you were saying is that these waters, they remain where they are because of the oceanographic conditions. That’s important to know. And also, for the record, we have not received any reports of ciguatoxic fish on deep-water snappers and groupers. It doesn't mean that they are there or not. Sorry, we have not received yet, I don't know if Graciela has any record but the people who have given presentations to us before, they questioned those instances and that's why Marcos is saying that this is--

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JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Yes, but I have to answer any questions, or anybody can e-mail me as well or call me or whatever. I'm always willing-MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: That's what I was going to suggest. Anybody who is interested, please contact Graciela or Doctor Reni García and probably for the August meeting we'll have an update because this is important-JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Quite frankly, I appreciate Tony's question very much because I believe that more effort should be addressed to finding out what's going on with ciguatera problem of these deep-waters snapper populations in Saint Thomas. Because if it's something that was temporary or a given time, a given school of fish that went there, or if it's a continuous thing that is being produced all the time. Because otherwise the ciguatera problem may have been banished and you have that resource there open almost pristine fishing for deep-water snappers and-MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: The point is that we need to discuss this some other time. But we have to be-JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: I'm sorry.

That’s okay. I just got involved, you know?

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: We have to be mindful about these things on the record. You can kill an entire fishery by the wrong information about ciguatera. That happened before in Puerto Rico. So, unless we have specific instances and supported scientific data, we should drop the discussion. MARCOS HANKE: And there are people working on that. That's why I request the group to be mindful that eventually we're going to address this with the experts working on the field local in Puerto Rico. Tony, just to wrap up, go very quick and I go to— LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Just wrap up. I didn’t want to get off course. The point I'm trying to make is there was no cases of ciguatera with the deep-water snappers in Puerto Rico. In Saint Thomas, especially the blackfins, they have a history of that. And I'm not trying to kill our fishery but the point I'm trying to make is, obviously there is something that is different that is going on in Puerto Rican waters, compared to the Virgin Islands waters. And that's the point I was trying to make. As to, if it's really a shallow water microalgae that's causing that problem is not going to be found in that depth of water. That's the point that I was trying to make.

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MARCOS HANKE: We're going to-- noted. We're going to take care of this issue later on, at another moment, with a someone working with new data from ciguatera. Richard. RICHARD APPELDOORN: A comment and a question. The comment is that I'm sure you're aware that Jerry Ault and Steven Smith, did a deepwater snapper pilot sampling program as if, you know, the SEAMAP, for example, or NOAA, or somebody wanted to take over this is the statistics on how to design that. And it was done with commercial fishermen, I think Nelson was part of that, and Roberto Silva and a couple of others. In that study, they did a [inaudible] calculations using the multibeam stuff for the areas that those were available. So, that might be something you could add to yours to get an idea of still another factor that's affecting the habitat there. I'll throw out another comment. Blackfin snappers are really the shallowest of the deep snappers, so they could be affected by shallow stuff, especially in their juvenile stages. So, anyway, the question is you had a lot of camera work. So, was there something that came out of that that said, characteristically, we saw this kind of environment associated with the higher catches versus where you didn't get higher catches? JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: MARCOS HANKE:

No pusimos el video. Si, pon el video.

Reni. Reni. Reni.

RICHARD APPELDOORN: Just give a-- because they are short on time. I was saying, did you analyze the camera images to be able to get- was there a pattern that emerged about where you found fish versus where you did not? JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Well, we've been watching a pattern. You know? Unfortunately, we haven't been very successful with the camera. We have drowned two of them already. The thing is that with the instrumentation that we have, we have little control of knowing at exactly what depth the camera is going down. And it's going down fast. So, when it hits rock-- [laughter] MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

You have to buy another one.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: --it drowns. So here-- can you replay it. Here we dropped it. This is a thousand feet deep. Okay? So, we dropped it at a place where we have taken cartuchos. We take cartuchos. Those are spiny dogfish. We have spiny dogfish or maybe 151

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it's a-- no, that's a vilma. So that's what we have seen. When we work with ROVs, every time that we went into rocks with a lot of coral and black coral, and a lot of life, I saw a lot more fish there. Every time we see coral formations and stuff like that, chances are you will see snapper. You know? So, there's a reef down there. MARCOS HANKE: Reni. Reni. Reni, the point of Richard, I think, have to be taken noted for a future presentation when you have more trips out to help, to guide us on better decisions, but we really need to move forward because we’re really behind schedule. Nelson. NELSON CRESPO: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Excellent presentation, Reni. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Not my fault. You know? Not my fault. I mean, call the internet, that's the universe entropy. Whatever. NELSON CRESPO: Excellent presentation, Reni. I strongly support the integration with the scientific and the fishers because we learn from each other. We know, firsthand, our job and that's going to help us a lot in the management plans in the future. But one thing, when you're talking about the small shrimp, in occasion, we catch the queen snapper with a mouthful of only shrimp. But you are right. When we catch the big cartuchos, we call them the traveler one, the one that has a long tail, they are running behind a big mass of squid and shrimp, and that's where we catch the most of the biggest cartucho. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS:

It has to be. It has to be.

NELSON CRESPO: Yeah. And I see that every year. I am curious in the summary slide that you only caught in 10 trips, only two hundred something pounds of fish. How long did each trip take? JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: That's what I told you. It varies a lot. It varied a lot. A lot of things happen, you know, in those ten days. You know? I mean, issues with the equipment, issues with the weather, issues with huge fish just breaking up the calas. You know, some fishermen would go the entire day to the point that I was exhausted. Some of them worked half a day and “let's go home.” Some of them, for example, worked with a series of boys. So, they have, at any given point, three calas in the water. NELSON CRESPO: Okay. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: So, that's a lot of effort for a given unit of time. Others just fish with one reel and then they go, 152

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they're happy with their twenty-five pounds. They are happy with that. NELSON CRESPO: I saw in your report also that only small fish were caught, around a pound and a half size fish. I'm wondering where the fish were developed, close to shore or far from shore? Because-JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: NELSON CRESPO:

Well, the thing is okay.

--normally, we got a mix of size.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Okay. I'm going to answer you quickly. It’s because one of these sites is in the South Coast. So, you know that the South Coast, you cannot go very far from land because the slope is close to shore, and it's steep. Okay? So, it's right there at the shelf edge. The insular slope is right there at the shelf edge. In San Juan, we went off El Morro, and it was not far from the coastline, maybe a mile and a half or two miles offshore. In the West, we went to different places. The farthest I think was Corona Del Sur. NELSON CRESPO:

Okay. No. That's what--

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: pounder.

The largest fish that we caught was a five

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Okay, guys. I believe that this is a topic of very much importance. I would like to invite Dr. Reni García here just to put you on the line. We have another meeting in August, another one in December and we would like to follow-up with this study. One of the questions they have here, to close your presentation, which by the way, one of the best I’ve ever seen. It is like being back at school. Especially with the sargassum explanation. What is the long-term goal of this study? And how long are you going be working on the study? How many years? JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Well, I believe that from the scientific standpoint, the long-term goal would be to produce, as best as possible, as more detail as possible, the conceptual model of this fishery, from my standpoint. But in parallel with that, we would like fishermen to gain the scientific knowledge that provides them the background to improve their fishery efficiency. You know? Given the economic aspects come about in terms of the equipment and their gear, because it is actually quite surprising, quite admirable that you see this fisherman going offshore and engaging in this 153

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dangerous fishery with the type of equipment they have. Small boats, one motor, old one motor, no radios. It's risky business. They put a lot on it, you know, to bring back those twenty-five pounds. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: It's a limited entry natural thing. You probably would be responsible for wiping out the entire fishery just by telling people, “Go and follow the squid, and the big fish will follow you.” Reni, do you think-GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Miguel, let me say something. The coral reef conservation program is responsible for the funding for this project. This was submitted by the Council due to the interest of, specifically Nelson and his group because of the changes that they've noticed in the water column at depth. So, that includes all of the reference points that we wanted to look at in terms of the fish community and the habitat. Please notice that these areas where they're fishing are highly not only rugous but have a lot of coral. So, the discussion yesterday on prohibiting trawling activity, activity in the EEZ, and in areas where this fishery takes place, it's of utmost importance. So CRCP only provides funding for the fishing that it's being done now, and then off to Saint Thomas and off to Saint Croix. We've already been talking about the fishers. But if it's the interest of the Council to continue with a survey like this and it's actually complementary to what the Southeast Fisheries Science Center is doing with Kate Overly and the group, there are sources of funding such as S-K, MARFIN, etcetera from which we could get funding to do this kind of work in the future. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: One last thing. This is what I was looking for, thank you, Graciela, because that's what I was pursuing. We have interest here from fishers in the chat. We put your information in the chat so fishermen can talk to you. So, at the August meeting, we'll have an agenda item. So, we will have an update. I promise that we're going to give you more time, probably the last thing in the evening so people can stay overnight. [laughter] Then the other thing that you mentioned. The synergy between fishers and scientists on the same boat. Nelson and I were talking because we would like to develop, sort of, a bank of fishers who are-- you know, we have the citizen scientist who want to have future scientist, and this is the right step to go. When we had the presentation by Alida Ortiz, I asked Crespo, here, to present his idea. 154

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So, thank you very much. It has been an excellent presentation, and we will-JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Thank you all. I'd be delighted to provide an update on the results of this project later on. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. And your presentation also created a lot of interest, Reni. We have to put enough time for you to interact with the fishermen and with us to take advantage of your knowledge and experience. But today, we need to speed up. I'm sorry. Let go-- Nelson, please get contact with-- quick. NELSON CRESPO: I just want to do a quick recommendation to select the areas where you're going to fish prior to going because to get a balance of each area. That's it. JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Nelson, at this point, I'm getting anything I have. You know? I mean, I cannot-NELSON CRESPO:

I can help you with that.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: MARCOS HANKE:

I mean, if you have enough [crosstalk]

Okay, guys. You can't talk about this offline.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: go. That for sure.

But let me tell you. I'll go anywhere they

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Mi gente, ya se acabó la vaina. Hablen ustedes en el [crosstalk] MARCOS HANKE: Okay. It's over. Thank you. Let's keep going. The next presentation is Stacey Williams. Stacey, please help me out on something first, because the presentation is Jannette, and she has to go to a meeting in Capitol Hill. STACEY WILLIAMS:

Okay.

MARCOS HANKE: Can you allow her to present very brief slides and we go with you after that. STACEY WILLIAMS: MARCOS HANKE:

Yeah. Definitely.

Thank you. Jannette?

Squid fishing: New Opportunities in Deep Sea Fishing—Jannette 155

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Ramos-García JANNETTE RAMOS-GARCÍA: Buenos días a todos y a todas. Aprovechando la apertura que hizo Reni, que dio su presentación en español, yo me siento mucho más cómoda, y ustedes van a estar más felices de que yo haga mi presentación en español a que la haga en inglés. Así que les quiero hablar de, precisamente atando la presentación de Reni, que me estuvo espectacular, con mi tema. Les voy a hablar de la pesca del calamar. Una nueva oportunidad de pesca de profundidad. Próxima diapositiva. Como todos sabemos, las aguas de Puerto Rico, del archipiélago de Puerto Rico y de las Islas Vírgenes, son ricas en diversidad de especies, tanto económicamente como de peces que se pescan de manera recreacional. Dos de estas especies que se pescan, o que estamos intentando que la pesca se disemine en Puerto Rico o en Islas Vírgenes, es la del calamar de diamondback y el neon flying squid. Muchas personas disfrutan de comer calamar, pero estamos consumiendo calamares, que viene congelado y que es importado. Mientras tanto, no es hasta ahora que recientemente en las aguas de Islas Vírgenes, los pescadores están pescando los calamares de manera, bueno, los están cogiendo por montones y los están vendiendo. El Capitán Marcos Hanke Herrero, que es un consumado pescador que ya todos conocemos, se ha encargado de aprender más sobre la pesca del calamar, y está intentando transmitir todo su conocimiento a los pescadores comerciales para que ellos alleguen más ganancias aparte de las pecas que usualmente hacen. Próxima, Cristina. Así que la pesca del calamar, se considera diferente a lo que ellos hacen normalmente.

una

alternativa

Próxima. Por esa razón, el Consejo de Pesca solicitó que él Fuete y Verguilla, ellos consideraron que era el mejor medio para llevar esta información a los pecadores y a las pescadoras comerciales. Y se produjo una revista, que la tengo en mi poder y la voy a distribuir tan pronto como termine la presentación, se produjo esta revista para entregarla al sector pesquero comercial. 156

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Y que, bueno, pues conozcan un poco de cómo hacer este tipo de pesca que está atada precisamente a la pesca de profundidad. Y en la medida en que un pescador pesca los peces de profundidad con un poco de -- la propuesta es que lo que tienen que invertir para pescar los calamares es muy poco si ellos mismos hacen sus artes de pesca que Marcos hace las recomendaciones en la revista. La diapositiva final. Uno de los pescadores que acogió la idea de la pesca del calamar, se llama Francisco Águeda y es de la Villa Pesquera La Coal, en San Juan. Estoy hablando de Puerto Rico porque en Islas Vírgenes ya hay otros pescadores que lo están pescando. Él, hace poco me llamó, ya había vendido un par de ellos en el área de San Juan, y me llamó que había pescado dos calamares, uno de veintitrés libras y uno de veintinueve libras. Uno de ellos lo vendió a un restaurant muy-- uno de estos restaurantes que para para ir a él en San Juan tiene que hacer una cita con mucha anticipación y el otro lo vendió el Royal Isabela, en Isabela, a dieciséis dólares la libra. Me parece a mí que es un-- bueno, en dos calamares nada más hizo sobre ochocientos dólares, aparte de la poca inversión que hizo, de ponerlo en hielo y en gasolina para llevarlo a Isabela. Pero lo que se ganó fue mucho más de lo que se hubiera ganado en un día de pesca. Así que estamos incentivando a los pescadores. Yo me voy a preparar con el Capitán Marcos Hanke, para que me enseñe a filetearlo, a prepararlo, para yo poder educar a los pescadores, con este tipo de pesca que se está abriendo en las aguas tanto de Puerto Rico y de Islas Vírgenes, que son de las únicas dos islas, según me ha informado el Capitán Marcos Hanke, que no se pesca el calamar. Así que los pecadores de chillos de profundidad, de cartuchos de profundidad, pueden allegar más ingresos pescando calamares. Última diapositiva. Gracias al Capitán Marcos Hanke por la excelente labor que está realizando, y por el deseo de educar y traer nuevas alternativas a los pescadores, tanto de Puerto Rico como de Islas Vírgenes. Y gracias al Concejo de Pesca, por confiar en Fuete y Verguilla para hacer el medio, para llevarle esta información a los pescadores, así que gracias a todos y a todas. MARCOS HANKE: que – JANNETTE

Gracias Janet. Gracias por la presentación y espero

RAMOS-GARCÍA:

Ah,

entonces, 157

Consejo

está

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interesado, pueden cocinar calamares para un nuevo episodio. MARCOS HANKE: Eso será pronto. Muchas gracias. We will take a 5minute break and we will go with your presentation, Stacey. Okay? 5 minutes. (Whereupon, a brief recess was taken.) MARCOS HANKE: Hello, everyone. We are back trying to make good use of our time. The next presentation is Stacey Williams. Stacey, go ahead. Thank you. Characterization of Prey Diversity of the Commercially-Important Queen Snapper— Stacey Williams/Diana Beltrán STACEY WILLIAMS: Thank you, Marcos. Hi. My name is Stacey Williams. Today, I'm going to be presenting with Diana Beltrán about our small project, looking at characterizing the prey diversity of Queen Snappers along the West Coast of Puerto Rico. Next. So as many of you know in this room and online queen snapper fishery has become an increasingly important fishery in Puerto Rico and also the U.S.V.I.s. Little is known of the queen snappers in the U.S. Caribbean. What we do know of queen snappers is that they have a far range. They can be observed all the way up to North Carolina down to Brazil. Their depth distribution where fishers catch them usually are between 130 meters. On the Okeanos Expedition in 2018, I was a co-science lead, we actually saw them all the way down to 539 meters, which is our new record for them here in the U.S. Caribbean. They're assumed, like the silk snappers, to have an ontogenetic relationship with depth. So, there have been juvenile spotted in shallower waters, and it's assumed that these juveniles then move to deeper waters when they grow a little bit larger. Rosario et al. 2006 study found that the spawning of queen snappers peak in October and November. The females mature at a size of 23 centimeters fork length, and males at 31 centimeters. As Reni mentioned, and also, Rich Appeldoorn, that queen snappers can be associated possibly with areas of high topographic relief. But, as we all know, there's still much more to be known about queen snappers. Virginia Shervette, and also Kate Overly have been doing a lot of life history work, but we still don't know what the habitat preference of queen snappers is and, actually, what do they eat. 158

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So next. So, in this project, the overall goal was to characterize the diet of queen snappers along the West coast of Puerto Rico. Some of the objectives, from the snappers collected, we wanted to summarize the demographic of these samples and also see if there were any patterns in prey diversity between sexes, the size of the fish and possibly where the fish were collected. Next. So, we work closely with 2 fishermen. Thank you, Nelson Crespo. and Luis Roman, in the West coast. Also, Wilson Santiago helped collect some fish in this study. So, the fishermen, right away, put the fish on ice, and the fish were maintained on ice until we were able to collect them, either that day or the next day. We processed the fish right away. The surfaces were clean with 10 percent bleach because we were collecting the stomachs and making sure that there was no cross-contamination between samples. We measured the fish, fork length, standard length, total length. We weighed the fish, each individual fish. We also took tissue samples. We photographed, removed the gonads, photographed the gonads with tags, and weighed the gonads. We also collected the otoliths from each of the fish. Also, we removed the eyes, and those were sent to Virginia Shervette for her studies. We also removed the stomach samples. Everything was placed in separate bags. The stomach samples were placed in whirl-pak bags, so there was no cross contamination. All the samples were then placed in a freezer of -20 centigrade. With the otoliths. We rinsed the otoliths and dried them and placed them in separate vials. So, the gonads, eyes, and otoliths were sent to Virginia Shervette, and we sent the stomachs to Diana and Carlos Prada in Rhode Island, and they processed that. And she will go over that methodology later in this talk. Next. So, a total of 157 queen snappers were processed for the study. 11 of these queen snappers were actually gutted but we were able to still collect the otoliths. And the queen snappers were fished from November 2019 to July 2020. As you can see on this map, some of the site information was given to us, like the depth, range of where the fish were collected from and the general area of that site. Some coordinates were given to 159

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us, these are not the exact sites on this map because. I know that these fishing grounds are very sensitive information, and I respect that. But this just gives you an idea of where the fish were collected during our study. So, we had 7 different locations, like site 6 and Pichincho’s and South of Pichincho’s, which is not on this map, could possibly be very close to each other. The depth range that the fish were landed were between 256 meters at Bajo Medio and 412 at site 3, which is, like, closer to Puerto Rico. Reni showed the bathymetry really nice. I wish I had that map right now. But if you go to the next slide, you'll see that the total amount of fish caught at the different sites and different sampling times, varied. At Bajo Medio, we collected most of the samples there. Like, 59 fish were collected at Bajo Medio. So, this is a really important site for queen snappers. Also, Pichincho area, another really important site. So, next. Looking at the size of the fish that we processed in this study, you can see that here's a graph of the frequency and the fork length of all the samples. You could see it tends to skew more to the left. So, there were smaller fish collected in this study. But we did collect some big queen snappers. You can see that the fork length ranged from 220 millimeters to 808 millimeters. And talking about the pounds. Looking at Reni's study, the weight of our fish ranged from four pounds to 23 pounds. So, we were able to process some of the big queen snappers. So, we were lucky in that regards. So, next. So, looking at the fork length and how it varied between location and sampling time, there was a significant difference. We used a one-way PERMANOVA based on Euclidean distance measures. So, this is just a nonparametric test. And around Pichincho, actually, those were the larger fish sampled for this study. So, I will go into more of Pichincho later in the talk, of the importance of this site. When we look at the sizes of the fish at the different sampling times in July was actually the time where the fishermen collected the larger fish, in July, and the smaller fish in November. So next.

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We did, just following Rosario et al. 2006 paper to see if we were able also to find a relationship between weight and fork length. As you see on in this graph, there was a really strong linear regression between weight and fork length. So, next. Looking at gonads. I'm very grateful for Graciela and Noemí Peña in the laboratory in Cabo Rojo. They were able to sex 110 gonads from the pictures. Out of these 110 gonads, 69 percent were actually males, and 31 percent were females. The pictures to the left, top and bottom are the female gonads, and you could see, like, the differences in sizes. And, also, to the right, top and bottom, are the gonads of male queen snappers. In our study, we found that actually females were slightly larger than males, and this is known about queen snappers, that female queen snappers tend to be larger than males. So, this also supports other previous studies. Next. We also measure the gonadosomatic index, and this is just an index looking at the gonad mass proportion over the total body mass. This is an indicator of reproductive activity. So, there was a significant difference between the sites and also between the sampling times. You can see, like, site 6 is really close to Pichincho. That was an area where the fishers collected snappers that at that moment were most likely reproductive reproductively active. And when we look at the graph to the right that looks at the sampling times, actually, July pops up, and there's that peak in GSI. This finding actually differs from Rosario et al. 2006 study where they found the peaks to be in October and November. Actually, we're seeing this in in July. There are anecdotal accounts, and Nelson could probably expand on this if there's time at the end of this presentation where they do see gravid females in July and August. So that might be under consideration where the spawning time for queen snapper might be also in July. So, next. And then Diana is going to now talk about the pray diversity, and then I will finish the-- I believe she's going to be speaking in Spanish, so if you all want to put your headphones on. DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ:

Yeah. Can you hear me? 161

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STACEY WILLIAMS:

Yes

DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ: Yes. Okay. Yeah, I practiced my part in English, but I think I am better in Spanish. Okay. Thank you, Stacey. So, after-- después de todo el trabajo que Stacy y su grupo hizo, nosotros recibimos acá en URI, todos los estómagos completamente congelados. Nosotros movimos esos estómagos inmediatamente a nuestro freezer de -80 grados y solamente sacamos los estómagos en el momento de ser procesados todos, porque nosotros no queremos tener ningún problema, en darle la oportunidad a que el DNA se degrade. Next. okay. So, para este trabajo, nosotros utilizamos dos diferentes metodologías. Voy a explicar un poquito, pero superficialmente las metodologías. La primera metodología es el barcoding. Esto lo hicimos solamente para los fragmentos que no han sido digeridos. So, nosotros recibimos ciento cuarenta y seis estómagos y estos estómagos fueron puestos en bolsas individuales para también disminuir la cross-contaminación entre los individuos, y como dijo Stacey anteriormente ella utilizó siempre materiales limpios y limpió su mesa cada vez que cambiaba de individuos. So, cuando nosotros empezamos a hacer la disección de nuestros estómagos encontramos que la regurgitación de este contenido estomacal probablemente ha dividido a la descompresión de estos animales al ser pescados. Es un problema grande. Esta no es la primera vez que se reporta cuando se estudian deep-water fishes. Esto es un problema que se ha visto el en la literatura. Solamente treinta y cinco de nuestros estómagos, nosotros encontramos fracciones o pedacitos de organismos no digeridos. Ustedes pueden ver en la parte derecha del slide cuáles fueron los organismos que encontramos dentro de los estómagos y pueden ver la diferenciación del grado de digestión de esos animales. Algunos son fáciles de identificar a simple vista, pero otros básicamente están totalmente digeridos como el que está en la parte baja a la derecha. O sea, en esos momentos es muy difícil ya poder identificarlos a simple vista o usando una clave taxonómica. Siguiente. okay. Nuestro primer approach es el de metabarcoding. Esto solo lo 162

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utilizamos con los fragmentos que nosotros encontramos dentro del estómago. Nosotros cogimos esos fragmentos, hicimos varios lavados del fragmento porque queríamos evitar la co-amplificación del marcador, porque esos fragmentos están dentro del estómago, tienen el DNA del queen snapper mezclado también alrededor, y también nosotros queremos amplificar el DNA para poder identificar el origen de esa de esa presa. Nosotros hicimos ese lavado, hicimos la extracción individual de cada DNA, después hicimos un PCR reaction, donde utilizamos el citocromo oxidase 1, después lo mandamos a secuenciar, o sea, limpiamos ese producto-- no, no, no, no. Limpiamos ese producto, lo mandamos a secuenciar en un sanger sequencing, que es la máquina más común para secuenciar, y obtuvimos unas secuencias. Cuando nosotros obtuvimos una lista de secuencias, pudimos hacer un BLAST utilizando un software que se llama Geneious, y ese BLAST lo hicimos a través de una base de datos, donde todas las personas que han hecho publicaciones y han utilizado material genético, deben poner su información, que es una base de datos y se llama el NCBI. En algunos de estos fragmentos tuvimos el problema de la coamplificación, aun haciendo los lavados y aun diseñando un blocking primer. So, nosotros en ese en ese PCR reaction, utilizamos un primer diferente que diseñamos para tratar de no amplificar esa fracción del queen snappers, y solo amplificar el origen de ese fragmento. En general, con esta metodología, nosotros encontramos siete especies de invertebrados, dos artrópodos, cuatro moluscos, y un isópodo, y además dieciséis especies de peces que fueron encontrados con esta metodología. Next. So, aquí tenemos la lista de las especies que nosotros encontramos con esta primera metodología. Si ustedes miran, las más abundantes son los calamares, y eso lo relaciona perfectamente con la información de otros estudios de snappers de profundidad que encontramos, pero la mayoría de estos estudios están hechos en el Pacífico. En segundo lugar, nosotros encontramos los camarones y los camarones que encontramos, las especies identificadas vienen de profundidad también. Eso quiere decir que los queen snappers están comiendo [inaudible] que son demersal, y están utilizando el bentos como fuente de alimento también. Los demás, son muchas especies de peces, pero también, si ustedes miran las fotografías o ve los nombres, muchos de esos provienen de peces de profundidad. Acá hay algo que te quiero resaltar, porque nosotros acá en estos 163

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resultados estamos reportando todo lo que encontrábamos. Los que tienen ese asterisco rojo, lo que quiere decir es que esas especies también fueron reportadas con los pescadores que fueron usadas como baits. Pero nosotros tenemos evidencia de que algunas de ellas pueden ser también parte de la dieta natural del pez. Por eso es que estamos reportando todo y no queremos sacarla de esta información. Siguiente. La segunda metodología es usando el metabarcoding. Este en metabarcoding lo utilizamos, ¿Por qué? Porque lo que queremos acá hacer es identificar las secuencias o el origen de alguna de las presas, pero ya no como el anterior, teniendo un organismo ni una sola secuencia, sino teniendo un mix. Entonces, como dijimos, la regurgitación había sido un problema grande, solo treinta y cinco de nuestros estómagos tenía fragmentos que pudimos identificar. 107 de ellos venían vacíos, pero vacío significa que venían sin esos fragmentos grandes de presas, pero tenían ese contenido, ese líquido estomacal y también el del intestino que nosotros podíamos utilizar. So, nosotros colectamos ese líquido de cada uno de estos individuos, homogenizamos bien el líquido, y luego hicimos una extracción de DNA de ese líquido, porque tenemos todas las presas posibles que ellos pudieron comer y ya están digeridas. En este caso, nosotros hicimos una reacción de PCR usando un marcador en específico, el que usamos nosotros es 12S, y luego aquí tendríamos que utilizar otra metodología, la del NextGeneration Sequencing. ¿Por qué? Porque nosotros queremos generar todas las secuencias que hay en una muestra, pero esa muestra es un mix de cosas. Es por eso que tenemos que utilizar ese tipo de metodología. Después de esto, nosotros te hacemos un trabajo de computadora, ese trabajo es de limitadores, es más o menos limpiar, filtrar, cortar los extremos de las frecuencias, unir secuencias y, eventualmente, nosotros vamos a tener un listado de secuencias, y ese listado de secuencias se va a poder contrastar con diferentes bases de datos. Y esas diferentes bases de datos nos van a dar el nombre exacto de la especie. Hay algo muy importante que quiero decir acá, y porque esta metodología que usamos es muy buena. Es porque con este método nosotros tenemos la capacidad de ir al nivel de especie. Mucha gente utiliza el COI que utilizamos para la otra metodología y con los peces, especialmente con los peces, el COI no tiene el poder 164

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suficiente para poder llegar a esa resolución. Otra cosa que quiero decir es que treinta y nueve de nuestros estómagos, definitivamente no pudimos trabajarlos con ninguna de las dos metodologías, porque vinieron sin fragmentos y además venían sin líquido por el problema de la de la desproporción. Nosotros nos encontramos acá cuarenta y tres especies de potential preys, presentes en nuestra especie de interés, que representan treinta y siete géneros y veinticuatro familias. Siguiente. Estos son los resultados que nosotros tuvimos. Básicamente, ustedes pueden ver en el eje “x” que nosotros tenemos todos los estómagos puestos allí. Y ustedes pueden ver en el eje “y” el nombre de las especies. Este es resultados con el metabarcoding. Lo que podemos ver es que hay muchos peces que son muy comunes dentro de los estómagos. Acá estamos hablando que-- perdón, pero también tengo que hacer un paréntesis. Acá estamos hablando de la [inaudible] estamos identificando material genético de esas especies dentro del estómago. Y tenemos alguna correlación de cuánto material genético puede haber, si ustedes venden el lado derecho de la gráfica. Pero nosotros en nuestro estudio vamos a tomar esto como solo presencia/ausencia de ella. ¿Ok? Acá podemos ver unas especies de peces, que son mucho más comunes en los estómagos que otros, como en sigmops elongatus, el myctophum nitidulum, y los que están señalados en rojo. La siguiente. Aquí, con esta gráfica podemos ver más claramente este patrón. So, básicamente, nosotros tenemos diez o quince especies que son muy comunes dentro-- o que encontramos material genético y es muy común dentro de todos los estómagos que nosotros estudiamos. Si ustedes ven en las fotos en las fotos que están representadas en la derecha, la mayoría de ellos provienen de peces, que son peces de deep-water fishes. Siguiente. Si nosotros trasladamos todo este conocimiento que encontramos con las especies y lo ponemos en un [inaudible] mucho más arriba, que es el de los órdenes, para poder hacer una generalización y entender qué fue lo que encontramos y encontramos que los myctophiformes son del orden más común que nosotros identificamos. Este fue representado por dieciséis especies, dentro de. Y todas esas especies estaban dentro de una sola familia, la familia es la 165

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de mictófidos. Más o menos, cincuenta y nueve estómagos, que nosotros analizamos, tienen estos mictófidos, y esto quiere decir que el 29 porciento de la composición de la dieta está basado en esos peces. En segundo lugar, tenemos los estomiiformes. Los estomiiformes son representados por once especies en nuestro muestreo y cuatro familias. Y representan el 15 porciento de la composición de la dieta del del queen snapper. Si ustedes ven la tercera [inaudible] o la segunda, en vez de la tercera, serían los scombriformes. Acá tenemos también una disyuntiva, no nos tomamos una decisión ¿Por qué? Porque de los scombriformes, nosotros encontramos nueve familias. De esas nueve familias, seis familias fueron representadas o fueron reportadas por los pescadores como que se usaron como baits, cuando ellos colectaron las muestras. Pero, de todas maneras, nosotros encontramos tres familias no tiene nada que ver con los baits. Es por eso que los dejamos acá, porque consideramos que hacen parte de la dieta de los queen snapper. Y el siguiente orden sería los aulopiformes que están representados por cuatro familias y cinco especies y representan el 8 porciento de la composición de la dieta de los snappers. Siguiente. Okay. ¿Qué queremos saber acá? Nosotros queremos saber qué tipo de hábitat están usando a esas presas para saber dónde es qué este pez va y come. Básicamente. Nosotros estamos utilizando el texto de Helfman en el 2009. Ellos dividen el deepsea en tres diferentes hábitats. El primero es mesopelagic, después el bathypelagic, y hay uno siguiente, que es el benthal o el benthic. Esas especies de benthal o benthic la única característica que tienen es que están relacionados a vivir cerca del fondo, pero están muy muy cerca del cotinental slope y la profundidad en la que ellos se encuentran es menos de mil metros. Si ustedes miran en la parte derecha, o sea, nosotros estamos, básicamente, tenemos todos nuestros animales dentro del mesopelagic y bathypelagic area del océanon y algunos que están relacionados con demersal area o con él benthic área. En la parte izquierda lo que yo quise mostrar es cuáles son las órdenes de las especies de presas que nosotros encontramos. Y en qué lugar en esta división están encontradas. Siguiente.

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Si nosotros ponemos todo esto junto, y tenemos la abundancia, tenemos los órdenes y tenemos el hábitat en donde esos órdenes habitan, tenemos básicamente el 54 porciento de la composición de la dieta está ubicada en el área mesopelagica, que el 29 porciento está ubicado dentro de nuestro mesopelagic y el bathypelagic area, y que el 10 porciento está entre bathypelagic y benthal. So, en palabras generales, este pez se está alimentando del área cerca del fondo. Como lo podemos ver también en los primeros resultados, porque están los camarones, que son una fuente importante de alimentación, pero también ellos están utilizando la columna de agua como alimento. Tenemos otros en menos cantidad que son los-- encontramos unas especies que están asociadas a los a los arrecifes, y nosotros tenemos la hipótesis que esas especies vienen de los animales que fueron capturados más cercanos hacia la costa. Algo muy importante acá, es que los myctophiformes, están conocidos normalmente como lantern fishes. Es un grupo súper grande y diverso, está compuesto por doscientas cuarenta especies más o menos, y estos ocurren alrededor de todo el océano, de todo el mundo. Y son presas de muchos animales y de muchos[inaudible]. Los estomiiformes, que son los segundos en orden, están conocidos como los dragonfish. Ellos también habitan en el mesopelagic y el bathypelagic área. Pero, estos dos grupos, en especial, forman una fracción-- podemos dar la siguiente, por favor. Estos dos grupos son una gran fraccion y forman una capa que se llama la capa deep scatering layer. Y esta capa está definida como una capa de un assemblage de peces y de invertebrados, que viven en unas profundidades mesopelágicas que van más o menos de 200 a 1000 metros, y tienen una migración vertical. So, ¿qué hacen de estos grupos? Estos grupos durante el día van y viven en las capas profundas de este layer, y en la noche ellos suben, ellos siguen como la migración del zooplancton, porque van en búsqueda de alimento y vuelven y bajan en la noche otra vez. Entonces, nosotros tenemos la hipótesis de que lo que está pasando es una transferencia de energía de áreas demersales, hacia las mesopelágicas, y que las bathypelagic preys, ellos están cogiendo estos bathypelagic preys debido a esta fluctuación vertical que hacen estos grupos. Siguiente. Toda esta información nosotros-- esto es muy interesante, porque a mí me parece, o sea, no hay mucha información acerca de la 167

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ecología de la alimentación de estos peces. La única información que encontramos, la más reciente, fue hecha en el Pacífico. Y fue hecha con una de las especies más cercanas y hermanas de etelis oculatus, que fue etelis carbunculus y etelis coruscans. En ese estudio, echo por Haight en el 1993, ellos se encuentran básicamente las mismas especies de peces como mayores componentes y la dieta de estos peces allá, en Hawái. Y también dicen que estos peces allí son como fundamentales en la composición de un mesopelagic [inaudible] community, que usualmente viven cerca de los cien y los setecientos metros, y que también tienen una migración vertical y que más o menos tiene el mismo comportamiento que nosotros estamos encontrando con los de acá. En ese estudio reportan que encontraron siete especies de peces, dentro del contenido estomacal de peces de profundidad, de esas siete nosotros encontramos dos, pero claro, las metodologías no son comparables porque nosotros estamos utilizando la genética. Nosotros tuvimos la capacidad en este estudio de identificar veinticinco nuevas especies y reportarlas como presas para este para este pez. Entonces, también ellos encuentran que calamar, que los camarones, que los lobsters, anfípodos, eufausiidos, isópodos y estomatópodos son importantes en la alimentación de este pez allá en Hawái. Entonces, en esencia lo que nosotros queremos transmitir de acá es que el zooplancton en las altas capas del océano son los que mantienen estas comunidades de peces en los mesopelagic environments. Que nosotros ya conocemos que no tienen mucha productividad, y al hacer esto, están soportando la productividad demersal de las comunidades y manteniendo los stocks de los deepwater snappers saludables. Next. Eso es todo. Right now, Stacey, va a seguir explicando algunas de las comparaciones que nosotros encontramos con la diversidad de las presas, con los sitios de muestreo, con las diferentes condiciones que nosotros tenemos. Muchas gracias. STACEY WILLIAMS: Thank you, Diana. So, we wanted to, even though the samples varied between locations, we wanted to see if there was any type of pattern between prey diversity and the different locations. We, actually, if you look at the graph to the right, the number of prey species, and the different locations and you can see that-- and the number in parentheses is actually the number of stomach samples analyzed each of the locations. In Pichincho, 168

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there was high prey diversity in this area along with Bajo Medio. Can we go to the next slide, please. In just Pichincho alone, that includes site 6, south of Pichincho, Pichincho, we were able to observe 51 prey species in this area. If we eliminate the possible bait fish species, this would conclude 46 prey species. The ones that contributed that were more common in the stomachs in this area were the bristlemouth fish and different types of lantern fish. Next, please. And if you look, Pichincho is a seamount just on the Western side of Desecheo, and I was on the Okeanos expedition in 2018, and we actually were able to survey this area with an ROV and it's impressive. The topographic relief in this area is pretty amazing. These are a couple pictures to the right, from the ROV. The multibeam data to the left, at the site that we dove at with the ROV. And you can see the ledges overhangs in the site. Also, the high diversity of corals and sponges and benthic organisms in this area. I had no clue that there were maybe some rumors about trolling in this area. But if you look at this site, I would not allow it. For one thing, fishing line, you know, gets caught on these areas because of just the overhangs. But we think that in this area, in particular, just because of this topographic relief, leads to high diversity of the prey species, and possibly that's why queen snappers are prevalent in this area. So as Diana mentioned and also Reni, this connection between the trophic levels and productivity in this area, I think, needs to be further looked into. But this is an area of interest for queen snappers in general, and a lot of migratory fish species, this is an important area. So, next. When looking at the prey diversity between the size of fish, what we did was we followed Gobert et al. 2005 study. They placed the fish in size ranges. We only had two size ranges of fish because there were not really small queen snappers and not really huge queen snappers. So, when looking at the first size range, which was between 203 to 508 millimeters, we were able to observe 40 different species of prey. And then the next size range, which was, this is fork length, 508 to 1016 millimeters, 39.

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So, the pray richness did not vary between the size of the fish. However, prey composition did. You can see the three to the left, which are three different types of lantern fish, were characterizing the prey composition for the smaller fish, while in the slightly larger fish, we did see different species of prey items. We have a longray fangjay, and bristlemouth, and another type of lantern fish. So, this should also be further look looked into to see exactly if prey items vary between the size of fish. So, next. So, in conclusions, we did find a strong relationship between weight and length of queen snappers, and this has been early reported in Rosario et al. 2006 study. The power parameter that we calculated was 2.8, very close to their study, which I think was 2.84. So, we conclude, along with their study that queen snapper exhibited isometric growth. So, all body part parts grow at the same rate. What differs from Rosario's study to our study is that we did find a peak possibly in reproductive activity in July. They found it in October and November, so maybe this is to look further into. In our study, we show that metabarcoding is an effective approach to identifying stomach contents of deep-water fish, especially deepwater fish because they regurgitate a lot of their stomach items. So, I have to mention that this is a very fishy talk, and we know that queen snappers target squid. So, the second approach of metabarcoding, we really targeted the fish. We use markers for fish in particular. So, I think this should maybe, in the future, do different type of markers to see maybe other invertebrates. But this is a very useful approach to identifying the prey species, especially in fish that regurgitate their stomachs. So, in our in our study, we found that queen snappers, overall, we observed 61 prey species in total. These 61 pray species came from 18 orders, 38 genera, and 31 families. So, next. As you see in our talk and also, previously, Reni mentioned, queen snappers are large carnivores. They're very similar to their sister species. What we found in our study is they're mainly feeding on mesopelagic fishes. We believe that queen snappers can be a link between the shallow highly productive environments to the demersal mostly unproductive areas of the deep sea. Preliminary result show, and more data needs to be collected, that 170

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prey composition may vary between locations, sex, and age. We didn't find a relationship between sex, but we did find one between size, but this would be interesting to see, with age, if there is any type of relationship. And we believe, along with Reni, that it is essential to incorporate fishers. Their knowledge of this fishery helped this study immensely and their participation. We would not have this fish without them. So, I thank Nelson and Luis for their help in this study. Next. So, we would like to thank-- this study was funded by the Council, also Florida Wildlife Foundation and Pew. We give a special thanks again to Luis Roman, Nelson Crespo, also Graciela, Noemí, Orian helped, Wilson Santiago also helped in this study, Virginia Shervette for giving us some of her stomach samples. Also, they've finished processing the otolith and some of the otoliths that were collected in this study were used for Kate Overly’s dissertations. So, we're looking forward to seeing those results. Also, a special thanks, especially, to Braulio Quintero and Katie Flynn. They helped me dissect many of this fish during the pandemic. And to the rest of the students that helped us process the fish and genetic samples. So that's it. Thank you. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for a great presentation, Stacey, like always. Short questions. Need your help. Tony, then Nelson. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Okay. It's really more of a statement. I'm comparing this presentation with the presentation that Reni made. I noticed that he made a statement where he thinks, or he believes that CPUE should be measured by the amount of drops. The comparison comment to this is the size of the fish. You see that you cast some very small fish and some very large fish. So, to the end of the day, my statement is this. Sometimes, you need to look at the guys that are actually doing the catching because you got some guys got more skills than other guys. So, to the end of the day, you're not going to compare, depending on how you look at the data. The data does not actually tell you certain things. But what it could tell me is some of these guys are probably more skilled than other guys. That's why they catch bigger fish, they catch more fish in less drops. So maybe that's an avenue that needs to be looked at when we look at the data. 171

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STACEY WILLIAMS: MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you.

Thank you for your statement. Nelson?

NELSON CRESPO: Excellent presentation. It's curious to see that the heavy queen snappers were observed in July and coincides with what we have been seeing for some time, where large queens are being taken during the summer, contrary to what occurred in the past that only plate size species got caught when the high temperatures reach our region, and only occasionally you got a fillet size queen snapper. Also, we start seeing queens, and this is very important, with guts during the summer. But let me tell you that I have reports that in summer, the fishermen from the North of the island got queen's almost close to spawn. This should be studied in a future project. Maybe depending on the area, the queen snappers have different spawning periods or perhaps the temperature of the seabed or the bottom currents that bring cold waters influence in this activity. Another thing that I read on the report is about the squid. And, yes, there are occasions where the queens are caught with many little squids in the mouth, and the same thing happens with the shrimp. They become very aggressive when eating and that is when we get our biggest catch. And I want to ask you, I'm wondering to know if you, on the samples you got from the queens, you got a-- I don't know how to describe it. It is like an orange sponge that we call higo and we only catch that in some season time. When that higo appears, I don't know if the queens like that really good for eating, but we make the biggest catch too when they are eating that piece of-- I don't know if it's sponge or something like that. STACEY WILLIAMS: I don't maybe Diana could answer that because she processed the stomach samples. We didn't see anything like that in their mouths. So, maybe, Diana, could comment on to that. Diana, if you are there. DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ: Can you repeat the question? Because I was outside, and I didn't hear very well. NELSON CRESPO:

Oh. Sí. Saludos, Diana. Mira, nosotros –

DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ:

Hola. ¿Qué tal?

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NELSON CRESPO: Nosotros, a veces, cuando nos cogemos mucha cantidad de cartuchos, encontramos que los cartuchos tienen como una especie de esponja, nosotros a veces decimos que son huevos de calamares, otros dicen que son esponjas, pero es como una masa que parece una esponjita, con muchos puntitos, color anaranjado que nosotros le llamamos higo. Cuando eso aparece, las capturas de cartuchos son increíbles. DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ: ¿Sabes qué, Nelson? Tú puedes coger- la próxima vez si tú tienes la oportunidad de coger algunas muestras de esas y ponerlas en el freezer, probablemente nosotros podamos identificarlas acá en el laboratorio, pero mientras yo hice la disección de todos los peces, no, no vimos ese tipo de organismos. NELSON CRESPO: El problema-- the problem we have with that thing, is that we are trying to save some for Graciela, when we put it on the freezer it dissolves, and it disappears inside the bag. It’s melted. I don’t know if we take some samples, and you can process it when it’s melted. DIANA M. BELTRÁN RODRÍGUEZ: The order option is-- bueno, si tú puedes también colocarlas en alcohol, ponerlas en alcohol primero y tratar de sacar toda el agua, porque el alcohol lo que hace es sacar el agua de los tejidos y preservar el tejido, y básicamente después ponerlo en refrigeración, y probablemente de esa manera se conserva mejor. O yo te puedo mandar también algunos tubos con algún otros mejores preservantes para poder tener esas muestras. NELSON CRESPO: That would be great. Going back to your report, another thing that caught my attention, and I got a little lost is where the DNR informed that in 2007 were caught 135 tons, 270,000 pounds of queen and we know that we catch more than and it is never reported, but [inaudible] that I found out the report from the DNR that the biggest catch for queens was during the period of 2007 to 2011 and was a hundred something pounds. Maybe it is an error on the numbers or something like that. STACEY WILLIAMS: Yeah. NELSON CRESPO:

Okay. Yeah. I'll definitely check the report.

Okay. Thank you.

MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Nelson. And we need to pass now to the presentation for microplastic, before lunch. Let's keep this conversation. I think deep-water snappers create a lot of interest on the Council, and we need to, for sure, in the future, to make a presentation in conjunction with Stacey’s group and Reni to 173

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assign some time for this discussion deeply. Thank you. Dalila? JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: Nelson, tú acabas de traer un punto, que yo creo que vale la pena traerlo, aunque sea para el récord. Tú te refieres a que-- o sea, lo que tú estás implicando es que ¿Piensas que hay mucha más captura de cartucho de lo que se reporta? NELSON CRESPO:

Eso es de hecho, sí. Sí.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS: ¿Bueno? Ese es el detalle, que posiblemente eso está relacionado a un permiso especial que el que tienen que tener los pescadores para pescar y reportar el cartucho. ¿Qué pasa? Que, si no lo tienen, como no lo tienen, muchos aquí sabemos que hay mucha pesca de cartucho por pescadores que no tienen ese permiso y lo que hacen es que no lo reportan y simplemente van a restaurante directamente lo venden allá. El asunto es que cuando tú estás pescando chillo, a veces coges cartucho y viceversa, o sea, que esa es una pesca que una vez tú tiras esa cala por ahí para abajo, pues cualquier cosa puede venir. Puedes pescar varias especies, no necesariamente estás limitado a una especie. Pero sabemos que hay gente que simplemente si los cartuchos están jalando van a tirarlos hondo a pescar cartuchos, y entonces no tienen el permiso, no lo pueden reportar. Y, tú sabes, en algún momento alguien tiene que determinar cómo se va a bregar con esa situación. NELSON CRESPO: I agree with your words. There's a situation that is occurring that a group of fishermen are avoiding to sell to their-MARCOS HANKE:

Nelson.

NELSON CRESPO:

Okay. Okay. We'll talk personally later.

MARCOS HANKE: Dalila. Thank you very much for your patience. Please proceed with your presentation. Microplastics in the Caribbean Study—Dalila Aldana DALILA ALDANA ARANDA: Bueno, buenos días. I will continue talking in Spanish. I am very happy to be here for different reason in this pandemic period. So, thank you very much for this invitation. I will talk about microplastics, but I prefer to talk in Spanish. Thank you. ¿Por dónde empiezo para esta presentación? 174

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Decidí escoger cuatro palabras claves. Invitarlos a hacer un recorrido en el tiempo. Después reflexionar en la producción de microplásticos, dos o tres palabras sobre el Caribe, y lo que se hemos hecho en microplásticos. El tiempo. Había una vez un planeta llamado la tierra, que se formó hace cuatro puntos cinco billones de años. Después aparecieron las plantas, los animales. Y tan solo en los últimos trescientos mil años de esa escala de tiempo, el homosapiens. Entonces, tenemos veintitrés mil veces menos de experiencia que nuestro planeta. Y siguiendo con el tiempo, pero no menos importante. Tenemos tan solo una escala de tiempo de cincuenta años, en los que la humanidad ha producido de manera industrial, todo el plástico que tenemos sobre nuestro planeta. Esa escala de tiempo representa . 1−8 en relación a la edad de nuestro planeta. Y tan solo en los últimos veinte años, hemos generado la mitad de todo el plástico que se ha generado en los últimos veinte años. De tal manera que anualmente hay una descarga de nueve billones de toneladas de basura. Y de ese tonelaje el ochenta por ciento son plásticos. Y de ese porcentaje, la mitad son plásticos de un solo uso y generalmente de embalaje lo que usamos para cubrir nuestros alimentos que nos venden, etcétera, etcétera. Y esto, ¿a qué es igual? Pues esto es igual si pudiéramos recoger toda la basura que hay en los océanos. Representaría cinco bolsas de supermercado llenas de plástico por cada treinta centímetros de playa. O sea, un metro cúbico. Y como la tierra no es plana, y los océanos tampoco, si pudiéramos recoger toda el agua de los océanos, que al menos en México, en nuestro sistema educativo nos lo enseñan mal, diciéndonos que representan el 70 porciento de la superficie de la tierra, nos crean una falsa idea de que hay mucha agua. Si esa agua la recogiéramos, representaría la imagen que ustedes ven, o sea, esa gota respecto a la tierra. Y entonces en esa gota tenemos toda esa cantidad de basura. ¿Y por qué? Pues, entre otras cosas, pues por nuestro modelo de producción y de consumo. Fíjense, simplemente cada minuto se vende, no se produce, se vende, a nivel planetario, un millón de esas botellitas de agua que son muy prácticas, pero tenemos que pasar, pues, por ejemplo, a lo que trae Graciela. Y esas botellitas, pues representan el veinticinco por ciento de toda la basura plástica que tenemos. Entonces, para el año 2050, ustedes lo saben, habrá más plástico que especies marinas en nuestros océanos. Y en relación a los microplásticos. ¿De dónde vienen ellos? Pues 175

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vienen de todos los plásticos que usamos y de su fragmentación, y, obviamente, de los productos de limpieza, abrasivos, pinturas, las cremas que usamos para las arrugas, las pastas de lavarnos los dientes. De ahí vienen los microplásticos, ya sea industrialmente los producen como esferas o de la fragmentación de todos los plásticos que usamos. Y también casi el 35 porciento de las fibras de microplásticos viene de la ropa que utilizamos. Cada vez más, ¿sí? Se utiliza más ropa con fibras de nylon, por diferentes razones, es más el plancharlo, se ensucian menos, es más fácil lavarlos, etcétera, etcétera, que las fibras vegetales como el algodón, el lino, etcétera. El 35 porciento de las microfibras de plástico vienen de la ropa. Otro aspecto interesante con plásticos y los microplásticos es que son de diferentes polímeros. Y al ser diferente los polímeros, su densidad es diferente y de acuerdo a su densidad a su peso van a ocupar una posición en la columna del agua. De tal manera que habrá plásticos que siempre van a flotar, independientemente de su tamaño, si son macro o micro. Otros que van a estar a media agua y otros que van a estar en el fondo marino. Y obviamente es densidad y este juego de peso a peso estará en función, bien entendido, de la salinidad y de la temperatura. Entonces, los plásticos tienen un juego muy dinámico en la columna de agua. Además, tenemos el tamaño. El tamaño de esta fragmentación de plástico va desde la clasificación de los nanoplásticos hasta los macroplásticos y, por ende, ellos van a entrar a la cadena trófica en diferentes posiciones, desde nivel de bacterias, fitoplancton, zooplancton, ¿sí? Los primeros pesos que se alimentan como fue señalado en las dos conferencias que me precedieron, que se alimentan del zooplancton, y así sucesivamente hasta los grandes mamíferos. Y, además, pues hay un proceso de bioacumulación. Algunas palabras sobre el Caribe, la región donde vivimos. El 11 porciento de la captura total mundial viene de nuestras aguas. 10 porciento de la población mundial, aquí vivimos, y obviamente es una de las zonas más biodiversa del planeta Tierra. Pero también es el segundo mar más contaminado por plásticos, de acuerdo a un informe de Naciones Unidas. ¿Y esto por qué? Pues debido principalmente a dos problemas. El mal manejo que hay de la basura en nuestros países, el destino final de ellas, poco reciclado, y sobre todo el no tratamiento de las aguas residuales en nuestra región. Bien, acerca del estudio de los microplásticos en la región Caribe. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda en diferentes plataformas, diferentes 176

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buscadores con las palabras claves que ahí aparecen se usaron los tres idiomas francés español inglés para las mismas palabras. ¿No? Microplásticos, Caribe, peces, invertebrados, etcétera. ¿Qué encontramos? Pues, en primer lugar, que la primera publicación sobre microplásticos en el Caribe, data del 2014, esa es la primera publicación. Entonces son temas recientes en investigación y es un interés que ha ido aumentando en la comunidad científica, como lo ven en el gráfico. Se encontraron cincuenta y siete publicaciones sobre este tema. Con ello se construyó una base de datos con cuarenta y un tópicos. La información de esas publicaciones fue desintegrada en diferentes aspectos y, como está ahí, el sitio de colecta, la especie con la que se trabajó, qué método de análisis utilizaron para los microplásticos, que reportan, si reportan la abundancia, se dan el tipo de polímero, etcétera, etcétera. Y esa información se transformó en una tabla binaria para cada tema, de tal manera que después en esa base de datos uno puede seleccionar quiero lo que exista en peces y uno puede filtrar columna por columna, ir directamente al PDF con él articulo completo. ¿En dónde se están analizando los microplásticos en el Caribe? Pues vimos que la gran mayoría, O sea, el 70 porciento, en sedimentos, pero en sedimentos de playa, no en fondos marinos. ¿Sí? La mayoría de los autores que están trabajando este tema, 70 porciento de ellos lo están haciendo, al final cuentas, en la arena de las playas, que es lo más fácil, lo más barato ir a recoger. Yo salgo, salimos, recogemos la arena que tenemos aquí enfrente. Solamente el 20 porciento ha trabajado con alguna especie Marina del Caribe. Y dentro de las especies marinas del Caribe hay un trabajo con el carrucho, un trabajo en medusas y un trabajo en corales. ¿En dónde se está publicando? Ustedes en el gráfico tienen en el eje de las ‘x’, la diversidad de revistas científicas en las que están estos cincuenta y siete artículos, y pueden ver que hay una columna que sobre sale, que es donde se está publicando la mayoría que es el Marine Pollution Bulletin. Ahí se está concentrando este tema publicado. Este es el universo de autores primeros autores que están en el Caribe trabajando con este tema. ¿Qué nos demuestra este gráfico? Pues que hay una gran cantidad de humanos que estamos en este tema. Pero si ustedes se fijan, todos están con una publicación. Es decir, apenitas están incursionando en este tema, con excepción de tres que aparecen en el gráfico, que son dos colombianos con tres publicaciones y un mexicano.

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¿En qué idiomas está publicando? A mí me pareció interesante ver esto cuando vamos a lo publicado en revistas científicas indexadas. Obviamente, el idioma en el que se está publicando es el inglés. Lo mismo sucede en lo que encontramos en libros con porcentajes altos. Sin embargo, cuando vamos a las tesis de posgrado, o sea, las de maestría y doctorado, ahí se está publicando en español. Es decir, que en las universidades latinas se está trabajando este tema y esa información se está quedando en las tesis. Este es un gráfico que muestra la gran diversidad de métodos que se están utilizando para el análisis de microplásticos. Es infinita realmente la diversidad de métodos. Eso tiene bondades, pero también dificultades a la hora de querer comprar algún resultado. ¿Y qué es lo que generalmente reportan los científicos en este tema? Además de la abundancia, reportan mucho la forma de las partículas de microplásticos que encuentra, y hacen una clasificación de formas, esferas, gránulos, pellet, fibras, laminillas, etcétera. Y eso, pues es grato, pero también dificulta porque entre gránulo, pellet y esfera, pues hay que levantarse temprano para saber a qué forma le estás llamando, casi lo mismo. Los colores son lo mismo. Es otra cosa que se reporta en estas revistas científicas, de qué color eran estas estas partículas de microplásticos. Y eso es interesante porque se puede asociar después el tipo de polímero. Entonces alguien que tiene solamente microscopía óptica para trabajar, pues con la cantidad de microplásticos la forma y el color puede tener una idea del tipo de polímeros que está trabajando, o el tipo de contaminantes que se están asociando, porque muchos de estos colorantes tienen metales pesados para la tinción de las pinturas. ¿En qué unidades se reporta? Pues se reportan-- generalmente lo que hemos visto, el autor reporta por unidad de organismo. Es decir, yo encontré doscientos, trescientos, mil, cien, diez microplásticos por organismo. La mayoría, así lo reporta, independientemente si es una sardina o un tiburón, y luego obviamente la gente que trabaja con arena de las playas, pues por área, pero algunos lo reportan por unidad de peso. Nuestra investigación, lo que hemos hecho nosotros en microplásticos. Entonces, estamos trabajando con especies marinas del Caribe que son emblemáticas, algunas con protección especial, como es el Carrucho y estamos empezando ya con las Tortugas Marinas. Nuestra manera de proceder es trabajar con métodos no invasivos. Es decir, no sacrificar ningún carrucho, obviamente imposible de 178

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sacrificar una tortuga u otra especie de protección, y para esto, pues se pueden utilizar estructuras, pues hay n autores que lo han trabajado para n temas como es, pues el pelo, las uñas, las escamas, las plumas, y las heces fecales, la saliva, las heces fecales, se puede trabajar mucho con ello. Nosotros hemos utilizado las heces fecales de varias especies, tanto para cuestiones reproductivas, determinar concentraciones hormonales, y a partir de ahí, ver ciclos de reproducción, y aplicación a vedas de captura pesquera. Y ahora lo estamos usando para ver también contenidos estomacales, tipos de alimentación y más recientemente con los microplásticos. Entonces, usamos las heces fecales de carrucho. Estos son diez sitios en donde obtuvimos heces fecales de carrucho, que vienen de la parte oriental del Caribe, de la parte centro del Caribe, de la parte Oeste del Caribe y del Norte, hacia Florida, obtuvimos estas heces. Estos son diez sitios de estas cuatro regiones del Caribe. En el caso nuestro hemos asociado tanto la microscopía óptica como la microscopía electrónica, la determinación química de los polímeros y específicamente el tipo de polímeros con la microscopía raman. ¿Qué resultados hemos obtenido? Aquí en el gráfico inferior ven ustedes esos diez sitios de los que vienen las heces de carrucho, en los cuales ven diferentes abundancias de microplásticos. En términos generales, hay mayor concentración de este contaminante emergente en la parte Oeste del Caribe y en la parte Norte, que, en la parte oriental, que es Barbados y las Antillas francesas. Algunas imágenes del tipo, la forma, de ese microplástico. En esta imagen ven ustedes ya dos fotos en microscopía electrónica que nos permite ver algo interesante en ese mundo microscópico, que es el desgaste que van teniendo las fibras de microplásticos. Y en ese desgaste, en esas fracturas, se asocian otros componentes químicos y, sobre todo, metales pesados. En la parte inferior ven ustedes un espectro que viene de microscopía raman con dos líneas, una roja y una azul. La línea azul corresponde a un banco de información de polímeros, y la línea roja es nuestra microfibra que se asocia perfectamente a la información de ese banco de información. Entonces, nosotros podemos determinar el tipo de polímero, de plástico, que se encuentra en una especie Marina. En este caso, pues es un polietileno que viene mucho de la actividad pesquera. Otra cosa interesante. Pueden ver en esta imagen, un detalle de la fibra, ¿sí? Ya desgastada, se ve como si fuera una cuerda y ya asociada a esa microfibra. Si es una escala, estamos hablando de diez micras. Ustedes ven un microorganismo que ya colonizó esa 179

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microfibra y ven dos esferas chiquitas que son bacterias que ya han asociado esa microfibra. O sea, esas fibras se vuelven en un universo de comunidad. Estos plásticos asocian otros componentes químicos. Para la producción de plásticos ustedes saben que se usa mucho el bisphenol y este es un disruptor de la actividad reproductiva. ¿Sí? Tanto en especies marinas como incluso en mamíferos. Entonces, bueno, ahí queda una pregunta, si esto no está asociado a una disminución de actividad reproductiva de carrucho, sobre todo en la parte Norte. Siguiente. Con las Tortugas muy rápidamente lo mismo. Heces de Tortugas obtenidas en fondo marino y en playa. Aquí les muestro nada más dos fibras encontradas en esas heces, ¿no? Una de ellas, que nos está dando una serie de picos, y en su composición química, pues ahí podemos detectar cloro, en la de abajo flúor. Esos picos de cloro y de flor están asociados a dos tipos de polímero, uno es el PVC y otro es el PVF. Uno está asociado a todo lo que se fabrica con el PVC, y el otro está muy asociado al uso de nuestros autos. Bien, como conclusiones. En primer lugar, de este análisis, ¿de qué existe de microplásticos en el Caribe? Pues tenemos en dieciséis países del Caribe, al menos hay un estudio sobre microplásticos, que aparecen el país con algún color. Los países en grises es que no tienen ningún estudio sobre este tema. Como siguientes conclusiones, todos los autores que han trabajado en el Caribe con esta con este tema, independientemente playa, en agua o en alguna especie Marina, todos reportaron la presencia de este contaminante. ¿Sí? Obvio que falta una estandarización rápida, eficiente sobre el análisis de microplásticos en el Caribe, pero al mismo tiempo es una oportunidad para proponer un curso en la región Caribe que después nos ayude a hacer estudios a nivel de la región. Y estos métodos no invasivos se han vuelto útiles y sobre todo hoy en día que hasta en las revistas científicas piden todas estas cuestiones éticas de, pues no, maltrato, etcétera, no sacrificio a especies marinas, terrestres, etcétera. Bien, la otra conclusión es con la información reportada en la literatura. Este es el mapa que construimos con el análisis de sedimentos y con la concentración de microplásticos en sedimentos, donde podemos ver que hay una mayor concentración cúmulo de este contaminante en la parte Oeste del Caribe y en el Norte, respecto a la parte oriental. De los pocos trabajos que se han hecho con alguna especie Marina, lo que más se ha abordado son peces, que ya lo dijimos, que es 180

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trabajos hechos en Colombia, algunos en México. Muy poca información sobre los invertebrados. Y en este mapa ustedes pueden ver, por ejemplo, los estudios que han sido realizados con peces. ¿No? Igual aparecen en color azul los países en los cuales han hecho un estudio con estos dos temas, microplásticos en algún pez. En todos los demás países del Caribe, no tenemos ninguna información de esta contaminante en peces, que son la base de la alimentación. Otra conclusión importante de este estudio es que aquellos autores que logran determinar el polímero de microplástico son tres tipos de polímeros, polietileno, polipropileno y poliestireno. Esos tres plásticos están asociados a esas tres cosas que consumimos tan fácilmente. Las bolsas de plástico, los envases de plástico que usamos una vez y tiramos, como son esos que están representados, y no sé cómo le llamen aquí, el poliestireno, que son estas esas blancas que guardan de foam que guarda el calor o el frío, que también muy fácilmente y desafortunadamente en todo el Caribe, usamos tan fácilmente. Pues, la mayoría de contaminación de plásticos en la región Caribe, pues viene de estos tres plásticos. ¿Cuál es el impacto de estos canijos microplásticos? Pues que se asocian, son verdaderas esponjas, de lo que se le llaman los contaminantes orgánicos persistentes, los POPs, Persistent Organic Pollutants. Entonces, la fibra de plástico absorbe cantidades a veces hasta un millón de veces más alta de estos POPs que lo que hay en el agua. Entonces, se convierten en esponjas que captan este contaminante. Estos POPs son generalmente los organoclorados, los insecticidas, los pesticidas, los fertilizantes y son altamente tóxicos. Y, obviamente, pues, esos microplásticos con esos POPs, pues se van acumulando en esa cadena trófica y, pues más temprano que tarde, llegan a nosotros a través de lo que consumimos. Bien, algunas-- no algunas, una recomendación surgida de este trabajo sería en la parte de investigación, podría considerarse realizar ahora un estudio de microplásticos presentes en varias especies marinas comerciales, como algunas han sido citadas aquí, por ejemplo, los Snapper, ¿sí? Y obviamente cada vez más nos van a exigir tener un código de trazabilidad de lo que se captura, y de lo que se vende. Y cada vez más, los microplásticos va a ser una exigencia sanitaria. A título de ejemplo, quiero señalar que, en Yucatán-- varios de ustedes conocen la península de Yucatán --se instaló una de las fábricas más grandes de cerveza a nivel mundial, la Heineken. Se instaló ahí por el agua, el acceso al agua. Y ustedes saben que hay un slogan de la Heineken que dice “lo que lo que lleva nuestra 181

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cerveza es agua,” obviamente, su cereal es la malta, ¿no? Pero la esencia es el agua. Entonces, instaló por el acceso al agua. Y bueno, esta cervecería nos solicitó, pues que le determináramos qué cantidad de microplásticos tiene su agua y la cerveza que sale. Yucatán es también un productor de miel a nivel mundial, y Alemania es el principal consumidor. Y Alemania hace años le dijo a Yucatán, a ver, yo quiero una certificación de que no me la adulteres con azúcar. Y en algún momento se adulteró y se frenó esa exportacion. Ahorita Alemania le dijo, yo quiero que me certifiques el nivel de contaminación de microplásticos de tu miel. Entonces, este contaminante es algo que más temprano que rápido nos van a estar solicitando en lo que capturemos y en lo que vendamos o en nuestra producción. Bien. Y la otra cosa que ya en algún momento lo había compartido con los directivos del Consejo del Caribbean Fisheries, es poder armar una exposición sobre este tema de la contaminación de los microplásticos, que se le denomina ahora también como la contaminación invisible. O sea, no la vemos, pero la tenemos. Y en esa exposición asociar, transmitirle a esta a esta ciencia ciudadana, lo mismo a nuestros pescadores, a nuestras comunidades pesqueras, que nuestro modelo de consumo está ligado a este tipo de contaminación invisible. De tal manera que, en esta ciudadanía en su máxima palabra, quede asociada esta línea de abajo. ¿Sí? Tú usas la botella esta de agua tan fácilmente, pues se va a hacer pedacitos, no se va a desaparecer, no es biocompostable, ¿sí? Y más temprano que tarde va a ir a alguna especie marina, y va a llegar a tu plato. Esa exhibición me parece que sería muy necesaria en nuestra región. Y obvio para vivir así, y no así, pues tenemos que pararle a esta sopa de plásticos, ¿sí? Y asociar, obviamente, acciones de educación, de divulgación, acciones sostenibles, ¿sí? Y termino con esta frase de Eduardo Galeano, que me gusta mucho, dice “Mucha gente pequeña, ¿sí? Haciendo cosas pequeñas, pues puede hacer grandes cosas.” Y pues muchas gracias por este tiempo y por esta invitación. MARCOS HANKE: Muchas gracias a usted. Tremenda presentación. La verdad que cada vez que usted presenta, impresiona el mensaje y de la manera tan elocuente por la cual usted lo lleva. Le voy a pedir de por favor que-- nos estemos tenemos que ir al almuerzo por el horario del almuerzo y entonces en el regreso, serían las preguntas tres. ¿Como no? We are going to break for lunch because we need to go for lunch here for the presential attendees. We will be back at 1 o'clock. 182

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(Whereupon, the meeting recessed for lunch on April 20, 2022.) - - APRIL 20, 2022 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION - - MARCOS HANKE: Let's restart the meeting. Thank you everyone again. It's 1:09PM. We have follow-up questions for Dalila from the presentation before lunch. Any of the Council members or members that would like to make a question? Tony. Questions/Comments LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: I don't really have a question, to be honest with you. I think it was a hell of a presentation. It had a lot of details to it. And the break down as to where the plastic goes and how it goes there. It was impressive. Now, to be honest with you, I don't know how we will fix this problem, but at least we know exactly what breakdowns are and that’s a starting point. MARCOS HANKE: Dalila, more than a question and observation, you can count on the Council and on the members that are here pretty much if you need any assembling our support to any future efforts to new research or whatever. Will be more -- the fishermen of the Caribbean, a great amount of them, will be more than happy to support you. I'm pretty sure. Nelson? NELSON CRESPO: I just want to make a comment. It's a reality that the plastic issue is killing us, especially in the water. Recently, I have reports from fishers that are catching mahis with the stomach full of plastic. That is something that's scary, you know. You can count on our association for any help you need okay. MARCOS HANKE: Dalila, I have a question that is connected to your presentation but is not specific to. The same dynamic that we see on the marine environment, we can expect on land, on the other sources of food that we get. In agricultural activities, on smaller or bigger scale is this is also the same thing with the microplastic going through the food chain on land too? DALILA ALDANA ARANDA: Si, también. Y podemos poner como ejemplo un alimento tan común como es el pollo, la carne de pollo. El pollo que el humano come a nivel planetario es a través de granulados, de un alimento prefabricado. Y en ese alimento prefabricado 183

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obviamente hay una introducción de plásticos de differentes fuentes. Lo que yo estoy convencida es que los pocos alimentos silvestres que le quedan a la humanidad, uno de ellos es la pesca. De manera muy próxima, van a ir exigiendo-- estoy pensando en el mercado europeo, pero yo me imagino que Estados Unidos va a hacer lo mismo --va a ir pidiendo en su regulación sanitaria, un certificado con la cantidad de este contaminante por unidad de gramo, etcétera. Es una norma sanitaria que se va a ir implementando. Yo les hacia el comentario de la miel, de Yucatán, que es uno de los principales países exportadores de miel al mercado europeo, y como el mercado europeo, en este caso de Alemania, ya exigen ese certificado. Con el agua de la cerveza de Heineken. Y como he estado en este tema de los microplásticos, he visto también por ejemplo que, China, con las peculiaridades que tiene China y los chinos, muchos de sus alimentos de almejas, en el bloque de seafood, están llevando a cabo una determinación de sus microplásticos. Y ese momento alguien me decía, “Oye, ¿en las heces de nosotros, o sea, en el popo de nosotros los humanos, nos pueden determinar la cantidad de microplásticos que ya traemos?” Y la respuesta es, sí. La ventaja de trabajar con los microplásticos es que no requieren de un procesamiento para conservar las muestras. Nosotros cuando recibimos una muestra que puede ser el estómago, puede ser un tejido, pueden ser el contenido estomacal, o las heces, lo primero que hacemos es degradar toda la materia orgánica. Tenemos que eliminarla de la muestra. Entonces, si obtenemos una muestra con el apoyo de pescadores y esa muestra se va descomponiendo, se va pudriendo, para efectos del estudio de microplásticos no nos afecta. A los microplásticos no les va a pasar nada. No necesitamos refrigerarla. No necesitamos añadirle un químico especial para conservarlo. Es una gran ventaja trabajar con microplásticos. Y la información que nos da es infinita. Ese mundo microscópico a mí me ha maravillado. Irme metiendo a las tripas de esa microfibra que ya está desgastada. Ir haciendo determinaciones químicas en esas rupturas de las fibras con respecto a una parte que esta lisa de una microfibra de veinte micras. Es un mundo realmente fascinante. Entonces, la respuesta, querido colega amigo es, sí. Si hay una transferencia de microplásticos en la cadena alimenticia. Prácticamente, todo lo que consumimos, desafortunadamente, trae ya una carga de microplásticos. Y para contestar, ahorita verbalizando se aclara la mente. Fíjense ustedes, el agua. El agua que todos tomamos, que casa ves más, hablo del Caribe, la tomamos 184

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en botella, ya sea de este tamaño o en Méjico se usa mucho la unidad de veinte litros, es una de las fuentes de mayor contaminación de plásticos que tenemos en nuestros alimentos cotidianos, el agua. ¿Sí? Si ustedes googlean “microplásticos agua" hay algunas imagines muy interesantes, muy lúdicas en donde nos muestran que, por ejemplo, el agua de del tubo, del grifo, que seguramente algunos de los que estamos aquí sentados todavía tuvimos el privilegio como niños de abrir la llave y tomar esa agua. Hoy por hoy, esa agua tiene menos microplásticos que el agua embotellada. Entonces, esa es la situación. MARCOS HANKE: Yo le agradezco. Era solamente para redondear su presentación y abrir el campo de visión, verdad. de que las técnicas que usted está trabajando y la pertinencia de su trabajo va mucho más allá que la pesquería. Así que muchas gracias, muchas gracias. Bueno, son las. La 1:17 yo-It is 1:17 and in order to speed up the agenda, Carlos and I have a report on recreational fishery summit that-LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: MARCOS HANKE:

Marcos, Wessley is online.

