Amendment No. 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic

A M E N D M E N T N U M B E R 3 A N D E N V I R O N M E N T A L ASSESSMENT A N D S U P P L E M E N T A L R E G U L A T O R Y I M P A C T REVIEW A N D I N I T I A L R E G U L A T O R Y F L E X I B I L I T Y A N A L Y S I S T O T H E F I S H E R Y M A N A G E M E N T P L A N F O R T H E STONE C R A B F I S H E R Y O F T H E G U L F O F M E X I C O AP RIL , 1986 G U L F O F M E X I C O F I S H E R Y M A N A G E M E N T C O U N C I L L I N C O L N C E N T E R , SUITE 881 5401 WEST K E N N E D Y B O U L E V A R D T A M P A , F L O R I D A 33609 (81 3 ) 228-281 5 E N V I R O N M E N T A L ASSESSMENT (EA) AND SUPPLEMENTAL R E G U L A T O R Y I M P A C T REVlE W (SRIR) A N D I N I T I A L R E G U L A T O R Y F L E X I B I L I T Y ANALYSIS ( IRFA) AND A M E N D M E N T NUMBER 3 FOR THE FISHERY M A N A G E M E N T P L A N FOR THE STONE C R A B FISHERY OF THE G U L F OF MEXICO. a. I n t roduc t i on The f i shery management p lan for the stone crab f i shery o f the G u l f o f Mex ico (FMP) was prepared by the G u l f o f Mex ico Fishery Management Counc i l (Counci l ) t o provide f o r management and regu la t ion o f th is f i shery in the f i shery conservat ion zone (FCZ). When implemented, th is FMP resolved an armed c o n f l i c t be tween stone crab and t r a w l f i shermen opera t ing o f f the southwest coast o f Flor ida. The FMP was publ ished i n the Federa l Register on A p r i l 3, 1979, and was imp lemented by regu la t ion on September 14, 1979 (44 FR 53520). An Env i ronmenta l I m p a c t S ta temen t (EIS) was prepared on the FMP and was f i l e d w i t h the Env i ronmenta l P ro tec t i on Agency (EP A). Amendment Number 1 was imp lemen ted November 8, 1982 (47 FR 41757). Amendmen t Number 2 was imp lemented August 31, 1984 (49 FR 30715). b. Desc r ip t i on o f F ishery and U t i l i z a t i o n Pat te rns The FMP, as amended, provides f o r management and regu la t ion o f the stone crab f ishery o f f the west coast of F l o r i d a i n t he FCZ. The f i shery is j o i n t l y managed by the Counc i l and the Sta te o f F lo r i da (State). I n t e rms o f landings the f ishery is la rge ly a commerc ia l f ishery w i t h l i m i t e d recreat iona l pa r t i c i pa t i on wh ich is confined t o the nearshore waters w i th in the State's jur isdict ion. The commerc ia l f i shery extends f r o m the F lo r i da Keys nor th t o Wakul la County i n the F lo r i da B i g Bend A rea (Figure 1). Recent e lectrophoresis studies ind ica te a genet ica l l y separate race o f stone crabs exist west o f th is area th rough the nor thern G u l f of Mex ico (Gulf). A hyb r id zone exists be tween Wakul la County and Cedar Key, F lo r i da (Levy County). The p r i nc ipa l counties o f landing inc lude Monroe and Co l l i e r near the Keys and more recent ly , t o a lessor extent, P asco and Ci t rus, no r th o f Tampa Bay. I n these areas o f h igher pa r t i c i pa t i on and landings, the f i she ry has been subject t o ra the r severe gear conf l i c ts w i t h shr imp f i shermen over f ish ing areas. These con f l i c t s have been largely resolved by the FMP (44 F R 53520) and through Amendment Number 2 t o the FMP (49 F R 30715). The f i shery is charac ter ized b y rap id ly increas ing pa r t i c i pa t i on levels (Table 1). By the 1984-1985 season, the number o f boats and vessels had increased b y 179 percent, and f i shermen by 206 percent, and t raps by 160 percent over t h a t f o r the 1977-1978 season. The industry, as represented by the Advisory Panel (AP), expressed the need f o r l i m i t a t i o n s on pa r t i c i pa t i on levels and requested the Counc i l develop a l t e rna t i ve l i m i t e d en t r y systems f o r t he i r rev iew by 1987. The f i s h e r y h i s t o r i c a l l y was c h a r a c t e r i z e d as an expand ing f i she r y w i t h y i e l d ( landings) i n c reas i ng i n a d i r e c t l i n e a r fash ion w i t h e f f o r t ( numbe r o f t raps ) (Tab le 2 and F i g u r e 2). Th is t r e n d con t i nued t h r o u g h t h e 1982-1983 season w i t h land ings r e a c h i n g 2.7 m i l l i o n pounds o f claws. Subsequent t o t h a t t i m e landings have dec l i ned t o 1.5 m i l l i o n pounds and 1.7 m i l l i o n pounds i n t h e 1983-1984 and t h e 1984 1985 seasons, r e s p e c t i v e l y (Tab le 2 and F i g u r e 2). C a t c h p e r u n i t e f f o r t (CPUE) dec l i ned s i g n i f i c a n t l y over t h i s p e r i o d (F i gu re 3). The f i s h e r m e n (AP m inu tes ) a t t r i b u t e d t h e r e d u c t i o n i n land ings t o e n v i r o n m e n t a l condi t ions, l a r g e l y l o w e r w a t e r t empe ra tu res , and t o inc reased p r e d a t i o n on t r apped crabs b y octopus. T h e S c i e n t i f i c and S t a t i s t i c a l C o m m i t t e e (SSC) conc luded t h a t ca t ches m a y be app roach ing o r h a v e passed MSY and r e c o m m e n d e d t h e f i she r y be m o n i t o r e d m o r e closely. The C o u n c i l concu r red and r eques ted t h e N a t i o n a l M a r i n e F isher ies Se rv i ce (NMFS) and t he S t a t e i n t e n s i f y m o n i t o r i n g p r o g r a m s f o r t h e f ishery . c. S t a t e m e n t o f t h e P r o b l e m T h e F l o r i d a M a r i n e F i she r i es Commiss i on ( F M F C ) and t he C o u n c i l conduc ted m o n i t o r i n g eva lua t ions o f s t a t e and f e d e r a l managemen t o f t h e f i she r y d u r i n g 1985. As a r e s u l t o f t h i s a c t i v i t y t h e F M F C i m p l e m e n t e d changes t o i t s r u l es r e g u l a t i n g t h e f i she r y ( C h a p t e r 46-1 3) w h i c h become e f f e c t i v e on A p r i l 10, 1985. The C o u n c i l is p ropos ing c o m p a t i b l e changes t o i t s F M P ru les t h rough th is a m endm ent. T h e changes p roposed i n t h i s a m e n d m e n t are cons is ten t w i t h t h e ob j ec t i ves o f t h e FMP, w h i c h a re as fo l l ows : 1. P rov i de f o r o r d e r l y conduc t o f t h e s tone f i she r y i n t h e managemen t a rea t o r educe c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n s tone c rab f i she rmen and o t h e r f i s h e r m e n o f t h e area. 2. Es tab l i sh an e f f e c t i v e f i she r y s t a t i s t i c a l r e p o r t i n g sys tem f o r m o n i t o r i n g t h e s tone c rab f ishery . 