October 30, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Lobster Management Board approved the development of an Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Jonah Crab and initiated the development of Draft Addendum XXIV to Amendment 3 to the Interstate FMP for American Lobster.
The Jonah Crab FMP was initiated in response to concern about increasing targeted fishing pressure for Jonah crab, which has long been considered a bycatch in the lobster fishery. However, growing market demand has doubled landings in the past seven years. Given the absence of state and federal management programs and a stock assessment for Jonah crab, there is concern current harvest may compromise the sustainability of the resource. The Draft Jonah Crab FMP will consider management objectives, proposed regulations to the commercial and recreational fishery, monitoring requirements, and recommendations for federal waters fisheries. It is anticipated an initial Draft Jonah Crab FMP will be presented to the Board at the Commission’s Winter Meeting in Alexandria, VA.
As part of the development of the FMP, the Commission will be forming a Jonah Crab Advisory Panel. Commission Advisory Panels are typically comprised of commercial and recreational fishermen, processors/dealers and other stakeholders who are concerned about fisheries conservation and management and have expertise in the Jonah crab fishery. The Advisory Panel provides the Board with advice concerning fishery practices and species’ management activities. Those interested in becoming a member should contact their state Commissioners.
Draft Addendum XXIV will address inconsistencies between state and federal American Lobster trap transfer regulations. Options will be drafted to propose alignment between state and federal measures for full business conservation tax, trap transfer increments, and dual permits transferability rules. Draft Addendum XXIV will be presented to the Board for its consideration and approval for public comment at the Commission’s Winter Meeting in Alexandria, VA.
For more information, please contact Kate Taylor, Senior FMP Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.