ASMFC American Lobster Board Approves Draft Addendum XVII for Public Comment: Addendum Seeks to Reduce Exploitation on Southern New England Stock by 10%

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board has approved Draft Addendum XVII for public comment and review. The Draft Addendum presents a suite of management options to reduce fishing exploitation on the Southern New England stock of American lobster by 10% starting in July 2013. The proposed 10% reduction would come from changes in the minimum size limit, maximum size limit, and/or closed seasons. Proposals would be developed for each affected Lobster Conservation Management Area (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) to meet the 10% reduction as outlined in the Draft Addendum.

In taking this proposed action, the Board indicated that the 10% reduction in exploitation is the first step in responding to Technical Committee advice for significant exploitation reductions over the long-term to initiate Southern New England stock rebuilding.

The Southern New England lobster stock is at low levels of abundance and experiencing persistent low recruitment caused by a combination of environmental factors and continued fishing mortality. It is this low recruitment that is preventing the Southern New England stock from rebuilding. Under the assumptions of poor recruitment and very high natural mortality, the Technical Committee is not certain that the stock would recover to the target level under a total fishery moratorium.

States will be conducting hearings on the Draft Addendum; the details of those hearings will be released when they become available. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the Draft Addendum will be available by August 24, 2011 via the Commission’s website (www.asmfc.org)under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 14, 2011 and should be forwarded to Toni Kerns, Senior FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at tkerns@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Addendum XVII). The Board will meet in November at the Commission’s Annual Meeting to review public comment and consider final action on the Addendum.

Motions

Main Motion:
Move to approve Draft Addendum XVII to Amendment 3 for public comment.

Motion made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Stockwell. Motion amended.

Motion to Amend:
Move to amend for Section 3 to allow these measures to be implemented by LCMA.

Motion made by Mr. Nowalsky and seconded by Mr. Augustine. Motion substituted.

Motion to Substitute:
Move to substitute that we change the objective to reduce exploitation in the SNE stock by 10% in each LCMA to initiate rebuilding of the SNE stock and enable each jurisdiction to prepare their fishing industries for more substantive reductions in a subsequent addendum.

Motion made by Mr. Simpson and second by Mr. McElroy. Motion carries (In Favor – MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE; Opposed – ME, NH, MD, NMFS; Abstentions – VA, NC; Null – NY).


Substituted Motion:
Move to amend “that we change the objective to be reduce exploitation in the SNE stock by 10% in each LCMA to initiate rebuilding of the SNE stock and enable each jurisdiction to prepare their fishing industries for more substantive reductions in a subsequent addendum.”
Motion amended.

Motion to Amend Substituted Motion:
Move to amend to remove option 1 under issue C (closed season) of option 3 (page 24) the last paragraph.

Motion made by Rep. Peake and seconded by Mr. Simpson. Motion passes (6 in favor, 4 opposed, 2
abstentions).

Amended Substitute Motion:
Move to amend “that we change the objective to be reduce exploitation in the SNE stock by 10% in each LCMA to initiate rebuilding of the SNE stock and enable each jurisdiction to prepare their fishing industries for more substantive reductions in a subsequent addendum and to remove option 1 under issue C (closed season) of option 3 (page 24) the last paragraph.

Motion passes (6 in favor, 2 abstentions).

Main Motion as Amended/Substituted:
Move to approve Draft Addendum XVII to Amendment 3 for public comment as amended to change the objective to “reduce exploitation in the SNE stock by 10% in each LCMA to initiate rebuilding of the SNE stock and enable each jurisdiction to prepare their fishing industries for more substantive reductions in a subsequent addendum” and to remove option 1 under issue C (closed season) of option 3 (page 24) the last paragraph.

Motion passes (7 in favor, 3 opposed, 2 abstentions).