UPDATE FROM ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Presented by: Claude Buddy Berry Presented at: MREP Meeting May 23-25, 2017 Mariott Frenchmans Reef St.Thomas, USVI
Title 11, Chapter 27, 1404. Fisheries Advisory Committees There shall be two Fisheries Advisory Committees, one for St. Croix and one for St. Thomas- St. John, each to be composed of not more than 14 members appointed by the Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs. Each Committee shall include one representative each from the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs and Law; a marine scientist associated with an educational or scientific institution with facilities in the United States Virgin Islands; and six other members residing within the respective Committee's jurisdiction, representing a commercial fishermen's association, a sport fishing association and a diving association. Each committee shall collaborate with the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs in the drafting and administration of rules and regulations for the promotion and conservation of the fishery resources of the United States Virgin Islands under the provisions of this chapter and chapter 9A of Title 12 of the Code. The appointment of each member of each Committee shall be for the term of one year and until his successor is appointed. The appointing Commissioners shall designate the chairman of each Committee. HISTORY: --Added Nov. 21, 1972, No. 3330, 1, Sess. L. 1972, p. 484; amended May 17, 2006, No. 6836, 6(e)-(g), Sess. L. 2006, p. 70.
Members: (elected October 2016) Claude Berry commercial -CHAIR Colin Butler commercial/recreational - VICE CHAIR Bradly Bryan- recreational - SECRETARY Dean Greaux- commercial Bryson Bryan- commercial Julian Magras- commercial Christopher Berry-commercial Amy Holmquist- diver Rick Gonzales- recreational Lee Steiner- recreational Elton George- Department of Agriculture Elizabeth Kadison- University of the Virgin Islands Omari Lewis- Division of Environmental Enforcement (DPNR) Vacant- Department of Justice Ruth Gomez- Fish & Wildlife (DPNR)
CONCERNS:
Fish Trap Reduction Plan (status) DPNR Commissioner has sent plan to Attorney General for legal review-completed Lt. Governor & Governor signature-awaiting signature Appeals process-to happen as soon as plan is signed Implementation during July 2017 annual fisher registrationmight be a slight delay Request for EEZ compatibility (August/December 2017 CFMC meeting)
Recreational License Program & Bag Limits DFW- Town Hall Meetings planned Size & Bag Limits (Dolphin & Wahoo) So far one meeting has been held in St. Croix. None have been held in St. Thomas as of yet. The Fishery Advisory Committee has held 2 recreational meetings over the last 4 months to discuss dolphin and wahoo *March meetings were postponed
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Results voted on by attendees Wahoo Commercial: 500 lbs per day Recreational: 3 fish per angler, 12 fish per boat Total Length must be 36 inches Dolphin Commercial: 500 lbs per day Recreational: 10 fish per angler, 60 fish per boat Fork Length must be 24 inches Request for the development of a mobile application for ease and efficiency of reporting
Voluntary Reporting
Trap Buoy Marking (modification to USVI Regulations/compatibility in EEZ) (V.I.C.,Title 12, Chapter 9a 312e) (e) Each applicant for a commercial fishing license shall state the color scheme of the buoys desired to be used by him, which, if approved by the Commissioner, shall be set forth in his license. All buoys used by the licensee shall be marked accordingly, and all buoys, traps, pots, nets and seines used by him shall be marked with the licensee's number assigned to him by the Commissioner, which shall be burned or cut into the surface thereof.
TRAP BUOY MARKING CONTINUED A letter was written to the commissioner by the chairman of the FAC. A meeting was held with Commissioner (Dawn Henry), Director of Environmental Enforcement (Howard Forbes), and Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife (Ruth Gomez). At this meeting changes were approved to move forward with modifications to the existing regulations. Director Gomez has written the new language and the modifications have been sent to Commissioner Henry for approval to then move forward to the attorney general for the final vetting.
Biodegradable trap door material V.I.C., Title 12, Chapter 9A 321(c) (c) Fish pots may be constructed of any material; provided, that the entrance, or one side of the fish pot, or the door or the fastening of the door for the removal of fish shall be constructed of some material less durable than that used in the construction of the fish pot itself, such as twine, twine and bamboo or soft wood; the purpose being to permit the escape of fish in fish pots which have been lost accidentally at sea.
BIODEGRABLE TRAP DOOR MATERIAL UPDATES Requests to CFMC to fund the project by using USVI Liaison Funds 8 different types of biodegradable materials will be tested by DFW Results are to be presented at the August 2017 regular meeting
Fishery Liaison positions St. Thomas/ St. John St. Croix Update: Still being discussed
FAC Topics discussed November 2016 to present: Baitfish stocks Todd Gedemeke Port Sampling Program Seasonal closures Status of recreational license program & reporting Stenographer approved by CMFC to be paid through Liaison Funds from 3 candidates have been received Dolphin tagging program Nomination for outreach committee Bryson Bryan St. Croix FAC May Meeting Meeting with Commissioner Henry (DPNR ) Commissioner Robles (Agriculture) on 31 January 2017 Gustave A. Quetel Fish House Fish Trap Reduction Plan fees Status of commercial fishers