3. A t t a i n f u l l u t i l i z a t i o n o f t h e s tone c rab r esou rce i n t h e managemen t area. 4. P r o m o t e u n i f o r m i t y o f r e g u l a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e m a n a g e m e n t area. The p roposed ac t i ons of t h i s a m e n d m e n t a re a n t i c i p a t e d t o enhance t h e a t t a i n m e n t o f O b j e c t i v e s 2, 3, and 4. P rev i ous a m e n d m e n t s t o t h e F M P addressed p r i m a r i l y O b j e c t i v e 1 and t h e C o u n c i l has conc l uded t h a t th i s o b j e c t i v e is b e i n g a t t a i n e d t h rough c u r r e n t F M P rule. I n add i t i on t o c o n c u r r i n g w i t h t h e F M F C on t h e need f o r c e r t a i n r u l e changes p r o t e c t i n g f e m a l e crabs w i t h eggs, i n c reas i ng su r v i va l o f crabs he l d on boa rd vessels, and a l l o w i n g a hardship ex tens ion f o r r e m o v a l o f traps, t h e C o u n c i l proposes t o m o d i f y t h e FMPts s t a t i s t i c a l d a t a r e p o r t i n g r e q u i r e m e n t and has r eques ted t e c h n i c a l deve lopmen t o f l i m i t e d e n t r y sys tems and eva lua t ions o f rev is ions t o t h e c losed season wh i ch w i l l r equ i r e longer t e r m ac t i ons t h a n a re poss ib le t h r o u g h t h i s amendment . As p o i n t e d o u t i n t h e sec t i on desc r i b i ng t h e f i s h e r y and u t i l i z a t i o n pa t te rns , t o t a l landings have dec l i ned and C P U E has dec l i ned s i g n i f i c a n t l y ove r t h e l a s t t w o seasons. Measures adop ted b y t h e S t a t e p r o v i d i n g f o r i n c reased su r v i va l o f c rabs he l d on boa rd vessels and p r o v i d i n g f o r i m m e d i a t e re lease o f egg-bearing f e m a l e s a re a n t i c i p a t e d t o i m p r o v e s t and ing s t ock and ha r ves t p o t e n t i a l f r o m t h e resource. Th i s a m e n d m e n t is necessary t o b r i n g t h e F M P r u l e s i n c o n f o r m a n c e w i t h those o f t h e S t a t e w h i c h have a l r eady been p r o m u l g a t e d b y t h e F M F C and i s necessary t o e l i m i n a t e t h e d u p l i c a t i v e r e p o r t i n g bu rden on t he f i s h e r m e n and t o i m p r o v e t h e e f f ec t i veness o f t h e r e p o r t i n g system. Proposed A c t i o n The a c t i o n p roposed t h r o u g h t h i s a m e n d m e n t t o t h e F M P consis ts o f t h e f o l l o w i n g new measures o r rev is ions o f ex i s t i ng measures, t h e f i r s t t h r e e o f w h i c h have been adop ted b y t h e S ta te : o Rev i s i on o f t h e F M P measure [l (c)] r e g u l a t i n g t h e h o l d i n g o f c rabs aboard vessels p r i o r t o d e c l a w i n g b y r e q u i r i n g t h e crabs be k e p t d a m p and h e l d i n a manne r t o a v o i d compress ion m o r t a l i t y . Such r ev i s i on w i l l i nc rease s u r v i v a l o f dec l awed crabs. o Inc lude a new F M P measure [l ( f ) ] p r o h i b i t i n g d e c l a w i n g or possession o f f e m a l e c rabs w i t h eggs at tached. Such measure w i l l i n c rease t h e n u m b e r o f young produced. o M o d i f y F M P measure (2) t o p rov i de f o r ex tens ion o f t h e g race p e r i o d f o r r e m o v a l o f t r aps a f t e r t h e season upon i nd i v i dua l request, f o r hardship. Th i s wou ld a l l e v i a t e much noncomp l i ance assoc ia ted w i t h t r a p r e m o v a l due t o hardship. o Rev ise F M P measure (4) p e r t a i n i n g t o vessel r e g i s t r a t i o n t o r equ i r e u t i l i z a t i o n o f a u n i f o r m vessel i d e n t i f i c a t i o n sys tem a t such t i m e as it is adop ted b y t h e S t a t e o f F lo r ida . . o D e l e t e F M P measure ' (5) (as amended) s e t t i n g f o r t h F e d e r a l m a n d a t o r y r e p o r t i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s and u t i l i z i n g i n l i e u t h e r e o f t h e d a t a r e p o r t e d under t h e F l o r i d a t r i p t i c k e t system. Th is w i l l e l i m i n a t e t h e bu rden o f a d u p l i c a t i v e r e p o r t i n g s y t e m f r o m t h e indust ry . M E A S U R E 1 (c) Th i s measure is r ev i sed t o r e a d as fo l lows : "c. L i v e s tone c rabs m a y be he l d on boa rd a vessel w h i l e it is a t sea u n t i l such t i m e as t h e c l aws a re removed , p r o v i d e d t h e c rabs a re h e l d i n shaded con ta i ne r s and w e t w i t h sea w a t e r e v e r y 30 minutes, or m o r e o f t e n if necessary, t o k e e p t h e c rabs i n a d a m p condi t ion. C o n t a i n e r s sha l l n o t be s t a c k e d i n a manne r w h i c h compresses t h e crabs." I It should be r e c o g n i z e d i n r e v i e w i n g cos ts and b e n e f i t s o f these