WASHINGTON — February 20, 2013 — The Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team (HPTRT) met via teleconference on February 13th and 14th to identify strategies for moving forward with the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team Plan (HPTRTP).
The HPTRT hoped to reach a consensus regarding possible revisions to the plan based on new data and proposals submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) by TRT members in January. The measures associated with the consequence closure strategy have largely been the focus of many due to the trigger that was initiated for the fishery operating in the Gulf of Maine in 2012. Another point of contention by industry has been the associated pinger compliance rate reported by NMFS, and the reliability of the methodology to test pinger functionality. Such unreliance has driven many proactive efforts within the fishery to swap out old pingers with new LED technology pingers. The consequence strategy was designed to trigger protective closures in the event of harbor porpoise bycatch exceeding an established threshold. While both the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the HPTRT have concluded that the currently established bycatch rate trigger is not functioning as intended, changes to the current closure strategy were not made at this meeting. This was the result of differing opinions amongst HPTRT members in regards to what the new consequence closure trigger should be, as well as the need for further analysis by NMFS, prior to the implementation of a new trigger. While the consequence closure strategy remains at a standstill, the future of the harbor porpoise appears quite positive, with current trends showing a rise in abundance and a decline in harbor porpoise take.
The HPTRT heard from NMFS, which reported that the HPTRT is making progress toward its goal of reducing harbor porpoise injuries and mortalities to levels below potential biological removal (PBR), as well as approaching their Zero Mortality Rate Goal (ZMRG). Essentially, harbor porpoise abundance is on the rise and takes are declining.
– One way that the HPTRTP aims to reduce interactions between commercial gillnet fishermen and harbor porpoise in New England and Mid-Atlantic waters is by establishing consequence closure areas (CCA). The closure of these areas is currently initiated by a harbor porpoise bycatch trigger, which is based on historical landings (1996-2007) of all stocks on a day at sea.
o In their presentation to the HPTRT, NMFS recommended that the HPTRT focus on modifying the current CCA strategy. NMFS suggested that the HPTRT eliminate the current bycatch-based CCA trigger and establish a new trigger that links the harbor porpoise serious injury/mortality (SM/I) 5-year average to the stock’s PBR level.
– NMFS claimed that in order to modify the CCA trigger, they will need to conduct a lengthy analysis and will require guidance from the HPTRT.
– In response to this issue, members of the HPTRT also presented proposals for new CCA triggers.
o One of these proposals submitted by conservation members and scientists urged the HPTRT to pursue a ZMRG-based trigger, based on the lowest level of takes in the fishery.
o The other proposal, submitted by industry representatives and state managers, followed NMFS’s lead to base the trigger on PBR.
– The HPTRT was unable to reach a consensus regarding CCA triggers, and as a result the faulty bycatch trigger is still in effect, despite recent analyses showing its poor performance and indirect link to PBR. Although positive trends are being reported in the harbor porpoise data (higher populations and lower takes), the closure has not yet been taken off of the books for the fall of 2013. A follow-up TRT meeting is being scheduled for early April to see if consensus can ensue.
– Another proposal being considered would amend pinger requirements and create a certification program for active gillnet fishermen.
Listen to David Gouveia, of NMFS, report on the HPTRT’s progress and the status of the harbor porpoise.
Listen to Sharon Young, of the Humane Society of the U.S., and Regina Asmutis-Silva, of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, voice their support for the ZMRG-based CCA trigger.
Listen to Josh Wiersma, Sector Manager for Northeast Fishery Sectors XI and XII, voice his support for a PBR-based CCA trigger. Wiersma views this approach as a way for the HPTRT to keep its momentum in reducing harbor porpoise takes, which based on 2012 estimates reflect a value that NOAA’s Northeast Regional Administrator, John Bullard, has called worthy of “dancing in the streets”.
Listen to Erin Burke, of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, discuss the need for bycatch estimates on a quicker basis and her view surrounding the ZMRG trigger. Burke cites the ZMRG-based trigger as an “odd place to take a stand” considering the status of the harbor porpoise and how take reduction teams have handled other species in the past.
Listen to Josh Wiersma and Jackie Odell, of the Northeast Seafood Coalition, discuss the need to reassess the current consequence closure strategy in a timely manner. This is followed by a response from David Gouveia, who stresses the need for further analysis prior to taking such action.