Yes, I'm going to go with him.

Recreational Fisheries Summit— Marcos Hanke/Carlos Farchette MARCOS HANKE: It is very, very short. Basically, the report is that Carlos and I attended this meeting. The meeting was with all the nationwide recreational fishermen and the interaction and connection with the wind farm and aquaculture. And when we went there, they gave us a good perspective of the implications of those developments and what is happening around the nation, but we also supported the presentation by giving the Caribbean perspective and peculiarities of our habitats and fishery and fishing community and so on, and by adding the concept of -- sorry for the repetition -- but the value, the secondary value of a system of aquaculture. I don’t want to go into the weeds with that because eventually we are going to have time to explain it, but this is what Carlos, and I did on the Recreation National Summit. You agree, Carlos, anything quick to add? CARLOS FARCHETTE: Our esteemed Chair was a panel member as you see on the screen. MARCOS HANKE:

Well, thank you for the picture. Yes, Andy? 185

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Questions/Comments ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah. I had the opportunity to also attend. A couple of takeaways from me that I think are relevant also for the Caribbean. One, there was some discussion about the Federal Fishery Management process and needing to more nimble, move faster. It was really kind of apparent based on some of the things that are happening on the East Coast of the United States right now with climate change and shifts in fisheries, you've been hearing some discussion of that in terms of potentially shifts in fisheries here, deeper water, changes in migration patterns. So, certainly something I think Russ Dunn will explore as an outcome of the meeting. And then the other is, we've talked some about recreational fisheries of this meeting the need for defining that universe and identifying that through a federal permit or some other mechanism to quantify fishing effort for recreational fishermen, and so I think that'll be also a priority of the agency going forward. Thanks. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. And due to some class, that he has to teach and other compromises, we're going to go with Wessley Merten on dolphin fish presentation. WESSLEY MERTEN: MARCOS HANKE:

Hello, everyone. Can you hear me? Yes.

WESSLEY MERTEN: Excellent. So, I don't know if I'll be sharing my screen or not or if you guys will be driving the presentation. How should we do this? MARCOS HANKE:

One second Wess. We will answer that in a second.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Okay. You're set to go. Check to see if you can share your screen or if it's us driving. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: WESSLEY MERTEN:

Do you see our screen? Your presentation?

Yeah. I see the PDF that you just shared.

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Okay. Thanks.

WESSLEY MERTEN: Should we just do it that way? I'll just tell you to click forward. 186

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LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Did you prefer to share your screen, Wesley? GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER:

Yes.

WESSLEY MERTEN: If that's possible, it'd be great. But I know there's been some technical glitches here and there. LIAJAY

RIVERA

GARCÍA:

is.

will

make

you

cohost.

WESSLEY MERTEN: Okay. Yeah. It's just having to enable my screen sharing on my end. Thanks. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Now you can share.

WESSLEY MERTEN: Okay. Excellent. So, let's see. Let's go here. okay. Please verify that you could see my screen. MARCOS HANKE:

We can. Go ahead.

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA:

Yes.

WESSLEY MERTEN: And it's just the actual whole slide. You don't see the presenter notes. Correct? MARCOS HANKE:

Correct.

Dolphin Fish Studies on FADs—Wessley Merten WESSLEY MERTEN: Awesome. Alright. Well, thank you all. I feel the suspense has really been mounting with this presentation. Thank you for the flexibility and shuffling things around. My students would have loved to have class canceled today, but the Dean definitely would have liked that. So, with that being said, good afternoon, everyone. I really wish I could have been there, you know, in the room with you time around, but I just couldn't at the end of the semester and everything. okay. So, the title of my talk today is preliminary results from eight years of the Puerto Rico FAD system. And it really highlights the research we've been doing since 2014 with relation to the FADs deployed off the North Coast to Puerto Rico. But, you know, full disclosure here, obviously, this is meant to give you comprehensive update, but we are limited on time. So, I'm going to try my best to present the information. That I've prepared.

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So, this research was and is funded by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Environmental Resources, and the Federal Aid and Sport Fish Restoration Dingell-Johnson program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. So much like the December presentation at the Council meeting, I'm going to follow a very similar approach. So, my objective here is to provide you an update, a comprehensive update on the research we've been doing with relation to the FADs. I'm going to use a case study approach just like in December. But first, I'll start with some quick program statistics which will kind of get us thinking about this topic. And then that'll lead into our first case study, which will be on catch and effort and that will take the majority of the talk. And then there will be some additional case studies that we will look at, one, on vessel census, which was our first published paper back in 2018, and then two iterations of that given now that there's a push to deploy submerged FADs. So that's case study 2A and 2B. And then we'll finish off today's presentation with a look at tagging studies and talking about size frequency of dolphin tagged at FADs within the Caribbean Sea. And then a short little segment on Wahoo versus dolphin. So, some quick program statistics. So, since 2015, there have been 22 FADs deployed within the Puerto Rico FAD system. There are currently six actives. Our group has logged 2,149 catch and effort reports since we started monitoring vessels. And as of December 31st, 2021, there's been 547 dolphins tagged at FADs within the U.S. Caribbean Sea. Of those 22 FADs, 16 surface FADs were deployed, and all of those surface FADs have been actual loss. They were they were lost due to ship strikes or equipment failures or due to storms. And then there's been six subsurface FADs. So, in June of 2019, due to just personnel constraints, we weren't able to continue to gather the catch reports per trip, but we were able to continue gathering the effort. So, we have logged 2,779 trips. So, that component remains, but obviously, it's a very timeconsuming process to communicate with anglers on all their outings. And I was doing that by myself a few years ago, but I'm trying to ramp this back up with a small staff that we're starting to put together. So, with the funding through this FAD research, we’ve deployed 31 satellite tags, 27 have been deployed on dolphin, three on Wahoo and one on a silky shark. We’ve involved 34 vessels with the pelagic data system vessel tracking unit. So, that's kind of like a baseline of our participation in terms of gathering catch and effort reports or just effort reports. But we also interface with a lot of anglers through fieldwork, and there's definitely boats 188

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that we have involved that we don't have the vessel tracking device on, due to either funding issues or just logistical issues. So, we published one paper. We have one currently in review of History Science and one in prep, and that in prep paper is the one that is the first case study today that I'll start with here in just a second. But based on the conversation yesterday when Rachel presented the working group report from WECAFC, I just wanted to update you all with some quick program statistics on deployments. So, this was a table I submitted to DNER last March. Basically, it just shows, you know, the different deployment events for the surface FADs. So maximum longevity of those surface FADs was 1,249 days, which is about 3.4 years. The minimum amount of time, one was in the water was 12 days. So, it's likely that FAD either got hit by a tanker or there's equipment malfunction. The average longevity of the surface FADs is quite low, 453 days or about 15 months. Average time to actually redeploy in the same location was 8.8 months. And these deployments were being led by Legado Azul. And that 8.8 months could have been for a host of different reasons, which I'm not sure are, but, you know, obviously, getting the barge back outfitted with equipment, funding, and stuff like that. So, if you use smaller FADs, you can redeploy in the same sites faster because, generally, as far as I understand, once you have a permit for a location, you can deploy there based on permitting needs and requirements. Okay. So, hopefully, that got you thinking about this topic now, and we'll get into the first case study. So, one of the things that we wanted to do right off the bat was just trying to see how these boats are utilizing these FADs. And so, obviously, collecting catch and effort is kind of a paramount method to use to do that. And so, one thing that we are, kind of, intitling this work, is vessel trip histories. And so, the study purpose is really to compile quantitative examples of FAD use, catch and effort using vessel tracking systems. With the overall objective to kind of determine the temporal and spatial variation and FAD use and performance. And so, we're using the Pelagic data system, vessel tracking devices. We're working with charter boats recreational boats, and small artisanal anglers, and we're mounting these devices on the boats and collecting the tracking data. The devices, they're solar powered, they're extremely durable, they're water, heat and wind resistant. They have a dynamic sampling rate, so when the boat slows down, there are more points that are collected, when it 189

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speeds up, there's less points. It basically communicates with cellular networks. Has upload frequency of every six hours, and they're extensible. So, you can actually add on additional sensors which is something we would love to do in the future. So, I didn't know if I was going to be able to share my screen or not, so I put this slide in here to bypass that. So, there are some really cool methods if you're into that type of thing, but I'm going to bypass this to save time. But I'm happy to answer questions if needed later about those methods. But for today's talk, basically, I'll maybe presenting four separate vessel trip histories when we started monitoring these boats back in 2016 and 2017. And with each of these examples, I'm going to present this Gantt chart, which basically on your x-axis, you have time, on your y-axis, you have the different units out in the water, whether it be the FADs or the actual boats. So, the gray box here is highlighting the actual boat that we're monitoring. And these colored rectangles represent the deployment of either the vessel tracking devices in the case of the boat or the deployment of the actual FADs. So obviously, the red bars indicate the first deployment event for these FADs. Some Fads were deployed the second time, which is yellow. And then some files were deployed a third time, which is green. So, these really give you kind of situational awareness in terms of, you know, where the boat is with relation to what FADs are in the water. So, with this particular charter boat, is a large 32foot charter boat based out of Dorado. We started monitoring this boat in October of 2016. So, with these vessel trip histories, you can start to look at, you know, what this boat is doing over an expansive time. And so, for this particular boat, the first 21 trips, you know, this boat spent time at the FADs nearest to where this boat was based, which is Dorado. So, that's FAD F and FAD E were the closest. So, we're collecting, you know, back when we first started this, we're collecting the catch and effort and the captains would report their catch as FAD associated, which was defined as caught within a mile of the FAD, or non-FAD associated. And so, for the first 21 trips here, this boat, you know, caught 13 dorado and released two blue marlins associated with the FADs. Non-associated catch was 11 dorado, one wahoo, and one sailfish. Away from the FADs. But, obviously, with these types of data, you can rasterize it and so this roster actually depicts the time of fishing activity per 1.2 squared kilometers. And with these FADs, FAD F and FAD E in the area, you could see that the colors, the yellows, and the reds, and the oranges indicating where the boat was spending more time. 190

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But with these devices, obviously, you can collect a lot of cool statistics. So, we were looking at, you know, average time per trip, average distance traveled per trip, the range offshore, and the total area covered. And you can see those statistics here. But the point I want to make is that the next 44 trips that we were monitoring for this boat, FAD E and FAD F had been lost and so this charter boat basically shifted its effort towards the next closest FAD, and which was FAD G, off of Vega Baja. And during that time, that shift in effort towards the FAD led to, you know, the catch of 32 dorado, the release of one white marlin and one wahoo was caught. Away from the FAD, the boat only caught eight dorado, released two blue marlins, a yellowfin tuna, blackfin, and a sailfish. So, a higher diversity of species away from the FADs. But at that FAD, it was quite successful, which obviously can help this boat, please the clients and help, you know, obviously, maybe acquire tips and help the bottom line for the business. In terms of trip statistics, all trip statistics increase for this charter boat due to the loss of the FAD nearest its home port. With a 34 percent increase in area covered for this boat because FAD F and FAD E were not in the water. And so, this was just, you know, the expanse of about, you know, 40 or 65 trips when we started monitoring this particular charter back in 2016-2017. So now on to the next example. So, this is a near short charter boat based in San Juan Bay. So, it's a small 22-foot center console. So, basically, a lot of the time this boat is fishing within San Juan Bay and the different channels in the back bay. And the FADs nearest this vessel are FAD C and FAD D at this time, which were distributed off of El Morro. And so, the interesting aspect of this type of charter example is it allows you to see when this vessel shifted offshore to actually target pelagic species versus, you know, staying in shore to fish the near shore habitat. And for this particular boat, over the first four months that we were monitoring it, at the FADs, the vessel caught 17 dorado it released a marlin and two sailfish. Away from the FADs, only seven dorado and one yellowfin tuna. So, obviously, you could see the roster showing a lot of time that this boat is spending at FAD C and FAD D just basically going straight there. And I haven't looked at the weather with respect to these trips, but it likely coincided with nice days when conditions really permitted for the boat to take clients to that location. But the point is this vessel was shifting effort away from near shore habitat. But three times as 191

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many trips were in shore, and about 40 different species were being caught near shore with tarpon, jack crevalle, and snook being the top three species. And so, that just is another unique aspect or vessel trip history for that particular boat. And so, we move on to a commercial example. So, this boat was active based out of Manatí, and we actually started monitoring this vote in the summer of 2018. There were no FADs present when we started monitoring this particular small scale artisanal angler. And during the first 14 trips, this boat did not do very well in terms of landings. They did have fun though. They released three blue marlins. Obviously, it's a thrill whenever you hook into a blue marlin. But they obviously were out there trying to land fish for, you know, obviously, to make money. They only caught one blackfin tuna during those two weeks. So, not good fishing for this boat during the first two weeks. Then on July 21st, 2018, FAD F was deployed off of Dorado, and this boat basically started to shift effort directly towards that FAD. And then the next 14 trips, the boat caught 37 dorado and released one blue marlin at the FAD. And with the presence of that FAD now off Dorado, the boat also started to use new techniques in terms of targeting live bait near shore, going straight out to the FAD, and then, you know, chumming and fishing with live bait. And on this particular outing and early of September 2018, caught this really nice yellowfin tuna. And then another trip about a week later, targeting and live bait near shore, and then heading offshore and getting a pretty nice catch of dolphin. So pretty unique example to see there with this commercial boat, obviously showing kind of different tactics than some of the charter boats. In total, over the first 28 trips we monitored of this commercial boat, the vessel caught 56 dorado at the FAD, and away from the FAD only 18 dorado, with only one of those trips offshore actually producing 14 of those fish. So, they got lucky, and they found a floating pallet or something. So, basically, this vessel was putting a lot of effort towards fishing that FAD when it was present. And lastly, just a recreational example from a boat off of Arecibo. And so, this vessel, we've monitored for quite a while. Actually, we're still monitoring it to this day. And the unique aspect of this boat, though, is that there's no FADs within range, really, of this boat. The closest was FAD H, when FAD H was present off of Manatí, which is about 20 miles away. But, you know, you could see just the wide range that this boat would fish to obviously enjoy an outing on the water. What this boat did was quite successful. It caught 308 dolphinfishes during these first 81 trips that we 192

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monitored and released a host of different marlin and caught some wahoo and stuff too. But so, the question becomes, how does this type of effort and catch change if you actually have a FAD or a surface FAD present off of Arecibo. And so that's something that we're working to try to address moving forward. And so, just to summarize here, what you can do with these vessel tracking devices is you can actually look at the time of departure for these boats. And with the near shore charter, generally, they were departing, two times a day and leaving at 06:37, in another trip in the afternoon, 01:30, and 2:00. At times, this boat was shifting effort offshore to fish the FADs. The bigger offshore charter, generally having two trips per day as well, right around the same times, and this offshore charter was shifting effort towards the nearest FAD when those FADs were present. The commercial boats, they were leaving, or this particular commercial boat was leaving as early as 03:30 to get out to the FADs as early as possible to, obviously, get fish before the charter boat or the recreational anglers. And then the recreational angler would leave once a day and generally FADs, 20 miles away, were out of reach. But in conclusion with this particular case study, you know, these vessel fishing trip histories, they provide quantitative estimates of FAD and non-FAD use on different temporal spatial scale. So, it basically tells us a story of how these anglers are using the FADs, which is something that is important for fishery science and important for fishery management if we acquire enough of these examples. And this method, can be used to assess, use and performance on FADs by sector, which is definitely the approach we're trying to take. Now I've been using this technology for six years, so there's a lot of issues and situations and problems that can arise. So, these devices need to be assessed daily, in terms of their device health and status. But they're pretty robust pieces of equipment. Obviously, the catch and effort results are only representative of when captains actually report the catch and trip data. And we had about an 85 percent catch report acquisition rate. So, meaning that only 15 percent of the trips we weren't able to get a solid report from the anglers. So, it does represent a good kind of phone survey and way to integrate catch an effort with these devices. And results can also be used to examine other socioeconomic trends. So, we actually started working with a seafood restaurant we are monitoring their products that they were buying in terms of seafood, the boats that were supplying it. Which offers a really unique aspect into that type of economic data. In terms of, you know, local caught fish. And so, that program was a pilot program, 193

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but we basically were able to do it because of these devices. These devices are really pretty cost effective. They cost about 500 dollars per device, and they offer about two years of data service. And, obviously, there's going to be additional cost for data management and analysis. But like I presented in December, when you, by virtue of having captains involved in this vessel tracking research, it affords new opportunities to monitor offshore resources during, like, anomalous weather or sargassum episodes. Which is the manuscript I presented in December that's currently in review. So that was the first case study and then the following case studies I'll present are much shorter in duration. And so, with that being said, I'll just continue here. And so, this next study was the first one we published in 2018. It was basically using video monitoring to quantify spatial and temporal patterns and fishing effort across sectors at these FADs off Puerto Rico. And so, in terms of the purpose, was really to provide, like, a rapid fishery independent assessment of multisectoral FAD use off San Juan during the first year of the program. And the objective is to determine the temporal and spatial variation in FAD use. And so, here, we are using these Brinno timelapse cameras. So pretty cheap, a couple hundred dollars per camera, weather resistant housing, and we were just duct taping it and strapping it to the FADs. The cameras take a pretty good resolution, 1280 by 720. They basically have about a 35-millimeter lens field of view. We programmed the cameras to take an image once every 30 seconds, and we set the timer from 05:30AM to 07:30PM, and we did seven three-week deployments between three different FADs. And using this approach, we're able to get some pretty cool data. So, I'm just going to bypass this slide because I didn't know if I'd be able to present with my screen. But this is what the actual data looks like. So, the I used a couple different video editing software to label the actual data. But basically, you're seeing the raw data and the labels that we would put in. And so, here's a bird. Obviously, lots of bird activity can present obstruction views for the lens at times. But there's the first boat on this particular day. Obviously, you see the time stamp, you see the date. These boats can approach really close, so you could see the number passengers. You'd see, you know, what gear they're using and different aspects. The power of the engine and stuff like that. 194

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And so, this boat ends up coming fairly close here. There it is right there. You can see the number of rods, the different anglers, there's two onboard there. So, we didn't look at this paper in terms of number of anglers per boat, but here's obviously a larger probably, I don't know, 35, 40-foot boat. So, you know, multiple boats active at the FAD at the same time. And then at times, you even have the opportunity to see actual fish at the FAD. So, here's a dorado right here in the bottom of your screen. See, the cameras can sense and see wildlife at times. And using this camera data, we're able to classify a hundred and 58 unique boats and actually name them unique boats. This is Rodolfo Abrahams, which obviously is a commercial angler that a lot of you know. And here's Bill Fish, which was a charter that was active back in the in the day. And, obviously, spear fishing, you can see that happening. And then some of the boats that didn't have a name on the whole, we would just name just a random name. So, this I just called Blank Boat. But this Blank Boat was active a lot and they used unique techniques in terms of live baiting and stuff at the FADs. But so, in terms of descriptive statistics, we basically collected 139 FAD camera days. Just over 233,000 images, which represented about 22.1 percent of a year. We had 158 unique vessels characterized, and there was basically a 2.4 percent vessel detection rate, but 0.7 percent of the vessels were kind of too far out of the range to ID. And we did an ID test and we found that 500 meters was kind of the ID range. So, so pretty unique, you know, type of data collection using these cameras. And so, in terms of results, we use a logistic regression to analyze the data, and we found that there were significant differences by time of day and by day of week, which probably isn't shocking at all. But statistically, that's what the results told us. And, you know, using this fancy contrast matrix, we're able to show that by time-of-day interval, which is on your y-axis and the activity level on your x, we're able to show that the weekends you have a huge spike in activity at these FADs. And generally, kind of an increasing trend through the week. With early morning hours, which is the time period b of each day, generally having the highest amount of activity. So, another aspect of this work was to work with QuanTech which is a company that interfaces with NOAA on a lot of survey protocols. When I was living in DC, I went down to their office and I spoke to them, and we put together this cost benefit analysis comparing the video sampling to the other types of methods used by NOAA and other consulting firms. Long story short, you know, it's pretty 195

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cheap to put the camera out and to record the data, and to some extent, it's cheap to analyze the data too, compared to having personnel at ports sampling. Nonetheless, you lose a lot of-- you don't gather any demographic data from the video sampling. You can have lens issues, battery, and power source issues. But when you couple these types of monitoring protocols, you can glean a lot of information. So, in conclusion on this case study, you know, we conducted a fishery independent assessment of multi-sector fishing effort using video monitoring. It's a pretty cost-effective approach to assess fishing activity at the FADs. You know, a FAD is there, just strap a camera to it and see who is using it and how. Results really kind of serve as like a baseline estimate of FAD use, especially if you deploy the camera right when the FAD is deployed. So, you could then, you know, look at FAD activity expansion or contraction. Results are only representative of daytime fishing efforts. So, we only programmed them for the day. But we need to match these types of data with port surveys. So, that would be helpful to see who is actually fishing the FAD and we could even cross verify. Obviously, with AI, there's opportunities to automate vessel detection through image recognition. And so, this study, obviously, was done with surface FADs. So, now there's been this big push to deploy submerged FADs. And so, obviously, you can't put a camera at the surface with the submerged FADs. So, what we've done and is something that a lot of researchers that have presented to the Council these past few days have done with different aspects of marine life monitoring is use these loggerhead hydrophones, and we're using these to detect vessels. And so, this is a recently deployed submerged FAD off of Puerto Rico. This is the Camino Del Mar FAD. And so, we're putting these hydrophones on these on these FADs. And just to kind of give you a lay of the land right now with where these FADs are. Camino Del Mar is Northwest of El Morro, about seven miles. And then you have El Morro FAD, basically, due North. And then last week, Legado Azul deployed two more submerged FADs in this cluster. But so, the actual hydrophone that I'm going to speak to for this brief little segment is on the El Morro FAD. And so, this is a spectrogram which a lot of the researchers in the room that are listening are probably familiar with. I actually consulted with Tim Rowell, who used to be a student of Doctor Richard Appeldoorn's, and he's used this extensively with some of his research. And he's actually a NOAA employee based out of Woods Hole. But Tim and I spoke last week, and he helped set me up on this. 196

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So, this is a spectrogram. The blue right here showing not much sound activity. This band towards the right side of the spectrogram shows an increase in sound. This next spectrogram shows, a lot of this this green indicating higher sound levels. And so, by virtue of having captains, you know, having these vessel trackers, we were able to act the ground truth that this was an actual visit from this charter boat at the FAD. And the time stamp here is October 26, 2021. So, just several months ago at 04:01 in the afternoon. That coincides with the time stamp of the spectrograms, and this vessel actually caught two nice dorado, making these passes. But by virtue of having the captain with that vessel tracking device, it gave us a unique signature of when this boat was visiting the FAD, which allows us to compile events and then compare to locations where we don't have the vessel tracking devices deployed. So, this is ongoing work. We've gathered three months of sound data, so we have to analyze it, and we're re redeploying those hydrophones. So, we hope to present in the future more about this. Now the other iteration here of the case study is using these underwater cameras. And I think Doctor Reni García presented something really interesting with cameras. I'm wondering if we're using the same housing. It's like really cool housing for GoPro. Could be deployed super deep. Nonetheless, this is one of the favorite photos I've ever taken, and I actually didn't pull the trigger, I just set the camera to record. But as you can see, there's a dorado here looking down at the lens. You see a nice school bait fish and some other unidentified fish right here close. But we are now gathering this imagery to be able to assess vessels, visiting, and also marine life. And right now, we have Marissa, our fisheries data analysts, analyzing the data. And she says she's able to count over 300 individual fish in this image. So obviously, you could use this to count individual fish, and you could assess the number of counts per image by time of day. Because we have these cameras recording throughout daytime hours. And so, you could start to get an assessment of how bait changes by time of day, and whether bigger, pelagics are more active at certain times of day. And to that end, this is a pretty cool image showing two dorado going up towards the surface, possibly interacting, and then another school of looks like some sort of bait fish kind of moving away. But, you know, this really gets me giddy, looking at this type of imagery. I mean, this is the wild out there, and we're seeing images of the wild and so I really am pretty excited about this stuff. 197

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So, to the last case study, I think maybe I'm going a little long here, but nonetheless, this is a quick one. So, in terms of tagging studies, I spoke a little bit to this during the December meeting. But yesterday, during Rachel O’Malley’s talk, there were some questions, I think from Tony, about what's the size of fish being caught with these FADs. And so, this is the size frequency of fish tagged and released at Caribbean FADs. And this image right here shows Julien Brossel, one of our big taggers out of Guadalupe. And, typically, he tags a fish takes a quick picture and sends it to us, and that's kind of his style. And so that's kind of the size of the fish that he typically is tagging at the FADs off of Guadalupe. But you know, 24 percent are less than 20 inches for fork length, which 20 inches fork length is the minimum size for dolphin on the Eastern Florida shelf and on up to South Carolina. 33.8 percent are less than 23.5 inches fork length. And 24 inches is kind of the idea being floated for a minimum size in Florida. And also, I've heard of a lot of people within the Caribbean Sea, just anglers, tell me that they would be comfortable with that type of a minimum size. And that's just from their point of view. So, yeah, that kind of gives you a distribution of the tagged and released fish associated with our program. So, this is Guadalupe, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, and the Caymans is really where this data is taken from. Lastly, this is an update since December. So, we've been starting to tag wahoo around the island of Puerto Rico. Super it about this. This tag surfaced between now and the December meeting. It was a short duration event though. We only got 7.4 days on this wahoo, which is a 47-inch wahoo. It moved about 60 miles Northwest from buoy 6. So, we actually tagged it at a near shore buoy, which is like a FAD. And the tag popped up 14 miles off of Punta Cana. This scatter plot shows the depth use, and this is in absolute depth. So, meters are on your y-axis, and time is on your x. The cool thing about this scatter of thought is it shows extremely deep diving behavior during the daytime. During the nighttime and crepuscular times, this fish was much more about the surface. And then you contrast that with dolphin. It's very different than dolphins. Obviously, they're serving different ecological niches. But you see the top three scatter plots with dolphin monitored around Puerto Rico. Their diving behavior you see on the kind of outer sides of these scatter plots is deeper during the night, shallower during the day. So just gathering some pretty cool ecological data on these species. And the last point I'll make here is that this was a geolocated 198

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dolphin that we tagged a few years back, and it was recaptured at a FAD South of La Romana. And when you compare the movement trajectory of this geolocation track towards Punta Cana, a very similar trajectory it took as that wahoo, if you go back and look at that wahoo movement. So, not sure if it is that these fish are using this corridor through here, through the Mona of passage. I noticed some of the depth data that Doctor García presented earlier showing kind of some of those fathoms, those different fathom lines. So, maybe currents are kind of guiding fish this trajectory. Nonetheless, off Punta Cana, there's a lot of FADs, reports estimate of 2,500 FADs around this part of the D.R. But then, you know, just a few weeks ago, we tagged a dolphinfish, and the tag went the full interval, two weeks, and the fish ended up way down here South of D.R. So, you know, obviously, you know, what percentage of fish are making that trajectory through the Mona passage versus bypassing D.R. completely. And those are big time questions that are really hard to answer with relation to how FADs are affecting migration. Okay. So, we're here at acknowledgments. So, I'd just like to acknowledge Puerto Rico Department Natural Environmental Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife for funding this research. Huge thanks to Doctor Nilda Jimenez, Damaris Delgado, Kelvin Serrano, Omar Collazo, Johanna Gutierrez, Doctor Craig Lilyestrom, and Doctor Richard Appeldoorn, for getting me involved in FAD research back in the day. And these are all the boats that we're participating with. So, thank you to all those Captains, and I'll take any questions. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for an excellent presentation and for adapting to our time constraints. Questions from the members. Andy? ANDREW STRELCHECK: Thank you for the presentation, really impressive research. I'm curious with vessel tracking system devices you're using. What are you using? You implied obviously that they're fairly reliable and fairly inexpensive. I'm curious kind of how that compares to some of the vessel monitoring systems that are applied in other regions in the United States? WESSLEY MERTEN: Yeah. So, we're using the Pelagic data system vessel tracking devices. So, obviously, these are not VMS units. So, they can be tampered with. Anglers can take them off the boat. So, you know, they're not the gold standard of vessel monitoring. But in terms of monitoring small scale fisheries, the ability to not have them wired to the boat is huge. So, I could just show up 199

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at a dock and have some boxes in my luggage and fish with these boats and strike up a relationship and a conversation and say, “Hey, would you like to participate in our research? I've got this solar powered device. We can cable tie it to your bimini top.” It's happened that way. Like, we just start to integrate our research with anglers on that quick of a basis. You know, one thing that I can do with the Council, or any group can do with the Council is really to have a specific meeting with anglers to expose them to this type of research and the ease of integration and also kind of what we want to do with the data. And by virtue of the Council's ability to reach a lot of anglers and obviously integrate with NOAA, it could spawn a very big program on the island. Whether it would be representative of all the sectors, that's obviously, another question. I've used a grassroots approach, and I've gathered 34 users, essentially. But we could I could potentially get more. So, the devices are strong though. Some of them withstood hurricane María on these boats. I mean, they are wind and rain and destruction proof. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Wess. A question in terms of the vertical migration between the wahoo and the dolphin. In general, I couldn't see or understand well. On the wahoo, there is a night vertical migration going deeper. And the mahi, if I understand correctly, they have a more variation closer to the surface that they go up and down during day and night, how can I read that? WESSLEY MERTEN: screen again. MARCOS HANKE:

Yes. So, I don't know if you can see this on the

WESSLEY MERTEN:

I do.

MARCOS HANKE:

Can you see it? Yes.

WESSLEY MERTEN: Yes. So, all of the black ovals on this plot shows a depth by time for this fish. So, and on the x-axis, you have midnight to midnight. So, basically, on the left side's midnight from one day, you know, obviously, to the next. But they're all kind of aggregated into just time throughout the record. And so, whenever you have these ovals closer to the surface, that means the fish is closer to that location or this depth at that time. So, you'll see this kind of clustering at noon. If you look at noon, right in the middle of plot and then you go down, you see 200

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all those ovals, that's 50 to 150 meters at noon that that fish was at. If you go up to the actual x-axis below noon between basically 09:30, 10:00 until 3:00, that fish was absent from the upper part of the water column during this monitoring period. Now remember, this is only one fish, this is only 7.4 days, but it is drastically different than what we see with the dolphin. That's the point I was trying to make here, when you go to noon with dolphin. Look at all those points right up at the surface with dolphin. So, using different predation techniques, obviously, because they serve ecological niches that are different. And so, this is ongoing research. We have a geolocating tag on a wahoo that's supposed to report actually here coming up, hopefully. And so, I hope to continue to update you with this type of comparison as we move forward. So hopefully that addressed your question. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. It did. Thank you very much. Anybody else? Online, we have any questions? LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Should I read them? MARCOS HANKE:

Marcos, we have questions in the chat.

Yes.

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: Okay. Michelle Schärer. Can you say how much more effective the CPUE is with the FAD? Number two. Which method is more effective? i.e., live bait, Avnea or trolling. WESSLEY MERTEN: Of course, Michelle, would give me the doozies here. So, in terms of the CPUE question, I mean, the problem with our research is that we don't have enough replicates per sector visiting the same FAD to really start to make that stretch to the CPUE world, which is why I presented it from the standpoint of, you know, trip histories. So, unfortunately, I cannot say that, you know, catch per unit effort is higher at the FAD at this current day. In December, I presented that component where some of the boats bypassed the FADs because there were these huge sargassum lines 15 miles out, and they were just going straight there, and they were doing great at that, you know, that natal habitat, you know. So, yeah, I'll just say that I cannot address that one. In terms of the most effective method, you know, I spent a lot of time fishing for dolphin and, you know, these fish will be finicky, and they won't eat anything that you present to them at times. So, you could live bait them, throw everything you have in terms of live bait, at them, troll, even getting in the water and try to spear one, and they're gone. 201

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So, you know, what method is more effective? For yellowfin tuna, what I hear amongst many of the anglers fishing the FADs is that live bait is prime for those yellowfin tuna. But for dolphin, it's really kind of dependent on other factors that are outside of my current knowledge at this current date. MARCOS HANKE: Yes. Thank you very much, Wess. And just to add to those variables, it also will depend if you are the first one on the FAD or the second or the third or the-- because the fish, once they are fished or have some pressure, the behavior of the fish changes and those catchability rates or how easy it is to catch or not to catch with live bair or any of those gears will change too. That’s just one comment based on my experience. Thank you very much for your presentation. I don't see any other question. LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: MARCOS HANKE:

Yes.

We do?

LIAJAY RIVERA GARCÍA: We have questions from Yamitza Rodríguez. She says, do you think that our fisheries will sustain the number of FADs proposed? how will you monitor the usage of so many other FADs? WESSLEY MERTEN: This is another very big, high-level question that is kind of outside of my real ability to answer. Because, you know, the future is kind of unknown in terms of a lot of different factors in fisheries. What I will state is that the Dominican Republic, the latest paper that came out last year, the estimate is that there's 2,500 FADs deployed within their waters. Their landings of dolphinfish have been increasing through the last six to seven years. So, you know, one could argue that those FADs are leading to better landings for dolphin. But in the long term, how is that going to affect their dolphin fishery? That's one question that I've been scratching at for a while. And, obviously, I mean, how are we going to answer that? We can't answer that today. But so, you know, with the Puerto Rico FAD system, there's been 22 deployed and there's only six active. In Guadalupe, they've got probably, I don't know the exact number, but they've got a lot of FADs. Dozens 30, 40, 50. Yeah. I don't know the exact number. That paper probably states it actually. So, yeah, that's a tough question that Yamitza presented to me. That I can't answer fully. And then in terms of how one would monitor the usage of the FADs. 202

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Well, that really just comes down to funding because there's a lot of FADs being deployed with no equipment on it, in terms of sensors or monitoring. And to me, that's just a missed opportunity. These are biological platforms that can be used to assess this environment. So, if a FAD's being deployed at the least, we should be deploying some basic sensors to gather data. And that truly is a funding issue. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Wess. Is there any other question online? No? To wrap up, I want to mention that I have the experience on the FAD Working Group and collaborating with Wess, talking to fishermen. I want to mention that the work the Wess is doing, it will allow us to be very informed for better management on the fishery in general, especially related to FAD. And he is on the top of the iceberg in terms of knowledge and technology on this kind of study, which is essential to keep our fishery healthy and to understand the fishery better with the evolution that have been happening related to FADs. On that regard, thank you very much, Wess, for your leadership on this and on a very, very important approach to FAD fisheries studies and know how. Thank you very much. WESSLEY MERTEN: Thank you very much Marcos and thank you all, the entire Council. Look forward to seeing you guys in the future. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. presentation, Alida Ortiz.

We're

going

the

Outreach and Education Report— Alida Ortiz ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: Yes. I'm here. If you have my presentation there, that would be great. Can you put it wide? Great. \ I'm going to give a very short presentation of what we have been doing at the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel. First of all, I am very, very happy to hear yesterday and today the participation of the fishers in almost all the research, all the work that it's being done for getting information for the management measure for the Council, everything. And I heard yesterday, the word fisher scientist and I think we should take a look at that and talk to the people who are working with the scientists. The scientists who are working with the fishers to see if we can do something like that. But I'm not going to touch that again today. Next, please.

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I'm going to concentrate my presentation to what we received in December for this Caribbean Council five-year strategic plan. And when we read that document, one of the goals is to engage, educate, and inform a variety of audiences to improve public understanding and participation in the Council process, and that means almost everything. So, with objective 20, we are going to be taking care of objective 20, 21, and 22 now, but that doesn't mean that those are the only objectives of the strategic plan that we are going to keep track of in the outreach and education. Practically all areas of Council work have to do in one way or another with outreach and education. Either to bring information to the Council or to get information to from the Council to the stakeholders. So that objective 20, that is to use a variety of communication tools for social, cultural, and economic characteristics. That’s the one that covers some of the research. But the strategic, the strategy that they put is, to maintain the content of the Council's website to enhance its utility to a variety of users. We have already, since December, have meetings with the liaisons from each one of the islands to see what is the information that is generating in each one of their areas that should go into the website. Also with the DAP, liaisons and DAPs to get all that information. So, we are working on designing the web page, the way that it can be informative, consistent and attractive, so that people won't go there to get information. Next. In that same objective, they have variety of communication tools social, cultural and economic characteristics. And it says to coordinated with management, partners, commercial, recreation, coastal businesses, to get that audience that is not just the fishers. That's why we have had all the meeting with liaisons, DAPs and other people. One of the things that is being recommended is the use of radio and TV to announce the activities of the Council. Remember that we have three different targets. We are Puerto Rico, that has one way of doing things. Saint Thomas/Saint Johns another way and Saint Croix another way. So, we keep working in getting the information to have the best and the widest distribution of information from the Council. Next. The objective 21 is to promote the participation of a variety of stakeholders. And it says, to develop a newsletter or somebody to 204

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highlight the Council. That, we are already started having the CFMC meeting highlights and we make a summary, a very, very concise summary of everything that is discussed in the meeting and then put it in the website and also make the recommendation that for more information, they can go to different other areas in the website, to the verbatim, to the presentations that are kept as record in the website. And we're also working in terms of the free stuff for the entire region, Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I. with the marine protected areas. In the last meeting that we had in February, for the Council, we made a presentation, specially making emphasis that the stakeholders are not only the fishers, but it's practically all the community. Fishing and seafood are important for all our people from the mountain to the sea, and that's something we are working on. Right now, we're working on the booklet, the illustrated booklet on MPAs. The importance of those MPAs and also where are those MPAs, not just the ones that Council has jurisdiction but also the territorial ones. Next one, please. Objective 22 is to improve public and a stakeholder understanding. The strategy that the plan recommends, is to support the MREP, the Marine Education Program, and to develop a specific approach for each one of the islands. That's something that we are doing, that we have been doing all the time. We are part of the MREP steering committee. So, we participate in the development of the curriculum that is going to be used for the workshops and the people who are going to work. So, we are constantly supporting MREP. Also, at this time, we are going into a project with the department of education of Puerto Rico, where a curriculum for marine sciences, but not just marine biology, marine sciences, is going to be part of the general curriculum for intermediate schools. We will have a pilot project with Para la Naturaleza, with the new school group in the department of education that works with the Montessori schools. This school is in La Parguera. So, we are having meetings. We are selecting materials. We will have workshops with the teachers, so that the students from ninth to twelfth grade, not only see the ocean as the current and the organism that live there, but also as part of the social and cultural part of their history, especially Parguera. So, we will be giving more detailed information on this in the next meeting because we are having meetings every two weeks to select materials and to see the way they are going to be presented. 205

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Next, please. I have presented before in the other meetings the placemats and the posters that we have produced for the species, underutilize species or other species that are not the ones that are always asked in Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas/Saint John, and now we are working with the Saint Croix placemats. This one that you see here is the one that we produce with Ruth for Saint Thomas/Saint John, and they have been distributed in the restaurants there. Also, the Council is collaborating with Sea Grant to put signs in front of those marine protected areas that we are talking so much about them but when you get there, there's no sign, there's no information. We don't know what is there. So, they're going to be working now with the signs for La Parguera, the Natural Reserve for La Parguera, and the Tres Palmas marine reserve. And the liaisons from each one of the islands have been going to each one of the islands to see where are those reserves and then take photos so that we can see what is in that sign, what other information should be there. Next. These are material that you have for the thing. This is the one that we prepared for Saint Thomas/Saint John with the collaboration of Ruth Gomez, Julian, and the liaison. And those are already produced. They have them there. And the placemats were distributed also. Next. We have all been working with the Puerto Rico touristic company with their seminar that we are giving once, whenever the tourism company askes us about the sustainable, the responsible consumption of fish and seafood. This is directed to the tourist guides and where they bring their clients and what information should be around so that they understand the information that we have in those posters. Next. That's part of the distribution that we are doing with placemats. And this one, Marcos distributed them in Fajardo. Next one.

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The other ongoing outreach and education projects that we're working with is the recipient book which will finish by the end of this fall, by the August meeting. And then complete the illustrated booklet on the MPAs and begin with the climate change and U.S. Caribbean fisheries. That has been already discussed, and we're working on the art and the text. And we should have fact sheet stickers and info graphics for each one of the Island-Based Fisher Management Plans because even though they are not out, they have been approved and by the time they get out, it will be good to have the same information, but in a way that all the stakeholders can understand it. The best way is to have the most important aspects and put them in simple and easy to read, easy to understand language. And then the integration of the concepts of marine fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean to the regular education curriculum. I am interested that the students from intermediate school, especially, that Parguera pilot project that they learn to swim. That they learn to live in the water. Many of them are children of families that are fishers, but they don't get too close to the water. And that they see that natural area that they have around them as part of their cultural, of the social, and life that they have. Next. This is what we have been doing. If you have any questions or if you have recommendations, I have taken notes today of every presentation that says, fisher participation, fisher contribution because that's part of the things we want to do. Any question? Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for an excellent presentation, Alida. I just want to mention that I spoke to Stacey Williams about the die-off of the diadema, and she will get in touch with you and with Cristina and Miguel to help her out to spread the word and to see how they can coordinate efforts to attend this problem. I believe she will post some of this information on the chat for people to contact her, whoever is interested to collaborate with her effort to address the diadema. Anybody else have a question or comment? ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

That'd be great.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: From the chat, Michelle says that many fishers listened to VHF Radio on specific channel, and she suggests considering this method for very specific needs by the OEAP. In 207

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addition, Alida-- Yes? ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: Yes. We will do that. I'm going to take that information out and I'll bring it to the Outreach and Educational Advisory Panel. Actually, I forgot that in July, we have a meeting of the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel to take a look at the Fishery Ecosystem Plan and the way we can do outreach for the information that they will need to give the people. And this is part of this. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Okay. The other thing is that from the presentation of the Dalila Ortiz this morning, we would like to connect both of you so you can work together to see how we can assist in disseminating the information that she proposed this morning. So that will be a project that can be undertaken under the OEAP activities. ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

Yes. That's very important. We can.

MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Alida. I don't see any questions. Cristina, your presentation, please? Social Media Report—Cristina Olán CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: Buenas tardes. Good afternoon. My name is Cristina Olán, and I manage the social media platforms for the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. I will be quick. I just want to share with you some updates with our social media. Those are the numbers of followers in each platform, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube. The content that we usually share is related to seasonal closures, meetings, workshops, educational materials, videos and content produced by other organizations and agencies, local and federal and of course the CFMC monthly bulletin. And now that we can go outside again, I can start again making videos such as the one that I recorded with Nelson Crespo. So, I would like, here, to invite other members of the different panels to do the same thing and I will be more than happy to collaborate and to record those videos. Or in the case of the people in the V.I.s, they can send me material and I will share that material in our social media platforms. Inbox and direct messages in Instagram and Facebook. Those are wonderful. The amount of people that are contacting us is increasing a lot and they are very interested, recreational and 208

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commercial fishers, on different topics, but the main ones are fish identification, documents, regulations, workshops, and fishing license. This is this is an example of monthly bulletin. In that bulletin from February, we highlighted Joshua Quetell. We continue sharing Repaso de PEPCO. That is the material that Wilson presents in the commercial fisher’s education program that we use the same material and we put that material on the social media platforms. Also, I want to highlight again Ita and Ta. WAPA-TV went to their house, and they recorded an interview and also, they cooked for the program and for the presenter Lionfish. Because they appear on TV, our numbers in the YouTube channel increase a lot again. Those videos have been very inspiring for many people, including kids. For example, I was in a workshop a month ago and I met this family. This kid that was very impressed with Ita, and he loves to watch the videos because he sees another kid cooking there. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Cristina.

CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Mh-mm.

What is WAPA-TV?

CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: WAPA-TV is a local TV station in Puerto Rico and it's one of the main local TV stations. I also want to highlight J.J. fishing adventures because, again, I have been very impressed on how kids can feel compelled with the material that we share and their families too. J.J. and I know that some of you know him. He is from Saint Cro and his mom has been always encouraging him to fish and to publish material in his social media. His mom manages his page and J.J.’s favorite video is the one of a fisher of Saint Croix. And every time that he and his mom shared a video, people watch the video over and over again. He's lovely. Also, I want to talk about Ita and J.J. because, again, it's the way that we reach also children and what children can do and how they feel when they see the content and they are the present and the future of fishing too. We recently opened an ISSUU account. Now we will have a document available for the public, the documents are also in the web page. But now we have that this platform and people can download the 209

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documents too and also, we can share the documents easily in our social media platform such as Facebook and Twitter, for example. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Cristina, what is ISSUU?

CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: ISSUU is a platform that allows organizations or individuals to upload documents and also videos too. You can also allow the people that followed you to download the material from there. One of the advantages of ISSUU is that you can, when you share the material in social media, people can also read that material from their social media platform. Also, you can organize the material by topics, and it improved the way that you can reach that material in the web. WhatsApp. Wilson and I for more than a year, we have been preparing material, messages and also posts, that we share through WhatsApp, through a broadcast list. I want to thank Wilson for his effort that almost weekly we have been sending information to the fishers through WhatsApp. All the fisheres have been very impressed, and they like what we send. Also, they comment to Wilson, and they have been very thankful for that effort too. And thanks to all our collaborators and if you have questions I'm here. If not, now you can make some questions again or comments. And again, feel free to share with me your ideas to continue producing material for the social media. Questions/Comments MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Not a question, but a suggestion by Vanessa Ramirez for both, Alida and you. She suggests that we should produce more information material, outreach and education material for fishers regarding lobster, conch, and snapper. We have already posters and all that, but that's something that she suggested for Alida and you to take into consider. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ:

Thank you, Vanessa.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

Ya. Ya yo le contesté a Vanessa también.

MARCOS HANKE: On the same lines, maybe exploring the presenters that we had today that are doing a study on deep-water snappers to connect the scientists with the fishing community to whatever preliminary that can be public already, that they feel like it, to support you and to share material for those purposes. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: I totally agree. I have been attentive of what researchers have been sharing during 210

very this

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meeting. And there is a lot of material that we can use and translate for the people, so that they can reach that material in a language that they can understand. And, of course, thank you. Thank you very much. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much, Cristina. We are going to go for Liaison Officer Report. Cristina, can you help me out with the people online, the ones that are going to present? Who is online? CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ:

Yes. Nicole Greaux is online.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: Nicole. I see Nicole is online, and Wilson. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: She is. Wilson is also in the room. He has a presentation and Nicole is going to talk. ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

Mavel, I don't see her at all.

CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ:

No.

MARCOS HANKE: Okay. Nicole, presentation or participation.

ahead.

Thank

you

for

your

Liaison Officers Reports St. Thomas/St. John—Nicole Greaux NICOLE GREAUX: Hello. Good afternoon, everyone. I am Nicole Greaux, the Saint Thomas/Saint John liaison for the Division of Fish and Wildlife and CFMC. I would like to start off by saying that my counterpart, Marvel Maldonado, is taking care of some very serious personal issues right now. I do want all of us to just think good thoughts for her. She is just having a little bit of an issue that disabled her from being on this call. I do not have a presentation, but I am going to give a brief report on activities that have taken place since January, which is when my last presentation was. Currently here on Saint Thomas, I have been asked to do education outreach for the Division of Fish and Wildlife with the material that they have available, in regard to the fisheries and also the different species of fish that we have here, and one Eco-School has asked for a fish identification course, which I'm really happy about. Also, I was asked by the upward bound and by the cultural division of the University of the Virgin Islands to try to get [inaudible] involved with things like cultural aspect of our fisheries, whether it is building fish nets or repairing fish nets, building traps, 211

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and also the skinning of our most popular fish here, which is the triggerfish or the old wife. I've produced a video on that that will be released shortly given to the Council first and then given to the Division of Fish and Wildlife to use in our education and outreach there. With the Other programs that are happening around the island. Unfortunately, COVID kept us pretty much secluded, now with our ban lifted, I'm very excited to join in with DPNR and DFW to do more outreach and have more gatherings and hopefully have a chance to do education not only to our schools, but also to the local fishers. It has been announced and requested that we are going to get together, the liaisons as well as the department heads, with our main fishing association, which is the Saint Thomas Fishers Association to talk about and discuss better ways to getting information both educational and informative to the local fishermen that we have both here on Saint Thomas and Saint John. That’s it for my report. Thank you all very much. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you for your report. Wilson. Puerto Rico—Wilson Santiago

WILSON SANTIAGO: Yes. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Wilson Santiago. I am the Puerto Rico Fisheries Liaison. The next one. So, for my report. On this couple of months, we have been continuing the educational program for commercial fishers, we named it PEPCO. This year, we started with the face-to-face program again. So, the first one was last month in Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo. My other participation as a liaison is supporting Cristina Olán with the CFMC social medias for Repaso de PEPCO. She talked about that in her presentation. We are participating in the MREP committee meetings for the next workshop in August. We are sending, like Cristina said in her presentation, we’re sending educational post via WhatsApp. I want to make a parenthesis in this one and thank Cristina Olán too. She is wonderful making those educational posts. Like she said, the fishers have been very grateful and because of that, I am seeing a lot of what we are talking about, that that the fishers are helping more in scientific studies and everything. I think that the WhatsApp broadcasting educational post are a good target for those fishers because they are they are starting to cooperate more in the scientific. Okay? So, the fishers as well are joining the 212

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all the meetings, the CFMC meetings, and all the workshops. So, the WhatsApp broadcasting list, has been a very huge advance in the outreach for the fishers. Another participation. As liaison, we have been supporting the fishers with issues and information in the local and federal agencies. We have given educational material for the fisher and fishing communities. We are now, since the last year, given the recreational fishers educational program, that is a virtual one. We haven't started the face-to-face one because of the COVID, but we are giving it virtual. Next one, please. So, here's a photo of the PEPCO we made last month. The program completely-- for those of you who don't know a lot of the program. We talk about a lot of educational and informative topics. It is a three-hour workshop. In this workshop, I invite Jannette Ramos from the Sea Grant program. She gave us a very good topic about the lionfish and another fisheries topic. And in all the workshops we invite someone different, with different topics. Okay. In this PEPCO, we have 17 fishers who participated. For all the participants, we gave them a certificate of completion. The next workshop is going to be next week in April 27, it is going to be in Aguada with the partner Joel González. Next one, please. Okay. For the educational program, for recreational saltwater fishers, on March 31st, we gave the first virtual workshop of 2022. The topics were laws, regulation, marine species, and area management in state and federal waters. All these was for the recreational fishers. I want to do a special thanks to Helena Antoun and Cristina Olán, they always support me in this workshop and in other ones. Next one, please. Okay. So, as a liaison too, I've been collaborating with Alida Ortiz and the CFMC, the OEAP. I have been working with the MPAs. The last two Saturdays I went-- Cristina, the next one, please. This is a map that you can find in the USDA website and their book about the natural reserve in Puerto Rico. So, the last two Saturdays I have been around the island taking pictures of the bulletin boards that are in the natural reserve and the MPAs in jurisdictional waters and land. Okay? So, we have 22 protected areas that have a bulletin board, with information about the about 213

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the MPA’s or the natural reserve. Next one, Cristina. I'm not going to mention all this. But in this one there is a total of 22 of them. The ones that I didn't find any bulletin boards-there are 17 of them that I didn't find, in any of the areas, the informative board. Okay? So, that is for the record. I am collaborating with Alida with the handbook of the natural reserve and MPAs in jurisdictional waters. Next one. Okay? So over here now, I gave them in the December meeting. This are the 17 MPAs in Puerto Rico that have management plans. Continue and the next one too. Okay? So, these are some photos that I took this one from the web. Participation of the community and the DNER in some of the MPAs jurisdictional of the MPAs. Next one. Okay? Some of the of the bulletin boards that I found in the different areas. Next one. This is more of them. Some of them, I found in the web, like, Caja de Muerto, in Culebra I didn’t have the chance to travel in those areas because I have to take a boat. So, I got them from the web. Next one. Okay. For the Puerto Rico fishers issues. We continue with the issues of the commercial fishing license, with the DNR. This has been resolved little by little. The office of the licensing and the DNER are working in all matters to fixing this problem. There are new fishers that have misinformation about the closure, statistic reports, license and permit. That is one of the focuses of the PEPCO program, educational program. We are planning, every month we are giving one in different area of Puerto Rico. I have been coordinating this next week in Aguada, the other month is going to be in the East Coast, North and South. Okay? Fisher’s issues, like always, low enforcement to watch the closures and illegal commercial fishing in state and federal waters. That is an issue that every time-- it is a big issue for the fishers, you know? The fishers need support with different 214

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funding opportunity too. For that, Jeannette Ramos and other agencies are working with them, directly with them, and helping them with finding the funding opportunities. Okay? Next one, Cristina. Okay. For my next step, continue with the PEPCO face-to-face workshop. Continue with the recreational program workshop. We will continue supporting the CFMC social medias and the OEAP. We will continue supporting the fishers with their issues, visiting fishing villages, fishing communities, and giving them educational materials, and everything they need. Okay? So that is my report. If you have any question, that is my contact information, my phone number, email? Any question? Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Wilson. Go ahead, María.

MARÍA LÓPEZ-MERCER: Thank you. Maria López, NOAA Fisheries. It is not a question. It's just that I want to say, thank you, Wilson, for always being available for any time that we have questions about regulations or gear types or anything that you're always available and doing a great job as a liaison. Thanks. WILSON SANTIAGO: Yeah. Sure. Thank you. I want to say something else for Doctor Dalila. If you need any help finding fish for you for your research or anyone finding fish, or contacting fishers, you can contact me. I have a lot of contacts with commercial and recreational features, okay? I can do this portion. MARCOS HANKE:

Nelson?