measures t h a t m u c h o f t h e i m p a c t has a l r eady o c c u r r e d as a r e s u l t o f t h e S t a t e act ion. L a b o r a t o r y and f i e l d tes ts conduc ted b y personne l o f t h e F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l Resources ( F D N R ) i n d i c a t e a v e r y h i gh m o r t a l i t y (100 p e r c e n t ) f o r crabs h e l d mo re t han s i x hours w i t h o u t b e i n g k e p t wet , b u t a p p r o x i m a t e l y equal m o r t a l i t y f o r crabs r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a t e r i m m e d i a t e l y (23 p e r c e n t ) he l d six hours i n ae ra ted tanks (15 p e r c e n t ) o r w e t d o w n e v e r y h o u r (25 percent ) . T h e r ev i sed measure r equ i r es t h a t t h e crabs be k e p t damp w h i c h is en fo r ceab le ( a t sea). The r e q u i r e d w e t t i n g i n t e r v a l is mo re f r e q u e n t t h a n i s r e q u i r e d f o r 75 p e r c e n t survival . The shading r e q u i r e m e n t enhances m a i n t a i n i n g a damp cond i t i on and is l i kew i se enforceable. The r e q u i r e m e n t p r o h i b i t i n g compress ing crabs p r o m o t e s su r v i va l s ince g i l l f unc t i ons are r e t a r d e d b y compression. E n f o r c e a b i l i t y is enhanced because t h e f i s h e r m e n have an ves ted i n t e r e s t i n keep ing t h e crabs al ive. F i rs t , i f crabs die, t h e c l aws m u s t be r e f r i g e r a t e d a t sea w h i c h des t r oys t h e q u a l i t y o f t he p r o d u c t ( m e a t s t i c ks t o shel l i f r e f r i g e r a t e d b e f o r e boi l ing). Secondly, h igher su r v i va l o f dec l awed crabs w i l l r e s u l t i n g r e a t e r o v e r a l l ha r ves t p r o d u c t i v i t y f r o m t h e resource. F D N R stud ies have shown t h a t under c u r r e n t hand l i ng p r a c t i c e s i n t he f i she r y a p p r o x i m a t e l y t w e l v e t o f i f t e e n p e r c e n t o f d e c l a w e d crabs su r v i ve and r egene ra te c l aws w h i c h m a y be h a r v e s t e d t h e f o l l o w i n g season. Assum ing t h a t none o f t h e crabs are c u r r e n t l y k e p t damp and t h e su r v i va l r a t e is c u r r e n t l y 25 percen t , t he measure has t h e p o t e n t i a l t o inc rease such s u r v i v a l t o a m a x i m u m o f 36 t o 45 percen t . However , some f i s h e r m e n are a l r eady k e e p i n g t h e i r c rabs w e t (AP minutes) ; t he re fo re , t h e p o t e n t i a l ga i n w i l l b e less t h a n t h e m a x i m u m levels, b u t i t w i l l r e s u l t i n p o s i t i v e ga in i n p r o d u c t i v i t y , poss ib ly by an a d d i t i o n a l 12 t o 15 p e r c e n t i n annual ha r ves t p r o d u c t i o n Th i s co r responds t o an inc rease i n t h e annual exvessel va lue of t h e f i shery of $893,000 t o $1,116,000, based on t h e average seasonal c a t c h f o r 1981-82 t h r o u g h 1984-85 and ave rage we igh ted p r i c e a%justed t o j une 1984 do l la rs (see Tab le 2). The measure r esu l t s i n a neg l i g i b l e cos t t o s m a l l business e n t i t i e s ( f ishermen) . S ince shading i s c u r r e n t l y requi red, t h e on ly a d d i t i o n a l cos t is the e f f o r t b y t h e e x i s t i n g c r e w t o p e r i o d i c a l l y w e t t h e c rabs d o w n w i t h bucke t s o f sea wate r . A l t e r n a t i v e s t o t h e Proposed Measure Wh i ch Were R e j e c t e d A. Requ i r e i m m e d i a t e d e c l a w i n g and r e t u r n crabs t o water . Ana lys is Th i s a l t e r n a t i v e was o r i g i n a l l y cons idered b y b o t h t h e C o u n c i l and S t a t e and r e j e c t e d p r i m a r i l y because i t w o u l d r e s u l t i n a d ras t i c econom ic i m p a c t on t h e indust ry . If t h e c l aws we re r e m o v e d as t h e c rabs w e r e ha r ves ted on l onge r t r ips , t h e y wou ld have t o be r e f r i g e r a t e d t o a v o i d spoilage. R e f r i g e r a t i o n s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduces t h e va lue and q u a l i t y o f t h e p r o d u c t s ince t h e m e a t s t i c ks t o t h e she l l i f r e f r i g e r a t e d b e f o r e bo i l ing. B o i l i n g c laws a t sea w o u l d r equ i r e purchase o f add i t i ona l equ ipmen t f o r t h i s purpose, use of an add i t i ona l c r e w member , and a s i g n i f i c a n t inc rease i n s a f e t y h a z a r d (and p r o b a b l y insurance ra tes ) due t o t h e open f l ames and b o i l i n g w a t e r m a i n t a i n e d on board. Th is wou ld r e s u l t i n h i ghe r ope ra t i on costs and s i g n i f i c a n t loss o f o p e r a t i n g e f f i c i e n c y f o r each s m a l l business e n t i t y (vessel). The p e r c e n t a g e m o r t a l i t y assoc ia ted w i t h i m m e d i a t e re lease (23 pe r cen t ) is n o t a p p r e c i a t i v e l y d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h a t r e s u l t i n g f r o m keep ing t h e crabs damp (25 p e r c e n t ) Thus t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e wou ld n o t y i e l d i n c reased p r o d u c t i o n ove r t h e p r e f e r r e d measure b u t w o u l d l ead t o e i t h e r a s i g n i f i c a n t r e d u c t i o n i n exvessel va lue due t o p r i c e e f f e c t s o f q u a l i t y de te r i o ra t i on , or s i g n i f i c a n t increases i n p r o d u c t i o n costs i n o rde r t o m a i n t a i n p r o d u c t qual i ty . B. Requ i r e a e r a t e d l i v e we l l s f o r ho l d i ng crabs. Ana lys is Th is a l t e r n a t i v e wou ld r e q u i r e s