Volume 58

New Fisheries Management in the US Caribbean:A Comprehensive Fisheries Act Amendment


Authors
Kimmel, J., M. Barnett
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Other Information


Date: November, 2005


Pages: 73-88


Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Eighth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: San Andres


Country: Colombia

Abstract

A Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act amendment approved by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council to amend its Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Coral Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) has been implemented and is in effect. The comprehensive amendment is designed to ensure the FMPs are fully compliant with the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The proposed rule would redefine the fishery management units for the FMPs; establish seasonal closures; impose gear restrictions and requirements; revise requirements for marking pots and traps; and prohibit the filleting of fish at sea. In addition, the comprehensive amendment would establish biological reference points and stock status criteria; establish rebuilding schedules and strategies to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks; provide for standardized collection of bycatch data; minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality to the extent practicable; designate essential fish habitat (EFH) and EFH habitat areas of particular concern (HAPCs); and minimize adverse impacts on such habitat to the extent practicable. The intended effect of this proposed rule is to achieve optimum yield in the fisheries and provide social and economic benefits associated with maintaining healthy stocks.

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