b. Prohibit wire fish traps on the Fore Reef and Reef Flat (Boundary 

 Alternative #1) but allow them in the Patch Reef, Deep Reef and Deep 

 Ridge zones alternatives outside 1 sq nm (Boundary Alternatives #2"& #3) 



This alternative would protect the Fore Reef spur and groove 

 system from physical damage from traps and would maintain the Reef Flat 

 as a suitable recreational area for snorkelers and inexperienced divers. 



It would enhance the superior recreational value of the 1 sq nm 

 boundary alternative by eliminating wire fish traps from the ocean floor. 

 However, ecological damage to the reef system from overfishing and 

 incidental bycatch of non-commercial species would not be prevented. 

 Due to the constant movement, back and forth, of fish between the Deep 

 Reef and Ridge through Fore Reef channels to the Patch Reefs to feed, 

 a 1 sq nm ban of wire traps in the Fore Reef and Reef Flat would not 

 effectively protect fish populations at Looe Key from depletion. 



Similarly this alternative would not protect against damage 

 from traps and anchoring to Deep Reef and Deep Ridge living coral 

 assemblages which consist of a rich variety of stony coral, octocoral , 

 sponges and types of coral no longer found on the Fore Reef. 



Although the location of wire fish traps varies and largely 

 depends on where the fish are running, local residents interviewed 

 during the onsite survey stated that most trapping occurs seaward of 

 the Fore Reef and outside of the 1 sq nm alternative. Fishermen avoid 

 the spur and groove system of the Fore Reef and the shallowness of the 

 Reef Flat to avoid hull damage. Therefore, this alternative is not 

 likely to have a substantial adverse economic effect on Looe Key wire 

 trap fishermen. 



c. Prohibit wire fish traps within the 5 sq nm sanctuary (Boundary 

 Alternative #2 and #3). PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE . 



This alternative would prevent both physical and ecological 

 damage from traps to the coral formations and resident fish species. 

 Fishermen, although prohibited from laying traps within the 5 sq nm 

 area, could continue to utilize the area seaward of the reef beyond 

 approximately 140 feet and those areas beside Looe Key, along the outer 

 reef tract. This proposed regulation is slightly more restrictive 

 than that presently under consideration in the Draft Snapper-Grouper FMP 

 which includes a proposed prohibition out to the 100 foot contour south 

 of Cape Canaveral; the sanctuary prohibition would extend to the proposed 

 boundary at approximately the 140 foot contour. 



The prohibition would probably not substantially affect the catch 

 of mackerel normally found in the "blue water" environment seaward of 

 the reef. How much this restriction could reduce the catch of yellow- 

 tail, mangrove and mutton snapper, and grouper by Looe Key fishermen 

 cannot be forecast. On the other hand, it can be stated that they 

 would be denied the value of the catch currently taken from this area 

 which amounts to about $109,000 or $3,900 per boat per year (Appendix C, 

 Table 2). 



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