2022_11_15 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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amount that are going out and, yet, people are still using manta rays [unclear] and there's like a variety of people that are upset from where, you know, how can we at GMAC help them regulate that as well as,just too many people out there and it causes stress on the manta rays as well as just serving all the other ocean life— having too many people in the water and then the parking situation down there. AA: OK. Thanks. Ah, Sylvia, a question for you cause, would that consist of within GMAC guidelines [unclear] this subject within the manta ray-tourist issue? SW: So GMAC can investigate the rules and regulations that are currently set for manta ray tours and if upon investigating the rules and regulations that are currently in place GMAC determines that there is a suggested change—then GMAC can advise County Council or the respective federal, state or county agency regarding a suggested rule change that may provide a better impact. But there's nothing that GMAC can specifically change rules on, but you can... AA: No, and that's not kinda like what I'm thinking. I'm just thinking that's kinda like out of GMAC's guidelines because that's not considered fishing, really, unless... SW: It's talking about conservation of aquatic life so that does fall under the "may" portion within the charter. Just a second I can pull it up for you. It says that under the Charter 6- 9.3 it said the Commission may also advise county, state and federal agencies on any matter affecting the taking and conservation of aquatic life and wildlife, including proposed rules and shall communicate its findings and recommendations to these agencies. So, if the point is going toward the conservation of aquatic life, GMAC can investigate this particular issue to otherwise inform the county, state or federal agencies that are otherwise impacting this particular issue as to any other suggested changes in rules, regulations and policies. AA: OK. I guess we'll look into it, Abraham — District 5. 1 guess we'll look into it a little bit more then. RD: Chair, a comment... AA: Yeah, go ahead Rob... RD: Yeah, in the definition of a "take" it doesn't mean you have to harvest it. Essentially, that's a wildlife term for influencing the behavior of an animal. So, a "take" could be like —a "taking" is called an interference—so if a boat comes across a dolphin swim path that could be considered a "take." So, interfering with the manta rays is a "taking" which would allow us to look into this. 4