i g n i f i c a n t add i t i ona l expense t o t h e i n d u s t r y f o r tanks, pumps and a e r a t i o n equ ipment , and annual f u e l costs assoc ia ted w i t h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o f t h e w e i g h t o f t h e water . The p o t e n t i a l ga in i n s u r v i v a l o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y t e n p e r c e n t w o u l d t r ans l a t e i n t o a p o t e n t i a l m a x i m u m inc reased p r o d u c t i v i t y o f on l y 1.2 t o 1.5 p e r c e n t over t h e p r e f e r r e d a l t e rna t i ve . Th is wou ld represen t a ga i n o f 25,500 t o 31,900 pounds, based on t h e ave rage o f t h e 1981-82 t h rough 1984-85 seasons, w i t h an exvessel va lue o f $89,000 t o $112,000, i n 1984 dol lars. F o r t h e 466 c r a f t f i sh i ng i n t h e 1984-85 season, t h i s w o u l d have a m o u n t e d t o an inc rease i n gross exvessel r evenue o f $190 t o $240 each. Th is wou ld n o t be s i g n i f i c a n t enough t o compensa te each s m a l l business e n t i t y (vessel) f o r t h e costs incurred. M E A S U R E 1 ( f ) A new subsec t ion ( f ) is added t o r e a d as fo l lows : Iff. It is u n l a w f u l t o r e m o v e c l a w s f r o m egg-bearing f e m a l e s tone c rabs o r t o have any egg-bearing f e m a l e s tone crabs on boa rd a vessel o r t o r e m o v e eggs f r o m any s tone crab." The F M P was o r i g i n a l l y s i l e n t on t h i s issue t h e r e b y a l l o w i n g t h e h a r v e s t o f c l aws f r o m egg-bearing f e m a l e c rabs i n t h e FCZ. When t he p l a n was deve loped and i m p l e m e n t e d t h e f i s h e r y was c h a r a c t e r i z e d as an expand ing f i s h e r y w h i c h had n o t r e a t h e d t h e MSY level. U n d e r these c i r cums tances no p r o h i b i t i o n on ha r ves t i ng egg-bearing f e m a l e s appeared jus t i f i ed , s ince t h e r e appeared t o be adequa te escapement o f egg-bearing females, as a r e s u l t o f t h e c losed season and t h e s ize l i m i t wh i ch a l l owed t h e c rabs t o spawn one season b e f o r e e n t e r i n g t h e f ishery . N o w t h a t landings have dec l i ned d u r i n g t h e pas t t w o seasons i t appears a p r u d e n t conse rva t i on measure t o r e q u i r e t h a t egg-bearing f ema les be r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a t e r i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h c l aws unha rves ted t o inc rease t h e s u r v i v a l o f eggs and re lease of larvae. F D N R stud ies h a v e i n d i c a t e d a s i g n i f i c a n t r e d u c t i o n i n t h e v i a b i l i t y o f eggs exposed t o air. Whereas t h e c rabs he l d on b o a r d a re capable o f su r v i va l t h rough occas iona l we t t i ng , t h e eggs are not. The measure wou ld inc rease egg surv iva l , n o t on ly t h r o u g h i m m e d i a t e r e t u r n o f t h e f e m a l e s t o t h e wate r , b u t t h rough r e t e n t i o n o f t h e c l aws w h i c h a l l ows t h e f ema les t o mo re e f f e c t i v e l y ga the r f o o d wh i l e c a r r y i n g t h e eggs* The p r o h i b i t i o n o n possession makes t h e measure en fo rceab le , s ince under o p e r a t i o n p r a c t i c e s i n t h e f i she r y t h e crabs mus t be he l d on boa rd b e f o r e d e c l a w i n g t o p r e v e n t spoilage. Even i f some c l aws a re i l l e g a l l y ha r ves ted t h e c rabs w i l l be r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a t e r i m m e d i a t e l y assur ing g r e a t e r s u r v i v a l o f eggs. T h e b e n e f i t o f t h e p roposed measure can n o t be q u a n t i t a t i v e l y expressed, b u t m a y be s i g n i f i c a n t i f r educed l a r v a e abundance is responsib le f o r r e c e n t dec l ines i n landings. Some f i s h e r m e n a re a l r eady r e t u r n i n g egg-bearing f ema les t o t h e w a t e r w i t h c l a w s unha rves ted (1 985 AP minutes). T h e i m m e d i a t e i n d i v i d u a l i m p a c t t h r o u g h comp l i ance w i t h t h e measure is e x p e c t e d t o be smal l . Egg-bear ing f e m a l e s are p resen t i n t h e f i she r y p r e d o m i n a n t l y d u r i n g t h e l as t m o n t h o f t h e season ( M a y ) when abou t 50 p e r c e n t o f t h e f e m a l e s t a k e n i n one F D N R s tudy w e r e f ound t o be ovigerous. Because o f t he eve r i n c reas i ng p a r t i c i p a t i o n l eve l s (Tab le I ) , t h e e f f e c t i v e ha r ves t season i s b e i n g compressed and c a t c h and C P U E (F i gu re 4) dec l i ne d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e season. Ca t ches d u r i n g M a y o f 1980-1983 ave raged on l y 2.2 p e r c e n t o f annua l c a t c h (Tab le 4 o f R e g u l a t o r y I m p a c t R e v i e w f o r A m e n d m e n t 2 t o t h e FMP). I f f e m a l e s m a k e up 50 p e r c e n t o f t h e popu la t ion , t h e n egg-bearing f ema les wou ld be 25 p e r c e n t o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n i n M a y and t h e m a x i m u m loss i n M a y f r o m th is measure w o u l d be 0.55 p e r c e n t o f t h e annual ca tch , i g n o r i n g t h e p resen t p r a c t i c e o f some f i s h e r m e n t o r e t u r n egg-bearing f e m a l e s t o t h e w a t e r w i t h c l aws unharvested. Th i s suggest t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l impac t , i n May, wou ld be a r e d u c t i o n i n exvessel va l ue o f abou t $90 pe r f i s h i n g c ra f t . Howeve r , t h i s shor t - te rm loss w o u l d be p a r t i a l l y o f f s