December 8, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council took two actions today related to small-mesh multispecies, which include two stocks of silver hake and offshore hake – collectively known as “whiting” – and two stocks of red hake.
- First, the Council approved 2018-2020 specifications for the fishery, including total allowable landings (TALs) for the next three fishing years.
- Second, the Council voted to send Whiting Amendment 22 out to public hearing. The amendment was developed to potentially limit access to the small-mesh multispecies fishery. During it’s September meeting, the Council selected “no action” as its preferred alternative for qualification criteria, but the public will have the opportunity to comment on five other alternatives to potentially limit access to the fishery. Other related measures, such as possession limits by permit type and permit conditions, also are proposed.
The “Whiting Amendment” is being developed as Amendment 22 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, better known as the groundfish plan. The full range of alternatives will go out to public hearing in early 2018. The Council will provide a detailed public hearing document and additional information once the remaining analyses are completed and hearings are scheduled.
Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications for Fishing Years 2018-2020 With Percent Increases/Decreases from 2016-2017
The 2018-2020 specifications: (1) are based on the best available science using updated assessment information; and (2) account for recent changes in stock biomass and catch, which includes landings and discards.
The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended overfishing limits and acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for four of the target stocks in the small-mesh multispecies fishery (see table previous page). Specifications are not set for offshore hake because the stock’s status currently is “unknown.” However, the southern silver hake ABC is adjusted by 4% to account for offshore hake that are landed as “whiting.”
Southern Red Hake Stock Status: Management Action Likely Needed
The latest small-mesh multispecies assessment update, which includes information through 2016, was prepared by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and is undergoing a final internal review. It indicates that southern red hake: (a) is overfished; and (b) overfishing is occurring.
If the assessment is certified by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the New England Council intends to initiate an amendment to take steps to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. A 2019 benchmark assessment is planned, at which time the biological references points could be reconsidered.
Developing measures to rebuild southern red hake will be challenging because most of the catch is comprised of discards.
View the full release from the NEFMC here.