Federal Register. To purchase DAN dive accident insurance, please scroll to the bottom of this page, and click on the DAN banner link, Join DAN Today!, then follow the prompts on DANs website. In 622.190, revise paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows: (3) Grouper Spawning - Fakarava South - Scuba DivingDavid PrutowUnderwater Photography - VideographyPruMarinePhotography.com Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If they are, the spawning will likely take place early the following morning on the outgoing tide. The sharks are here to feed on marbled grouper as they spawn during the full moon of July every year. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Fakarava grouper spawning and its habitat. (B) For the 20242025 fishing year, 569,019 lb (258,103 kg). The factual basis for this determination follows. In summary, only the impacts on commercial vessels will be discussed. documents to your comment. The whole is tropical, exotic, family, friendly Polynesian! The groupers congregate in big groups, with each group containing between a few hundred and a few thousand people. You get to see the whole demonstration of how they cultivate pearls, like we saw on Rangiroa, but at the end, you can buy an oyster, and you get to keep whatever pearl it has produced! Overfishing of the groupers can reduce the population and affect the success of the spawning. I guess some of the tourist boats feed the sharks to attract them, so anything that hits the water gets attention from them. The Council decided that having the same trip limit throughout the fishing year would best meet the purpose of revising the commercial trip limit to increase efficiency of commercial fishing for greater amberjack, while minimizing adverse social and economic effects. In addition to the measures within this proposed rule, Amendment 49 would revise the OFL for greater amberjack and set the total ACL and annual OY equal to the ABC. This proposed rule would also remove reference to ACTs within the FMP at 50 CFR 622.193. The goliath grouper is the largest grouper species in the Atlantic Ocean weighing up to 800 pounds. Leading up to the full moon tens of thousands of Camouflage Groupers (Epinephelus polyphekadion) are gathering around French Polynesia's channels preparing to spawn, especially that of Fakarava South Pass. To safeguard the spawning and its habitat, conservation initiatives are being made, including the establishment of protected zones and the enforcement of fishing restrictions. Email address: No Spam. Fakarava Grouper Spawn. Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs). Furthermore, for-hire captains and crew are allowed to retain greater amberjack under the recreational bag limit; however, they cannot sell these fish. Greater amberjack spawning season closure. rendition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov does not Recently declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Fakarava is an atoll with two passes that connect to an expansive lagoon. The liveaboards will pass by the channel as they operate throughout the area, often diving the Fakarava as part of their package. Due to a lack of sufficient data related to the size of discarded fish, these economic benefits cannot be quantified. legal research should verify their results against an official edition of 2,427. Laurent Ballesta and his team of divers use tracking technology and sophisticated camera techniques to investigate a pack of 700 Grey Sharks, that hunt a Grouper spawning season in the Fakarava Atoll, near French Polynesia. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and home to one of the worlds greatest coral reefs. The grouper population is protected by fishing laws, which are supported by money for study. Aquatiki II " 2023 . A further hazard to the Fakarava grouper spawning is posed by human activities like overfishing and pollution. should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official Fakarava Grouper Spawn July 4, 2023. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Learn more here. The peak spawning month for greater amberjack is during April and spawning aggregations are vulnerable to fishing effort during that time of the year. (ii) If recreational landings for greater amberjack, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL, then during the following fishing year recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings, and if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL by the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the most recent Status of U.S. This site displays a prototype of a Web 2.0 version of the daily The sale or purchase of greater amberjack would continue to be prohibited in April. The Garuae and Tumakohua are the two principal passages in the Fakarava atoll. Ive already written about diving and pearls (in the Rangiroa post), and Im not going to write about relaxing, as fascinating as that sentence could be. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION All anyone had been talking about was the Marbled Grouper spawning which happens once a year on the full moon in July. After hearing a recommendation for this change from the Snapper-Grouper AP, the Council selected this option to have more regulatory consistency by having the same commercial trip limit throughout the year. A summary of all scientific papers are given on the Publications Page. are not part of the published document itself. 2. Most international flights fly to Tahiti via Australia, Europe or the United States. Greater amberjack We'll email you when new articles on Under Water Photography are published. What threats do human activities pose to the Fakarava grouper spawning? Richard H. Ebright @R_H_Ebright Marbled Grouper annual spawning event (Dermatolepis inermis, 0.6-0.9 m), Tumakohau Pass, Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia, 07/01/23. You will miss nothing in your own private hut, a true experience of comfort in a unique natural environment with a breathtaking view. (D) For the 20262027 and subsequent fishing years, 538,933 lb (244,456 kg). In general, a lower minimum size limit would be expected to increase overall greater amberjack harvest in the short-term and increase economic benefits received from such harvest. (The first post was about Moorea, the second was about Rangiroa.). Amendment 49 would also make changes to the FMP by removing recreational ACTs from the FMP to make administrative efforts more efficient, since the Council has not used, and does not anticipate using, recreational ACTs for management. It appears that you have attempted to comment on this document before Again, recreational anglers are outside the scope of the RFA. Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. The average annual net present value (NPV) of the potential increases in ex-vessel revenue from this proposed rule over a 5-year timeframe, using discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent, would be approximately $306,000 (2020 dollars) and $290,000, respectively. Love that you are posting more updates lately, I look forward to each new post. These can be useful The Council and NMFS implemented management measures, including implementing a spawning season closure to end overfishing through the final . 5 . Retrouvez sur cette page de la slection La France en cartes l'ensemble des cartes de la rgion Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes classes par dpartement. This proposed rule would remove recreational ACTs for species managed under the FMP, from both individual species and complexes. has no substantive legal effect. Buy Now. Passengers can transfer in Papeete to the additional 70-minute flight to Rangiroa. Absolutely amazing the number of fish that gather! Tumakohou Pass, Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia, 07/03/23 . (454 kg) in 2027 and subsequent years. All comments are considered public and will be posted online once the Commerce Department has reviewed them. A cloud of fertilized eggs and sperm that floats with the current is created when females release their eggs and males fertilize them. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the Sea&Sea YS-D2J and Kraken strobes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Bumfuzzle is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Introduction to the Fakarava Grouper Spawning Thousands of groupers congregate in the Fakarava atoll each year between June and July to spawn. Up to 1,000 grey reef sharks fill the Fakarava channel, the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago in search of one thing: marbled grouper, who have come to spawn. Recreational ACTs for the species in the FMP, were established through the Comprehensive ACL Amendment to account for uncertainty in recreational catch estimates. Since the island is protected by the UNESCO, our accommodations are built traditionally. 5. July 04, 2023 Leave a Comment We sailed a few miles from the Hirifa anchorage to the Fakarava South Pass anchorage. The current total ACL and annual OY are equal to the ABC of 1,968,001 lb (892,670 kg), round weight. Because the current April spawning season closure already prohibits the sale or purchase of greater amberjack harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ, this proposed change would only affect recreational anglers (including any commercial vessel operators or crew that harvest greater amberjack under the possession limit during the existing spawning season closure). The water is lukewarm throughout the year, so the only thing you need to snorkel is very simple equipment. The recreational ACL is 2,101,450 lb (953,202 kg), round weight, for the 20232024 fishing year; 1,831,700 lb (830,845 kg), round weight, for the 20242025 fishing year; 1,754,350 lb (795,760 kg), round weight, for the 20252026 fishing year; and 1,734,850 lb (786,915 kg), round weight, for the 20262027 and subsequent fishing years. CAMOUFLAGE GROUPER AGGREGATION. Call Colorado Dive + Travel Adventures: 719.322.6941, 2015 Colorado Dive + Travel Adventures. * Credit card or any payments made through the PayPal invoice will be charged an additional 3.5% (5% international payers). This atoll is located in French Polynesia, specifically in the Tuamotu archipelago. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. To purchase eco-friendly sunscreen products, please scroll to the bottom of this page, and click on the Stream2Sea banner link, use code, cleanreef for a 10% discount. In Fakarava, French Polynesia, our charming guest house, located about 1h30 from the airport, offers eight typical bungalows with private bathrooms open to the outside. Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML (Not actually windows, as there is no glass in them just big holes cut in the walls that have plywood covers that you an tip out, or pul in to close.) The boat captains do an amazing job!! This information is not part of the official Federal Register document. Drifting in Tahanea June 22, 2023. The Council acknowledged that the recreational sector would benefit with an increase to their allocation, and that the recreational sector management measures and accountability measures (AMs) are in place to prevent overages of the recreational ACL. (A) For the 20232024 fishing year, 652,817 lb (296,113 kg). Shortly after arriving, some friends asked if I wanted to go dive with them. In order to entice females, the males in the spawning places create territories and put on audible and visual displays. This proposed rule would decrease the commercial sector allocation from 40.66 percent of the total greater amberjack ACL to 35 percent. Contact Tim at tim@bluewaterdivetravel.com for more info about his trips. Finally, this proposed rule would revise the April spawning season closure for greater amberjack such that during April of each year, no person may sell, purchase, harvest, or possess a greater amberjack from the South Atlantic EEZ and the harvest and possession limits are zero. But the number and concentration of sharks is well, let me put it this way. You can view alternative ways to comment or you may also comment via Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0061-0006. They are calculated using the formula: ACT = ACL * [(1 PSE) OR 0.5, whichever is greater], where ACL is the recreational ACL and PSE is the average of percent standard errors for recreational harvest estimates from the 5 most recent years of data. this will NOT be posted on regulations.gov. Ive written a bit about some of our lodging on the various islands, and our lodging on Fakarava is worth mentioning. The experiences you can make in the water around Fakarava are almost endless. 