e t b y t h e l a t e r ( f o l l o w i n g season) r e c a p t u r e o f t h e s u r v i v i n g f e m a l e s and h a r v e s t o f l a rge r claws. A l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e Proposed Measures Wh ich Were R e j e c t e d A. N o a c t i o n - a l l ow h a r v e s t i n g o f c l a w s f r o m egg-bearing females. Ana lys is Cons ide r i ng t h e r e c e n t dec l i ne i n landings f o r t h e l as t t w o seasons, it appears p r u d e n t t o i m p l e m e n t measures t o assure i nc reased l a r v a e p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e f ishery . The p roposed a l t e r n a t i v e has a l r eady been i m p l e m e n t e d b y t h e S t a t e and is suppor ted b y t h e indust ry . T h e i m p a c t o f t h e p r e f e r r e d measure is e x p e c t e d t o be m i n i m a l and is less t h a n t h a t f o r A l t e r n a t i v e (B), w h i c h was also re jec ted . The loss o f p r o d u c t i o n b y r e j e c t i n g t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e is e x p e c t e d t o be smal l , s ince ava i l ab l e d a t a on p e r c e n t a g e o f egg-bearing f ema les i n t h e c a t c h a b l e p o p u l a t i o n i n d i c a t e a v i r t u a l l y n i l o ccu rence d u r i n g t h e co lder months ( N o v e m b e r t h rough F e b r a u r y ) w i t h t h e peak spawn ing p e r i o d o c c u r r i n g M a y t h r o u g h Sep tember . A s n o t e d above, a m a x i m u m e s t i m a t e o f t h e i m m e d i a t e p r o d u c t i o n loss assoc ia ted w i t h t h e p roposed measure (i.e. r e j e c t i n g th i s a l t e r n a t i v e ) is 0.55 p e r c e n t o f t h e annua l catch. Th i s is p robab l y an ove r -es t ima te s ince t h e pe r cen tage o f f i s h e r m e n a l r eady r e t u r n i n g egg b e a r i n g f e m a l e s t o t h e w a t e r w i t h c l aws unha rves ted is unknown, and t h i s e s t i m a t e ignores t h e i m p a c t o f t h e l a t e r r e c a p t u r e o f t h e f e m a l e s a f t e r spawn ing and t h e ha r ves t o f l a r g e r c l a w s a t t h a t t ime . 5. A m e n d t h e d u r a t i o n o f t h e reason t o p r o h i b i t f i s h i n g when s i g n i f i c a n t numbe rs o f egg-bearing f e m a l e s a re present . The Counc i l considered this a l t e rna t i ve and re jec ted it because su f f i c i en t data were not cu r ren t l y avai lable t o speci fy the most e f f e c t i v e change i n season t o p roh ib i t the harvest o f egg-bearing crabs and data were not avai lable t o evaluate the i m p a c t o f such action. The Counc i l did, however, request t h a t F D N R and the 1. i c i e n t i f i c commun i t y f u r t h e r evaluate th is option. If f u t u r e stock assessments and mon i to r i ng ind ica te a cont inuat ion in depressed landings unre la ted t o c y c l i c f luc tua t ions as a resu l t o f env i ronmenta l factors, th is a l t e rna t i ve may be imp lemen ted coopera t ive ly by the Counc i l and State. The i m m e d i a t e i m p a c t o f th is op t ion would be greater than t h a t f o r the proposed measure (i.e., average reduc t i on i n ca tch f rom t w o t o nine percent, depending on t i m i n g and -du ra t i on o f the reduct ion by ear l ier closure o f the season). However, th is i m p a c t may be modera ted by opening the sea'son earlier, if da ta support this. MEASURE 2 This measure i s mod i f ied by adding. the fo l lowing: "F ishermen may request a ten day extension t o the five-day grace per iod f o r remova l o f t raps f r o m the F C Z a f t e r the close o f the season fo r reasons o f hardship (i.e., hazardous weather, med ica l emergencies, or equipment breakdown). Such request shal l be made t o and granted by the o f f i c e o f Regional D i r e c t o r o f NMFS or his designee." The F M F C imp lemen ted a s im i l a r ru le apply ing to Sta te ju r isd ic t ion a t t he request o f the industry. The Counc i l adopted the measure a t the request o f the AP. The hardship a l lowance should address the congressional concern t h a t a FMP take i n t o considerat ion hazardous weather i n i t s measures. It should resu l t i n less t raps being abandoned fo l l ow ing the season. The impacts should be bene f i c i a l t o indus t ry and resource. A l t e rna t i ves t o the Proposed Measure Which Were Re jec ted A. No ac t i on - don't a l low the hardship extension. Analysis I n more recen t years i n the f i shery the most p roduc t i ve per iod f o r harvest has become more compressed. This f a c t o r i n conjunct ion w i t h the no rma l ( typ ica l ) crab d is t r ibu t ion and weather condi t ions i n May has resu l ted i n many f i shermen ceasing t o f ish be fore the end o f the season (May 15th). The proposed measure wou ld no t bene f i t most f i shermen under these condit ions. However, i n an a typ i ca l year c rab abundance remains high i n t o May and major f i sh ing e f f o r t continues t o the season ends. Under these condit ions the f ive-day grace per iod f o r remova l o f traps, as prov ided i n the FMP, may no t be adequate f o r remova l o f traps, especial ly i f any o f the hardship condit ions occur. The f i shermen then un in ten t iona l ly become i n v io la t ion o f the FMP provis ion requ i r ing remova l o f traps. M E A S U R E 4 Th is measure is m o d i f i e d b y add ing t h e f o l l ow ing : l lCommerc ia l vessels o p e r a t i n g i n t h e f i she r y sha l l d i sp lay t h e i r vessel d o c u m e n t a t i o n n u m b e r o r s t a t e vessel r e g i s t r a t i o