Unexpected Referendum Discussion, Amberjack Final Action Set for August Gulf Council Meeting
Before getting into an explanation on why these topics are important, we must note that although LCBA is actively pursuing alternatives to the federally-permitted charter sector being managed by the Gulf Council, we must do our best to work with the Council for the best policy for our captains as long as the Council has authority over the sector.
In a move that appears premature considering the document is far from being finalized, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will debate how the referendums for Amendments 41 and 42 will be administered at the August Gulf Council Meeting in San Antonio.
Amendments 41 and 42 are attempts to change the way in which red snapper is allocated to Gulf of Mexico charter fishermen to a system similar to the one used in the commercial sector. Currently, Amendment 42 would govern large-capacity vessels that participated in the Beaufort Survey, and Amendment 41 would govern all other charter vessels. Under the proposals, captains would be allocated a certain percentage of the Gulf’s charter-for-hire red snapper allocation, also known as a catch share.
In order to become law, the proposals must be approved by the Gulf’s charter fleet in a voting system called a referendum.
As of the time of this writing (less than a week from the start of a Gulf Council Meeting held during the summer fishing season in a location which is a several hours’ drive from the closest Gulf of Mexico marina) we do not know the specifics of what will be discussed during this referendum discussion. No proposals or alternatives have been released for the Amendment 41 referendum. Although this process is clearly lacking transparency, we have a pretty good idea of what to potentially speak out against.
We strongly encourage you to email all 17 voting members of the Gulf Council
here and state that you would like each permit owner, regardless of the number of permits he or she owns, to receive just one vote. We also ask you to encourage the Council to delay a referendum vote until a future meeting, one closer to the coast, and one where members of the public will have time to digest the choices and provide informed comments. LCBA Communications Manager Richard Fischer will travel to San Antonio to express this sentiment during the public comments portion of the Gulf Council meeting next week, but nothing speaks for your interests better than letting the Council members hear from you directly.
Through discussions with our captains, we have found that you overwhelmingly oppose catch shares in the charter-for-hire sector. We believe that one vote per permit owner would decrease the referendum's chances of passing.
It is also important to push the Council to create a nearby control date for finalizing the voting pool. If not, it will be very easy for owners of multiple permits to circumvent the intent of our one permit owner, one vote push by simply placing their excess permits in the names of others. Please include this in your email to the Gulf Council as well.
Allowing a captain to have one vote for each permit her or she owns, although not preferable, would certainly be better than using passenger capacity to determine the number of votes each permit owner would get. Therefore, commenting against using passenger capacity is also important here.
Although the LWF Commission has no direct impact on federal fisheries management, we encourage you to show up to the Aug. 3 LWF Commission Meeting in Grand Isle (195 Ludwig Annex) at 1:30 p.m. and speak on this and other issues which illustrate how state management would save the charter sector from the headaches of federal management. We’re hearing that representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep Garret Graves will be in attendance, so this Commission Meeting is a great opportunity to speak up about the issues with federal fisheries management and how state management could be more beneficial for the charter sector.
Amberjack rebuilding measures set for final action
Members of the Gulf Council are considering final action on measures to rebuild the amberjack stock at the August Gulf Council Meeting.
As you know, this year’s amberjack season ended March 23 because the Eastern Gulf swallowed up most of the 2017 quota in the early months of the year before most of Louisiana’s charter fleet had much of a chance to get out there. There was also a smaller quota in 2017 because the Eastern Gulf was the greatest contributor to Gulf-wide overharvest in 2016.
Options currently on the table include closing the recreational season from March 1 through May 31, March 1 through June 30, Jan. 1 through June 30 or Jan.1 through July 31.
Additionally, we're hearing that members of the Eastern Gulf's charter fleet are pushing the Council to consider a bag limit of one amberjack for every other person on the boat with a max of six for headboats. Remember, it's the Eastern Gulf that got us into this situation by catching more than an estimated 80 percent of the entire Gulf's 2016 allotment of amberjack in just a two month span last year. And now they want the rest of the Gulf to be included in measures to make up for their overharvest. This is yet another glaring example of why Louisiana needs state or regional management. If Louisiana had its own quota to manage how we saw fit, it wouldn't matter to us when the Eastern Gulf blows through its quota or what measures it puts on itself to stretch that quota out.
If you have any thoughts on amberjack season or bag limits, please email all 17 voting members of the Gulf Council
here.
Venting Tools and Descending Devices being considered
It is expected that the Gulf Council will pick preferred alternatives regarding possession of venting tools or descending devices.
When utilized properly, venting tools and descending devices reduce mortality of thrown back reef fish (regulatory discards) in some cases.
The Council could opt to require that either venting tools or descending devices, or both, must be rigged and ready for use while all reef fish fishing is occurring.
The Council's argument for why fishermen should favor use of these devices is that by allowing scientists to account for lower mortality rates, Gulf-wide fishermen should be able to harvest slightly more fish per year when the data catches up.
If you have any thoughts on this potential development, please email all 17 voting members of the Gulf Council
here.
