RECOMMENDATION 1: Increased marketing to enhance local market and address seasonality .
Most of the blue crabs harvested in Florida and across the Gulf of Mexico are sold live and transported to the Mid-Atlantic coast. The Mid-Atlantic market is highly seasonal, with the ability to sell blue crabs declining in late summer into fall. However, blue crab availability remains high throughout the fall. Fishermen will decrease effort since the product cannot be moved as quickly. Additionally, the popularity behind eating whole crabs has decreased. Local educational events focused on consumption of whole crabs could create an engaging environment that teaches people how to pick a blue crab, instilling a sense of pride in the local product.
Actions
1. Work with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDOACS) and the Fresh from Florida Program to create more local promotional events.
2. Engage Florida Sea Grant to create consumer education around preparing and consuming whole crabs.
RECOMMENDATION 2: Reactivate Blue Crab Advisory Board
Summary
In 2003 the Blue Crab Advisory Board was created to advise Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during the development and implementation of BCEMP and to address other issues in the fishery. The BCAB was active until July 2012, at which time FWC discontinued funding for the board. Members of the board meet informally to discuss issues in the fishery, but no formal structure currently exists. Reinstitution of the Board could help to address new issues in the fishery in a more official capacity
Actions
1. Blue crab industry members develop a list of reasons for the need to reinstate an advisory board.
2. Interested industry members discuss with FWC process needed to reactivate board.
3. Industry and FWC jointly create priority issues and define make up of board.
RECOMMENDATION 3: Better publication of contact information and volunteer events surrounding trap clean up.
Summary
FWC conducts trap removal programs to minimize the impacts of ghost fishing by lost or abandoned traps in Florida waters. FWC currently runs two separate programs that address lost or abandoned gear.
Actions
1. G.U.L.F. to collaborate with industry on communication strategy surrounding annual trap clean ups.
2. Prepare regional areas ahead of closure period to best utilize effort. (Inform local fishermen of the phone number to report traps for removal and let them know about any volunteer efforts taking place in their area that they can assist with.).
RECOMMENDATION 4: Freshwater flow concerns.
Summary
Blue crab is an environmentally driven fishery. Current research indicates that freshwater inflow is a critical driver of blue crab population dynamics (Sanchez-Rubio et al. 2011), and landings can fluctuate based on water flow. Low flow conditions have been found to negatively affect juvenile blue crabs in the Apalachicola River estuary. Urbanization of Florida and water uses in the watersheds further upstream from Florida’s estuaries and bays can negatively impact commercially important species, including blue crab. FWRI staff has presented data to the South Florida Water Management District for consideration when making water use decisions (Gandy et al. 2010). Further research and communication between FWC and the five water management districts of Florida could further raise awareness of this issue.
Actions
1. FWC continues to send information as needed to Florida Water Board on how practices impact commercial species.
2. Blue crab industry engagement in public meetings for water management districts to raise awareness of this issue and show public support for consideration of estuarine and biological needs when determining water usage.
RECOMMENDATION 5: Conservation and Restoration of blue crab habitat.
Summary
Blue crabs depend on coastal habitats. The adult stages of blue crabs are primarily located in marshes, tidal areas, and estuaries. Conservation and restoration activities would serve to increase viable habitat for blue crabs, as well as other vital marine and estuarine species.
Numerous coastal restoration initiatives are underway in Florida through both government agencies and non-profit organizations. As coastal populations increase and environmental changes occur, maintaining coastal habitats will be an ongoing challenge and continued support for coastal protection and restoration is recommended.
Actions
1. Identify priority blue crab habitats in need of restoration.
2. Continue to support and participate in current restoration efforts.
RECOMMENDATION 6: Collaboration with Sea Grant on education and training.
Summary
During interviews conducted by G.U.L.F. in every Gulf State, industry members have praised Sea Grant’s ability to educate fishermen on methods for improving product and updating them on innovative techniques within the fishery. One fisherman said that training on shedding crabs by Florida Sea Grant completely changed and improved his business. Louisiana Sea Grant has extensively looked into improving the quality of blue crabs (reduce handling, keep them as cool as possible before selling), and has presented this information to fishermen during trainings held across the state. Additionally, Louisiana Sea Grant has collaborated with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on development and implementation of a professionalism program for commercial fisheries. For the Louisiana blue crab fishery, the professionalism program requires new applicants for a commercial blue crab license to be trained on current regulations, business plans, and best practices for catching and handling product. New applicants must also complete an apprenticeship. Florida Sea Grant has begun discussion with FWC about implementing training seminars for stone crab, as well as other commercial fisheries.
Actions
1. Discussion between FWC, industry, and Sea Grant to determine priority areas of education for the industry.
RECOMMENDATION 7: Data collection on recreational fishery.
Summary
There are currently no data on the impacts of recreational fishing on blue crab populations. Anyone who holds a Florida saltwater license is allowed five recreational traps for blue crab. Landings from this sector are not recorded, and there is no information on how many saltwater license holders are using traps. There are similar concerns in the stone crab fishery, and the newly formed Stone Crab Advisory Board is proposing ways to address this in their fishery. There was concern over the effort in the recreational lobster fishery, and now in order to fish for spiny lobster an individual must hold a saltwater license and lobster permit. FWC conducts surveys of spiny lobster endorsement holders to gain valuable data on recreational use in the fishery. Similar discussions could be had regarding blue crab to get a better handle on recreational effort.
Actions
1. Industry and FWC discuss feasibility of either blue crab specific recreational license or recreational tags, modeling current recreational lobster data collection system.