NELSON CRESPO: Thank you, Wilson. Excellent presentation. Wilson, it is evident the lack of knowledge that the enforcement agencies have, are you planning to establish a permanent education program for the enforcement agencies? WILSON SANTIAGO: Well, yes. A couple of years back, before the pandemic started, we were making a workshop with the port sampler Jesús León from the East Coast. He has given some of those workshops for the FURA agents and the vigilantes of the DNER. So, yes. Right now, I'm not having any talks about giving those workshops, but yes, we can make them work again. Thank you, Nelson. MARCOS HANKE: Following up, Wilson, on a historic happening. I just was able to continue 12 years of effort with the US coast 215

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guard assisting them on fish ID and support the effort that U.S. Coast guard does here. Originally, DNR participated on that. For the next year, let's pay attention on the date and to see if we can include the vigilantes on those activities and maybe we can also include the NOAA OLE on it because we have that experience on the back. I think the whole team being there is also an opportunity for the enforcement agents to coordinate and to create those bridges that are so necessary. Go ahead Nelson. NELSON CRESPO: Marcos, if you need cooperation with fish samples or whatever you think I can help you with, you can count on me. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. Thank you, Wilson. Thank you all. We're going to take a break of five minutes, a quick break. There are some snacks on the back of the room for the people present, and we come back to try to catch up on the agenda. Thank you for the cooperation. (Whereupon, a brief recess was taken.) MARCOS HANKE: The break is over. We are ready to get to the final stretch of the meeting. Everybody's tired, ready to finish the meeting and we have just a few items on the agenda. Please take your seats. And eliminate the background noise on the back, please. The next presentation is me. [laughter] Now I have to do it quick. Waiting for the presentation to be up there. Fisher-Scientist Concepts—Marcos Hanke MARCOS HANKE: Good afternoon, everyone. Before I start, I want to say that the first word on that presentation is very much used on the conversations between many stakeholders, especially between fishermen and scientists. Take note of that. And also, the format of my presentation, everything that is on red is extremely important for you to focus your eyes on it because there is a follow-up implication to it. My name is Marcos Hanke. I am a B.A. marine biologist from UPR Humacao, Charter operator for about 30 years on the East Coast of Puerto Rico. And I have, as add on to my charter operation, something called 787Fishing Research Projects, which is private initiative. Next slide. Special thanks to all the people that are listed in there. Note 216

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that the first list are the people that directly helped me to shape this message up and with some technical support. Also, the recognition of the industry expert, highlight “experts,” Nelson Crespo, Roberto Silva and Tommy Forte. I consulted with them if they saw the event that I'm going to report to you guys today. And they confirmed that it was not being described. They never saw based on their experience. And also, the same for the experts on the academia and scientists that are listed below, my professor in UPR Humacao, malacologist, Cedar García, Evan Tuohy, Graciela Garcia-Moliner, Juan Cruz Motta, Martha Prada, Megan Davis, Michelle Schärer, Jim Franks, Jesus Rivera-Hernández. I want to read also to be sharp on my presentation Edgardo Ortiz, Virginia Shervette, Richard Appeldoorn, Diana Beltran, Aida Rosario. Thank you to all of them. And that mental picture that you have there, is the way the Caribbean functions. We need those stakeholders and those participants to work together. Next slide. Just for context, Charter observation background. Once we are in the water as a charter-- please, once I mentioned my charter, I put my hat there as a commercial fisherman or recreational fisherman because the same will apply, because there is time in the water that is very valuable in terms of observation. On this case, I'm going to speak for myself. I'm a charter operator. Home port in Fajardo; Fishing area on the East Coast of Puerto Rico. Pioneer on light tackle, and tarpon fishing for over 30 years. Collaborator on multiple research data collections. But due to the recent interest in documenting lane snapper age, growth and reproductive biology across the U.S. Caribbean, rack carcasses are saved, are fillet and donated to Doctor Shervette’s team and to the fishery lab of DNR. I thank both of them for allowing me to collaborate with them. Usually, fish carcasses are fed to the tarpon at the cleaning station, but since we started donating the snapper carcass to the research, we developed filtering techniques and other procedures to match the need or to increase the use of those incidental or samples that I can produce from my day-by-day in the water, the same can happen with the commercial fishermen. And you're going to see that in my presentation has a lot of things written. I will try to run over them. The reason I made the presentation like this is because I want for anybody that wants to 217

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go back to it and read it to really fully understand what I'm talking about, after my presentation. As consequence, of more careful treatment of the lane snapper and paying attention on August 28, 2021, I first observed a small conch in the stomach of the lane snapper. Immediately, I called Graciela and I said “Listen. I just saw this. This is really weird. I’ve never seen this before.” But I started paying, really paying close attention to it. Lane sapper are very abundant and a preferred target species for consumption for my clients as part of the sustainable fishing campaign of the Council. Lane snapper availability has been stable, and the abundance has increased over time. In Puerto Rico, on the East Coast, there is no direct lane snapper fishing nowadays. The landings are mostly-if you can eliminate the bar in below. No? It's okay. I know what it says. No. Don't worry. It is not a target fishery like we had on the past, nowadays it is basically done by traps and nets and incidental catch, not a direct target fishery. Next slide. In order to protect the information that I'm going to present and protect the resource and the value of what I observed, I will share, just for you to know where my home port is and have a general idea. I will not present the specific area of the observations. Next slide. Well, science does talk to the fishermen. And this is something that we need to promote. One of the most important references is Randall, in terms of basic biology on fishery and different other aspects, stomach analysis and so on. Randall didn't, on that list of-- Let me read it. One of the most definitive, broadscale studies of Caribbean fish feeding, only mentions queen conch strombus gigas documented in stomachs of the following snapper species: mutton gray, dog, yellowtail. Note, no lane snapper there. Note too, that estimated conch size where 70 to 80 millimeters. Pay attention to the red. Strombus Gigas are also found in the stomach of grunt species like white grunt, striped grunt. Overall, conch was not common in the stomach of fish samples examined and only tissue was noted. This 218

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is observations and information by Randall. This is extremely important. On the end of this slide, there was no shell found on the guts of the fish when Randall made his observations. Go to the next slide, please. Note the very important thing, no lane snapper there, on the list. And Randall made a hypothesis that whatever he saw inside of the Lane snapper that was parts of the conch was an opportunistic feeding. And no shells found on the guts. Highlight that again. Go ahead. Talking a little bit about lane snapper even though about everybody here in the room knows, but there is public outside of the room that should know just to put it in the right context. On my charter, lane snapper is one of the most common snapper species along the East Coast of Puerto Rico. It is very abundant in inshore waters and all year-round. Occur on a diversity of depth and habitats. This is one of the lane snappers that was donated to the stock assessment that is coming up. It was a 38.8-centimeter total length, right? Lane snapper. And there you have also a citation below about lane snapper and the movements and how important it is in terms of the fishery. Next. Charter observation. 15-years of observations from fishing efforts on lane snapper presence and abundance in Area-1 and Area-3 -Highlight every time I mention an area, be mindful that there are two different areas. --on the East Coast of Puerto Rico. Area-1, lane snapper presence/abundance appears to be related to tidal period, color of the water, wind speed, and wind direction. On Area-3, lane snapper presence or abundance is consistent and continuous year-round, does not seem to correlate with any of the things I listed before. Time of the day, moon phase, tide stage, or season. Definitely for me as a fisherman, there was a big difference between one area and the other. There is information below about the size of maturity of lane snapper. Males, 147 millimeters. Females, 185 millimeters. Another reference. In inches three to nine inches or 10 to 23 centimeters when they mature. Just to give a reference to the public. Keep going. Voila. First observation, August 28. First conch, small conc inside 219

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of the stomach of a lane snapper, probably was eaten during the day because I caught this fish like mid-morning. There are no signs of predigesting is had a very vivid color. Next slide. Second observation is still on Area-1. Note that what I observed was piece of an operculum attached to some tissue and the external part when the conch is walking or displacing itself, is the part that I am collecting. Right? I observed it on those fish. And something extremely important in all this data it was totally opportunistic. I'm not looking for this. Those are regurgitated at the boat. okay? This was just part of my day-by-day with my clients. Next slide. Now on area three, the other area. From January 16 to February 25, 2022, five of eight fishing trips included lane snapper with remains of conch present in the stomach or regurgitated at the boat. It's not a stomach analysis study. It's just that by accident, I was able to observe pieces of conch. Images of the operculum from the conch species regurgitated on the boat were found on the stomach too. Once we were cleaning and processing the fish, there are some images there. I want to highlight that the images with the different operculum on the part below was one day of 57 lane snappers being caught. Some of them were kept on the cooler and they regurgitated those when I went to clean them because it is just lane snappers that I keep for my clients to eat. They regurgitated on the icebox, right? I was able to count six opercula at that time. Next. Area-3. Lane snapper with conch part in the stomach are regurgitated on the boat. Those fish are observed with light barotrauma aided in expelling stomach content via regurgitation. There is a light expansion of the abdomen, and the fish are regurgitating on the water column coming up, but some of the content stay inside of the fish. I have more images. That's very important because the numbers that I'm seeing there, most likely could be higher if the fish didn't expel part of the stomach content on the way up. Next. I was really intrigued because all I received was, “Oh, this 220

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information is not recorded. It's great anecdotal information. And let's see, on the best scenario, what you can do in the future.” But I couldn’t stay with that because I knew there was something different on those observations. I need to find out what it was. I talked to one of my captains that is a diving instructor. We went to the area, proceeded with a transect, with the GPS location from point A to B. The diver went through a straight line. No slack on the buoy. Conch count was made at one meter in each side of the transect. On the first transect, we tried to make video observation. It was a test. It didn't work out. The diver, which was Captain Juan, listed at the beginning of my presentation, used, at that time, two square meters of the end of that transect to count the amount of conch on that little area to see how many of them were alive and how many of them were dead or empty. Right? And the characteristics or the situation in terms of the shells, if it was crushed or any other observation. What he found, was total of 13 conchs in two square meters. 11 of them alive and two empties. Next slide. Remarkable density observation. Three diving transects. The first one I just described to you; the other ones were just a straight line to count the amount of shells that were there. We didn't address how many were alive or how many were dead. But we have at least a preliminary little data of that ratio, right? Just to give you a little sense of what is going on. At least we know that not all of them were dead or not all of them were alive and there is more research needed. Anyway, in three transects there were 208 small conchs in 172.8 square meters. That was the sample, which would make 1.2 conch per square meter. When I'm talking conch, I'm talking about any of the three species, okay? I don't pretend to say one species at this point because there are more studies needed. Again, the 13 conchs, 11 alive, two empties. If-- and this is the part that comes from the naiveness of a fisherman, right? If the density is evenly distributed, on the whole area with a similar habitat and depth, which the area is there, the extrapolation would be 343,029 conchs, present at this place on Area-3. This is remarkable. But there is a study-- thank you to Richard --a study in La Parguera in which it was documented that just 11 percent of the area is where those conchs or species of conchs gather and there is a higher concentration. The size of the conchs that they documented matched the size of the conchs 221

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that we documented. The density that they documented was 0.14 conchs per square meter. Note, that my number was 1.2 conch per square meter, much higher. Next. On the continuation of the remarkable density. On Area-3, lane snapper charter fishing ground, the area that I go fishing, where the three transects were made, was an area that is just 2.5 percent of the total area, which is 10,360 squared meters. This area probably could contain, if you used the same density of 1.2, 12,432 small conchs if density are extrapolated from transect findings. If we assume that 1.2 per square meter in 11 percent, like in the Lucarillo Bay reference, we are talking roughly around 45,000 little conchs. I don't pretend these to be final numbers. Please, scientists don't itch yourself. I just want to show you that we also have, as an industry, the interest to find numbers and to develop research and create preliminary data to understand what is going on in our environment. More research is needed. Next. Relevant observations. Lane snapper with evidence of conch species consumption. This is the range of the size of all of them was adult. Small conch species from all transects, 1.2 per square meter. Conch parts from lane snapper mainly consistent of soft tissue close to the operculum. This part of the conch extends out of the shell and is potentially vulnerable to nipping. This is part of my hypothesis, and there are a few things that I would love to share with some scientists to find out what's really going on here. Double and triple conch clusters was observed during the transects, it was not individuals randomly distributed. You could see pairs and triples together during the transect. No conch shells or fragments were observed inside of the lane snapper stomachs, if that was the case, that will support the idea that a nurse shark or a bigger fish crashed the shell and they ingested and some of those good parts and that will have fragments of conch on it. We didn't see that, which is consistent with random. No sig-- which is what I say below. Most of the conch individuals observed on Area-3 are strombus pugilis, identified to species using conch shell diagnostics then released specimens alive. And thank you to all the scientists that help me out to identify the most common species by using the shells. 222

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And I want to comment that the operculum of the small conchs about the same size I saw, some of them have a soft surface on the edges of the operculum, others have serrated edge, which is one of the things that is used to distinguish between the species. More study is needed to make sure that besides strombus pugilis, what else is in there? Next. Area-1 versus Area-3. Area-1, in 62 fishing trips, I observed in two trips conch pieces, regurgitated at the boat, 3.2 percent probability to see conch on this area opportunistically regurgitated at the boat. Area-3, eight fishing trips, five trips I saw that event happening, 62 percent, which means that 19.3 times more likely to see opportunistically conch being regurgitated at the boat on Area-3 versus Area-1. That's a very strong number right there, right? And probably can guide us on future efforts to really put a method there to answer more questions. Next. Questions answer. This is the part that when I was thinking about it, I saw how cool it was to do this effort and to dedicate time money and effort to do this because I feel that I'm representing the capacity of the fishing industry on producing important information to support ecosystem-based management. Lane snapper, lutjanus synagris, directly feeds on conch species in the waters of the East Coast of Puerto Rico? Yes. That's new. Documenting lane snapper predation on conch species providing important information about ecosystem interaction? Yes. The main species of conch observed so far in Area-3 is Strombus pugilis? Again, thank you very much all the conch specialists that confirmed the conch species by the shell. Thank you to those experts. This is a bridge that cannot be related just because Marcos is a Chairman or a guy that calls people. This is something that needs to be available to all the people from the fishing industry when they want to be supported by scientists. Next. Questions to be answered. How or in what matter does lane snapper feed on conch species? Which conch species are consumed by lane snapper? Which species of conch occur in Area-3? What factors drive the relatively high density of conch in this area? Trophic relation relevance? Are there temporal/seasonal shifts in density of conch species in Area-3? What are the habitat characteristics of Area223

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3? There are other questions, these are just the ones that I could come up with. Next. Historical dilemma. This is an opportunity that this Council in front of us, we have to find the new doors, the new ways of addressing speed on data, engagement, education and capacity building for this area. A historical dilemma is when you treat an anecdotal information versus scientific information and to make the bridges and the connections in between them. The definition in Oxford language says, not necessarily true or reliable, because it's based on a personal account rather than facts and research. Please don't forget that definition. At the end of the presentation, I’ll have a message related to that. That's what anecdotal is. That's correct, right? Too often we hear from the fishermen, can you help me to document, record, corroborate my observation? I’ve seen this happen for 30 years. What happens is that it's not on the cycle of research, it's not the priority at this moment and that opportunity gets lost. In the Caribbean, we have a high demand for data. We need to do a better job on this. Fishmen need to be more participative. This is a call for the fishermen, and this is a call for the scientists. Next. Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management. How can ecosystem-based management work better? Must include the best scientific information, tools, models, and data development. In order to do that, new mechanisms to corroborate industry expert observations utilizing rigorous scientific-based methods have to be developed. I call these the doors. Where are the doors that we can knock and be participative on the development of new information based on science? We need to develop those doors. Pursue new scientific input from all stakeholders for model development and in the decision-making process. This means that industry contributions should not only be limited to anecdotal information. That ends happening that is not so important. It is informative, but it's not so important because the industry doesn't have the same capacity and opportunity to prove their points with a scientific method or to pass through the process.

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Next. Hope is the way to do it. Find scientists that truly recognize your knowledge and experience are valuable. Discuss with the scientists how to move forward starting the data collection and process. Make yourself available to collaborate in scientific study. We heard that today on this room many, many times. Continue requesting support and industry engagement. Participate in formal scientific data collection, especially the ones you recognize the importance and that you can dedicate your time. New momentum. New momentum is currently related to establish NOAA Caribbean Fishery Branch, current interest in support of fisheries data collection improvement and engagement with the stakeholders. That's an opportunity. I see that, and that's why I'm doing this presentation, because I want to reinforce the need and to reinforce that opportunity. Make your expert observation count and be part of the scientific process. This is the only way to ensure rigorous and meaningful ecosystem-based management on the Caribbean. When I put that priority of NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Management Center, if you noted, in data collection there is a NOAA ship and a drone. There is not much something elusive to fishermen collaboration or fish dependent data collection. There's probably a new bubble that would need to be put right there. I know they can follow through some of those bubbles, but I see as a very important bubble to be there, another circle that should be there. Graphically or in terms of concept. Next. Recommendations. Create a task force and allocate resources at local and national level to guide fisherman on how to collect, document, record and store initial relevant information from fishermen’s perspectives. Support fishers in the design of forms and other digital tools to collect initial data. That doesn't mean that that data is going to end in a full-blown data collection, but at least we have a startup that once the opportunity arrives, we are in better position to start. There's no promise, right? We don't have money for everybody. We don't have people for everybody. But we have to start some way somehow. To facilitate the engagement of fishermen with researchers, cut costs, and speed up research tasks, propose establishing a list of future potential fishermen scientific collaborators. Industry task force. The list would potentially include information provided by each fisherman on their boats, licenses, target species, areas of 225

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expertise, and specialized skills and license, insurance, etcetera, etcetera. My experience is that most of the researchers spend six months to a year before they make the right content and identify collaborators to do research in the Caribbean. That's something that we can support the system by creating an industry class force. Must report the research results to industry collaborators. So many times, we are taxis. We take people out there they do the job. We don't receive feedback from the results, And that's the story. The fishermen need to be considered on those results and receive feedback of the results because that's capacity building. You are making them understand what is going on. Include fishers on future studies in all developmental steps of fisheries-related scientific investigations. For example, include fishing associations, use independent fishers, fishing villages and others. Less anecdotal and more meaningful information is the important thing. Now remember when we talk about the definition of anecdotal. I'm going to read this very careful because it took up many hours for me to try to put this in the right measure. For me, anecdotal information observations just waiting to be verified and proven true or reliable. These are based on many years of personal observations or professional observations and generations of knowledge rather than facts or research that also change and evolve over time. Just like the anecdotal, right? The anecdotal can change because it's not solid, but science also can change because that's the evolution of life. Both complement each other and are essential to building the best information available for ecosystem-based fisheries management. What I'm trying to say is that there is no friction here. It's just a need for coordination between the sectors and between the concepts. Next, this is the citations. Next. Very briefly, I didn’t know if I needed to put that out there. Most of the people that revised this told me to do it just because I wish more charters and commercial fishermen can follow those steps and do a private initiative like this. 787Fishing Research Project is a private initiative from my charter. Our mission is to opportunistically collect preliminary data from day-by-day in the water. Making observations available to researchers, graduate students, agencies for the future research projects to speed up the process due to our high data need, information need that can 226

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guide us better. The initiatives nowadays are, barotrauma, deep-water squid that we presented at this Council. We just had Fuete y Vergilla distributed to everybody. Recently, I'm collecting bait fish in relation to the sargassum influx. That's coming up, that will be my next presentation, hopefully, to this to this Council. Lane snapper and Strombus species field observations presented today. Note that these initiatives are grassroots, private donation of time, effort to support science development follow-up, formal research effort are conducted in collaboration with the research and agencies. And thank you for your patience and understanding my emotion, my drive to do this. This is not a criticism; it's just trying to lay it out there, opportunities of engagement and opportunities of doing a much better job in terms of how we collect or have access to new information. Next slide. Questions? Kevin and Nelson. Questions/Comments KEVIN MCCARTHY: Thanks, Marcos. Really nice presentation. I was having flashbacks to years ago when I used to work on conch when you were going through all the all of that work. I really appreciate your emphasis on collaborating with the fishers. As I've mentioned in a couple of my presentations, we have some CRP, cooperative research programs kind of things going on both with the gear selectivity, with the-- You know, even with working with fishers in the port sampling, you know, to make sure that when we have people out there, they're doing the best job possible and they can move things through. One of the ways we like to approach this is that in-- you know, I like the idea of having conversations right at the beginning, so that we can understand and learn from the fishers in various aspects of designing a project. Right? There are things that the fishers bring to the table. There are things that the scientists bring to the table. And getting all of that expertise together I think is a really nice way to start a project. In addition to going out on the water and doing all of that work. But right from the beginning, talking to one another, and learning what the fishers know, making sure that as scientists we’re explaining, “here's what we're trying to do. This is what the project's supposed to do.” And then most importantly, at the end 227

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of it, coming back and reporting out. Right? “Here's what we did together. Here's what we learned.” So, I think that's really important. I like the idea of the way you use the term “capacity building” because a lot of times when we talk about capacity building, we're talking about building more labs or getting more lab space and thinking about capacity on the science side. But I like the idea as well and that terminology of capacity for having a group of fishers that are willing and able to participate in the actual work on the water. So, I think that's a great use of the term. And I really appreciate your presentation. So, thank you very much. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you very much. Nelson.

NELSON CRESPO: Thank you, Marcos. Excellent. We are connected in mind. We are on the same page. We are seeing that the interest of fishermen in contributing to the management of fisheries is growing day by day. I think that it would be of great benefit for both for both parties, the scientific and the fishery community. I suggest studying the possibility of creating a bank of fisher scientists for P.R. and the U.S.V.I., trained to support the scientists when they are going to do investigations. Instead of looking from somebody else, they can check on a list of fishers and call them. They can be trained to know how to take otoliths, make measurements, process samples, how to collect info, etcetera. The advantage of this is that the fishers can bring support with knowledge to the field and be involved in the process. That would be really beneficial for everybody because the fishermen are going to have a stronger trust on the scientific support and then the support is going to have more valid information because it is coming straight from the field. I think, you know, we can take a good advantage of this. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you, Nelson. Basically, in other wording, I presented the same. Thank you very much for restating that. I want to -- I'm going to give you the word, Julian. I want to highlight this. Today, during this meeting, we have nassau grouper representation by Evan, deep water presentation by Stacey Williams, the work with Reni García, Wess Merten, all of them with a strong emphasis on the fish industry or fishermen participation and the need of more of that participation. I want to highlight that this is already happening and that's something good that talks good about our region and our Caribbean Council. Julian and Andy. JULIAN MAGRAS: Julian Magras, for the record. Excellent, excellent 228

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presentation. For the years I have known you, Marcos, you have come a long way. You've been putting a lot of really, really good presentations and creating a lot of new avenues for the fishers and the community. I've been preaching this for a very, very long time with my counterparts, Nelson and Ed Schuster. With the fishermen involvement, I think we can accomplish a lot, lot more and gather a lot more information to fill in those boxes that need to be filled in. I think with the proper training that our work can be validated and be sound I think you can create, like Nelson said, a nice group of individuals, it could be fishers, it could be fisher families, because a lot of the fisher's wives work very close with the fishers also. I really, really think this is a move in the right direction. I hope that we can continue the discussion. Not only the discussion, but implement this, so when that future comes in, when we sit down to do an assessment, we would have the information that the scientists need in order for them to do their job because we were able to collect it in a timely manner. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Julian. Andy?

ANDREW STRELCHECK: So, Marcos, I commend you on your presentation. Clearly showed your passion not only for fishing, but fisheries management. And so, I appreciate that. A couple of thoughts here. I fully agree with many of your recommendations. Right? I love the idea of a bank of fishermen to support fishery managers, scientist, others in terms of the work that needs to get done. As you and I think would agree, there's millions and millions of questions that could be asked. There's lots and lots of gaps in information. And so, anytime you're working toward, kind of, addressing those questions, you really want to be very thoughtful and strategic in terms of specific questions. What would be asked or evaluated an answered and then more importantly, kind of, setting expectations. How's that data going to be used? What could it be used for if collected in the right manner? So, I think that's where Kevin and his group at the Science Center come in. But I also see a huge opportunity here where this really needs to be well coordinated. In the South Atlantic, they have a citizen science program, a coordinator that sits at the South Atlantic Council. I'm not suggesting that's the option right here, but it puts the emphasis on that person to help work with industry and coordinate an ask these specific questions that then can feed into 229

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the scientific process. Here, you have the liaisons. We just got liaison reports. Maybe there's some bandwidth or opportunity there to work with them as well. But I think the key to all of this obviously, kind, of being very specific in terms of questions that can be asked and kind of sequencing that and building the program, right, and building the buy in and support. So, I really love your comments and I look forward to kind of expanding upon this and how we can really improve working relationships. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. I really appreciate all the support you can give us into the future and we're going to keep for sure the conversation. Richard? RICHARD APPELDOORN: Yeah. Two things. specifically on Nelson's comments.

First,

follow-up,

What he was talking about is exactly what the SSC had as one of its bullet recommendations. It was to train fishermen to be able to be the collectors and to be able to do the monitoring certainly in ways and in intensities or coverages that most programs can't do, you know, without their help. The second thing, just to go on. So, Marcos, did contact me about this and of course it combined two of my favorite things, conch and connectivity. So, he had me rather captive and I was glad to drop whatever boring thing I was doing probably SSC work. [laughter] And, you know, help him out with this. And, you know, one of the questions was, I think, what somebody mentioned, “Well, how do we use this?” How can this actually serve something the Council really needs to know about? And so, you know, on the one hand, you've well documented that the fish are feeding on these species, and you already have enough for a short scientific note to that regard. There are other questions, like you said, “Well, how do they actually do this?” That's, outside of watching hours and hours of video, hoping to capture one, I'm not sure how you would do that. But one of the things I had mentioned was, you have two systems here that gives you kind of a replicative comparative systems, because they're not exactly the same, but they're looking at important aspects of connectivity. These fish move around. They've found a resource that's in these bays. You know, how important is the bay to their feeding and the species of the bay? Where are they taking that energy to? Because they'll go someplace and then they'll defecate and urinate and supply nutrients to someplace else. 230

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So, this is the kinds of things, from an ecological point of view, that are important in EBFM. Of course, there's lots of other things too. But to me, that's where the scientific value was. And if I was not retired and banned from the sun, this would be something I’d really be excited to pursue. So, you really opened up an exciting avenue, I think, and I'm hoping that we can find somebody that pick that up? MARCOS HANKE: We can follow-up on that. The whole idea is for the information to come through, right? For us all to get informed. Thank you. Cristina. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: speak. MARCOS HANKE:

John Walter is waiting for a turn to

John Walter, the floor is yours.

JOHN WALTER, III: hear me?

Okay. Hopefully, my video works. Can everyone

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER:

Yes.

JOHN WALTER, III: Good. I'm sorry that I can't make it this week to the meeting. I'm really glad that Kevin is able and representing the Center. Marcos, Mr. Chair, your presentation really resonated with me having spent most of my master's degree cutting open fish stomachs. I share your passion for figuring out what they eat and making sense of it. So that was it's really neat to see. And I think what also really resonated with me was your comment about reaching out to the science community, and it's a two-way street for us to be able to make progress. So, I think Kevin is there; reach out to Kevin. You’ve got other great scientists that have been very involved in the fisheries and in research. I think that that twoway street between collecting and using the information and knowledge of fishermen and working with science to turn that into actionable management is, I think, the key. The other big piece of that is the funding to be able to do that because resources are limited. But I will note that there are cooperative research program grant projects that are quite effective in us being able to motivate the funds to address fishery issues. There is also Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program, which a lot of that is to promote fisheries and fisheries marketing and those are going to be announced, actually, today. The FY2022 S-K 231

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grants. So, those are ones that can specifically be used to motivate a lot of this kind of work. I just want to call those people's attention. And thank you again for the great presentation and acknowledging our Center's commitment to the Caribbean with our new branch that Kevin leads. Thanks. MARCOS HANKE: Yes, Miguesl

Thank you for your timely participation. Thank you.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Thank you. I believe that, not at this meeting, but I would encourage Marcos, Graciela, and Richard, to put your minds together and come up with a study that can be of significance out of the list of topics that the SSC put together. Maybe we can identify a study that will have the participation of U.S. Virgin Island fishers, Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix, and Puerto Rico, of something that is doable. We can start this year. And for that, we can set aside some money. We don't have a lot of money, but we can set aside some money. If we can follow this with an example of a survey, of a study that will engage the fishers, this would be an example that can be used for other years, so we can allocate funding. It was mentioned before, we have S-K and other sources of funding. In addition, yesterday, you mentioned that there is a new, let's say, fishery or new use of fish traps around Puerto Rico. We need to have that information ready for the Council to make any decision. Remember, in the EEZ, you are not allowed to use trap, but there is still the use of traps. I was talking to Reni and, for example, outside Ponce they were doing a survey of the fauna associated to the with the outflows of sewage at a very deep depth, in deep waters, and they couldn't dive there, so they used traps. All of the traps came full of fish. So, there's an interest of having this. So those two projects. Two opportunities. One project that Marcos and Richard and Graciela can put together with the help of anybody else that is able and willing to join, could be followed this year, to start it this year. And I believe that you should also check with the liaison officers, with the Chairs of the DAPs to see if we can put together that project with the participation of those fishers. And thank you for your presentation. I believe that it is timely. Thank you.

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MARCOS HANKE: Thank you to all for your patience and all the questions. I feel very honored to have this opportunity. I really do. Graciela. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: So, one request would be to make sure that we have the support of the Office of Science and Technology or something like that, because for the deeper water traps, etcetera, we would really like to look at what's in the bottom. What are the habitats that we would be impacting. So, the Nancy Foster was recently here for two missions, you know, mapping and using of an ROV. We do keep in contact with the other NOAA Offices that deal with mapping and habitat descriptions, etcetera. So, I think that we should really find like a point, a person of contact, that can be working with us doing these projects, especially for the deeper water technology that we need. MARCOS HANKE: We have another item on the agenda and we're going to keep going. We have no other questions. We have enforcement report. I’m going to start with Puerto Rico. DAMARIS DELGADO: MARCOS HANKE: you?

Hello, Damaris. Happy to hear your voice. How are

DAMARIS DELGADO: MARCOS HANKE:

Hello?

I am good. Nice to hear you too.

Go ahead. Enforcement Reports Puerto Rico—DNER

DAMARIS DELGADO: Nice to see you. From our part since December 2021. We have been acquiring new equipment for rangers for the maritime units. Within that equipment, there are three new utility cards, these are what we call ‘cuotas,’ for the Maritime units. And we are waiting for six jet skis that would be arriving at any time now. There has been acquisition of vehicles as well. Rangers have been taking trainings, including the ones of skills for interventions, right interventions. DNER has identified funds to establish a new ranger school, what we call ‘Academia’ for the rangers, so we can recruit many more rangers as employees. Efforts of patrolling and surveillance in coasts, ramps, docks, and coastal waters around Puerto Rico were conducted. An intervention was carried out with hawksbill turtle that a person was found with one of these species in Aguadilla, and the case was submitted to the legal office. 233

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There have been at least two referrals to Borges, Agent Borges, because these people had taken mackerel species without permits, without the HMS permits. Also, I have one illegal taking of 36 queen snappers without a license. This was also in the Northwest side of Puerto Rico; this was in Aguadilla as well. So, this is the report that I have for now. If you have any questions. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you, Damaris. Nelson.

NELSON CRESPO: Hola, Damaris. Qué bueno verte. Just a recommendation about the Ranger's Academy. If it's possible, I would like to request to include ID species identification and federal law update for all the new rangers. All we know is that there is a lag, they don’t know all the regulations implemented and sometimes that causes a problem, a misunderstanding with fishers and the Rangers. That's my recommendation. DAMARIS DELGADO: Thank you very much. So, as Yamitza was explaining in the chat. We have been giving training to the rangers with regards to the law, fisheries law and regulation, and on identification of species. So, I think, you know, continuing education is always good. Maybe we can try to standardize the times for these type of training with the coordination of the head of the rangers. We could try to do that. As of now, it has been spontaneous. Whenever we our resources, internal resource within DNER, can make it, they coordinate the trainings. But we could try to do something more standardized, like to make sure that, I don't know, maybe two times a year or whatever is needed is conducted. So, I'm open, you know, to that to those discussions. As a matter of fact, when it was suggested in the chat. I touched base with the director of the Rangers, and I asked her what she would think about it, in terms of more of an official type of training continuing education to the to the rangers being instructed from the head of the rangers. Instead of efforts through our offices within the Secretary of Conservation and Research, and the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife. MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you so much.

DAMARIS DELGADO:

So, maybe I could help to gather more rangers 234

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taking the training, maybe. So, thank you for the recommendation, Nelson. NELSON CRESPO:

Thank you.

MARCOS HANKE: We keep in touch with you offline to support any effort you need from us. We're going to have the report from Manny Antonaras, OLE. NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement MANNY ANTONARAS: Thank you. Alright. Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Manny Antonaras. I’m with NOAA’s Office of law enforcement. I got a few updates for the Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I. field offices since the last meeting when we presented. Next slide, please. These are just a couple highlights of some patrol activity and complaint response that our special agent in Puerto Rico Miguel Borges, and Alex Torero, he's the officer in Saint Thomas. So, first slide I have here is for Puerto Rico. We responded to a couple of complaints of illegal fishing in Bajo de Sico. So, Miguel along with Alex Torero set up a patrol operation targeting these areas and they actually worked in conjunction with CBP air marine out of Puerto Rico. During that patrol, they conducted boarding with eight vessels. One of those boardings resulted in summary settlement offer that was issued for harvest of yellowfin tuna without the required HMS permit. Another vessel was issued a written warning for having paying customers on board. That vessel had an HMS permit, it was just an incorrect permit. So, Miguel opted to issue a written warning for that particular incident and helped the captain obtain the correct HMS permit. Special agent Borges has also initiated an HMS investigation that was a result of a social media post involving a fisher that harvested yellowfin tuna. After making contact with that fisherman and determining that there was actually a violation, Miguel also documented that with a written warning and helped that fisher come into compliance. We had a complaint that came in into the Puerto Rico field office involving some more HMS compliance harvesting yellowfin tuna without HMS permits. And after that case was initiated, a followup investigation was conducted with some field interviews. A summary settlement offer was also issued in that particular case. And that one was for a thousand dollars. And then following that 235

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summary settlement, we helped the fisher come into compliance by obtaining the appropriate HMS permit. Next slide, please. This is just a few pictures that I pulled out of our weekly report. These top two pictures were from Puerto Rico incidents and actually all of them, but the one in the middle was out of U.S.V.I. Next slide, please. This particular one. Okay. So, this is just a follow-up on the Puerto Rico recap. We had another investigation involving a social media post. This complaint came into the San Juan field office as well and involved individuals that appeared to be swimming with dolphins. And so, dolphin harassment has been an issue throughout the Southeast, and we have been receiving reports in Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. So, in this case, also provided compliance assistance. The agent was able to contact the tour operator that offers cruising and beach tours and provided outreach education in an effort to deter that activity in the future. We're also following up on other legal, actually illegal feeding of dolphins. These are specific to Puerto Rico, and the agent in Puerto Rico is working with our office of protected resources at the regional office to address those. We've got a few ongoing investigations. We're also doing outreach education and posting signage when possible. We have in the past worked with some marinas to post signs. I believe I gave an update on one of those incidents during to last meeting. The last bullet I have here for Puerto Rico was a joint effort with customs border protection, and they offered opportunity for the agent to come in during their custom border protection trade week. The agent provided a brief on our mission authority and sorts of things we do. They CBP has actually been very helpful. They've offered us opportunities for patrols. They they've assisted with providing air assets upon request. And so, we maintain that relationship along with relationship we have with P.R., DNER, and DPNR and U.S.V.I. Next slide, please. A few updates on the efforts in U.S.V.I. So, as I mentioned earlier, we have enforcement officer Alex Torero assigned to Saint Thomas. During the past couple months, he worked with U.S. Coast Guard, they initiated two patrols in the EEZ, and this was following some complaints of foreign vessel incursions from the 236

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North. They patrolled North of Saint Thomas and Saint John. No targets during that particular patrol. Also worked with Howard Forbes group, the officers with DPNR to respond to a complaint of dolphin harassment in U.S.V.I. They conducted some patrols on two separate days and areas harassment was being reported, and those are still being monitored. Note, nothing in terms of actual vessels or subjects documented during those visits. Then there were-- Let's see. A couple patrols were done. One was a joint patrol with DPNER looking at HMS charter fleet, monitor those. There were three separate land patrols. Again, ensuring compliance with the HMS charter fleet. And then there was also dockside patrol looking at commercial fishery offloads. And the last bullet I have there involves a complaint that came in that impacted, but the complaint that came in was that folks were interfering with a sea turtle nest habitat. So, the officer in U.S.V.I. responded with DPNR biologists to the area and worked to put up some signage there, you can see along the beach access, in an effort to deter any future harassment. And as you can see there, that sign also post the potential fines for damaging see turtle nests. Next slide, please. I wanted to just briefly touch on our SIMP and CITIES activities. So, for those that don't know, we have a growing priority for SIMP enforcement. That's a Seafood Import Monitoring Program. And CITIES, which is actual actually something that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife takes the lead on, but it's something that applies when we're doing our inspections of product that's coming into U.S. ports. So, we have begun looking at seafood product coming into Saint Thomas and U.S.V.I. And as you can see there, SIMP, Seafood Import Monitoring Program, establishes reporting and record keeping requirements for all imports of specific seafood species. There's 13 of them. And the intent here is to combat IUU or illegal unreported and unregulated seafood product that are caught and/or misrepresentation or falsely labeled from entering into the U.S. So SIMP provides additional protections for things like our national economy, global food security, sustainability of our ocean marine resources. So, there's, like I said, 13 different species groups, the first 11 were implemented in January of 2018. And then there were two 237

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other groups that were added, that's the shrimp and abalone that came online in December of 2018. So, of those 13 groups, there’s 1,100 unique species that are included in the SIMP program. And those are determined based on the species that are most vulnerable to IUU fishing, seafood fraud, or both. And as you can see here, SIMP covers about half of all seafood imports into the United States. And so, for those 13 species groups, that they're a part of SIMP right now that includes things like-- and again, this is a nationwide program, so it's not specific to the Caribbean. But the species that are currently covered under SIMP are abalone, atlantic cod, blue crab, dolphin or mahi, all the grouper species, king crab, pacific cod, red snapper, sea cucumber, shark species, shrimp and swordfish. And the last one is tunas which covers albacore, big eyes, skipjack, yellowfin, and bluefin. So, all those species that are coming in are subject to these traceability documents that have to be uploaded and submitted. Our officers and agents use the, it's called the ITDS, International Trade Data System, which is the government single data portal for all imports and exports reporting to trace species back to the point of harvest or production and verify that they were lawfully harvested or produced. Next slide, please. That concludes the updates. And I have here contact information for Miguel Borges and Alex Torero. And as I usually do, I included the report a violation link on the bottom. And let me just add one note before we go to questions. I talked to Marcos about this earlier, but our office is in the process, right now, of doing a five-year priority setting. We do this every five years. So, our current five-year priority is expiring this year in 2022. So, for 2023 through 2027, we are now, you know, in this current year setting in the priority setting process. And what we like to do is reach out to constituent groups, to the Councils, to our partners, our state partners, and federal partners, and ask for input as we set those priorities. One thing I'd like to do with the Caribbean Council is extend an invite to the DAPs for Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I., Saint Thomas and Saint Croix and ask for inputs from those DAPs but also from local fishers as we consider priorities and priority setting for the next five years. I know there's been a lot of concern with different things that have been brought up through this Council and we have addressed them as best as we can with limited 238

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resources, but the important part of priority setting is getting the information and prioritizing. What we say is “prioritize the priorities” because, you know, everything is a priority to different groups, but we want to do those things as effectively and efficiently as we can in conjunction with our partners. Questions/Comments MARCOS HANKE: Yeah. Noted. Sorry to interrupt you. I just want to make sure I don't forget. Please send an email to us to formalize the petition. We took the note from it, and we can coordinate like a virtual meeting with the DAPs Chairs or any other form to do that. MANNY ANTONARAS: Great. Thanks. And that concludes the brief. I’ll take any questions. NELSON CRESPO:

Nelson? Thank you. Excellent. Excellent report.

First of all, the fishing community have started feeling your presence. I know that because they are driving me crazy asking how to obtain the permits, especially for the HMS species and that's good, because I drive Miguel Borges crazy too with all the question they have. I think that it is appropriate if you, in one way or another, can bring some workshop to the local enforcement agency, especially the DNR rangers. Because for example, two weeks ago, one ranger had an intervention with one fisher and wanted to confiscate their catch because he had tunas. “You don't have the HMS permits.” But the tunas he had were blackfin tuna and little tunny, which you don't need to have an HMS permit to carry. Lucky for him, another fisherman that knows the regulation asked the ranger, are you sure about what you are doing? And the ranger, didn’t weak about that, made some phone calls, but he didn’t give up. He said, “I'm going to give you a break. But I'm going to give you a ticket because you don't have a fire extinguisher.” But he didn’t want to say, “hey, sorry, you know, I made a mistake.” Also, I think it would be of great help to the fishing community that when Miguel has the time, make an intervention in the PEPCO that Wilson is developing. You can have some talks with the fishers and explain about federal regulation. That would make all the parties be conscientious and work better and try to avoid having problems. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Julian.

JULIAN MAGRAS:

Julian Magras, for the record. Great presentation. 239

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On behalf of the Saint Thomas/Saint John District, I had the opportunity to sit down for a couple hours and talk with Alex. And his presence has made a big difference in our area also. While I was there with him, you know, I gave him a couple of things that I asked him to please look into. I sent in some pictures from a couple of our big food suppliers with mislabeling of species. Within a few days, that problem was corrected. That shows me his passion for what he does. He explained to me what his ultimate goal is and how he wants to move forward and we're planning a meeting coming up here very soon with the Fishermen’s Association. I told Manny today, this morning, that we will be inviting him to meet the fishers and his presence and give him give a little introduction and what he's there to do. He's also looking into a couple other issues with the undersized lobster tails coming in. And also, I was glad to see that the turtle issue made it up there. I received that call at 3:45 am in the morning, about that turtle nesting from some people that go there to lay off beach chairs for the tourists at that beach. And the guy called me, and he's like, “This turtle is nesting.” So, I said, “Don't worry about it.” I said, “don't trouble it. Secure the area until I can get the people there.” I contacted the turtle people, and I contacted Fish and Wildlife, sent them messages and within an hour, they responded. When they responded, they were having issue with one of the guys that was cleaning the beaches, and he was telling them, “You guys have to leave them. We're going to come back and we're going to take the turtle eggs.” So that's what prompted them to get involved. And I'm happy that you guys got involved to protect that nesting. So, I see great things happening and I look forward to the continual open dialogue. Me and my fishers and whoever else from the U.S.V.I. wants to be involved, I feel that we'd be more than happy and working this five-year strategic plan. I can go back. Since it is going to be the DAP Chair at the meeting, I'll go back and speak with my team and see if any of them have any pressing issues that they would like to make recommendations to that plan. So, thank you again. MARCOS HANKE:

Jean-Pierre.

JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: Manny, just one quick question. Does OLE specifically respond to turtles or other ESA listed species as well?

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MANNY ANTONARAS: Yeah. We respond to other, not just specifically turtles, but other ESA complaints as well. Now, we do have, for sea turtles, we have authority and jurisdiction to respond, although we do have a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, they typically respond to turtle violations or complaints that are on the beach. JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL:

All right.

MANNY ANTONARAS: We respond to those that are on the water. But we can respond to those that are on the beach as well if U.S. Fish and Wildlife isn't present or they've asked us to assist? JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: So, Puerto Rico and the V.I. are in this unique category where coral is listed as threatened species. I think it's about every week there's a grounding, primarily on the Puerto Rico side. What's the OLE response when there's groundings? Because I know that Coast Guard is usually one of the first ones that are out there just to make sure from a life and safety perspective. But a lot of times, particularly with the species that have been listed, these are on the threatened list. I was just curious as to, sometimes we get these large swathes of areas that are damaged. And so, what's OLE's typical response from a grounding perspective because chances are, particularly with Orbicella listed, that Orbicella has been impacted for the most part. So, I was just curious as to what that procedure would be or how we could ramp up? Because there are a number of groundings that are taking place and now, they're affecting listed species. MANNY ANTONARAS: Yeah. We typically respond to groundings. Let me let me go back we will follow-up on groundings. This happens time in the Keys, Florida Keys, for example. And when there's a grounding, typically the FWC or the state agency will respond. They conduct a site assessment and then forward those cases to our office for review. There are a couple different avenues that we can pursue for groundings. But there's also and this may be a better question for our legal counsel. Just because corals are listed, it does not mean there are prohibitions in place. I'm not sure if Loren Remsberg may be able to address that, if she's online. Do you know Jocelyn, if Lauren. LOREN REMSBERG:

I'm on Manny. Can you hear me?

MANNY ANTONARAS:

Yes. Thanks, Lauren.

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LOREN REMSBERG: Yeah. That's generally true. I think some coral types are listed as threatened and if there is not a 4(d) rule in place, then there's no actual prohibition on take of those species. But, you know, each grounding would have to be looked into case by case to determine what was there and what the options are. JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL:

Okay. And then one quick follow-up.

So, OLE doesn't have its own, let's say, penalty matrix for direct damage. Like, I know the state of Florida does. We kind of mirror what Florida does in terms of from 0 to 10,000 square meters, there's a set penalty. And then over that, there's an ecological assessment for loss of ecological function. But does OLE have a penalty matrix as well? MANNY ANTONARAS: The penalty schedules are actually set by the Office General Counsel. So, we would refer the case and then they will review it and if warranted issue a penalty. And so, there are cases that can be issued a penalty following, you know, our office referring that case. But then there's also another route that that can be taken with the-- Lauren, what is the group, if you don't mind, the group that does the assessments for the cases that— LOREN REMSBERG:

The restoration center?

MANNY ANTONARAS:

Restoration. Yes. Thank you.

MARCOS HANKE:

Thank you.

LOREN REMSBERG: I’ll just follow-up also. The Office of General Counsel Enforcement section, our penalty policy is a public document. I can share the link in the in the chat. But we do have a schedule for ESA violations, and it takes into account gravity, injury, lots of factors, as well as culpability. So, I'm happy to share that link. But that's what we would look to in assessing a penalty. MARCOS HANKE: Okay. Thank you very much. Andy. And we have to wrap up, we have to end sharp at 5:00 because we don't have translation anymore. ANDREW STRELCHECK: So, I'll follow up with Miguel and the Council staff. So, as mentioned, there's a restoration program. So, besides law enforcement penalties, they're going to go out and assess the damage. They're going to determine the remediation that's needed. The cost will be, you know, borne by the person that created the damage and including obviously just review and surveys and work to assess the damage. So, we have a program that's dedicated to that. 242

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We'll get you the points of contact, in case you have future questions. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you for this life coordination of efforts and clarity. And thank you so much, Howard, for moving his report for the next meeting due to our short time on this meeting. And thank you very much. Okay. The next item on the agenda is other business, Miguel? You're going to— MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Tenemos dos cosas de other business. ¿Graciela, ya tu cubriste tu parte de other business o te falta algo? No, no pero para que lo digas ahora. MARCOS HANKE: If there are any comments in the chat, please help me out. I'm not seeing them. Thank you for the support. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: Voy. Michelle Schärer. Is that also still true for the nassau grouper, threatened but no 4(d) rule? ANDREW STRELCHECK: Yeah. If there's a 4(d) rule for nassau grouper currently. I believe that's the case, that we do not have a 4(d) rule in place for nassau grouper. MARCOS HANKE:

Any other comments? Graciela.

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: One comment because I think that the Council would be interested in this. So, Manny, does the SIMP follow the grouper? For example, what they call, we know that is basa, that it is not grouper, that it is some kind of catfish or some homegrown animal, and it actually becomes the grouper specialty in a restaurant. You can tell right from the start that that's not grouper. So, there is a mislabeling in international trafficking because most of this doesn't come from the local area. That also applies to other fish and shellfish that we get served at restaurants and we know that they are not real, damaging the local fisheries. So, my question is, do you follow this through the SIMP, or how do people let you know that that's happening. MANNY ANTONARAS:

Yeah. Thanks, Graciela. That's a good question.

So SIMP is only required for the species that are listed. So, in that scenario, if it's truly not grouper then there are no requirements to submit the traceability. That being said, it would still be a violation, a Lacey Act violation, most likely because of the false labeling. If it's an imported product. Yes. So, I 243

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hope that answers your question. GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: MANNY ANTONARAS:

How do we report it?

Report it?

GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Yes. So, how do, I mean, the other day, I had Basa at a restaurant and, you know, it wasn't grouper. MANNY ANTONARAS: Yeah. And that's something that, you know, all of our officers are doing right now. So, Miguel, that's something Miguel could handle right away. So, oftentimes, when that happens, we will do sampling at the ports or wherever the product comes in. Then, the samples get sent to our lab, it’s actually a NOAA lab that does species ID for us. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you. We are going back to other business. I have a note here about S-K Funding. Are you going to say something, Miguel? Other Business GRACIELA GARCÍA-MOLINER: Very quick. So, S-K’s Cliff Cosgrove has been emailing us because he’s coming to Puerto Rico. S-K funded the part of the queen conch hatchery out of Naguabo. They're interested, they had what used to be called territorial science, so usually Western Pacific and us would submit proposals through that venue at S-K. They don't have it separated like that anymore. But they are coming to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to do some outreach to see if we get more proposals, because S-K provides quite a bit of funding, and they're interested in increasing the number of proposals coming from this area. They've hosted a number of webinars for how to do it, how to fill out the form, etcetera. Usually, the RFP comes out, the request for proposal comes out in the summer, and it's open for 165 days, so that gives scientists quite a bit of leeway in writing them up. So, I will keep you posted because they would like to do outreach to the Council and to other groups. And through-- yeah. So, we are in contact with them to see if we can increase that. So, as far as S-K, that's one. The second thing that I have for other business is that we will have a presentation at the next Council meeting or the December meeting-- I don't know which one --on the diadema die-off that is being reported throughout the Caribbean. So, it happens very quickly. It is being considered as big as the 1980’s diadema dieoff. So basically, we're just coming back on with the diadema and 244

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now it's dying out again. So, we will have that presentation for you at the next Council meeting or the next one after that. So, the information, if anyone knows or notices, especially the fishers and the divers who are in the water, the die-off of diadema go to the Agrra.org webpage, and they do have the forms there to fill out and provide the information on that die off. They are monitoring it in the Virgin Islands and in Puerto Rico. So, anyone who noticed anything, please let Agrra know through the webpage. You can always also contact me if you have any information, and we'll pass the information along. Thank you. MARCOS HANKE:

Miguel.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

At this time, we would like to-- yesterday, we met, and we discussed the membership of the different group that we have, and I have several motions that Diana is going to read for the record. We will start with the SSC. DIANA T. MARTINO: Okay. It was decided to reappoint the following SSC members J.J. Cruz Motta, Michelle Schärer, Tarsila Seara, Douglas Gregory, Richard Appeldoorn, Vance Vicente, Walter Keithly and Jorge García-Sais. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE: GROUP:

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor say, aye.

Aye.

MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: And then, during the SSC, we would like to announce that Doctor Kevin McCarthy is resigning from the position of the SSC because he is now in a position were he will be passing judgment over recommendations from the SSC and so forth regarding best available information. So, the Center is recommending Doctor Erik Williams. He's an expert in stock assessment. He's very knowledgeable about the stock assessment, the fishes of this area. So, it's a recommendation. I have a letter from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. If you want to have more information, you can ask Doctor Kevin. But at this time, we'd like to hear a motion. 245

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The Council discussed it yesterday, and they all agreed that he would be an asset to the SSC. So, we need a motion to appoint Doctor Erik Williams. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE: GROUP:

So moved.

Second.

Discussion? All in favor say, aye.

Aye.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: I would like to take this time to thank you, Kevin. I know that you said in your letter that you will not be divorcing from us. You will be coming in and out. And I'm sure you will have a seat with us whenever Clay Porch cannot make it. I believe that at this time, we'd like to thank him. Doctor Kevin McCarthy has been instrumental in moving forward the issues, needs, projects for the Caribbean and for that, we are really really grateful. KEVIN MCCARTHY: Thanks, Miguel. Yeah, you're not getting rid of me that easily. [laughter] MARCOS HANKE: Yeah, Kevin, I want to say that this is what we hear from the fishermen, and this is what I feel as a Chairman of this Council and as a fisherman too. You represent a balance in terms of the view of really looking for the opportunities to make this better and I really appreciate that. Thank you. KEVIN MCCARTHY: sentiment.

Thanks,

Marcos.

really

appreciate

that

DIANA T. MARTINO: Regarding the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel, it was recommended to reappoint the following members. Alida Ortiz, Ruth Gómez, Vilmarie Román, Andrés Maldonado, Gerson Martínez, Esther Vélez, Jannette Ramos, Kim Iverson and Emily Muehlstein. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE: GROUP:

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor say, aye.

Aye.

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MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: DIANA T. MARTINO:

I have a question. This is Alida. Diana?

Yes. Adyan Rios?

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: She's already appointed. You don’t have to talk about it at this meeting. ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

Okay. The other ones were appointed also.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: No. This is for the appointment where their term expired. Adyan Rios is a new member her time will expire later. ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: MIGUEL A. ROLÓN:

Okay.

She's a member.

ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR:

Okay.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: And also remember-- but that's a good point, Alida, for the group. And also, we have observers, the three liaison officers are observers. And two members of the OEAP, are from the Gulf Council and the South Atlantic respectively, and both Emily and Kim have been instrumental in helping us shape our team to work on outreach and education panel. Thank you, Alida. ALIDA ORTIZ SOTOMAYOR: MARCOS HANKE:

Okay. Great. Now I'll be quiet.

Miguel.

DIANA T. MARTINO: Regarding the Saint Croix DAP. They recommended reappointing the following members. Tom Daley, Virdin Brown, Mike Fuller, David Gubser, Marcia Taylor, William Tobias, Edward Schuster, Patricia Skov, Gerson Martínez, and Michael Funk. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE: GROUP:

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion? All in favor say, aye.

Aye.

MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries.

MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: Two members, Robert Thomas, and Michelle Pugh. In the case of Robert Thomas, we thank him for his participation. 247

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There will be a vacancy. During his position, he hasn't shown up to any of the meetings. In the case of Michelle Pugh, Carlos Farchette offered to talk to her about-- she's retiring, so we want to make sure that she can participate and she's willing to participate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. Is that all for other business? DIANA T. MARTINO: MARCOS HANKE:

No. I still have one more.

Okay.

DIANA T. MARTINO: Regarding DAP for Puerto Rico, it was recommended to appoint Edwin Javier Arroyo, Jose Chaar, Roberto Sánchez González, And Gustavo Alejandro Cruzado Rodríguez. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: JEAN-PIERRE L. ORIOL: MARCOS HANKE: GROUP:

So moved.

Second.

Discussion? All in favor say, aye.

Aye.

MARCOS HANKE:

Motion carries.

DIANA T. MARTINO:

That's it. Public Comments

MARCOS HANKE: Thank you very much. We are now in public comment. Is there anybody on the chat or visually for public comment. I don't see anybody on the room for public comment. I saw someone for public comment. I'll go with you, just let me hear from the virtual. CRISTINA OLÁN MARTÍNEZ: Damaris Delgado. She's commenting in the chat. She says, I would like to clarify that we had five cases of illegal capture of yellowfin tunas in the Northwest Coast without HMS permits that were referred to agent Borges. MARCOS HANKE: Noted. Thank you very much for the clarification, the Damaris. Not hearing from anybody else on the chat. Julian? JULIAN MAGRAS: Yeah. Julian Magras for the record. I'm going to step out of my role right now to make a statement. And I'm going to make a statement on behalf of the Saint Thomas 248

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Fisherman's Association. This statement goes to Mr. Louis A. Blanchard better known as Tony. Tony to the back of the room but on behalf of fishermen of the U. S. Virgin Islands and the people of the U. S. Virgin Islands, we would like to take this opportunity to really thank you for an outstanding job that you have done over the last nine years. I worked very closely with you on a daily basis and worked here with you at the table and you have worked, and you have educated a lot of the fishermen, the older ones and the younger ones. We know it wasn't an easy task that you went through, but you never turn your eye, you never turn the cheek, you kept doing what you do best. I hope here in the future that, I know you're walking away from this, but we can continue to get your knowledge and experience that you have obtained over the nine years and all the years of fishing. Because you seem to look at things a different way than a lot of us would look at it. Sometimes we might be saying, “Oh well, this is A,” but you say, “Wait, we need to look at B also” and it really opens up the door something that could have gone the wrong way and it ended up going the right way because of the way you brought it across. So once again, on behalf of all of us from the U. S. Virgin Islands I just want to say, thank you for your nine years of service and I look forward to continuing working with you. Thank you. [applause] LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: [laughter] JULIAN MAGRAS:

A bottle of water.

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: MARCOS HANKE:

Now, does this come with a care package?

Thanks. I guess I'll take that.

Nelson?

LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD: Thanks for recognizing the effort that I put forward. Really appreciate that. NELSON CRESPO: I just want to say, Tony, thank you for all the support that you bring to the fishing community of Puerto Rico. You’ve been really helpful to us. We are never going to forget that. Thanks a lot. LOUIS ANTHONY BLANCHARD:

Thank you. Appreciate that.

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MARCOS HANKE: Well, we are ready to adjourn. Well, we already adjourned virtually, now we're going to close the meeting. Thank you very much for your patience, collaboration and for being so kind to the Chairman at this meeting. Thank you very much, guys. The meeting is adjourned. We need the date, Miguel, for the next meeting. MIGUEL A. ROLÓN: MARCOS HANKE:

August 11 and 12.

August 11 and 12. Thank you.

(Whereupon, the meeting was adjourned.)

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Recovering BIG FISH A Communication Strategy for the Conservation and Management of Fish Spawning Aggregations in the WECAFC Region It was developed by SAWG & BelugaSmile Productions, 2018-2019

❖ Approved by WECAFC in 2019 ❖ Officially adopted in 2020 Strategy implementation started in 2020 with production of a 3-year, Public Engagement Campaign

Big Fish… is in production.

Accomplishments & Next Steps

A 3-year, trilingual Public Engagement Campaign (PEC)

Target audiences

BIG FISH Decision makers

Fishers General Public

All the campaign efforts are designed to bring people into the fold to support FSA conservation, and the voice of the PEC must strike the right inviting and positive tone to do so.

• • • • • • • • • •

The Importance & value of FSAs Fishers Are Part of the Solution What’s at Stake --Food Security Economic and other intrinsic benefits Solutions & Alternatives Connectivity Building Community (and constituency) Stories of Success & Hope Fish are Charismatic Animals Ocean Stewardship & Pride

Protect The Breeders to Produce Recruits. Respect Spawning Banks. Fish Smart

BIG FISH Voices Key Messages (Nassau) Grouper No Fishing or Sales From December through March (Mutton) Snapper No Fishing or Sales From April through July

Don’t let Nassau Go Extinct. Let Spawning Fish off the Hook. Don’t eat the Future

Protect Spawning Fish. Seed Fisheries. Protect Your Catch

Word Bank Hash Tags All Audiences Fishers Enforcers / Decision Makers

General Public

#ProtectYourCatch #FishSmart

#BigFish #NassauOnTheBrink

#ProtectTheCatch #ProtectSpawningSites

#Spawning2Recover #ProtectBreedingGrounds #Spawning4Resilience #Spawning4Survival

#ProtectOurCatch #BigFishLove

#ProductivityHotSpots #HopeSpots #GetHooked

BIG FISH

Target audiences

Public Engagement Campaign

Fishers

General Public Designed to help protect fish spawning aggregations (FSA), initially focusing on Nassau grouper and mutton snapper. Decision makers

Branding We’re developing the campaign’s public-facing identity, the Logo, with the advertisement agency Duncan Channon (San Francisco, USA). A four-time Ad Agency of the year. These are the final concepts that are being refined...

Completed Products •

Communications Plan to Complement The Fishery Management Plan (TFMP) – a 3-year, trilingual public engagement campaign designed to help protect fish spawning aggregations. Includes campaign name, project voice, word bank with key messages and catch phrases, as well as audience-specific outreach programs and distribution plans for them.

•

Timeline to 2023 launch date to complement release of international film – see end of PPT.

•

Two short films – Available for distribution in English, Spanish and French.

•

–

Nassau Grouper Against The Clock - a 3-min film addressed to decision-makers that promotes the closed season for Nassau grouper from December to March. It includes the critical status of this species and the success stories documented by scientists studying its recovery within protected areas with proper enforcement.

–

F2F Advice: Fish Smart - a 4-min film aimed at Caribbean fishers is a call to action from fishers to their colleagues. It includes the description of the behavior of the species that aggregate to spawn, the reasons why it’s bad business to fish an FSA, and a call to protect the species during the breeding season.

Species-specific posters describe the life history and spawning behavior of the TFMP’s two focal species (Nassau grouper and Mutton snapper) --They are being freely distributed across the Caribbean in the 3 languages of the campaign to encourage responsible harvest and conservation during spawning periods.

Funded Products in Production •

1-Hour Film for International Broadcast “The Secret Crown”, featuring conservation needs. BelugaSmile Productions in co-production with Nature/PBS (USA), Terra Mater/Red Bull (Austria), The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (USA) and DocLigths (Germany). Premier in the USA 26th, April 2023.

•

Nature/PBS & HHMI’s Outreach Campaign

•

A third poster (or booklet) focused on fishery management (best practices) is in development; it will be designed as a template allowing individual countries to insert local regulations and text.

•

Two Short Films—produced in three languages, tentatively titled: –

“Once Upon a Tide There was a Golden Mutton” is a 3-min call-to-action for fishing communities and decision-makers designed to stop the continued decline of the mutton snapper. The film provides a window into its life cycle and reproductive behavior. Fishers, managers and scientists describe the successful results of a closed season during spawning as a first step to recovery.

–

“Love is in the Water” is a 2-min film for the general public that highlights reasons to not consume grouper and snapper during the spawning season to help protect FSAs.

Funded Products in Production The Citizen Science Program for fishers & enforcement officials includes the short videos and posters mentioned above, along with radio kits. Radio kits include PSAs, focused on the 2 banning fishing during spawning seasons for both species, as well as Two 10-min podcasts: • The Secret Language of Nassau Grouper • Fish Smart *Proposal to be submitted to SPAW in 2023 to fund the production of the French radio kit.

2022-23 Products That Need Funding The Digital Hub is a multilingual, interactive platform with freely accessible downloadable resources for partners and target audiences. This resource library & collaboration hub, along with the Social Media platforms (FB, Twitter, IG, YouTube, etc.), will represent the online presence of SAWG and distribution center of products. The hub creates a digital landscape that interconnects partner platforms and synchronizes the campaign. All in all, The Big Fish Hub will provide a home for the campaign, and remain in place to track actions, efforts and updates to accomplish the Fishery Management Plan. We’ve written a proposal, along with WECAFC, to obtain funding from the European Union to advance fish spawning aggregation information gathering in the WECAFC region. This grant would partially fund the hub, but we still need some additional funds to produce this product.

TIMELINE SAWG Communication Sub-Committee established

Comm. Plan Officially Approved by WECAFC

Communication for RFMP Implementation (Phase I)

Communication for RFMP Implementation (Phase II)

Big Fish Public engagement Campaign Big Fish PEC production Begins

2018

2019

1-hour film Started Production

2020

Big Fish PEC production Phase II

2021

Big Fish PEC production Phase III

2022

1-hour film resumes Production

Big Fish campaign LAUNCH

Big Fish campaign END

*March, 15

(evaluation)

2023

2024

1-hour Film US broadcast

2025

International Distribution

Premiere

HHMI & PBS Outreach Programs

2030

Contact Information: Ana Salceda anasalceda@mac.com Miguel Rolón miguel_rolon_cfmc@yahoo.com Cristina Olán cristina.olan@gmail.com

¡Gracias!

Thank you!

Caribbean Fishery Management Council 179th Meeting, August 11 and 12, 2022 Jocelyn D’Ambrosio, Attorney-Advisor NOAA Office of General Counsel Southeast Section

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) • The MSA requires each fishery management council to establish, maintain, and appoint members of a scientific and statistical committee (SSC) • The purpose of the SSC is to “assist it in the development, collection, evaluation, and peer review of such statistical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific information as is relevant to such Council’s development and amendment of any fishery management plan.” MSA 302(g)(1)(A)

SSC under the MSA Under the MSA, “[e]ach scientific and statistical committee shall provide its Council ongoing scientific advice for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for: • acceptable biological catch, • preventing overfishing, • maximum sustainable yield, • achieving rebuilding targets, and • reports on stock status and health, bycatch, habitat status, social and economic impacts of management measures, and sustainability of fishing practices.” MSA 302(g)(1)(B) 3

SSC under the MSA • The SSC plays an important role in the Council’s efforts to develop conservation and management measures that are consistent with the national standards for fishery management, including in particular National Standard 2 (NS2). • NS2 states that “[c]onservation and management measures shall be based on the best scientific information available.” MSA 301(a)(2). • The SSC assists the Council in identifying the best scientific information available (BSIA) and provides advice and recommendations based on BSIA. 4

SSC under the MSA Under the pertinent guidelines, 50 CFR 600.315(c)(1): • SSC scientific advice and recommendations to its Council are based on scientific information that the SSC determines to meet the guidelines for best scientific information available • SSCs may conduct peer reviews or evaluate peer reviews to provide clear scientific advice to the Council. • Such scientific advice should attempt to resolve conflicting scientific information, so that the Council will not need to engage in debate on technical merits. Debate and evaluation of scientific information is the role of the SSC. 5

SSC under Council Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures (SOPPs) (2015)

SSC under Council SOPPs (2015)

SSC under Council SOPPs (2004)

F i n

Briefing Paper for the Caribbean Fishery Management Council 18th Meeting of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission Background: WECAFC operates as a regional fisheries body under Article VI of the FAO Constitution and acts in an advisory capacity to promote the effective conservation, management, and development of living marine resources in the Wider Caribbean. It has 34 members, including the United States, and aims to meet on a biennial basis. There are 11 working groups under the auspices of WECAFC, which have specific terms of reference. Fishery scientists, experts, and managers participate in the working groups through the representation of their member countries. Relevant regional and sub-regional organizations are also represented upon invitation. Summary: The 18th meeting of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) took place 26-29 July 2022. The meeting was held virtually under the leadership of the U.S. Chair, Deirdre Warner-Kramer (State Department, Office of Marine Conservation). Seventeen members of WECAFC participated: Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Dominica, EU, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Venezuela. The U.S. delegation was led by Carolyn Gruber (State Department, Office of Marine Conservation), with participation of staff from the NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce; NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office; Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Nancie Cummings (NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fishery Science Center) also participated as Chair of the WECAFC Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and Chair of the Fisheries Data Statistics (FDS) Working Group. At the meeting, the Commission endorsed several important non-binding documents and recommendations. These included a Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF), which provides guidance for standardized data collection on key indicators and species in the region. A regional database (Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Information System, or “WECAFIS”) will provide WECAFC with information for the monitoring of priority species and future stock assessments. A related recommendation strongly encourages members to proceed with the use of DCRF for monitoring and reporting, and recognizes further investments are needed to build national capacities for data collection, analysis, and reporting. A Regional Fish Spawning Aggregation Fishery Management Plan, focusing on Nassau grouper and mutton snapper, was endorsed by the Commission, which aims to strengthen the management of fish that aggregate to spawn and reverse the declines of species that are vulnerable to overexploitation. The United States – through the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) – provided support for the development of this plan and an accompanying Communications Strategy. The conservation of Nassau grouper is a U.S. priority; this species is listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is listed in Annex III of the Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife in the Caribbean (SPAW Protocol).

An accompanying recommendation was adopted, calling for adoption and implementation of the Regional Fish Spawning Aggregation Management Plan, and actions to improve regional data collection, assessment, communication, and outreach for the conservation of fish spawning aggregations and mobilization of resources for priority research and monitoring. A recommendation was adopted aimed at helping WECAFC members combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by encouraging strengthened fisheries governance; implementation of measures to effectively regulate, monitor, and control transshipment; and development of mechanisms for sharing fishing vessel information. WECAFC members will continue intersessional work to implement the Regional Plan of Action on IUU Fishing. The Commission endorsed a recommendation on queen conch reaffirming its commitment to implementation and continued monitoring of the Regional Queen Conch Fishery Management and Conservation Plan (endorsed by the Commission at its 16th meeting), promoting genetic work on population structure and traceability, and encouraging collaboration with the Regional Working Group on IUU fishing. Several documents promoting the sustainable management of fishing on Moored Fish Aggregating Devices (MFADs) were adopted by the Commission on an interim basis. These included a Caribbean Regional Management Plan for MFADs and a guide for improved monitoring of MFAD catches and improved assessment of MFAD impact on stocks. The documents will be reviewed and revised intersessionally. The Commission adopted a related recommendation charging the MFAD Working Group with finalizing the regional MFAD management plan and guidance document to inform the development of national management plans and legislation (if relevant), promoting data collection and analysis to inform decision making on MFAD fisheries, supporting the establishment of stakeholder outreach and communication campaigns, and encouraging research in several key areas. The Commission also adopted a Regional Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (RPOA-Sharks). The RPOA-Sharks is aimed at ensuring the conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use in the WECAFC area. This regional plan sets out five objectives and provides a table of actions to achieve these objectives. The Commission supported WECAFC becoming signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding that would establish a non-binding coordination mechanism in the wider Caribbean region towards oceans-based sustainable development, and endorsed an exchange of letters of cooperation between WECAFC and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The letters will provide a basis for collaborative work between the two organizations on issues of mutual interest under the umbrella of ICCAT’s existing cooperative agreement with FAO.

WECAFC also adopted a new Strategic Plan for 2022-2027 and a comprehensive Work Program for 2022-2024. At the request of the United States, the work program was amended to include the first meeting of the new Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group and a meeting of the Recreational Fisheries Working Group. (The Commission agreed at its last meeting – as a result of a U.S. recommendation – that the Flyingfish Working Group should be broadened to look at dolphinfish and other pelagic species that are not managed by ICCAT. The working group was unable to meet prior to WECAFC18, but a meeting is tentatively scheduled for 2023.) The Commission only briefly discussed the possible transformation of WECAFC towards becoming a strengthened regional fishery entity or arrangement with binding management authority. In 2019, the Commission endorsed a roadmap for a member-driven and inclusive process to advance the development of a model for a regional fisheries management entity or arrangement in the WECAFC area but intersessional progress during the pandemic was limited. At WECAFC18, the Commission reaffirmed the roadmap, expressed support for holding a second preparatory meeting (the first preparatory meeting took place in March 2019) to further consider all the options, the advantages and disadvantages of these options, and make recommendations to the Commission on a way forward. The timing and venue of the next Commission meeting was not determined; a decision will be made intersessionally. Upcoming Events of Interest: Fifth Meeting of the CFMC/WECAFC/OSPESCA/CRFM Working Group on Spawning Aggregations: 24-25 January 2023 Sixth Meeting of the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CRFM/CITES Working Group on Queen Conch: 26 January 2023 First Meeting of the Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group: To be determined 2023 Additional Information: For more information, please visit WECAFC’s website at: https://www.fao.org/wecafc/en/. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Cimo at Laura.Cimo@noaa.gov, Rachel O’Malley at Rachel.O'Malley@noaa.gov.

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

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Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Puerto Rico Commercial Snapper Unit 2 Federal Permit Program

DRAFT Scoping Document July 27, 2016

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

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Table of Contents CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ....................................................... 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7

WHAT IS SCOPING? .......................................................................................................... 1 HOW DOES SCOPING AFFECT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT? .................................................. 1 HOW ELSE CAN I GET INVOLVED?..................................................................................... 2 WHAT ACTION IS BEING PROPOSED? ................................................................................. 2 WHERE IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED?................................................................................. 2 WHY IS THE COUNCIL CONSIDERING THIS PERMIT PROGRAM? ........................................ 3 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 4

CHAPTER 2. ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES .................................................................. 6 ACTION 1: ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL PERMIT TO HARVEST QUEEN AND CARDINAL SNAPPER (SNAPPER UNIT 2 [SU2]) FROM THE PUERTO RICO EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ). 6 ACTION 2: PERMIT ELIGIBILITY ................................................................................................ 7 ACTION 3: ALLOWABLE GEAR. ................................................................................................. 7 ACTION 4: ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF FISHING TRIPS.................................................................. 8 ACTION 5: COMMERCIAL TRIP LIMITS. ...................................................................................... 8 ACTION 6: *REPORTING METHOD FOR FISHERS COMMERCIALLY PERMITTED TO HARVEST QUEEN AND CARDINAL SNAPPER FROM THE PUERTO RICO EEZ. ..................................... 9 ACTION 7: FREQUENCY OF REPORTING FOR FISHERS PERMITTED TO HARVEST QUEEN AND CARDINAL SNAPPER FROM PUERTO RICO EEZ WATERS. .................................................. 9 CHAPTER 3. DISCUSSION .................................................................................................... 11 3.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS .......................................................................................... 11 3.2 PROPOSED ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................... 13 3.3 PRE-ESTABLISHED COMPONENTS .................................................................................. 18 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 20 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 21 APPENDIX A: PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2013-11 ESTABLISHING THE COMMERCIAL QUEEN AND CARDINAL SNAPPER SPECIAL PERMIT FOR STATE WATERS............................................ 21 APPENDIX B: FEDERAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM ............................................................. 24

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

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Chapter 1. Introduction and Background 1.1

What is scoping? Caribbean Fishery Management Council

Scoping is a method the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) uses to obtain feedback from the public regarding actions they may undertake that could result in changes to the management of federal fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean. During scoping, fishery issues are identified, management options suggested, and potential impacts explored. Scoping is the first and best opportunity for the public to make suggestions or raise issues to the Council before a fishery management plan (FMP) or an amendment to an existing plan is developed.

1.2

 Responsible for conservation and management of U.S. Caribbean fish stocks (except highly migratory species, which are managed directly by the National Marine Fisheries Service).  Consists of seven voting members:

How does scoping affect fisheries management?

