8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule:
The rules could have an impact on the harvest of cisco by commercial fishers and recreational fishers. These groups that fish in Lake Superior could have a reduction in overall harvest. The rules imposing harvest restrictions are necessary in order to ensure a sustainable cicso fishery over the long-term that provides an economic and natural resource benefit for all affected. The permanent rule may have a moderate economic impact (Governor’s Executive Order 50, level 2 economic impact analysis above $50,000 but less than $20 million), 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.
Average state-licensed commercial fishers’ annual catch between 2010 and 2015 was 960,991 pounds of cisco. In 2015, the cisco price per pound was $0.40-0.65, but has been as high as $1.20 per pound since 2012. While the price per pound has varied over time, estimated total value of the commercial cisco roe fishery is between $500,000 and $1,000,000 per year. The methods in the rules for determining harvest restrictions are expected to allow commercial fishers to harvest at or near the current average annual catch amount. Therefore, the rules may have minimal to moderate economic impact on commercial fishing businesses. Outside of the rules, market demand and fuel and other variable expenditures would have a greater economic impact. The rules will allow the Department to reduce or increase the harvest limit based on assessment data and recommended harvest parameters.
Harvest reporting requirements would be included in the rules, similar to current bimonthly reporting requirements for January through September. Additional onboard records and daily phone reporting may also be required during the cisco spawning season October through December. The combination of bimonthly reports and daily phone reports would allow for tracking of overall and individual allotments of the harvest limits with up to date records during the time of year with the majority of harvest.
Recreational fishers may be affected if there is a change in the cisco season, daily bag limit, or size limit in order to reduce overall harvest. If so, that is not expected to cause any expenditures for recreational fishers. The proposed rules may have an indirect effect on fishing guides and charter fishing businesses.
9. Anticipated number, month and locations of public hearings:
The Department anticipates holding a public hearing in the fall of 2016 in Ashland for the emergency rule. Hearing locations and times for a permanent rule will be determined.
Contact Person: Todd Kalish, Fisheries Management Bureau, Deputy Director 608-266-5285
/S/ Kurt Thiede
Department Head or Authorized Signature
5/31/16
Date Submitted
