BCD/2002/07July/p3.htm

Barbary Coast Dive Club Newsletter
Page 3

I think this web page is something we should be up on....

Check the DFG website for this and other info:

Abalone Recovery and Management Plan by the

Cal Dept of Fish and Game

Interim recovery goals

Reverse declines in populations by stabilizing stocks.

Establish self-sustaining populations range-wide.

Long-term goal

Attain resource levels, range-wide, that could support a fishery.

Summary
A moratorium on California abalone fishing south of San Francisco Bay was imposed in 1997. As a part of the legislation mandating this fishery closure the Department is required to submit an Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) to the Fish & Game Commission by January 1, 2003.

In addition to conforming to the MLMA, this comprehensive plan is required to establish definitions and goals for recovery before fishing is allowed.
The ARMP will include sections on:

The biology, habitat requirements, and threats to abalone;

A summary of interim and long-term conservation and management goals and activities;

Alternatives for allocating harvest between sport and commercial divers if the allocation is warranted;

An estimate of the time, costs, and funding sources required to meet the interim and long-term goals;

Triggers for review and amendment of the chosen recovery strategy; and

A description of objective measurable criteria to determine if recovery goals are met.

Proposed Goals for Recovery

The legislation requiring the ARMP Fish and Game Code (Code), Section 5522 of the California Fish & Game Code is as follows:

On or before January 1, 2003, the department shall submit to the commission a comprehensive abalone recovery and management plan. The plan shall contain all of the following:

An explanation of the scientific knowledge regarding the biology, habitat requirements, and threats to abalone.

A summary of the interim and long-term recovery goals, including a range of alternative interim and long-term conservation and management goals and activities. The department shall report why it prefers the recommended activities.

Alternatives for allocating harvest between sport and commercial divers if the allocation of the abalone harvest is warranted.

An estimate of the time and costs required to meet the interim and long-term recovery goals for the species, including available or anticipated funding sources, and an initial projection of the time and costs associated with meeting the final recovery goals. An implementation schedule shall also be included.

An estimate of the time necessary to meet the interim recovery goals and triggers for review and amendment of strategy.

A description of objective measurable criteria by which to determine whether the goals and objectives of the recovery strategy are being met and procedures for recognition of successful recovery. These criteria and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Specified abundance and size frequency distribution criteria for former abalone beds within suitable habitat not dominated by sea otters.

Size frequency distributions exhibiting multiple size classes as necessary to ensure continued recruitment into fishable stock.

The reproductive importance to the entire ecosystem of those areas proposed for reopening to harvest and the potential impact of each reopening on the recovery of abalone population in adjacent areas.

Where appropriate, the recovery and management plan may include the following:

A network of no-take abalone reserves.

A total allowable catch, reflecting the long-term yield each species is capable of sustaining, using the best available science and bearing in mind the ecological importance of the species and the variability of marine ecosystems.

A permanent reduction in harvest.

Funding to prepare the recovery and management plan and any planning and scoping meetings shall be derived from the fees collected for the abalone stamp.

On or before January 1, 2008, and following the adoption of the recovery and management plan by the commission, the department may apply to the commission to reopen sport or commercial fishing in all or any portion of the waters described in Section 5521. If the commission makes a finding that the resource can support additional harvest activities and that these activities are consistent with the abalone recovery plan, all or a portion of the waters described in Section 5521 may be reopened and management measures prescribed and implemented, as appropriate. The commission may close or, where appropriate, may establish no-take marine refuges in any area opened pursuant to this section if it makes a finding that this action is necessary to comply with the abalone management plan.

If the commission determines that commercial fishing is an appropriate management measure, priority for participation in the fishery shall be given to those persons who held a commercial abalone permit during the 1996-97 permit year.

