NMFS BS

[MikeWilson]

Ranger,

Here is "one plan" or concept. From the tone in your post, I am assuming you have seen it before and it did not meet your exacting requirements
Mike

RECREATIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
for GULF of MEXICO REEF FISH

Presented by

A COALITION of FOR-HIRE and PRIVATE
RECREATIONAL ANGLERS FISHING the GULF of
MEXICO

January 1, 2009

This proposal is an extensive plan that provides new management alternatives for the federal
recreational (for-hire “FH” and private recreational “PR”) reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico
(GOM). It was developed with input from many individuals (private and professional) to provide
a plan that will encompass the total federal recreational reef fish fishery while dramatically
improving current fishery data collection. This plan is multi faceted which will require several
stages of implementation that will ultimately provide real time data for all reef fish targeted by
recreational anglers in the GOM. The plan should be adapted to the data needs of the National
Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) to be able to better manage the reef fish fishery, to control
overfishing based on improved real time data, to provide realistic fishery effort and catch data to
provide the NMFS the proper tools to address accountability measures, useable catch limits, and
improved stock assessments.
This proposal is not intended to be all inclusive and should be implemented with the ability to
modify the plan to fit current and future regulatory, legal, data needs, and stock assessment
requirements. It is specifically intended to provide new, forward thinking ideas to bring fishery
data, fishery management, stock assessments, angling ethics, and all recreational anglers into the
21st century. The goal of this proposal is to begin the process of implementation upon immediate
receipt of and discussion by the Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) so that
some aspects of the proposal will be effective during the 2009 season. We realize that the
management process takes time and has legal requirements but we also feel that the current
process will allow for immediate implementation of some of our suggestions.
THE PROPOSAL
This proposal establishes a new Gulf of Mexico Angling Reporting System (GOMARS1) that will
initially require reporting information on red snapper with a web based and/or telephone reporting
system. Subsequently, a logbook reporting and if demonstrated the need exists a simple
electronic (AIS, mobile phone, web based, or other simple and unobtrusive reporting device)
system to report departing and returning to port could be implemented. The GOMARS will allow
1 Implementation of the GOMARS will require immediate action by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC)
and/or the NMFS to implement a plan amendment to the current reef fish management plan to establish this angler reporting system
with all the legal requirements to ensure the regulation is required. The NMFS will have to also fast track this amendment for
implementation. In order to expedite the reporting system we suggest utilizing the interim rule process. We recommend that all states
be encouraged to require this system within their state waters for anglers wishing to target reef fish.

Page 2

for easy expansion to other reef fish species as well as other targeted species. It will also be
simple to use on vessels of all sizes and capacities. The proposal also suggests and encourages
coordination between the federal government and the states in identifying users and collecting
data, suggests angler and/or vessel aggregate harvest limits to reduce unnecessary discards thus
increasing stock biomass, should reduce interaction with other species such as marine mammals,
provides for real time regulatory accountability of harvest, and other improvements to the current
system.
• Immediately establish the Gulf of Mexico Angling Reporting System (GOMARS) as an
endorsement to the Gulf of Mexico Federal Charter/Headboat Reef Fish Permit and
require every For-Hire vessel (FH) landing red snapper to have a GOMARS onboard.
• Immediately begin the regulatory process to require a GOMARS permit for private
recreational anglers or for each private recreational vessel (PR angler or PRV) who
wishes to catch a red snapper.
• Immediately create and implement an automatic telephone reporting system (similar to
the current HMS recreational billfish telephone reporting system) and a web based
reporting system (similar to the state of VA Recreational Assessment Program reporting
system)
• The GOMARS will have an identifying number linked to a vessel (For-Hire, PRV and/or
PR angler) and will require the vessel owner’s and/or angler’s name, address, phone
number (land and/or cell). Optional owner information will be an email address for
contact. The GOMARS will provide the web link and 800 phone number for reporting.
• A condition of the GOMARS will be to require the endorsement/permit to be onboard
any vessel with recreational red snapper on board. The reporting of the catching and
landing of red snapper will be required when returning to a shore side facility either by
telephone call in or web based. (The report will provide the GOMARS number, the
number of anglers fishing for red snapper and where that fishing occurred - state or
federal waters, how many hours – to the nearest ― hour- fished for red snapper in – state
or federal waters, how many red snapper were harvested for each angler and location -
state or federal waters, how many red snapper were discarded and location - state or
federal waters, type of gear used (rod and reel, spear, electric or manual reel, and a
confirmation number verifying the report will be provided to the person making the
report.)
• The fee for the GOMARS endorsement/permit will be the same as an additional permit
for the FH vessel owner and shall be consistent with the HMS permit fee ($16.00) for PR
anglers or PRVs.
• The For-Hire Survey and MRFSS will continue to collect data until they are no longer
necessary.
• The current dockside interview system should be enhanced and expanded to obtain
landings data such as size and composition of landings.
• Once the GOMARS endorsement/permit is implemented and required for vessels and
anglers recreational fishing in the EEZ, the NMFS should request all Gulf states to
implement the GOMARS (or compatible state system easily coordinated with the Fed
data collection system for total coverage of federally managed species) in state waters.
There should also be the ability for the GOMARS endorsement/permit to be purchased
when purchasing a state saltwater fishing license as well as the federal web based system.
• While the GOMARS and it’s requirements are being implemented, the council should
begin the process of requiring electronic logbooks for all FH vessels and a similar
reporting system for PR anglers or PRVs. (divers possess a dive log which is water proof,
paper log, web based accessed by laptop or mobile device)