n numbe r i n a manner t o be se t f o r t h b y r e g u l a t i o n when a c o m p a t i b l e sys tem is adop ted b y t h e S t a t e o f Flor ida." T h e F M P measure c u r r e n t l y p rov i des f o r enumera t i on o f t h e vessels f i s h i n g i n t h e f i she r y w h i c h is c u r r e n t l y accomp l i shed t h rough a r e g u l a t i o n p rov i s i on (44 F R 53520) r e q u i r i n g use of and d isp lay o f t h e s t a t e p e r m i t n u m b e r (o r such n u m b e r issued b y t h e Reg iona l D i r e c t o r o f NMFS). The s t a t e sys tem o f vessel i d e n t i f i c a t i o n f o r t h e s tone c rab f i s h e r y r equ i r es d isp lay o f t h e s t a t e s tone c r a b p e r m i t number . I n o t h e r G u l f f i she r i es r e g u l a t e d b y FMPs, vessels w i t h p e r m i t s a re i d e n t i f i e d b y d isp lay of d o c u m e n t a t i o n or r e g i s t r a t i o n number , w h i c h under t h e o the r F M P regu la t i ons a re r e q u i r e d t o be 18- inch n u m e r a l s f o r vessels 65 f e e t o r over and 10- inch numera l s f o r vessels less t han 65 feet . Some o f these vessels (e.g., m a c k e r e l vessels) f i sh i n t h e s tone c rab f ishery. These vessels a re now r e q u i r e d t o d isp lay t w o sets o f p e r m i t numbers (e.g., Fede ra l -macke re l and S ta te s tone crab). The C o u n c i l has r eques ted t h e S t a t e m o d i f y i t s r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r vessel i d e n t i f i c a t i o n d isp lay t o t h a t s t anda rd i zed sys tem r e q u i r e d b y o t h e r FMPs. The p roposed measure w o u l d m a k e t h e s t anda rd i zed sys tem a F M P r u l e a t such t i m e as t h e S t a t e m o d i f i e d i t s rule. The p roposed measure when i m p l e m e n t e d wou ld r e q u i r e vessel owne rs t o p a i n t t h e i r d o c u m e n t a t i o n or r e g i s t r a t i o n numbe rs on p o r t or s t a rboa rd bows and an ove rhead wea the r deck. The costs wou ld i n v o l v e t h e p a i n t r e q u i r e d t o do so and t h e l abo r w h i c h a re c u m u l a t i v e l y e s t i m a t e d n o t t o exceed an i n i t i a l cos t o f $15 p e r vessel, or $6,000 f o r t h e indust ry , exc l us i ve o f vessels c o m p l y i n g under o t he r FMPs. Ma in tenance cos t should n o t exceed c u r r e n t cos t o f m a i n t a i n i n g t h e r equ i r ed s t a t e p e r m i t and r e g i s t r a t i o n numbers. The p roposed measure wou ld e l i m i n a t e m a i n t a i n i n g separa te s t a t e and f e d e r a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n f o r vessels engaged i n m u l t i p l e f isher ies. A l t e r n a t i v e s t o t h e Proposed Measure Wh i ch Were R e j e c t e d A. N o act ion. Ana lys is If t h e C o u n c i l takes no a c t i o n and t h e S t a t e amends i t s s y s t e m t o adop t t h e m o r e s t anda rd i zed vessel i d e n t i f i c a t i o n sys tem r e c o m m e n d e d b y t h e C o u n c i l and b y t h e G u l f S ta tes M a r i n e F i she r i es Commiss ion ls L a w E n f o r c e m e n t C o m m i t t e e , t hen t h e F M P w i l l have t o be amended i n o rde r t o have c o m p a t i b l e s t a t e and f e d e r a l rules. Unde r t h e p roposed measure t h i s occu rs o n l y a f t e r t h e S t a t e adopts such a system. U n d e r t h e no a c t i o n a l t e r n a t i v e no i ndus t r y costs a re i n c u r r e d as a r e s u l t o f f e d e r a l act ion. M E A S U R E 5 Th is measure (as amended) is d e l e t e d i n i t s en t i r e t y . D a t a p r o v i d e d b y f i s h e r m e n t o dealers r e p o r t i n g under t h e S t a t e o f F lo r ida 's p r o d u c t l i cense t r i p t i c k e t sys tem (Chap te r 16-B45) w i l l be u t i l i z e d f o r managemen t i n l i e u o f d a t a c o l l e c t e d under t h e f e d e r a l r e p o r t i n g r equ i r emen t . T h e c u r r e n t measure o f t h e F M P requ i r es m a n d a t o r y r e p o r t i n g b y p a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e f i she r y and spec i f i e s t h a t f i s h e r m e n w i l l s u b m i t d a i l y t r i p t i c k e t s ( logbooks) on c a t c h and o t h e r f i s h e r y s ta t i s t i cs . A m e n d m e n t 1 m o d i f i e d t h e logbook r e q u i r e m e n t t o app ly t o those f i s h e r m e n se l ec ted b y t h e N M F S C e n t e r D i r e c t o r (a samp le of f ishermen) . T h e log-book r e q u i r e m e n t was i m p l e m e n t e d i n 1979 (44 F R 53520). I n 1985, t h e F D N R i m p l e m e n t e d a t r i p t i c k e t sys tem under w h i c h persons se l l i ng t h e i r c a t c h i n F l o r i d a a re r e q u i r e d t o p r o v i d e c a t c h i n f o r m a t i o n t o dea le rs who c o m p l e t e a t r i p t i c k e t f o r each sale w h i c h l i s t s landings, a rea and gear f ished, and o t h e r s t a t i s t i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t c o l l e c t e d under t h e F M P rule. Th is has r esu l t ed i n d u p l i c a t i v e s t a t e and f e d e r a l sys tems c o l l e c t i n g essen t i a l l y t h e same data. The C o u n c i l r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t N M F S and F D N R a t t e m p t t o c o m b i n e t h e t w o sys tems t o r educe t h e r e p o r t i n g burden. Th is was imposs i b l e because t h e m a n d a t o r y S t a t e sys tem does n o t p r o v i d e f o r c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y o f data, whereas a f e d e r a l m a n d a t o r y sys tem m u s t insure