May 13, 2015 — The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Committee on to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
NEFMC Releases April/May Council Report
May 12, 2015 — The following newsletter was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
Groundfish
Amendment 18 moves on to public hearings
Now that it has identified its preferred alternatives among the provisions in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 18 to the Groundfish Plan, the Council will schedule public hearings for late July and August. An announcement with the details will be widely distributed to encourage public input.
Amendment 18 focuses on accumulation limits and fleet diversity by including measures concerning Potential Sector Contributions (PSC) and permit caps, Handgear A permits, data confidentiality, formalizing redfish fishing opportunities, and the delineation of inshore and offshore fishing areas in the Gulf of Maine.
The following section describes the categories of management measures in the amendment and the preferred alternatives identified by the Council within those categories. The choices supported in April do not bind the NEFMC’s 18 voting members in September when final decisions are to be approved. Here’s how it went last month.
- Accumulation limits – Create two types of accumulation limits — on individuals and entities: 1) On the Potential Sector Contribution that may be held in aggregate to no more than 15.5% of the aggregated stocks in total, and 2) on the Northeast multispecies permits that may be held to no more than 5%. The PSC cap selected (Alternative 6) would be the least constraining on fishing businesses, but does limit holdings.
- Handgear A Permits – Create a sub-annual catch limit for Handgear A (HA) permits, remove the March 1-20 closure for common pool HA vessels, remove the standard fish tote requirement for Handgear A vessels, and allow sectors to annually request that HA vessels fishing in the sector be exempt from the requirement to use a vessel monitoring system, but instead be allowed to use an Interactive Voice Response (lVR) Call-In System. IVR is already used in the groundfish fishery and is a less expensive data reporting alternative than VMS.
- Data Confidentiality – Do not adjust current fishery data confidentiality practices and protocols, specifically the price of annual catch entitlement (ACE) transferred within a sector or leased between sectors. The Council felt it is unnecessary to make changes to data that are currently considered confidential and had concerns about the legality of releasing price information.
- Inshore/Offshore Gulf of Maine (GOM) – Do not consider the establishment of an inshore/offshore boundary within the GOM and associated measures. The Council considers this type of measure unnecessary, given the current restrictions on the groundfish fishery in the area at this time.
- Redfish Exemption Area – Define an area where sector vessels could fish with a smaller net mesh (5.5 inches) than the standard size to target redfish. This would allow groundfish sector vessels to target redfish without applying for an annual sector exemption, thereby streamlining the process to access this resource.
2015 Sea Scallop RSA Awards Announced
May 5, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):
The New England and Fishery Management Council is pleased to reiterate its support of the Atlantic Sea Scallop research set-aside program and the awards announced by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center yesterday.
See 2015 Sea Scallop RSA Awards Anounced.pdf for the Council’s reaction, additional information about the program, and a link to the Science Center’s detailed announcement.
Squid Capacity Scoping Comments Due May 11
May 5, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC):
Please be aware that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is collecting scoping comments through May 11 for a potential amendment that would consider options for reducing the capacities of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. Those who hold limited access squid permits may wish to learn more.
Additional information is available here: http://www.mafmc.org/newsfeed/2015/reminder-squid-scoping/.
If you have any questions, MAFMC staffer Jason Didden is the contact person – jdidden@mafmc.org; (302) 526-5254 (direct); (302) 397-1131 (cell); or (302) 674-5399 (fax)
NEFMC: Sea Scallop PDT and AP Meeting Relocated
May 1, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):
The joint Scallop Plan Development Team and Advisory Panel meeting scheduled for May 13-14 has been relocated to another hotel in Warwick, RI. The new venue is the Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886. The notice provided here Scallop May 13 and May 14 Meeting notice NEW LOCATION reiterates all the other meeting details which remain as described in the previously distributed notice for this meeting.
Habitat, access in hot fisheries debate
April 25, 2015 — It could have been worse.
That was the consensus among Cape Cod participants in the New England Fishery Management Council’s hotly debated meeting this week in Mystic, Connecticut, where the discussion centered on what areas to protect as fish habitat, one of the most fundamental elements in bringing stocks like cod and flounder back from historically low levels.
Using a new computer model and lots of new data that identified and mapped critical habitat in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and the Great South Channel, the council was supposed to evaluate and update the validity of closures that have lasted as much as 20 years and enact new closures to protect newly identified critical habitat and spawning grounds.
From the outset the process threatened to morph into a turf war over opening access to thousands of square miles of ocean that have seen little or no fishing in decades. The scallop fleet, for instance, campaigned to be allowed into the northern portion of Georges Bank because new data showed that some of the closed area was not critical to fish stocks but contained large amounts of scallops.
Read the full story from the Cape Cod Times
NEFMC Takes Action on Habitat
April 24, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council largely completed its task this week to take final action on a plan to revise it fishery habitat protection rules currently in place in federal waters from Maine to Connecticut.
On April 22-23, the Council voted on a range of habitat-related issues. Its members voted to revise a number of its essential fish habitat (EFH) designations for the species the Council manages and added to its existing list of Habitat Areas of Particular Concern. Otherwise known as HAPCs, these areas are not subject to gear or other restrictions, but are singled out because they encompass ecologically important and sensitive habitats that should receive careful consideration for conservation purposes. With some modifications to the overlapping habitat management areas, the status quo level of protection was retained in an area known as the Cashes Ledge Groundfish Closure Area, which is located about 80 miles off the coast of Maine and is well-known for its biodiversity and unique range of habitats.
If NOAA Fisheries approves the Council’s proposed measures, special status also will be conferred on an area of Cashes Ledge known as Ammen Rock, the highest underwater feature in the Gulf of Maine, on which no fishing gear except lobster pots will be allowed. A nearby habitat protected area known as Jeffreys Bank was reconfigured to better encompass shallow hard bottom habitats.