28 inches (71.1 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in 622.187(b)(1) and 34 inches (86.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit. They looked like troops marching off to war. Every year, in June or July, a marble grouper spawning event takes place, attracting hundreds of sharks! The more tranquil lagoon of Fakarava is a sensational area for all qualifications of divers, especially as the currents are calmer yet ocean life is still plentiful. As a biosphere reserve, the urbanization of the island is prevented and active efforts are made to protect the islands animals and plants. the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for July 04, 2023 1 Comment. Estimates of recreational catch for greater amberjack included in the previous assessment were made using the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) methodology. This video is from early in our dive, when just one shark seemed worthy of filming and then it turned into a LOT of sharks! All of the commercial fishing businesses directly regulated by this proposed rule are believed to be small entities based on the NMFS size standard. Similar, too, in that some large creatures frequent the pass, most notably sharks. The island of Fakarava has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2006 and so it remains cso beautiful and breathtaking. Click the Comment icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. French Polynesias Tuamotu Archipelago includes the secluded atoll of Fakarava. Once the application is complete, please return to Andy via fax or email, then an invoice for the designated deposit will be provided. The proposed rule would revise the total ACL equal to the recommended ABC of 3,233,000 lb (1,466,464), round weight, for 20232024; 2,818,000 lb (1,278,223 kg), round weight, for 20242025; 2,699,000 lb (1,224,246), round weight, for 20252026; and 2,669,000 lb (1,210,638), round weight, for 20262027 and subsequent fishing years. FES is designed to more accurately measure fishing activity, not because there was a sudden change in fishing effort. Applicable restrictions after a commercial quota closure are specified in 622.190(c). The northern pass is famed for its strong currents that rip into the channel, bringing nutrient-rich waters that attract numerous shark species including tiger, grey reef, hammerhead and silky to name a few. Whether you are adventurous and want to watch sharks, or simply enjoy the reef is up to you. The local community oversees the management of the reserve and puts policies in place to control human activity and safeguard the maritime environment. ), some other bread item (homemade donuts one morning, for example), fruit juice, coffee, tea, butter, jam, Nutella, cheese, and eggs if you want to cook your own. Updated catch and data changes incorporated in the assessment provided information to update the OFL, ABC, annual OY, and ACLs. 603). (B) For the 20242025 fishing year, 379,346 lb (172,068 kg). Moreover, fishing restrictions have been put in place to safeguard the grouper stock. Start Printed Page 44245 We saw sharks, grouper, manta ray, napoleon wrasse, barracuda and a million other reef fish plus beautiful corals. Pollution can also affect the water quality and disrupt the environmental conditions necessary for the spawning. For a number of reasons, the Fakarava grouper spawning is notable. for better understanding how a document is structured but Will work on the regulators and see if we can try again at some point. We described and quantified a large aggregation of reef sharks in the 17.5 hectares of the southern channel of Fakarava (Figure 1).French Polynesian atolls host healthy populations of sharks [11] that have been protected by law from local and international fishing since 2006.We first constructed a high-resolution bathymetry map using a multibeam sonar system to characterize the study site . Combined commercial and recreational ACLs. In summary, the information provided above supports a determination that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Cool! The second, Rangiroa, is in the Tuamotu Archipelago, as is our third, Fakarava. Mary Vara, telephone: 7278245305, or email: Marbled Groupers normally are solitary but, in the week preceding the full moon closest to the June solstice, 10,000+ aggregate in Fakarava South Pass for spawning. Absolutely epic. NOAA scientists from our Southeast Fisheries Science Center are monitoring the status and recovery of goliath grouper. Eight bungalows with modern bed with storage facilities. Fakarava Grouper Spawn. It's about the sharks of Fakarava, during a time that the pass is practically overrun with groupers, because they gather there to spawn once a year, and sharks apparently like grouper tacos as much as we do! Currently, during April each year, for both the commercial and recreational sectors, no person may sell or purchase a greater amberjack harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ and the harvest and possession limit is one per person per day or one per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. Fakarava is home to a pink sand beach found about an hour boat ride south of the main atoll of Rotoava. (A) For the 20232024 fishing year, 435,212 lb (197,409 kg). The Grouper, as usual, did not look happy. Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official so we've restored your progress. A traditional style awaits you for a lifetime experience in and out of the crystal clear waters. Five subtopics will be covered in this article: Thousands of groupers congregate in the Fakarava atoll each year between June and July to spawn. NMFS will accept anonymous commentsenter N/A in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous. Grouper Spawn. While the Council increased the recreational allocation percentage to account for the increase in recreational catch estimates under the new MRIP FES estimation method, the Council chose to increase the recreational allocation to 65.00 percent, instead of 70.16 percent to account for potential adverse economic and social impacts to the commercial sector. In Amendment 49, the Council revised the ABC based on SEDAR 59 and the recommendation of their SSC. 2021. In the end, we were only able to do a drift snorkel through the pass, and while we could see the sharks down below, it just wasnt the same as being down there with them. That's a promise. 07/11/2023 at 8:45 am. Passport requirement must have 6 months remaining until expiration date upon return to USA. The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this proposed rule. The tourists support the neighborhood businesses by engaging in other activities like diving and snorkeling in addition to watching the spawning. Start Printed Page 44246 Any change in the supply of greater amberjack available for purchase by dealers as a result of this proposed rule, and associated economic effects, would be an indirect effect of the proposed rule and would therefore fall outside the scope of the RFA. While it is extremely difficult for divers to witness the marbled grouper spawning due to the short timeframe, diving in the Fakarava channel throughout the year is nonetheless sensational. The revised greater amberjack sector allocations in Amendment 49 would result in commercial and recreational allocations of 35.00 percent and 65.00 percent, respectively. Both are highly recommended, and are made available to purchase! The population of groupers may decline due to overfishing, which may also have an impact on spawning success. The commercial ACL in each fishing year would continue to be allocated 60 percent to Season 1 (March-August) and 40 percent to Season 2 (September-February) with any unharvested quota from Season 1 being carried over to Season 2. For similar reasons as those provided through public and AP comments, the Council determined that reducing the minimum size limit would reduce regulatory discards, reduce the risk of shark depredation, and more align with the greater commercial desirability for smaller fish. This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the At night, marvel at the infinite shades of blue lagoon that inspired Matisse, and toast to spectacular sunsets from the beach. The current ABC includes recreational estimates from the MRFSS. His documentary depicting the adapting generation of whale hunters on the island of Pico won a Royal Television Award in 2017. The groupers are a keystone species in the ecology, and when they reproduce, many predators, including sharks and barracudas, receive food. The oysters they put in the lottery have already produced one pearl, and from that they have a pretty good idea that the next pearl will not be especially large, or perfectly round, and probably wont have spectacular color, but for about $33, you still get a nice pearl, which they put onto a simple black cord to make a bracelet or necklace, and every one comes with a story, and pictures! There was a fun twist to the pearl farm on Fakarava three days a week, they hold a pearl lottery! For an unforgettable stay at the end of the world with an incredibly rich fauna and flora, the Motu Aito pension allows you to make the most of the magnificent turquoise blue lagoon with so many shades each one more beautiful than the other, palm trees, deserted beaches. A business primarily engaged in commercial fishing (North American Industry Classification System code 11411) is classified as a small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts not in excess of $11 million for all of its affiliated operations worldwide. Your email address will not be published. Greater amberjack. Counts are subject to sampling, reprocessing and revision (up or down) throughout the day. Electronic Submission: For-hire vessels sell fishing services to recreational anglers. What is the significance of the Fakarava grouper spawning? Recreational anglers are not businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions. The commercial quota for greater amberjack is equivalent to the commercial ACL. publication in the future. However, as discussed below, this proposed rule would also modify the percentage of the total ACL that is allocated to the commercial sector and therefore economic effects to small entities are quantified as part of that discussion. Get our Newsletter! 7. and The phenomena is a natural wonder that draws visitors from all over the world, including scientists, divers, and tourists. A PADI MSDT instructor, Chris graduated from university in 2016 with a degree in film and journalism. If interested, please contact Andy Skuntz, at Colorado Dive + Travel Adventures, email to askuntz@yahoo.com, or call at 719-322-6941. Regulatory Amendment 27 allocated 60 percent of the commercial quota to Season 1 from March through August, and 40 percent of the quota to Season 2 from September through February. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that NMFS and the regional fishery management councils prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing basis, the OY from federally managed fish stocks. daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial Once you have filled in the required fields below you can preview and/or submit your comment to the Commerce Department for review. Recreational ACTs are not codified in the regulations, and are not currently used for management purposes. There are some pretty good videos in the Google Photos album thats linked at the end of this post, but if you want to see even more sharks than we saw, watch the documentary 700 Sharks. 3. The maximum annual revenue from all species reported by a single one of the vessels that harvested greater amberjack from 2015 through 2019 was approximately $632,000 (2020 dollars). Harvest. Over 15 scientific publications have resulted from the Grouper Moon Project. Blink and you will miss the event the feeding frenzy occurs for under an hour that night when tens of thousands of groupers lay their eggs and sperm in the water column.