The Council uses comments provided through scoping in the development of management options. The public also has the opportunity to comment on the management alternatives under consideration through public hearings, Council meetings, and written submissions. The Council will consider your input as it deliberates and chooses the most appropriate management alternatives.

Four voting members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce

One voting member appointed by each of the Governors of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

The Regional Administrator of NMFS for the Southeast Region

 Manages the area from 3 to 200 nautical miles (nm) off the coasts of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 9 to 200 nm off the coast of Puerto Rico.  Develops fishery management plans and recommends regulations to NMFS for implementation on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

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participants and improving collection of landings data. A federal permit would also provide an opportunity to enhance communication between managers and constituents while facilitating enforcement of state and federal fishing regulations.

1.3 How else can I get involved? There are many ways you can become involved with the Council’s management process. One way is to identify fishery management issues you feel need to be addressed, and bring your concerns to the Council. It is a good idea to first become familiar with the management process by visiting http://www.caribbeanfmc.com/. Then, contact the Council members and staff to discuss your questions or concerns. To further your involvement, you could attend meetings and serve on panels and committees that advise the Council on fishery issues. For more information on how to participate, please call the Council office at 787-766-5926.

Purpose for Action The purpose of this action is to establish a federal permit for the commercial harvest and sale of species included in the Snapper Unit 2 complex (queen snapper [Etelis oculatus] and cardinal snapper [Pristipomoides macrophthalmus]) in the Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone to facilitate more effective management of the Snapper Unit 2 fishery in federal waters.

1.4 What action is being proposed?

Need for Action The Council is proposing to develop a permit for the Snapper Unit 2 (SU2) fishery occurring in exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters surrounding Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico EEZ). The fishery targets queen (Etelis oculatus) and cardinal (Pristipomoides macrophthalmus) snappers that constitute the SU2 stock complex. The fishery occurs in both state and federal waters and is an important component of Puerto Rico’s commercial fishing industry. Puerto Rico has a state permit in place for the queen and cardinal snapper fishing sector, but a complementary federal permit does not exist. The actions considered here are intended to enhance management in federal waters by identifying all fishery

The need for the action is to identify fishery participants and to provide timely and effective means to report and monitor harvest from the commercial SU2 sector.

1.5 Where is this Project Located? The area under consideration for this project is the Puerto Rico EEZ, defined as the marine waters located between 9-200 nautical miles off Puerto Rico as modified by the boundaries of other states, territories, or countries. 2

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which data are available) were 155,889 pounds. These landings exceeded the established ACL of 145,916 pounds by almost 10,000 pounds, and will require a reduction in the length of the fishing season for SU2 in 2016 (81 FR 34283, May 31, 2016). Exceeding the established ACL prevents achievement of optimum yield, potentially compromises the future health of the resource and the economic viability of fishermen and their communities. Establishing a permit program will facilitate the acquisition of accurate landings data from the universe of participating fishers in a timely manner, thereby allowing in-season modifications to fishing activities, potentially reducing the likelihood of exceeding the ACL.

1.6 Why is the Council Considering this Permit Program? Recent events in Puerto Rico have raised awareness regarding the potential benefits of establishing a permit program for the commercial SU2 fishery operating in the Puerto Rico EEZ. In 2012, the Council established a 145,916 pound annual catch limit (ACL) for SU2, based on combined total harvest from Puerto Rico state and federal waters (CFMC 2011). In 2013, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined that, based on the average of 2010-2011 commercial landings, the ACL was exceeded by 132,063 pounds (90.5 percent). This ACL overage required application of an accountability measure (AM) to reduce the length of the 2013 fishing season for SU2 in the Puerto Rico EEZ by 102 days. Much of this overage was attributed to the entry into the fishery of a new cohort of fishers with a one-year ‘beginners’ commercial fishing license. The reported influx of temporary commercial fishers, and the repercussions of the resultant AM-based reduction in the harvest season, caused considerable hardship to those commercial fishers historically dependent on this resource for income.

The commercial SU2 fishery, and particularly the component of the fishery executed along the west coast of Puerto Rico, historically involves a small number of dedicated fishers. The fishery characteristically targets patchy, deep-water habitats influenced by dynamic oceanographic conditions. As a result, only a dedicated cohort of commercial fishers maintains long-term participation and consistent success in the fishery. Participant fishers from Puerto Rico have been identified based on past licensing and landings data, and have been permitted by Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) to exclusively harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico’s state waters. However, the Puerto Rico queen and cardinal snapper harvest permit is not

Excessive commercial harvest of Puerto Rico’s SU2 complex continues to be a problem during some years, resulting in more closures and additional hardships for Puerto Rico’s fishing communities. For the queen and cardinal snapper that comprise SU2, average annual landings for 2012-2014 (the most recent three years for 3

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

required to harvest SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. The present document considers various options for developing a complementary, though not necessarily identical, federal permit for commercial harvest of SU2 in federal waters surrounding Puerto Rico.

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In summary, the goals to be achieved by establishing a permit for harvesting SU2 from federal waters surrounding Puerto Rico include:

Establishing a federal permit system for the commercial SU2 sector in the Puerto Rico EEZ contributes to collection of improved harvest and fishing effort information with which to manage the fishery. Establishing a federal SU2 harvest permit would enhance federal management of this sector by identifying commercial fishermen participating in the SU2 sector and guiding their participation. Additionally, a federal permit with defined reporting requirements would facilitate reporting compliance, timeliness, and accuracy, enable better understanding of temporal and spatial harvest patterns, facilitate enforcement, and potentially enable establishment of in-season data acquisition and verification to support in-season management. These outcomes would reduce scientific and management uncertainty, thus establishing a pathway to potentially increase allowable catch and reduce the likelihood of overfishing the resource while mitigating negative impacts of management to fishing communities.



Achieve optimum yield from the resource;



Establish and maintain, to the greatest degree practicable, consistency across state and federal waters surrounding Puerto Rico;



Obtain accurate, timely landings data from the universe of participating fishers;



Identify historical participants in the fishery and guide their future participation;



Enable better understanding of temporal and spatial harvest patterns;



Facilitate enforcement;



Support in-season management, reducing the likelihood of ACL overages and mitigating negative impacts to fishing communities;



Establish a conduit for communications between managers and fishers.

1.7 Background A white paper discussing various aspects of fishing permits, as they might apply in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, was presented to the Council at their August 2014 meeting. That paper summarized general considerations regarding the establishment of fishing permits in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ.

A permit system for the commercial SU2 fishery operating in the Puerto Rico EEZ also would establish a conduit for communications between managers and commercial SU2 fishers.

Permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters Scoping Document

Following a broad overview of permits and their potential applicability in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, the paper discussed two specific permit opportunities, including for the commercial trap fishery of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), and for the commercial SU2 fishery of Puerto Rico.

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completely independent of the present state permit and to include a provision to allow federally permitted fishers to transit state waters with their catch. The consensus was to move forward with development of a permit program for this fishing sector. This second-generation scoping paper uses the outcomes from the initial (March 2015) scoping hearings as a start point for developing a permit program for commercial SU2 harvest in the Puerto Rico EEZ. Those outcomes, in combination with general requirements common to all of NMFS’ permit programs, inform alternative options for designing this permit program. Some possible options, distributed among various organizing Actions, are listed below. They serve as a start point for public discussion of the design and implementation of this permit program. However, all aspects of the program remain open to public input and discussion. That input will strongly influence the final form of the permit program.

Based on the information contained in the white paper, the Council directed staff to develop a scoping document to evaluate general concepts regarding harvest permits in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, and to conduct scoping hearings throughout the islands of the U.S. Caribbean. Scoping hearings were held at various locations throughout Puerto Rico, and on both St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI, during March 2015. Public comments obtained during those scoping hearings were presented to the Council at their April 2015 meeting. Regarding the development of a permit program for Puerto Rico’s commercial SU2 fishery, comments were generally positive. Suggestions included to make the federal permit

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Chapter 2. Actions and Alternatives Action 1: Establish a commercial permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper (Snapper Unit 2 [SU2]) from the Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Option 1 (No Action): Do not require a commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 2: Require a commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. If Option 2 is selected, the Council must also select Option 3, 4, or 5. Sub-option A: Establish an open access commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ, with no limit on the number of permits that may be issued. Sub-option B: Establish a limited entry commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ in which, following some period of eligibility, no new permits would be issued. If this sub-option is chosen, guidelines for transferring permits would need to be established. Option 3: Recognize the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) commercial queen and cardinal snapper harvest permit as the required commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper in the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 4: Require a federal permit as the required commercial permit for harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Sub-option A: The required federal permit would be assigned to the individual fisher or to their business, and therefore valid regardless of the vessel from which the fisher is operating. Sub-option B: The required federal permit would be assigned to a vessel and therefore valid for all licensed fishers operating from that vessel. Option 5: Require either the Puerto Rico commercial queen and cardinal snapper harvest permit, or a separate federal commercial SU2 harvest permit, for commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ.

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Action 2: Permit eligibility Option 1 (No Action): Do not establish eligibility requirements for obtaining a commercial permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 2: Require the applicant for a commercial permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to hold a valid commercial license to fish in the U.S. EEZ. Option 3: Require the applicant for a commercial permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to provide proof of previous queen or cardinal snapper harvest activity during a specific period of time. Sub-option A: Use the most recent three years of reported commercial landings of queen and/or cardinal snapper to determine eligibility. Sub-option B: Require the fisher to provide evidence of commercial queen and/or cardinal snapper landings for at least three of the most recent five years for which landings data are available. Sub-option C: OTHER Option 4: Require the applicant for a commercial permit to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to provide proof of average annual landings of queen and cardinal snapper during the specific period of time identified in Option 31. Sub-option A: Minimum reported average annual landings of x pounds whole weight. Sub-option B: Minimum reported average annual landings of y pounds whole weight. Sub-option C: Minimum reported average annual landings of z pounds whole weight. Option 5: OTHER/ALTERNATE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?

Action 3: Allowable gear. Option 1 (No Action): Do not define allowable gear for commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters. 1

Choosing Option 4 assumes that Option 3 was first chosen.

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Option 2: Define the allowable gear for commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters. Sub-option A: Manual hook-and-line (no power retrieval). Sub-option B: Bandit gear. Sub-option C: OTHER.

Action 4: Allowable number of fishing trips. Option 1 (No Action): Do not specify a maximum number of allowable fishing trips per year for commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 2: Specify a maximum number of allowable fishing trips per year for commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Sub-option A: x trips. Sub-option B: y trips. Sub-option C: z trips. Sub-option D: OTHER.

Action 5: Commercial trip limits. Option 1 (No Action): Do not specify a commercial trip limit for queen and cardinal snapper harvested from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 2: Specify a commercial trip limit (in pounds) for queen and cardinal snapper harvested from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Sub-option A: x pounds whole weight. Sub-option B: y pounds whole weight. Sub-option C: z pounds whole weight. Sub-option D: OTHER.

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Action 6: *Reporting method for fishers commercially permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 1 (No Action): Do not establish a method to report landings of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ. PRDNER requires commercial catch reporting forms be used to report commercial harvest of queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico territorial and EEZ waters. Forms can be submitted in-person, by fax, or by email. Option 2: Require permitted commercial fishers to report landings of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ using a form specifically designed for this purpose. Forms can be submitted in-person, by fax, or by email. Option 3: Require fishers to record and report landings of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ using an electronic methodology. Forms will be submitted electronically via a pre-established communications conduit. Option 4: Allow fishers reporting landings of queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to choose between the PRDNER commercial catch reporting form or an electronic reporting method. *Note-Fishers permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ, who also harvest queen and cardinal snapper from territorial waters, would be required to report landings from both areas.

Action 7: Frequency of reporting for fishers permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from Puerto Rico EEZ waters. Option 1 (No Action): Do not specify a frequency for submitting landings reports of queen and cardinal snapper. Puerto Rico requires that fishers submit landings reports of commercially harvested queen and cardinal snapper from territorial waters within 60 days of the fishing activity. Option 2: Require fishers permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to submit landings reports daily, regardless of fishing activity or lack thereof. Option 3: Require fishers permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to submit landings reports within 24 hours following completion of a fishing trip for which queen and cardinal snapper were harvested from the Puerto Rico EEZ.

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Option 4: Require fishers permitted to harvest queen and cardinal snapper from the Puerto Rico EEZ to submit landings reports weekly, regardless of fishing activity or lack thereof. Option 5: OTHER?

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Chapter 3. Discussion 3.1 General Considerations In 2011 and 2012, the number of licensed commercial fishers in Puerto Rico more than tripled, from the 1,129 previously reported participants to 3,408 (Matos-Caraballo and Agar 2011, E. Piñeiro pers. comm.). Historically, fishers in Puerto Rico were required by PRDNER to provide their tax return when applying for or renewing a commercial fishing license. The PRDNER would use the tax return information to determine what amount of each fisher’s income derived from commercial fishing and, from that, whether the fisher qualified to apply for a full-time or part-time commercial license. Beginning with the 2011fishing year, the PRDNER established a moratorium on the tax return requirement when applying for a commercial fishing license. This moratorium appears to have drawn new fishers into the commercial sector via the Puerto Rico commercial fisher beginner’s license, resulting in the observed increase in the number of licensed commercial fishers referenced above. That influx apparently included a large number of recreational fishers who perceived a benefit to obtaining a commercial fisher beginner’s license so they could pursue deep-water queen and cardinal snapper comprising Snapper Unit 2 (SU2). Possessing the beginner’s license, good for one year, allowed those newly minted commercial fishers to use specialty gear types (e.g., bandit gear) and to sell their catch, both of which are prohibited practices for fishers possessing only a recreational license (CFMC 2016). Moreover, a one-year extension of the beginner’s license, for those unable to comply with the requirements to obtain a full-time or part-time license, also was granted. For the 2013 fishing year, PRDNER re-established the tax return requirement when applying for a commercial license, but the temporary moratorium and its impacts to the historic commercial fishing community raised awareness among those historic commercial fishers of the need for better monitoring and management of commercial fishing effort. The events of 2011-2012 revealed problems with data reporting, overcapacity of the fishery, lack of control on participation, and a general need to better manage the SU2 commercial and recreational sectors in the waters surrounding Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s commercial SU2 fishers characteristically target patchy, deep-water habitats. The resultant difficulty of achieving long-term success within the context of a complex habitat mosaic and unpredictable environmental conditions engenders dedicated participation by only a small number of commercial fishers. That cohort of fishers, generally identifiable from Puerto Rico licensing and landings data, constitutes an ideal and apparently willing target audience for management via a sector-specific permit program. Puerto Rico’s DNER has recognized and responded to this opportunity by instituting a permit requirement for participation in their commercial SU2 fishery. The permit, initiated in fall 2013

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and continuing to the present, authorizes permitted commercial fishers to harvest queen (E. oculatus) and cardinal (P. macrophthalmus) snapper from Puerto Rico state waters and to land and sell those species on the island. Since its inception, fewer than 70 fishers annually have been assigned a permit to participate in the commercial SU2 fishery. The Administrative Order establishing this permit program is included as Appendix A. At present, a federal permit for commercial harvest and sale of SU2 from Puerto Rico EEZ waters does not exist. Establishing such a permit would allow managers to track the number and identity of commercial SU2 fishers operating in Puerto Rico EEZ waters, and to distinguish between legal and illegal participants in the fishery. Combining a federal permit with the existing Puerto Rico permit for state waters would ensure that information is obtained from the entire population of commercial SU2 fishers operating in state and federal waters around the island. Such a comprehensive permit program could result in the acquisition of more complete and timely landings and effort data, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and allow for directed outreach to and education of those permitted fishers. These outcomes would reduce uncertainty, enhance the precision for monitoring allowable catch levels, and increase the suitability and effectiveness of fishing regulations. The increased data collection facilitated by a comprehensive permitting system also would enhance capabilities for the socioeconomic analysis of existing and proposed management measures, because better data regarding the importance and contribution of commercial SU2 fishing to fishers and the fishing communities within which they reside would be available. Pitfalls exist regarding the development of a federal permit for commercial harvest and sale of SU2 from Puerto Rico EEZ waters. Establishing a federal permit could create confusion among fishers and fishing communities, particularly if the state and federal permits are not fully compatible. Additionally, there may be resistance to additional permitting requirements. The additional expense required to purchase a permit, regardless of what that cost may be, would likely create concerns among fishers. Impacts of, and resistance to, a federal permit requirement would best be addressed by ensuring full participation from the affected fishing community in the development of the permit program and by ensuring compatibility between the state and federal permits to the greatest degree practicable. Compatibility would best be achieved if the state permit is in compliance, or at least does not interfere with compliance by the federal permit, with the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). For example, although the state permit is available only to residents of Puerto Rico, the Magnuson-Stevens Act would not allow a similar restriction to be placed on the federal permit. To be practical, this may require that permitted, non-resident fishers be allowed to land and sell their catch in Puerto Rico. The state would therefore have to recognize the federal permit as being equally valid to the state permit at least for the purpose of market access. Thus, the process of developing a federal permit for harvest of SU2 species from Puerto Rico

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EEZ waters would require a partnership between state and federal authorities and their member institutions, including (but not limited to) PRDNER, the Council, the Council’s Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel, and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

3.2 Proposed Actions and Alternatives Proposed Action 1 allows for the decision whether to implement a federal permit and guides the decision as to what permit allows harvest and sale of SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Two options for implementation are suggested, representing the choice between not proceeding (Option 1) or proceeding (Option 2) with development of a commercial permit for harvest of SU2 from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Only if Option 2 is chosen would the following actions be pursued. Table 3.1. Current Open Access Permits Available for Vessels Fishing in the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and the U.S. Caribbean. Open Access Commercial Permit Atlantic Dolphin/Wahoo (ADW) Spiny Lobster (LC) Spiny Lobster Tailing Spanish Mackerel Rock Shrimp South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp Gulf Royal Red Shrimp Endorsement HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit Open Access Charter/Headboat Permits Atlantic Charter/headboat for Dolphin/Wahoo Atlantic Charter/headboat for Coastal Migratory Pelagics South Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Snapper-Grouper

Option 2 includes two sub-options, which govern the choice between the two permit structures available to the Council. First, the Council could choose an open access permit system that does not restrict the availability of permits to fishers. With open access permits, any fisher can apply for a permit at any time. Open access permits are in common use in southeastern U.S. EEZ waters, including the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and U.S. Caribbean (Table 3.1). Alternatively, the Council could implement a limited entry permit where the number of permitted Table 3.2. Current Limited Access Permits Available for Vessels Fishing in the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and the U.S. Caribbean.

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Limited Access Commercial Permits King Mackerel Gillnet for King Mackerel Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish Eastern Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Long Line Endorsement Rock Shrimp South Atlantic Golden Crab South Atlantic Unlimited Snapper-Grouper South Atlantic 225 LB Trip Limit Snapper-Grouper South Atlantic Sea Bass Pot Endorsement South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Endorsement Swordfish Directed Swordfish Handgear Swordfish Incidental Shark Directed Shark Incidental Atlantic Tuna Longline Limited Access Charter/Headboat Permits Gulf Charter/Headboat Coastal Migratory Pelagics Gulf Charter/Headboat for Reef Fish Historical Captain Gulf Charter/Headboat for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish Historical Captain Gulf Charter/Headboat for Reef Fish fishers is restricted. In establishing eligibility criteria for a limited entry permit, the MagnusonStevens Act requires the Council to take into account: present participation in the fishery; historical fishing practices in and dependence on the fishery; the economics of the fishery; the capability of fishing vessels used in the fishery to engage in other fisheries; the cultural and social framework relevant to the fishery and any affected fishing communities; the fair and equitable distribution of access privileges in the fishery; and, other relevant considerations. Eligibility criteria could include, for example, current participation in the fishery, historical participation in the fishery, or documentation of landings. Of key importance, once a limited entry permit is established, new fishers can only obtain a permit for that sector by purchasing an existing permit from another fisher, assuming transfer of permits is allowed. A variety of limited entry permits are operational in EEZ waters of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. No such federal programs are presently operating in U.S. Caribbean EEZ (Table 3.2), although Puerto Rico’s SU2 permit program is configured as a limited access permit.

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If the Council chose to implement a limited access permit for the commercial SU2 fishery operating in the Puerto Rico EEZ, the Council could elect to use a control date to identify eligible participants for the permit program. The Council has previously established control dates for U.S. Caribbean fisheries. At their March 2009 meeting, the Council voted to establish a control date of March 24, 2009, for the commercial sector of the reef fish, queen conch, and spiny lobster fisheries operating in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean. On July 8, 2009, NMFS published this control date in the Federal Register (74 FR 32528) as an Advanced Notice of Public Rulemaking (ANPR). The Council followed at their August 2012 meeting by voting to update the control date for the commercial trap sectors of the reef fish and spiny lobster fisheries operating in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean. On April 5, 2013, NMFS published an ANPR in the Federal Register (78 FR 20496) announcing the control date of February 10, 2011, for those sectors. These ANPRs informed fishers that anyone entering these fisheries after the control date would not be assured of future access should a management regime, such as a permit program, limit entry to the fishery or impose other measures to restrict entry to these fisheries. Consideration of a control date does not commit the Council or NMFS to any particular management regime or criteria for eligibility in the fishery. Additionally, the Council may choose to revise that control date, or to give variably weighted consideration to fishers active in the fishery before and after the control date. The Council may also choose to take no further action to control entry or access to any of these fisheries, in which case the control date may be rescinded. Options 3, 4, and 5 of Action 1 then guide the decision as to what permit allows harvest of SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. As noted above, Puerto Rico has established a permit for harvest of SU2 species from their state waters, which requires state residency. Option 3 assigns the existing Puerto Rico permit as the required permit for SU2 harvest from the Puerto Rico EEZ. If the fisher is permitted to harvest and sell SU2 species from state waters, they would be equally permitted to harvest and sell from the Puerto Rico EEZ. If they are not permitted to harvest from state waters, they are equally restricted from the Puerto Rico EEZ. However, this approach would only allow residents of Puerto Rico to fish for queen and cardinal snapper in the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 4 defines a federal permit that is equally available to all qualified applicants, regardless of their state of residence. Not all fishers may qualify for the permit, based on the Council’s chosen eligibility requirements (see proposed Action 2), but those who do would be granted access regardless of their state of residence. Sub-options within Option 4 guide the decision as to whether the federal permit is assigned to the individual fisher or to the vessel. In the former case, a permitted fisher may operate from any vessel, whereas in the latter case any fisher may operate from a permitted vessel. Option 5 recognizes either the state or federal permit as legally acceptable for harvest of SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Under Option 5, fishers holding a Puerto Rico commercial queen and cardinal snapper harvest permit would be allowed to commercially harvest SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Those

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fishers not eligible for Puerto Rico’s commercial queen and cardinal snapper harvest permit would be able to apply for the federal permit. However, possession of a federal permit allowing harvest of SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ would not provide access for commercial queen and cardinal snapper harvest from Puerto Rico state waters. Other caveats may be identified during the scoping process or at any time in the Council’s development of a permit program. Proposed Action 2 defines the criteria upon which federal permit eligibility is established. Option 1 establishes that no qualifying criteria need be met. Anyone may apply for a permit to harvest SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Option 2 establishes a minimum criterion, that being the requirement for the applicant to possess a license to commercially fish in U.S. EEZ waters. This license need not be specific to Puerto Rico; a commercial fishing license from any U.S. state, commonwealth, or territory would suffice. Thus, fishers holding a commercial fishing license from the USVI would qualify to harvest SU2 from the Puerto Rico EEZ. Options 3 and 4 establish more stringent eligibility requirements. Option 3 requires that the successful applicant have a history of SU2 harvest from Puerto Rico state or U.S. EEZ waters, the suboptions addressing the period of time during which those landings must have occurred. Other sub-options would be considered based on constituent input. Option 4 expands upon Option 3 by defining a required minimum average of landings the applicant must have realized during the time period established in Option 3. The various sub-options define what those minimum average landings must be. Again, other sub-options would be considered based on constituent input. Finally, Option 5 provides a placeholder for inclusion of other eligibility requirements suggested by constituents. Proposed Actions 3, 4, and 5 consider possible restrictions on harvest activities for commercially permitted SU2 fishers operating in Puerto Rico’s EEZ. Proposed Action 3 addresses gear requirements. Option 1 establishes no additional gear requirements, so any harvest gear permissible for use in the reef fish fishery in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ can be used for the commercial harvest of SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. In contrast, Option 2 specifically defines permissible gear such that, if a gear is not included in this list, its use is not allowed for the harvest of SU2. Note that Option 2 can be constructed in a manner that defines non-permitted gear, such that any otherwise legal gear not specifically prohibited in this option can be used to commercially harvest SU2 species from the Puerto Rico EEZ. As with all proposed Actions and Options included in this document, these options are open to discussion and may be revised based on input from constituents. Proposed Action 4 guides the choice between not limiting the number of trips a fisher may take to harvest SU2 from the Puerto Rico EEZ (Option 1) or including various numbers of trips each permitted fisher may take during the calendar year (Option 2 and associated sub-options). Proposed Action 5 addresses establishing a commercial trip limit for the number of pounds of SU2 species that may be landed on each trip.

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Action 5, Option 1 proposes that no SU2 trip limit be established, whereas Option 2 (and associated sup-options) proposes various allowable trip limits. Within proposed Actions 4 and 5, the actual values assigned to each sub-option would be developed based on constituent input during the scoping process. Action 6 proposes options regarding the reporting format and method of submission, including continuing the use of state commercial catch reporting forms (Option 1), devising a new form specifically tailored to reporting queen and cardinal snapper landings (Option 2), or utilizing an electronic (i.e., digital) reporting format (Option 3). Option 4 provides the fisher with a choice of reporting format. Fishers are currently required to report landings from Puerto Rico state and federal waters, even if they land in a different state, so there is no option included to not report landings. Note that an electronic reporting scheme, which includes a digital reporting format and an electronic submission capability, has been developed and tested in Puerto Rico with the involvement of Puerto Rico SU2 fishers. However, electronic reporting is not yet operational in Puerto Rico. Option 3 remains an unviable option until such time as electronic reporting, at least for reporting commercial landings by permitted SU2 fishers, is operational. Many obstacles remain before operational electronic reporting is achieved. Option 4 is similarly constrained, but also raises concerns regarding complexities and inconsistencies resulting from multiple reporting pathways. As with all proposed actions in this document, alternative approaches would be solicited from constituents during the scoping process. Regardless of the method of reporting, proposed Action 7 defines the frequency with which those landings reports must be submitted to the receiving agency. The receiving agency is the state, who then organizes the data and provides it to NMFS’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Option 1 provides for no action on this issue, instead continuing the presently established requirement to report landings according to applicable state law. For example, PRDNER requires landings to be reported within 60 days of fishing activity. Options 2-4 establish various report submission timelines, including daily regardless of fishing activity (Option 2), within 24 hours of a fishing trip (Option 3), and weekly regardless of fishing activity (Option 4). Option 5 anticipates other submission timelines that may be suggested by partners via public hearings and requests for comments. Note that Options 1 and 3 begin the submission timeline only after a fishing trip has been completed, whereas Options 2 and 4 require submission according to the timeline regardless of fishing activity. The latter options ensure the data distinguish between fishing trips that produce no catch and days on which no fishing activity occurs. This is an important distinction when determining catch and effort, and should be kept in mind when choosing options or when submitting suggestions for additional options. Another important consideration is management responsiveness. Federal management of U.S. Caribbean fisheries occurs almost exclusively one or more years following the fishing year(s) driving the management action. A desired goal of federal fishery managers is to conduct in-season rather

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than post-season management, an approach that maximizes responsiveness and minimizes regulatory restrictions. For example, if landings data are made available within the fishing year, those data can be analyzed to determine if the landings trajectory will lead to an overage of the ACL. If a potential ACL overage is identified, fishery managers can work with the fishers to adjust or redirect effort to minimize the likelihood of an ACL overage and resultant regulatory response. The more quickly and completely landings data are submitted, the more efficiently those data can be analyzed, potential overages identified, and management adjustments implemented.

3.3 Pre-Established Components Some essential features of a federal permit system are standardized across all permits, including but not limited to administration of the permit, the application process, fees to cover the cost of administering the program, permit duration and anniversary date, and penalties for violating permit provisions. Brief overviews are provided below. Administration A federal permit program for any Council-managed fishery in the U.S. Caribbean region would be administered by the NMFS Southeast Regional Office (SERO) permitting office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Applications, fees, and permit monitoring would be handled by this office. Application Process The standard federal permit application (Appendix B) is relatively detailed and currently requires the submission of vessel characteristic data (e.g., horsepower, gross tonnage, net tonnage, hull identification number, hold capacity, corporation shareholder information, lease information). Completion of this permit application form generally takes between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the supporting documents. Fees It would be necessary to charge an application fee, payable by the applicant, to recover costs associated with processing the permit and maintaining the permit system. NMFS is authorized to charge administrative fees for permit issuance, renewal, or transfer. The direct cost of obtaining a federal permit under the current SERO permitting process is $25 per permit. Duration and Renewal Date

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Permits would be valid for one year, with the permit holder’s birthday serving as the anniversary date. If the permit is assigned to a vessel rather than to an individual, one option is to assign the registration renewal date as the permit anniversary date. In any case, to manage workload in the permits office it is necessary to spread the anniversary dates throughout the year rather than establishing a single anniversary date applicable to all. The choice of anniversary date would be made by NMFS. Penalties Penalties for violating the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including permit program violations, are described in 50 C.F.R. § 600.735 of the Code of Federal Regulations and references therein.

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References CFMC. 2011. Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Caribbean Fishery Management Council, San Juan, Puerto Rico. September 22, 2011. 523 pp + Appendices. Available at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/caribbean/2010_acl/index.html CFMC. 2016. Comprehensive Amendment to the U.S. Caribbean Fishery Management Plans: Application of Accountability Measures, Including Final Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis. Caribbean Fishery Management Council, San Juan, Puerto Rico. November 2015. 122 pp. Available at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/caribbean/generic/accountability_measures/index .html. Matos-Caraballo, D., and J. J. Agar. 2011. Census of active commercial fishermen in Puerto Rico: 2008. Mar. Fish. Rev. 73:13-27.

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APPENDICES Appendix A: Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Administrative Order 2013-11 establishing the Commercial Queen and Cardinal Snapper Special Permit for state waters

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Appendix B: Federal Permit Application Form

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SERO Protected Resources Division Briefing Document December 2021 SAFMC Council Meeting Endangered Species Act (ESA) Actions Related to Listing and Rulemaking Determination on Critical Habitat for Threatened Caribbean Corals [No Change] • On November 27, 2020, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for five ESA-listed Caribbean Corals (Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox) within U.S. waters of Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Island, Navassa Island, and Flower Garden Banks. The proposed coral critical habitat consists of substrate and water column habitat characteristics essential for the reproduction, recruitment, growth, and maturation of the listed corals. • The Federal Register Notice and supporting information is available here. General information on Critical Habitat is available here. • The public comment period closed January 26, 2021 and we received 21,108 comments • The ESA requires that we publish our final determinations within 1 year of the proposed rules, so the Final Rules should be published by November 27, 2021 5-Year Status Review on 7 Threatened Coral Species {Updated] • In January 2021, NOAA Fisheries announced a 5-year review of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus), rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox), lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata), and boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). • The 60-day public comment period for the status review closed March 8, 2021. • The status review is projected to be completed in early 2022. • If a change in status is recommended for any of the 7 threatened coral species through the review process, there would be a separate rule-making process with opportunity for public comment. Nassau Grouper Critical Habitat [No Change] • NOAA Fisheries entered into a settlement agreement on December 22, 2020 stipulating that NOAA Fisheries must submit a proposed determination concerning the designation of critical habitat for the Nassau grouper to the Federal Register by December 30, 2022. If NOAA Fisheries determines to propose critical habitat, NOAA Fisheries must submit for publication in the Federal Register a proposed critical habitat rule on that same date, and (to the extent a proposed rule has been published) a final rule by December 29, 2023. • To determine potential critical habitat areas, we are currently reviewing available data on the Nassau grouper (e.g., information that was completed in support of the ESA listing, the proposed and final listing rules for Nassau grouper, recent biological surveys and reports, and peer-reviewed literature). • Potential critical habitat areas include the east coast of Florida, areas around Puerto Rico, areas around the U.S. Virgin Islands. • The Council will have the opportunity to provide comments if critical habitat is proposed (i.e., a comment period will automatically be included if a rule is published). 1

ESA Section 7-Related Actions and Other ESA News

Dolphin Wahoo FMP Consultation [No Update] • SERO SFD in its role as the action agency is working to complete a draft biological assessment for the consultation on the fishery. Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (CMPR) Consultation [New] • SERO Protected Resources Division is working on an amendment to the CMPR FMP to address oceanic whitetip sharks and giant manta ray. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Actions and News Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team [Updated] • Phase 1: o The LMA 1 Restricted Area closure is now in effect. o On October 16, 2021, Maine Federal District Court Judge Lance E. Walker issued an Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction initially preventing the roughly 967-square-mile LMA 1 Restricted Area, established by the 2021 amendments to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, from going into effect. However, on November 16, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit stayed the preliminary injunction issued by the lower court. o Lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fishermen fishing in the LMA 1 Restricted Area had to remove all trap/pot gear from this area, and may not reset trawls being actively fished, or set new trawls in this area. The area will remain closed through January 31, 2022. o The gear modifications required by the rule are effective May 1, 2022, which is the start of the American lobster/Jonah crab fishing year. o •

Phase 2: o The scoping period for input on efforts to reduce the risk of entanglement to right, humpback and fin whales in the U.S. East Coast gillnet, Atlantic mixed species trap/pot, and Mid-Atlantic lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries closed on October 21, 2021. o On November 2, there was a team webinar which provided an updated population estimate and new risk reduction target of ~90% for Phase 2 rulemaking. o The next team meeting, which will include discussion of scoping results was initially scheduled for December 1-2, 2021, but has been postponed to January 11-13, 2021.

Right Whale Caving Season [New] • Aerial surveys off SC and NC (USACE-funded), GA (NOAA-funded), and FL (Navy, Coast Guard, and USACE-funded) all in operation. Two mom/calf pairs have been detected so far this calving season:

o #1245 “Slalom” and calf were sighted approximately 17nm east of Pawleys Island, SC on November 24, 2021. Catalog #1245 is 40 years old and this is her sixth documented calf. #1245 has survived six fishing gear entanglements. o #3560 “Snow Cone” and calf were sighted approximately 10 nm east of Cumberland Island, GA on December 2, 2021. Catalog #3560 is 17 years old and this is her second documented calf. #3560 and her 2020 calf ventured into the Gulf of Mexico during the 2020 calving season. They were harassed my several boaters and a para-sail. The 2020 calf was struck and killed by a vessel off New Jersey as mom and calf were migrating northward in 2020 from the calving area. o #3560 was first observed entangled on March 10, 2021 off Plymouth Harbor, MA. She has been the subject of multiple disentanglement attempts. Currently, she has two trailing lines from the left mouth that are short of the peduncle.. There are no plans to attempt buoy attachment. North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event (UME) [No Change] • Elevated North Atlantic right whale mortalities began in 2017, primarily in Canada, and triggered the declaration of an Unusual Mortality Event. From 2017-2021, there were 34 mortalities and 16 serious injuries. The leading category for the cause of death for this UME is “human interaction,” specifically from entanglements or vessel strikes. More information can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-lifedistress/2017-2021-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality-event. Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule Development {No Change] • NMFS published a proposed rule to amend the PLTRP which included removing the CHSRA and associated requirements, implementation of terminal gear in the NEC, MAB, SAB, and FEC Pelagic Longline fishing areas as well as changes to mainline length requirements in the MAB. NMFS is preparing the final rule and plans to have it available before Spring 2022. Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan [No Change] MMPA List of Fisheries – 2020 [Updated • Comment period closed on September 8, 2021 for the 2022 Proposed List of Fisheries. • The final 2022 List of Fisheries is anticipated to be published in early 2022.

SERO Protected Resources Division Briefing For the August 2022 CFMC Meeting Endangered Species Act (ESA) Actions Related to Listing and Rulemaking: Queen Conch Status Review ● In December 2019, NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of queen conch to determine whether listing the species as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is warranted and opened a 60 day public comment period (December 6, 2019; 84 FR 66885). ● We anticipate publishing our ESA listing determination in the Federal Register this summer (i.e., sometime soon!). We will distribute notice widely once the determination is published. ● If after considering the Status Review and ongoing conservation efforts, NOAA Fisheries determines that the petitioned request (i.e., listing the queen conch under the ESA): o Is not warranted, we publish a negative 12-month finding in the Federal Register. o Is warranted, we:  Publish a 12-month finding/Proposed Rule in the Federal Register and request public comments on the proposal to list (as threatened or endangered). One or more public hearings may be held on the proposal.  Within one year of publishing a proposed rule, we then publish a notice to finalize the proposed rule or withdraw the proposed rule.

Nassau Grouper Critical Habitat Determination • NOAA Fisheries entered into a settlement agreement on December 22, 2020 stipulating that NOAA Fisheries must submit a proposed determination concerning the designation of critical habitat for the Nassau grouper to the Federal Register by December 30, 2022. If NOAA Fisheries determines to propose critical habitat, NOAA Fisheries must submit for publication in the Federal Register a proposed critical habitat rule on that same date, and (if a proposed rule has been published) a final rule by December 29, 2023. • To determine potential critical habitat areas, we are currently reviewing available data on the Nassau grouper (e.g., information that was completed in support of the ESA listing, the proposed and final listing rules for Nassau grouper, recent biological surveys and reports, and peer-reviewed literature). Potential critical habitat areas include the Southeast coast of Florida, areas around Puerto • Rico, areas around the U.S. Virgin Islands. • Fishery Management Councils and the public will have the opportunity to provide comments if critical habitat is proposed (i.e., a comment period will automatically be included if a rule is published). 5-Year Status Review on 7 Threatened Coral Species • On August 10, 2022, NOAA Fisheries the published a 5-year review for seven species of Caribbean coral (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/caribean-corals-5year-review). A 5-year review is a periodic analysis of a species’ status conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species as threatened or endangered under the US Endangered Species Act of 1973 is accurate. The review evaluates information that has become available since the last status review conducted in 2014. NOAA Fisheries 1

•

determined that the classification for staghorn (Acropora cervicornis), elkhorn (Acropora palmata), lobed star (Orbicella annularis), mountainous star (Orbicella faveolata), boulder star (Orbicella franksi), and rough cactus (Mycetophyllia ferox) corals be maintained as threatened and that the classification for pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) be considered for up-listing from threatened to endangered. NOAA Fisheries is recommending changing the status of pillar coral from threatened to endangered due to loss in the northern portion of its range, the low and declining population, the susceptibility to stony coral tissue loss disease, and the rapid spread of the disease to most areas of the Caribbean. Any change in status would be achieved through a separate rule-making process and include a public comment period.

Determination on Critical Habitat for Threatened Caribbean Corals • On November 27, 2020, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for five ESA-listed Caribbean Corals (Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox) within U.S. waters of Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Island, Navassa Island, and Flower Garden Banks. The proposed coral critical habitat consists of substrate and water column habitat characteristics essential for the reproduction, recruitment, growth, and maturation of the listed corals. • The Federal Register Notice and supporting information is available here. General information on Critical Habitat is available here. • The public comment period closed January 26, 2021, and we received 21,108 comments • The ESA requires that we publish our final determinations within 1 year of the proposed rules. We anticipate publishing our final determination in late spring or early summer. ESA Section 7 Consultations on CFMC FMPs Section 7 Consultation for the Island-Based FMPs and proposed implementing regulations • On September 21, 2020, NOAA Fisheries completed an ESA Section 7 Consultation on the authorization and management of the Puerto Rico fishery under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the St. Thomas/St. John fishery under the St. Thomas/St. John FMP, and the St. Croix fishery under the St. Croix FMP. This opinion considered the effects of approving the proposed Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the St. Thomas/St. John FMP, and the St. Croix FMP (evaluation of the 3 actions is batched in one Opinion). • NMFS concluded the proposed actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the NA DPS green sea turtle, SA DPS green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, Nassau grouper, oceanic whitetip shark, the Central and Southwest Atlantic DPS of scalloped hammerhead shark, elkhorn coral, staghorn coral, rough cactus coral, pillar coral, lobed star coral, mountainous star coral, or boulder star coral, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated Acropora critical habitat.

Management Measures for Pelagic Species in Federal Waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix

Draft Scoping/Options Paper August 2022

Table of Contents List of Tables

List of Figures

1. Background

1.1

Guidance from the Council

1.2

Description of the U.S. Caribbean Pelagic Fisheries

2. Potential Actions and Management Options

Action 1: Recreational Bag Limits

Action 2: Commercial Trip Limits

Action 3: Size Limits

References

Appendix A. Federal Management of Pelagic Species in the Southeast Region

List of Tables Table 1. Pelagic species managed under the island-based fishery management plans. ................ 4

List of Figures Figure 1. Distribution of pounds (reported) of dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny and blackfin tuna landed per commercial fishing trip in Puerto Rico from 2003-2019. ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 2. Distribution of pounds of dolphin (black bars) and wahoo (gray bars) landed per commercial fishing trip in St. Thomas and St. John from 2012-2020. ......................................... 12 Figure 3. Distribution of pounds of dolphin (black bars) and wahoo (gray bars) landed per commercial fishing trip in St. Croix from 2012-2020. ................................................................. 13

1. Background The Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the St. Thomas and St. John FMP, and the St. Croix FMP (collectively the island-based FMPs) were approved by the Secretary of Commerce in September 2020. Select pelagic species were included for management in federal waters under the FMPs (Table 1). Pelagic species were not managed under the U.S. Caribbean-wide FMPs, and thus are new to federal management. The island-based FMPs established annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets, and accountability measures for the pelagic stocks and stock complexes (Appendix A), but did not establish size limits or bag and trip limits for the stocks and stock complexes. This paper provides information to assist the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) in establishing additional management measures for the pelagic species to control or reduce effort, if desired. Table 1. Pelagic species managed under the island-based fishery management plans. Puerto Rico FMP Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) Dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) Pompano dolphin (Coryphaena equiselis) Little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) Cero mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis) Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

St. Thomas/St. John FMP St. Croix FMP Dolphin Dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) (Coryphaena hippurus) Wahoo Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) (Acanthocybium solandri)

1.1 Guidance from the Council

At the April 2022 Council meeting, National Marine Fisheries Service staff presented options for management measures that the Council could consider developing for the pelagic species included in the island-based FMPs. Management measures described in the presentation included recreational bag limits, commercial trip limits, and size limits. The Council directed staff to prepare an options paper with size and bag/trip limits for pelagic species managed under the island-based FMPs. At previous Council meetings, the Council’s District Advisory Panels recommended the Council consider establishing size and bag limits for recreational fishing in federal waters (e.g., at the August 2019 and December 2021 regular meetings). The objectives of the 179th Council Meeting (August 11-12, 2022) with respect to this topic are for the Council to review and provide guidance to draft a purpose and need for this action,

provide guidance to staff on the range of options to develop, as well as discuss timing for an amendment. Draft Purpose and Need *Note: The following Purpose and Need statements are a draft for the Council’s consideration and may change, pending Council’s guidance. The need is to develop conservation and management measures to protect against overfishing and ensure optimum yield for pelagic species new to federal management. The purpose of this action is to establish size limits, bag limits, and trip limits (per Council direction) for pelagic species, which are new to management under the island-based FMPs.

1.2 Description of the U.S. Caribbean Pelagic Fisheries

Pelagic and coastal pelagic species are targeted by commercial and recreational fishermen in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The new island-based FMPs will manage a select number of pelagic species. Puerto Rico In Puerto Rico, commercial fishermen primarily use hook-and-line gear, specifically handlines, to target coastal migratory species such as dolphin, wahoo, cero mackerel, and king mackerel (Agar and Shivlani 2016). About 59% of the fishermen using hook-and-line gear stated they primarily fish in Commonwealth waters (<9 nautical miles), 39% fish in both federal and Commonwealth waters, and <2% fish solely in federal waters (9-200 nautical miles) (Agar and Shivlani 2016). Between 1983 and 2002, pelagics (tuna, dorado, wahoo, marlin, sailfish and swordfish) comprised approximately 7.6% of the total commercial landings (Salas et al. 2011). Of the pelagic species reported in the most recent Fisheries of the United States Report (NMFS 2021), dolphinfish accounted for 8% of the total landings for finfish species in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, there are two-dolphinfish seasons: October through March for the northern stock and March to June for the southern stock (Rodríguez-Ferrer et al. 2006). Currently, few data are available for recreational fishing activities in Puerto Rico. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implemented its Marine Recreational Fisheries Sampling Survey Program in Puerto Rico in 2000, but the program was suspended in 2017 and has not resumed to date. A comparison of commercial and recreational fishing in Puerto Rico from 2000-2003, found that commercial fishermen landed more dolphin by weight, but smaller sized fish (414-1100 mm fork length) than both the recreational fishermen (700 - 1100 mm FL) and tournament fishermen (800 - 1149 mm FL) (Rodríguez-Ferrer et al. 2006). In Puerto Rico, tournaments are an important part of the recreational fishing activities. Before regulations (i.e., bag limits) for dolphinfish were implemented by Puerto Rico in 2005, catches of 50 or more fish per boat per day were observed, with high numbers of immature fish and females landed. Following the 2005 bag limits regulations, the tournaments encouraged fishermen to land bigger fish, which reduced the tendency to land immature fish. Dolphinfish, great barracuda, wahoo, and tunas are the most often observed bycatch species during the tournaments. Rodríguez-Ferrer et al. (2007) evaluated data collected from fishing tournaments in Puerto Rico from 2000 to 2006, which included size information on landed dolphin (100-1525 mm), wahoo (570-1640 mm), mackerel (652-790 mm), and great barracuda (136-1420 mm). U.S. Virgin Islands The USVI commercial fisheries in St. Thomas and St. John and in St. Croix are small scale, artisanal fisheries that primarily catch benthic, coastal pelagic, and deep-water pelagic fish as well as spiny lobster and queen conch (Kojis et al. 2017). The fisheries are operated almost exclusively from small boats and the fishermen market the daily catch themselves. The shelf

surrounding St. Croix is smaller than the shelf around St. Thomas and St. John, so deeper water is closer to shore and, therefore, pelagic fish are more accessible to the island’s small boat fishery. Dolphinfish and wahoo are harvested by about a quarter of fishermen on St. Thomas and St. John and more than half of the fishermen on St. Croix (Kojis et al. 2017). Most commercial fishermen fish year-round, but a few fish seasonally: October to November for dolphinfish, kingfish, tuna, wahoo in St. Thomas and St. John, and November to May for dolphinfish and other migratory pelagic fish in St. Croix (Kojis et al. 2017). In the USVI, dolphin landings have a primary peak in the spring and a secondary peak in the fall and wahoo landings have a single peak in fall/winter (Toller et al. 2005). In 2019, dolphinfish accounted for 6% of the total commercial landings in the USVI and wahoo for 3% (NMFS 2021). As in Puerto Rico, information on recreational fishing in the USVI is very limited. Most data are collected from fishing tournaments or special projects (Garcia-Moliner et al. 2002). A survey of recreational fishermen found that three broad types of fishing occur in the USVI: (1) big game fishing on large vessels (>9 meters) that primarily target billfish; (2) private boat fishing conducted on smaller boats that target reef fish and offshore pelagic fish; and (3) fishing from shore (e.g., beach, pier, dock), which primarily targets reef fish (Kojis and Tobias 2016). Most recreational fishing is done using hook-and-line fishing gear types such as plastic spool (Yo-Yo reel) or rod and reel. On St. Thomas and St. John, a higher number of fishermen participated in offshore and inshore trolling (65% and 61%, respectively) than on St. Croix (55% and 42%, respectively). These methods are primarily used to catch tuna, mackerel, dolphinfish and jacks. Dolphin, wahoo, and billfish tournaments occur during the spring and summer migrations of pelagic species. Fourteen percent of the USVI recreational fishermen surveyed participated in fishing tournaments (22% from St. Thomas and St. John and 6% from St. Croix) (Kojis and Tobias 2016). Toller et al. (2005) identified five types of sportfishing tournaments in the USVI: shore-based handline, boat-based handline, offshore coastal pelagic, offshore pelagic, and marlin. Of those tournaments, landings from 2000 to 2005 on St. Thomas were dominated by dolphin, barracuda, and wahoo (Toller et al. 2005). On St. Croix, tournament landings during the same period were dominated by dolphin and wahoo. A greater number, weight and diversity of coastal pelagics were landed in St. Thomas tournaments than in St. Croix tournaments (Toller et al. 2005). An average of 12.9 boats that participated in offshore pelagic tournaments in St. Thomas (range 5 to 27) and 11.4 boats in St. Croix (range 7 to 20). Both fishing effort and catch rates were highly variable within and among years. In the USVI, declines in reef fish stocks prompted managers to encourage commercial fishermen to shift fishing effort towards seasonal stocks (i.e. dolphin, wahoo, and tuna) (Toller et al. 2005). If USVI reef fish stocks should continue to decline, it can be predicted that commercial effort will progressively shift towards pelagic resources. Therefore, managers must be aware of the potential for conflict between commercial and recreational fishermen over the shared resources.

2. Potential Actions and Management Options Action 1: Recreational Bag Limits A. Puerto Rico

Option 1. No action. There are no bag limits for the recreational harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off Puerto Rico. Option 2. Establish a recreational bag limit for [pelagic stock] in federal waters. (For Puerto Rico, pelagic stocks include: dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda). 2a. 10 dolphin per fisher/day or 30 dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less. (This would be compatible with Puerto Rico DNER regulations) 2b. 5 dolphin per fisher/day or 15 dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less. (Recommended by the Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel December 2021). 2c. X [pelagic stock] per fisher/day or XX [pelagic stock] per vessel/day, whichever is less Option 3. Establish an aggregate recreational bag limit for [pelagic stocks or stock complexes] in federal waters. (For Puerto Rico, stock complexes include: Dolphinfish [dolphin and pompano dolphin], Tuna [little tunny and blackfin tuna], and Mackerels [king mackerel and cero mackerel]). 3a. For wahoo, king mackerel, and cero mackerel combined, 5 of each species per fisher/day or 10 total per vessel/day. (This would be compatible with Puerto Rico DNER regulations). 3b. For [pelagic stocks or stock complex] combined, X per person per day or XX per vessel/day.

B. St. Thomas and St. John Option 1. No action. There are no bag limits for the recreational harvest of pelagic species in federal waters off St. Thomas and St. John. Option 2. Establish a recreational bag limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 2a. 10 dolphin per fisher/day or 60 dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less. (Recommended by the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Advisory Committee [FAC] at the August 2019 CFMC meeting 1). 2b. 2 wahoo per fisher/day or 6 wahoo per vessel/day, whichever is less. (Recommended by the St. Thomas and St. John FAC at the August 2019 CFMC meeting). Option 3. Establish an aggregate recreational bag limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 3a. No more than 10 dolphin or wahoo, per person, per day, not to exceed 32 per vessel per day, and not to exceed 4 wahoo per person, per day, or 20 wahoo per vessel, per day. (This would be compatible with the U.S. Virgin Islands [USVI] proposed regulations).

C. St. Croix Option 1. No action. There are no bag limits for the recreational harvest of pelagic species in federal waters off St. Croix. Option 2. Establish a recreational bag limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 2a. X dolphin per fisher/day or XX dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less. 2b. X wahoo per fisher/day or XX wahoo per vessel/day, whichever is less. Option 3. Establish an aggregate recreational bag limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 3a. No more than 10 dolphin or wahoo, per person, per day, not to exceed 32 per vessel per day, and not to exceed 4 wahoo per person, per day, or 20 wahoo per vessel, per day. (This would be compatible with the USVI proposed regulations). Discussion Establishing recreational bag limits for the pelagic species new to management would allow the Council to limit the amount of fish removed from the fishery. The Council could also consider revising the accountability measure (AM) provision for pelagic stocks/stock complexes to 1

St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Advisory Committee presentation; CFMC August 2019.

include recreational bag limits, where AMs are established for the recreational sector, as the responsive action that the Council and NMFS take when the AM has been triggered (i.e., when landings exceed the annual catch target). For example, if the recreational landings for dolphin exceed the recreational ACT, the Council and NMFS could implement a recreational bag limit for dolphin in federal waters instead of another management action such as a shortening of the fishing season for dolphin.

Action 2: Commercial Trip Limits A. Puerto Rico

Option 1. No action. There are no commercial trip limits for the harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off Puerto Rico. Option 2. Establish a commercial trip limit for [pelagic stock] in federal waters. (For Puerto Rico, pelagic stocks include: dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda). 2 The average pounds of dolphin 3 landed per trip from 2003-2019 was 67.3 lb. The average pounds of wahoo landed per trip from 2003-2019 was 34.5 lb. The average pounds of king mackerel landed per trip from 2003-2019 was 27.2 lb. The average pounds of cero mackerel landed per trip from 2003-2019 was 28.9 lb. The average pounds of little tunny per trip from 2003-2019 was 34.6 lb. The average pounds of blackfin tuna landed per trip from 2003-2019 was 40.1 lb.

Figure 1. Distribution of pounds (reported) of dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny and blackfin tuna landed per commercial fishing trip in Puerto Rico from 2003-2019.

2 3

Tripletail and great barracuda were not landed each year, so those not included in preliminary analysis. Only two trips reported landings of pompano dolphin from 2003-2019.

Option 3. Establish a commercial trip limit for [pelagic stock complex] in federal waters. (For Puerto Rico, stock complexes include: Dolphinfish [dolphin and pompano dolphin], Tuna [little tunny and blackfin tuna], and Mackerels [king mackerel and cero mackerel]).

B. St. Thomas and St. John Option 1. No action. There are no commercial trip limits for the harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off St. Thomas and St. John. Option 2. Establish a commercial trip limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. The average pounds of dolphin landed per trip from 2012-2020 was 80.6 lb. The average pounds of wahoo landed per trip from 2012-2020 was 79.5 lb.

Figure 2. Distribution of pounds of dolphin (black bars) and wahoo (gray bars) landed per commercial fishing trip in St. Thomas and St. John from 2012-2020.

C. St. Croix Option 1. No action. There are no commercial trip limits for the harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off St. Croix. Option 2. Establish a commercial trip limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. The average pounds of dolphin landed per trip from 2012-2020 was 136.7 lb. The average pounds of wahoo landed per trip from 2012-2020 was 89.9 lb.

Figure 3. Distribution of pounds of dolphin (black bars) and wahoo (gray bars) landed per commercial fishing trip in St. Croix from 2012-2020.

Discussion Establishing commercial trip limits for the pelagic species new to management would allow the Council to limit the amount of fish removed from the fishery. The Council could also consider revising the AM provision for pelagic stocks/stock complexes to include commercial trip limits as the responsive action that the Council and NMFS take when the AM has been triggered (i.e., when landings exceed the annual catch target). For example, if the landings for dolphin exceed the ACT, the Council and NMFS could implement a commercial trip limit for dolphin in federal waters instead of another management action such as a shortening of the fishing season for dolphin.

Action 3: Size Limits A. Puerto Rico

Option 1. No action. There are no size limits for the commercial or recreational harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off Puerto Rico. Option 2. Establish a commercial and recreational size limit for [pelagic stock] in federal waters. (For Puerto Rico, pelagic stocks include: dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda). 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity). For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” fork length (FL) for females. 4 For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females. 5 For king mackerel, size at 50% maturity is 23” FL for females. 6 For cero mackerel, size at 50% maturity is 16” FL for females. 2b. To be compatible with state regulations. 7 For king mackerel, a 20” FL minimum. For cero mackerel, a 16” FL minimum. 2c. Based on other fishery information (e.g., size reported in trip intercept program data or expert opinion).

B. St. Thomas and St. John Option 1. No action. There are no size limits for the commercial or recreational harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off St. Thomas and St. John. Option 2. Establish a commercial and recreational size limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity). For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” fork length (FL) for females. 8 For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females. 9

Schwenke and Buckel 2008. https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/2008/1061/schwenke.pdf Maki Jenkins and McBride 2009. https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/pdf/MF08211 6 Figuerola-Fernández et al. 2007. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/19540474.pdf 7 Puerto Rico Fishing Regulations 2010 (#7949), Department of Natural and Environmental Resources 8 Schwenke and Buckel 2008. https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/2008/1061/schwenke.pdf 9 Maki Jenkins and McBride 2009. https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/pdf/MF08211 4 5

2b. Based on other fishery information (e.g., size reported in trip intercept program data or expert opinion). For dolphin, a 24” FL minimum (Recommended by the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Advisory Committee at the August 2019 CFMC meeting 10). For wahoo, a 36” FL minimum (Recommended by the St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Advisory Committee at the August 2019 CFMC meeting).

C. St. Croix Option 1. No action. There are no size limits for the commercial or recreational harvest of pelagic stocks in federal waters off St. Croix. Option 2. Establish a commercial and recreational size limit for [dolphin, wahoo] in federal waters. 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity). For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” fork length (FL) for females. 11 For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females. 12 2b. Based on other fishery information (e.g., size reported in trip intercept program data or expert opinion). Discussion Establishing size limits for the pelagic species new to management would allow the Council to restrict the landing of fish below a certain size, reducing the amount of fish harvested before they have a chance to reproduce. The Council could also consider revising the AM provision for pelagic stocks/stock complexes to include size limits as the responsive action that the Council and NMFS take when the AM has been triggered (i.e., when landings exceed the annual catch target). For example, if the landings for dolphin exceed the ACT, the Council and NMFS could implement a size limit for dolphin in federal waters instead of another management action such as a shortening of the fishing season for dolphin.

St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Advisory Committee presentation; CFMC August 2019. Schwenke and Buckel 2008. https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/2008/1061/schwenke.pdf 12 Maki Jenkins and McBride 2009. https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/pdf/MF08211 10 11

References Agar, J.J. and M. Shivlani. 2016. Socio-economic study of the hook and line fishery in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (2014). NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-700. 34 p. doi:10.7289/V5/TM-SEFSC-700 Kojis B.L. and W.J. Tobias. 2016. Survey of boat-based recreational fishers in the US Virgin Islands. Proceedings of the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium, Honolulu: 170-183. Available at: http://coralreefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Session-21-Kojis-Tobias.pdf National Marine Fisheries Service (2021) Fisheries of the United States. 2019. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Current Fishery Statistics No. 2019 Available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/fisheries-united-states-2019 Rodríguez-Ferrer, G., Y. Rodríguez-Ferrer, D. Matos-Caraballo, and C. Lilyestrom. 2006. Comparison of Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) Commercial and Recreational Fisheries in Puerto Rico during 2000-2003. 57th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. Available at: https://aquadocs.org/bitstream/handle/1834/29780/gcfi_57-23.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Rodríguez-Ferrer, G., Y. Rodríguez-Ferrer, and C. Lilyestrom. 2007. Evaluation of Statistical Data from Fishing Tournaments in Puerto Rico Collected from 2000 - 2006. Proceedings of the 60th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Available at: https://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgpw07001/data/papers/058.pdf Salas, S., R. Chuenpagdee, A. Charles, and J.C. Seijo. 2011. Coastal Fisheries of Latin America and the Caribbean. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 544. 1-13, 285-315 pp. Available at: https://caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/Coastal%20fisheries%20Latin%20America%20%20Caribbean.pdf Toller, W., C. O’Sullivan, and R. Gomez. 2005. U.S. Virgin Islands Recreational Fishery Assessment Project: Survey of Fishing Tournaments in the U.S. Virgin Islands, October 1, 2000 to September 30, 2005. 54 pg.

Appendix A. Federal Management of Pelagic Species in the Southeast Region In 1983, the Council developed a Draft Fishery Management Plan for coastal migratory pelagic species (CCMP FMP) and an associated environmental impact statement (CFMC 1983). The species considered under the CCMP FMP included cero mackerel, king mackerel, great barracuda, dolphin, wahoo, almaco jack, bar jack, greater amberjack, horse-eye jack, yellow jack, blue runner, and rainbow runner. The Draft FMP was submitted in April 1983 at the 46th Council meeting but was withdrawn in December 1983 (48th CFMC meeting). As such, the CCMP FMP was never formalized. In February 2001, under the guidance of NMFS and NOAA General Counsel, the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC), and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) met in a joint session and approved a Dolphin Wahoo FMP for submission to the Secretary of Commerce for formal review. However, prior to submission and prompted by litigation, it was determined that the joint FMP did not meet mandates of the Sustainable Fisheries Act relative to Essential Fish Habitat. The Councils, NMFS and NOAA General Counsel worked to revise the FMP, but were advised by NOAA General Counsel that the litigation would require the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Councils to incorporate bycatch measures in the FMP rather than deferring implementation through the proposed framework procedures. In July 2002, the South Atlantic Council requested the Secretary of Commerce approve their withdrawal from a joint Dolphin and Wahoo FMP with the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Councils and approve the Dolphin and Wahoo FMP of the Atlantic (SAFMC 2003). Of the pelagic species new to federal management in the U.S. Caribbean under the island-based FMPs (Table 1), dolphin, pompano dolphin, and wahoo are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Dolphin and Wahoo FMP (SAFMC 2003), and king mackerel is managed jointly by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP (GMFMC and SAFMC 1985). A summary of the rationale for certain management measures for these species, including size limits, recreational bag limits, and commercial trip limits, are described below and current regulations for the species are listed in Table A.1. The size limits considered for dolphin were based on life history information coupled with size distribution of dolphinfish in both the commercial (by gear type) and recreational (by fishing mode) landings data from the South Atlantic region (SAFMC 2003). A size limit was established in hopes of preventing the catch of smaller fish, discouraging waste by overharvest and discards, and imparting a conservation ethic to both sectors of the fishery. One complicating factor noted was the presence of pompano dolphin in the catch, which seldom grow larger than 16 inches.

A recreational bag limit for dolphin was established to reduce the practice of harvesting large quantities or entire schools of small, immature dolphin (SAFMC 2003). Unrestricted bag limits could result in localized depletion. The Council concluded that the recreational bag limit would cap the fishery without excessively reducing the catch. The Council realized that some level of release mortality could occur, but thought that there would be a greater tendency to stop fishing when the bag limit is attained. A commercial trip limit for dolphin was established to regulate and cap commercial harvest of dolphin, insure highly efficient gear are not employed in the fishery, and prevent a rapid increase in commercial landings which could shift allocation from the recreational sector to the commercial sector (SAFMC 2016a). Not implementing trip limits could result in additional effort and gear being introduced into the fishery, unrestrained commercial harvest, and the potential for overfishing (). A size limit was not established for wahoo, which would allow for harvest of fish prior to spawning. However, the majority of testimony at public hearings indicated there would be a problem with releasing wahoo safely and the associated hooking/gaffing mortality would likely outweigh the intended benefit. A commercial trip limit for wahoo was established to cap the fishery and prevent expansion (SAFMC 2003). It was noted that not establishing a commercial trip limit would leave the fishery unrestrained and a significant increase in harvest could occur if fishermen targeted wahoo with some type of highly efficient gear. A recreational bag limit for wahoo was established to reduce the potential for excessive harvest and impart a conservation ethic to fishermen (SAFMC 2003). Public testimony and landings data suggested that catching more than two wahoo per recreational trip was uncommon. Not establishing a bag limit could result in overfishing if there is no cap on total allowable catch and effort were to expand. A recreational bag limit for king mackerel was established to limit future catch to a predefined level (GMFMC and SAFMC 1985). A size limit for king mackerel was established to facilitate enforcement of the same size limit for Spanish mackerel (GMFMC and SAFMC 1990). It was noted that undersized Spanish mackerel are taken in a directed fishery and since the species may be confused for the other due to their similar appearance, having the same size limit for both species would benefit the Spanish mackerel stocks. It was also noted that release mortality for small fish of both species is believed to be low.

Table A.1. Summary of management measures for pelagic species in federal waters managed by the South Atlantic (SA) and Gulf of Mexico (GoM) Fishery Management Councils. Mgmt. Measure Size limit

Trip limit (commercial) and Bag limit (recreational)

Commercial

Recreational

Dolphin - 20” minimum FL off FL, GA, and SC. No size restrictions in NC. Wahoo – none King mackerel SA – 24” FL King mackerel GoM – 24” FL

Dolphin - 20” minimum FL off the east coast of FL, GA, and SC; No size restrictions north of the SC/NC border through Maine. Wahoo – none King mackerel SA – 24” FL King mackerel GoM –24” FL Dolphin - Bag limit of 10 dolphin and 2 wahoo per person/day, with a limit of 54 dolphin per boat/day (headboats are excluded from the boat limit)*. Wahoo - 2 per person/day King mackerel SA – 3 per person (GA:NY) and 2 per person (FL) King mackerel GoM – 3 per person

Dolphin - None if the vessel has a federal commercial permit for dolphin or wahoo. (Once 75% of the Atlantic dolphin ACL is reached, the trip limit is 4,000 lb (1,814 kg), round weight). For commercially permitted vessels fishing north of 39°N. that do not have a federal commercial vessel dolphin or wahoo permit, the trip limit is 200 lb combined. Wahoo - 500 lb (head and tail intact) (If a notice is filed to close commercial harvest, then sale prohibited and bag limit [2] applies) King mackerel SA – see 50 CFR 622.385(a)(1) for limits per zone King mackerel GoM – see 50 CFR 622.385(a)(2) for limits per zone

* The vessel bag limit for dolphin was revised from 60 to 54 per day for charter and private vessels under Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (87 FR 19011; effective date May 2, 2022).

NOAA Fisheries (Pesqueras)

Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy (Estrategia de Equidad y Justicia Medioambiental)

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Resumen ejecutivo NOAA Fisheries trabaja para proporcionarles un servicio equitativo a las partes interesadas, involucrando a las comunidades menos favorecidas en las actividades científicas, la conservación y la gestión de los recursos oceánicos de la nación y su hábitat. Esta estrategia nacional se basa en el trabajo previo de NOAA Fisheries en materia de equidad y justicia medioambiental (EEJ) para ofrecer orientación sobre la incorporación y la priorización de la EEJ en las actividades actuales y futuras que respalden la misión de NOAA Fisheries. Las actividades científicas, de conservación y gestión de NOAA Fisheries están al servicio de un amplio espectro de comunidades en los Estados Unidos y sus territorios. Al reconocer que no todas comunidades tienen las mismas oportunidades y acceso a los servicios de NOAA Fisheries, hemos identificado tres objetivos generales (Tabla 1). Esta estrategia nacional requiere planes de implementación por etapas e informes de progreso anuales para garantizar mejoras en cinco áreas fundamentales: Política, Investigación, Alcance, Beneficios y Administración. Una sexta área principal, Ambiente empoderante, le brinda al personal de la agencia el apoyo y las herramientas necesarias para implementar cambios (Tabla 1). La identificación y el reconocimiento de las comunidades menos favorecidas, así como la respuesta a las barreras de acceso que estas enfrentan, permitirán que NOAA Fisheries les ofrezca un servicio más equitativo y efectivo a todas las comunidades. El foco en estos seis objetivos fundamentales dará lugar a una gestión más equitativa de los recursos oceánicos de la nación y su hábitat. Esta estrategia nacional es el resultado de las orientaciones de órdenes ejecutivas recientes, del Equity Action Plan (Plan de Acción para la Equidad) del Department of Commerce, del Climate Council de NOAA y de la dirección de NOAA Fisheries, así como de la participación activa del personal y de una necesidad clara y creciente demostrada por las comunidades menos favorecidas. Para que quede claro, dicha estrategia no justifica la falta de cambios y no es una renovación superficial de las actividades existentes. Por el contrario, esta estrategia nacional describe el camino que seguirá NOAA Fisheries para incorporar la EEJ en los servicios esenciales que les proporcionamos a todas las partes interesadas.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Tabla 1. Los tres objetivos globales de NOAA Fisheries y los seis objetivos fundamentales de la EEJ

Objetivos de equidad y justicia medioambiental de NOAA Fisheries Priorizar la identificación, el abordaje equitativo y la participación significativa de las comunidades menos favorecidas.

Proporcionar servicios equitativos.

Priorizar la EEJ en nuestro trabajo por mandato y misión.

Objetivos Ambiente empoderante: Proporcionar apoyo institucional, lo que incluye las capacitaciones y los recursos necesarios para implementar múltiples acercamientos a la EEJ en NOAA Fisheries. La dirección y la gerencia internas identificarán la EEJ como una prioridad e incentivarán al personal a considerarla en todos los aspectos de su trabajo.

Incorporación de la equidad y justicia medioambiental en políticas y planes:

Equidad en la Divulgación y Distribución Administración investigación e participación equitativa de los inclusiva: Prever la participación investigación de la equitativa: beneficios: significativa de las Construir relaciones con Distribuir los beneficios equidad:

las comunidades menos de forma equitativa Garantizar que nuestras Identificar a las favorecidas para entre las partes políticas promuevan la comunidades menos igualdad de oportunidades favorecidas, abordar comprender mejor sus interesadas de manera que se promueva el para todas las personas y que sus necesidades y necesidades y mejorar el intercambio de acceso a oportunidades no creen desigualdades no evaluar los impactos por parte de las deseadas ni cargas desiguales de las decisiones de la información con todas las partes interesadas. comunidades menos para las comunidades gestión. favorecidas. desatendidas.

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comunidades menos favorecidas en los procesos de toma de decisiones.

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table of Contents Lista de acrónimos ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introducción ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 Definiciones .......................................................................................................................................................................3 Misión de administración de NOAA Fisheries ...................................................................................................................4 Disposiciones de Equidad y Justicia Ambiental .................................................................................................................5 Barreras para la Equidad y la Justicia Ambiental ...............................................................................................................6 Enfoque de NOAA Fisheries hacia EEJ ....................................................................................................................... 8 Metas a largo plazo ...........................................................................................................................................................8 Objetivos a corto plazo ......................................................................................................................................................8 Ambiente empoderante ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Incorporación de la equidad y justicia medioambiental en políticas y planes ............................................................ 12 Investigación y supervisión para la equidad ................................................................................................................ 14 Divulgación y participación equitativa......................................................................................................................... 18 Distribución equitativa de los beneficios..................................................................................................................... 22 Administración inclusiva .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Proceso de desarrollo de estrategias ...................................................................................................................... 28 Aportes preliminares de la comunidad ...........................................................................................................................28 Revisión interna ...............................................................................................................................................................29 Comentarios del público: en curso ..................................................................................................................................29 Apéndice 1: Categorías de actividades de la EEJ ...................................................................................................... 30 Apéndice 2: Directivas y EEJ de NOAA Fisheries ...................................................................................................... 34 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ...................................................................................34 Endangered Species Act ..................................................................................................................................................35 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act ..................................................................................................................................36 Marine Mammal Protection Act ......................................................................................................................................36 National Environmental Policy Act ..................................................................................................................................37 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) ...................................................37 Oil Pollution Act (OPA).....................................................................................................................................................38

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Lista de acrónimos CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Ley Integral de Respuesta, Compensación y Responsabilidad Ambiental) DOC: Department of Commerce (Departamento de Comercio) EEJ: Equity and Environmental Justice (Equidad y Justicia Medioambiental) EJ IWG: Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (Grupo de Trabajo Federal Interinstitucional sobre la Justicia Ambiental) ESA: Endangered Species Act (Ley sobre las Especies en Peligro de Extinción) HMS: Highly Migratory Species (Especies altamente migratorias) IN FISH! Programa inclusivo de pasantía de NOAA Fisheries LGBTQ+: lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero y queer MMPA: Marine Mammal Protection Act (Ley de Protección de Mamíferos Marinos) MREP: Marine Resource Education Program (Programa de Educación sobre los Recursos Marinos) MSA: Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Ley Magnuson -Stevens sobre la Administración y Conservación de la Pesca) NCBO: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (Oficina de NOAA de la bahía de Chesapeake) NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act (Ley Nacional de Política Medioambiental) NMFS: National Marine Fisheries Service (Servicio Nacional de Pesca Marina) NOAA Fisheries: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (Servicio Nacional de Pesca Marina de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica) OHC: Office of Habitat Conservation (Oficina de Conservación del Hábitat) OPA: Oil Pollution Act (Ley de Contaminación Petrolera) PDS: Policy Directive System (Sistema de Directivas de Políticas) TEK: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Conocimiento Ecológico Tradicional)

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Introducción Esta estrategia nacional proporciona orientación para incorporar y priorizar la equidad y justicia medioambiental (EEJ) en las actividades actuales y futuras que respalden la misión de NOAA Fisheries. Si bien, el trabajo de NOAA Fisheries ha incorporado elementos de EEJ, nuestros esfuerzos a la fecha no han logrado el alcance, la magnitud y la duración de los desafíos que enfrentan las comunidades menos favorecidas. En 2021, el presidente Biden firmó las Órdenes Ejecutivas 13985 y 14008 para fomentar la equidad y la justicia medioambiental dentro del gobierno federal y sus iniciativas orientadas hacia el exterior. En respuesta, el Plan Estratégico de los años FY22-26 del Department of Commerce revisó su misión, “para crear las condiciones necesarias para el crecimiento económico y el acceso a oportunidades de parte de todas las comunidades”, y publicó su Equity Action Plan. NOAA Fisheries respondió con la convocatoria de un Grupo de Trabajo de EEJ para mejorar el intercambio de información, coordinar la experiencia interna e informar la implementación de la EEJ. El Grupo de Trabajo de EEJ identificó las actividades actuales de la EEJ (descritas en detalle en el Apéndice 1) y desarrolló este documento como un marco para incluir la EEJ en todo lo que hace NOAA Fisheries, a diario, para cumplir nuestra misión de brindar servicios vitales de forma equitativa para toda la nación. Para implementar esta estrategia se requiere la participación de toda la fuerza de trabajo y todas las oficinas y programas de NOAA Fisheries. Si bien, hay mucho que podemos hacer sin fondos adicionales, para lograr un progreso significativo serán necesarios dichos fondos adicionales, según lo requerido en la Solicitud de Presupuesto para el año FY23.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Definiciones NOAA Fisheries adopta las siguientes definiciones: Justicia Medioambiental es el tratamiento justo y la participación significativa de todas las personas, independientemente de la raza, el color, el género, la orientación sexual, la nacionalidad, la religión, la situación de discapacidad o ingresos durante el desarrollo, la implementación y la aplicación de las leyes, normas y políticas medioambientales, incluidas, entre otras: • • •

Protección equitativa frente a los peligros medioambientales y de la salud; Acceso equitativo a los procesos de toma de decisiones; y Oportunidades equitativas para las comunidades menos favorecidas que han sido marginadas.*

Equidad es el tratamiento aceptable, justo e imparcial, constante y sistemático de todas las personas, incluso las que pertenecen a comunidades menos favorecidas a quienes se les ha negado dicho tratamiento.** Participación significativa* se refiere: • • • •

Las partes interesadas tienen la oportunidad de participar en decisiones sobre actividades que pueden afectar su medio ambiente y su salud. La contribución del público fundamenta las decisiones de NOAA Fisheries. Las inquietudes de la comunidad se tendrán en cuenta en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Las personas encargadas de tomar decisiones buscarán y facilitarán la participación de las partes potencialmente afectadas.

Partes interesadas* son personas o representantes de organizaciones o grupos de interés que tienen un gran interés en los trabajos y políticas de NOAA Fisheries. Público* es la población en general de los Estados Unidos. Muchos segmentos del “público” pueden tener un interés particular o posiblemente se vean afectados por los programas y decisiones de NOAA Fisheries. Comunidades desatendidas, como se define en la Orden Ejecutiva 13985, se refiere a las comunidades a las que se les ha negado sistemáticamente la oportunidad total de participar en aspectos de la vida económica, social y cívica. Estas incluyen comunidades geográficas así como poblaciones que comparten una característica, historia o identidad determinada. Si se adapta la Orden Ejecutiva 13985, estos grupos podrían incluir, entre otros: mujeres y niñas; personas de raza negra, latina e indígena y los nativos americanos***, los estadounidenses de origen asiático y los isleños del Pacífico y otras personas de color; los miembros de minorías religiosas; las personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero y queer (LGBTQ+); las personas con discapacidad; las personas que viven en zonas rurales, y las personas en situación de pobreza o desigualdad persistente. En relación con el contexto específico de la pesca, los grupos desatendidos dentro de las comunidades pesqueras pueden incluir, por ejemplo, a los participantes de la pesca para la subsistencia y sus dependientes, tripulaciones de barcos pesqueros y, trabajadores del proceso y distribución de la pesca. Finalmente, las comunidades de pesca territorial (lo que incluye a Samoa Estadounidense, Guam, la Mancomunidad de las Islas Marianas del Norte, Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes Estadounidenses) también se pueden categorizar como desatendidas. Las comunidades desatendidas varían según la región y las barreras que enfrentan. Además, muchas de estas categorías de comunidades se entrecruzan. Por lo tanto, la identificación y la participación significativa de las comunidades desatendidas será un proceso regional específico y continuo que requerirá un compromiso a largo plazo.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Cambio climático es el cambio de las condiciones oceánicas y atmosféricas a largo plazo, lo que resulta en un aumento de temperatura, elevación del nivel del mar, y cambios en los patrones climáticos como sequías, inundaciones y frecuencia o duración de las tormentas. La NOAA identifica el cambio climático como un problema de EEJ porque sus impactos se experimentan de manera desigual en todo el país: las desigualdades socioeconómicas de larga data pueden hacer que las comunidades desatendidas, que a menudo tienen la mayor exposición a los peligros y la menor cantidad de recursos para responder a estos, sean más vulnerables. Tal como se describe en Climate Science Strategy Five Year Progress Report de NOAA Fisheries (2021), las comunidades pesqueras pueden ser especialmente vulnerables a la elevación del nivel del mar, la pérdida de la abundancia y diversidad de la pesca, y los impactos resultantes en su economía local. Diversidad, equidad, inclusión y accesibilidad NOAA Fisheries se esfuerza para erradicar la discriminación en nuestros programas y políticas, identificar y reducir las barreras hacia la equidad y ser inclusivos con todas las comunidades afectadas por el trabajo de NOAA FIsheries. Esta estrategia de EEJ se centra en el avance de la justicia medioambiental y la atención equitativa de todas las comunidades desatendidas a través de los servicios y políticas externos de NOAA Fisheries. La correcta implementación de esta estrategia dependerá, parcialmente, del progreso continuo hacia una fuerza laboral diversa e inclusiva de NOAA Fisheries. Los esfuerzos internos en cuanto a la diversidad, equidad, inclusión y accesibilidad de NOAA Fisheries se centran en cultivar una fuerza laboral diversa para reflejar, comprender y responder a las diversas comunidades con las que trabajamos, incluidas las comunidades desatendidas, como se describe en el NOAA Fisheries Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan para 2022- 2025 y como se describe en la Orden Ejecutiva 14035. Aquí, la diversidad abarca la nacionalidad, el idioma, la raza, el color, las capacidades, el origen étnico, el género, la edad, la religión y la orientación sexual, entre otros factores. La inclusión se refiere a un tratamiento, acceso, oportunidades y avance equitativo de todos los empleados. * adaptado de la definición de la Environmental Protection Agency **como se define en la Orden Ejecutiva 13985 *** El gobierno federal de los Estados Unidos tiene pautas específicas para las relaciones con las Tribus reconocidas a nivel federal. Esta Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy no modifica ni afecta dicha responsabilidad de ninguna manera. Consulte la Orden Ejecutiva 13175 (Consulta y Coordinación con los Gobiernos Tribales Indígenas), que ordena a las agencias federales a “tener un proceso de rendición de cuentas para garantizar los aportes significativos y oportunos de los funcionarios tribales en el desarrollo de políticas reglamentarias que tengan implicaciones para las Tribus” Consulte también NOAA Procedures for Government-to-Government Consultation with Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations (Procedimientos de la NOAA para la consulta de Gobierno a Gobierno con las Tribus Indígenas reconocidas a nivel federal y las Corporaciones nativas de Alaska) que guían el trabajo de NOAA Fisheries con las Tribus reconocidas a nivel federal.

Misión de administración de NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries1 es responsable de la administración de los recursos oceánicos de la Nación y sus hábitats. Con el respaldo de una ciencia sólida, NOAA Fisheries provee servicios vitales a la Nación, lo que incluye garantizar uns industria pesquera productiva y sostenible, fuentes seguras de productos del mar, la conservación y recuperación de recursos protegidos, y la protección y restauración de ecosistemas. El trabajo de NOAA Fisheries impacta de forma

Conocida de manera informal como NOAA Fisheries, el nombre oficial de la agencia encargada de la legislación y reglamentación es el National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

directa en las oportunidades económicas, la salud y el medioambiente de muchas comunidades, incluidas las comunidades desatendidas.

Disposiciones de Equidad y Justicia Ambiental Los programas y políticas del Gobierno pueden jugar un rol importante en el avance de la justicia medioambiental y la distribución equitativa de servicios para las personas, familias, empresas y comunidades. Reconociendo esto, se han emitido órdenes ejecutivas para promover la EEJ dentro del gobierno federal y guiar la forma en que NOAA Fisheries y otras agencias federales implementan su misión. La EEJ es una prioridad para la Administración, y muchos grupos entre agencias están actualizando las métricas, definiciones y enfoques que se incorporarán a esta estrategia a medida que estén disponibles. La Orden Ejecutiva 13985 (Promoción de la equidad racial y el apoyo a las comunidades desatendidas a través del gobierno federal), firmada en 2021, establece ... el gobierno federal debe buscar un enfoque integral para el avance de la equidad para todas las personas, incluidas las personas de color y aquellas personas que han sido desatendidas, marginadas y afectadas de manera adversa a lo largo de la historia por la pobreza y desigualdad persistente. Promover afirmativamente la equidad, los derechos civiles, la justicia racial y la igualdad de oportunidades es responsabilidad de todo nuestro Gobierno. Debido a que promover la equidad requiere un enfoque sistemático para incorporar la equidad en los procesos de toma de decisiones, los departamentos ejecutivos y las agencias (agencias) deben reconocer las desigualdades en sus políticas y programas que sirven como barreras para la igualdad de oportunidades y trabajar para corregirlas. También firmada en 2021, la Orden Ejecutiva 14008 (Hacer frente a la crisis climática en el país y en el extranjero) ordena a las agencias federales que hagan que el logro de la justicia medioambiental sea parte de sus misiones mediante el desarrollo de programas, políticas y actividades que aborden los impactos desproporcionadamente altos y adversos en la salud humana, del medio ambiente, el clima y otros impactos acumulativos en las comunidades desfavorecidas, así como los desafíos económicos que acompañan a dichos impactos. El White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council se estableció mediante la Orden Ejecutiva 14008. El EJ Advisory Council recomienda que cada agencia cree una tarjeta de puntuación de justicia ambiental para hacer un seguimiento de los impactos reglamentarios y los beneficios para las comunidades desfavorecidas. Las recomendaciones de la tarjeta de puntuación incluyen: evaluar el acceso a los beneficios y su distribución; hacer un seguimiento de los fondos federales; establecer comentarios iterativos y bidireccionales; involucrar al personal de la agencia; documentar las cargas potenciales; e identificar objetivos a corto y largo plazo. La Orden Ejecutiva 12898 (Acciones Federales para Abordar la Justicia Ambiental en Poblaciones Minoritarias y Poblaciones de Bajos Ingresos), firmada en 1994, ordena a cada agencia federal, “[en] la mayor medida posible y permitida por la ley…” identificar y abordar, según corresponda , los efectos desproporcionadamente altos y adversos para la salud humana o el medio ambiente de sus acciones en las poblaciones minoritarias y de bajos ingresos. El Equity Action Plan (2022) del Department of Commerce sienta las bases para la programación y las políticas que llegarán a una audiencia más grande y diversa, y abordarán las principales barreras para el éxito económico de las comunidades históricamente desatendidas. Los objetivos del plan incluyen: facilitar el acceso a los servicios, la ciencia y los datos para las comunidades desatendidas, garantizar que los beneficios y la financiación promuevan la equidad

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

racial y apoyen a las comunidades desatendidas, y brindar oportunidades económicas a las comunidades desatendidas mediante la institucionalización de la equidad a largo plazo. Estos objetivos necesitan sistemas que recopilen datos cuantitativos y cualitativos para medir el progreso de la equidad y un lugar de trabajo más diverso, inclusivo, equitativo y accesible. La Estrategia de Justicia Ambiental (2012) del DOC delineó los siguientes "Principios rectores de la justicia ambiental”: •

Se debe proporcionar oportunidades significativas a la población para que participen en la formulación, diseño y ejecución de programas, políticas y actividades departamentales.

•

Las Tribus deberán, de gobierno a gobierno, recibir consultas regulares y significativas y oportunidades de colaboración en el desarrollo de las políticas del Departamento que tengan implicaciones tribales (ver Orden Ejecutiva 13175).

•

Todas las poblaciones deberían compartir ( y no se les excluye de) los beneficios de los programas, las políticas y las actividades del Departamento, que afecten la salud humana o el medio ambiente.

•

Ninguna población debe verse afectada de manera desproporcionadamente alta y adversa por los programas, las políticas o las actividades de la agencia que afecten la salud humana o el medio ambiente.

•

El Departamento participará de las actividades de justicia medioambiental de manera transparente y responsable.

Además de estas disposiciones, también se alienta y prioriza la EEJ también conforme a una serie de estatutos federales que rigen el trabajo de NOAA Fisheries con algunas comunidades desatendidas (que se describen en detalle en el Apéndice 2). Las disposiciones de estas leyes alientan explícitamente la EEJ o permiten que NOAA Fisheries aborde la EEJ según nuestro criterio en conformidad con las autoridades existentes en cuanto a nuestra planificación, políticas y reglamentaciones a medida que cumplimos con nuestras obligaciones de conservación y gestión. NOAA Fisheries se esfuerza para hacer que los procesos de toma de decisiones sean accesibles y transparentes para el público, y para ayudar a las partes interesadas a comprender y participar en las decisiones federales que podrían afectar sus medios de vida y sus comunidades.

Barreras para la Equidad y la Justicia Ambiental Como administrador de los recursos y hábitats de los océanos de la nación, el trabajo de NOAA Fisheries afecta a las comunidades desatendidas que dependen de los ecosistemas marinos para su bienestar ambiental, económico, social y cultural. Sin embargo, las comunidades desatendidas experimentan barreras que les impiden recibir un tratamiento justo y participar significativamente del trabajo de NOAA Fisheries. Las barreras que enfrentan las comunidades desatendidas a menudo se interrelacionan pero varían según la historia, las características y las necesidades de la comunidad. A continuación, identificamos algunas barreras comunes. 1.

Desconocimiento de las comunidades desatendidas

La primera barrera de la EEJ dentro de NOAA Fisheries es que no hemos identificado completamente a las comunidades desatendidas que se ven afectadas por nuestro trabajo. Esta supervisión afecta a quienes se consideran partes interesadas de NOAA Fisheries, a las personas para quienes se diseña la investigación y la supervisión, y quienes conocen y reciben los servicios. Sin el reconocimiento de las comunidades desatendidas, no se pueden documentar ni resolver sus necesidades.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Barreras estructurales

Las comunidades desatendidas pueden enfrentar barreras estructurales (p. ej., leyes, reglamentaciones y políticas) que evitan el acceso equitativo a los recursos o a los servicios de NOAA Fisheries. Por ejemplo, los criterios para la asignación de recursos pueden basarse en la propiedad histórica, crear servicios para la mayor cantidad de personas, generar los mayores beneficios netos o priorizar segmentos comerciales de la pesca, lo cual puede excluir a las comunidades desatendidas. 3.

Barreras para acceder a los servicios

Las comunidades desatendidas pueden experimentar barreras para acceder a los servicios de NOAA Fisheries debido a las diferencias de idioma o las dificultades para asistir a las reuniones de la NOAA a causa de los lugares de reunión, horarios o costos del viaje. Además, las disposiciones y los protocolos de gestión pueden ser contrarios a la toma de decisiones culturales y las prácticas de asignación de algunas comunidades desatendidas. 4.

Complejidad del sistema

La complejidad para acceder a los servicios federales puede inhibir la inclusión de las partes interesadas, especialmente de quienes no han recibido previamente tales servicios. Los sistemas de solicitud de beneficios pueden ser difíciles de recorrer y requerir un conocimiento especial. 5.

Brechas en el conocimiento

Nuestra habilidad para identificar, caracterizar y atender a todas las comunidades de forma equitativa requiere que se priorice la investigación llevada a cabo por antropólogos, sociólogos, geógrafos, economistas y científicos sociales interdisciplinarios. De manera similar, el personal de educación y divulgación es limitado y no tiene los recursos para comprometerse con todas las comunidades en todos los temas. Tampoco tenemos personal en la ubicación geográfica ni con la alfabetización cultural y de lenguaje que se necesita para involucrar a muchas de nuestras comunidades desatendidas. 6.

Brechas en la representación

Las comunidades desatendidas no están bien representadas en los Consejos regionales de gestión pesquera establecidos conforme a MSA o en los paneles asesores asociados con esos consejos. Las comunidades desatendidas tampoco están bien representadas en la fuerza laboral de NOAA Fisheries, lo que lleva a la falta de conciencia mencionada anteriormente y a brechas fundamentales en las perspectivas. El personal puede priorizar inconscientemente a sus propias comunidades debido a la familiaridad, el fácil acceso y las rutas de comunicación preexistentes.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Enfoque de NOAA Fisheries hacia EEJ Para abordar las barreras que enfrentan las comunidades desatendidas, el Grupo de Trabajo de la EEJ de NOAA Fisheries desarrolló un marco que incluye objetivos a largo y a corto plazo, según la recomendación del White House EJ Advisory Council. Estas metas y objetivos interactúan para crear los procesos de capacidad y responsabilidad necesarios para promover la EEJ dentro de la agencia, como lo recomienda el Equity Action Plan del DOC.

Metas a largo plazo 1. Priorizar la identificación, el abordaje equitativo y la participación significativa de las comunidades menos favorecidas. 2. Proporcionar una prestación de servicios equitativa de NOAA Fisheries. 3. Priorizar la EEJ en nuestro trabajo por mandato y misión. Para lograr estos objetivos, cada programa nacional (p. ej., Office of Protected Resources, Office of Habitat Conservation, etc.) y región geográfica (p. ej., Sudeste, Islas del Pacífico, etc.) crearáun plan de implementación gradual de EEJ (posiblemente como parte de sus NOAA Fisheries Geographic Strategic Planspara el año fiscal 2023-2028) que sea específico y responda a las necesidades de las comunidades desatendidas y permita el aporte de dichas comunidades. Cada programa, centro de ciencias y oficina regional establecerá la EEJ como áreas de prioridad o hitos en la planificación estratégica anual que comienza en el Año FY2023. Las oficinas del programa nacional coordinarán con las oficinas regionales y centros e ciencias para establecer la propiedad de los objetivos compartidos. Los planes de implementación incluirán métricas que describan las acciones de la EEJ y el progreso se informará públicamente deforma anual. Para realizar un seguimiento del progreso hacia nuestros objetivos, NOAA Fisheries evaluará estos informes anuales mediante una tarjeta de puntuación de EEJ que incluye las métricas recomendadas por el White House EJ Advisory Council (p. ej., acceso y distribución de beneficios y fondos, comentarios de comunidades desatendidas, seguimiento de financiamiento federal, compromiso del personal y documentación de las cargas reglamentarias). Actualmente, estas métricas están en revisión en el gobierno federal; dependiendo de la disponibilidad, las métricas finales se incorporarán a la tarjeta de puntuación de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries.

Objetivos a corto plazo Para ofrecer coherencia en el desarrollo de los planes regionales o programáticos, el Grupo de Trabajo de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries ha identificado seis objetivos de EEJ (Tabla 1). En las secciones a continuación, explicamos cada objetivo y su rol en el compromiso de NOAA Fisheries con la EEJ y proporcionamos preguntas de orientación para tener en cuenta al desarrollar planes regionales o programáticos para el trabajo diario de NOAA Fisheries. Muchas de estas preguntas demuestran la necesidad de realizar trabajo adicional de EEJ en un área particular. Estas necesidades se ven reflejadas en un resumen de acciones, métricas y recursos necesarios para implementar cada objetivo. Estas métricas de EEJ se actualizarán si el White House EJ Advisory Council, DOC, y NOAA brindan más orientación.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Ambiente empoderante Objetivo: Proporcionar apoyo institucional, lo que incluye las capacitaciones y los recursos necesarios para implementar los múltiples enfoques de la EEJ en NOAA Fisheries. La dirección y la administración internas identificarán la EEJ como una prioridad e incentivarán al personal a considerarla en todos los aspectos de su trabajo. Para implementar esta estrategia es imperativo que la dirección y la administración creen un entorno de empoderamiento. Esto significa identificar la EEJ como prioridad al permitir que los empleados integren de manera significativa las consideraciones de la EEJ en su trabajo diario y respaldar esto a través de un mayor conocimiento de la EEJ dentro de la fuerza laboral de NOAA Fisheries. Como indicó el White House EJ Advisory Council, “La cultura profesional administrativa y de la agencia debe alentar e incentivar al personal a reflexionar y compartir las lecciones aprendidas”. Esto también debe apoyarse desde un enfoque de múltiples escalas incluido el trabajo continuo del Grupo de Trabajo nacional de la EEJ de NOAA Fisheries, así como los grupos de trabajo regionales de la EEJ para desarrollar planes específicos regionales. Las necesidades básicas compartidas entre los múltiples objetivos incluyen: •

Capacitación sobre EEJ

•

Tiempo del personal

•

Conocimiento del personal

•

Enlaces comunitarios

•

Recopilación, análisis e informe de datos demográficos

•

Colaboración con otras agencias

•

Servicios de traducción de idiomas

Preguntas de orientación •

¿Cómo pueden la dirección y la fuerza laboral de NOAA Fisheries reflejar mejor la diversidad de las comunidades a las que servimos?

•

¿Cómo debemos diversificar la experiencia disciplinaria necesaria para tratar la EEJ en nuestro trabajo?

•

¿Se le da al personal el tiempo, los recursos, la capacitación y la orientación de experiencia adecuados para incorporar la EEJ en su trabajo?

•

¿Qué estructuras de rendición de cuentas necesita NOAA Fisheries, p. ej., un compromiso con el seguimiento y la evaluación de las métricas de la EEJ y la incorporación del trabajo de la EEJ en los planes de desempeño?

•

¿Qué datos y recursos necesita el personal para identificar a las comunidades desatendidas que fueron afectadas por su trabajo, así como la capacitación y las herramientas necesarias para promover la EEJ en ese trabajo?

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Tabla 2: Ambiente empoderante, áreas de acción y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. La dirección en todos los niveles comunica sobre la EEJ al personal y prioriza la EEJ en los planes estratégicos y los documentos de prioridades anuales de NOAA Fisheries.

•

Diversos programas con objetivos de EEJ Porcentaje de objetivos alcanzados

•

2. Incluir los roles de servicio colateral de EEJ en los planes de desempeño del personal que correspondan, incluidas las métricas para la rendición de cuentas

•

Porcentaje de personal aplicable con la EEJ incluida en planes de desempeño Trabajo de EEJ incluido en los criterios de puntuación de promoción para el personal apropiado

•

3. Incluir los roles de servicio colateral de la EEJ en las declaraciones de trabajo de desempeño de los contratos con trabajo que interactúa con las partes interesadas externas, incluidas las métricas para la rendición de cuentas

•

Porcentaje de contratos aplicables con la EEJ incluida en las declaraciones de rendimiento de trabajo

•

Apoyo de la dirección Idioma que se sugiere

Apoyo a la dirección, a los responsables de proyectos y al personal de contratación Idioma que se sugiere

4. Brindar oportunidades de capacitación atractivas y significativas dirigidas al personal y a la dirección para ayudar a desarrollar una comprensión compartida de los conceptos de la EEJ y cómo implementar estos conceptos en su trabajo. (Como el “Environmental Justice Learning Center” de la Environmental Protection Agency)

•

5. Apoyar la continuación del Grupo de Trabajo de la EEJ nacional de NOAA Fisheries, con representación de cada suboficina. El Grupo de Trabajo debe continuar reuniéndose para compartir información sobre enfoques exitosos, colaborar en la divulgación e inclusión de destinatarios comunes y guiar la toma de decisiones de NOAA Fisheries.

•

Número de oficinas representadas en reuniones ordinarias

•

Tiempo actual del personal

6. Establecer Grupos de trabajo regionales/programas de EEJ

•

Grupos de trabajo regionales/programas de EEJ

•

Tiempo actual del personal

Cantidad y porcentaje de personal capacitado

•

Apoyo de la dirección Capacitación sobre EEJ

•

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

Materiales de capacitación de EEJ y fondos para el instructor Tiempo actual del personal

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

7. Construir infraestructura interna para priorizar e implementar la EEJ: crear “oficinas de campo” con personal de enlace (con prioridad en el conocimiento e idioma local) para facilitar las relaciones, las reuniones públicas, la investigación (ciencias sociales y biológicas), la supervisión, etc.

•

8. Brindar capacitación sobre las metas y objetivos de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries para los miembros del Consejo u otros órganos asesores

•

9. Capacitación obligatoria para todos los revisores de subvenciones sobre cómo mitigar los tipos de sesgo que probablemente perjudican a las comunidades desatendidas al revisar las solicitudes

•

Personal de campo con conocimiento del idioma y la cultura local Reuniones en persona, o decisiones sobre el lugar y la plataforma que dan prioridad a las comunidades desatendidas.

•

Cantidad de capacitaciones proporcionadas Comentarios de las personas capacitadas sobre la eficacia

•

Tiempo actual del personal

Número y porcentaje de revisores de subvenciones capacitados

•

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

• •

•

Enlaces comunitarios de EEJ Oficinas de campo Capacitación sobre EEJ

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Incorporación de la equidad y justicia medioambiental en políticas y planes Objetivo: Garantizar que nuestras políticas promuevan la igualdad de oportunidades para todas las personas y que no creen desigualdades no deseadas ni cargas desiguales para las comunidades desatendidas. NOAA Fisheries debe cumplir con los requisitos de las leyes promulgadas por el Congreso, que pueden tener un gran impacto en las partes interesadas, especialmente en las comunidades desatendidas. De acuerdo con sus mandatos legales, NOAA Fisheries emite políticas, estrategias y regulaciones para implementar su misión. A veces, estamos obligados a tomar determinaciones basadas únicamente en la mejor información científica disponible, como la lista de especies según la Endangered Species Act. Sin embargo, algunas secciones de algunas leyes permiten consideraciones de la EEJ en su implementación, y algunos planes dependen totalmente de los aportes y la participación de las comunidades a las que se dirigen. Por ejemplo, la planificación de resiliencia ante el cambio climático requiere el conocimiento y la participación de las comunidades pesqueras para evaluar y abordar los impactos de las condiciones oceánicas cambiantes. Por lo tanto, en la medida en que lo permita la ley correspondiente, las actividades de políticas y planificación de la EEJ consideran los impactos y la capacidad de respuesta de los programas de NOAA Fisheries para las comunidades desatendidas y buscan oportunidades para desarrollar conjuntamente iniciativas de gestión, conservación y administración con dichas comunidades. Como se establece en la Orden Ejecutiva 13985, las disparidades arraigadas en las políticas públicas han negado la igualdad de oportunidades a algunas personas y comunidades. Estas disparidades incluyen decisiones políticas pasadas y actuales de NOAA Fisheries que pueden haber exacerbado una distribución desigual de los recursos económicos, sociales y culturales. Por ejemplo, la asignación de los recursos pesqueros es un tema complejo debido a la historia y la tradición del acceso, las percepciones de equidad que surgen con las decisiones de asignación y las diferencias en los valores económicos y sociales que los grupos de usuarios en competencia asignan a esos recursos. Al considerar más sistemáticamente la EEJ en las políticas y las actividades de planificación de NOAA Fisheries, podemos mejorar la equidad en la prestación de servicios. Cuando sea posible y apropiado, NOAA Fisheries puede incluir disposiciones para reducir las barreras y mejorar los servicios a las comunidades desatendidas para institucionalizar la equidad a largo plazo. Preguntas de orientación •

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries incluir mejor la equidad para las comunidades desatendidas en las políticas y la orientación interna?

•

¿Cómo revisará NOAA Fisheries las políticas y los procedimientos existentes con los lentes de EEJ para que puedan ser refinados o revisados para garantizar resultados más equitativos?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries diseñar o revisar políticas y procedimientos de una manera que garantice que sean útiles y claros para las comunidades desatendidas?

•

¿Qué flexibilidad adicional podemos proporcionar en las políticas y procedimientos de NOAA Fisheries para incorporar el idioma, las costumbres y los conocimientos locales relevantes?

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Tabla 3: Incorporar la equidad y justicia medioambiental en políticas y planes, áreas de acción y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. Proporcionar orientación sobre cómo las nuevas políticas y planes de NOAA Fisheries con respecto a nuestro trabajo externo deben considerar los objetivos de la EEJ

•

2. Proporcionar orientación que indique que durante la revisión periódica de cada directiva de NOAA Fisheries del Policy Directive System (PDS), la revisión incluya: lenguaje apropiado, mensajes claros, accesibilidad y consideración de EEJ, comunidades, idioma local, costumbres y conocimiento tradicional

•

3. Llevar a cabo una revisión de los principales procesos reglamentarios de NOAA Fisheries (pesca, recursos protegidos, conservación de hábitats y acuicultura) para determinar si pueden ser necesarias nuevas políticas, reglamentaciones o documentos de orientación para promover la EEJ en las acciones y programas de NOAA Fisheries

•

4. Desarrollar programas, políticas y actividades para abordar los impactos ambientales, relacionados con el clima y otros impactos acumulativos desproporcionadamente altos y adversos en las comunidades desatendidas, así como los desafíos económicos y de seguridad alimentaria que acompañan a dichos impactos

•

Porcentaje de políticas y planes que incluyen objetivos de EEJ

•

Porcentaje de directivas de PDS aplicables que incluyen consideraciones de la EEJ

•

Número de revisiones de procesos regulatorios completadas Número de procesos regulatorios actualizados según la revisión

•

Número de programas, políticas y actividades que tratan los impactos del cambio climático en las comunidades desatendidas

•

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Investigación y supervisión para la equidad Objetivo: Identificar a las comunidades desatendidas, abordar sus necesidades y evaluar los impactos de las decisiones de la gestión. NOAA Fisheries utiliza los mejores datos científicos e información disponibles para orientar y adaptar sus decisiones administrativas. La investigación y la supervisión abarcan la recopilación y el análisis de datos en apoyo de la misión de NOAA Fisheries en una amplia gama de áreas biológicas, oceanográficas, ecológicas, sociales, culturales y económicas. Esto permite la comprensión de NOAA Fisheries sobre 1) la condición a corto y largo plazo de nuestros ecosistemas costeros y marinos y 2) la identificación, el papel y la caracterización de los humanos que dependen de esos ecosistemas o interactúan con ellos. La investigación y la supervisión son cruciales para las iniciativas de EEJ por dos razones principales. En primer lugar, la EEJ prioriza la investigación y la supervisión social, cultural y económica (humana) necesarias para identificar y caracterizar a las comunidades desatendidas y comprender cómo se ven afectadas por las decisiones de NOAA Fisheries sobre los recursos, los medios de vida, la cultura y la seguridad alimentaria. Los métodos para identificar a las comunidades desatendidas deberán ser adecuadas para una región, programa o área de proyecto determinadas. Los científicos sociales podrían usar, entre otros, herramientas de mapeo basadas en censos, información específica del sitio del personal regional, información de socios y beneficiarios del proyecto, y la consulta comunitaria. Estas actividades proporcionan los datos necesarios para fundamentar políticas que garanticen los beneficios sociales de que los recursos oceánicos y costeros se comparten equitativamente. La recopilación y el análisis de información demográfica sobre las personas que actualmente participany se ven afectadas o se benefician de los programas y la gestión de NOAA Fisheries también será esencial para supervisar nuestro progreso hacia la EEJ, como lo recomienda el Equity Action Plan del DOC. En segundo lugar, EEJ también requiere una participación significativa de las comunidades desatendidas en la investigación y la supervisión biológica (no humana). La participación significativa incluye el compromiso temprano con las comunidades desatendidas para identificar prioridades compartidas que satisfagan sus necesidades y cumplan la misión de NOAA Fisheries. La participación significativa también incluye la participación de las comunidades desatendidas durante la recopilación y el informe de datos, para garantizar que los hallazgos sean apropiados y accesibles. Por ejemplo, la investigación sobre el cambio climático de NOAA Fisheries busca información sobre los impactos del cambio climático en la industria pesquera y las comunidades dependientes de la pesca para desarrollar planes de resiliencia. Preguntas de orientación •

¿Qué investigación necesitamos hacer para identificar a las comunidades desatendidas?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries comprometerse mejor con las comunidades desatendidas para identificar, desarrollar y generar conjuntamente las prioridades de investigación y supervición en el lugar?

•

¿Cómo podemos reducir el sesgo en la investigación en ciencias sociales?2

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries ampliar la participación de los miembros de las comunidades desatendidas en proyectos de investigación y supervisión?

El muestreo incluye la investigación en ciencias sociales, pero también cualquier otra situación en la que se utilice la consulta comunitaria como información.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

•

¿Cómo asignará NOAA Fisheries de manera más equitativa los recursos de investigación y supervisión para identificar y caracterizar a las comunidades desatendidas, comprender sus necesidades y utilizar los hallazgos para guiar de manera efectiva las decisiones de gestión que las afectan?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries asignar de manera más equitativa nuestros recursos de investigación y supervisión a la ciencia de la pesca, el hábitat y las especies protegidas que afectan directamente a las comunidades desatendidas?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries mejorar nuestra comprensión del impacto de nuestras acciones reglamentarias en las comunidades desatendidas?

•

¿NOAA Fisheries utiliza las mejores prácticas para trabajar con las comunidades en la integración del conocimiento ecológico tradicional en la estructura de investigación, la recopilación de datos y el informe de datos?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries hacer que la comunicación científica sea más accesible y comprensible para una audiencia diversa, incluidas las comunidades desatendidas?

Tabla 4: Investigación y supervisión de equidad, áreas de acción y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. Participación significativa de las comunidades desatendidas a lo largo del proceso de investigación. Esto incluye el desarrollo conjunto y la producción conjunta de investigación y supervisión para la caracterización de comunidades e indicadores sociales, pesca, acuicultura, especies protegidas y restauración de hábitats.

•

• •

•

Participación temprana de las comunidades desatendidas para producir en conjunto investigaciones y supervisar las prioridades (Enlaces a Divulgación y participación) Participación de miembros de la comunidad desatendida en el proceso de recopilación de datos. Comunicación de los resultados a las comunidades desatendidas Porcentaje de proyectos que involucran a miembros de comunidades desatendidas durante la planificación, el trabajo de campo y la elaboración de informes Número de proyectos de investigación y supervisión que involucran de forma significativa a las comunidades desatendidas Satisfacción de la comunidad desatendida con el proceso de investigación y supervisión de NOAA Fisheries

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

• •

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ Fondos destinados al pago de los participantes del estudio

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

2. Identificar y caracterizar a las comunidades desatendidas con prioridad en la investigación social, cultural, económica y demográfica.

•

3. Analizar los impactos sociales, culturales y económicos de los servicios de NOAA Fisheries y las decisiones administrativas (p. ej., pesca, especies protegidas y conservación del hábitat) en las comunidades desatendidas.

•

4. Incluir conocimientos ecológicos locales y tradicionales3 en la ciencia basada en la pesca, el clima y los ecosistemas.

•

5. Producción y desarrollo conjuntos (es decir, participación significativa de los representantes de la pesca y la acuicultura de las comunidades desatendidas) en los procesos de evaluación y asignación de las poblaciones de pesca y cultivo.

•

• •

6. Desarrollar una metodología de encuestas e informes para estimar el valor que las comunidades desatendidas reciben de su

•

Priorizar la investigación social y económica de la EEJ mediante el apoyo a la experiencia interna [capital humano] Priorizar la alfabetización cultural para involucrarse de manera efectiva y adecuada con las comunidades desatendidas (Enlaces a Divulgación y participación) Número de fuentes de datos y proyectos de investigación que caracterizan a las comunidades desatendidas

•

Número de informes que integran los impactos social, cultural y económico para las comunidades desatendidas.

•

Cantidad de proyectos y productos de gestión basada en el clima y los ecosistemas que incorporan conocimientos ecológicos locales y tradicionales en su recopilación de datos y presentación de informes

•

Diversidad y número de representantes de la pesca y la acuicultura marina de comunidades desatendidas que participan en los procesos de evaluación de poblaciones. Número de talleres de datos comunitarios Satisfacción de la comunidad desatendida con los procesos de evaluación de las poblaciones pesqueras de la NOAA

•

Publicación de la metodología de informe

•

• •

•

• •

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ Aprobación de OMB

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ Enlaces comunitarios de EEJ

Tiempo actual del personal

Para obtener más información, consulte la Guía y las mejores prácticas para involucrar e incorporar el conocimiento ecológico tradicional en la toma de decisiones del NOAA Fisheries and National Ocean Service.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

uso de los recursos marinos vivos (incluido el valor de no explotación). 7. Llevar a cabo un análisis de las barreras que enfrentan las comunidades desatendidas para ingresar a los programas de pesca y acuicultura marina (p. ej., costo, cultivo y estructura de administración) e identificar posibles cambios en las políticas.

•

Porcentaje de programas pesqueros para los que se realiza un análisis de barreras y se identifican cambios en las políticas

•

Tiempo actual del personal

8. Investigación elaborada y desarrollada en conjunto sobre los patrones de consumo de las comunidades que dependen principalmente del pescado y la vida silvestre para su subsistencia. Comunicar al público los riesgos y beneficios de esos patrones de consumo (Orden Ejecutiva 12898).

•

Número de informes producidos

•

Tiempo actual del personal

9. Promover y mejorar la ciencia territorial de la pesca y el apoyo a la administración a través de investigaciones y aplicaciones desarrolladas y producidas en conjunto que permitan una mejor evaluación y apoyo de las agencias locales de administración de la pesca.

•

• •

Evaluaciones conjuntas de poblaciones elaboradas en conjunto Cantidad de puestos financiados Cantidad de proyectos financiados

Fondos adicionales, según lo solicitado para el año FY23

10. Ampliar la Caja de Herramientas de Indicadores de Vulnerabilidad Social Comunitaria para incluir nuevas métricas que consideren la justicia ambiental, las preocupaciones sobre el cambio climático y la equidad racial en las comunidades costeras desatendidas.

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Número de métricas nuevas

●

Fondos adicionales, según lo solicitado para el año FY23 Capacitación sobre EEJ

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Divulgación y participación equitativa Objetivo: Construir relaciones con las comunidades desatendidas para comprender mejor sus necesidades y mejorar el intercambio de información con todas las partes interesadas. NOAA Fisheries comparte información y construye relaciones con comunidades desatendidas a través de la divulgación y la participación, que incluyen: programas de educación para estudiantes, pasantías y una variedad de productos de comunicación para compartir información y conocimiento. Participar en el intercambio de información bidireccional con las partes interesadas y los socios es fundamental para el éxito, y utilizaremos los aportes de las comunidades desatendidas para mejorar este proceso. La divulgación y la participación efectivas deben ser sumamente personalizadas, consistentes, a largo plazo y flexibles. También requieren habilidades, conocimiento y tiempo. NOAA Fisheries puede aumentar la coordinación y la comunicación con las comunidades desatendidas al pedir la opinión de los miembros de la comunidad, utilizando esas opiniones para dirigir acciones, participar temprano, priorizar la alfabetización cultural, abordar las barreras de comunicación (por ejemplo, traducción) y crear planes de comunicación que puedan adaptarse a las necesidades emergentes de las comunidades desatendidas. Mediante la divulgación y la participación, NOAA Fisheries intenta comprender mejor las necesidades y prioridades de las comunidades afectadas por nuestro trabajo. Daremos prioridad a las iniciativas nuevas y revitalizadas para trabajar más de cerca con los representantes de las comunidades y construir relaciones más sólidas con las comunidades desatendidas. Según la recomendación del White Council EJ Advisory Council, estableceremos circuitos de intercambio de información iterativos y bidireccionales para mejorar nuestros métodos de comunicación. Preguntas de orientación •

¿NOAA Fisheries llega a las comunidades desatendidas a través de diversas plataformas de comunicación, idiomas y actividades de divulgación? ¿Esos métodos de comunicación son los preferidos por las comunidades?

•

¿Cómo agrega e incorpora activamente NOAA Fisheries los comentarios que recibimos?

•

A nivel de agencia, ¿cómo podemos priorizar la divulgación de información y capacitar al personal para que participe de forma efectiva con las comunidades desatendidas?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries construir relaciones con las comunidades desatendidas que permitan una comunicación bidireccional y el desarrollo de confianza?

•

¿Qué tipo de capacitación y recursos necesita el personal para ampliar la divulgación de información y la comunicación de NOAA Fisheries con las comunidades desatendidas?

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Tabla 5. Divulgación y participación equitativa, áreas de acción y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. Aprovechar la información existente y los lazos comunitarios

•

Crear una lista de conexiones actuales con las comunidades desatendidas para cada región o programa Agregar comunidades desatendidas adicionales a la lista anterior para cada región o programa, y permitir actualizaciones periódicas (Enlaces a Investigación y supervisión)

•

Tiempo actual del personal

Número de planes de comunicación

•

Tiempo actual del personal Aporte comunitario Fondos menores para impresión de material/listas de contactos de correo electrónico Capacitación del personal

•

2. Trabajar con miembros de comunidades desatendidas para crear planes de comunicación

•

• •

•

3. Aprender de los lazos comunitarios existentes (p. ej., sesiones de escucha y aprendizaje con miembros de la comunidad) los mejores métodos de comunicación y permitir que el plan de comunicación evolucione en función de nueva información o realidades sobre el terreno. Considerar la accesibilidad en términos de idioma, método de distribución (en persona, material impreso, redes sociales, etc.) y protocolos culturales.

•

Porcentaje de planes de comunicación que dan respuesta a las normas culturales y al contexto comunitario.

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

• • •

•

Tiempo actual del personal Aporte comunitario Fondos menores para impresión de material/listas de contactos de correo electrónico Capacitación del personal

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

4. Crear materiales y eventos de divulgación de información que sigan el plan de comunicación desarrollado con cada comunidad desatendida y para ellas (consulte Acción 2).

•

Número de productos de comunicación (folletos, publicaciones en los medios, etc.) o eventos de divulgación (reuniones, presentaciones, talleres, etc.). Satisfacción de la comunidad desatendida con los productos para la comunicación y los eventos de divulgación Conciencia sobre la presencia/imagen de NOAA Fisheries por parte de la comunidad desatendida.

• •

•

• •

5. Crear oportunidades y programas educativos para involucrar a las comunidades desatendidas en actividades de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM) relacionadas con la misión y el apoyo de investigación y administración de NOAA Fisheries.

•

• • • •

6. Apoyar las oportunidades y los programas educativos para involucrar a las comunidades desatendidas en el proceso de administración mediante el apoyo de los criterios de selección de la EEJ en los programas existentes proporcionados por los socios.

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Eventos y productos de educación y participación comunitaria (programas, planes de estudio y actividades) dirigidos a las comunidades desatendidas Cantidad de miembros/comunidades desatendidas a los que llegan los eventos y productos de participación comunitaria Oportunidades de pasantías pagadas para las comunidades desatendidas Pasantes pagos de las comunidades desatendidas Incluir las consideraciones de la EEJ en los criterios de selección Satisfacción de los participantes de la comunidad desatendida con el programa/producto educativo

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Capacitación de las partes interesadas de las comunidades desatendidas en procesos de administración

•

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

Tiempo actual del personal Expertos en idiomas para la traducción escrita y en persona Enlaces comunitarios de EEJ Fondos para los materiales y eventos de divulgación Capacitación sobre EEJ Uso de los fondos para la divulgación de información Tiempo actual del personal Lista de oportunidades actuales Fondos para oportunidades adicionales Capacitación sobre EEJ

Tiempo actual del personal Recursos de apoyo para los programas de educación existentes Capacitación sobre EEJ

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

7. Proporcionar divulgación de información, tutoría y capacitación en línea de cara al público para las comunidades desatendidas sobre cómo atravesar el proceso de solicitud y desarrollo de la propuesta del programa de subvenciones de NOAA Fisheries (Enlaces a Distribución equitativa de los beneficios), y el proceso de solicitud de empleo y pasantías.

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Desarrollar un recurso de solicitud en línea y una cantidad de eventos de divulgación pública dirigidos a comunidades desatendidas Desarrollar eventos de divulgación pública dirigidos a las comunidades desatendidas Desarrollar un proceso de solicitud del programa de tutoría, que facilite el acceso de las comunidades desatendidas al conocimiento técnico y a los expertos en la materia

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8. Crear programas piloto de educación/capacitación para la administración y la industria pesquera con colegios y universidades históricamente negras, instituciones que atienden a minorías, colegios tribales y colegios comunitarios

• •

Creación de programas piloto Cantidad de participantes en los programas piloto

•

Fondos adicionales, según lo solicitado para el año FY23

9. Generar interés en la pesca mediante la creación de un programa de subvenciones para iniciativas de capacitación, educación, divulgación y asistencia técnica que involucren a jóvenes de comunidades desatendidas

•

Subvenciones financiadas

•

Fondos adicionales

• •

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

Tiempo actual del personal Plan de comunicaciones para llegar a audiencias clave

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Distribución equitativa de los beneficios Objetivo: Distribuir los beneficios de manera equitativa entre las partes interesadas mediante el aumento del acceso a oportunidades por parte de las comunidades desatendidas. NOAA Fisheries brinda beneficios a las comunidades a través de inversiones directas, asistencia en caso de desastres y oportunidades de subvenciones para investigación, restauración de hábitats, acuicultura y recuperación de especies, entre otros4,5. Los beneficios también pueden venir en forma de datos y herramientas que las comunidades pueden usar para tomar decisiones. Por ejemplo, los beneficios relacionados con el cambio climático incluyen financiamiento y herramientas para generar conocimiento y resiliencia. Como lo establece la Orden Ejecutiva 13985, el fomento de la equidad crea ... oportunidades para la mejora de la comunidades que han sido desatendidas históricamente, los cual beneficia a todos. El gobierno federal debe, de conformidad con la ley aplicable, asignar recursos para abordar el fracaso histórico de invertir de manera suficiente, justa y equitativa en las comunidades desatendidas, así como en las personas de dichas comunidades. Como se describe en el Equity Action Plan del DOC, haremos lo siguiente: facilitar el acceso a los servicios, la ciencia y los datos para las comunidades desatendidas; garantizar que los beneficios y la financiación promuevan la equidad racial y apoyen a las comunidades desatendidas; y brindar oportunidades económicas a las comunidades desatendidas mediante la institucionalización de la equidad a largo plazo. Tal como lo recomendó el White Council EJ Advisory Council, evaluaremos el acceso y la distribución de los beneficios y realizaremos un seguimiento de los fondos federales. Además, la iniciativa Justice40 nos ordena destinar al menos el 40 por ciento de los beneficios generales de las inversiones federales a asuntos relacionados con el clima y la energía limpia para las comunidades desatendidas. Las inversiones en restauración ecológica y resiliencia comunitaria son parte integral de los objetivos de la estrategia climática de NOAA para crear y fomentar la resistencia natural y económica a lo largo de las costas a través de nuestra experiencia y sólidas asociaciones en el terreno y actividades de conservación basadas en el lugar. NOAA Fisheries busca examinar sus políticas, criterios y procesos relacionados con la provisión de fondos y otros beneficios para garantizar una distribución equitativa. Los desafíos clave serán reconocer y reparar las desigualdades e identificar nuevas oportunidades para ofrecer beneficios a las comunidades desatendidas. Preguntas de orientación •

¿Qué barreras enfrentan las comunidades desatendidas para acceder a los beneficios administrados por NOAA Fisheries?

Esto incluye la administración de 52 programas de oportunidades de financiamiento y servicios financieros que brindan beneficios directos e indirectos a las comunidades. 5 En el futuro, los beneficios también incluirán nuevas oportunidades de financiación en virtud de la Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, que asigna $400 millones para proteger y restaurar hábitats que permiten sostener la industria pesquera, recuperar especies protegidas y mantener ecosistemas y comunidades resilientes (el 15 % de la financiación se reserva para las Tribus).

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

•

¿Los beneficios de NOAA Fisheries (como financiamiento, asignaciones de pesca, permisos, oportunidades, servicios y protección y restauración ambiental) alcanzan o benefician equitativamente a las comunidades desatendidas? ¿Podemos expandir la equidad en nuestra entrega de estos beneficios?

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¿Cómo podemos atender mejor a las comunidades desatendidas con los datos y las herramientas que NOAA Fisheries proporciona al público?

•

¿Qué estructuras y procesos de rendición de cuentas se necesitan para garantizar la entrega equitativa de los beneficios, como la recopilación de datos sobre los beneficiarios y el análisis de esos datos?

Tabla 6: Distribución equitativa de los beneficios, áreas de acción y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. Identificar y eliminar las barreras potenciales que las comunidades desatendidas pueden enfrentar para acceder a los beneficios y servicios de NOAA Fisheries, incluidas las oportunidades de adquisición y asistencia financiera de la agencia; trabajar para incorporar las consideraciones de la EEJ en todas las oportunidades de financiación competitivas internas y externas

•

Revisar los criterios de selección que pueden descalificar sistemáticamente a las comunidades desatendidas Revisar y modificar subvenciones/fondos/programas de contratación Aumentar el acceso a los beneficios y servicios (Enlace a Divulgación y participación)

•

2. Hacer un seguimiento y presentar informes del porcentaje de subvenciones, proyectos, declaraciones de desastre y otros fondos destinados a comunidades desatendidas

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Mecanismos de seguimiento e informes desarrollados Uso de mecanismos de seguimiento e informes para analizar la asignación de recursos a las comunidades desatendidas

•

Tiempo actual del personal

3. Incorporar las consideraciones de la EEJ en la toma de decisiones del programa y la asignación de recursos. Las consideraciones podrían incluir la evaluación de los impactos y beneficios para las comunidades desatendidas en los criterios de selección de la comunidad y la priorización de acciones que beneficien o corrijan una disparidad entre las comunidades.

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Programas que incorporan la EEJ en la toma de decisiones de la asignación. Meta de que al menos el 40 % de los recursos generales de adaptación y resiliencia climática beneficien a las comunidades desatendidas (EO 14008 Sec. 402 y "Justice 40)

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Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

4. En el caso de las evaluaciones de daños a los recursos naturales, garantizar que se tenga en cuenta la destrucción de los recursos naturales (incluida la pérdida del uso humano, así como de beneficios sociales, culturales y económicos) asumida por las comunidades desatendidas y

•

Casos de evaluación de daños a los recursos naturales con consideración explícita de las pérdidas de uso humano y de recursos naturales asumidas por las comunidades desatendidas y participación en la planificación de la restauración.

•

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

asegurarse de que sean compensadas adecuadamente con la restauración de los hábitats dañados 5. Aumentar la capacidad tribal y estatal para la recuperación de especies mediante la solicitud de fondos adicionales para subvenciones de recuperación de especies, que permitan crear empleos y mejorar las poblaciones de especies incluidas en la lista, que a menudo tienen valor cultural y de subsistencia para las Tribus.

•

Subvenciones para la recuperación de especies para las Tribus y estados con comunidades desatendidas

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

Fondos adicionales, según lo solicitado para el año FY23

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Administración inclusiva Objetivo: Permitir la participación significativa de las comunidades desatendidas en los procesos de toma de decisiones. La administración inclusiva garantiza la participación amplia y diversa en la toma de decisiones, para que todas las partes interesadas sean igualmente bienvenidas y alentadas a participar. Sin embargo, los miembros de las comunidades desatendidas inusualmente tienen acceso equitativo para contribuir en los procesos administrativos (ver Barreras para la Equidad y la Justicia Medioambiental). NOAA Fisheries busca aumentar la diversidad de las voces a través de comentarios públicos, promover la participación comunitaria y apoyar los esfuerzos de la administración cooperativa cuando sea posible. Las decisiones que toma NOAA Fisheries a través de su trabajo científico, de conservación y administrativo afectan a la comunidades. La reglamentación federal está sujeta a numerosos requisitos para garantizar la transparencia y las oportunidades de participación pública; sin embargo, el acceso de las comunidades desatendidas puede verse limitado por una serie de factores. Nos corresponde asegurarnos de que todas las partes interesadas tengan la misma participación en los procesos de NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries trabaja en asociación con los Consejos (y otros organismos asesores), las Tribus, los nativos de Alaska, las partes interesadas, las agencias gubernamentales estatales, territoriales y locales, y muchos otros socios para lograr la misión de NOAA Fisheries. Aumentar el compromiso y la representación de las comunidades desatendidas es esencial para el cumplimiento exitoso de nuestra misión. Preguntas de orientación •

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries dar mejor cuenta de las necesidades de las comunidades desatendidas en la toma de decisiones?

•

¿Qué procesos y estructuras de rendición de cuentas se necesitan para que NOAA Fisheries evalúe si las necesidades de las comunidades desatendidas se tienen en cuenta adecuadamente en la toma de decisiones?

•

¿Cómo pueden las comunidades desatendidas tener acceso equitativo para participar en los procesos de administración (tiempo/viaje a reuniones en persona, Internet de banda ancha para apoyar la participación remota, acceso a intérpretes, etc.)?

•

¿La información que utiliza NOAA Fisheries para respaldar la toma de decisiones es accesible para las partes interesadas de las comunidades desatendidas (lenguaje sencillo, cumplimiento de 508, traducción a los idiomas principales apropiados, entregada en una plataforma preferida, etc.)?

•

¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries facilitar la representación de las comunidades desatendidas en los organismos asesores? ¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries modificar el proceso de toma de decisiones para mejorar el acceso de las comunidades desatendidas?

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¿Cómo puede NOAA Fisheries facilitar la participación de las comunidades desatendidas al solicitar comentarios/aportes públicos?

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Tabla 7: Áreas de acción de la administración inclusiva y métricas propuestas Acción

Mecanismos/métricas posibles

Recursos necesarios

1. Aumentar y mejorar las oportunidades para que las comunidades desatendidas participen en el proceso de toma de decisiones.

•

Utilizar diversas plataformas para lograr la participación de miembros de comunidades desatendidas (Enlace a Divulgación y participación) Comunicación temprana con representantes de la comunidad para garantizar que los métodos de comunicación sean efectivos (Enlace a Divulgación y participación) Asistencia a reuniones públicas que se llevan a cabo en comunidades desatendidas Organizar reuniones públicas y otros encuentros en comunidades desatendidas Satisfacción de la comunidad desatendida con el proceso de toma de decisiones Satisfacción de la comunidad desatendida con las decisiones que se tomaron

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Identificar nuevas formas de hacer que las reuniones públicas sean accesibles para las comunidades desatendidas (Enlace a Divulgación y participación) Porcentaje de avisos de reuniones públicas en los idiomas utilizados por los destinatarios y disponibilidad de servicios de interpretación Proporcionar documentos que sean accesibles para las comunidades desatendidas (Enlace a Divulgación y participación)

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Recopilar información demográfica para hacer un seguimiento de la representación de las comunidades desatendidas y proporcionarla a los organismos asesores relevantes para fomentar una mayor diversidad y representación

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2. Aumentar la diversidad de los comentarios públicos al mejorar la accesibilidad de las reuniones públicas y los documentos y reglamentos

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3. Apoyar la representación de las comunidades desatendidas en organismos asesores como consejos regionales, paneles asesores, equipos de planificación de recuperación, comités asesores de organizaciones regionales de administración pesquera, comité asesor de la industria pesquera marina

•

U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

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Fondos de viaje para los participantes Fondos para compensar a los miembros de las comunidades por su tiempo y conocimientos Fondos para el alquiler de instalaciones, equipos, suministros, intérpretes, etc. Expertos en idiomas Capacitación del personal

Fondos de viaje para los participantes Fondos para los servicios de traducción Expertos en idiomas y comunicación

Tiempo actual del personal Plan de divulgación para nuevos participantes

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4. Establecer o mejorar las relaciones con los gobiernos municipales, estatales y territoriales, otras agencias federales y organizaciones no gubernamentales en los Territorios para aprovechar sus conexiones con la comunidad al solicitar la opinión del público

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5. Coordinar con los gobiernos municipales, estatales y tribales, otras agencias federales y organizaciones no gubernamentales sobre temas transversales que afectan a las comunidades desatendidas

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6. Continuar honrando la soberanía Tribal y la responsabilidad del fideicomiso federal.

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7. Crear un programa de capacitación para proporcionar a los destinatarios la información y las herramientas necesarias para participar con confianza y productividad en los procesos de decisión de gestión de la pesca (comercial, recreativa, acuicultura)

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Desarrollar recursos/materiales educativos y de capacitación, y proporcionar estos recursos a las comunidades desatendidas para facilitar una mayor participación y comprensión de los organismos asesores Satisfacción de los representantes con su papel en los organismos asesores. Regiones con listas de divulgación que incluyen estos grupos Reuniones programadas para informar a funcionarios gubernamentales de las comunidades desatendidas Comentarios de los asistentes sobre la efectividad de las iniciativas de divulgación

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Equipos interinstitucionales que abordan cuestiones transversales que afectan a las comunidades desatendidas.

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Consultas formales e informales con las Naciones Tribales Satisfacción de las Naciones Tribales con el proceso de consulta y los resultados.

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Tiempo actual del personal

Cantidad de personas capacitadas

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Fondos adicionales, según lo solicitado para el año FY23

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Tiempo actual del personal Enlace comunitario de la EEJ Fondos de viaje

Tiempo actual del personal Capacitación sobre EEJ

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Proceso de desarrollo de estrategias El desarrollo de la estrategia de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries está diseñado como un proceso iterativo de varios años, que incluye aportes tempranos de la comunidad y comentarios del público (Figura 1). En esta sección, documentamos el desarrollo de la estrategia con especial atención a cómo se incorporaron los aportes de la comunidad, internos y públicos.

Figura 1. Cronograma de desarrollo de la estrategia de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries

Aportes preliminares de la comunidad En noviembre de 2021, solicitamos aportes tempranos de Tribus, Territorios y comunidades indígenas reconocidos a nivel federal y no federal sobre el papel de NOAA Fisheries en EEJ. Revisamos, sintetizamos y resumimos las recomendaciones de la siguiente manera: Ambiente empoderante •

Crear un comité comunitario con representantes de grupos desatendidos

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Establecer un enlace de EEJ dentro de las comunidades desatendidas para establecer redes y facilitar la comprensión de los protocolos culturales

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Evaluar el progreso de la EEJ a través de la supervisión y la evaluación de manera continua en todas las áreas objetivo.

Políticas y planes •

Revisar la implementación de la consideración cultural en la MMPA y la ESA

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Analizar la EEJ en las políticas

Investigación y supervisión •

Alinear las prioridades de investigación de NOAA Fisheries con las prioridades de investigación de las comunidades desatendidas

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Recopilar datos de encuestas en todas las comunidades pesqueras

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Analizar la EEJ en los impactos de la administración

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Definir e incluir la pesca no comercial

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Aumentar el financiamiento para la ciencia territorial e invertir en investigación y experiencia científica local

Divulgación y participación •

Asegurarse de que la participación involucre el idioma y el lugar apropiados; celebrar reuniones en persona con el público, el gobierno local y las organizaciones pesqueras

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Crear campañas específicas para crear conciencia sobre la misión y el progreso de NOAA Fisheries; crear una red de tutores para apoyar los esfuerzos sólidos de redacción de propuestas; invertir en el desarrollo de capacidades para fuerzas de trabajo especializadas basadas en fortalezas regionales

Distribución equitativa de los beneficios •

Considerar las barreras para el acceso a los beneficios, como los criterios relacionados con el tamaño de la población, la carga de mantenimiento de registros y la pesca no comercial

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Analizar la EEJ en la distribución de beneficios de NOAA Fisheries, como financiación de investigación y subvenciones

Administración inclusiva •

Coordinar iniciativas con otras agencias federales sobre los asuntos relacionados con la tierra que afectan al hábitat y las espacies

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Honrar la soberanía Tribal y la responsabilidad del fideicomiso federal

Revisión interna A principios de 2022, el borrador actualizado de la estrategia de EEJ se compartió ampliamente entre la dirección y el personal de NOAA Fisheries. El Grupo de Trabajo recibió comentarios de cada región y varias oficinas centrales. Al igual que con el aporte inicial de la comunidad, los comentarios se categorizaron y trataron. Luego, la versión actualizada se presentó a la dirección en abril de 2022. En respuesta a los comentarios, se incluyeron metas, se reordenaron objetivos y se fortaleció la conexión entre ellos; se revisaron las métricas para hacerlas más orientadas a los resultados (en lugar de los aportes).

Comentarios del público: en curso NOAA Fisheries busca comentarios del público sobre este documento para garantizar que esta estrategia nacional nos permita atender equitativamente a todas las comunidades. Se hará un nuevo esfuerzo para llegar a las comunidades desatendidas y, si es posible, realizar reuniones presenciales. Hasta el momento a lo largo de este proceso, las reuniones presenciales no han sido posibles debido a las restricciones de viaje por el Covid-19. Buscaremos comentarios de las comunidades de las que aún no hemos tenido noticias, como los trabajadores de la planta de procesamiento. También incorporaremos actualizaciones de EEJ, a medida que estén disponibles por parte de la Administración, DOC y NOAA, en la estrategia final.

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Apéndice 1: Categorías de actividades de la EEJ Para comprender mejor el alcance de las iniciativas actuales y planificadas de NOAA Fisheries e identificar oportunidades para el trabajo futuro, el Grupo de trabajo de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries clasificó 170 actividades actuales de EEJ. Se identificaron seis categorías principales y 17 temas distintos6. Varias actividades se clasificaron en múltiples temas y enfoques, lo que demuestra cómo estos enfoques a menudo funcionan juntos. La divulgación y la participación fue el enfoque más común utilizado en las actividades de EEJ de NOAA Fisheries, seguido de Investigación y supervisión, y luego Beneficio. Políticas y planificación y Administración inclusiva tenían menos ejemplos y pueden representar oportunidades para una mayor priorización y desarrollo. A continuación, se muestran ejemplos del trabajo en curso de NOAA Fisheries dentro de esos seis enfoques de EEJ. Tabla A1. Ejemplos de NOAA Fisheries del trabajo en curso. Enfoque de EEJ Ambiente empoderante

Incorporación de la EEJ en políticas y planes

Tema

Ejemplos de NOAA Fisheries de trabajo en curso

Capacitación de EEJ: actividades e iniciativas El personal de Alaska Fisheries Science Center y Alaska que mejoran la comunicación y la Regional Office recibió capacitación sobre conciencia construcción de relaciones con las cultural con respecto a las comunidades nativas de comunidades desatendidas, incluida una Alaska, su estructura de gobierno y su cultura para mayor comprensión de las comunidades ayudar a facilitar la comprensión, construir relaciones desatendidas destinatarias de NOAA positivas y mejorar la comunicación y el entendimiento Fisheries. con las comunidades nativas de Alaska. Desarrollo de capacidades: desarrollo de capacidades, incluidos productos o actividades de desarrollo profesional.

NOAA Fisheries apoya pasantías de verano pagadas para estudiantes de universidades históricamente negras e instituciones que atienden a minorías. Algunos ejemplos son Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program (IN FISH!), Woods Hole Partnership Education Program y Hollings Preparation Program (ver una lista completa). Con los tutores de NOAA Fisheries que apoyan a los participantes de un proyecto, estos programas brindan oportunidades para el desarrollo profesional en los campos de la ciencia y la administración.

Planes de programa: formas de planificación para aumentar el alcance y los beneficios de los programas de la NOAA Fisheries para las comunidades desatendidas.

La Office of Habitat Conservation formó un comité permanente para desarrollar recomendaciones para integrar los principios de EEJ en el trabajo del Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program. Las recomendaciones permiten fundamentar el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias para involucrar a las comunidades desatendidas, la aplicación de nuevos métodos y marcos de decisión que nos permiten

El proceso iterativo de categorizar y desarrollar temas y categorías amplias incluyó un análisis preliminar y secundario basado en los comentarios. U. S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

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considerar y evaluar mejor los factores de EEJ y nuestra capacidad para evaluar el progreso a lo largo del tiempo en relación con objetivos específicos. Incorporación Política: Tener en cuenta la EEJ durante el de la EEJ en proceso de toma de decisiones. políticas y planes (continuación.)

La Pacific Islands Regional Office está trabajando con las partes interesadas, otros colegas del gobierno de EE. UU. y los miembros de la Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission para desarrollar una medida de gestión que aborde las preocupaciones sobre las condiciones que enfrentan los miembros de las tripulaciones de las comunidades desatendidas, con un enfoque en los estándares laborales y la seguridad de la tripulación.

Equidad en la Investigación colaborativa y de apoyo: Los pescadores locales de las comunidades de investigación e investigación o apoyo a la investigación Emmonak y Alakanuk, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska investigación realizada en colaboración con comunidades Department of Fish and Game y Yukon Delta Fisheries de la equidad desatendidas o las agencias/instituciones Development Association trabajan conjuntamente cada que las representan (p. ej., consejos tribales, verano para recuperar redes de salmón, contar peces, agencias de pesca territorial). medir la temperatura del agua y enviar muestras a Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Laboratories para analizar la dieta y la condición corporal de los peces. El proyecto brinda oportunidades para introducir a los jóvenes en las carreras científicas, mientras que los científicos ciudadanos ayudan a estudiar la disminución de los retornos del salmón chinook al río Yukón. Investigación social y cultural : Las caracterizaciones de la comunidad se pueden usar investigación para identificar y caracterizar para resaltar comunidades que antes no estaban bien a las comunidades pesqueras desatendidas. atendidas. Por ejemplo, el Alaska Fisheries Science Incluye indicadores sociales, datos Center dirigió proyectos de investigación sobre el papel demográficos e investigaciones sobre salud de las mujeres nativas de Alaska en la industria humana, seguridad y seguridad alimentaria, pesquera de la bahía de Bristol, la participación de las pesca no comercial, así como conocimientos mujeres en 30 años de pesca en Alaska y la locales, tradicionales y culturales participación de las mujeres en la pesca comercial en América del Norte y Europa para explorar la naturaleza multifacética de la participación de las mujeres en la pesca. Investigación de gestión y administración: análisis de los impactos de las medidas de gestión en las comunidades desatendidas, y su percepción y participación en el proceso de toma de decisiones.

El Restoration Center Deepwater Horizon Project de la Office of Habitat Conservation evalúa cada propuesta en el rango razonable de alternativas para determinar si su implementación tendría impactos desproporcionados en las poblaciones minoritarias, de bajos ingresos o desatendidas.

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Divulgación y participación equitativa

Construcción de relaciones e intercambio Se desarrolló el Programa de Educación de Pesca de conocimientos: actividades diseñadas Recreativa de Puerto Rico en colaboración con el para construir y mantener relaciones con las Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de comunidades y proporcionar información Puerto Rico y el Consejo de Administración Pesquera importante. del Caribe. Este es un programa educativo hecho a la medida de la comunidad pesquera recreativa de Puerto Rico. El programa se compone de 7 módulos: leyes y reglamentos pesqueros, especies marinas reguladas, especies altamente migratorias, ecosistemas de arrecifes de coral, leyes y reglamentos de arrecifes de coral de Puerto Rico, manejo y participación pesquera, y mejores prácticas de captura y liberación. El programa cubre la pesca tanto a nivel federal como territorial y lanzará talleres virtuales en línea este verano.

Divulgación y Comunicación y acceso lingüístico: Para ampliar la participación de las comunidades pesqueras minoritarias en el proceso de elaboración participación plataformas, entornos y productos de comunicación para llegar a las comunidades de normas y mejorar el cumplimiento de las nuevas equitativa medidas de conservación y gestión, varias oficinas de (continuación.) desatendidas. NOAA Fisheries traducen materiales de administración pesquera (p. ej., guías de cumplimiento de la pesca, identificación de especies y tarjetas de manejo seguro) y proporcionan intérpretes en reuniones públicas. Las traducciones se han realizado en idioma español, vietnamita y samoano.

Distribución equitativa de los beneficios

Educación: productos o actividades educativas diseñadas para llegar a las comunidades desatendidas.

El Alaska Fisheries Science Center trabaja con el Sealaska Heritage Institute y el Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program para proporcionar actividades y contenido de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas para los estudiantes de secundaria nativos de Alaska.

Subvenciones y asignación de fondos: subvenciones y asignación de fondos para actividades para comunidades desatendidas.

La Southeast Regional Office trabajó con la Office of Protected Resources para desarrollar un proceso revisado para evaluar las subvenciones de recuperación de especies para las Tribus con el fin de garantizar una representación justa de los proyectos tribales para la consideración del panel de financiación. Además, la Office of Habitat Conservation ha incluido lenguaje específico en su aviso de oportunidades de financiamiento federal para incluir la EEJ y oportunidades de restauración.

Pesca y acuicultura: actividades de pesca y acuicultura para comunidades desatendidas.

El Northwest Fisheries Science Center colaboró con el Northwest Indian College para apoyar una asociación tribal de jóvenes que investiga nuevas toxinas que afectan la acuicultura de mariscos.

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Conservación y restauración del hábitat: La NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) creó la actividades de conservación y restauración asociación Envision the Choptank, que encuentra del hábitat para comunidades desatendidas. soluciones colaborativas que respaldan los arrecifes de ostras saludables y productivos, y restauran las aguas aptas para la pesca y el nado en el río Choptank. Envision the Choptank, con el apoyo de NCBO, desarrolló y aceptó los principios de EEJ e incorporó las consideraciones de EEJ en las listas de verificación de equidad del proyecto y se está enfocando en proyectos de restauración y conservación de hábitats en comunidades desatendidas para aumentar la equidad y la inclusión en los proyectos. Adaptación climática: actividades de adaptación climática para las comunidades desatendidas

La NCBO colabora con un proyecto del Chesapeake Bay Program que se enfoca en proyectos de infraestructura verde para mejorar la resistencia costera en áreas desatendidas con el fin de aumentar la equidad y la inclusión en la restauración.

Administración Mejorar la diversidad de los aportes de la inclusiva comunidad: actividades diseñadas para aumentar los aportes diversos a las personas encargadas de la toma de decisiones, incluso a través de procesos de comentarios públicos.

La Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division considera activamente la diversidad (étnica, geográfica, pesquera, etc.) en la revisión de las nominaciones al Panel Asesor de HMS con el objetivo de lograr diversos aportes y consejos sobre temas y gestión de pesca de HMS. Recientemente, ha aumentado la participación del Caribe de EE. UU. en el Panel Asesor de HMS, particularmente de Puerto Rico.

Apoyo a la toma de decisiones de la La Southeast Regional Office trabajó con el Gulf of comunidad: actividades diseñadas para Maine Research Institute para expandir el Marine aumentar el acceso a la toma de decisiones Resource Education Program a Puerto Rico y las Islas por parte de las comunidades desatendidas. Vírgenes de EE. UU. A nivel nacional, MREP crea vías para que los científicos y administradores aprendan de los pescadores y para que los pescadores mejoren la comprensión y la participación en el proceso de administración y ciencia pesquera a nivel federal. Procesos de administración cooperativa: actividades que incluyen la colaboración administrativa con las comunidades desatendidas.

En virtud de la Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA Fisheries y organizaciones de las comunidades nativas de Alaska administran en conjunto las poblaciones de mamíferos marinos de Alaska. La administración conjunta promueve la participación plena e igualitaria de los nativos de Alaska en las decisiones que afectan la administración de subsistencia de los mamíferos marinos (en la medida máxima permitida por la ley) como una herramienta para conservar las poblaciones de mamíferos marinos de Alaska.

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Apéndice 2: Directivas y EEJ de NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries crea programas, políticas y actividades conforme a las siguientes leyes, que a menudo se interrelacionan con las consideraciones de la EEJ:

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act La Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act7(MSA) crea un proceso público que rige la administración de la pesca marina en las aguas federales de EE. UU. con el objetivo de prevenir la sobrepesca y reconstruir la pesca cuando sea necesario. La MSA establece un desarrollo de medidas de administración basado en los destinatarios a través de foros públicos abiertos llamados consejos de administración pesquera. Contiene una serie de referencias a comunidades específicas, incluidos gobiernos tribales, comunidades indígenas nativas de Hawái, nativas de Alaska y del Pacífico occidental. La MSA describe los estándares nacionales para el desarrollo de planes de administración pesquera y NOAA Fisheries brinda orientación reglamentaria sobre la implementación de los diez estándares nacionales de dicha administración. El National Standard 1 requiere que las medidas de conservación y administración eviten la sobrepesca mientras se logra, de manera continua, el rendimiento óptimo (Optimum Yield, OY) de cada sector de pesca de la industria pesquera de los EE. UU. 16 USC 1851(a)(1). OY se refiere a una cantidad de pescado que brinda el mayor beneficio general a la Nación, particularmente con respecto a la producción de alimentos y las oportunidades recreativas, y teniendo en cuenta la protección de los ecosistemas marinos; y se prescribe sobre la base del rendimiento máximo sostenible “reducido por cualquier factor social, económico o ecológico relevante…” 16 U. S. C. 1802(33). En cuanto a los factores sociales, las pautas del National Standard 1 brindan una lista no exhaustiva de posibles consideraciones, indicadores relacionados con la pesca y otros factores que pueden considerarse. Esta lista alienta la consideración de "... la preservación de una forma de vida para los pescadores y sus familias, la dependencia de las comunidades locales de un sector de pesca (p. ej., la participación en la pesca y la capacidad de adaptarse al cambio), ... indicadores no relacionados con la pesca (p. ej., tasas de desempleo, porcentaje de población por debajo del nivel de pobreza, densidad de población, etc.), ...[y] el lugar cultural de la pesca de subsistencia, las obligaciones en virtud de los tratados tribales, las proporciones de grupos minoritarios y de bajos ingresos afectados, y necesidades nutricionales mundiales” (50 C. F. R. 600.310(e)(3)(iii)(B)(1)). El National Standard 4 requiere que las asignaciones sean justas y equitativas, razonablemente calculadas para promover la conservación y llevadas a cabo para evitar participaciones excesivas (entre otras consideraciones). 16 USC 1851(a)(4). En relación con la EO 13985 (Avance de la equidad racial y el apoyo a las comunidades desatendidas a través del gobierno federal), las pautas del National Standard 4 brindan orientación sobre estos requisitos y también sobre otros factores relevantes para los objetivos del plan de administración pesquera que se deben considerar, como "consecuencias económicas y sociales del esquema, producción de alimentos... dependencia de la industria pesquera por parte de los participantes actuales y las comunidades costeras, ... oportunidad para que nuevos participantes ingresen a la industria pesquera..." (50 C. F. R. 600.325(c)(3)(iv)). El National Standard 8 requiere medidas de conservación y gestión, coherentes con los requisitos de conservación de MSA, para tener en cuenta la importancia de los recursos pesqueros para las comunidades pesqueras mediante el uso de datos económicos y sociales que se basan en la mejor información científica disponible para proporcionar una participación sostenida de tales comunidades; y, en la medida de lo posible, minimizar los impactos económicos 7

Anteriormente la Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (1976).

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adversos en dichas comunidades (16 U. S. C. 1851(a)(8)). Al abordar estos requisitos, las Pautas del National Standard 8 establecen que se deben considerar los usos de los recursos pesqueros tanto de uso consuntivo como no consuntivo (50 C. F. R. 600.345(c)(4)). La “comunidad pesquera” se define en la MSA como una “comunidad que depende sustancialmente o participa sustancialmente en la captura o el procesamiento de los recursos pesqueros para satisfacer las necesidades sociales y económicas, e incluye a los propietarios, operadores y tripulantes de embarcaciones pesqueras y procesadores de pescado que tienen su sede en dicha comunidad” (16 U. S. C. 1802(17); véase también 50 C. F. R. 600.345(b)(3)). Las pautas del NS8 explican además: “Una comunidad pesquera es un grupo social o económico cuyos miembros residen en un lugar específico y comparten una dependencia común de la pesca comercial, recreativa o de subsistencia o de servicios e industrias directamente relacionados con la pesca (por ejemplo, astilleros, proveedores de hielo, tiendas de aparejos)" (50 C. F. R. 600.345(b)(3)). Es probable que estas comunidades pesqueras se superpongan en algunos casos con comunidades desatendidas como se definió anteriormente, y resaltar la posible inequidad en las decisiones de política pesquera en los análisis requeridos conforme al National Standard 8 es una intersección importante de nuestro mandato y las Órdenes Ejecutivas. Como se señaló en la Estrategia de justicia medioambiental de 2012 del Department of Commerce, la MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reconoce el papel especial de las Tribus y otros pueblos indígenas en el desarrollo y la implementación de políticas pesqueras. Por ejemplo, la Ley estipula que el Pacific Fishery Management Council, cuya área de responsabilidad corresponde al lado del mar de California, Oregón, Washington e Idaho, incluirá un miembro votante que sea representante de una Tribu indígena con derechos de pesca reconocidos federalmente en la región. Además, la MSA autoriza un Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program, cuyos objetivos son brindar a las comunidades elegibles de Alaska Occidental la oportunidad de participar e invertir en la industria pesquera del mar de Bering y las islas Aleutianas, lo que favorece el desarrollo económico, alivia la pobreza y brinda beneficios económicos y sociales a los residentes, y permite lograr economías locales sostenibles y diversificadas (16 U. S. C. 1855(i)(1)). En el caso de cualquier sector de pesca sujeto a la autoridad del Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, la MSA autoriza el establecimiento de un Western Pacific Community Development Program para brindar acceso a las comunidades del Pacífico occidental que participan en el programa (16 U. S. C. 1855(i)(2)). Los objetivos de este programa incluyen promover el desarrollo de iniciativas sociales, culturales y comerciales que mejoren las oportunidades para las comunidades del Pacífico occidental de Samoa estadounidense, Guam, Hawái y la Mancomunidad de las Islas Marianas del Norte. También hay una directiva en virtud de la MSA para establecer un programa piloto para programas de capacitación y educación marina con base regional en el Pacífico occidental y el Pacífico norte para fomentar la comprensión, el uso práctico del conocimiento (incluido el conocimiento de las comunidades nativas de Hawái, de Alaska y de otras islas del Pacífico) y la experiencia técnica relevante para la administración de los recursos marinos vivos. El objetivo de los programas o proyectos sería mejorar la comunicación, la educación y la capacitación sobre temas de recursos marinos y aumentar la educación científica para las profesiones relacionadas con el mar entre los residentes de las comunidades costeras, incluidos los indígenas de las islas del Pacífico, los nativos de Hawai, los nativos de Alaska y otros grupos subrepresentados en la región. 16 USC 1855(j).

Endangered Species Act El propósito de la Endangered Species Act (ESA) es conservar las especies amenazadas y en peligro de extinción y los ecosistemas de los que dependen. NOAA Fisheries comparte la responsabilidad de implementar la ESA con el U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; nos encargamos del manejo de peces marinos y anádromos. La ESA prohíbe "capturar" (es decir,

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

acosar, dañar, perseguir, cazar, disparar, herir, matar, atrapar, capturar o recolectar, o intentar participar en cualquier conducta de este tipo) de especies en peligro de extinción, pero en ciertas circunstancias, esta prohibición no se aplica a la captura de subsistencia por parte de “cualquier persona indígena, aleutiano o esquimal que sea nativo de Alaska que resida en Alaska” o “cualquier residente permanente no nativo de una comunidad nativa de Alaska” 16 U. S. C. 1538(a); 1539(e). En junio de 1997, el Secretary of Commerce y el Secretary of Interior emitieron una Orden Secretarial Conjunta del Department of Commerce y el Department of the Interior “American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act”. La Orden reconoce la responsabilidad fiduciaria y las obligaciones de los tratados de los Estados Unidos con respecto a las Tribus indígenas y los miembros tribales y su relación de gobierno a gobierno en el trato con las Tribus. En consecuencia, los Departamentos llevarán a cabo sus responsabilidades conforme a la ESA de una manera que unifique la responsabilidad del fideicomiso federal con las Tribus, la soberanía Tribal y las misiones estatutarias de los Departamentos, y que se esfuerce por garantizar que las Tribus indígenas no tengan que soportar una carga desproporcionada por la conservación de las especies incluidas en la lista, a fin de evitar o minimizar el potencial de conflicto y confrontación. La Sección 161 de la Ley pública 108–199 (188 Stat. 452), modificada por la sección 518 de la Ley pública 108–447 (118 Stat. 3267), ordena a todas las agencias federales que consulten con las corporaciones nativas de Alaska sobre la misma base que las naciones tribales conforme a la EO 13175. Además, la Orden Secretarial 3225, titulada “Endangered Species Act and Subsistence Uses in Alaska (Supplement to Secretarial Order 3206)” establece un marco de consulta entre NOAA Fisheries y los nativos de Alaska con respecto a la captura de subsistencia de las especies incluidas en la lista de la ESA en virtud de la Ley. De acuerdo con estas órdenes y políticas de consulta, coordinamos y consultamos con las naciones tribales afectadas cuando consideramos acciones conforme a la ESA que pueden afectar los recursos del fideicomiso tribal, las tierras de propiedad tribal o el ejercicio de los derechos tribales.

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act En virtud de la Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U. S. C. 661 et seq.), NOAA Fisheries otorga anualmente subvenciones para la recuperación de especies a Tribus reconocidas a nivel federal para apoyar la administración, investigación, supervisión y actividades de divulgación que tienen beneficios directos de conservación para las especies indicadas en la ESA.

Marine Mammal Protection Act La Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) de 1972 establece una política nacional para evitar que los mamíferos marinos disminuyan más allá del punto en que dejen de ser elementos funcionales significativos de los ecosistemas de los que forman parte. La MMPA prohíbe la “captura” de mamíferos marinos, incluida la caza, captura, recolección o matanza de estos animales, en aguas de los EE. UU. o en tierras sujetas a la jurisdicción de los EE. UU., con algunas excepciones. Requiere que se obtenga una autorización de captura incidental para la “captura” no intencional de mamíferos marinos en relación con actividades que incluyen proyectos de construcción. Sin embargo, en ciertas circunstancias, la MMPA exime la captura de subsistencia por parte de los nativos de Alaska (descrito en 16 U. S. C. 1371(b) como “cualquier persona indígena, aleutiano o esquimal que resida en Alaska y que habite en la costa del Océano Pacífico Norte o el Océano Ártico"); ver también 50 CFR 216.3 y 216.23. Además, la sección 119 de la MMPApermite a NOAA Fisheries establecer acuerdos con organizaciones nativas de Alaska para la gestión conjunta de mamíferos marinos capturados con fines culturales y de subsistencia. La gestión conjunta promueve la participación plena e igualitaria de los nativos de Alaska en las decisiones que afectan la gestión para la subsistencia de los

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

mamíferos marinos (en la medida máxima permitida por la ley) como una herramienta para conservar las poblaciones de mamíferos marinos de Alaska. En las circunstancias que correspondan, la MMPA también otorga a NOAA Fisheries la autoridad para renunciar u otorgar una exención a la prohibición de captura de mamíferos marinos para facilitar el ejercicio de los derechos por tratado de caza o pesca reservados para las Tribus reconocidas a nivel federal. Por ejemplo, en virtud de la sección 120 de la Ley, NOAA Fisheries puede autorizar la remoción letal de focas y leones marinos que tengan un impacto negativo significativo en el salmón de la costa oeste que figura en la lista de la ESA. En ciertas áreas designadas, NOAA Fisheries puede autorizar a los gobiernos tribales a participar en el proceso de remoción. En virtud de la sección 101(a)(3) de la MMPA, NOAA Fisheries puede considerar conceder una exención de la prohibición de captura para permitir que una Tribu ejerza el derecho que le otorga el tratado de participar en la caza de subsistencia de poblaciones sanas de mamíferos marinos.

National Environmental Policy Act La National Environmental Policy Act establece la política ambiental nacional del gobierno federal para utilizar todos los medios y medidas viables para fomentar y promover el bienestar general, crear y mantener condiciones en las que los seres humanos y la naturaleza puedan existir en armonía productiva y cumplir con los objetivos sociales, económicos y otros requisitos de las generaciones presentes y futuras de estadounidenses, y ordena a las agencias federales que consideren los impactos ambientales de sus acciones propuestas antes de tomar decisiones. La Guía de Justicia Ambiental de 1997 del Consejo de Calidad Ambiental bajo la Ley de Política Ambiental Nacional destaca la importancia de NEPA en la identificación de asuntos de justicia ambiental y ofrece principios para incorporar la justicia ambiental en las revisiones de NEPA de nuestras acciones propuestas. El Grupo de Trabajo Interagencia Federal sobre Justicia Ambiental estableció un Comité NEPA en 2012 de conformidad con el Memorandum de Entendimiento sobre Justicia Ambiental y la Orden Ejecutiva 12898 (2011). El Memorándum identificó a la NEPA como un área de enfoque para la inclusión en los esfuerzos de justicia ambiental de las agencias y dirigió los esfuerzos para “incluir la colaboración entre agencias” Después de examinar las mejores prácticas, las lecciones aprendidas, la investigación, el análisis, la capacitación, la consulta y otras experiencias de los profesionales federales de NEPA en todo el gobierno federal, el EJ IWG produjo Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews (2016) como una guía informal para compartir formas efectivas para construir una sólida consideración de la justicia ambiental en la práctica de la NEPA. Como lo exige la NEPA, las acciones de administración pesquera atraviesan el proceso de revisión ambiental. La Estrategia de Justicia Ambiental de 2012 del Department of Commerce señala que, como custodio de una gran cantidad de datos ambientales, la NOAA está equipada de manera única para evaluar "los posibles... impactos ambientales adversos y desproporcionados en las poblaciones minoritarias y de bajos ingresos". Además, la guía señala que NOAA Fisheries estudia el impacto del cambio climático en los recursos fiduciarios de NOAA Fisheries, incluidas la pesca, las especies de ESA y MMPA, y sus hábitats asociados. NOAA Fisheries cuenta con recursos de datos clave para comprender cómo esos cambios inducidos por el clima en nuestros recursos afectarán de forma específica a las poblaciones desatendidas/minoritarias/tribales.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) La Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act de 1980 (CERCLA) proporciona un grupo integral de autoridades centradas en un objetivo principal: abordar cualquier liberación o amenaza de liberación de sustancias peligrosas, nocivas o contaminantes que podrían poner en peligro la salud humana o el medio ambiente.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Las disposiciones de respuesta de CERCLA se centran en la protección de la salud humana y el medio ambiente. El estatuto también proporciona autoridad para la evaluación y restauración de los recursos naturales se dañaron en una respuesta o liberación de sustancias peligrosas.

Oil Pollution Act (OPA) La Oil Pollution Act de 1990 se esfuerza por prevenir derrames de petróleo de embarcaciones e instalaciones, obliga a retirar el petróleo derramado y asigna responsabilidad por el costo de la limpieza y los daños. La Ley exige procedimientos operativos específicos; define las partes responsables y la responsabilidad financiera; implementa procesos de medición de daños; especifica los daños por los cuales los infractores son responsables; y establece un fondo para daños, limpieza y costos de remoción. Otorga a la NOAA y a otros la autoridad para abordar los impactos en los recursos naturales causados por los derrames de petróleo y tomar medidas para responder o prevenir un derrame de petróleo.

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NOAA Fisheries

Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Executive Summary NOAA Fisheries endeavors to serve stakeholders equitably by engaging underserved communities in the science, conservation, and management of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitat. This national strategy builds on NOAA Fisheries’ previous equity and environmental justice efforts to provide guidance for incorporating and prioritizing EEJ in ongoing and future activities in support of NOAA Fisheries’ mission. NOAA Fisheries’ science, conservation, and management activities serve a diverse array of communities across the United States and Territories. Recognizing that not all communities have equal opportunities and access to NOAA Fisheries’ services, we identified three overarching goals (Table 1). This national strategy requires step-down implementation plans and annual progress reports to ensure improvements in five core areas: Policy, Research, Outreach, Benefits, and Governance. A sixth core area, Empowering Environment, provides agency staff with the support and tools necessary to implement changes (Table 1). Identifying and recognizing underserved communities, as well as addressing access barriers they face, will allow NOAA Fisheries to more equitably and effectively serve all communities. Focusing on these six core objectives will provide more equitable stewardship of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitat. This national strategy is the result of guidance from recent Executive Orders, the Department of Commerce’s Equity Action Plan, NOAA’s Climate Council and NOAA Fisheries’ leadership, as well as enthusiastic staff participation and a clear and growing need indicated by underserved communities. To be clear, it does not condone business as usual and is not a rebranding of existing activities. Rather, this national strategy describes the path that NOAA Fisheries will take to incorporate EEJ into the vital services we provide to all stakeholders.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 1. NOAA Fisheries’ three overarching goals and six core EEJ objectives

NOAA Fisheries’ Equity and Environmental Justice Goals Prioritize identification, equitable treatment, and meaningful involvement of underserved communities.

Provide equitable delivery of services.

Prioritize EEJ in our mandated and mission work.

Objectives Empowering Environment:

Provide the institutional support, including training and resources, needed to implement multiple EEJ approaches at NOAA Fisheries. Internal leadership and management will identify EEJ as priorities and encourage staff to consider EEJ in every aspect of their work.

Incorporate Equity and Environmental Justice in Policy and Plans:

Equity in Research and Researching Equity:

Outreach and Engage Equitably:

Equitably Distribute Benefits:

Ensure that our policies Identify underserved Build relationships with Distribute benefits promote equal opportunities communities, address underserved equitably among for all and do not create their needs, and communities to better stakeholders by unintended inequities or assess impacts of understand their needs, increasing the access to unequal burdens for management and improve information opportunities for underserved communities. decisions. sharing with all underserved stakeholders. communities.

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Inclusive Governance:

Provide for the meaningful involvement of underserved communities in the decision-making processes.

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table of Contents List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 Definitions..........................................................................................................................................................................3 NOAA Fisheries’ Stewardship Mission ...............................................................................................................................4 Mandates for Equity and Environmental Justice ...............................................................................................................4 Barriers to Equity and Environmental Justice....................................................................................................................6 NOAA Fisheries’ Approach to EEJ.............................................................................................................................. 8 Long-term Goals ................................................................................................................................................................8 Short-term Objectives .......................................................................................................................................................8 Empowering Environment ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Incorporate Equity and Environmental Justice in Policy and Plans ............................................................................. 12 Research and Monitoring for Equity............................................................................................................................ 14 Outreach and Engage Equitably .................................................................................................................................. 18 Equitably Distribute Benefits ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Inclusive Governance................................................................................................................................................... 23 Strategy Development Process ............................................................................................................................... 26 Preliminary Community Input .........................................................................................................................................26 Internal Review ................................................................................................................................................................27 Public Feedback—In Progress .........................................................................................................................................27 Appendix 1: EEJ Activity Categories ........................................................................................................................ 28 Appendix 2: NOAA Fisheries’ Mandates and EEJ...................................................................................................... 32 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ...................................................................................32 Endangered Species Act ..................................................................................................................................................33 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act ..................................................................................................................................34 Marine Mammal Protection Act ......................................................................................................................................34 National Environmental Policy Act ..................................................................................................................................34 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) ...................................................35 Oil Pollution Act (OPA).....................................................................................................................................................35

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

List of Acronyms CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act DOC: Department of Commerce EEJ: Equity and Environmental Justice EJ IWG: Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice ESA: Endangered Species Act HMS: Highly Migratory Species IN FISH!: Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program LGBTQ+: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer MMPA: Marine Mammal Protection Act MREP: Marine Resource Education Program MSA: Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act NCBO: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act NMFS: National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA Fisheries: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service OHC: Office of Habitat Conservation OPA: Oil Pollution Act PDS: Policy Directive System TEK: Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Introduction This national strategy provides guidance for incorporating and prioritizing equity and environmental justice (EEJ) in ongoing and future activities in support of NOAA Fisheries’ mission. While NOAA Fisheries’ work has incorporated elements of EEJ, our efforts to date have not met the scope, magnitude, and duration of the challenges facing underserved communities. In 2021, President Biden signed Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 to promote equity and environmental justice within the federal government and its external-facing efforts. In response, the FY22-26 Department of Commerce’s Strategic Plan revised its mission, “to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities,” and published its Equity Action Plan. NOAA Fisheries responded by convening an EEJ Working Group to improve information sharing, coordinate internal expertise, and to inform implementation of EEJ. The EEJ Working Group identified current EEJ activities (described in detail in Appendix 1) and developed this document as a framework for embedding EEJ into everything NOAA Fisheries does, on a daily basis, to fulfill our mission to provide vital services equitably for the entire nation. Implementing this strategy requires the participation of the NOAA Fisheries’ entire workforce and all offices and programs. While there is much we can do without additional funds, significant progress will require additional funds, as requested in the FY23 Budget Request.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Definitions NOAA Fisheries adopts the following definitions: Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, or income during development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to: • • •

Equitable protection from environmental and health hazards; Equitable access to decision-making processes; and Equitable opportunity for underserved communities that have been marginalized.*

Equity is the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.** Meaningful Involvement* means: • • • •

Stakeholders have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; The public’s contribution informs NOAA Fisheries’ decisions; Community concerns will be considered in the decision making process; and Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

Stakeholders* are individuals or representatives from organizations or interest groups that have a strong interest in NOAA Fisheries’ work and policies. Public* is the general population of the United States. Many segments of "the public" may have a particular interest in or may be affected by NOAA Fisheries programs and decisions. Underserved Communities, as defined by Executive Order 13985, refers to communities that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. These include geographic communities as well as populations sharing a particular characteristic, history or identity. Adapting EO 13985 these groups could include but are not limited to: women and girls; Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons***, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Specific to the fisheries context, underserved groups within fishing communities may include, for example, subsistence fishery participants and their dependents, fishing vessel crews, and fish processor and distribution workers. Finally, territorial fishing communities (which include American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) may also be categorized as underserved. Underserved communities will vary by region, and by the barriers they face. Furthermore, many of these community categories intersect. Hence identification of, and meaningful involvement with underserved communities will be a regionally specific and an on-going process that will require long-term commitment.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Climate Change is the long-term shift in oceanic and atmospheric conditions, resulting in increased temperature, sea level rise, and changes in weather patterns like drought, flood, and storm frequency/duration. NOAA identifies climate change as an EEJ issue because its impacts are unevenly experienced across the nation: long-standing socioeconomic inequities can make underserved communities, who often have the highest exposure to hazards and the fewest resources to respond, more vulnerable. As described in the NOAA Fisheries’ Climate Science Strategy Five Year Progress Report (2021), fishing communities may be especially vulnerable to sea level rise, loss of catch abundance and diversity, and the resulting impacts to their local economy. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility NOAA Fisheries strives to eradicate discrimination in our programs and policies, identify and reduce barriers to equity, and be inclusive of all communities affected by NOAA Fisheries’ work. This EEJ Strategy focuses on advancing environmental justice and equitably serving all underserved communities through NOAA Fisheries’ externally facing services and policies. Successful implementation of this strategy will depend, in part, on continued progress toward a diverse and inclusive NOAA Fisheries workforce. NOAA Fisheries’ internal diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts focus on cultivating a diverse workforce to reflect, understand, and respond to the varied communities we serve, including underserved communities, as described in the NOAA Fisheries Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 and as outlined in Executive Order 14035. Here, diversity encompasses national origin, language, race, color, abilities, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation, among other factors. Inclusion refers to equitable treatment, access, opportunity and advancement of all employees. * adapted from the Environmental Protection Agency‘s definition **as defined by Executive Order 13985 ***The United States federal government has specific guidelines for relationships with federally recognized Tribes. This Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy does not revise or impact that responsibility in any way. See Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), which directs federal agencies to “have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by Tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have Tribal implications.” See also NOAA Procedures for Government-to-Government Consultation with Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations which guides NOAA Fisheries’ work with federally recognized Tribes.

NOAA Fisheries’ Stewardship Mission NOAA Fisheries 1 is responsible for the stewardship of the Nation’s ocean resources and their habitats. Backed by robust science, NOAA Fisheries provides vital services for the Nation, including ensuring productive and sustainable fisheries, safe sources of seafood, conservation and recovery of protected resources, and ecosystem protection and restoration. NOAA Fisheries’ work directly impacts the economic opportunities, health, and environment of many communities— including underserved communities.

Mandates for Equity and Environmental Justice Government programs and policies can play a large role in advancing environmental justice and the equitable distribution of services to individuals, families, businesses, and communities. Recognizing this, executive orders have Known informally as NOAA Fisheries, the official name of the agency in legislation and regulations is the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 1

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

been issued to promote EEJ within the federal government and guide the way NOAA Fisheries and other federal agencies implement their mission. EEJ are a priority for the Administration, and several interagency groups are updating metrics, definitions, and approaches that will be incorporated into this strategy as they become available. Signed in 2021, Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government) states …the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. Affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our Government. Because advancing equity requires a systematic approach to embedding fairness in decision-making processes, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must recognize and work to redress inequities in their policies and programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity. Also signed in 2021, Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad) directs Federal agencies to make achieving environmental justice part of their missions by developing programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts on disadvantaged communities, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts. The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council was established under Executive Order 14008. The EJ Advisory Council recommends that each agency create an EJ Scorecard to track regulatory impacts on and benefits to disadvantaged communities. EJ Scorecard recommendations include: evaluating access to and distribution of benefits; tracking Federal funding; establishing iterative and bidirectional feedback; engaging agency staff; documenting potential burdens; and identifying short- and long-term goals. Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations), signed in 1994, directs each federal agency, “[t]o the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law…” to identify and address, as appropriate, the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations. The Department of Commerce Equity Action Plan (2022) lays the foundation for programing and policies that will reach a larger and more diverse audience and address key barriers to economic success for historically underserved communities. The goals of the plan include: making services, science, and data more accessible to underserved communities; ensuring that benefits and funding advance racial equity and support underserved communities; and providing economic opportunities for underserved communities by institutionalizing equity in the long-term. These goals require systems to collect quantitative and qualitative data to measure progress on equity and a more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace. The DOC Environmental Justice Strategy (2012) outlined the following “Guiding Environmental Justice Principles”: •

The public should be afforded meaningful opportunities to participate in the formulation, design and execution of Departmental programs, policies and activities;

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

•

Tribes shall, on a government-to-government basis, be afforded regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration opportunities in the development of Department policies that have Tribal implications (see Executive Order 13175).

•

All populations should share in (and are not excluded from) benefits of Departmental programs, policies and activities affecting human health or the environment.

•

No populations should be affected in a disproportionately high and adverse manner by agency programs, policies or activities affecting human health or the environment.

•

The Department will engage in environmental justice activities in a transparent and accountable manner.

In addition to these mandates, EEJ are also encouraged and prioritized under a number of federal statutes that govern NOAA Fisheries’ work with some underserved communities (described in detail in Appendix 2). Provisions of these laws either explicitly encourage EEJ or allow NOAA Fisheries to address EEJ at our discretion in conformance with our existing authorities in our planning, policies, and regulations, as we fulfill our conservation and management mandates. NOAA Fisheries strives to make decision-making processes accessible and transparent to the public and to help stakeholders understand and engage in federal decisions that could impact their livelihoods and communities.

Barriers to Equity and Environmental Justice As stewards of the nation’s ocean resources and habitats, NOAA Fisheries’ work affects underserved communities dependent on marine ecosystems for environmental, economic, social, and cultural well-being. However, underserved communities experience barriers to fair treatment and meaningful involvement in NOAA Fisheries’ work. The barriers faced by underserved communities are often interrelated but vary by community history, characteristics, and need. Below, we have identified some common barriers. 1. Unawareness of underserved communities The first barrier to EEJ within NOAA Fisheries is that we have not fully identified the underserved communities that are impacted by our work. This oversight affects who are considered NOAA Fisheries stakeholders, who research and monitoring are tailored for, and who are aware of and receive services. Without recognition of underserved communities, their needs cannot be documented or addressed. 2.

Structural barriers

Underserved communities may face structural barriers (e.g., laws, regulations, and policies) that prevent equitable access to resources and/or NOAA Fisheries’ services. For example, criteria for allocation of resources may be based on historical ownership, creating services for the largest number of people, generating the greatest net benefits, or prioritizing commercial segments of fisheries, which may exclude underserved communities. 3.

Barriers to accessing services

Underserved communities can experience barriers to accessing NOAA Fisheries’ services due to language differences or difficulties attending NOAA meetings due to venues, times, or travel costs. Furthermore, mandates and management protocols may be counter to cultural decision-making and allocation practices of some underserved communities.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

System complexity

The complexity of accessing federal services can inhibit inclusion of stakeholders, especially those who have not previously received such services. Benefit application systems may be difficult to navigate and require special knowledge. 5.

Gaps in expertise

Our ability to identify, characterize, and serve all communities equitably requires prioritizing research conducted by anthropologists, sociologists, geographers, economists, and interdisciplinary social scientists. Similarly, education and outreach staff are limited and do not have the resources to engage with all communities on all issues. We also don’t have staff geographically located and with the cultural and language literacy needed to engage many of our underserved communities. 6.

Gaps in representation

Underserved communities are not well represented on the regional Fisheries Management Councils established under MSA or the advisory panels associated with those councils. Underserved communities are also not well represented in the NOAA Fisheries workforce, leading to the lack of awareness discussed above and crucial gaps in perspectives. Staff may unconsciously prioritize their own communities because of familiarity, easy access, and preexisting communication paths.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

NOAA Fisheries’ Approach to EEJ To address the barriers faced by underserved communities, the NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Working Group developed a framework that includes long-term goals and short-term objectives, as recommended by the White House EJ Advisory Council. These goals and objectives interact to create the capacity and accountability processes necessary to advance EEJ within the agency, as encouraged in the DOC Equity Action Plan.

Long-term Goals 1. Prioritize identification, equitable treatment, and meaningful involvement of underserved communities. 2. Provide equitable delivery of NOAA Fisheries’ services. 3. Prioritize EEJ in our mandated and mission work. To achieve these goals, each national program (e.g., Office of Protected Resources, Office of Habitat Conservation, etc.) and geographic region (e.g., Southeast, Pacific Islands, etc.) will create an EEJ step-down implementation plan (possibly as part of their NOAA Fisheries Geographic Strategic Plans for FY 2023–2028) that is specific and responsive to the needs of underserved communities and allows for the input of underserved communities. Each program, science center, and regional office will set EEJ as Priority Areas or milestones in annual strategic planning starting in FY2023. National program offices will coordinate with regional offices and science centers to establish ownership for shared goals. Implementation plans will include metrics describing EEJ actions, and progress will be publicly reported annually. To track progress toward our goals, NOAA Fisheries will evaluate these annual reports using an EEJ Scorecard that includes the metrics recommended by the White House EJ Advisory Council (e.g., access to and distribution of benefits and funding, feedback from underserved communities, tracking of federal funding; staff engagement, and documentation of regulatory burdens). These metrics are currently under review within the federal government; upon availability, the final metrics will be incorporated into NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Scorecard.

Short-term Objectives To provide consistency in the development of regional or programmatic plans, the NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Working Group has identified six EEJ objectives (Table 1). In the sections below, we explain each objective and its role in NOAA Fisheries’ commitment to EEJ and provide guiding questions to consider when developing regional or programmatic plans for NOAA Fisheries day-to-day work. Many of these questions demonstrate the need for additional EEJ work in a particular area. These needs are reflected in a summary of actions, metrics, and resources needed to implement each objective. These EEJ metrics will be updated if further guidance is provided by the White House EJ Advisory Council, DOC, and NOAA.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Empowering Environment Objective: Provide the institutional support, including training and resources, needed to implement multiple EEJ approaches at NOAA Fisheries. Internal leadership and management will identify EEJ as a priority and encourage staff to consider EEJ into every aspect of their work.

To implement this strategy, it is imperative that leadership and management create an empowering environment. This means identifying EEJ as priorities by enabling employees to meaningfully integrate EEJ considerations into their dayto-day work and supporting this through increasing expertise on EEJ within the NOAA Fisheries’ workforce. As stated by the White House EJ Advisory Council, “Agency and administrative professional culture should encourage and incentivize staff to reflect and share lessons learned.” This will also be supported by a multiscale approach including the continued work of the national NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Working Group, as well as regional EEJ working groups to develop regionally specific plans. Basic needs shared across multiple objectives include: •

EEJ Training

•

Staff time

•

Staff expertise

•

Community Liaisons

•

Demographic data collection, analysis, and reporting

•

Support collaboration with other agencies

•

Language translation services

Guiding Questions •

How can NOAA Fisheries’ leadership and workforce better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve?

•

How should we diversify the disciplinary expertise necessary for addressing EEJ in our work?

•

Are staff given adequate time, resources, training, and expertise guidance to incorporate EEJ into their work?

•

What accountability structures does NOAA Fisheries need, e.g. a commitment to monitoring and evaluation of EEJ metrics and the incorporation of EEJ work into performance plans?

•

What data and resources do staff need to identify underserved communities impacted by their work, as well as the training and tools needed to promote EEJ in that work?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 2: Empowering Environment, Action Areas, and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Leadership at every level communicates about EEJ to staff and prioritizes EEJ in NOAA Fisheries strategic plans and annual priorities documents

•

2. Include EEJ collateral duty roles into the performance plans of applicable staff, including metrics for accountability

•

3. Include EEJ collateral duty roles into the performance work statements of contracts with work that interfaces with external stakeholders, including metrics for accountability

•

4. Provide engaging and meaningful training opportunities targeted at staff and leadership to help build a shared understanding of the concepts of EEJ and how to implement these concepts in their work. (Such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Environmental Justice Learning Center”)

•

5. Support continuation of the NOAA Fisheries’ national EEJ Working Group, with representation from each sub-office. The Working Group should continue to meet to share information about successful approaches, collaborate on outreach and inclusion of common constituencies, and guide NOAA Fisheries’ decision-making.

•

6. Establish Regional/Program EEJ Working Groups 7. Build internal infrastructure for prioritizing and implementing EEJ: create “field offices” staffed by liaisons (prioritizing local knowledge, language) to facilitate relationships, public meetings, research (social science and biological), monitoring, etc.

•

Resources Needed

Number of programs with an EEJ milestone Percentage of milestones reached

• •

Leadership support EEJ training

Percentage applicable staff with EEJ included in performance plans EEJ work included in promotion scoring criteria for appropriate staff

• •

Leadership support Suggested language

Percentage of applicable contracts with EEJ included in performance work statements

•

Leadership, project officer, and contracting staff support Suggested language

•

EEJ training materials and/or funds for trainer Current staff time

Number of offices represented at regular meetings

•

Current staff time

•

Number of Regional/Program EEJ working groups

•

Current staff time

•

Number of field staff with knowledge of local language and culture Number of in-person meetings, or venue and platform decisions that prioritize underserved communities.

•

EEJ community liaisons Field offices EEJ training

•

Number and percentage of staff trained

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

• •

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

8. Provide training on NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ goals and objectives for Council or other advisory body members

• •

Number of trainings provided Feedback from trainees on their efficacy

•

Current staff time

9. Mandatory training for all grant reviewers on how to mitigate the types of bias that likely disadvantage underserved communities when reviewing applications

•

Number and percentage of grant reviewers trained

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Incorporate Equity and Environmental Justice in Policy and Plans Objective: Ensure that our policies promote equal opportunities for all and do not create unintended inequities or unequal burdens for undeserved communities.

NOAA Fisheries must adhere to requirements of laws enacted by Congress, which may have a great impact on stakeholders, particularly underserved communities. In accordance with its statutory mandates, NOAA Fisheries issues policies, strategies, and regulations to implement its mission. At times, we are required to make determinations based solely on the best available scientific information, such as the listing of species under the Endangered Species Act; however, some sections of some laws permit EEJ considerations in their implementation, and some plans are wholly dependent on the input and involvement of the communities they address. For example, climate change resilience planning requires the knowledge and participation of fishing communities to assess and address impacts of changing ocean conditions. Thus, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Policy and Planning EEJ activities consider the impacts and responsiveness of NOAA Fisheries’ programs to underserved communities and look for opportunities to co-develop management, conservation, and stewardship initiatives with such communities. As stated in EO 13985, entrenched disparities in public policies have denied equal opportunity to some individuals and communities. These disparities include past and ongoing policy decisions by the NOAA Fisheries that may have exacerbated unequal distribution of economic, social, and cultural resources. For example, allocation of fishery resources is a complex issue because of the history and tradition of access, the perceptions of equity that arise with allocation decisions, and differences in the economic and social values competing user groups place on those resources. By more systematically considering EEJ in NOAA Fisheries’ policy and planning activities, we can improve equity in the delivery of services. Where possible and appropriate, NOAA Fisheries can include provisions to reduce barriers and improve services to underserved communities to institutionalize equity for the long-term. Guiding Questions •

How can NOAA Fisheries better include equity for underserved communities in policies and internal guidance?

•

How will NOAA Fisheries review existing policies and procedures with EEJ lenses so that they may be refined or revised to ensure more equitable outcomes?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries design or revise policies and procedures in a way that ensures that they are helpful and clear to underserved communities?

•

What additional flexibility can we provide in NOAA Fisheries’ policies and procedures to incorporate relevant local language, customs, and knowledge?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 3: Incorporate Equity and Environmental Justice in Policy and Plans, Action Areas and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Issue guidance on how new NOAA Fisheries’ policies and plans regarding our external-facing work shall consider EEJ objectives

•

Percentage of policies and plans including EEJ objectives

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

2. Issue guidance that during the periodic review of each NOAA Fisheries’ directive in the Policy Directive System (PDS) , the review includes: appropriate language, clear messaging, accessibility, and consideration of EEJ, communities, local language, customs, and traditional knowledge

•

Percentage of applicable PDS directives including EEJ considerations

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

3. Conduct a review of major NOAA Fisheries’ regulatory processes (fisheries, protected resources, habitat conservation, and aquaculture) to determine whether new policies, regulations, or guidance documents may be necessary to advance EEJ in NOAA Fisheries’ actions and programs

•

Number of regulatory process reviews completed Number of regulatory processes updated based on review

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

4. Develop programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse environmental, climate-related, and other cumulative impacts on underserved communities, as well as the accompanying food security and economic challenges of such impacts

•

Number of programs, policies, and activities that address climate change impacts on underserved communities

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

•

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

Resources Needed

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Research and Monitoring for Equity Objective: Identify undeserved communities, address their needs, and assess impacts of management decisions.

NOAA Fisheries uses the best scientific data and information available to guide and adapt its management decisions. Research and Monitoring encompass the collection and analysis of data in support of NOAA Fisheries’ mission across a broad array of biological, oceanographic, ecological, social, cultural, and economic arenas. This informs NOAA Fisheries’ understanding about 1) the near and long-term condition of our coastal and marine ecosystems and 2) the identification, role, and characterization of humans that rely on or interact with those ecosystems. Research and monitoring is crucial to EEJ efforts for two main reasons. First, EEJ prioritizes the social, cultural and economic (human) research and monitoring needed to identify and characterize underserved communities and to understand how they are affected by NOAA Fisheries’ decisions on resources, livelihoods, culture, food security, etc. Methods to identify underserved communities will need to be appropriate for a given region, program, or project area. Social scientists could use, but are not limited to, Census-based mapping tools, site-specific information from regional staff, information from project partners and grantees, and community consultation. These activities provide the data needed to inform policies that ensure societal benefits from ocean and coastal resources are shared equitably. Collecting and analyzing demographic information on the individuals currently participating and affected by or benefiting from NOAA Fisheries’ programs and management will also be essential to monitoring our progress towards EEJ, as encouraged by the DOC Equity Action Plan. Second, EEJ also requires meaningful involvement of underserved communities in biological (non-human) research and monitoring. Meaningful involvement includes early engagement with underserved communities to identify shared priorities that meet their needs and fulfill NOAA Fisheries’ mission. Meaningful involvement also includes engagement of underserved communities during data gathering and reporting, to ensure that findings are appropriate and accessible. For example, NOAA Fisheries’ climate change research seeks input on the impacts of climate change on fisheries and fishery-dependent communities in order to develop resilience plans. Guiding Questions •

What research do we need to identify underserved communities?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries better engage with underserved communities to identify, co-develop, and co-produce place-based research and monitoring priorities?

•

How can we reduce bias in social science research? 2

•

How can NOAA Fisheries expand involvement of members of underserved communities in research and monitoring projects?

•

How will NOAA Fisheries more equitably allocate research and monitoring resources to identify and characterize underserved communities, understand their needs, and use findings to effectively guide management decisions that affect them?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries more equitably allocate our research and monitoring resources to fisheries, habitat, and protected species science that directly impact underserved communities?

Sampling includes social-science research, but also any other situation where community consultation is used as data.

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

•

How can NOAA Fisheries improve our understanding of the impact of our regulatory actions on underserved communities?

•

Does NOAA Fisheries use best practices for working with communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into research structure, data collection, and data reporting?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries make science communication more accessible and understandable to a diverse audience, including underserved communities?

Table 4: Research and Monitoring for Equity, Action Areas and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Meaningful involvement of underserved communities throughout the research process. This includes co-development and co-production of research and monitoring for community characterization and social indicators, fisheries, aquaculture, protected species, and habitat restoration.

•

• •

•

2. Identify and characterize underserved communities by prioritizing social, cultural, economic, and demographic research.

•

Resources Needed

Early engagement of underserved communities to co-produce research and monitoring priorities (Links to Outreach and Engagement) Involvement of underserved community members in the data collection process. Reporting of findings back to underserved communities Percentage of projects that involve underserved community members during planning, fieldwork, and reporting Number of research and monitoring projects that meaningfully involve underserved communities Underserved community satisfaction with the NOAA Fisheries research and monitoring process

• • •

Current staff time EEJ training Dedicated funds to pay study participants

Prioritize social and economic research for EEJ by supporting internal expertise [human capital] Prioritize cultural literacy to effectively and appropriately engage with underserved communities (Links to Outreach and Engagement) Number of data sources and research projects characterizing underserved communities

• • •

Current staff time EEJ training OMB approval

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

3. Analyze the social, cultural, and economic impacts of NOAA Fisheries’ services and management decisions (e.g., fisheries, protected species, and habitat conservation) on underserved communities.

•

Number of reports that integrate social, cultural, and economic impacts to underserved communities.

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

4. Include local and traditional ecological knowledge 3 in fisheries, climate, and ecosystem-based science.

•

Quantity of climate and ecosystem based management projects and products that incorporate local and traditional ecological knowledge in their data collection and reporting

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

5. Co-production and co-development (i.e., meaningful involvement of fisheries and aquaculture representatives from underserved communities) in the fisheries and cultivation stock assessment and allocation processes.

•

Diversity and number of fisheries and marine aquaculture representatives from underserved communities taking part in stock assessment processes. Number of community data workshops Underserved community satisfaction with NOAA Fisheries stock assessment processes

• • •

Current staff time EEJ training EEJ community liaisons

• •

6. Develop a survey and reporting methodology to estimate the value that underserved communities receive from their use of living marine resources (including non-exploitative value).

•

Publication of reporting methodology

•

Current staff time

7. Conduct an analysis of barriers to entry in fisheries and marine aquaculture programs (e.g., cost, culture, and management structure) for underserved communities and identify potential policy changes.

•

Percentage of fisheries programs for which a barrier analysis is conducted and policy changes identified

•

Current staff time

8. Co-produced and co-developed research on the consumption patterns of communities who principally rely on fish and/or wildlife for subsistence. Communicate to the public the risks and benefits of those consumption patterns (Executive Order 12898).

•

Number of reports produced

•

Current staff time

Please see the NOAA Fisheries and National Ocean Service Guidance and Best Practices for Engaging and Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Decision-Making for more information. 3

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NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

9. Advance and improve territorial fisheries science and management support through improved assessment and support of local fisheries management agencies via codeveloped and co-produced research and application.

•

• •

Number of joint stock assessments co-produced Number of positions funded Number of projects funded

Additional funding, as requested for FY23

10. Expand the Community Social Vulnerability Indicators Toolbox to include new metrics that consider environmental justice, climate change concerns, and racial equity in underserved coastal communities.

•

Number of new metrics

●

Additional funding, as requested for FY23 EEJ training

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Outreach and Engage Equitably Objective: Build relationships with underserved communities to better understand their needs and improve information sharing with all stakeholders.

NOAA Fisheries shares information and builds relationships with underserved communities through outreach and engagement including: student education programs, internships, and a variety of communication products to share information and knowledge. Engaging in two-way information sharing with stakeholders and partners is crucial to success, and we will use input from underserved communities to improve this process. Effective outreach and engagement must be highly customized, personalized, consistent, long-term, and flexible. They also require skill, knowledge, and time. NOAA Fisheries can increase coordination and communication with underserved communities through asking the opinion of community members, using those opinions to direct actions, early engagement, prioritizing cultural literacy, addressing communication barriers (e.g. translation), and building communication plans that can adapt to emerging needs of underserved communities. Through outreach and engagement, NOAA Fisheries intends to better understand the needs and priorities of communities impacted by our work. We will prioritize new and reinvigorated efforts to work more closely with community representatives and build stronger relationships with underserved communities. As recommended by the White Council EJ Advisory Council, we will establish iterative and bidirectional feedback loops to improve our communication methods. Guiding Questions •

Does NOAA Fisheries reach underserved communities through various communication platforms, languages, and outreach activities? Are those the preferred methods of communication within the community?

•

How does NOAA Fisheries actively aggregate and incorporate the feedback we receive?

•

At an agency level, how can we prioritize outreach and train staff to effectively engage with underserved communities?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries build relationships with underserved communities that allow for two-way communication and trust?

•

What training and resources do staff need to expand NOAA Fisheries’ outreach and communication in underserved communities?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 5: Outreach and Engage Equitably, Action Areas and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Leverage existing information and community ties

•

2. Work with members of underserved communities to create communication plans

Resources Needed •

Current staff time

•

Create a list of current connections to underserved communities for each region or program Add additional underserved communities to the above list for each region or program, and allow for periodic updates (Links to Research and Monitoring)

•

Number of communication plans

• • •

Current staff time Community input Minor funds for printing /contact mailings Staff training

•

3. Learn from existing community ties (e.g., listening and learning sessions with community members) the best methods for communication, and allow for the communication plan to evolve based on new information or on the ground realities. Consider accessibility in terms of language, distribution method (in person, print, social media etc.), and cultural protocols.

•

4. Create outreach materials and events that follow the communication plan developed with and for each underserved community (see Action 2).

•

Percentage of communication plans that are responsive to cultural norms and community context.

• • •

•

Number of communication products (brochures, media posts, etc.) or outreach events (meetings, presentations, workshops etc.) Underserved community satisfaction with the communication products and outreach events Underserved community awareness of NOAA Fisheries’ presence/image.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

• •

Current staff time Community input Minor funds for printing /contact mailings Staff training

Current staff time Language experts for written and inperson translation EEJ community liaisons Funds for outreach materials and events EEJ training Use of outreach funding

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

5. Create educational programs and opportunities to engage underserved communities in STEM activities related to NOAA Fisheries’ research and management mission and support.

•

• • • •

6. Support educational programs and opportunities to engage underserved communities in the management process through support of EEJ selection criteria in existing programs provided by partners.

•

7. Provide outreach, mentorship, and public facing online training for underserved communities regarding how to navigate NOAA Fisheries’ grant program proposal development and application process (Links to Equitably Distribute Benefits), and the internship and job application process.

•

8. Create fisheries management and seafood industry pilot education/training programs with historically Black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions, Tribal colleges, and community colleges 9. Generate interest in fishing by creating a grant program for training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives involving youth from underserved communities

Number of education and community engagement events and products (programs, curricula, and activities) targeting underserved communities Number of underserved communities / members that are reached by community engagement events and products Number of paid internship opportunities for underserved communities Number of paid interns from underserved communities Include EEJ considerations in selection criteria Underserved community participant satisfaction with education prog./ product

• •

Number of stakeholders from underserved communities trained in management process

• •

•

Current staff time List of current opportunities Funding for additional opportunities EEJ training

Current staff time Resources to support existing education programs EEJ training

Develop an online application resource and number of public outreach events targeted at underserved communities Develop public outreach events targeted at underserved communities Develop a mentorship program application processes, increasing underserved communities access to technical expertise and subject matter experts

• •

Current staff time Communications plan to reach key audiences

• •

Number of pilot programs created Number of participants in pilot programs

•

Additional funding, as requested for FY23

•

Number of grants funded

•

Additional funding

• •

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Equitably Distribute Benefits Objective: Distribute benefits equitably among stakeholders by increasing the access to opportunities for underserved communities.

NOAA Fisheries provides benefits to communities through direct investments, disaster assistance, and grant opportunities for research, habitat restoration, aquaculture, and species recovery among others 4,5. Benefits can also come in the form of data and tools that communities can use to make decisions. For example, benefits relating to climate change include funding and tools to build knowledge and resilience. As stated in EO 13985, advancing equity creates …opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone. The Federal Government should, consistent with applicable law, allocate resources to address the historic failure to invest sufficiently, justly, and equally in underserved communities, as well as individuals from those communities. As described in the DOC Equity Action Plan, we will: make services, science, and data more accessible to underserved communities; ensure that benefits and funding advance racial equity and support underserved communities; and provide economic opportunities for underserved communities by institutionalizing equity in the long-term. As recommended by the White Council EJ Advisory Council, we will evaluate access to and distribution of benefits and track federal funding. Furthermore, the Justice40 Initiative directs us to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities. Investments in ecological restoration and community resilience are integral to NOAA’s climate strategy goals to create and foster natural and economic resilience along coasts through our expertise and robust on-the-ground partnerships and placebased conservation activities. NOAA Fisheries seeks to examine its policies, criteria and processes related to provision of funding and other benefits to ensure equitable distribution. The key challenges will be to recognize and repair inequities and to identify new opportunities to deliver benefits to underserved communities. Guiding Questions •

What barriers do underserved communities face in accessing benefits managed by NOAA Fisheries?

•

Do NOAA Fisheries’ benefits (such as funding, fisheries allocations, permits, opportunities, services, and environmental protection and restoration) equitably reach or benefit underserved communities? Can we expand the equity in our delivery of these benefits?

•

How can we better serve underserved communities with data and tools NOAA Fisheries provides to the public?

•

What accountability structures and processes are needed to ensure equitable delivery of benefits, such as data collection, on benefit recipients and analysis of that data?

This includes administration of 52 funding and financial service opportunity programs that provide direct and indirect benefits to communities. 5 Going forward, benefits will also include new funding opportunities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocates $400 million to protect and restore habitats that sustain fisheries, recover protected species, and maintain resilient ecosystems and communities (15 percent of funding reserved for Tribes). 4

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 6: Equitably Distribute Benefits, Action Areas and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Identify and remove potential barriers that underserved communities may face to access NOAA Fisheries’ benefits and services, including agency acquisition and financial assistance opportunities; work to incorporate EEJ considerations into all internal and external competitive funding opportunities

•

2. Track and report the percentage of grants, projects, disaster declarations, and other funding going to underserved communities

•

3. Incorporate EEJ considerations into program decision-making and resource allocation. Considerations could include assessment of impacts and benefits to underserved communities in the community selection criteria, and prioritization of actions that benefit or correct a disparity among communities.

•

4. For natural resource damage assessments, ensure natural resource injuries (including lost human use, as well as social, cultural and economic benefits) borne by underserved communities are accounted for and ensure they are appropriately compensated with restoration of those habitats injured 5. Increase Tribal and state capacity for species recovery by requesting additional funds for Species Recovery Grants, which create jobs and improve populations of listed species, which often have cultural and subsistence value for Tribes.

Resources Needed

Review selection criteria that may systematically disqualify underserved communities Number of grant/funding/contracting programs reviewed and modified Increase accessibility of benefits and services (Linked to Outreach and Engagement)

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

Tracking and reporting mechanisms developed Tracking and reporting mechanisms used to analyze the allocation of resources to underserved communities

•

Current staff time

Number of programs that incorporate EEJ into allocation decision-making. Goal that at least 40% of overall climate adaptation and resilience resources benefit disadvantaged communities (EO 14008 Sec. 402, and “Justice 40”)

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

•

Number of natural resource damage assessment cases with explicit consideration of natural resource and human use losses borne by underserved communities and engagement in restoration planning.

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

•

Number of Species Recovery Grants to Tribes and states with underserved communities

•

Additional funding, as requested for FY23

• •

•

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Inclusive Governance Objective: Enable the meaningful involvement of underserved communities in the decision-making processes.

Inclusive governance ensures broad and diverse participation in decision-making, such that all stakeholders are equally welcomed and encouraged to participate. However, members of underserved communities rarely have equal access to contributing to governance processes (see Barriers to Equity and Environmental Justice). NOAA Fisheries seeks to increase the diversity of voices through public comments, empower community participation, and support cooperative management efforts wherever possible. The decisions NOAA Fisheries makes through its scientific, conservation, and management work impact communities. Federal rulemaking is subject to numerous requirements to ensure transparency and opportunities for public participation; however, access for underserved communities may be limited by a number of factors. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that all stakeholders have an equal voice in NOAA Fisheries’ processes. NOAA Fisheries works in partnership with Councils (and other advisory bodies), Tribes, Alaska Natives, stakeholders, state, territorial, and local government agencies, and numerous other partners to achieve NOAA Fisheries’ mission. Increasing engagement and representation of underserved communities is essential to successful fulfillment of our mission. Guiding Questions •

How can NOAA Fisheries better account for the needs of underserved communities in decision-making?

•

What accountability processes and structures are needed for NOAA Fisheries e to assess if underserved community needs are adequately accounted for in decision-making?

•

How can underserved communities have equitable access to participate in management processes (time/travel to in-person meetings, broadband internet to support remote participation, access to interpreters, etc.)?

•

Is the information NOAA Fisheries uses to support decision-making accessible to stakeholders in underserved communities (plain language, 508 compliant, translated into appropriate primary languages, delivered in a preferred platform, etc.)?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries facilitate representation of underserved communities on advisory bodies? How can NOAA Fisheries modify the decision-making process to improve access to underserved communities?

•

How can NOAA Fisheries facilitate involvement of underserved communities when requesting public comment/input?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Table 7: Inclusive Governance Action Areas and Proposed Metrics Action

Possible Mechanisms/Metrics

1. Increase and improve opportunities for underserved communities to engage in the decision-making process.

•

• •

2. Increase the diversity of public comments by improving the accessibility of public meetings and documents and regulations

•

3. Support representation of underserved communities in advisory bodies such as Regional Councils, Advisory Panels, recovery planning teams, Regional Fishery Management Organization advisory committees, Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

•

Resources Needed

Support diverse platforms for participatory engagement with members of underserved communities (Link to Outreach and Engagement) Early engagement with community representatives to ensure communication methods are effective (Link to Outreach and Engagement) Attendance at public meetings that occur in underserved communities Host public meetings and other engagement in underserved communities Underserved community satisfaction with decision-making process Underserved community satisfaction with decisions made

•

Identify new ways to make public meetings accessible to underserved communities (Link to Outreach and Engagement) Percentage of public meetings notices in languages used by constituency and with interpretation services available Provide documents that are accessible to underserved communities (Link to Outreach and Engagement)

•

Collect demographic information to track representation of underserved communities and provide to relevant advisory bodies to encourage greater diversity and representation Develop training and educational resources/materials and provide these resources to underserved communities to facilitate broader participation and understanding of advisory bodies Satisfaction of representatives with their role in advisory bodies.

• •

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

•

• •

Travel funds for participants Funds to compensate community members for their time and expertise Funds for facilities rental, equipment, supplies, interpreters, etc. Language experts Staff training

Travel funds for participants Funds for translation services Language and communication experts

Current staff time Outreach plan for new recruits

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

4. Establish or improve relationships with municipal, State, and Territorial governments, other federal agencies, and non-government organizations in Territories to leverage their community connections when soliciting public input

•

Number of regions with outreach lists including these groups Number of meetings scheduled to brief government officials in underserved communities Feedback from attendees on the effectiveness of the outreach efforts

• • •

Current staff time EEJ community liaison Travel funding

5. Coordinate with municipal, State, and Tribal governments, other federal agencies, and non-government organizations on cross-cutting issues that impact underserved communities

•

Number of interagency teams that address cross-cutting issues affecting underserved communities.

