106 Reclassifying Squid to Ecosystem Component
Purpose and Need
Squids are short-lived, highly productive, and important prey species. No conservation concerns for squid populations in the GOA nor the BSAI were present at the time of the amendment. Squid are thought to be substantially more abundant than can be estimated from trawl survey data. OFLs for squid are based on average catch calculations that are poorly linked to abundance. Although limited life-history information exists, the best available scientific information suggests that squid biomass estimates are substantial underestimates of true biomass. Fishing related mortality is extremely low compared with the estimated predation mortality in food web models. At the time of the amendment, squid were managed as target species despite being caught only incidentally under status quo, and an annual OFL, ABC, and TAC for the squid complex was specified separately for the BSAI and GOA. There are no directed commercial fisheries for squid in Federal waters, though squid bycatch is retained in some fisheries and often utilized to prevent waste. In the absence of a directed fishery, squid are very unlikely to become overfished. If the total TAC of squid is caught, retention is prohibited for the remainder of the year. The purposes of this action were to identify the appropriate level of conservation and management required for squid and to classify the squid complex in the BSAI and GOA groundfish FMPs based on the best available scientific information. The revised National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines include options for classification and management of target and non-target species in FMPs. Options for classification and management of non-target stocks include identification of the species as “nontarget species in need of conservation and management,” or as “non-target ecosystem component species, not in need of conservation and management.”
Analysis
A 150-page EA/RIR (final draft dated June 2018) analyzed three alternatives for GOA Amendment 106 (and corresponding BSAI Amendment 117). Under the no action alternative, squids would continue to be managed as target species, and catch specifications (OFL, ABC, and TAC) would continue to be set for the squid complex. MRAs would be established at 20%. Alternative 2 (preferred) would move squid to the Ecosystem Component category under both FMPs. Catch specifications would no longer be required. Directed fishing for squid species would be prohibited. Alternative 3 would designate squids as a ‘non-target’ species complex whereby OFL and ABC would still be established but a TAC would no longer be necessary. Directed fishing for squids would be prohibited. Three options for MRAs (2%, 10%, 20%) were considered under both action alternatives.
Regulation Summary
This final rule prohibited directed fishing for the squid species complex (squids) by Federally permitted groundfish fishermen, moved squid to the Ecosystem Component category, and specified the MRA of 20% in the GOA and BSAI groundfish fisheries consistent with the existing BSAI squid retention limit.
Results
It is too early to determine the results of this amendment.