1. 157th Caribbean Council Meeting
Accountability Measure (AM) Application: Sector vs Total Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Overage
157th Caribbean Council Meeting
San Juan, Puerto Rico
August 23-24, 2016 1

2. Recreational ACL (lbs)
Puerto Rico Annual Catch Limits Snapper, Grouper, Parrotfish, Queen conch
FMU Group
Commercial ACL (lbs)
Recreational ACL (lbs)
Total ACL
Queen conch
Parrotfish
52,737
15,263
68,000
Snapper Unit 1
284,685
95,526
380,211
Snapper Unit 2
145,916
34,810
180,726
Snapper Unit 3
345,775
83,158
428,933
Snapper Unit 4
373,295
28,509
401,804
Groupers
177,513
77,213
254,726

3. Snapper Unit 2 as an Example
Commercial Landings Average = 155,889 lbs
Commercial ACL = 145,916
Difference = -9,973
Closure = 36 Days in 2016
Recreational Landings Average = 2,460 lbs
Recreational ACL = 34,810
Difference = +32,350
Closure = 0 Days
Total Landings Average = 158,349
Total ACL = 180,726
Difference = +22,377 3

4. EXAMPLE: Draft Framework Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region
Action 3: Modify the recreational accountability measures for Atlantic cobia
Sub-alternative 2a. The Regional Administrator will reduce the length of the following fishing year only if the species is overfished.
Preferred Sub-alternative 2b. The Regional Administrator will reduce the length of the following fishing year only if the total ACL (commercial ACL and recreational ACL) is exceeded.
Sub-alternative 2c. The Regional Administrator will reduce the length of the following fishing year only if the species is overfished and the total ACL (commercial ACL and recreational ACL) is exceeded. 4

5. Things to Keep in Mind with Example
If the Total ACL is exceeded, but only one of the sector ACLs is exceeded, the required closure will only apply to that sector exceeding its ACL.
If the Total ACL is exceeded and both sectors exceeded their individual ACLs, the AM will be applied to both, each according to the degree exceeded and the number of days required to be applied to that sector. Closure length may differ between sectors.
This is NOT a reallocation of ACL between sectors. Allocation is a separate issue. 5

6. More Things to Keep in Mind
One sector could ‘race’ to consume as much of the Total ACL as possible, but this is a risky gamble because if the Total ACL is exceeded that sector will suffer an AM-based closure.
The Total ACL best reflects Optimum Yield. By failing to utilize the Total ACL, we fail to achieve OY.
AMs are included as a Framework Measure in both the 2010 and 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendments, so if action is desired it could be developed relatively rapidly as a regulatory amendment. 6

7. Council Action No action on this issue
Direct staff to develop options:
Council Motion;
Staff develops optional approaches to managing based on Total ACL rather than Sector-specific ACLs;
Discuss at December meeting. 7