Public comments be accepted until January 6, 2025.
NOAA Fisheries recently proposed a new rule which would modify or expand reporting requirements for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS).
On the angling side, the proposal would require vessel owners who currently report in existing paper commercial logbooks like the Atlantic HMS logbook to report electronically. It would also modify reporting options for private recreational vessel owners holding HMS Angling permits, while also implementing new logbook requirements for vessel owners holding HMS Charter/Headboat permits or Atlantic Tunas General category permits.
HMS Permit holders who participate in recreational tuna fisheries will ultimately be impacted by the proposed rule, in a sense are the reason for the proposed reporting changes. Citing a study conducted by the American Saltwater Guides Association, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, and The Nature Conservancy which indicated that only 40% of anglers adhere to the mandatory self-reporting requirement for the recreational bluefin tuna fishery, NOAA Fisheries has responded by implementing the proposed rule.
However, in comments already submitted via the Federal Register related to the proposed rule, one angler/advocate pointed out that the true extent of non-compliance with the reporting obligations attached to open access permits is relatively unknown. According to John DePersenaire from the Viking Yacht Company who attended the initial public hearing pertaining to this objective, an inquiry was made regarding the true extent of non-compliance within the recreational community. “The staff responsible for conducting the hearing was unable to provide a specific quantification of the non-compliant behavior.”
“It is of critical importance for the industry stakeholders to have access to a comprehensive understanding of the level of non-compliance specific to mandatory report requirements to thoroughly evaluate a range of options aimed at promoting adherence,” DePersenaire added in his official public comments, asking NOAA to investigate and provide this information to the public. “It difficult to support action citing a goal of increasing compliance without having a full understanding of the level and causes of noncompliance,” he added.
David Schalit, President of the American Bluefin Tuna Association commented how his organization was in favor of direct reporting by anglers. “Accuracy of catch reporting must be a priority,” Schalit said, noting difficulties in the U.S. fisheries in getting up-to-date recreational data for bluefin tuna in particular by way of the large pelagics survey.
“There needs to be a recognition by recreational permit holders that, unlike all other oceanic species harvested by U.S. recreational fishermen, HMS are managed by an RFMO (regional fisheries management organization) and therefore require accurate reporting,” he added.
Have questions, comments and concerns about the newly proposed reporting rules? You can learn more about the proposed electronic reporting requirements at the NOAA Fisheries website, while the official proposal itself is also posted at the Federal Register website at regulations.gov; there interested parties can view a navigation bar along the top of the screen to view the Docket Details, as well as All Comments on Docket to learn what others are saying about the proposal.
A series of public hearing webinars have also been scheduled in which HMS fisherman can learn more about the proposed changes, with the ability to follow up with NOAA Fisheries with any questions or concerns.
October 16, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join the webinar
Webinar number: 2818 678 2433
Webinar password: eFFKyg9
(3335949 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone at 415-527-5035 (access code: 281 867 82433)
October 29, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join the webinar
Webinar number: 2831 735 2664
Webinar password: T2gRGB2
(8247422 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone at 415-527-5035 (access code: 283 173 52664)
December 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join the webinar
Webinar number: 2825 859 0628
Webinar password: S7fAkW!d
(77325903 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone at 415-527-5035 (access code: 282 585 90628)
Public comments will be accepted until January 6, 2025. For additional information contact Carrie Soltanoff via email at carrie.soltanoff@noaa.gov or by calling 301-427-8503.