Habitat protection in the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area, located off the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, also will remain largely the same as is currently delineated. Mobile gear that is commonly used to fish on or near the seabed for groundfish and shellfish will not be allowed in the defined area. The Council proposed to open an area to the east of the Western Gulf of Maine habitat area, which will allow fishermen to target healthy fish stocks, as pollock and redfish in deeper waters off Jeffreys Ledge.
Seeking to encourage scientific research, the New England Council identified two areas that will be dedicated to those types of activities, an area on Stellwagen Bank off the Massachusetts coast, and another on Georges Bank. A measure to establish a no fishing “reference area” within the overall research area on Stellwagen Bank was not approved.
Several complicated sets of habitat protection measures that would apply to Georges Bank were considered as well. A new configuration, presented by fishing interests for the first time yesterday morning, would allow fishing in formerly closed areas (including an opening that would allow access to a scallop-rich area), but also proposed other areas that would provide habitat protection. After lengthy discussion, the Council agreed that this proposal will be analyzed between now and the Council’s June 16-18 meeting in Newport, RI and considered then.
Again, trying to strike a balance between habitat protection and the continuation of fishing, including consideration for the economically successful surf clam industry, the Council approved a large new area east of Nantucket (the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area) for targeted habitat protection. The northeast corner of the area will be closed to all dredges and bottom trawls. The remainder of the area is closed to bottom trawls and scallop dredges, but allows an exemption for hydraulic clam dredges for one year only, at which point the Council may adopt a different program for surf clam vessels to access portions of the habitat area.
Finally, the Council added another new habitat area. This one, known as Cox Ledge, is located south of Rhode Island. Mobile gear used by trawlers would be required to operate with modified fishing gear. Hydraulic clam dredges would be prohibited.
Ending its business at this meeting, the Council approved a review process that would help it evaluate the effectiveness of the changes made through this omnibus amendment, in addition to the restrictions imposed in other locations.
Mainer’s vote disallowed on New England fishery council
April 22, 2015 — Mary Beth Nickell-Tooley, an at-large member from Maine since 2008, was informed Wednesday by NOAA Attorney Adviser Mitch MacDonald she “may not vote during the Council’s final deliberations on Habitat Amendment alternatives that open or close areas to fishing nor on the final vote to approve the Habitat Amendment for submission to NMFS.”
MacDonald’s opinion, which reversed an earlier opinion allowing her to vote on all habitat issues, was based on additional information furnished by Nickell-Tooley concerning an oral agreement to provide consulting services through her present business, Sustainable Harvest Consulting, to her former employer, O’Hara Corp.
“The Council decisions on opening or closing fishing areas to scallop fishing in the Habitat Amendment will have a quantifiable effect on O’Hara Corporation’s financial interests in the harvest of scallops,” MacDonald wrote in a letter to Nickell-Tooley.
MacDonald’s determination of a possible conflict forced Nickell-Tooley to recuse herself from voting on all habitat motions today and Thursday, as well as the final vote on the amendment as a whole, which is expected Thursday.
She was allowed, however, to comment on issues and motions that came before the council.
Nickell-Tooley said that while she may not agree with MacDonald’s opinion, she would abide by it. She did not say whether she would seek a review of MacDonald’s determination by NOAA’s general counsel within 10 days, as is her right.
Read the full story from the Bangor Daily News
NEFMC Names Journalist Janice Plante the First Recipient of its Annual Award for Excellence
April 23, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
Former Commercial Fisheries News (CFN) Associate Editor Janice M. Plante late yesterday received the New England Fishery Management Council’s first award for excellence, which is also named in her honor. Announcing the award at its Mystic meeting, Council Chairman Terry Stockwell made the presentation to Ms. Plante “for excellence in furthering the effectiveness of the fishery management process. She has been a highly regarded contributor in significant, measurable ways as the Council strives to maximize transparency, promote stewardship, support robust science, encourage innovation, and maintain strong relationships with its partners,” he added.
Mr. Stockwell went on to highlight Ms. Plante’s outstanding coverage of fisheries issues in the Northeast during her 30 year career at CFN, a fisheries trade paper. In particular, he cited her commitment to accuracy and her ability to boil down the often complicated background details and wide-ranging issues frequently associated with regulatory and management problems into verbiage that her readership could understand.
In closing, Mr. Stockwell pointed out Ms. Plante’s outstanding accomplishments and service to the fishing community, fisheries managers and scientists, and government agencies involved. In turn, Ms. Plante acknowledged the outstanding cooperation she received from all the parties she wrote about. As is her style, she also did not forget her former colleagues at CFN, the team of writers she worked with for many years, each one contributing to the final product.
Fisheries council expected to vote on opening scallop grounds
April 22, 2015 — The New England Fishery Management Council on Thursday will take up the subject of opening parts of Georges Bank to scallop fishing, in some cases after closures of 20 years that led to an untapped abundance of scallops, according to surveys.
Wednesday's meeting of the council, day two of three, offered a preview of how the council, and by extension NOAA Fisheries, intends to proceed.
During the public comment period of the meeting, environmentalists implored the council to not reopen any "essential habitat" areas to fishing. Fishing interests countered that the closures are excessive and in some cases unproductive.
Dozens of environmentalists had signed a petition letter to ask the council to leave protected and closed areas alone, citing recent news that fish stocks in the Northeast are not recovering as well as other areas of the country.
"Don't be bullied" by the environmentalists, Maggie Raymond of the Associated Fisheries of Maine urged the 17-member council.
The council, often bogging down in procedural questions about how to work through many overlapping amendments using Robert's Rules of Order, eventually dealt with three changes in the Gulf of Maine proposed by the council's Habitat Committee.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times
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