Opportunities for Public Involvement in the Development of the ARMP

The process of developing a draft ARMP and then adopting a final ARMP will provide many opportunities for the public to provide input, and comments may be submitted at any time. The Department is currently developing a draft ARMP for submission to the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) in November 2002. During the development of the draft ARMP, comments are received on an informal basis through a variety of avenues, including workshops, letters, and the Department web site. Input received during this period is being used primarily to shape and revise the draft ARMP. Once the draft is submitted to the Commission, a more formal public review will follow which will be used again for further revisions, but primarily to help the commission decide whether or not the plan should be adopted.
Development of a Draft ARMP
Early input on the ARMP was gathered at a commercial constituent workshop held in Santa Barbara, in July 2000. This workshop was the first in a series of steps to involve the public in the creation of the ARMP. A summary of the workshop is available at: www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/abworkshop_072600.html
In the Fall of 2001, the Department established an Advisory Panel for the ARMP. The panel is composed of members and alternates who represent recreational anglers and divers, environmental organizations, aquaculturists, and academia. The panelists were selected to reflect a diversity of interests and expertise in abalone and issues related to abalone.
The advisory panel provides the Department with advice, feedback, and recommendations regarding the issues and actions that need to be taken during development of the draft ARMP. The advisory panel will not determine the contents of the ARMP or preferred management options, but rather, will help to generate ideas on content and possible recovery and management alternatives. The first advisory panel workshop was held on November 16, 2001 at the Los Alamitos Fish and Game office. The focus of this workshop was the recovery of abalone resources in southern California. In preparation for this workshop, panel members and alternates were provided with background information about abalones, potential approaches to recovery, and focus questions. At the workshop, Department staff reviewed this information and the focus questions for the workshop. The panel provided valuable input on all aspects of southern California abalone recovery. Their comments and review of the approach presented by the Department is currently being taken into consideration and will be incorporated into the draft ARMP.
Management of the northern red abalone sport fishery for the ARMP will be addressed by the advisory panel in conjunction with the Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee (RAAC) at a workshop planned for March 15, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in room 11, Elihu Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland.
The general public is welcome to attend and listen to these panel workshops. A limited amount of time can be made available to receive informal comments. We anticipate making a draft ARMP available to the general public in late Spring of 2002 and will seek informal public comments on the draft at that time. In addition, a town hall meeting may also be scheduled for the summer of 2002 to receive further public input on the working draft of the ARMP. The public is welcome to comment at any time on all aspects of the ARMP including the public involvement process. Between now and when the draft ARMP is submitted to the Commission near the end of 2002, written comments may be sent on an informal basis by writing to:
Mr. Pete Haaker
California Department of Fish and Game
4665 Lampson Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Written comments must include your name and mailing address.
Constituent Involvement Time Line for the ARMP

July 2000

Public workshop held for commercial fishery constituents.

November 16, 2001

ARMP Advisory Panel workshop which focused on recovery of southern California abalone stocks.

March 15, 2002

ARMP Advisory Panel and Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee (RAAC) workshop. The primary focus of this workshop is northern recreational abalone fishery management.

June 2000

Draft ARMP made available for public and peer review.

July or August 2002

Tentative plan for a Town Hall meeting to receive further public input.

December 5 or 6, 2002

ARMP presented to the Fish and Game Commission.

