Sustainable Fisheries and Seafood in the Gulf of Mexico Damon C. Morris, Ph.D.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 1857: First Conservation Law in Louisiana Passed 1909: Louisiana Board of Commissioners for the Protection of Birds, Game, and Fish 2012-13 Office of Fisheries Expenditures: $52,114,952 70-80 Commercial Fisheries Over 300 Fisheries Managers, Scientists, Administrators Over 200 Enforcement Agents in LDWF Enforcement Division
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification Blue Crab MSC Certified 2012-2017 Other Fisheries Pre-Assessed Shrimp Catfish Crawfish Black Drum Oyster
Responsible Fisheries Management Certification Shrimp Crawfish Blue Crab Black Drum Oyster Red Snapper Catfish
Gulf of Mexico State Fisheries: Small-Scale, Warm-Water Coastal Fisheries Limited data Traditional harvest techniques High fecundity High abundance High Spawning Potential Ratios (SPR) Short life-cycle (12-18 months) Complex estuarine ecosystem Multi-species
FAO Normative Guidelines Gray Areas Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 2 Relevant biological, technological, economic, social, environmental and commercial aspects 7.2.1 Appropriate measures, based on the best scientific evidence available Maximum sustainable yield, as qualified by relevant environmental and economic factors Ecolabelling Guidelines 29.2bis Maximum sustainable yield or a suitable proxy 29.6 Suitable method of risk assessment Appropriate reference points 32 Less elaborate methods for stock assessments Variety of management measures commonly used in small scale or low value fisheries
Special Consideration for Small-Scale Fisheries? 29. The following criteria will apply to management systems for any fisheries, but it must be recognized that special consideration needs to be given to small-scale fisheries with respect to the availability of data and with respect to the fact that management systems can differ substantially for different types and scales of fisheries (e.g. small scale through to large scale commercial fisheries). - UN FAO, Guidelines for the Ecolabelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries, 29.
Audubon Nature Institute Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries (G.U.L.F.)
Fishery Improvement Plans / Marine Advance Plans MSC-based Fishery Improvement Plan FAO-based Marine Advancement Plan
Best Management Practices for Small-Scale Tropical / Sub-Tropical Coastal Fisheries Special consideration for small-scale fisheries Availability of data Different management systems Alternative approaches to stock assessment MSY proxies and reference points Suitable methods of risk assessment Traditional fisher knowledge Relevant biological, technological, economic, social, environmental, and commercial aspects
Fishery Management Plan Review and Update Review and update Louisiana fishery management plans to ensure consistency with local, national, and international best practices Include sustainability-specific issues outlined in UN FAO normative documents Comprehensive living document
US Federal-Louisiana Sustainable Fisheries Legislation Harmonization US fisheries under federal jurisdiction are inherently sustainable (NOAA FishWatch) Recommendation from MAFAC for formal recognition Formal recognition included in initial Senate MSA Reauthorization proposal Louisiana statutes are already broadly in line with federal statutes to conserve and manage Louisiana Revised Statutes amended in 2014 Ensure recognition of US sustainable fisheries is extended to fisheries under State jurisdiction
Create a more educated, productive, and sustainable seafood industry with fishermen who are committed to the it s future success. Coordinated education and outreach efforts into one concrete coherent program At the request of the CTF, the Department drafted legislation for the 2014 session that would require anyone attempting to obtain a commercial crab trap license to first complete some form of training and apprenticeship.
1310 Total Participants 1235 Vessels 44 Processors 21 Dockside Facilities 10 Distributors Seafood Traceability
Trend in Seafood Markets: Total Quality Sustainability Proper Handling / Packaging Q Origination / Traceability Health / Safety / Sanitation Professional Trade Education & Training
Sustainability and Responsible Management Local Origin / Traceability Professionalism / Continuing Education Proper Handling / Packaging Safety / Health / Sanitation
Public-Private Partnerships: Louisiana Seafood Task Forces
Sustainable Seafood Development and Outreach
www.gulffishinfo.org
Questions & Comments? Damon C. Morris, Ph.D. dmorris@wlf.la.gov 504-284-5275