11-01-2006, 10:46 PM
Northeast – Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Rule for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass
NOAA Fisheries has proposed new management measures for the 2007 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries to ensure that the target fishing mortality rates are not exceeded and to allow for rebuilding of the stocks. A recent review of the summer flounder stock assessment indicates that although the stock continues to increase, it is increasing at a lower rate and is currently at a smaller size than previously forecast. The peer review panel confirmed that the fishing mortality rate must be substantially lowered to allow for rebuilding by 2010. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is proposing total allowable landings of 12.983 million lb for summer flounder in 2007, a 45-percent decrease from 2006. Three percent of the total allowable landings would be set aside for research activities.
The black sea bass stock, which was determined to be overfished in 1998, is also scheduled to be rebuilt by 2010. This year's spring survey results indicate that the exploitable biomass of black sea bass decreased in 2005. If protected, the 2005 year class should allow for additional stock rebuilding in 2006 and beyond. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is proposing a total allowable landings level of 5 million lb for black sea bass in 2007, a 37.5-percent decrease from 2006. Three percent of the total allowable landings would be set aside for research activities.
The scup stock is considered overfished, and there is a lack of information on discards and mortality estimates for fully recruited fish. This proposed rule would implement total allowable landings of 12 million lb for scup in 2007, a 26-percent decrease from 2006. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has already initiated development of Amendment 14 to implement a rebuilding plan for scup. However, this amendment will not affect management of the scup fishery until the 2008 season, so a more conservative level of total allowable landings in 2007 would contribute to the rebuilding efforts in the meantime
[signature]
NOAA Fisheries has proposed new management measures for the 2007 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries to ensure that the target fishing mortality rates are not exceeded and to allow for rebuilding of the stocks. A recent review of the summer flounder stock assessment indicates that although the stock continues to increase, it is increasing at a lower rate and is currently at a smaller size than previously forecast. The peer review panel confirmed that the fishing mortality rate must be substantially lowered to allow for rebuilding by 2010. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is proposing total allowable landings of 12.983 million lb for summer flounder in 2007, a 45-percent decrease from 2006. Three percent of the total allowable landings would be set aside for research activities.
The black sea bass stock, which was determined to be overfished in 1998, is also scheduled to be rebuilt by 2010. This year's spring survey results indicate that the exploitable biomass of black sea bass decreased in 2005. If protected, the 2005 year class should allow for additional stock rebuilding in 2006 and beyond. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is proposing a total allowable landings level of 5 million lb for black sea bass in 2007, a 37.5-percent decrease from 2006. Three percent of the total allowable landings would be set aside for research activities.
The scup stock is considered overfished, and there is a lack of information on discards and mortality estimates for fully recruited fish. This proposed rule would implement total allowable landings of 12 million lb for scup in 2007, a 26-percent decrease from 2006. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has already initiated development of Amendment 14 to implement a rebuilding plan for scup. However, this amendment will not affect management of the scup fishery until the 2008 season, so a more conservative level of total allowable landings in 2007 would contribute to the rebuilding efforts in the meantime
[signature]