Previous Page---Next Page

Updated 7/12/02

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Barbary Coast Dive Club Newsletter Page 3
I think this web page is something we should be up on....
Check the DFG website for this and other info: Abalone Recovery and Management Plan by the Cal Dept of Fish and Game	Interim recovery goals Reverse declines in populations by stabilizing stocks. Establish self-sustaining populations range-wide. Long-term goal Attain resource levels, range-wide, that could support a fishery.
Summary A moratorium on California abalone fishing south of San Francisco Bay was imposed in 1997. As a part of the legislation mandating this fishery closure the Department is required to submit an Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) to the Fish & Game Commission by January 1, 2003. In addition to conforming to the MLMA, this comprehensive plan is required to establish definitions and goals for recovery before fishing is allowed. The ARMP will include sections on: The biology, habitat requirements, and threats to abalone; A summary of interim and long-term conservation and management goals and activities; Alternatives for allocating harvest between sport and commercial divers if the allocation is warranted; An estimate of the time, costs, and funding sources required to meet the interim and long-term goals; Triggers for review and amendment of the chosen recovery strategy; and A description of objective measurable criteria to determine if recovery goals are met. Proposed Goals for Recovery The legislation requiring the ARMP Fish and Game Code (Code), Section 5522 of the California Fish & Game Code is as follows: On or before January 1, 2003, the department shall submit to the commission a comprehensive abalone recovery and management plan. The plan shall contain all of the following: An explanation of the scientific knowledge regarding the biology, habitat requirements, and threats to abalone. A summary of the interim and long-term recovery goals, including a range of alternative interim and long-term conservation and management goals and activities. The department shall report why it prefers the recommended activities. Alternatives for allocating harvest between sport and commercial divers if the allocation of the abalone harvest is warranted. An estimate of the time and costs required to meet the interim and long-term recovery goals for the species, including available or anticipated funding sources, and an initial projection of the time and costs associated with meeting the final recovery goals. An implementation schedule shall also be included. An estimate of the time necessary to meet the interim recovery goals and triggers for review and amendment of strategy. A description of objective measurable criteria by which to determine whether the goals and objectives of the recovery strategy are being met and procedures for recognition of successful recovery. These criteria and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Specified abundance and size frequency distribution criteria for former abalone beds within suitable habitat not dominated by sea otters. Size frequency distributions exhibiting multiple size classes as necessary to ensure continued recruitment into fishable stock. The reproductive importance to the entire ecosystem of those areas proposed for reopening to harvest and the potential impact of each reopening on the recovery of abalone population in adjacent areas. Where appropriate, the recovery and management plan may include the following: A network of no-take abalone reserves. A total allowable catch, reflecting the long-term yield each species is capable of sustaining, using the best available science and bearing in mind the ecological importance of the species and the variability of marine ecosystems. A permanent reduction in harvest. Funding to prepare the recovery and management plan and any planning and scoping meetings shall be derived from the fees collected for the abalone stamp. On or before January 1, 2008, and following the adoption of the recovery and management plan by the commission, the department may apply to the commission to reopen sport or commercial fishing in all or any portion of the waters described in Section 5521. If the commission makes a finding that the resource can support additional harvest activities and that these activities are consistent with the abalone recovery plan, all or a portion of the waters described in Section 5521 may be reopened and management measures prescribed and implemented, as appropriate. The commission may close or, where appropriate, may establish no-take marine refuges in any area opened pursuant to this section if it makes a finding that this action is necessary to comply with the abalone management plan. If the commission determines that commercial fishing is an appropriate management measure, priority for participation in the fishery shall be given to those persons who held a commercial abalone permit during the 1996-97 permit year.	Opportunities for Public Involvement in the Development of the ARMP The process of developing a draft ARMP and then adopting a final ARMP will provide many opportunities for the public to provide input, and comments may be submitted at any time. The Department is currently developing a draft ARMP for submission to the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) in November 2002. During the development of the draft ARMP, comments are received on an informal basis through a variety of avenues, including workshops, letters, and the Department web site. Input received during this period is being used primarily to shape and revise the draft ARMP. Once the draft is submitted to the Commission, a more formal public review will follow which will be used again for further revisions, but primarily to help the commission decide whether or not the plan should be adopted. Development of a Draft ARMP Early input on the ARMP was gathered at a commercial constituent workshop held in Santa Barbara, in July 2000. This workshop was the first in a series of steps to involve the public in the creation of the ARMP. A summary of the workshop is available at: www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/abworkshop_072600.html In the Fall of 2001, the Department established an Advisory Panel for the ARMP. The panel is composed of members and alternates who represent recreational anglers and divers, environmental organizations, aquaculturists, and academia. The panelists were selected to reflect a diversity of interests and expertise in abalone and issues related to abalone. The advisory panel provides the Department with advice, feedback, and recommendations regarding the issues and actions that need to be taken during development of the draft ARMP. The advisory panel will not determine the contents of the ARMP or preferred management options, but rather, will help to generate ideas on content and possible recovery and management alternatives. The first advisory panel workshop was held on November 16, 2001 at the Los Alamitos Fish and Game office. The focus of this workshop was the recovery of abalone resources in southern California. In preparation for this workshop, panel members and alternates were provided with background information about abalones, potential approaches to recovery, and focus questions. At the workshop, Department staff reviewed this information and the focus questions for the workshop. The panel provided valuable input on all aspects of southern California abalone recovery. Their comments and review of the approach presented by the Department is currently being taken into consideration and will be incorporated into the draft ARMP. Management of the northern red abalone sport fishery for the ARMP will be addressed by the advisory panel in conjunction with the Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee (RAAC) at a workshop planned for March 15, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in room 11, Elihu Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland. The general public is welcome to attend and listen to these panel workshops. A limited amount of time can be made available to receive informal comments. We anticipate making a draft ARMP available to the general public in late Spring of 2002 and will seek informal public comments on the draft at that time. In addition, a town hall meeting may also be scheduled for the summer of 2002 to receive further public input on the working draft of the ARMP. The public is welcome to comment at any time on all aspects of the ARMP including the public involvement process. Between now and when the draft ARMP is submitted to the Commission near the end of 2002, written comments may be sent on an informal basis by writing to: Mr. Pete Haaker California Department of Fish and Game 4665 Lampson Avenue Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Written comments must include your name and mailing address. Constituent Involvement Time Line for the ARMP *July 2000* Public workshop held for commercial fishery constituents. *November 16, 2001* ARMP Advisory Panel workshop which focused on recovery of southern California abalone stocks. *March 15, 2002* ARMP Advisory Panel and Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee (RAAC) workshop. The primary focus of this workshop is northern recreational abalone fishery management. *June 2000* Draft ARMP made available for public and peer review. *July or August 2002* Tentative plan for a Town Hall meeting to receive further public input. *December 5 or 6, 2002* ARMP presented to the Fish and Game Commission.

I think this web page is something we should be up on....

Cal Dept of Fish and Game

Summary A moratorium on California abalone fishing south of San Francisco Bay was imposed in 1997. As a part of the legislation mandating this fishery closure the Department is required to submit an Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) to the Fish & Game Commission by January 1, 2003.

Proposed Goals for Recovery

The legislation requiring the ARMP Fish and Game Code (Code), Section 5522 of the California Fish & Game Code is as follows:

Opportunities for Public Involvement in the Development of the ARMP

.

Summary
A moratorium on California abalone fishing south of San Francisco Bay was imposed in 1997. As a part of the legislation mandating this fishery closure the Department is required to submit an Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) to the Fish & Game Commission by January 1, 2003.