Mr. Colvin led the Council through a discussion of whether and how to roll uncaught black sea bass commercial harvest quota between quota management periods. The Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan allocates the annual commercial harvest quota through 3 periods: Period 1 (January – March, 30% of annual quota); Period 2 (April – September, 50% of annual quota); and Period 3 (October – December, 20% of annual quota). Quota uncaught in Period 1 rolls to Period 2 and the accumulated uncaught quota at the end of Period 2 rolls to Period 3. Uncaught quota at the end of Period 3 disappears. The actual black sea bass commercial catch in Period 1 this year was about 50,000 lbs below the Period 1 quota. If no action is taken, this will roll to Period 2, making that period quota about 155,000 lbs. Recently, black sea bass commercial landings are holding steady at around 8,000 lbs a week with 100 lb trip limit. Through July 5th, 78,000 lbs have been caught in Period 2. If no action is taken and the current catch rate continues, another 96,000 lbs or so of commercial black sea bass should be landed through the end of Period 2, making for a total Period 2 catch of approximately 175,000 lbs, more than would be available even if all of the uncaught 50,000 lbs from Period 1 rolls into and stays in Period 2. Thus, Mr. Colvin stated, some reduction in the current trip limit is necessary for the balance of Period 2. The issues are how significant a decrease in the trip limit and when would this begin?

Mr. Colvin reported that DEC sought some input on the rollover issue from commercial fishermen who represent the various gear types used to harvest black sea bass. Some offshore draggers felt that uncaught quota from Period 1 should be added to Period 3, not to Period 2 quota. Commercial handliners felt that some (50%) or all of the uncaught quota from Period 1 should go to Period 2. DEC has told fishermen that, because of this divided input from the industry, it will ask the Council’s advice before it makes a decision on how to handle the rollover.

Councilor Freierman stated that, prior to 2002, offshore black sea bass commercial fishermen had a 9,000 lb trip limit, which was abruptly reduced in 2002 to 500 lb. She contended that, given the cold, stormy, and dangerous weather this past winter, offshore fishermen were reluctant to make a trip to catch this small an amount of fish and that this was the reason why Period 1 catches of black sea bass were well under the period quota. Ms. Freierman stated that she felt the Council should recommend that all of the uncaught quota from Period 1 be put into Period 3, when offshore fishermen would again have an opportunity and incentive to target these fish, especially if there is a higher trip limit (i.e., 2,000 lb). She suggested that trip limits in the winter might be better based on a week’s catch than on daily catches, which tend to force people to sail daily, regardless of weather conditions.

Councilor Tom Jordan noted that commercial catches of black sea bass in Period 3 have historically been divided among a variety of gear types that include large offshore boats and smaller inshore operators. This was unlike Period 1, which has historically been dominated by the offshore fishery. He agreed with Councilor Freierman than the offshore fishery had a right to some of the unlanded Period 1 quota. However, referring to the historical record of commercial black sea bass landings by month, he observed that the 63,000 lb Period 1 quota for 2003 far exceeded the actual January thru March catches over the years since 1991, except in 1999, when 58,000 lbs was taken in the first three months of the year. Along the same line of thinking, Mr. Jordan noted that if the 50,000 lbs uncaught in Period 1 is rolled entirely into Period 3 and added to its initial period quota of 42,000 lbs, the final Period 3 quota will be 92,000, a number far in excess of what has historically been landed in the final three months of any year since 1991. Mr. Jordan suggested that much of this 92,000 Period 3 quota would go uncaught by the end of the period and thus be lost to the fishery, as black sea bass quota does not roll between years. In his view, the situation does not warrant rolling all of the uncaught quota from Period 1 into Period 3. He would agree with rolling a portion of the uncaught Period 1 caught into Period 3.

Councilor Danielson questioned why offshore fishermen needed a winter quota that was substantially higher than historic catches during this period. If the winter of 2003/2004 is again a harsh one, won’t offshore fishermen face the same situation as in the past winter?

Mr. Colvin reported that catch reports from the fishermen indicated that trip limit on black sea bass (500 lb) was rarely being caught. Ms. Freierman explained that this was because offshore fishermen did not want to re-rig their nets with smaller mesh to target sea bass when the trip limit was only 500 lb. Few sea bass were caught as by-catch because the larger boats were primarily fishing offshore with large mesh for groundfish and fluke.

Chairman Wise suggested taking the uncaught quota from Period 1 and splitting it evenly between Periods 2 and 3. He thought this was a fair way to decide the question and was a good rule to follow generally, especially if different groups of fishermen would be relatively benefited from rolling quota into different periods. Councilor McBride felt that the different sectors in the commercial sea bass industry should discuss and resolve this themselves. Councilor Jordan stated that he could support splitting the uncaught quota evenly between the two remaining harvest periods.

Mr. Colvin expressed caution about starting Period 1 next year with a higher trip limit (e.g., 2,000 rather than 500 lbs). Combining a relatively low period quota with high trip limits is risky, in his view. This can easily result in overshooting the period quota. In some other fisheries, the amount of catch that is eventually reported late is several times the poundage that is reported on time. This hasn’t been much of a problem in the sea bass fishery, but it could become a problem. Mr. Colvin said that the Department sent a letter out last week to dealers who chronically report late, strongly encouraging them to improve their performance.

Chairman Wise asked how many of Councilors present supported Councilor Freierman’s request that all of the uncaught Period 1 quota be rolled to Period 3 (two, Councilors Freierman & Mason). The rest of the Councilors present (Messrs. Danielson, Jordan, Yaxa, Ferrera, Relyea, McBride and Chairman Wise) expressed support for rolling some, but not all of the uncaught Period 1 quota into Period 3. Mr. Colvin said the Department was going to have to lower the Period 2 sea bass trip limit. He stated that the Department would try to do so at a point when the market price for sea bass drops, which it tends to do in mid-summer when the Massachusetts inshore fishery for this species peaks. He requested help and advice from individuals in the commercial fishery for sea bass to help the Department time this action so as to have minimal economic impact on the fishery.