Fisheries Policy & Regulation Flashcards

Under the Administrative Procedure Act, what procedural requirement must NOAA follow before implementing a new fisheries regulation?

Answer: Notice-and-comment rulemaking with a public comment period

The APA requires federal agencies to publish proposed rules in the Federal Register and provide an opportunity for public comment before finalizing them.

Which term describes the approach of managing fisheries by considering the full ecosystem, including predator-prey relationships and habitat, rather than managing each species in isolation?

Answer: Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM)

EBFM considers the entire ecosystem, including ecological interactions, habitat, and human impacts, to maintain ecosystem structure and function while allowing sustainable use.

In a state that has compacted with neighboring states under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, how are interstate management measures typically adopted?

Answer: Through commission board votes followed by state compliance or federal override

ASMFC adopts fishery management plans through board votes; states are expected to implement compatible measures and can face federal moratoria if they fail to comply.

What is 'discard mortality' and why is it important in setting catch limits?

Answer: Fish deaths from being caught and released; it must be counted against the total fishing mortality

Discard mortality refers to fish that die after being caught and released; it must be accounted for in stock assessments and fishing mortality calculations to avoid underestimating total removals.

The Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Federal Advisory Committee advises on national MPA policy. Which statement best reflects the role of no-take MPAs in fisheries management?

Answer: They can serve as reference areas and potentially provide spillover of fish to adjacent fished areas

No-take MPAs can function as scientific reference areas free from fishing pressure and may contribute to surrounding fisheries through adult spillover and larval export effects.

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act's National Standard 4, what must fishery management plans ensure regarding allocation of fishing privileges?

Answer: Allocation must be fair and equitable, not discriminate against individuals, and reasonably calculated to promote conservation

NS4 requires that allocations be fair and equitable among fishers, not arbitrarily discriminate against any group, and be rationally tied to conservation goals.

Which agency has primary jurisdiction over anadromous Pacific salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act when those fish are in the marine environment?

Answer: NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service)

NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) has jurisdiction over ESA-listed anadromous fish in their marine phase and in rivers below the first falls or dam, while USFWS manages inland freshwater phases.