FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & LEGISLATIVE REPORT

by Tom Fote

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association July 2000 Newsletter)

NOAA RELEASES REPORT ON NUTRIENT RELATED WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS IN U.S. ESTUARIES

 Conditions in most of the nation's estuaries are expected to worsen by 2020, according to a report released today by NOAA's National Ocean Service. The report, "National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment on Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation's Estuaries," indicates That by the year 2020, conditions may worsen in the majority of estuaries, if population growth and development in the coastal zone is not managed properly.

According to NOAA scientist Dr. Suzanne Bricker, lead author of the report, the results developed from information and data collected over a seven year period from hundreds of experts, represent the best and most comprehensive understanding of the scale, scope and characteristics of nutrient associated problems affecting the nation's coastal water bodies to date.

To complete the study, NOAA compiled information about water quality parameters associated with nutrient enrichment and eutrophication for 138 estuaries and the Mississippi River Plume. Problem conditions range from excessive algal blooms to low dissolved oxygen, losses of submerged aquatic vegetation, and occurrences of nuisance and toxic algal blooms.

The results show that 44 of the 139 systems studied have significant problem conditions and 40 have moderate problems. According to the report these problem conditions are not isolated. Although they occur in estuaries along all coasts, the Gulf of Mexico and mid Atlantic regions have the greatest percentage of estuaries with high-level problems. These conditions have been shown by other studies to alter the uses of the estuaries, at times closing shell fishing beds, causing human health risks destroying habitat for fisheries, and leading to loss of tourism.

The NOAA study indicates that for the majority of estuaries with significant problems, human related nutrient inputs are an important influence on development of those problems. However, many of these estuaries are also naturally sensitive to nutrient inputs. "These   results can be used to more effectively focus management of this problem and, specifically, to develop a national response strategy," says Bricker. For example, the priority for estuaries in serious condition should be reduction of nutrients. For those in less serious condition but in areas where coastal population growth puts them at high risk, the priority should be on monitoring and prevention of future degradation.

Nutrient related water quality problems have become worse in 48 estuaries since 1970 while in 14 estuaries conditions have improved. Alarmingly, scientists predict that conditions will become even worse in 86 estuaries by the year 2020 as population growth and development in the coastal zone increases. Conditions are predicted to improve in only eight estuaries. According to NOAA scientists, these results highlight the need for a strong national response to this pervasive problem.

For more information on the conditions of estuaries visit, http://cammp.nos.noaa.gov/spo/prodlist.taf?alltype=1

ASMFC WEEK

Striped Bass Management Board Meeting Summary

 The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met to continue working on Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Striped Bass.   The Board heard a summary of the Striped Bass Advisory Panel meeting that was held on June 7 and 8, 2000.  The Advisory Panel provided recommendations to the Management Board on what issues should be addressed in Amendment 6 as well as what the preferred management alternatives should be in the draft.  The Board also heard a Striped Bass Technical Committee Report, during which the Board was updated on the schedule to address the technical tasks for development of Amendment 6.  The Technical Committee also urged the Board members to make the Technical Committee members available to complete the tasks for Amendment 6.  The final presentation that the Management Board heard was a summary of the public hearings and the public comments on the Public Information Document for Amendment 6 to the FMP.

 Based on the presentations the Management Board directed Commission staff and the Plan Development Team on the development of Amendment 6.   The Board provided a series of preferred management alternatives and issues to be addressed in Amendment 6.  The Board also directed the Technical Committee to review a series of management alternatives for the recreational fisheries regarding their impacts on the biological reference points and stock structure of striped bass.

 Habitat Committee Meeting Summary

The Habitat Committee met in two sessions to address several different issues.  The meeting began with introductions of new Commission staff member, Carrie Selberg, and Delaware Habitat Committee representative, Jeff Tinsman. 

The Committee had a lengthy discussion of an issue paper concerning the Habitat Committee's involvement in development permit review.   Many Committee members would like to respond to a limited number of permits without overwhelming both staff and Committee members with permit reviews.  Other Committee members are uncomfortable with the Habitat Committee commenting on permits.  A subcommittee was formed to further develop this process for consideration at the October meeting. 

The Habitat Committee considered and accepted a request from the Artificial Reef Committee which will result in the Artificial Reef Committee reporting to the Habitat Committee in order to facilitate cooperation between the two groups.   

The Committee reviewed and forwarded to the Policy Board the issue paper, "Implementing the Report: ASMFC Guidelines for Evaluating Fishing Gear Impacts to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and Determining Mitigation Strategies.”  This paper was developed based on discussion at past Committee meetings and the work of a subcommittee.   It includes ten specific recommendations and three different suggestions for implementing these recommendations.  The Committee felt that all ten of the recommendations were important and that the Policy Board should decide which of the implementation methods was appropriate.  The Policy Board considered this paper at their meeting and requested public input.   The Committee is currently gathering some of this information through an SAV Questionnaire and will be seeking broader public input as well.

American Eel Management Board Meeting Summary

On Thursday, June 8, 2000, the American eel Management Board met to review the status of state/jurisdictional implementation plans.  In preparation for this review, the Technical Committee provided the Management Board with an advisory report regarding approval of state/jurisdictional implementation plans.  Unfortunately the Technical Committee could not provide guidance with respect to de minimis determination given lacking commercial harvest data available at the time of evaluation.   Discussion of state fisheries for American eel, allowed the Management Board to approve all state/jurisdictional implementation plans in addition to de minimis requests from New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, District of Columbia, and Florida.   In addition, the Management Board granted year 2000 exemptions to the District of Columbia, Georgia and New Hampshire for the purpose of delaying execution of the Young of the Year sampling survey until 2001.  An update on CITES Appendix III listing of American eel was provided by Commission staff on behalf of the USFWS.

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