Arlington, VA – The Commission’s South Atlantic State-Federal Fisheries Management Board has approved for public comment Draft Addendum I to the Omnibus Amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plans for Spanish Mackerel, Spot, and Spotted Seatrout. The Draft Addendum proposes a pilot program that would allow states to reduce the Spanish mackerel minimum size limit for the commercial pound net fishery to 11 ½ inches for one or more of the summer months of July through September for the 2013 and 2014 fishing years only. The proposed measure is intended to reduce waste of these smaller fish, which are discarded dead in the summer months, by converting them to landed fish.
The Draft Addendum responds to reports about the increased mortality of Spanish mackerel ¼ to ½ inch short of the 12 inch fork length minimum size limit in pound nets during the summer months. Once the pound nets are bunted and bailing commences, the undersized fish often die before being released. This may be due to a combination of temperature, stress and crowding. Most pound nets are constructed using 1 ½ to 1 5/8 inch mesh in the pound and 4 to 6 inch mesh for the leads. While individual fishermen have experimented with different wall or panel mesh sizes depending on the target species, there is no consistent use of cull panels. Those who have used cull panels have noted the difficulty and lack of success in being able to release the undersized fish quickly enough to prevent dead discards during this time of year.
The proposed measure would only apply for the 2013 and 2014 fishing years with the option to extend the pilot program through Board action if approved. Interested states would be required to notify the Commission of the specific month or months it intends to use the minimum size limit exemption. The Technical Committee and/or Plan Development Team would review the impact of the reduced size limit as part of its annual fishery management plan review. Some states may be conducting hearings on the Draft Addendum; the details of those hearings will be announced when they have been finalized. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum either by attending a public hearing or providing written comment. Draft Addendum I is available on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on July 19, 2013 and should be forwarded to Kirby Rootes-Murdy, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or krootes- murdy@asmfc.org (Subject line: Spanish Mackerel Addendum I).