• •

Current staff time EEJ training

6. Continue to honor Tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility.

•

Number of formal and informal consultations with Tribal Nations Satisfaction of Tribal Nations with the consultation process and outcomes.

•

Current staff time

7. Create training program to provide constituents the information and tools needed to confidently and productively engage in fishery (commercial, recreational, aquaculture) management decision processes

•

Number of people trained

•

Additional funding, as requested for FY23

•

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

Strategy Development Process The development of the NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Strategy is designed as a multi-year iterative process, which includes early community input and public feedback (Figure 1). In this section, we document development of the strategy with special attention to how community, internal, and public input were incorporated.

Figure 1. NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Strategy development timeline

Preliminary Community Input In November 2021, we solicited early input from federally and non-federally recognized Tribes, Territories, and Indigenous communities on NOAA Fisheries’ role in EEJ. We reviewed, synthesized and summarized the recommendations, as follows: Empowering Environment •

Create a community committee with representatives of underserved groups

•

Establish an EEJ liaison within underserved communities to network and provide understanding of cultural protocols

•

Assess EEJ progress through monitoring and evaluation on an ongoing basis across all target areas.

Policy and Plans •

Review implementation of cultural consideration in the MMPA and ESA

•

Do EEJ analysis of policies

Research and Monitoring •

Align NOAA Fisheries’ research priorities with underserved communities’ research priorities

•

Collect survey data in all fishing communities

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries | Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy

•

Do EEJ analysis of management impacts

•

Define and include non-commercial fisheries

•

Increase funding to territorial science and invest in local scientific research and expertise

Outreach and Engagement •

Ensure engagement involves the appropriate language and venue; hold in-person meetings with the public, local government, and fishing organizations

•

Create targeted campaigns to raise awareness of NOAA Fisheries’ mission and progress; create a mentor network to support robust proposal writing efforts; invest in capacity building for specialized workforces based on regional strengths

Equitable Distribution of Benefits •

Consider barriers to benefit access such as criteria related to population size, recordkeeping burden, and noncommercial fisheries

•

Do EEJ analysis of NOAA Fisheries’ benefits distribution, such as research funding and grants

Inclusive Governance •

Coordinate with other federal agencies on land issues that affect habitat and species

•

Honor Tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility

Internal Review In early 2022, the updated draft EEJ strategy was shared widely among NOAA Fisheries’ leadership and staff. The working group received feedback from every region and several headquarters offices. As with the initial community input, feedback was categorized and addressed. The updated version was then presented to leadership in April 2022. In response to the feedback, goals were included, objectives were reordered, and connection between them strengthened; metrics were reviewed to make them more output (rather than input) oriented.

Public Feedback—In Progress NOAA Fisheries seeks public comment on this document to ensure that this national strategy will lead us to equitably serve all communities. Effort will again be made to reach underserved communities and, if possible, hold in-person meetings. So far throughout this process in-person meetings have not been possible due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. We will seek feedback from communities we have not yet heard from, such as processing plant workers. We will also incorporate EEJ updates, as they become available from the Administration, DOC, and NOAA, into the final strategy.

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Appendix 1: EEJ Activity Categories To better understand the scope of NOAA Fisheries’ current and planned efforts and to identify opportunities for future work, the NOAA Fisheries’ EEJ Working Group categorized 170 current EEJ activities. Six main categories and 17 distinct themes were identified 6. Several activities were categorized under multiple themes and approaches, demonstrating how these approaches often work together. Outreach and Engagement was the most common approach used in NOAA Fisheries EEJ activities, followed by Research and Monitoring, then Benefit. Policy and Planning and Inclusive Governance had fewer examples and may represent opportunities for further prioritization and development. Below are examples of NOAA Fisheries’ ongoing work within those six EEJ approaches. Table A1. Themes used to categorize EEJ activities and examples of each. EEJ Approach Empowering Environment

Theme

NOAA Fisheries Examples of Ongoing Work

EEJ Training - Activities and initiatives that The Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Alaska Regional improve communication and relationship Office staff have taken cultural awareness training building with underserved communities, regarding Alaska Native communities, governance including increasing understanding of NOAA structure, and culture to help increase understanding Fisheries’ underserved constituent and to build positive relationships and improve communities. communication with and understanding of Alaska Native communities. Capacity Building - Capacity building, including career development products or activities.

NOAA Fisheries supports paid undergraduate summer internships for students from historically black colleges and minority serving institutions. Examples include the Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program (IN FISH!), Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, and the Hollings Preparation Program (see a complete list). With NOAA Fisheries mentors supporting participants on a project, these programs provide opportunities for career development in science and management fields.

Incorporate EEJ Program Plans - Planning ways to increase in Policy and the reach and benefits of NOAA Fisheries Plans programs to underserved communities.

The Office of Habitat Conservation formed a standing committee to develop recommendations for integrating EEJ principles into Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program work. Recommendations inform the development of new strategies for engaging underserved communities, the application of new methods and decision frameworks that allow us to better consider and assess EEJ factors, and our ability to assess progress over time relative to specific objectives.

The iterative process of categorizing and developing themes and broad categories included a preliminary and secondary analysis based on feedback. 6

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Incorporate EEJ Policy - Considering EEJ during the policy in Policy and making process. Plans (cont’d.)

The Pacific Islands Regional Office is working with stakeholders, other U.S. government colleagues, and Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission members to develop a management measure that will address concerns about the conditions faced by crew members from underserved communities, focusing on crew labor standards and safety.

Equity in Research and Researching Equity

Collaborative and Supporting Research Research or research support done in collaboration with underserved communities or the agencies/institutions that represent them (e.g., Tribal council, Territorial fisheries agency).

Local fishermen from the villages of Emmonak and Alakanuk, NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association work together each summer to retrieve salmon nets, count fish, measure water temperature and send samples to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Laboratories to analyze fish diet and body condition. The project provides opportunities to introduce young people to science careers while citizen scientists help study the decline in Chinook salmon returns to Yukon River.

Social and Cultural Research - Research to identify and characterize underserved fisheries communities. It includes social indicators, demographic data, and research on human health, safety, and food security, non-commercial fisheries, as well as local, traditional and cultural knowledge

Community characterizations can be used to highlight previously underserved communities. For example, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center led research projects on the role of Alaska Native women in Bristol Bay fisheries, women’s engagement in 30 years of fishing in Alaska, and women’s participation within commercial fisheries in North America and Europe to explore the multifaceted nature of women’s fisheries engagement.

Management and Governance Research - The Office of Habitat Conservation’s Restoration Center Analysis of impacts of management Deepwater Horizon Project evaluates each proposal in measures on underserved communities, and the reasonable range of alternatives to determine their perception of and engagement in the whether its implementation would have disproportionate impacts on minority, low-income, or decision-making process. underserved populations. Outreach and Engage Equitably

Relationship Building and Knowledge Sharing - Activities designed to build and maintain relationships with communities and provide important information.

Developed the Recreational Fishers Education Program - Puerto Rico in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Environment & Natural Resources and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. This is an educational program tailored to the recreational fishing community in Puerto Rico. The program is made up of 7 modules: fishery laws and regulations, regulated marine species, highly migratory species, coral reef ecosystems, Puerto Rico Coral Reef laws and regulations, fishery management and participation, and catch and release best practices. The program covers both federal and territorial fisheries and will be launching virtual online workshops this summer.

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Outreach and Engage Equitably (cont’d.)

Communication and Language Access Communication platforms, settings, and products to reach underserved communities.

To broaden the engagement of minority fishing communities with the rulemaking process, and improve compliance with new conservation and management measures, several NOAA Fisheries offices translate fishery management materials (e.g., fishing compliance guides, species identification and safe handling cards), and provide interpreters at public meetings. Translations have been done in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Samoan.

Education - Education products or activities The Alaska Fisheries Science Center works with the designed to reach underserved Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Alaska Native communities. Science and Engineering Program to provide activities and science, technology, engineering and mathematics content for Alaska Native middle school students. Equitably Distribute Benefits

Grants and Funding allocation - Grants and The Southeast Regional Office worked with the Office of funding allocation for activities for Protected Resources to develop a revised process for underserved communities. evaluating Species Recovery Grants to Tribes to ensure fair representation of Tribal projects for funding panel consideration. In addition, the Office of Habitat Conservation has included specific language in their Notice of Federal Funding Opportunities to include EEJ and restoration opportunities. Fisheries and Aquaculture - Fisheries and aquaculture activities for underserved communities.

The Northwest Fisheries Science Center collaborated with the Northwest Indian College to support a Tribal youth partnership researching new toxins affecting shellfish aquaculture.

Habitat Conservation and Restoration Habitat conservation and restoration activities for underserved communities.

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office created the Envision the Choptank partnership, which finds collaborative solutions that support healthy and productive oyster reefs, and restore fishable, swimmable waters to the Choptank River. Envision the Choptank, with NCBO’s support, has developed and agreed to EEJ principles and incorporated EEJ considerations into project equity checklists and is focusing on habitat restoration and conservation projects in underserved communities to increase equity and inclusion in projects.

Climate Adaptation - Climate adaptation activities for underserved communities

NCBO is assisting with a Chesapeake Bay Program project targeting green infrastructure projects to enhance coastal resilience in underserved areas to increase equity and inclusion in restoration.

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Inclusive Governance

Improve Diversity of Community Input The Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Activities designed to increase diverse input Division actively considers diversity (ethnic, geographic, to decision makers, including through public fishery, etc.) in the review of nominations to the HMS Advisory Panel with the goal of achieving diverse input comment processes. and advice on HMS fishery issues and management. Recently, they have increased U.S. Caribbean participation on the HMS Advisory Panel, particularly from Puerto Rico. Support Community Decision-Making Activities designed to increase access to decision-making for underserved communities.

The Southeast Regional Office worked with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to expand the Marine Resource Education Program to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nationally, MREP creates avenues for scientists and managers to learn from fishers and for fishers to improve understanding and engagement in the federal fishery science and management process.

Cooperative Management Processes Activities that include management collaboration with underserved communities.

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA Fisheries and Alaska Native organizations co-manage marine mammal populations in Alaska. Co-management promotes full and equal participation by Alaska Natives in decisions affecting the subsistence management of marine mammals (to the maximum extent allowed by law) as a tool for conserving Alaska marine mammal populations.

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Appendix 2: NOAA Fisheries’ Mandates and EEJ NOAA Fisheries issues programs, policies and activities under the following laws, which often intersect with EEJ considerations:

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 7 (MSA) creates a public process governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters with the objectives of preventing overfishing and rebuilding fisheries when needed. The MSA establishes a constituent-based development of management measures through open public forums called fisheries management councils. It contains a number of references to specific communities, including Tribal governments, native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and Western Pacific indigenous communities. The MSA describes national standards for the development of fishery management plans, and NOAA fisheries provides regulatory guidance on implementation of the ten national standards for this management. National Standard 1 requires that conservation and management measures prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield (OY) from each fishery for the U.S. fishing industry. 16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(1). OY refers to an amount of fish which provides the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and taking into account protection of marine ecosystems; and is prescribed on the basis of maximum sustainable yield “as reduced by any relevant social, economic, or ecological factor…” 16 U.S.C. 1802(33). For social factors, the National Standard 1 guidelines provide a non-exhaustive list of potential considerations, fishery-related indicators, and other factors that may be considered. This list encourages consideration of "...preservation of a way of life for fishermen and their families, dependence of local communities on a fishery (e.g., involvement in fisheries and ability to adapt to change),... non-fishery related indicators (e.g., unemployment rates, percent of population below the poverty level, population density, etc.),...[and] the cultural place of subsistence fishing, obligations under Tribal treaties, proportions of affected minority and low-income groups, and worldwide nutritional needs” (50 C.F.R. 600.310(e)(3)(iii)(B)(1)). National Standard 4 requires that allocations be fair and equitable, reasonably calculated to promote conservation, and carried out to avoid excessive shares (among other considerations). 16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(4). Relevant to EO 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government), the National Standard 4 guidelines provide guidance on these requirements and also other factors relevant to the fishery management plan’s objectives that should be considered, such as "economic and social consequences of the scheme, food production...dependence on the fishery by present participants and coastal communities, ...opportunity for new participants to enter the fishery…" (50 C.F.R. 600.325(c)(3)(iv)). National Standard 8 requires conservation and management measures, consistent with MSA conservation requirements, to take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities by utilizing economic and social data that are based upon the best scientific information available in order to provide for the sustained participation of such communities; and to the extent practicable, minimize adverse economic impacts on such communities (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(8)). When addressing these requirements, the National Standard 8 guidelines provide that both consumptive and non-consumptive uses of fishery resources should be considered (50 C.F.R. 600.345(c)(4)). “Fishing community” is defined under the MSA as a “community that is substantially dependent on or substantially engaged in the harvest or processing of fishery resources to meet social and economic needs, and includes fishing 7

Formerly the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (1976).

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vessel owners, operators, and crew, and fish processors that are based in such community” (16 U.S.C. 1802(17); see also 50 C.F.R. 600.345(b)(3)). The NS8 guidelines further explain: “A fishing community is a social or economic group whose members reside in a specific location and share a common dependency on commercial, recreational, or subsistence fishing or on directly related fisheries-dependent services and industries (for example, boatyards, ice suppliers, tackle shops)" (50 C.F.R. 600.345(b)(3)). These fishing communities likely overlap in some cases with underserved communities as defined above, and highlighting potential inequity in fisheries policy decisions in required analyses under National Standard 8 is an important intersection of our mandate and the Executive Orders. As noted in the 2012 Department of Commerce Environmental Justice Strategy, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act recognizes the special role for Tribes and other indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of fisheries policies. For example, the Act stipulates that the Pacific Fishery Management Council, whose area of responsibility is seaward of California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, will include a voting member who is a representative of an Indian Tribe with federally recognized fishing rights from the region. Additionally, the MSA authorizes a Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program, whose goals are providing eligible western Alaska villages with the opportunity to participate and invest in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands fisheries, supporting economic development, alleviating poverty and providing economic and social benefits for residents, and achieving sustainable and diversified local economies (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)). For any fishery under the authority of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, the MSA authorizes the establishment of a Western Pacific Community Development Program in order to provide access for western Pacific communities that participate in the program (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(2)). The goals of this program include promoting the development of social, cultural and commercial initiatives that enhance opportunities for western Pacific communities of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. There is also a mandate under the MSA to establish a pilot program for regionally-based marine education and training programs in the Western Pacific and the Northern Pacific to foster understanding, practical use of knowledge (including native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and other Pacific Islander-based knowledge), and technical expertise relevant to stewardship of living marine resources. The goal of programs or projects would be to improve communication, education, and training on marine resource issues and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents, including indigenous Pacific islanders, Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and other underrepresented groups in the region. 16 U.S.C. 1855(j).

Endangered Species Act The purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to conserve threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. NOAA Fisheries shares responsibility for implementing the ESA with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; we are responsible for managing marine and anadromous fishes. The ESA prohibits the “take” (i.e., to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct) of endangered species, but under certain circumstances, this prohibition does not apply to subsistence take by “any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo who is an Alaskan Native who resides in Alaska” or “any non-native permanent resident of an Alaskan native village” 16 U.S.C. 1538(a); 1539(e). In June 1997, the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Interior issued a Joint Department of Commerce and Department of the Interior Secretarial Order ‘‘American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act‘‘. The Order acknowledges the trust responsibility and treaty obligations of the United States toward Indian Tribes and Tribal members and its government-to-government relationship in dealing with Tribes.

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Accordingly, the Departments will carry out their responsibilities under the ESA in a manner that harmonizes the federal trust responsibility to Tribes, Tribal sovereignty, and statutory missions of the Departments, and that strives to ensure that Indian Tribes do not bear a disproportionate burden for the conservation of listed species, so as to avoid or minimize the potential for conflict and confrontation. Section 161 of Public Law 108–199 (188 Stat. 452), as amended by section 518 of Public Law 108–447 (118 Stat. 3267), directs all federal agencies to consult with Alaska Native corporations on the same basis as Tribal Nations under EO 13175. Additionally, Secretarial Order 3225, entitled “Endangered Species Act and Subsistence Uses in Alaska (Supplement to Secretarial Order 3206)” establishes a consultation framework between NOAA Fisheries and Alaska Natives regarding subsistence take of ESA-listed species under the Act. Consistent with these orders and consultation policies, we coordinate and consult with affected Tribal Nations when considering actions under the ESA that may impact Tribal trust resources, Tribally-owned fee lands, or the exercise of Tribal rights.

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), NOAA Fisheries annually funds Species Recovery Grants to Federally Recognized Tribes to support management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities that have direct conservation benefits for species listed under the ESA.

Marine Mammal Protection Act The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 establishes a national policy to prevent marine mammals from declining beyond the point where they cease to be significant functional elements of the ecosystems of which they are a part. The MMPA prohibits the “take” of marine mammals, including the hunting, capturing, collecting, or killing of these animals, in U.S. waters or on lands subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S., with some exceptions. It requires that an incidental take authorization be obtained for the unintentional “take” of marine mammals incidental to activities including construction projects. However, under certain circumstances, the MMPA exempts subsistence take by Alaska Natives (described in 16 U.S.C. 1371(b) as “any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo who resides in Alaska and who dwells on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean or the Arctic Ocean”); see also 50 CFR 216.3 and 216.23. Additionally, section 119 of the MMPA allows NOAA Fisheries to establish agreements with Alaska Native Organizations for co-management of marine mammals harvested for subsistence and cultural purposes. Co-management promotes full and equal participation by Alaska Natives in decisions affecting the subsistence management of marine mammals (to the maximum extent allowed by law) as a tool for conserving marine mammal populations in Alaska. Under applicable circumstances, the MMPA also provides NOAA Fisheries with authority to waive or grant an exemption to the take prohibition of marine mammals to facilitate the exercise of treaty rights to hunt or fish reserved by federally recognized treaty Tribes. For example, under section 120 of the Act, NOAA Fisheries may authorize the lethal removal of seals and sea lions having a significant negative impact on ESA-listed salmon on the West Coast. In certain designated areas, NOAA Fisheries may authorize Tribal governments to participate in the removal process. Under section 101(a)(3) of the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries may consider granting a waiver of the take prohibition to allow a Tribe to exercise their treaty right to engage in a subsistence hunt of healthy populations of marine mammals.

National Environmental Policy Act The National Environmental Policy Act establishes the national environmental policy of the federal Government to use all practicable means and measures to foster and promote the general welfare, create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of

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present and future generations of Americans, and directs federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. The Council on Environmental Quality’s 1997 Environmental Justice Guidance under the National Environmental Policy Act highlights the importance of NEPA in identifying environmental justice issues and offers principles for incorporating environmental justice into NEPA reviews of our proposed actions. The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice established a NEPA Committee in 2012 pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898 (2011). The Memorandum identified NEPA as an area of focus for inclusion in the agencies’ environmental justice efforts and directed efforts to “include interagency collaboration.” After examining best practices, lessons learned, research, analysis, training, consultation, and other experiences of federal NEPA practitioners across the federal government, the EJ IWG produced Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews (2016) as an informal guide for sharing effective ways to build robust consideration of environmental justice into NEPA practice. As required under NEPA, fishery management actions go through the environmental review process. The 2012 Department of Commerce Environmental Justice Strategy notes that as the custodian of extensive environmental data, NOAA is uniquely equipped to assess “the potential ... disproportionate and adverse environmental impacts on lowincome and minority populations”. In addition, the guidance notes that NOAA Fisheries studies the impact of climate change on NOAA Fisheries-trust resources, including fisheries, ESA and MMPA species, and their associated habitats. NOAA Fisheries has key data resources for understanding how those climate-induced changes to our resources will specifically impact underserved/minority/Tribal populations.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), provides a comprehensive group of authorities focused on one main goal: to address any release, or threatened release, of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants that could endanger human health and/or the environment. CERCLA’s response provisions focus on the protection of human health and the environment. The statute also provides authority for assessment and restoration of natural resources that have been injured by a hazardous substance release or response.

Oil Pollution Act (OPA) The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 strives to prevent oil spills from vessels and facilities, enforces removal of spilled oil and assigns liability for the cost of cleanup and damages. The Act requires specific operating procedures; defines responsible parties and financial liability; implements processes for measuring damages; specifies damages for which violators are liable; and establishes a fund for damages, cleanup, and removal costs. It gives NOAA and others the authority to address impacts to natural resources caused by oil spills and to take actions to respond to or prevent an oil spill.

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DAPs Joint Meeting July 20, 2022 Suggestions of recommendations to be considered by the Council and agencies: 1. The allowable gear for snapper Unit 2 (Queen Snapper and Cardinal Snapper) should be determined by staff and should not include traps and pots for both commercial and recreational sectors. Based on each island consideration. 2. Prohibit the use of traps and pots for fishing for all species by the recreational sector. 3. Develop a deep-water snapper Unit 2 permit for the EEZ of all three islands for all commercial and recreational sector. 4. Identify and address data gaps for future stock assessments on deep water fish species that include input from the fishing industry. 5. Revise DWS Unit 2 ACL with new information provided by the fishing industry. 6. For the Council to support PR DNER in coordinating special meeting with local fishers and scientists to determine the amount of available population that can be harvested by specific number of fishers. To invite USVI DAP chairs or industry representants to this meeting. 7. Request to the DNER report at the next Council meeting on the new permits for this fishery. 8. The Chair to send letter to DNER inquiring about the possibility of having falsified permits for this fishery in PR. 9. Improve the data collection system for the collection for total landings and biological information. 10. Data reporting should be mandatory for all federal permit holders (when developed). Failure to submit this data may trigger cancelation of the permit.

From: Asociación de Pescadores' La Villa del Ojo Inc. Aguadilla, P.R. Tel. 787-208-2246 Email: Rayalma11@outlook.com

To:

Randy Blankinship Division Chief of NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division Delisse Ortiz Fisheries Management Specialist

July 27 ,2022 Dear Mr.Randy Blankinship, Ms.Delisse Ortiz Receive a cordial greeting from the members of the Aguadilla Fishermen's Association and myself. We hereby wish to inform you that the fishermen of Association Villa del Ojo Inc. Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. and the residents of Crash Boat Beach, would like to inform the HMS Caribbean permit fishing council that commercial fishermen are extremely concerned about the regulations regarding the tuna species allowed and limited to only 10 tunas per boat. Two of the species (Aleta amarilla, Thunnus albacares, Yellowfin tuna ) ( Bonito, Katsuwonus pelamis, Skipjack tuna ) that are mostly caught on the Island. The limitation of 10 Thunnus albacares yellow fin tuna. I really do not think it would affect the fisherman on this side of the island. My main concerns is the Katsuwonus pelamis, Skipjack tuna. The skipjack tuna is what mainly is use for bait for bottom fishing. The limitation of Skipjack tuna would be a total disaster for the local fisherman. The fishermen live all year round fishing these species that are our livelihood and also during the closed season for Queen snapper, Silk snapper, Grouper, Lobster and other species. And Bonito, Katsuwonus pelamis, Skipjack tuna ) are also our source for bottom fishing, as we use them for bait year-round. This regulation would affect us in a catastrophic way for the commercial fisherman. We urge the relevant agencies that work with the Caribbean HMS permits to take into consideration the problems that this would bring to commercial fishermen who live from these species on a daily basis. The fishermen from Aguadilla PR. and from our neighborly towns such as Isabela, Rincón, Arecibo and Aguada are extremely concerned and ask the council to work on this matter.

Sincerely, Ray Alma President Villa Pesquera, La Villa dell Ojo, Inc. Enrique Hernández Vice President Villa Pesquera, La Villa del Ojo, Inc.

Use of Descending Devices to Improve Fish Survival in U.S. Caribbean Fisheries Capt. Marcos Hanke B.A. Marine Biology 179th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Meeting August 11-12, 2022 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

What are Fish Descending Devices? A descending device is a simple mechanism or tool that allow to recompress one or more fish to desired depth, increasing the chance for post-release survival. When deep-water fish are brought rapidly to the surface, they can experience barotrauma and descending devices is an effective tool to minimize harm to the fish.

Key vocabulary • Barotrauma: Injury caused by the rapid and drastic change in pressure during a fish ascent to the surface caused by expansion of gases in the swim bladder. For example, bringing the fish up from a depth of 33 feet corresponds to a pressure change of 1 atmosphere (atm) and 66 ft correspond to 2 atm. Those drastic depth changes will expand the fish air bladder twice or more of its natural volume. • Barotrauma Signs: Fish show at least one of the following external signs; expanded abdomen, bulging eyes, inverted stomach (stomach is seen protruding from the mouth) and other symptoms such as internal bleeding. These could be fatal.

Some recommended articles

Actions Related to the Use of Descending Devices in the Southeast Region 1. Jul/2020, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: • Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper-Grouper FMP – Among other things, requires descending devices be on board a vessel and readily available for use on commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. For more details: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-gear-modifications-snapper-grouper-fishery

2. Jan/2022, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council: • The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act) • Added a new Section to the Magnuson-Stevens Act (Section 321) (Effective on Jan 13, 2022) - Requires fishermen on commercial vessels charter vessels and headboats (for-hire,) and private recreational vessels to have a descending devices or venting tool rigged and ready to use when fishing for Gulf reef fish in Federal waters. • Defines a Descending Device as an instrument that will release a fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma; is a weighted hook, lip clamp, or box that will hold the fish while it is lowered to depth, or another device determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary); and is capable of releasing the fish automatically, releasing the fish by actions of the operator of the device, or by allowing the fish to escape on its own. •

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule clarifying the definition of a descending device and venting tool that published on Jan 14, 2022. • Defines it as a device capable of releasing a fish at the depth from which the fish was caught; • Specifies that the device must use a minimum of a 16-ounce weight and a minimum length of 60 feet length of line attached to the descending device. • It must be rigged and ready for use when fishing for Gulf reef fish.

For more details: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/descending-device-and-venting-tool-direct-enhancement-snapper-conservationand-economy

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE FIELD

Reasons for discarding fish (releases)…

Fish that suffer from barotrauma might die or feed frigates and sharks!

What can you do as a fisher to ensure that the fish you released survive and potentially reproduce next year?

Popular Types of Descending Devices • The Seaqualizer • Inverted Hook or Shelton Fish Descender • Weighted basket • Others

Clip-on Inverted Hook Descending Device Caribbean Compatible!! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Inexpensive ( Price starts at less than $2) Easy to make Easy to store Useful for releasing most reef species Can be used by recreational and commercial fishers Can be used to release fish at desired depth Expandable weight Compatible with kayaks as well as large boats Compatible with multiple retrieval methods Rust proof and long-lasting Quick fish release operation Minimum potential harm to the fish vs. venting tools Easy to use Single person operation

Limitations of Single Descending Devices and Weighted Basket 1. Single in-line Descending Device (DD) releases mainly one fish at the time. It is possible to release more than one fish at the time using some in- line DD styles. 2. The weighted basket is more appropriate for party boats or commercial fishers, who may release many fishes at once. But it may be bulkier for use in small boats; it is more expensive and might require 2 persons to operate.

Don’t forget ! 1. Descending devices are effective and low cost. 2. Descending devices are easy to use. 3. Descending devices help to eliminate free floaters.

Next steps • Discuss if the use of descending devices can be helpful for our fisheries. • If so, discuss (and define) what a descending device would look like in the U.S. Caribbean.

QUESTIONS ?

• 179th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Hybrid General Meeting • Aug 11-12, 2022

E COSYST EM B ASE D T E CH NI C AL ADV I SORY PANE L ( E BFM TAP)

• Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) Update

• Sennai Habtes • EBFM TAP Chair

• Bureau Chief, Fisheries • VI DPNR – Division of Fish & Wildlife

EBFM TAP Charter

The EBFM TAP shall provide the Council ongoing scientific advice on ecosystembased fishery management for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for habitat status, social and economic impacts of management measures, and ecosystembased impacts (stressors) on sustainability of fishing practices

• Framework that promotes the following goals: • •

MISSION

• • • • • •

The overarching goal of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) is to promote ecosystem-based approaches to ensure healthy, resilient and productive marine ecosystems and the fisheries resources dependent upon those ecosystems, within the context of the unique biological, ecological, economic, social and cultural characteristics of those fishery resources and the communities dependent on them.

•

• • • • •

Increase human community resilience within the context of changing ecosystems; Promote ecosystem resilience within the context of changing ecosystems; Define present ecosystem status/functionality; Understand dynamics of fisheries and ecosystem services; Describe key ecosystem linkages; Identify research priorities; Identify additional ecosystem-essential species in need of conservation and management; Understand the risks to the fishery ecosystem and tradeoffs from different management strategies; Improve the data and information needed to support marine ecosystem management; Prevent overfishing and/or ecosystem overfishing; Achieve optimum yield; Incorporate ecosystem considerations into stock assessments; Bring ecosystem considerations into the decision-making process; Promote adaptive management policies (Revising MSA, National SSC, CCC).

LENFEST LOOP TOWRDS FEP DEVELOPMENT Articulate a vision – Discussion & previous efforts Strategic Objectives – How to develop

Assessment of Risk Prioritize strategic objectives – Develop strategy Operational objectives – Develop a plan to present options to council Figure: The Lenfest FEP loop (Essington et al., 2016)

WORKING GROUPS Conceptual Models Melding

Members: JJ Cruz Mota, T. Seara, O. Tzadik, M. Duval, S. Stephenson, L. Rivera, R. Appledorn (?), T. Rankin Outputs: Indicators & Gaps, Model Framework, Appendix of CM’s, Comparative model analysis, Indicator Rankings

Ecosystem Indicators

Members: K. Montenero, S. Regan, JJ Cruz Mota, S. Williams, T. Seara, O. Tzadik, S. Habtes, T. Rankin Outputs: Suite of ESR Indicators, Data Repository, CM & Quantitative indicators, Process of indicator prioritization, List of ESR & CM indicators

Risk Assessment

Members: S. Habtes, O. Tzadik, K. Montenero, T. Rankin, L. Rivera Garcia, R. Appledorn (?), S. Stephenson Outputs: Define indicators from the master indicator list, identify drivers and receivers as ecosystem components to develop strategic objectives to inform the council

Data Repository

Members: S. Habtes, O. Tzadik, E. Cruz-Rivera, K. McCarthy, S. Williams, S. Stephenson, CariCOOS (guest speakers) Outputs: Strategy for developing data management and coordination policies and infrastructure necessary for EBFM operational management in the US Caribbean through CFMC.

Drafting FEP

TBD

PROJECT PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS

• Lenfest – JJ Williams (UPR-M), T. Seara (U. New Haven) • 1) conceptual and quantitative model for US Caribbean within a fisheries context based on stakeholder perceptions and data collected; • 2) To select and estimate indicators • 3) identify the main indicators and threats potentially affecting the fisheries systems. • Ecosystem Indicators SEFSC – M. Karnuskas, K. Montenero • Identify, acquire, compile, and conduct spatial and temporal analyses of pertinent data needed for development of an ecosystem status report for the U.S. Caribbean region

• Other Potential Data Integration Partner Presentations:

• S. Kotikot & S. Canty – Smithsonian Institute – US Caribbean Mangrove Mapping • SEFSC Strategic Plan, inventory update – K. McCarthy & R. Eckley (SEFSC) • Net Gains Alliance – K. Latanich (NGA) • EBFM Workshop – Ecosystem Status Report Applications – T. Rankin (NMFS - OHC) • OEAP – Outreach & Education for EBFM – A. Ortiz • US Caribbean Sargassum Mapping – W. Hernandez (UPRM) • CARICOOS Research – J. Morel & A. Rodriguez

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Conceptual Models (SSC, DAPs, eNGOs, Coastal businesses, academics, managers, other fishers) - Melivora Consulting - ISER Caribe - Lenfest - All CM’s completed - In the process of merging terminology across Models - Model workshops completed Indicators (from the conceptual models and quantitative data) - Develop largest scale conceptual model using Similarity Analysis - Components of melded model will be for ecosystem indicators that can be compared to indicators from Ecosystem Status Report and other available quantitative datasets

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Lenfest Data Procurement & Assimilation - Data compiled from existing quantitative fisheries independent and environmental data (SEAMAP – Gold Copy, NCCOS, PRCRMP, TCRMP) - Multivariate Ordination Approach to derive indicators from CM’s – in development - Structural equation Modelling – to test CM derived indicators against quantitative datasets – in development - Identify data gaps between stakeholder and data derived view of the system. Inventory of EBFM necessary data within US Caribbean Will require operational infrastructure for use in management decisions not currently available - Identify operational system for use of EBFM data, models, indicators

UPDATES

• EBFM product FEP • Purpose of FEP

Figure: The Lenfest FEP loop (Essington et al., 2016)

• Latest reports

• EBFM TAP report | 178 • ICRS | July 2022

• Topic: From Thinking to Doing: What Does It Actually Take to Practice Ecosystem Based Management in Coral Reef Fisheries? • Putting EBFM into Action for the U.S. Caribbean EEZ • Quantitative models to describe coral reef fisheries systems in the U.S. Caribbean as a necessary step to inform Fishery Ecosystem Plans • Ecosystem Status Report

• SSC report | 178 • NSSC | Aug 15-17 Case Study 8: Multivariate approaches for EBFM implementation in the U.S. Caribbean

Full agenda: https://www.npfmc.org/wpcontent/PDFdocuments/meetings/SCS/SCS7Agenda.pdf

NEXT STEPS

Activity

Expected Date of Completion

Revise and draft EBFM TAP goals and objectives

December 2020

Draft FEP goals and objectives

April 2021

Continue to collect and analyze existing data sets from Lenfest, SeaMap, ESR, etc… • Expected products = a centralized repository of data (e.g., MBON, Caricoos, etc..); summary analyses of pertinent datasets; potentially peer-reviewed publications

April - December 2021

Complete all conceptual models

June 2022

Meld conceptual models to create island-specific conceptual models

December 2022

Use the conceptual models & additional products to create island-specific risk assessments for consideration by the SSC, that will be used to inform approaches that will be presented in the FEP.

December 2022

Use the conceptual models and other products produced by the ESR, EBFM TAP, and by the Lenfest FEP project to identify ecosystem indicators that should be monitored. In addition to inclusion in the FEP, these indicators will be presented to the SSC and the CFMC for consideration to include in EBFM management practices.

December 2022

NEXT STEPS

Activity

Expected Date of Completion

Develop strategic objectives, prioritize the objectives, and outline a vision for the use of the FEP for consideration in the CFMC processes.

Mar 2023

Develop operational objectives with concrete action items to be presented in the FEP, for consideration by the CFMC.

May 2023

Develop performance measures and draft a management strategy that can be used situationally during CFMC decision making, to be presented in the FEP, for consideration by the CFMC.

July 2023

Develop a feedback mechanism for adaptive management to be presented in the FEP, for consideration by the CFMC.

July 2023

Develop a draft FEP document

August 2023

Submit FEP for council approval

December 2023

OTHER CONNECTIONS/COLLABORATIONS

• Data sharing | Net Gains • Katie Latanich • Mangroves | Smithsonian Mangrove Project • Susan M Kokikot, Steven Canty • Aquaculture | PNNL • Lysel J Gavarelli

Seventh Meeting of the Scientific Coordination Committee (SCS7) Sitka, Alaska: August 15-17

Multivariate approaches for EBFM implementation in the U.S. Caribbean Juan J. Cruz-Motta, Stacey Williams, Tarsila Seara, William Arnold, Graciela Garcia-Moliner, Orian Tzadik, Tauna Rankin, Alida Ortiz, Kevin McCarthy, Maria Lopez-Mercer, Sarah Stephenson, Sennai Habtes, Edwin Cruz-Rivera, Liajay Rivera-Garcia.

EBFM (NMFS, 2016) “A systematic approach to fisheries management in a geographically specified area that contributes to the resilience and sustainability of the ecosystem; recognizes the physical, biological, economic, and social interactions among the affected fishery-related components of the ecosystem, including humans; and seeks to optimize benefits among a diverse set of societal goals”

Different meanings (8) and different principles (at least 10) (Link and Markshak, 2021)

Moving beyond a single species approach

SSFM

FMP

EAFM

FMP

EBFM

EFP

BUT

- Disagreement on terminology and principles - Develop appropriate analytical and modelling tools - Changing governance structures (interagency approach) - Copious data is needed - Too conservative and restrictive advice - Too expensive

U.S. Caribbean Lowest landings Lowest total revenue Limited shelf area One of deepest EEZ Low congressional representation Lowest Absolute Population Data poor Fully artisanal fishery

WHY BOTHER???

HOWEVER • Highest number of managed species • Highest ecological diversity • ≈ 80 % Fisheries depends on Coral Reefs • Relatively high productivity / shelf area • High Stakeholder involvement

ALSO - Important Habitat loss - High temperature increase - Second Highest population density in US fishing regions

Multi-specific, Multi-driver, Multi-gear, Multi-objectives SYSTEM Ideal system to implement EBFM Perhaps EBFM the only option?

AIM To develop an FEP for the US Caribbean in order to guide the implementation of an EBFM

Development of FEPs

Where are We Now?: Description of the Fisheries System

Qualitative (Based on stakeholder perception) Conceptual Models (Fuzzy Cognitive Maps): • DAPs = 3 (38) • SSC = 1 (11) +2 • PEW (CFCM): • Business = 3 (17) • NGOs = 3 (20)

• Lenfest Project: • Experts = 4 (24) • Managers = 3 (9) • Fishers = 12 (117)

Coral Reefs

Fish Income

+3 +2 +2

-2

Regulations

-3

Pollution -1

Conceptual Models Goals

• • • •

Allow visualization and in-depth analyses of stakeholder perceptions (e.g., using graph theoretical approach). Help identify priorities and risk factors to guide management decisions. Identify data gaps. Guide the development of hypotheses to be tested using the quantitative approach.

EXAMPLES CONCEPTUAL MODELS Managers STX/STT/STJ

Fishers PR

Nested structure - Different stakeholders

29 “Spaghetti salads”

- Different islands/regions per stakeholder group - Different groups within stakeholders and island

????????? “Spaghetti Salad” Dra. Alida Ortiz Chair Outreach and Education Advisory Panel CFMC

3 workshops for managers

- Synonyms across groups, stakeholder and islands

- Groupings of components

Habitat, ecological components, Management/Governance, Science, Disturbances, Anthropogenic Impacts, Education, Social/Economic

Each vector (relationship) is considered a variable

MULTIVARIATE DATA SET

Resemblance Matrix (Gower)

Non-metric MDS Resemblance: S15 Gower 2D Stress: 0.02

EX ST1

MAN FISH EXP

Tests for differences between Stakeholder Sample statistic (Average R): 0.76 Significance level of sample statistic: 2.2%

ST MA1 PR MA2

PR FI2 PR FI1

PR MA3

ST FI1 ST FI2

EX PR1 EX PR2

Stakeholder

Tests for differences between Islands Sample statistic (Average R): 0.34 Significance level of sample statistic: 11.1%

Example Melded/Simplified Model

Contamination

Habitat

Fish Assemblages

Fisheries

Regulations

Highlights: U.S. Caribbean Conceptual Models 1)

Analysis of the entire socio-ecological system. Not only a single the targeted species.

Comprehensive stakeholder involvement

Stakeholders were interviewed separately. Workshops not “lead” by a specific group or stake holder

Quantitative analyses of conceptual models (perceptions) that will allow to:

Estimate Similarities/Differences within/between stakeholders and islands/regions

Identify main components and connections to be used on a melded/simplified model

Preliminary analyses are showing emerging components not currently considered = Recreational Fisheries

Where are We Now?: Description of the Fisheries System

Quantitative Approach Data Collection Fishery Independent NCRMP PRCRMP

Fishery Dependent PR DRNA

Env/Anthrop Oceanographic features Disturbances

USVI DPNR Rainfall

USVI CRMP SEAMAP CRES

Socio-Economic CSVI *Fishery Engagement and Reliance *Social Vulnerability

SEFSC

Connectivity

TIP

Habitat features

Post disturbance assessments

Anthropogenic

Coral reef dependency Fishery Census Data

Fisheries Independent and Habitat Data Habitat: -Type -Heterogeneity -Relative cover of coral species -Relative cover of benthic groups -Rugosity -Abundance of invertebrates of interest (e.g. Lobsters, Diadema)

Fish Assemblages: -Abundance per species -Biomass per species -Size Class Frequencies per species

Environmental/Anthropogenic Data

https://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/l3/order/

Landings data (SEFSC): Response variable (Biomass) 1983 -2020 NCE = 28%

Description of Temporal Trends and Spatial patterns Landings 2003-2019

Analysis of similarities Tests for differences between unordered REGION Global Test Sample statistic (Average R): 0.742 Significance level of sample statistic: 0.1%

Tests for differences between ordered YEAR Global Test Sample statistic (Average R): 0.646 Significance level of sample statistic: 0.1%

Relative contribution of groups to spatial/temporal patterns

Relative Landings per gear/region/year

Description of Temporal Trends and Spatial patterns Environmental Data 2003-2019

Landings 2003-2019

Environmental 2003 – 2019

RELATE (Rho)

BIO-ENV Results (Rho) Best result for each number of variables No.Vars Corr. Selections 1 0.790 MARG 2 0.846 MARG,I-POLL 3 0.847 MARG,I-POLL,RIVER 4 0.845 NUR, MARG,I-POLL,RIVER 5 0.844 NUR, MARG,I-POLL,RIVER,MPA MARG = Distance to margin (Beril) I-POLL = Inorganic Pollution (Halpern Model) RIVER = Distance to River Mouth NUR = Nursery MPA = Distance to Marine Protected Area

Landings temporal trends 2003-2019 West coast PR (EXAMPLE)

Fisheries independent data (PRCRMP): Fish Abundance West Coast 2004-2019

Landings

Fisheries Independent

RELATE (Rho) Sample statistic (Rho): 0.473 Significance level of sample statistic: 0.009 Number of permutations: 9999

Metric MDS Resemblance: S17 Bray-Curtis similarity 2D Stress: 0.2

2009

West

2017 2019 2010

2004

2013

2006

MDS2

2007

11_het_hab

2005

14_pop2020

9 Coral cover)

2015

2008

2018

13_conlob 22_inorpol)

2011

7_Algae cover) 23_watpol) 12_nursery

15_margin

-20 2016

-20

20 MDS1

REGION

BIO-ENV Results (Rho) Best result for each number of variables No.Vars Corr. Selections 1 0.469 Coral Cover (CC) 2 0.471 CC, Inorganic Pollution (IP) 3 0.478 CC, IP, Water Pollution (WP) 4 0.473 CC, IP, WP, Population 2020 5 0.474 CC, IP, WP, Population 2020,N

FINAL MESSAGE: (For the Caribbean case) - Description of temporal trend using a multispecific approach: Fisheries, Fish Assemblages and Drivers

- Identify alternative (potential) drivers: Indicators and Threats

However - Need to Manage Fisheries outside CFCM jurisdiction: emerging and novel cross-mandate policymaking process?

Thanks to: •Lenfest Ocean Program: Funding •CFMC: Funding •All stakeholders that participated in the workshops

Questions???

SOME variables available for analysis ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT

HABITAT Abiotic (total) Anemones (total) Tunicata (total) CCA (total) Cyanobacteria (total) Seagrass (total) Macroalgae (total) Peyssonneliaceae (total) Turf Algae (total) Octocorals (total erect) Octocorals (total encrusting) Sponges (total) Stony Corals (total) Zoanthids (total)

Temperature degrees heating weeks STDDV.TEMP/YEAR STDDV.DHW/YEAR TEMP.SUMMER STDDV.TSUMMER DHW.SUMMER STDDV.DHWSUMMER Rugosity (m)

RESPOPNSE VARIABLES Landings Fish Biomass (independent surveys)

SOCIO ECONOMIC Population density Vulnerability Poverty Income Economic Activity

Analitical tool: Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) The spatiotemporal resolution of variables differ, but can (and should) be matched by time (e.g. year/season) and space (e.g. Location/reef/region) . Too many variables, too many potential paths (causal relation or covariation): We need specific models with causal relationships to avoid overparameterization.

CONCEPTUAL MODELS

EXAMPLES OF SOME variables available for analysis

BENTIC STRUCTURE Abiotic (total) Anemones (total) Tunicata (total) CCA (total) Cyanobacteria (total) Seagrass (total) Macroalgae (total) Peyssonneliaceae (total) Turf Algae (total) Octocorals (total erect) Octocorals (total encrusting) Sponges (total) Stony Corals (total) Zoanthids (total)

ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT Temperature degrees heating weeks STDDV.TEMP/YEAR STDDV.DHW/YEAR TEMP.SUMMER STDDV.TSUMMER DHW.SUMMER STDDV.DHWSUMMER Rugosity (m)

Fish Abundance Fish Biomass

RESILIENCE INDICATORS Total % coral % coral cover species resistant to sediment % coral cover species resistant to bleaching % coral cover species resistant to disease Total Biomass of predators (gr)/transect Total biomass of parrotfishes/transect Individuals of Diadema/transect Habitat/structural complexity Diversity corals (Simpson) Relative abundance of parrotfishes % cover coral builders % cover Cliona tenuis % cover Peysonnelida spp. % cover Lobophora % cover CCA % other macroalgae

SELECTION of variables using Conceptual Model(s) ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT Temperature degrees heating weeks STDDV.TEMP/YEAR STDDV.DHW/YEAR TEMP.SUMMER BENTIC STRUCTURE Macroalgae (total) Octocorals (total erect) Sponges (total)

Fish Abundance Fish Biomass

RESILIENCE INDICATORS Total % coral % coral cover species resistant to disease Habitat/structural complexity % cover coral builders

EBFM-TAP U.S. Caribbean DAP Conceptual Models

SSC Conceptual Models

Consensus Conceptual Model

Other Stakeholder Conceptual Models

Fishery Ecosystem Plan

Quantitative modeling

Risk Assessment Goals and subgoals Ecosystem Status Report

The ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) framework has a solid theoretical justification and has been embraced in principle by many regions; yet, systematic implementation remains a challenge. Taken from Karnauskas et al 2020.

In the US it is claim that most stocks are not overfished (NOAA), however in the Caribbean things seems to go bad (

Check 2020 SOS Stock Status Tables for fisheries in the US Caribbean…most of them we don’t know. We can not use a Single Species approach.

Please note that the ecosystem response papers I have found are actually univariate since they group all the species in a singles or few indicators.

Plea to move from the industrial thinking to artisanal thinking (see papaers idea to see what I mean)

Cooperación formal e informal entre pescadores comerciales de Puerto Rico durante tiempos de crisis

Nicolás Gómez Andújar MS, Manejo de Recursos Marinos Asociación Pesquera de Culebra, Inc. Puerto Rico

Capacidad adaptativa para comunidades costeras ante el cambio climático: Activos

Flexibilidad

Organización

Aprendizaje

Agencia

(figura adaptada de Cinner et al., 2018) Trasfondo

Photo: Daniel Matos-Caraballo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Adaptación mediante apoyo en comunidad Huracanes Irma y María: • Intensificación atribuida cambio climático (IPCC, 2019) Foto: Matos Caraballo.

• $17.8 M en pérdidas pesqueras • 20% menos producción pesquera

• Pescadores comerciales reportaron que la ayuda de sus familias y amistades fue el factor más importante en su recuperación a los huracanes Irma y María.

Foto: El Nuevo Día

(Agar et al., 2020). Foto: Benjamin Pérez

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Las relaciones importan

Social Cohesion

Capital Social

•

El grado en que los individuos se mantienen unidos mediante el mantenimiento de las relaciones sociales (Friedkin, 2004).

•

Puede facilitar el desarrollo de reglas comunes para gobernar los recursos pesqueros (Alexander et al., 2018).

lazos

Nodo

Manila, 2019 (Barnes, 2015; Figura adaptada de Manila, 2019)

Trasfondo

Photo: Daniel Matos-Caraballo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Auto-gestion de los Pescadores: Formal

Informal

Asociaciones pesqueras

Trasfondo

Photo: Daniel Matos-Caraballo

Cooperación

Pescadores independientes

Implicaciones de manejo

¿Cómo nutrimos la cooperación entre pescadores como herramienta de adaptación? ¿Un pescador independiente es más o menos probable de poseer cohesión social en comparación con pescadores asociados?

Trasfondo

Photo: Daniel Matos-Caraballo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Área de Estudio Noreste de Puerto Rico (Asociación P2)

•

Hay una reserva marina de no-pesca.

•

Proporción similar de pescadores asociados e independientes (MatosCaraballo & Agar 2011).

(Independientes) (Asociación P3)

(Independientes)

Centros de desembarco: •

Similares intervenciones del Estado (Perez, 2005).

•

Diferente acceso a mercados.

•

Diferentes modos de organización pesquera en la actualidad.

Trasfondo

(Asociación P1) Reserva Natural Canal Luis Peña Centro de desembarco Modo de organización

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Entrevistas semi-estructuradas n = 40 ; promedio 59 minutos

Ronda 1

Ronda 2

Análisis:

• Manejadores (n=7)

• Investigadores (n=4) • Líderes comunitarios o representantes de asociaciones pesqueras (n=8)

Trasfondo

• Pescadores comerciales (n=21)

Cooperación

• Códidos cualitativos: ▪ Problemas ▪ Oportunidades ▪ Razones y modos de cooperación ▪ Razones para organizarse

Implicaciones de manejo

Cuestionario de red social n = 61 (pescadores comerciales)

¿Con cuales pescadores compartes información relacionada a la pesca? ¿Consideras a esta persona un pescador comercial? Sobre el pescador

Muestreo “bola de nieve”

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Resultados

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Temas de comunicación entre pescadores: Tema (% de los 21 Pescadores que mencionaron ese tema) Compartir información Condiciones ambientales (66%)

Seguridad marítima (57%) Renuencia a compartir (29%) Mejores oportunidades de pesca (19%)

“Por las mañanas, cuando vamos a salir, [nos decimos], ‘Oye, ¿cuán claro está para allá? ¿cómo está la corriente allí?... ¿corrió la langosta?’ Eso es lo que nos decimos. No es que sabemos donde está la pesca y nos quedamos callados. No. Siempre nos decimos” – Pescador asociado “Siempre nos decimos a donde vamos a pescar ese día y de esa manera nos ayudamos. Si yo no regreso por la tarde, saben donde buscar” – Pescador independente

Migitación de conflictos (14%)

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Red de información compartida: Las Croabas Sardinera Maternillo

• 76 pescadores • 335 lazos

Asociación P1 Asociación P2 Culebra

nasas Húcares

trasmallosAsociación P6 cordel

lazos

Asociación P3

Independientes

cajones malacates

pescador Cohesión

pescador

cañas SCUBA buceo libre desconocido

Algoritmo de la gráfica (Fruchterman & Reingold, 1991) Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Hallazgos relevantes: ✓ La comunicación entre pescadores comerciales es impulsada mayormente por riesgos: de no obtener una pesca productiva, riesgos metereológicos. ✓ Reciprocidad, compartir el mismo centro de desembarco, usar el mismo arte y compartir otros dos compañeros de comunicación explicaron significativamente el intercambio de información entre pescadores comerciales. ✓ Pescadores asociados se comunicaban más entre ellos mismos, mientras que los pescadores independientes se comunicaban a través de modos de organización.

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Implicaciones para el Manejo Adaptivo

Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Necesidad de mejorar la comunicación • Acceso a información es clave para la adaptación de pescadores ante el cambio climático (Ojea et al., 2020). • La comunicación entre los pescadores es un prerrequisito un manejo participativo eficaz (Crona & Bodin, 2006).

Entre pescadores: ✓ “La comunicación entre pescadores comerciales de Puerto Rico es muy segmentada, muy regionalizada. Y para poder crear unión, primero hace falta comunicación. Con comunicación constante, lograremos la unión” – pescador comercial

Hacia pescadores: ✓ Si los manejadores solo se comunican con asociaciones, es probable que la información no se disperse a otros grupos pesqueros. ✓ No comunicarse con las asociaciones también les puede dejar desinformados. Trasfondo

Cooperación

Implicaciones de manejo

Reciente logro de autogestion:

¡Muchas Gracias! nicolas.x.gomez@gmail.com

Foto: Carlos Rivera

CFMC UPDATES

Photos: Sol García/JJ Fishing Adventures

If you go online and search for prominent fishers in the Caribbean, it is very likely you will run into JJ Fishing Adventures. Jadriel Yomar John, better known as JJ, is a 9-year old boy (he turns 10 in July) from St. Croix who has a passion for fishing. He fishes since he was 6, and assures us he wants to be a commercial fisherman when he grows up. “I like the sport. I like to do it; it’s fun. I like every gear of fishing and the one I like the most is fishing for mahi. But I also like to shoot grunt with the Hawaiian sling or speargun,” JJ told us, in between telling us how he captures mahi with lines and live sprat.

CFMC UPDATES

He likes net fishing for snappers, line fishing from shore, and use rod fishing. “I like everything basically except pulling net, I don’t know how, and I can’t use fish pots yet either,” he added; however, he made it clear he intends to learn how to do these. Similarly, he told us he will learn dive fishing using a scuba tank and will take his first diving lessons as soon as he turns 10. The beginner’s open water diving course will be his birthday present. JJ started to swim at a young age and practices free-diving at appropriate depths. “I’ll get certified for scuba diving this year,” he told us. JJ is already aware of some scuba diving safety measures. “I know you can’t come up too fast,” he said.

CFMC UPDATES Adriel García, his maternal grandfather, and Fonsito, another Cruzan fisherman, have taught him to fish. Darran, a fishing assistant, is also usually there when he goes fishing. Gerson “Nicky” Martínez, a fisherman on the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel, often provides advice and support. JJ frequently goes out to Altona Lagoon, Molasses Pier, and Salt River with Fonsito and Darran. His family and nearby friends have been fundamental in the fishing learning process. His mother, Zolymar “Sol” García, his godmother, a friend of his mother’s, a neighbor, and his grandfather, among others, have provided all sorts of

fishing gear such as thrownets, Hawaiian slings, and harpoons. “My grandfather taught me to use the net Fonsito taught me to drive the boat, put the boat in its trailer, and get it running. My grandfather and Fonsito taught me to fish mahi,” JJ told us, who can be seen on the boat in the videos published by JJ Fishing Adventures across different social media. We must highlight that these activities are performed by JJ as practice, near the shore and under direct supervision of friends and family. Once he reaches the proper age, he will take all required navigation courses and obtain the corresponding licenses.

CFMC UPDATES

Sol has been instrumental in JJ’s development as a fisherman, and has a hand in all the material published in his social media. She is the one taking him to fishing venues and manages JJ Fishing Adventure’s social media accounts. JJ greatly enjoys making videos with his mother and publishing the content. Sol is also highly vigilant of JJ’s safety on the water. They both use the Find My Phone app (which provides GPS coordinates) and JJ knows how to use 911 and has memorized the telephone numbers of the Coast Guard as well as other local fishermen who can lend a hand in an emergency.

Similarly, Sol ensures that JJ has a healthy balance between school and fishing. His favorite subject is Art, and he just finished the fourth grade, achieving excellent grades in the St. Mary’s Catholic School. JJ practices fishing almost daily, but he knows that studying is vitally important to his present and future. JJ is also aware of how important it is to protect the environment, and Sol supports him when they go out to clean up some coastal areas. JJ picks up the trash wherever he finds it.

CFMC UPDATES

“My Mom bought me a bag to put my gear in and we went to the lagoon, to the mangroves, looking for fish and I said to myself: ' I wonder why there is so much trash there' . I went with my bag and gloves, and I picked up every single piece of can and trash I found, and I put it in my bag, and I got at least 20 pounds of garbage,” JJ told us. “(I think we should) have trash cans where people mostly are, pick up after ourselves, and show them the consequences of littering. Like, what would happen to the sea life, and stuff like that. If we protect the environment, we will have more fish. We have to stop overfishing. When you have a commercial fisherman license, only take what you need and what you can sell,” JJ said, about fishing and the environment.

CFMC UPDATES JJ doesn’t only fish – he also cleans, prepares, and cooks his harvest. At his tender age, he has his own kitchen equipment and cleaning and cooking area in the kitchen, set up by his mother. Both his grandfather and his mother have taught him some cooking essentials, and he continues practicing by himself. In the videos posted online, you can see him scaling his catch, seasoning it, and preparing delicious side dishes like polenta and rice. “It feels good to do it (preparing and cooking his catch) because I know how to do some stuff on my own. I caught a lobster and I cooked it for Mom, for Mother’s Day. I took a chef’s knife and I cut the tail, and I cut the tail through the middle. First, I detached (the tail) from the head and cut it to the middle. I put adobo. I took the meat and I put on the grill. And then, when it was on the grill, I took off the legs and put the bottom part on the grill. Then I put part of the antenna on the grill, it has a bit of meat. And I gave it to Mom with some rice and at the end I said, ‘Happy Mother’s Day!,’” JJ told us, assuring us that he also cooks whenever his mother is sick.

Sol confirmed that the lobster was absolutely delicious. She told us that although JJ cooks without measuring his ingredients or taste-testing while he cooks, everything he makes is delicious. Sol also fishes recreationally and according to JJ, “she’s the luckiest when they go out fishing together.”

CFMC UPDATES

JJ is very much aware of the benefits of producing his own food. He has already started planting food crops, and will continue to do so throughout the summer with his mother’s help. He knows that if he plants and harvests food from the land and fishes responsibly, he will always have food for himself and his family. “He wants to live off the land,” Sol told us. We want to take this opportunity to invite you to like and follow JJ Fishing Adventures on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube! We know JJ will continue to grow into a successful fisherman who will serve as an inspiration to other people who enjoy and thrive on fishing!

The CFMC thanks Zolymar García and JJ for their availability for an interview through Zoom and the images provided. It has been a pleasure for the CFMC to talk with this friendly, respectful, and smart young fisher. We know that he will continue being successful.

OLE Update CFMC - 179th Meeting Office of Law Enforcement Southeast Division

Manny Antonaras Assistant Director Southeast Division August 12, 2022

SED Caribbean Updates •

Inspection of a cargo vessel entering the St Thomas CBP cargo dock. Seafood improperly manifested - cargo was found to be illegal egg-bearing and short Caribbean spiny lobsters imported from the British Virgin Islands – Lobsters were seized and released alive. Case is ongoing.

•

Dockside boarding of recreational fishing vessel at Crum Bay Marina - upon inspection of the catch, OLE officer discovered 3 undersized yellowtail snappers and later determined the fish were harvested in federal waters. Case was documented and subject was issued compliance assistance.

•

A written warning was issued to a fisherman who was in possession of one yellowfin tuna during a ramp check conducted by a DNER Officer.

•

TTVP case referrals – OLE special agent contacted two importers and requested missing required paperwork in regards to six different entry imports of tuna. Importers have provided the paperwork.

SED Caribbean Updates – Partnership Activities •

OLE enforcement officer worked in conjunction with St Thomas DPNR Officers to respond to a complaint of illegal possession of Staghorn coral at a residential complex. Upon follow-up, OLE issued compliance assistance to the complex manager- also provided outreach and education to the subject and residents of the complex.

•

OLE enforcement officer responded to a report from CBP of an illegal shipment of West Indian Whelks that arrived at the St Thomas Airport. The Whelks were shipped from the British Virgin Island of Tortola – at the time of report, West Indian Whelks were closed for harvest. The Whelk were denied entry into USVI.

•

IUU- Patrol Operation. Conducted a multi-day operation with CBP, AMO, FDA and an additional Miami based OLE IUU enforcement officer at the St Thomas Airport and Seaport to inspect commercial fish shipments coming from outside the United States.

SED Caribbean Updates

•

Patrol with CBP at the French Town waterfront seaport. I was alerted by CBP that an Illegal shipment of conch was brought into the USVI without CITES documents. Case review for referral to USFWS.

•

A charter company was issued and paid a summary settlement offer for harassment of dolphins under the MMPA. The charter company was swimming and touching a group of dolphins.

•

Several ongoing investigations continue.

SED Caribbean Updates 5 Year Priorities Discussion and Request for input from Council Members and DAP Chairs •

•

Solicited input from JEA/USCG partners in Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, and from other NOA line offices Held meeting with Chair and DAP representatives

•

Led to follow up discussions on seafood mislabeling

•

Draft enforcement priorities have been submitted to OLE HQ for review and we hope to share our final approved priorities during the next CFMC meeting.

JEA agreements are pending final submission for the next agreement cycle • •

Puerto Rico USVI

USVI and Puerto Rico OLE Contacts Special Agent Miguel Borges – San Juan, PR miguel.borges@noaa.gov Enforcement Officer Alex Terrero – St Thomas, USVI Alexander.terrero@noaa.gov

Report A Violation Please contact us if you see a possible violation of a federal marine resource law.

(800) 853-1964

Questions? ¿Preguntas? 7

CFMC Meeting SEDAR Stock Assessment Matrix Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Sustainable Fisheries Division

Stephanie Martínez Rivera Fisheries Biologist Caribbean Fisheries Branch stephanie.martinez@noaa.gov August 11-12, 2022

Objectives Objetivos

• Develop a process to prioritize federally-managed species for SEDAR stock assessment schedule • Identify species with adequate data to attempt a stock assessment • Identify species to recommend for research and data collection • Federally-managed species • Island-based Fishery Management Plans U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

Process

SS = single species MS = multiple species

Proceso Phase 1: Add species

Group A: Indicator species Group B: Not indicator species in SS stock Group C: Species in MS stock without an indicator species Group D: Not indicator species in a stock with indicator species

Phase 2: Add information

A. Catch (commercial and recreational landings) B. Biological (size comps and life history) C. Abundance (FI surveys and CPUE)

Phase 3: Further research

• Spatial and temporal distribution • Additional data sources • Species-specific concerns or challenges

Phase 4: Matrix

• List of federally-managed species to recommend to attempt a stock assessment • Recommend federally-managed species for research and data collection U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

Preliminary results Resultados preliminares

St. Thomas & St. John CATCH

BIOLOGICAL

ABUNDANCE

Stock

Com Landings

Rec Landings

Size Comps

Life History*

RVC

Catch Rates

Red hind grouper

Grouper 3

Yes

Gray angelfish

Angelfish

Yes

Low

Yes

White grunt

Grunts 1

Yes

Doctorfish

Surgeonfish

Yes

Low

Yes

Saucereye porgy

Porgies

Yes

Low

Yes

Redtail parrotfish

Parrotfish 2

Yes

Low

Yes

Stoplight parrotfish

Parrotfish 2

Yes

Low

Yes

Mutton snapper

Snapper 3

Yes

Low

Yes

Low

Blackfin snapper

Snapper 1

Yes

Low

Common Name

*Based on Stevens et al. 2019 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

Preliminary results Resultados preliminares

St. Croix CATCH

BIOLOGICAL

ABUNDANCE

Stock

Com Landings

Rec Landings

Size Comps

Life History*

RVC

Catch Rates

Stoplight parrotfish

Parrotfish 2

Yes

Low

Yes

Redtail parrotfish

Parrotfish 2

Yes

Low

Yes

Blackfin snapper

Snapper 1

Yes

Low

Red hind grouper

Grouper 4

Yes

Silk snapper

Snapper 1

Yes

Low

Coney

Grouper 3

Yes

Low

Yes

Common Name

*Based on Stevens et al. 2019 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

Preliminary results Resultados preliminares

Puerto Rico CATCH

BIOLOGICAL

ABUNDANCE

Common Name

Stock

Com Landings

Rec Landings

Size Comps

Life History*

RVC

Catch Rates

Silk snapper

Snapper 1

Yes

Low

Yes

Queen snapper

Snapper 2

Yes

Low

Dolphin

Dolphinfish

Yes

Low

Mutton snapper

Snapper 4

Yes

Low

Queen triggerfish

Triggerfish

Yes

Low

Yes

Red hind grouper

Grouper 6

Yes

Low

Coney

Grouper 3

Yes

Low

Yes

Low

*Based on Stevens et al. 2019 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6

Phase 3: Further research Fase 3: Investigación adicional

1. Identify more data sources available for: a. Life history b. Estimates of abundance c. Recreational data

2. Literature review using the Caribbean Research Inventory a. Investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of the data

3. Determine if the data available is enough to attempt a stock assessment U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7

Next steps Próximos pasos

• Develop the scoring system • Update commercial landings to include data until 2021 • Develop a program to automate the data triage table • Frequently update the data triage table using the Caribbean Research Inventory U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 8

THANK YOU!

¡GRACIAS!

Questions? stephanie.martinez@noaa.gov U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9

Carlos “Lico” Rosario

Protected Resources Update for the CFMC Jennifer Lee SERO, Protected Resources Division Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Management and Council Liaison

ESA Actions Related to Listing and Rulemaking: • Queen Conch Status Review • Nassau Grouper Critical Habitat Determination • 5-Year Status Review on 7 Threatened Coral

Species

• Determination on Critical Habitat for Threatened

Caribbean Corals

Page 2

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

ESA Section 7 Consultations Completed on CFMC FMPs: • On September 21, 2020, SERO completed Section 7

consultation for the 3 Island-Based FMPs.

Page 3

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) REPORT TO THE COUNCIL 179th CFMC Regular Hybrid Meeting August 11 – 12, 2022 Marriott Courtyard Hotel Isla Verde, PR

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

5YSP Goal: Engage, educate, and inform a variety of audiences to improve public understanding and participation in the Council process.

•Maintain the Objective 20: Use a variety of communication content and tools that consider the organization of the social, cultural, and Council's website to economic characteristics enhance its utility to of target audiences in a variety of users. coordination with the Outreach and Education Working group to update the CFMC webpage to present Advisory Panel (OEAP). information in a more accessible and attractive way to the users.

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Objective 20: Continuation…

• Coordinate with management partners, commercial and recreational fishing organizations and fishers, nongovernmental organizations, and coastal businesses to expand the scope of Council communications across new and existing audiences. Meeting with Liaisons and DAPs Chairs and with DAPs from each island to receive their ideas for better communication with stakeholders Use local radio and tv to announce CFMC activities in PR and the USVI

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

• Objective 21: Promote participation of a variety of stakeholders in the Council process.

Develop a newsletter or summary to highlight Council meeting outcomes and anticipated actions. • Produce CFMC Meetings Highlights for the webpage. CFMC Meetings Highlights 177th CFMC Regular Hybrid Meeting February 9, 2022

Courtyard Marriott, Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico Summary of the topics presented and discussed in the meeting and the Motions that were approved. For more information, please go to:

www.caribbeanfmc.com/meetings Topics presented and discussed A Special one-day CFMC Meeting - Workshop dedicated to the discussion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Panel I—Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Legal, Scientific and Educational Aspects—Graciela GarcíaMoliner, Chair —Legal Aspects of Federal MPAs in Magnuson Stevens Act—Jocelyn D’Ambrosio, NOAA Office of General Counsel Exec. Order 14008. Jocelyn presents all the conditions established in the MSA and the FMP that the Council develop. Specific the regulations established for protection of the species and the essential fish habitats within the area under management.

