There has been a steady decline in lake trout abundance in Lake Superior since the early 2000s. This decline has been confirmed by independent surveys conducted by the Department and has been projected by models used to set safe harvest levels. Some level of decline was expected because of high harvest limits in the early 2000s, which were in response to several large year classes (numbers of fish produced in the same year) predicted to enter the fishery. However, successive versions of a statistical catch-at-age model also suggest that previous estimates of lake trout abundance were inflated. The combination of increased harvest and re-scaled estimates of lake trout abundance has led to lower total allowable catch recommendations. While relatively stable indices of spawning lake trout suggest that this decline is still reversible, action needs to be taken to protect the population from further decline. The persistent decline of the lake trout population necessitates harvest reductions in order to ensure a sustainable lake trout fishery over the long-term.
4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
Section 29.014 (1), Stats., directs the Department to establish and maintain any bag limits and conditions governing the taking of fish that will conserve the fish supply and ensure the citizens of this state continued opportunities for good fishing. Section 29.041, Stats., provides that the Department may regulate fishing on and in all interstate boundary waters and outlying waters. Section 29.519 (1m) (b), Stats., grants discretion to the Department to establish commercial fish species harvest limits after giving due consideration to the recommendations made by the commercial fishing boards. It also specifies that the limitations on harvests must be based on the available harvestable population of fish and in the wise use and conservation of the fish, so as to prevent over-exploitation. 5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
Employees will likely spend more than 240 hours developing the emergency rule, including travel time to meet with the Red Cliff and Bad River Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa.
6. List of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
• State-licensed commercial fishers on Lake Superior
• Tribal-licensed commercial fishers on Lake Superior
• Recreational fishers on Lake Superior
• Recreational fishing guides and charter fishing businesses
State-licensed commercial fishers will be affected by the amount of fish they are able to harvest. It is not expected that fishers will have any compliance expenditures or reporting changes associated with the rule.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
No federal regulations apply. None of the rule proposals violate or conflict with federal regulations.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule:
The rule will impact the harvest of lake trout and other species by commercial fishers and recreational fishers. Because of the decline in lake trout populations, these groups that fish in Lake Superior would have a reduction in overall harvest limits.
The rule may alter the amount of gillnet effort commercial fishers can use to target lake whitefish, which is the primary species sought by commercial fishers. Lake trout are often caught in the same nets as whitefish. However, the impact of reduced gillnet footage can be buffered if commercial fishers shift to using trap nets, which are not subject to the same effort restrictions governing gillnets. Recreational fishers will be affected by a change in the lake trout daily bag limit or size limit in order to reduce overall harvest, but this is not expected to cause any expenditures for recreational fishers. The proposed rule will have an effect on small businesses that conduct commercial fishing and a potential indirect effect on fishing guides and charter fishing businesses, but does not impose any compliance or reporting requirements nor would any design or operational standards be contained in the rule.
The rule imposing harvest reductions is necessary in order to ensure a sustainable lake trout fishery over the long-term that provides an economic and natural resource benefit for all affected. The rule may have a moderate economic impact in the Lake Superior region, but an exact amount of impact is unknown at this time. If a permanent rule is pursued, the Department will conduct an economic impact analysis to gather comments from any individuals, businesses, local governments, or other entities that expect to be affected economically by the rule change.
The Department is meeting with state-licensed commercial fishers and holding public meetings in September and October 2015 to discuss the lake trout quotas, allocation, and options for management.
9. Anticipated number, month and locations of public hearings:
The Department will hold one public hearing in Ashland within 45 days after the emergency rule is in effect to collect additional public input on the rule.
Contact Person: Terry Margenau, Lake Superior Fisheries Supervisor, 715-779-4035