c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y o f data. F D N R has i n d i c a t e d t h a t a b i l l p r o v i d i n g f o r c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y o f d a t a c o l l e c t e d b y t h e S t a t e is b e f o r e t h e l eg i s l a t u re and t h a t those d a t a e l emen ts p rev i ous l y c o l l e c t e d on a v o l u n t a r y basis c a n be made m a n d a t o r y b y a d m i n i s t r a t i v e rule. I n r e a c h i n g i t s dec is ion t o u t i l i z e t h e S t a t e sys tem i n l i e u o f t h e F M P logbooks t h e C o u n c i l r e v i e w e d d a t a c o l l e c t e d b y b o t h sys tems t o asce r t a i n w h e t h e r t h e d a t a needed f o r m a n a g e m e n t w o u l d be p r o v i d e d b y t h e S t a t e system. T h e S t a t e sys tem prov ides f o r m a n d a t o r y r e p o r t i n g f o r each t r i p o f date, a rea landed, and poundage. V o l u n t a r y d a t a r e p o r t e d are a rea f ished, depth, t r aps p u l l e d and soak t ime. T h e F M P f i s h e r m a n logbooks p r o v i d e d t h e s a m e data, e x c e p t f o r soak t ime . F M P dea le r logbooks p r o v i d e d m o n t h l y land ings and value. The F D N R p r e p a r e d a d e t a i l e d compa r i son o f d a t a c o l l e c t e d t h r o u g h b o t h sys tems f o r a p o r t i o n o f t h e 1984-1985 season. Th i s p e r i o d ( J anuary-May, 1985) was d u r i n g t h e i n t i a l i m p l e m e n t a t i o n p e r i o d f o r t h e S t a t e sys tem (i.e., b e f o r e f u l l awareness o f and c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h e system). D e s p i t e this, t h e S t a t e sys tem c o l l e c t e d d a t a f r o m an a d d i t i o n a l 21 m ino r dealers, n o t m o n i t o r e d b y t h e f e d e r a l system. Compar isons f o r t he same dea le rs i n d i c a t e d dea le r r e p o r t i n g o f landings was accu ra te f o r b o t h systems. Compa r i sons i n d i c a t e d t h a t t o t a l t r i p s r e p o r t e d we re n o t compatab le . (F i she rman u t i l i z i n g F M P logbooks m a y be r e p o r t i n g m o r e t h a n eve ry o t h e r t r i p as requi red, P. Phares, NMFS, Pers. Comm.) S t a t i s t i c a l analys is suggested t h a t c a t c h p e r t r i p f r o m t h e f i s h e r m a n logbooks was b iased high, poss ib ly as as r e s u l t t h a t p r i n c i p a l l y t h e l a r g e r f i s h i n g ope ra to r s we re c o m p l y i n g w i t h t h e F M P r e q u i r e m e n t ( a p p r o x i m a t e c o m p l i a n c e l e v e l equals 40 percent ) . O v e r a l l t h e analys is i n d i c a t e d t h e S t a t e sys tem c o l l e c t s a c c u r a t e c a t c h ( landings) data, is less b iased i n es t ima tes o f t r i p s and c a t c h pe r t r ip , and c o l l e c t s an equa l (o r g rea te r ) n u m b e r o f r eco rds w i t h v o l u n t a r y i n f o r m a t i o n as t h e logbooks do on a m a n d a t o r y basis. The C o u n c i l and N M F S SEFC conc luded t h e S t a t e d a t a sys tem p rov i ded t h e d a t a necessary f o r management . A l t e r n a t i v e s t o t h e Proposed Measure Wh i ch Were R e j e c t e d A. N o a c t i o n - r e t a i n F M P l o g book r equ i r emen t . Ana lys is I f t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e was re ta ined , persons i n t h e f i s h e r y wou ld be sub jec t t o an unnecessary r e p o r t i n g bu rden t h rough d u p l i c a t i v e S t a t e and F e d e r a l systems, as r e p o r t i n g under b o t h sys tems i s mandato ry . Th is wou ld r e s u l t i n c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e 400 man-hour F e d e r a l r e p o r t i n g burden. E N V I R O N M E N T A L F E D E R A L C O N S E Q U E N C E S The ac t ions p roposed i n t h e a m e n d m e n t h a v e no i m p a c t on t he phys i ca l env i ronment . The p roposed measures wh i ch r e q u i r e t h a t crabs he l d on boa rd be k e p t d a m p and n o t compressed and w h i c h r equ i r e egg-bearing f e m a l e c rabs be r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a t e r i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h c l aws unha rves ted w i l l have b e n e f i c i a l i m p a c t s on t h e f i she r y resource. The f i r s t measure is expec ted t o i n c rease t h e p o t e n t i a l h a r v e s t o f c rabs w h i c h have r egene ra ted c l aws b y a p p r o x i m a t e l y t w e l v e t o f i f t e e n percent , (or poss ib ly g r e a t e r percentages) . The second measure w i l l i nc rease t h e v i a b i l i t y o f eggs f r o m egg-bearing f e m a l e s caugh t i n t r aps r e s u l t i n g i n inc reased l a r v a l p r o d u c t i o n a v a i l a b l e f o r r e c r u i t m e n t t o t h e f ishery . T h e econom ic and soc ia l i m p a c t s are expec ted t o be bene f i c i a l , e spec i a l l y f o r t h a t measure e l i m i n a t i n g an unnecessary r e p o r t i n g bu rden w h i c h r esu l t s f r o m d u p l i c a t i v e S t a t e and F e d e r a l systems. Th is measure wou ld e l i m i n a t e a F e d e r a l r e p o r t i n g bu rden e s t i m a t e d t o be a p p r o x i m a t e l y 400 manhours. A n t i c i p a t e d costs o f t h e p roposed ac t i ons t o s m a l l business e n t i t i e s (vessel owne rs l ope ra to r s ) w i l l be o f f s e t b y e x p e c t e d econom ic gains. Spec i f i c econom ic and soc i a l i m p a c t s a re discussed unde r t h e Ana l ys i s s e c t i o n f o r each o f t h e p roposed ac t i ons and t h e i r a l t e rna t i ves . T h e p roposed