FishSource

US Louisiana shrimp - otter/skimmer 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	Jan 16	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 25 January 2016 — Sustainability Benchmark report 1 January 2016 — MSc Pre-Assessment made public 1 January 2010 — MSC pre-assessment available
2. FIP Launch	Sep 16	Confirmation of project participants 15 September 2016 — New Orleans Fish House joins FIP 1 December 2015 — FIP Participants confirmed 1 April 2013 — FIP participants 1 February 2013 — FIP participants 1 July 2012 — Pre-improvement plan developed ot identify participants
2. FIP Launch	Mar 16	Workplan made public 17 March 2016 — Interim updated workplan (2015-2016 ) available 1 February 2013 — Detail workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Feb 22	FIP activities undertaken 8 February 2022 — The implementation of the Saltonstall-Kennedy funded bycatch characterization project began in 2021 and continues into 2022. The project is currently in the analysis and reporting phase. 5 November 2021 — NOAA Fisheries published a temporary rule to allow shrimp fishers to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in specific Louisiana state waters due to debris impacts from Hurricane Ida. 8 July 2021 — GULF is working with FIP participants and other stakeholders to develop a draft sustainability resolution that includes language in support of the precautionary approach and harvest control rules 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 Louisiana shrimp 4 May 2021 — In May, FIP held SR meeting to discuss ongoing FIP activities 1 November 2020 — The Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Supply Chain Roundtable met via webinar in November of 2020 to discuss ongoing progress 1 November 2020 — Study conducted on bycatch; study demonstrated an improvement in the bycatch ratio from previous years. 1 December 2019 — Gear checks were conducted at participants' and others' docks to identify noncompliance and instruct on necessary adjustments. The number of vessels checked has increased annually with 73 vessels and 197 TEDs checked in 2019. 1 April 2019 — LDWF is currently working on an updated bycatch study protocol to place observers on vessels for multi-day trips, which will allow for more vessels to participate. 1 April 2019 — Voluntary, non-enforcement gear inspections of TEDs and BRDs are being conducted throughout 2019 by the NOAA Gear Monitoring Team and Audubon GULF. As of mid-April, 42 vessels with 117 TEDs were inspected, with 98 fully compliant. Non-compliances were fixed on site when possible 1 October 2018 — The Council voted to remove one management alternative from the list, with a final decision upcoming 1 July 2018 — The Council also received an updated estimate of sea turtle bycatch and mortality in shrimp fisheries, indicating mortality is likely lower than previously beleived. 20 June 2018 — GULF continues to collect ecosystem studies and resources for the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. GULF also continues to monitor the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's activities as they develop ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) for the Gulf 31 May 2018 — Gear checks coordinated with NOAA's Gear Monitoring Team and Sea Grant show high compliance validated by NOAA released TED inspection and enforcement data, and effectiveness remains high. 15 September 2016 — Interim report on FIP activities 17 March 2016 — FIP participants continue to work with harvesters to comply with TED regulations 25 January 2016 — MSC Benchmark report made public 1 August 2013 — Evidences of achievement of agreed annual improvement milestones 1 July 2012 — Regional suppliers, LDWF reviewed MSC pre-assessments at Shrimp Task Force meeting and considered next steps to engage in FIP
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 30 July 2021 — Increase to PI 2.1.2 & PI 2.1.3; A state conducted bycatch study provided current information on the make-up of bycatch species. The only main primary species identified is Gulf menhaden, which is MSC certified, not overfished, and not undergoing overfishing. 30 July 2021 — Increase to PI 2.2.2. & PI 2.2.3; A state conducted bycatch study provided current information on the make-up of bycatch species. The main secondary species were Atlantic croaker and diamondback terrapin. The most recent assessment of Atlantic croaker determined recent removals were likely sustainable 7 February 2020 — Increase in 3.2.3 BMT score; State and federal compliance is increased - regular noncompliance reported by the pre‐assessment from too‐long duration skimmer trawl tows has been rectified based on increased outreach and state enforcement. 7 February 2020 — Increase in 2.3.2 BMT score; Effectiveness of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in the fishery has increased and remained high and above the legal minimum in recent years. 6 February 2020 — Increase in 2.4.2 BMT score; The GMFMC has set regulations for bottom trawls to protect habitat and LDWF has set regulations to prohibit nearshore trawling, where seagrass may occur, and trawling on private oyster reefs. 6 February 2020 — Increase in 3.1.3 BMT score - . Reinterpretation of the requirement for objectives (in the pre-assessment) consistent with the precautionary approach leads to a revised conclusion that the Louisiana fishery reaches a full pass. 6 February 2020 — Increase in 2.2.2 BMT score; For the otter trawl fishery, species identified as main secondary species scored as low risk using the risk-based framework. 6 February 2020 — Increase in 2.1.2 BMT score; bycatch data for the otter trawl fishery indicates none of the primary species are undergoing overfishing or currently overfished based on skimmer data 1 January 2020 — The three year audit has determined that all three ecosystem PIs have met the level of an unconditional pass 4 April 2019 — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and NOAA fisheries continue to demonstrate consideration for ecosystem function in management with the adoption of a series of motions at April meeting 1 December 2017 — 2017 Gear Evaluation on compliance with mitigation measures is publicly available 1 December 2016 — 2016 Gear Evaluation on compliance with mitigation measures is publicly available 27 July 2016 — Louisiana shrimp FMP adopted 1 July 2016 — TED requirements become state law. 17 March 2016 — Tow the Line campaign implementation to raise awareness and compliance with current tow time regulations for skimmer trawls. 1 January 2016 — LWFC approves NOI to adopt regulation requiring TEDs in otter trawls in state waters. 1 October 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 May 2012 — NOAA Fisheries established a new fleet-wide TED performance standard which limits the shrimp otter trawl fleet to an overall 12-percent sea turtle capture rate
5. Improvements on the Water	Dec 12	Verifiable improvement on the water 1 December 2012 — FIP has reported by-catch declined - A scientific study was published indicating that the bycatch-to-shrimp ratio in the Gulf of Mexico has decreased to 2.5:1, while the finfish-to-shrimp ratio has decreased to 2:1
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.