08-11-12, 2022

9:45 a.m. – 10: a.m. —Inventory of U.S. Caribbean MPAs Diana Beltrán, URI Presented a summary of Marine Protected Areas in the US Caribbean, literature research that she did for the Council. Emphasized recommendations for new and consequent studies in all the MPAs

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Objective 22: Improve public and stakeholder understanding and awareness of fisheries management, current issues, and the Council process.

08-11-12, 2022

Continue support of the Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) workshops throughout the U.S. Caribbean. Develop island-specific (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix) outreach approaches and materials for recreational and commercial fishers. • Collaborate with PR Dept. of Education and the New School Institute to develop Pilot Project on Marine Sciences curriculum integrated to all disciplines for Intermediate grades at the Alejandro Tapia Rivera school at La Parguera, Lajas, PR. Alida Ortiz OEAP

Objective 22 Continuation….

08-11-12, 2022

Partner with other outreach organizations (e.g., PEPCO, Sea Grant) and federal agencies (e.g., USCG, NPS, etc.) and commercial and recreational fishing, diving, and boating organizations to develop and distribute educational materials to fishers, other marine resource users (e.g., divers), and the general public. • Placemats for St. Croix restaurants • Collaborate with UPR-Sea Grant to produce signs for La Parguera Nature Reserve and Tres Palmas Marine Reserve with information on the marine resources in each one

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Specific areas of action for Outreach and Education in 2020-2025 • Basic concepts of Ecosystem Based Management and their application to the management measures. The objective is to help fishers and consumers in general to understand the components of the marine ecosystem, the importance of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the marine fishery ecosystem and their responsibility in keeping it healthy and sustainable. • Island Based Fishery Management Plans (IBFMP) for Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix. The objective is for fishers and consumers to recognize the species being managed, their natural function in the marine ecosystem and the importance of management measures to keep the ecosystem healthy and the fishery resources sustainable. 08-11-12, 2022

• Sustainable Fish and Seafood consumption to educate consumers on the importance to consume these products and, at the same time be aware of the impact of removing those species from the ecosystem. • Marine Protected Areas in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix. Their importance as instruments for the protection of fishes spawning aggregation and the regulations applied to these areas from territorial and federal government agencies.

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Virtual Meetings and Webinars attended • Several Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) meetings of the Steering Committee to review content of fishers' workshop in 2022. The MREP Workshop August 26-28, 2022. La Parguera; Commercial, Recreational fishers and…. 40 participants from different areas of PR. • Zoom Meetings with personnel from The New School Institute (Montessori Schools), teachers and DE personnel to promote a marine science curriculum for the La Parguera Intermediate School, with emphasis in fisheries, and marine conservation.

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Virtual Meetings and Webinars attended • NOAA Caribbean Steering Committee to discuss updates on MPAs and the soft coral tissue disease in the Caribbean. May 21 and July 16. • Reef Fish Extension Spring 2022 Virtual Meeting May 24, 2022 • NOAA Citizen Science webinar • NOAA webinar Integrating Climate Change into MPA Management There were many other zoom meetings and calls to discuss O & E initiatives on forage fishes, spawning aggregations, life cycles of Nassau grouper, Mutton snapper and Queen conch.

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

KNOW THEMARINE PROTECTED AREAS(MPAs) IN PUERTO RICO AND THEU.S. VIRGIN ISLANDSAND THEIR IMPORTANCEFOR A SUSTAINABLE FISHERY

O & E Products

1st drafts

Sent for printing

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

O & E Products • Placemats for St. Croix

Fact Sheets Biodiversity in the U.S. Caribbean marine fisheries ecosystem… goes beyond the fish and seafood species Echinoderms/Echinodermata Sea urchins and Sea cucumbers

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Ongoing O&E projects Illustrated Booklets on MPAs and Climate Change and US Caribbean Fisheries IBFMP essential topics (Chap. 5) for PR, St. Thomas/St. John and St.Croix: Fact sheets, stickers and infographics on each IBFMP Integration of concepts on marine fisheries in the US Caribbean to the regular education curriculum. 08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

O & E Initiatives proposed for 2023-2025 • IBFMPs – Fact sheets/Infographics for PR, St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix • - Graciela García Moliner, María López (NOAA) will collaborate.

• MPAS – Fact sheets/Infographics, short videos on MPAs in the region and their impact on fisheries, and their importance for fisheries sustainability. • Illustrated Booklets • Climate Change impacts on fisheries 2022

• Fisheries Education in PR and USVI • Need for new fishers in our region. • Council support for the Escuela de Pesca Project in Cabo Rojo, PR

All products will have a QR code to the CFMC webpage for the documents and other items. 08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

O & E Products… • 2023 Calendar: Fishing Families • 5 PR • 5 ST. Croix • - St. Thomas/St. John • Materials for snapper/grouper deep-water fishing • DAPs recommendations for materials on deep-water snapper/grouper fishing regulations. Understanding Stock assessment...not only fishers, but all stakeholders Understanding management terminology: Optimum Yield (OY), Allowable Limit (ACL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and others.

Catch

• Calendars 2024, 2025

All pr 08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Questions?

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Requesting Public Comments on the NOAA Fisheries’ Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy Brent Stoffle, Applied Fishery Anthropologist, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Heather Blough, Senior Advisor to the Regional Administrator, Southeast Regional Office August 2022

Executive Orders for Equity and Environmental Justice • Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government - EO 13985 (2021) • Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad - EO 14008 (2021), with a focus on environmental justice • Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations - EO 12898 (1994) Page 2 U.S. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Page 2

Key Terms: Equity Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.

Definition from Executive Order 13985. Page 3

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Key Terms: Environmental Justice Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies including but not limited to: ● Equitable protection from environmental and health hazards ● Equitable access to decision-making processes ● Equitable opportunity for disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized Definition from the Environmental Protection Agency. Page 4

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Key Terms: Underserved Communities Underserved communities have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. These include geographic communities as well as populations sharing a particular characteristic such as: women and girls; Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons*, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color; persons facing discrimination or barriers related to gender identity; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Definition based on Executive Order 13985 Page 5

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Fisheries Draft EEJ Strategy Barriers Unawareness of underserved communities Structural barriers Barriers to accessing services System complexity Gaps in expertise Gaps in representation Page 6 U.S. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Page 6

NOAA Fisheries Draft EEJ Strategy Objectives Equity in research and researching equity Incorporation of EEJ into policies and plans Inclusive governance Equitable distribution of benefits Equitable outreach and engagement Empowering environment Page 7 U.S. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Page 7

NOAA Fisheries’ Draft EEJ Strategy ● Framework to incorporate EEJ into our daily activities ● Requires step-down implementation plans at the Regional level ● Seeks to remove barriers to EEJ ● Seeks to promote equity in all we do

Page 8

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

The NOAA Fisheries’ draft EEJ Strategy asks:

• Who are our underserved communities? • How can we better communicate with and serve them? • Does everyone have equal access to benefits? • How can we improve equity in our research and monitoring programs? • Do some communities carry the weight of regulatory burdens more than others? • How can our governance of management resources be more inclusive?

Page

Page 9

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Strategy Development

Spring

April

February

NMFS EEJ Working Group Forms

2022

Preliminary community input

WE ARE HERE

Public feedback

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

November

2023 Summer

November

2021

Page 10

Regional implementation plans

EEJ Strategy internal review

Finalize EEJ Strategy

We need your input ● We need your help to reduce barriers to underserved communities and to incorporate EEJ into NOAA Fisheries’ daily activities ● Please provide your comments by August 31: ○ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feat ure-story/noaa-fisheries-invites-publ ic-comment-new-draft-equity-and-e nvironmental-justice

● Thank you! Page 11

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Questions?

Page 12

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC): 18th Session Update Caribbean Spiny Lobster. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Queen Conch. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Scalloped Hammerhead. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Laura Cimo Caribbean Fishery Council Meeting 11-12 August 2022

Presentation Topics ● Overview of WECAFC ● WECAFC 18 Outcomes

● Upcoming Events ○ First Meeting: Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group

● Contact Information ● Questions

Overview of WECAFC ● Operates as a regional fisheries body under Article VI of the FAO Constitution ● Acts in an advisory capacity to

promote effective conservation, management, and development of living marine resources in the Wider Caribbean ● Comprised of 34 Members, including USA

Overview of WECAFC ● Eleven working groups focus on species/fisheries issues: ○ Caribbean spiny lobster* ○ Queen conch* ○ Fish spawning aggregations* ○ IUU fishing* ○ Recreational fisheries* ○ Moored Fish Aggregating Devices (MFADs)* ○ Sharks* ○ Fishery Data and Statistics* ○ Deep sea fisheries ○ Flyingfish-dolphinfish ○ Shrimp and groundfish (N. Brazil-Guianas Shelf)

WECAFC18 ● Held virtually 26-29 July 2022

● U.S. delegation led by State Department with representation from: ○ NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce ○ NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office ○ CFMC, SAFMC, and GFMC ○ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

WECAFC18 Outcomes ● Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) adopted to provide guidance for standardized data collection on key species in the region. ● Regional database will provide WECAFC with information for the monitoring of priority species and future stock assessments. ● Members are strongly encouraged to proceed with the use of DCRF for monitoring and reporting.

WECAFC18 Outcomes Nassau Grouper. Credit: Paddy Ryan

● Regional Fish Spawning Aggregation FMP focused on Nassau grouper and mutton snapper was endorsed. ● Members are called upon to implement the FMP and improve data collection and assessment of fish spawning aggregations (FSA). ● WECAFC Secretariat and Members agreed to promote communication and outreach for FSA conservation and mobilize resources for priority research and monitoring.

WECAFC18 Outcomes ● Recommendation on counter IUU fishing adopted. ● Commission reaffirmed its commitment to implement the Regional Queen Conch FMP and monitor progress annually. ● Members are strongly encouraged to participate in genetic work to identify spatial distribution of queen conch. ● Queen Conch Working Group encouraged to collaborate with Regional Working Group on IUU fishing.

WECAFC18 Outcomes Dolphin & Silky Shark. Credit: Annie Guttridge

● MFAD regional management plan and guide for improved monitoring of MFAD catches adopted on “interim basis”. ● MFAD Working Group charged with finalizing the plan and guide for consideration at next Commission meeting. ● Secretariat asked to support regional MFAD assessment. ● Members encouraged to promote data collection and analysis on MFAD fisheries, support stakeholder outreach and communication campaigns, and encourage research.

WECAFC18 Outcomes Great Hammerhead Credit: Annie Guttridge

● Regional Plan of Action for Sharks adopted. ● Commission supported WECAFC becoming signatory to Memorandum of Understanding creating non-binding coordination mechanism for ocean governance. ● Exchange of letters of cooperation between WECAFC and ICCAT was endorsed to facilitate collaborative work. ● Work Program for 2022-2024 will include meetings of the Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group and Recreational Fisheries Working Group.

Upcoming Events ● Fifth Meeting of Working Group on Spawning Aggregations

○ 24-25 January 2023 ● Sixth Meeting of Queen Conch Working Group ○ 26 January 2023 ● First Meeting of Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group ○ To be determined

First Meeting: Flyingfish-Dolphinfish Working Group Atlantic dolphinfish. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

● Work Plan and priority areas are to be identified. ● NOAA Fisheries is seeking input on issues, challenges,

and opportunities of interest to U.S. stakeholders for the Working Group to address. ● Council members are invited to share your views on issues for the Working Group.

Contact Information ● For more information, please see WECAFC’s website:

https://www.fao.org/wecafc/en ● If you have any questions, please contact:

Laura.Cimo@noaa.gov Rachel.O’Malley@noaa.gov

Thank you for your attention and interest!

SSC Report to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council August 2022

SSC Met August 1-2 Issues Discussed • SEDAR 80 Queen triggerfish – Puerto Rico • SSC Research Plan Recommendations

SEDAR 80 • Recognizing that the data-limited approach to stock assessment is new and still somewhat exploratory in nature, the SSC spent a day and a half reviewing the results of the assessment for Queen Triggerfish in Puerto Rico • This covered all aspects of the analysis: • Data • Model • Indices • Results • Recommendations

SEDAR 80 • The analysis was based on the Stock Synthesis approach • Landings data • Length structure • Abundance index based on trap catch/effort • Abundance index based on visual census

SEDAR 80 Landings Data • Stock Synthesis assumes that landings data are reliable • The SSC felt this assumption was questionable • Expansion factors are designed to estimated overall catch • Their reliability decreases moving toward specific species • Yet, queen triggerfish is not targeted but taken as by-catch • Suggests QT landings my track overall landings • Recent port-sampling data show measured landings on the same order of reported landings w/o expansions factor • Use of gear (e.g., traps, diving) has changed since 1983 • Are other factors affecting reporting and catch • Diadema (black urchin) die-off; tax protests

SEDAR 80 Landings Data • Model required estimation of landings prior to 1983 • First couple of years show high but declining landings • Are these representative of landings prior to 1983? • Diadema die-off at that time reduced main QT prey • Is decline due to that? • But die-off thought due to high density caused by predator removal • Total landings across all species were declining at that time

SEDAR 80 Length structure • Appeared to be the most robust data for the assessment, but: • Length data alone will not provide reference point estimates • Assessment sensitive to estimate of L∞ • Growth estimates based on local stocks • But two oldest individuals may disproportionally affect L∞

SEDAR 80 Abundance index based on visual census • Standard NCRMP survey (uses cylinders), but extended back • Included: • transect surveys • La Parguera surveys • mixed size classes • NCRMP targets coral reef habitat (not primary QT habitat) • NCRMP limited to 100 ft (QT known to occupy deeper depths • Similarly, La Parguera seascape not representative of QT habitat • Not clear how adjustment of different size bins was done

SEDAR 80 • SEFSC emphasized the need for a valid assessment BEFORE other steps could be taken to track species performance besides catch • E.g., mean length, CPUE • SSC felt OK to move forward • But uncertainties required more attention • Alternate reality impacts (for data landings data) • Sensitivity analyses • Use of Monte Carlo Bootstrap Ensembles

SEDAR 80 • SEFSC emphasized the need for a valid assessment BEFORE other steps could be taken to track species performance besides catch • E.g., mean length, CPUE • SSC felt OK to move forward • But uncertainties required more attention • Alternate reality impacts (explore alternative landings data) • Sensitivity analyses • E.g.: L , Natural mortality, Length structure • Use of Monte Carlo Bootstrap Ensembles • Eliminate use of visual census data

SEDAR 80 Moving Forward • SEFSC recommended that they explore options for data alternatives and targets for sensitivity analysis • Then bring these back to the SSC for review before undergoing full reassessment • The SSC agreed with this recommendation

Research Recommendations • Last formal attempt by the SSC was in 2014 • Had 2 hours to discuss • Discussion was weighted by • The 2014 plan • Presentations on port sampling and life-history • New developments • EBFM, (h)(2) flexibilities*, e-Reporting, Digital tools, etc.

• Produced a bullet list of research priorities as starting point • No discussion or formal ranking, not necessarily inclusive *for setting OFLs/ABCs/ACLs when catch data are insufficient

Research Recommendations • The SSC had limited time to further discuss and elaborate on research recommendations • Only minor adjustments made • No attempt was made to prioritize recommendations • It was suggested to provide rationale for recommendations based on perceived management needs and/or potential actions to further illustrate for the CFMC why each recommendation is included

Research Recommendations Improve Commercial, Recreational and Charter Landings Data • Analyze the recent port-sampling report of PR landings o improve port sampling o expansion factor estimation and application o length composition • Improve landings data collection via digital tools • Evaluate the expansion factors for PR • Evaluate digital formats for reporting and validate vs paper reporting • Initiate a port-sampling study of landings in the USVI Orange indicates action already in progress or formally scheduled

Research Recommendations Collection of biological data for life-history/population parameters • Improve biological data collection (e.g., using digital or genetic tools): age and growth, reproduction, maturation, feeding habits • Timely prioritization of collection by species (using e.g., IBFMPs, SEDAR) o Review and formalize stock prioritization process

Effort estimation • Develop alternate estimation methods

Research Recommendations EBFM and Ecological Aspects • Evaluate effectiveness and impacts of closed areas • Develop habitat maps from existing NOS multibeam/lidar data and from exploration missions, survey transect data • Review of status of spawning aggregations within closed areas • To evaluate the closed season relative to the spawning seasons • Trophic ecology studies • Investigate the functional ecology of our habitats • Construct an electronic species habitat database The SSC noted that further EBFM recommendations will be forthcoming as an output from the EBFM TAP

Research Recommendations Prepare for (h)(2) flexibilities • Simulations to test alternate ACLs for (h) (2) flexibility • How to incorporate uncertainty into defining ABCs from OFLs • Collect life history information

Monitoring and Surveys • Monitoring program of fish populations in closed and open areas • Develop video methods for surveys • Cooperative fisheries-based surveys • Train and delegate to fishers’ fisheries monitoring activities

Research Recommendations Socio-Economic data for management • Determine the economic values of fisheries that can be used in assessing benefits and costs of alternative management measures • Periodic systematic collection of data to provide a baseline and comparative basis for social impact assessments • Research to assess and integrate Local Ecological Knowledge into decisionmaking Facilitate the above with: MOU between the Council, SEFSC and territories for monitoring and data

collection activities

SSC Charter • The SSC requested that written guidance be prepared for SSC members covering roles, responsibilities, conflicts of interest, etc. • The SSC noted that the MSA guidance is too general, and that other councils provide additional guidance to their SSC • General Council stated that the CFMC Standard Operational Procedures contain this type of information and could be made available to the SSC • The SSC requested that this be done

Conflict of Interest • During the meeting, Virginia Shervette, as an outside listener, posted in the chat that there was an appearance of a conflict of interest between Todd Gedamke, as an SSC member, and the NOAA-funded Puerto Rico Port Sampling and Catch Validation Project that was conducted by MER Consultants, of which Todd Gedamke is a principal partner. • General Council stated that conflict of interest within the SSC is limited to recommendations on peer-review, and reminded all that SSC members are required annually to submit financial conflicts of interest forms.

Conflict of Interest • Todd Gedamke reminded the SSC that this accusation was reminiscent of previous allegations of conflict of interest coming from the USVI, which were not substantiated, and again requested a formal clarifying statement from General Council. • He then recused himself from all further SSC business until his name, and that of MER Consultants is cleared in a document from General Council

Conflict of Interest Comments by the SSC Chair • The Council is reminded that this accusation, in addition to being identical to those raised in 2017, follows the similar accusation made by Mr. Julian Magras within the context of his DAP report at the last Council meeting. • A formal request to the council concerning the validity and consequences of the accusation at the last council meeting is still pending. • The role of the SSC is to provide independent scientific advice. This cannot happen if the SSC is subject to bias, pressure from stakeholders or fear of removal on the basis of uninformed and unsubstantiated charges. • Unfortunately, this may lead to changes in how SSC meetings are conducted, with discussion limited to SSC members and those presenting reports to the SSC.

National SSC (SCS7) • NSSC | Aug 15-17 | 9:00 a.m. (AKDT)/ 1:00 p.m. (AST)| Sitka, AK • Case Study 8: Multivariate approaches for EBFM implementation in the U.S. Caribbean • Webpage with agenda: http://www.fisherycouncils.org/ssc-workshops/scs-7 • Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82475089609 • Meeting ID: 824 7508 9609 • Passcode: 003197

• The meeting will be streamed for the public (listen-only mode)

CFMC SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE Cristina D. Olán Martínez

SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES Facebook

5,900+ Followers

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CONTENT • Seasonal closures • Meetings and workshops • Educational materials • Pictures (f.ex. PEPCO, Festival del Pescao) • Videos (livestream of meetings) • Content produced by other organizations and agencies (local and federal); for example: • NOAA (NMFS, Ocean Exploration, etc.) • DPNR • DNER • NWS • STT Fisherman’s Association • VI-EPSCOR

• CFMC Monthly Bulletin

INBOX / DIRECT MESSAGES

Fish ID

Documents

Workshops

Fishing license

Regulations

CFMC MONTHLY BULLETIN

Slide shows • To explain what the CFMC is doing regarding the IBFMPs and encourage participation on the comment period.

MOST SHARED AND FOLLOWED TOPIC: Reduced Fishing Season for Spiny Lobster in Federal Waters off Puerto Rico for the 2022 Fishing Year

REPASO DE PEPCO

NEW! ISSUU

WHATSAPP By Wilson Santiago

THANKS TO ALL OUR COLLABORATORS! QUESTIONS?

Caribbean Strategic Planning Workshop Report-out / Resumen CFMC August 11-12, 2022 Rachel Eckley - NOAA Affiliate with SEFSC Caribbean Fisheries Branch

Scope of Work / Alcance del proyecto Project objective / Objetivos del proyecto To produce a strategic plan that Improves stock assessment and services to CFMC and SSC • Multi-year project • Year 1 - SEFSC • Year 2 - SEFSC, regional partners Hoshin Kanri strategic planning method • Prioritize activities that are aligned with strategic goals • Facilitated workshop: May 16-18, 2022

Team Members / Equipo Sustainable Fisheries Division • • •

Caribbean Fisheries Branch Data Analysis and Assessment Support Branch Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Branch

Population and Ecosystem Monitoring Division • • • •

Oceanic and Coastal Pelagics Branch Trawl and Plankton Branch Gulf and Caribbean Reef Fish Branch Atlantic and Caribbean Reef Fish Branch

Fisheries, Assessment Technology, and Engineering Support Division •

Biology and Life History Branch

Fisheries Statistics Division • •

Survey Design, Data Management, and Dissemination Branch Catch Validation and Biosampling Branch

Social Science Research Group

Hoshin Process / Proceso Hoshin Pre-work / Preparación

Helpful Internal Origin

Idea Generation / Lluvia de Ideas Deployment / Implementación

External Origin

Review of previous work and effort PESTEL Environmental Scan SWOT Analysis Vision, Mission, Long-term goals

Harmful

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Hoshin Process / Proceso Hoshin Pre-work / Preparación Review of previous work and effort PESTEL Environmental Scan SWOT Analysis Vision, Mission, Long-term goals

Idea Generation / Lluvia de Ideas Deployment / Implementación

Vision Effective science and management partnerships and processes in the Caribbean Region

Mission Conduct and communicate science to support sustainable and resilient fisheries, ecosystems, fishing communities, and economies in the US Caribbean

Long-Term Objectives 1. Conduct effective science 2. Strategically communicate science

Hoshin Process / Proceso Hoshin Pre-work / Preparación Idea Generation / Lluvia de Ideas Brainstorm Affinity Grouping Tree Diagram Arrow Diagram Drivers, Means, Outcomes Deployment / Implementación

Long-Term Objectives Conduct Effective Science Communicate Science

Strategically

First Level Goal Data Management and Automation

Second Level Goal Implement agile project management procedures

Local Projects Train staff in desired project management tool

First and Second Level Goals Objetivos Primario y Secundario Data Collection Collect/compile life history data of priority species (+ 3 others) Data Analysis Operationalize analytical product workflows (+ 2 others) Data Management / Automation Create transparent and standardized workflows for analytical data provision (+ 4 others) EBFM + Socioeconomics Rapport-building, building trust and relationships with stakeholder groups (+ 2 others) Internal Culture and Communication Establish an effective coordination strategy among, branches, divisions, NMFS offices (+ 2 others) External Communication and Collaboration Develop an external communications strategy (+ 2 others) Funding Secured, long term funding for those projects that must be programmatic (+ 2 others)

Hoshin Process / Proceso Hoshin Deployment / Implementación X-Matrix

Current Short Term Projects Proyectos a Corto Plazo Internal Culture and Communication • Year 2 strategic planning workshop to include SEFSC and regional partners • Create a slide deck portfolio of who we are and what projects we work on • Pass Center-wide strategic initiatives to relevant Center objective owners

Data Collection • Identify steps to fix commercial landing databases issues • Identify regional data sources with emphasis on federal funding Data Management and Automation • Train staff in desired project management tools Funding • Identify internal and external sources of funding including working with partners who can assist in securing funding

Lessons Learned + Help Needed Experiencias + Ayuda Lessons Learned / Experiencias Diversity of perspectives Communication is key Importance → number of localized projects

Help Needed / Ayuda Continued support from SEFSC leadership Dedicated funding Dedicated staff in the region e.g., full time staff, few staff co-located seasonally, hoteling

Questions / Preguntas

East End, St. Croix

Fortalecer la recuperación del Mero Cherna (Nassau grouper) en Puerto Rico Michelle Schärer-Umpierre, PhD

¿Por qué recuperar a una especie amenazada? Ley de Vida Silvestre 1999 (Puerto Rico-DRNA) Ley de especies en peligro de extinción 1973 (NOAA)

CITES Apéndice I & SPAW Anejo III UICN-Critically Endangered (A4bd) Archivo de Culebra (1970s)

¿Cómo se protege en EUA? • Autoridad- Endangered Species Act • Estatus- Final Rule (Listado)

Regional: Critically Endangered

• Efectivo- 07/29/2016 • Listado- Amenazado de extinción • Hábitat Crítico- En Proceso

• Regla 4d- Pronto EUA: Threatened

3.5 M lbs.

¿Qué les pasó? • Pesca comercial y recreativa • Falta de límites o controles

• Agregaciones de desove diezmadas • Predecibles por las lunas • Ciertos meses del año

• Los mismos lugares

Friedlander et al. (2015)

¿Qué evidencia local hay?

‘meros’ o de primera

Matos-Caraballo (1997)

Olsen & LaPlace (1979)

¿Qué reglamentos hay?

En la ZEE del Caribe: ‘cherna’

1985 Tamaño mínimo Veda 1 de enero a 31 de marzo 1990 Prohibición de captura En aguas de Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

2004-5 Prohibición de captura García-Moliner & Sadovy (2007)

Sadovy et al. (2018) 6

¿Qué pasa en las Islas Vírgenes Americanas? • Más meros cherna desovando en la agregación de desove en el Grammanik Bank, San Tomas • La razón de sexos se está acercando a uno

• Se ven chernas más grandes • Más chernas menores en la agregación de desove Kadison et al. (2010) 7

¿Qué sabemos sobre mero cherna en Puerto Rico hoy en día? • Observaciones por la comunidad pesquera y buzos • En áreas extensas de las islas del archipiélago • Los peces demoran entre 5-8 años para llegar a ser adultos • Alcanzan la madurez sexual a las 21 pulgadas LH ~ peso aproximado de 3 libras H Ruiz

¿Cuáles son las amenazas en Puerto Rico hoy? • Impactos a los Hábitats Esenciales (Essential Fish Habitat) • Desarrollo Costero • Contaminación • Cambio Climático

• Sargazos • Pesca Incidental (by-catch) • Pesca ilegal, no declarada y no reglamentada (INDNR)

• Bajo cumplimiento y muy pocas intervenciones o multas Fajardo, Puerto Rico (2022) 9

¿Qué información se ha recopilado en Puerto Rico? Proyecto Piloto subvencionado por el CFMC para: • Definir el hábitat crítico de los juveniles • Recolectar información para estimar la población local • Muestrear tejido para estudios de ADN

¿Cómo se inició esta colaboración? Observaciones y conocimiento de los expertos en la comunidad pesquera (LEK o TEK) Preguntas que surgen:

1) ¿Cuántos avistamientos? 2) ¿Dónde están los juveniles? 3) ¿Cuál es la sobrevivencia del by-catch?

Propuesta en conjunto para atender estas y otras preguntas

M Hanke Permiso de Investigación DRNA (#2020-EPE-017) 11

¿¿Cómo reconocer la especie correctamente?

BREEF (2014) 12

CFMC sugiere replicar el ‘Fisher Science Kit’

• • • • •

Univ. de las Islas Virgenes (Nemeth et al.) Pescadores reportaban la pesca incidental de Mero Cherna Se tomaba muestra de tejido (aleta) para estudios de ADN. Se tomaba una medida de LH Se usaba un descending device o ‘venting’ para devolverlo al fondo

E Agosto

¿Cómo devolver la cherna correctamente? Anzuelo sin lengüeta

No se recomienda el ‘venting’ Evitar anzuelo J ‘stainless steel’ Tener listo su equipo descensor Retrato rápido sin estrés

Pinche para plomo

Devolverlo a su hábitat ASAP 14

¿Cómo reportar su observación? https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/CBJ3gvi7 Desde cualquier device, sólo 15 preguntas • Nombre y Fecha • Foto o Vídeo • Localidad aproximada o coordenadas • Profundidad/Hábitat • Especie • Condición (vivo/muerto) • Tamaño/Peso aproximado

¿Cómo puede ud. colaborar más allá para desarrollar esta herramienta?

¡Gracias!

@HJReefscaping @Reefscaping

@islamarexp

@787fishingcharters H Ruiz

Recursos adicionales disponibles en línea • https://es.merospr.com • https://spanish.releasense.org/best-release-practices/

• https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/nassau-grouper • https://www.caribbeanfmc.com/library-f/2-uncategorised/193nassau-grouper-initiative

• https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/saving-nassau-grouperprotecting-spawning-aggregations 18

Referencias citadas y enlaces • Olsen & LaPlace (1979) A study of a Virgin Islands Grouper Fishery Based on a Breeding Aggregation. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings, 130-140. • Matos-Caraballo (1997) Status of the groupers in Puerto Rico, 1970-1995. 49 Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings, 340353 • García-Moliner & Sadovy (2007) The Case for Regional Management of the Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings, 596-602. • Friedlander et al. (2015) Improving Fisheries Assessments Using Historical Data: Stock Status and Catch Limits. In Kittinger et al. Marine Historical Ecology in Conservation: Applying the Past to Manage for the Future, 91-118. University of California Press. • Kadison et al. (2010) Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, with Evidence for a Spawning Aggregation Site Recovery. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings, 273-279. • Sadovy et al. (2018) Epinephelus striatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T7862A46909843. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T7862A46909843.en. Accessed on 07 August 2022.

• Harms-Tuohy et al. (2022) Identifying critical habitats of juvenile Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) in Puerto Rico. Final Report to CFMC, San Juan Puerto Rico, 43 pp. 19

REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE FISHERIES COUNCIL Statistical report of the activities carried out by the Puerto Rico Vigilante Corps during the period from January 1, 2022, to June 31, 2022. The DNER Ranger Corps continues to provide security, protection, and surveillance to Puerto Rico's Natural Resources in the coastal zone and on open seas. Preventive maritime and land patrols are carried out in areas of clandestine landfills, sand extraction and damaged coastal mangroves in coastal areas of the Island. We guide the public and inspect recreational and commercial vessels that disembark on our shores. Recreational fishing tournaments that comply with nautical safety regulations are visited, assistance and cooperation is also provided to other state and federal agencies with the arrest of illegals on the coast. Below you will find a description of the reported cases in the statistical report.

Law 21 "Law to Punish Anyone Who Throws Waste in Public or Private Places" 17 cases • Debris deposit in the coastal area. All for Tickets of Administrative Offenses. Law 147 "Law for the Protection, Conservation and Management of Coral Reefs in Puerto Rico" 10 cases (one regarding conservation of marine resources) • Coral breakage. (Submitted to the Legal Division) Law 278 "Puerto Rico Fisheries Law" 9 cases • Fishing without HMS permits. INT-220-1653. Referred to Officer (NOAA) Miguel Borges. • Fishmonger without proper permits. Referred to Officer (NOAA) Miguel Borges.

San Jose Industrial Park, 1375 Ave Ponce de Leon, San Juan, PR 00926

787.999.2303

www.drna.pr.gov

787.999.2200

Page 2

• Fishing of 22 Chapín Panal (Honeycomb cowfish - Lactophrys polygonius) out of measure. IM-069-2022. Submitted to the Legal Division of the Agency. • Fishing of 3 Common Lobster (Panulirus argus) out of measure. IM-070-2022. Submitted to the Legal Division of the Agency. • Fishing of 66 Carrucho (Queen Conch - Strombus gigas), shell out of measure. IM-076 2022. Submitted to the Legal Division of the Agency. • Fishing in Federal Waters, Banco Bajo Sico EEZ. Referred to Officer (NOAA), Miguel Borges. • Fishing of 4 Common Lobster out of measure. Guayama. Referred to the Legal Division of the Agency. • Fishing of 2 Common Lobster out of measure. Guayama. Referred to the Legal Division of the Agency. • Fishing of 5 Common Lobster out of measure. Guayama. Referred to the Legal Division of the Agency. Law 430 "Puerto Rico Water Navigation and Safety Act" 303 cases • Carry out activity in the maritime area without the proper permits. • Tie a boat to mangrove. Regulation 4860 "Regulation for the use, surveillance" 64 cases • Activity without ZMT permission. • New use without ZMT permission. • Illegal construction in the ZMT. • Illegal sand extraction in the ZMT. Regulation 6979 "Regulations for Registration, Navigation and Aquatic Safety in Puerto Rico" 143 cases • Anchor in nature reserve. Regulation 7949 "Regulation on Fisheries " 83 cases • Use harpoon and SCUBA tank without commercial license • Illegal possession of species in closure date. • Lobster does not measure as required by law • Possession of Queen Conch not complying with the size limit • Fishing in an area not allowed • Excess Queen Conch possession on Recreational and Commercial fisher

Accountability Measure Implementation Puerto Rico Spiny Lobster Stock SSC Meeting August 1-2, 2022 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

ACL Monitoring under the Spiny Lobster FMP (regulations as of 8/2/2022) • The trigger for the spiny lobster accountability measure (AM) compares the most recent 3-year average landings to the annual catch limit (ACL). • Puerto Rico available landings = 2017-2019 • USVI available landings = 2018-2020

• The AM is not applied if the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) determines data collection or monitoring efforts improved. • If NMFS determines that the ACL overage resulted from increased catch rather than from improved data collection or monitoring, the AM would be applied. • The length of the fishing season would be reduced by the amount necessary to prevent landings from exceeding the ACL. • The required fishing season reduction would be applied starting from September 30 and moving earlier toward the beginning of the fishing year (January 1). Page 2

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

ACL Monitoring under the Spiny Lobster FMP (regulations as of 8/2/2022) ➢ Based on 2018-2020 landings for the USVI, no AMs were applied. ➢ Based on the 2017-2019 landings for Puerto Rico, the spiny lobster stock exceeded its ACL by 103,086 lb (ACL = 327,920 lb; average landings = 431,006 lb) and the fishing season in Federal waters is closed from July 12 - September 30, 2022.

Page 3

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Next steps • Proposed rule for Spiny Lobster Amendment with public

comment period.

• SEFSC Caribbean Branch developing updated OFL and ABC

projections based on SEDAR 57 assessment model.

• SEFSC Data Branch working with Puerto Rico DNER to get

commercial landings from 2020 and later.

Questions? Page 4

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Consideration of Management Measures for Pelagic Species 179th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Meeting August 2022

Guidance from the Council at the April 2022 Caribbean Council Meeting • The Council received a presentation on management measures that the Council could consider developing for pelagic stocks new to federal management under the island-based Fishery Management Plans (FMP). • Potential management measures included size limits, recreational bag limits, and commercial trip limits. • The Council directed staff to prepare an options paper with size and bag/trip limits for pelagic species managed under the island-based FMPs. Page 2

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Pelagic species managed under the island FMPs

Page 3

Puerto Rico

St. Thomas and St. John

Dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) Pompano dolphin (C. equiselis) Little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) Cero mackerel (S. regalis) Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis)

Dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)

St. Croix Dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Objectives for the 179th Council Meeting • Review scoping/options document and provide guidance to staff on which management options, if any, to develop; • Provide guidance to staff on the draft purpose and need statements for this action; and

• Discuss prioritization of action and potential timing amendment development.

Page 4

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Draft Purpose and Need The following statements are a draft for Council consideration and may change, pending Council guidance. Draft Need The need is to develop conservation and management measures to protect against overfishing and ensure optimum yield for pelagic species new to federal management.

Draft Purpose The purpose of this action is to establish size limits, bag limits, and trip limits (per Council direction) for pelagic species new to management under the island-based FMPs. Note: If consistency with state regulations is desired, we can add language to the draft Need statement: e.g., while ensuring that regulations are consistent with the state management programs for pelagic species in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Page 5

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Recreational Bag Limits – Puerto Rico Option 1. No action. No bag limits for recreational harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a bag limit for an individual pelagic stock. 2a. 10 dolphin per fisher/day or 30 dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less (e.g., would be compatible with DNER regulations) 2b. 5 dolphin per fisher/day or 15 dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less (e.g., would be more restrictive, as recommended by DAP) 2c. X pelagic stock per fisher/day or XX pelagic stock per vessel/day, whichever is less dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda

Option 3. Set an aggregate bag limit for a combination of pelagic stocks. 3a. For wahoo, king mackerel, and cero mackerel combined, 5 of each species per fisher/day or 10 total per vessel/day (e.g., would be compatible with DNER regulations) 3b. For A, B, C pelagic stock combined, X per person per day or XX per vessel/day Page 6

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Recreational Bag Limits – St. Thomas/St. John or St. Croix Option 1. No action. No bag limits for recreational harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a bag limit for an individual pelagic stock. 2a. X dolphin per fisher/day or XX dolphin per vessel/day, whichever is less 2b. X wahoo per fisher/day or XX wahoo per vessel/day, whichever is less

Option 3. Set an aggregate bag limit for dolphin and wahoo combined. 3a. No more than 10 dolphin or wahoo, per person, per day, not to exceed 32 per vessel per day, and not to exceed 4 wahoo per person, per day, or 20 wahoo per vessel, per day (e.g., would be compatible with proposed USVI regulations) 3b. For dolphin and wahoo combined, X per person per day or XX per vessel/day Page 7

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Commercial Trip Limits – Puerto Rico Option 1. No action. No trip limits for commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a trip limit for an individual pelagic stock. dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda

Option 3. Set a trip limit for a pelagic stock complex. Dolphinfish complex, Mackerel complex, Tuna complex Page 8

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Commercial Trip Limits – St. Thomas/St. John Option 1. No action. No trip limits for commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a trip limit for an individual pelagic stock. dolphin, wahoo

Page 9

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Commercial Trip Limits – St. Croix Option 1. No action. No trip limits for commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a trip limit for an individual pelagic stock. dolphin, wahoo

Page 10

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Size Limits – Puerto Rico Option 1. No action. No size limits for recreational and commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a recreational and commercial size limit for pelagic stock(s). dolphin, pompano dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel, cero mackerel, little tunny, blackfin tuna, tripletail, great barracuda 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity) For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” fork length (FL) for females. For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females. For king mackerel, size at 50% maturity is 23” FL for females. For cero mackerel, size at 50% maturity is 16” FL for females.

2b. Based on other fishery information (e.g., TIP data, expert opinion, state regulations). A 20” FL minimum for king mackerel and a 16” FL minimum for cero mackerel would be compatible with DNER regulations. Page 11

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Size Limits – St. Thomas/St. John Option 1. No action. No size limits for recreational and commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a recreational and commercial size limit for [dolphin, wahoo]. 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity) For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” FL for females. For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females.

2b. Based on other fishery information (e.g., TIP data, expert opinion, state regulations). A 24” FL minimum for dolphin and a 36” FL minimum for wahoo recommended by the St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Advisory Committee in 2019.

Page 12

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Size Limits – St. Croix Option 1. No action. No size limits for recreational and commercial harvest of pelagic species in federal waters. Option 2. Set a recreational and commercial size limit for [dolphin, wahoo]. 2a. Based on life history parameters (e.g., size at maturity) For dolphin, size at 50% maturity is 18” FL for females. For wahoo, size at 50% maturity is 36” FL for females.

2b. Based on other fishery information (e.g., TIP data, expert opinion, state regulations).

Page 13

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Accountability Measures The Council could also consider revising the accountability measure (AM) provision for pelagic stocks/stock complexes to include these management measures (e.g., size limits, recreational bag limits*, or commercial trip limits) as the responsive action that the Council and NMFS take when the AM has been triggered (i.e., when landings exceed the annual catch target). For example, if the landings for dolphin exceed the ACT, the Council and NMFS could implement a commercial trip limit instead of another management action such as a shortening of the fishing season for dolphin. * Would only apply where AMs are managed by sector. Page 14

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Action Items • Select which stocks/stock complexes, if any, to develop options for a recreational bag limit. • Select which stocks/stock complexes, if any, to develop options for a commercial trip limit. • Select which stocks/stock complexes, if any, to develop options for a recreational and commercial size limit. • Motion to develop amendment and create IPT. • Draft purpose and need statements.

Page 15

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Questions

Status of Island-based Fishery Management Plans and Amendments Caribbean Fishery Management Council 179th Meeting August 11-12, 2022 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

Island-based FMPs • Proposed Rule – Published May 19, 2022 • Comment period ended June 21, 2022 • Two comments received

• Final Rule – Currently under NMFS review • Expected publication date: Late Summer/Early Fall • 30 days cooling period

Amendment to IBFMPs Framework Amendment to the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix FMPs: Modification of Spiny Lobster Management Reference Points Issues Addressed in this Amendment: ➢ Update management reference points for spiny lobster to account for the SEDAR 57 spiny lobster stock assessments and application of the Council’s Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rule.

➢ Revise the AM trigger for spiny lobster stocks.

Status: Council took final Action in August 2021. .

NMFS is preparing proposed rule and associated documents.

Action 1: Modify spiny lobster overfishing limits (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), and annual catch limits (ACL) Preferred Alternative - Selected the constant-catch approach for specifying the OFL and ABC for spiny lobster, and used the constant-catch ABC to derive the spiny lobster constant-catch ACL. The preferred subalternative set the ACL = ABC x 0.95.

ACL by Year Puerto Rico St. Thomas and St. John 369,313 142,636 2021-2023 366,965 126,089 2024+

St. Croix 140,667 120,830

Action 2: Modify the Spiny Lobster Accountability Measure Trigger

Preferred Alternative – Use the average of the most recent three years of spiny lobster landings to evaluate whether an AM is triggered. An AM is triggered if average landings exceeded average ACLs in place during those years. The years of landings used to trigger an AM can be adjusted to account for the best scientific information available.

Amendment to IBFMPs Amendment to the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix FMPs: Modification to the Buoy Gear Definition and Use Issues Addressed in this Amendment: ➢ Modify the definition of buoy gear in federal regulations to allow for the use of up to 25 hooks to fish commercially. ➢ Limit the use of buoy gear to those fishing commercially.

Status: Council took final Action in Dec 2021. NMFS is preparing proposed rule and associated documents.

Modification to the Buoy Gear Definition and Use Action 1: Buoy Gear Prohibition for Recreational Fishing Alternative 1. No Action. Buoy gear is currently an authorized gear type for recreational harvest in the Caribbean as found in 50 CFR 600.725. Retain the authorized gear types for recreational harvest in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix. Alternative 2 (Preferred). Prohibit the use of buoy gear for those fishing recreationally in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix.

Modification to the Buoy Gear Definition and Use Action 2: Modification of the Buoy Gear Definition Alternative 1. No Action. The definition of buoy gear specified in 50 CFR 622.2 with respect to the number of hooks allowed would not be changed and the number of hooks would remain at 10. Alternative 2. Modify the definition of buoy gear in 50 CFR 622.2 as it applies to the commercial sector fishing for managed reef fish in the EEZ off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix to allow the use of up to 25 hooks connected between the buoy and the terminal end.

Alternative 3 (Preferred). Modify the definition of buoy gear in 50 CFR 622.2 as it applies to the U.S. EEZ in the Caribbean EEZ (i.e. the EEZ off PR, STT/STJ, STX) to allow the use of up to 25 hooks connected between the buoy and the terminal end for all authorized commercial fisheries.

Amendment to IBFMPs Amendment to the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix FMPs: Trawl Gear and Other Net Gear in Federal Waters Issues Addressed in this Amendment: ➢ Prohibition on the use of trawling gear from within the marine protected areas (i.e., Council MMAs) of the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ). ➢ Options to prohibit or regulate the use of gillnets, trammel nets, drift nets, and purse seines for harvesting fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ.

Status: IPT first meeting held; need to further develop the Purpose and Need and refine actions and alternatives. Development of amendment for Council to discuss/choose preferred alternatives at December 2022 or Spring 2023 Meeting.

Development of a Federal Permit Program in the U.S. Caribbean 179th Caribbean Fishery Management Council Meeting August 11-12, 2022 Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

Federal Permit Program • An absence of a federal permit system, or mandatory federal reporting

requirements, has been identified as a major contributor to the lack of fishing effort information in the EEZ. • A permitting system would allow better estimates for measuring fishing

effort for Council-managed fisheries while shedding light on the effectiveness of regulations implemented to manage that effort. • The permit may be a general requirement or may be specific to a particular

fishery sector such as spiny lobster trap/pot sectors or deep-water snapper.

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Federal Permit Program and Needs/Issues it could Address A primary goal of establishing federal permits or a federal permit system is to gain a better understanding of the population of fishers and their harvest patterns in the EEZ. •

Increase knowledge of fishing effort

•

Better identify spatial patterns of capture and harvest

•

Reduce scientific and management uncertainty

•

Enhance ability to obtain landings data from fishermen 

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Provide accurate and timely data on landings, which would enable the application of inseason accountability measures

•

Manage competing interests for the resource

•

Identify trends in the health of targeted fish stocks

•

Quantify the socioeconomic importance of permitted fishing sectors and mitigate negative impacts of management to fishing communities.

•

Provide permitted fishers with a better understanding of their fishery and the opportunities and implications of management to that fishery

•

Target active fishermen for educational and/or research activities

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Background – Federal Permit Discussions • Permits Discussed from 2013-2016. Action was tabled in 2016. • Scoping Hearings in March 2015 (all Islands) and 2016 (Puerto

Rico)

• Documents Developed:  2014 - White paper – general aspects of fishing permits and two permit opportunities: Commercial trap fishery St. Thomas and St. John and Commercial Snapper Unit 2 fishery Puerto Rico.

 2015 - Scoping Document Caribbean Permits (see Support Doc. 1 179th Mtg. Briefing Book (BB))  2016 – White Paper for Lobster USVI; Scoping Paper for Deep-Water Snappers EEZ Puerto Rico (see Support Doc. 2 179th Mtg. BB)

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Current U.S. Caribbean Permits •

Federal Waters: • No federal permits are required to fish, sell, or purchase Council-managed species in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. • Only HMS permits are required to fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ.

•

Puerto Rico • Commercial fishing license required • Additional species-specific permits for incidental catch, land crab, sirajo gobies, and deepwater snapper. Permits for lobster, etc.

•

USVI • •

Commercial fishing permit required (moratorium lifted in 2021). Helper permits required

Control Dates for Federal Spiny Lobster and Reef Fish Fisheries (Next slide)

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Control Dates • Persons entering the fishery after the control date are not assured future access. • Control dates do not commit the Council or NMFS to take any particular action to limit entry into particular fisheries. • February 11, 2011 control date, applies to:

• Commercial trap sector of the reef fish fishery in federal waters in the US Caribbean, 78 FR 20496 (April 5, 2013) • Commercial trap sector of the spiny lobster fishery in federal waters off Puerto Rico, 78 FR 20496 (April 5, 2013) • September 1, 2017 control date, applies to: • Spiny lobster trap fishery in federal waters off St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix, 84 FR 55900 (Oct. 18, 2019) (supersedes date in April 2013 FR notice above for USVI)

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Federal Permit Program How to do this? 1) What is the purpose/need? What is the problem the Council wants to address? Basic data collection on effort and participation? Collection of spatial data and landings data? Control the fishery? Control effort? Control the gear?  Reduce capacity in the fishery?  Managing competing interests for the resource   

2) Define the scope of the action: General vs Species-Specific or Sector Specific    

All EEZ? An individual island management area? A particular species/species group? All or one sector?

3) Other

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

What is the metric? For example, keep landings at or under the ACL?



Adding logbook requirement – monitor landings



Allows to control effort – if restrictions are included such as gear restrictions (type and number allowed), trip limits, number of participants.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Options Presented to the Council (2014-2016) 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

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Require commercial vessel operators to obtain a federal permit to fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Require commercial vessel operators to obtain a fishing license from either Puerto Rico or the USVI to fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Require commercial vessel operators to obtain federal permit OR a fishing license from either Puerto Rico or the USVI to fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Require a species/species group/fishery specific permit in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Require a gear-specific permit in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Require a dealer permit to purchase fish harvested from the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Conduct a pilot study with some or all fishers from some or all island groups to evaluate the practicality of permits in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Others?

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

What has changed? Federal Level • IBFMPs implementation delayed – Expected Date of Implementation Summer/Early Fall 2022

 Varying management measures under each FMP  Updated ACLs and AMs

 Federal Permit Program included as a measure under the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Program (SBRM) in IBFMPs  ACL exceedances triggering AM application (e.g. Spiny lobster PR 2022)

Local Level (for reference/compatibility purposes)  Electronic reporting (ER) in Puerto Rico (commercial). Development of ER in USVI  Potential changes to the Puerto Rico Local Deep-water snapper permit?  Changes to the commercial license moratorium in the USVI  Implementation of trap reduction program in USVI Page 9

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Next Steps: • Council to decide if moving forward with developing a

Federal permit system in the EEZ*

 Provide guidance on what to explore (e.g., general permit, limited access for a fishery, other)**  Pilot studies?

• Create Interdisciplinary Plan Team and/or other

advisory groups if needed

• Discuss preliminary timeline**

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

PUERTO RICO FISHERIES LIAISON Wilson G. Santiago Soler CFMC 179th Regular Meeting August 11 - 12 2022

2022 Liaison Participation ■ Give educational program for commercial fishers (PEPCO) ■ Support Cristina Olán with post at CFMC social media for the “Repaso de PEPCO” ■ Participate in MREP committee meetings for August 2022 fishers workshop

in Puerto Rico ■ Send weekly educational posts via WhatsApp ■ Support fishers with issues and information of DNER State and Federal Closures ■ Give educational materials for the fishers and fishing communities

■ Give recreational fishers educational program (PEPR) virtual ■ Participate in “ Festival del Pescao” with a CFMC educational material table

2022 Liaison Participation ■ Take information and photos of fishers from Aguadilla (Crash Boat) for the CFMC 2023 calendar ■ Bring Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture Agronomist a workshop with topics about the commercial fishers process, certification and programs in commercial fisheries ■ Support DAP-PR with information about deep water snappers trap fishing ■ Include topic about the IBFMP to PEPCO presentation

Educational Program for Commercial Fishers (PEPCO) in Puerto Rico ■ 4 workshops around the island has been given with a total of 121 participants were 103 are commercial fishers, 47 of them with the commercial license for first time and 56 fishers that were taking the program for continuing education. 18 of the other participants were families from the fishers that are part too of the chain of processing and distribution in the fishers communities. ■ For all the participants that completed the program we gave them a certificate of completion. (Thanks to DNER, CFMC, Sea Grant) ■ The municipalities impacted were Cabo Rojo, Aguada, Luquillo and Mayagüez

Educational Program for Recreational Salt Water Fishers ■ 2022 1st virtual workshop was in March 31, 2022 ■ Topics were Laws, Regulations, marine species and areas managements in state and federal waters for recreational fishers ■ Thanks to Helena Antoun and Cristina Olán for their support in the workshop

■ Continue with the workshop face to face 2023

Festival del Pescao Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo

Puerto Rico’s Fishers Issues ■ The Issues with the commercial fishing license with the DNER has been resolved. Fishers has been receiving their fishing license and letters from the DNER. ■ New fishers misinformation about fishing closures, statistics report (eReporting app), licenses and permits for state and federal waters in Puerto Rico ■ Low enforcement to watch the closures and illegal commercial fishing in state and federal waters ■ Fishers need support with different funding opportunities ■ Fishers from Aguadilla has issue with the bag limit of Tuna of the HMS Caribbean Small Boat Permit. They sent a letter regarding this issue.

2022 Liaison Next Step ■ Continue with PEPCO face-to—face workshops ■ Continuing of the virtual PEPR workshops ■ Continuing supporting CFMC social media ■ Find out and support fishers in their issues, visiting fishing villages and fishers communities ■ Visit fishing villages and fishing communities around the island giving educational materials

Questions? Contact Information: 787-344-0956 wilson.santiago.cfmc@gmail.com

Habitat Conservation Division South Atlantic Branch Historic Summary of Aquaculture Experience In Puerto Rico NMFS, South East Regional Office, Habitat Conservation Division Jose A. Rivera Jose.A.Rivera@noaa.gov Mobile:787-501-7639

179th CFMC Hybrid Regular Meeting, August 12, 2022

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Orgnization (FAO) estimates that about half of world seafood production comes from aquaculture. By far, Asia is the leading continent for aquaculture production. Asia is responsible for about 91 percent of the global aquaculture production, which totals 115.5 million metric tons. The top five producing countries are in Asia: China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. FAO reported that the United States ranked 18th in aquaculture production. Source: 2020 Fisheries of the United States , pages 16-17, May 2022

QUICK FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT Fish culture starts in 1936 with the establishment of the Maricao fish hatchery. The hatchery is a collaboration between the PR Dept of Agri. and US Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. The impetus was the creation of dams for rural electrification. In 1963, Iñigo reports the introduction of 15 species from the USA for stocking in dams.

The Institute of Marine Biology is established in 1954 which becomes the Dept. of Marine Sciences in 1968. Dr. Francisco Pagan begins a freshwater aquaculture program within the Department in 1970. In 1978, Dr. Pagan transfers to work for UN/FAO in Rome, Mr. Ricardo Cortes takes over as Program Director. In 1994, CIDACPR is established at UPRM to foster freshwater aquaculture throughout PR. In 2002, CIDACPR ceases operations. An estimate of $8M in R&D and $10M in private funds for commercial ventures is invested.

Suarez Caabro, 1979

Aquaculture Experience in Puerto Rico

Second Conference Call Deadline for Presentation: December 20, 2003 “Puerto Rico: Meeting a New Aquaculture Challenge” February 20-22, 2004. As a Caribbean island Puerto Rico has a unique potential to develop an aquaculture and mariculture industry. Worldwide the demand for aquatic cultured products has increased, while world fisheries are declining due to loss of natural essential fish habitats, and unsustainable fishing practices. The continued impact of these two elements on both, fresh and salt water fish populations has raised concern within the Puerto Rican government, educational institutions, scientific organizations, aquaculture farmers, and U.S. agencies. The development of new and improved aquaculture systems is being promoted and adopted as part of the strategic sustainable measures to support the present and future marine protein demand. This is an invitation to all persons interested in aquaculture, to participate in the Conference titled “Puerto Rico: Meeting a New Aquaculture Challenge.” The Conference will take place at The University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez Campus) on the west coast of the island in February 20-22, 2004. The organizing committee will invite selected speakers, governmental and non governmental institutions, and well known Caribbean Aquaculture farmers’ representatives. The Deadline for all those interested in either giving an oral or poster presentation is December 20, 2003. You should send a confirmation mail with the author(s) name, title and a summary of your presentation to mmatos@uprm.edu or eojeda@uprm.edu. The conference registration will remain open until late January. In either case you should send a notification or call to (787)-485-3138,-485-3139,-485-3140, 832-3585 to make the reservations and to receive more information. People from the Greater Caribbean islands as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands are encouraged to attend the conference and/or make presentations. The University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant College Program, the University of Puerto Rico Agriculture Extension Service, and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (Aquaculture and Fisheries development Office) are committed to: transfer new scientific information and effective culturing technologies, promote public/private investments in fresh and marine water aquaculture, and secure government support for this growing industry. The following Draft Program has been prepared for your information. Additional spaces are open for other presentations. The themes were identified as specific needs during two P.R. Aquaculture Encounters with local farmers. If you want to present, please send us your topic and it will be accommodated.

Aquaculture Experience in Puerto Rico

Aquaculture Experience in Puerto Rico By Ricardo Cortés, Brian O’Hanlon, Daniel Benetti and José A. Rivera Townhall Meeting on ASLO and the Current State of Aquaculture in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the Rest of the World American Society of Limnology and Oceanography San Juan Convention Center, Room 208A San Juan, Puerto Rico

February 15, 2011

1970’s to 2011

Land based aquaculture ventures in Puerto Rico (First 40 years) 1. Maricao fish hatchery 2. PR Nuclear Center-Fisheries Research Laboratory 3. CIDACPR-UPRM-PRIDCO 4. Caribe King Shrimp 5. Fish Farms of PR 6. Aquaculture Enterprises- Langostinos del Caribe 7. Aquacorp-Nieto & McKloskey 8. Brunson Aquaculture 9. Joy Bio Farms 10. Eureka Marine 11. C-Quest 12. Camarones Encanto 13. Ponce Marine 14. CIDACPR-Jayuya project 15. Caribe Fisheries 16. Eduardo Torres 17. Ponce Aquarium

2011’s to 2022

Land based aquaculture ventures in Puerto Rico (Next 20 years) 1. Maricao fish hatchery 2. Caribe Fisheries 3. C & C Shrimps and Vegetables 4. MarePesca 5. Fusion Farms (aquaponics) 6. The Coral Nursery of Puerto Rico 7. Naguabo Fishers Association, Conservacion Conciencia and FAU 8. Grisel Sustache, Yabucoa 9. Ponce Aquarium 10. Aquarium Specialties, Inc. 11. Caribbean Sustainable Aquaculture 12. Florida Institute of Technology, UPRM, PR Sea Grant

Suarez Caabro, 1979

Early ocean based aquaculture ventures in Puerto Rico

Ocean based aquaculture ventures in Puerto Rico

3 Companies with permits to culture fish in PR seas:

Snapperfarms, Inc, Culebra

Ocean Harvest, Inc, Humacao

Started in 1998 until 2008

Boriquen Aquaculture, Inc, Rincón

Open Blue Sea Farms, LLC

SnapperFarms, Inc

Ocean Farm Technologies, Inc

Snapperfarms, Inc

Brian O´Hanlon & Pesquera Delly, Guaymas,Mexico Brian O´Hanlon & Pesquera Delly, Guaymas, Mexico

Snapperfarms, Inc. moves to Panama in 2007 21 Seastation submersible cages, 283 employees 3,500 MT Estimated Annual Production for 2022

Extension Project – Started 2010-13 Ojeda , Alston & others, UPRM-SeaGrant Yellow Tail Snapper Growout in RAS System El Corozo, Cabo Rojo, PR

Fish areas (ovals) and two other potential areas for aquaculture of mollusks and algae (arrows) in Añasco-Mayaguez and Guanica Bays. Stars indicate airports. Hatched areas indicate MMA’s.

Bathymetry from NOAA, NGDC Map compiled by M.C. Prada & J. A. Rivera

Consideration for inclusion in AOA’s by NMFS.

Main reasons for demise of aquaculture industry 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Seafood consumed is 93% imported. Cost of imported seafood mostly cheaper than local production costs. Fish food needs to be imported, which cost more. Double regulatory system (Territorial, Federal). No incentive to produce, welfare lets you get by with little effort. Lack of adequate amount of capital. Rely only on government subsidies. Hurricane infrastructure damage.

Companies that have survived the longest 1. 2. 3. 4.

Eureka Shrimp Farms (ceased operations) C-Quest (moved to Montana) Caribe Fisheries (still in operation in PR) Snapperfarms, Inc. (which evolved to Open Blue Sea Farms, Inc. in Panama)

QUESTIONS ???? Contact: Jose.A.Rivera@noaa.gov Mobile 787-501-7639 SERO Regional Aquaculture Coordinator Andrew.Richard@noaa.gov Mobile 727-212-1350

Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) REPORT TO THE COUNCIL 179th CFMC Regular Hybrid Meeting August 11 – 12, 2022 Marriott Courtyard Hotel Isla Verde, PR

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

5YSP Goal: Engage, educate, and inform a variety of audiences to improve public understanding and participation in the Council process.

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Objective 20: Continuation…

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

• Objective 21: Promote participation of a variety of stakeholders in the Council process.

Courtyard Marriott, Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico Summary of the topics presented and discussed in the meeting and the Motions that were approved. For more information, please go to:

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Objective 22: Improve public and stakeholder understanding and awareness of fisheries management, current issues, and the Council process.

08-11-12, 2022

Objective 22 Continuation….

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

KNOW THEMARINE PROTECTED AREAS(MPAs) IN PUERTO RICO AND THEU.S. VIRGIN ISLANDSAND THEIR IMPORTANCEFOR A SUSTAINABLE FISHERY

O & E Products

1st drafts

Sent for printing

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

O & E Products • Placemats for St. Croix

Fact Sheets Biodiversity in the U.S. Caribbean marine fisheries ecosystem… goes beyond the fish and seafood species Echinoderms/Echinodermata Sea urchins and Sea cucumbers

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

O & E Initiatives proposed for 2023-2025 • IBFMPs – Fact sheets/Infographics for PR, St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix • - Graciela García Moliner, María López (NOAA) will collaborate.

• Fisheries Education in PR and USVI • Need for new fishers in our region. • Council support for the Escuela de Pesca Project in Cabo Rojo, PR

All products will have a QR code to the CFMC webpage for the documents and other items. 08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Catch

• Calendars 2024, 2025

All pr 08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

Questions?

08-11-12, 2022

Alida Ortiz OEAP

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Definition from Executive Order 13985. Page 3

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

The NOAA Fisheries’ draft EEJ Strategy asks:

Page

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Strategy Development

Spring

April

February

NMFS EEJ Working Group Forms

2022

Preliminary community input

WE ARE HERE

Public feedback

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

November

2023 Summer

November

2021

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Regional implementation plans

EEJ Strategy internal review

Finalize EEJ Strategy

● Thank you! Page 11

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Questions?

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U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

GLIDERS, SAILDRONES, AND AUTONOMOUS OCEANOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS IN THE U.S. CARIBBEAN

Eng. Patricia Chardón-Maldonado, Ph.D., Deputy and Technical Director Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS)

ABOUT CARICOOS | US CARIBBEAN REGION

• CARICOOS mission is to provide unquestionably high-priority decisionsupporting information for enhancing safety on our coasts and ocean, improving the efficiency of maritime operations, and supporting coastal resource management. • Through a fully participatory and userdriven approach, CARICOOS aims at the following overarching goals: 1) Support safe and efficient maritime operations; 2) Minimize impact from coastal hazards; 3) Support the effective management of coastal living resources; and 4) Monitor climate variability

UNDERWATER GLIDERS

• The autonomous underwater vehicles (known as gliders) dive to depths of up to 1,000 meters and travel hundreds of kilometers across the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to monitor ocean temperature, salinity, and current, among other ocean parameters.

GLIDERS

NETWORK OF OBSERVING ASSETS

NETWORK OF OBSERVING ASSETS •

•

The northeastern Caribbean and adjacent tropical Atlantic experiences the frequent occurrence of tropical cyclones traveling over mesoscale features with water mass properties impacted by the intrusion of continental river plumes (Orinoco and Amazon). Reinitiate serial observations at CaTS (SW of PR) for climate change monitoring using an underwater glider.

NETWORK OF OBSERVING ASSETS

GLIDERS AND SAILDRONES NETWORK OF OBSERVING ASSETS

SAILDRONES

DATA

NETWORK OF OBSERVING CARICOOS ASSETS MAPCO2 BUOY •

CARICOOS will continue to provide support for the operation of the MapCO2 buoy and related discrete bi-weekly water sampling/analysis at La Parguera Marine Reserve with funding from NOAA OAP.

•

This effort will be paralleled by a regional assessment of dissolved and particulate carbon fluxes required for proper interpretation of MapCO2 buoy/discrete water sample data.

LA PARGUERA OA BUOY

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION • The Cayo Enrique CO2 buoy, one of only eleven in the entire world, measures CO2 in the air and seawater, along with seawater temperature and salinity in the coral reef area of La Parguera, Lajas.

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS SARGASSUM • Development and validation of Sargasso inundation forecast product using MCI imagery & CARICOOS hydrodynamic/ocean circulation model (collaboration with Rutgers University; PI: Dr. H. Roarty).

Beta Version:https://marine.rutgers.edu/~hroarty/caricoos/animations/img/PR_LaPar/Puerto_Rico_LaParguera_animation.gif

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS FORECAST MODELS

WAVES

WINDS

PATHOGENS

CURRENTS

SARGASSO INUNDATION

EFFORTS TOWARDS ASSESSING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS Weekly monitoring in La Parguera: • Sargassum influx rate for using traps (11) • Dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity at 10 stations

SARGASSO INUNDATION

EFFORTS TOWARDS ASSESSING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS

Monitoring Sargassum influx rate for La Parguera using traps and documenting hypoxia and acidification.

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS SATELLITE-DERIVED WATER QUALITY DATA

WATER QUALITY VIRTUAL BUOYS (B.Barnes & C. Hu - USF)

•

Time series (2000 – present) of satellite-derived water quality data including SST, PAR, aCDOM, Ca, Turbidity, and Kd(488)]

•

Approximately 20 virtual buoys in coastal waters of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS SATELLITE-DERIVED WATER QUALITY DATA

WATER QUALITY VIRTUAL BUOYS -EXAMPLES (B.Barnes & C. Hu - USF)

TURBIDITY

LIGHT PENETRATION

CHLOROPHYLL-a CONCENTRATION

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS BIODIVERSITY DATASET •

Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON)

•

DwC translated datasets available in OBIS: •

Puerto Rico Coral Reef Monitoring Program (PRCRMP): 1999-2021

•

USVI Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program (TCRMP): 2001-2019

•

Fish Assemblages of Artificial Reefs in Puerto Rico: 2018

USER-ORIENTED DATA PRODUCTS

ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIODIVERSITY DATA PRODUCT •

CARICOOS aims to support decision-making in management activities by providing access to environmental and biodiversity data products in the U.S. Caribbean region; a way to assess the status and trends of natural coastal barriers.

•

Datasets were extracted from NOAA habitat maps, environmental stressors (DWH and KD490) from remote sensing, and biological indicators (coral cover and species richness) from in-situ coral reef monitoring stations

RESPONSIVE STAKEHOLDER-DRIVEN OBSERVING SYSTEM •

CARICOOS collects high-quality standardized observations of essential climate and ocean variables.

•

High-quality data provide the basis for decisions that affect weather, marine environment, fish stocks, climate, commerce, and security.

•

Maintaining healthy ecosystems and promoting safe and efficient marine operations requires knowledge of the ocean environment. Gliders, saildrones, and autonomous technologies for ocean observations provide opportunities to measure and monitor the ocean conditions in a manner that minimizes competition for ship time and provides a continuous, three-dimensional, near real-time representation of the ocean.

Image Source: Fact Sheet: Building Climate-Ready Fisheries and Fishing Communities https://www.nrdc.org/resources/building-climate-ready-fisheries-fishing-communities Illustrations by Christina Chung

SISTEMA CARIBEÑO DE OBSERVACIÓN COSTERA

THANK YOU!