ac t ions have no a n t i c i p a t e d i m p a c t on t h r e a t e n e d o r endangered species o r on ma r i ne mammals . A Sec t i on (7) consu l t a t i on ' was he l d f o r t h e F M P w i t h a Itno j eopa rdy op in ion" be i ng rendered. The p roposed ac t ions do n o t a l t e r p rov is ions o f t h e F M P t h a t wou ld a f f e c t these animals. C O N C L U S I O N S o M i t i g a t i n g Measures R e l a t e d t o t h e Proposed A c t i o n None o Unavo idab le Adve rse E f f e c t s None o Re la t ionsh ip B e t w e e n Loca l , Shor t -Term Users o f t h e Resource and Enhancemen t o f Long-Term P r o d u c t i v i t y F i s h e r m e n c u r r e n t l y h a r v e s t i n g c l aws f r o m egg-bearing f e m a l e s wou ld be r e q u i r e d t o cease t h i s p r a c t i c e and r e t u r n these c rabs i m m e d i a t e l y t o t h e w a t e r w h i c h w o u l d i m p r o v e l a r v a l p r o d u c t i o n f o r r e c r u i t m e n t t o t h e f ishery . The long- te rm b e n e f i t is expec ted t o exceed sho r t - t e rm losses. These sho r t t e r m losses shou ld be m o r e t h a n compensa ted f o r b y t h e expec ted ga in o f 12 t o 15 p e r c e n t i n c rabs r e g e n e r a t i n g c l aws f o r harvest , t h rough t h e measure r e q u i r i n g crabs he l d on boa rd be k e p t i n damp condi t ion. o I r r eve r s i b l e o r I r r e t r i e v a b l e C o m m i t m e n t o f Resources None, i n f ac t , t h e i r r e t r i e v a b l e c o m m i t m e n t o f f e d e r a l bu rden hours assoc ia ted w i t h r e p o r t i n g is e l im ina ted . R E C O M M E N D A T I O N H a v i n g r e v i e w e d t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l assessment and t h e ava i l ab l e i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i n g t o t h e p roposed act ions, I have d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e r e w i l l be no s i g n i f i c a n t e n v i r o n m e n t a l i m p a c t r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e p roposed act ions. Approved: T i t l e RESPONSIBLE A G E N C Y G u l f o f M e x i c o F i she ry M a n a g e m e n t C o u n c i l L i n c o l n Cen te r , Su i t e 881 5401 West Kennedy Bou leva rd Tampa, F l o r i d a 33609 (81 3) 228-281 5 D a t e LIST O F AGENCIES A N D PERSONS C O N S U L T E D G u l f o f M e x i c o F i s h e r y M a n a g e m e n t C o u n c i l Stone C r a b A d v i s o r y Pane l Sc i en t i f i c and S t a t i s t i c a l C o m m i t t e e Law E n f o r c e m e n t A d v i s o r y Pane l 'Opera t ions U n i t f o r S tone C r a b F M P ~ l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t u r a l Resources F l o r i d a M a r i n e F i she r i es C o m m i s s i o n N a t i o n a l M a r i n e F i she r i es Se rv i ce Southeast F isher ies C e n t e r F isher ies Managemen t D i v i s i on , Sou theas t Reg iona l O f f i c e P ro tec ted Species Branch, Sou theas t Reg iona l O f f i c e Law E n f o r c e m e n t D iv i s ion , sou theas t Reg iona l O f f i c e F l o r i d a C o a s t a l Zone M anagem e n t P r o g r a m . U n i t e d S ta tes Coas t G u a r d LIST O F P R E P A R E R S G u l f o f M e x i c o F i s h e r y Managemen t C o u n c i l Wayne Swingle, B i o l o g i s t Paul Hooker , E c o n o m i s t Sou theas t F i she r i es Cen te r , N MFS P a t t y hare's, S tock Assessment Sou theas t Reg iona l O f f i c e , N MFS Don Geagan, B i o l og i s t L O C A T I O N A N D D A T E O F P U B L I C H E A R I N G S A l l hear ings we re schedu led f r o m 7:00 p.m. t o 10:OO p.m. as f o l l ows : o F e b r u a r y 18, 1986 D i sab led A m e r i c a n Ve te rans H a l l 7280 Overseas H i g h w a y Mara thon , F l o r i d a o F e b r u a r y 19, 1986 C o u n t y M e e t i n g R o o m 3301 T a m i a m i T r a i l E a s t Naples, F l o r i d a o F e b r u a r y 20, 1986 Sa in t Bened i c t s C h u r c h Annex 455 Sou th Suncoast B o u l e v a r d C r y s t a l R i ve r , F l o r i d a opetrtrmg mat. for tk tla?ado e8mnrcl.l atom a r b (dram t& Glb.trA C I . v r u 05 I A a l w l r a ~ . T a b l o 2. Stone c r a b l and ings , v a l u e and p r i c e s f o r t h e west c o a s t o f F lo r t . da ; b y s tono c r a b season, 1977-78 , t o 1984-85, and averages ove r t h e 1981-82 t o 1984-85 seasons. Season Land i ngs Ex-vesse l Va iuO Ex-vesse l P r l c o (Pounds c l a w s ) ( C u r r e n t d o l l a r s ) ( C u r r e n t d o l l a r s ) 1977-78 2,100,000 3,822,000 1.82 1978-79 1,850,000 N o t a v a i l a b l e N o t a v a i l a b l e Ave raae v a l u e and ex-vessel p r i c e i n June 1984 do1 l a r s based on Bureau o f Labo r S t a t i s t i c s p r o d u c e r p r i c e indexes f o r p r o c e s s e d foods and feeds. Source f o r 1981-82 t h r o u g h 1984-85 I and i ngs and ex-vesse l v a l ues: E. S n e l i , SEFC, December 12, 1985, p e r s o n a l c o m n i c a t i o n w i t h P. Hooker, GWMC. ** FOR FISHING (IORtn OF FORT MYERS +* ZONE 1 - Tattltotirl Sea ( l n s l k 9 nrutlcrl miles) ZONE 2 - rcz t h o m t d of 8 Fathom! (ootslda 9 ~ u t l c r l ml4es 8lrd LESS THAN 8 fathoms) ZONE 3 - FCZ kawatd of 8 Fathoms (outside 9 nautical nlles and MORE THAN 8 fathoms) AREA F 4 AREA E 4 . -.- 260 30' --. - a m AREA O 1 1 + I M E A C 4 D . . ! I a a l . L I a a D 1 m 0 . . ... 0 . . a 01 - \ I - . . .) 15 3.0 ..I *77 em em w o Is 1.5 076 a04 43 073 075 3 1.0 Y 07' e n 074 a70 0 1 A a 1 I roo m )oo 400 500 TMm R)rQrSlrNDS) trmg. )(a). Tronea ra cm+cn rna d i o r t , 1962-1944 ccarcn ;roo CAorrda usdraqa; d f o r t I - UW - u ~ J C l l r v u ~