FishSource

US Texas shrimp - otter trawl (FIP)

Status: Completed

FIP Lead: Audubon Nature Institute G.U.L.F. (ANIG)

Stock Profile Link
Northern brown shrimp - Northern Gulf of Mexico
Northern white shrimp - Northern Gulf of Mexico

Comments:

The FIP achieved certification through the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certificate Program in July 2024.

https://rfmcertification.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CSC-RFM-Fishery-Certificate-U.S.-Gulf-of-Mexico-shrimp-July-2024.pdf

1. FIP Development	Nov 16	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 10 November 2016 — MSC Pre-assessment made public 1 September 2015 — G.U.L.F Sustainability Benchmarking Report 1 January 2010 — MSC pre-assessment completed (available upon request)
2. FIP Launch	Dec 16	Confirmation of project participants 27 December 2016 — FIP participants are identified and new leadership by Gulf Audubon Institute 1 January 2010 — FIP participants confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Jan 22	Workplan made public 1 January 2022 — 2022 updated workplan 31 January 2019 — 2019 FIP Action Plan 1 February 2017 — 2017 Texas Shrimp Action Plan 15 December 2016 — Detailed workplan (2016) made public 1 June 2016 — G.U.L.F. Texas Shrimp Summary Action Plan 1 July 2012 — Detailed workplan
3. FIP Implementation	Feb 22	FIP activities undertaken 8 February 2022 — Under the Saltonstall-Kennedy funded bycatch characterization project, the project is currently in the analysis and reporting phase (see update) 1 July 2021 — Implementation of the Saltonstall-Kennedy funded bycatch characterization work is ongoing 1 July 2021 — The GMT continues to conduct voluntariy inspections on shrimp 4 May 2021 — In May of 2021, the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Suppliers Roundtable met for discussion of FIP activities 1 January 2021 — Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Supply Chain Roundtable Statement of Work for 2020-2021 1 December 2019 — Gear checks continue to be coordinated with NOAA's Gear Monitoring Team and Sea Grant with 106 vessels subjected to voluntary inspections fo TEDs and bycatch reduction device compliance in 2019 and remedial actions taken where possible at time of inspection. 1 January 2019 — A proposal was submitted (to the NOAA's Saltonstall Kennedy funding opportunity) to provide full bycatch characterization for observer samples in the shrimp fishery. 13 July 2018 — Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Bycatch Data Workshop held in Texas - outcomes and recommendations in meeting report 1 March 2017 — Letter sent to NOAA requesting statistical analysis of observer coverage to date 1 December 2016 — Develop a well-defined Harvest Control Rule 1 December 2016 — Evaluate observer data collection 1 September 2016 — Texas shrimp interim action plan 1 July 2015 — “Vessel Standards for Quality Assurance and TED Compliance” manual to 43 boat captains via 4 vendors 1 July 2014 — A study on the status of the main bycatch species suggests that shrimp fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the main bycatch species or species groups 1 June 2013 — Philly Seafood implements gear inspections – seven of approximately 30 vessels inspected 1 July 2012 — TED inspection and compliance report, Newly approved stock assessment models, some of participant partner vessels executed sustainability covenants 1 July 2012 — Implementation of procurement specifications based on SFP’s recommendations
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Jul 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 15 July 2022 — Key findings of the bycatch characterization project are presented and highlight new information on these species which would inform management 6 February 2020 — Increase in 2.3.3 BMT score - increased compliance with TED regulations, TED effectiveness has consistently remained high and above legal requirements. 31 December 2018 — Review of TED effectiveness between 2014 and 2018 highlight that TED have increased in effectiveness in recent years till Dec 2018. 13 July 2018 — Report til July 2018 show compliance with TED and high compliance rate of 97% 1 December 2017 — NOAA released TED inspection and enforcement data, and effectiveness remains high. 1 December 2017 — Gear checks were done at participants' docks focused primarily on TEDs and BRDs. There was overall high compliance. TED Checks increased from 18 in 2016 to 56 in 2017. 8 August 2017 — Evaluation report 2017 available highlight levels of compliance, non-compliance (minor and major) and actions to address these issues 13 July 2016 — Evaluation report 2016 available - with the majority of vessels being in full compliance. 1 May 2014 — Captains and crew of 12 vessels in the Philly Seafood supply chain completed the Texas Sea Grant TED training program 1 April 2014 — Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet is in compliance with the fleetwide sea turtle capture rate requirements . 30 September 2012 — NOAA Fisheries posted an updated TED inspection and compliance report indicating that fleet-wide compliance with federal TED regulations during October 2011–September 2012 was 75 percent (an increase from the 66-percent compliance rate during May–November 2011) - NOAA TED Inspection and Compliance (Oct 1, 2011- Sept 30, 2012) 1 January 2010 — Several vessels have transitioned to lighter trawl doors. Supplier implementing policies to verify TED use and capture data on the types of BRDs being used.
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	Jul 24	MSC certificate made public 11 July 2024 — The FIP achieved certification through the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certificate Program in July 2024.