Page 3

• As the logbook programs are being developed, the GOMARS should be expanded to
cover other reef fish species as the logbooks will provide the ability to collect critical data
for all species such as disposition of discards, total number of discards, time spent fishing
for each species, fishing in state or federal waters, depth of water fished, number of hooks
per line, and other data that becomes necessary for stock assessments.
• A pilot program should be immediately designed to study using aggregate bag limits that
will eliminate discards. The program should investigate the possibility of increasing
stock biomass by reducing discards and discard mortality. This type of management will
also help to reverse the current trained behavior of marine mammals which now target
anglers for food. The program should include information to study the current behavior
of marine mammals and the impact it has on the animals and humans.
• We see no need to require VMSs on FH vessels or for PR anglers or PRVs as a VMS will
not report when a vessel is fishing, how many anglers are fishing, how many fish are
caught. This proposal provides mechanisms that accomplish everything necessary to
determine the number of anglers wishing to fish, the date fished, the number actually
fishing and for how long, the species and numbers caught, the species and numbers
discarded and if fishing in state or federal waters, and more. Until a VMS is
demonstrated to provide scientifically sound information necessary for enhanced stock
assessments, it should not be required.
• The NMFS should coordinate with DHS and USCG regarding any electronic tracking
systems.
• Enforcement should be enhanced as vessels harvesting red snapper must have a
GOMARS endorsement/permit on board.
• Last, but most definitely not the least important is outreach and education to publicize the
need for all recreational anglers to participate in providing good fishing data.
CONCLUSION
While this proposal does not provide 100% of the recreational data needs, it is a very positive first
step that will provide much needed data from all recreational anglers. Implementing this plan as
proposed will provide the data necessary to identify the effort, the number of fish harvested, and
number of fish discarded almost immediately. It also provides for full accountability for all
recreational anglers. Technology advances almost daily and any program adopted must be able to
be flexible enough to adapt with ever increasing data needs and technology. With the current and
past requirements of fishery law, we are dependent on accurate and timely data. This proposal
begins that process and we suggest that if all components of this plan are adopted that the
information necessary to properly comply with the law will ensure that the anglers and
communities suffer less harm and confusion. We suggest that the simplest components of this
plan be adopted first while effort continues on the implementation of the more time consuming
proposals.

[CHARLIE]

Accountability ??? I preached that word for years especially regarding NMFS and no one heard. There is no accountability regarding NMFS none. I repeat myself. You wouldnt let them handle your money because you would be broke in a few days..

Charlie

[texasrangerw]

Everyone is accountable for their own actions and that’s a jarring fact.

Do you understand how reckless some of your leadership has managed the resource for over twenty years? Talk about accountability.

If you have a badly managed business do you set around complaining about it all day?

Create solutions not problems

[MikeWilson]

Ranger
so no comment on the GOMARS plan ? Or are you still ciphering on it?
Mike

[oldtrackster]

Originally Posted by texasrangerw

Everyone is accountable for their own actions and that’s a jarring fact.

Do you understand how reckless some of your leadership has managed the resource for over twenty years? Talk about accountability.

If you have a badly managed business do you set around complaining about it all day?

Create solutions not problems

Wow! Defending NMFS as accountable? Really? Charlie I had a mentor one time who stated "Dont argue with ignorance it will drag you to its level and beat you with experience." "Everyone is accountable..." "...jarring fact!" Holy Smokes! we are in trouble.

[Aces Full]

I'd like to see Mr. Jennings respond to Tom's post and texasrangerw respond to Mike Wilson's post...

[texasrangerw]

The SOS plan separates the sectors.
CFH fishing businesses are dependent on the fishery. They depend on the fishery for their livelihood.

Private recreational fishermen are independent fishermen.
Private recreation fishermen don’t depend on the fishery for their livelihood.

GOMARS plan has no sector separation

[MikeWilson]

Ranger
Ok thanks. I get it now.
Mike

[texasrangerw]

Mike

Would you support VMS and electronic log books on every fishing vessel in the Gulf?

[MikeWilson]

Nope.