When the Council prohibited fish traps in the snapper grouper fishery in 1992, a few of the displaced trap fishermen began developing a specialized fishery for golden crabs.  Harvesting of this little known species required fortitude and ingenuity in developing gear modifications to trap the deepwater crabs.  The Nielsen family of Dania, Florida was instrumental in developing harvesting techniques and creating a market for golden crab, encouraging other fishermen to join the fishery.  As the fishery began to grow, these same fishermen who had been displaced earlier by the Council from their snapper grouper trap fishery, showed a remarkable good faith effort by approaching the Council with their own plan proposal for the golden crab fishery.  This plan included measures to protect the stock, as well as a limited entry program to protect them from large vessels entering the fishery from outside the area. 

The Council worked cooperatively with the fishermen to provide a sustainable fishery opportunity by developing a management plan that would eventually limit the number of fishermen in established fishing zones (southern, middle and northern) as well as implement the protective measures for the crabs as outlined by the fishermen themselves.  Management has been so effective that the Council is in the process of adding more vessels to the northern zone.  The Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan represents an excellent example of co-management between fishermen and the Council.

Listing of Species and History of Management

Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (1995)
Set up a management program for the golden crab fishery in the South Atlantic EEZ; Established a limited entry system and divided the fishery into three zones; Required escape gaps with degradable panels in crab traps; Prohibited sale of female crabs and limited retention of female crabs to 0.5% by number; Required that crabs be landed whole.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Framework Seasonal Adjustment #1 (1997)
Revised the vessel size limitations applicable when a vessel permit is transferred to another vessel and extended through December 31, 2000, the authorization to use wire cable for a mainline attached to a golden crab trap.

Amendment 1 (1998)
Identified Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Golden Crab.

Amendment 2 (1998)
Amended the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as required to make definitions of MSY, OY, overfishing and overfished consistent with "National Standard Guidelines"; identified and defined fishing communities and addressed bycatch management measures.

Amendment 3 (2000)
Extended the authorization to use wire cable for mainlines attached to golden crab traps to December, 31, 2002; modified escape panel sizes for traps; addressed permit renewal requirements including removal of the 5,000 pound harvest requirement for renewing biannual permits and addressed the minimum harvest requirement for permit holders in the Southern Zone; allowed up to a 20% increase in vessel size from the vessel size of the original permit; created a sub-zone within the Southern Zone with specified conditions; allowed two new vessels to be permitted to fish only in the Northern Zone using an earlier list of those wanting to enter the fishery; Specified Status Determination Criteria; and modified the FMP framework to allow modifications to the sub-zone.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule