



U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Category |
II |
Estimated Number of Participants |
6,679 |
Target Species |
|
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
|
Observer Coverage |
There has not been observer coverage in this fishery. |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal Bottlenose dolphin, Central GA estuarine system1 Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston estuarine system1 Bottlenose dolphin, Indian River Lagoon estuarine system Bottlenose dolphin, Jacksonville estuarine system Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL coastal1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/Southern SC estuarine system Bottlenose dolphin, Northern migratory coastal Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC estuarine system Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal Bottlenose dolphin, Southern GA estuarine system Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal1 Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC estuarine system West Indian manatee, FL |
^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.
*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).
1 Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.
The total annual mortality and serious injury West Indian manatees (FL stock) in this fishery is greater than 1% and less than 50% of the stocks’ Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level. Also, when the stocks of bottlenose dolphins killed/injured in this fishery were updated on the 2011 LOF, the superscript “1” was retained after each of these stocks. The 2010 LOF included a superscript “1” following bottlenose dolphin (WNA coastal stock) and NOAA Fisheries cannot yet differentiate to which stock a killed/injured animal belongs. Until NOAA Fisheries is able to do so, each stock of bottlenose dolphin is considered to be driving the classification of the fishery.
The fishery occurs year-round from the south shore of Long Island at 72° 30'W. long. in the Atlantic and east of the fishery management demarcation line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico (50 CFR 600.105), including state waters.
This fishery uses pots baited with fish or poultry typically set in rows in shallow water. The pot position is marked by a buoy line attached to a surface buoy.
The fishery is managed under state Fishery Management Plans, and is subject to ALWTRP implementing regulations. It is also an affected fishery under the BDTRP.
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
II (2001) |
Original Number of Participants |
>16,000 |
Basis for Original Classification |
This fishery was created by splitting the Category III "Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot fishery" into the Category II “Atlantic blue crab trap/pot fishery” and the Category III "Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot fishery.” The Atlantic portion of the fishery was elevated to Category II based on bottlenose dolphin stranding data in the Southeast Atlantic. Specifically, from 1994-1998, 22 bottlenose dolphin carcasses were recovered with evidence of possible interaction with trap/pot gear, and another two bottlenose dolphins were reported to be released alive. This stranding data indicated that the average annual mortality and serious injury was 4.4 dolphins/year as a minimum estimate, or 17.6% of PBR (PBR=25). The analyzed level of interaction was considered a minimum because it was based solely on stranding data. At the time of the 2001 LOF, Virginia stranding data had not yet been analyzed but was thought to likely include more cases of interactions. There is no observer coverage for this fishery; therefore, observer data was unavailable. |
Past Names |
"Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot fishery" from 1991-2001. |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2017 |
|
2013 |
|
2008 |
|
2011 |
|
2008 |
|
2006 |
|