Saving Seafood

Council Actions

ASMFC Atlantic Herring Days Out Meeting Scheduled for April 24, 1 – 2:30 PM

April 4, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
Atlantic Herring Management Board members from the states of Maine, New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will meet via webinar on April 24, 2024 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., to discuss days out measures for the 2024 Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fishing season. Days out measures can include specification of the number of consecutive landings days, weekly landings limits, and restrictions on at-sea transfers. The webinar and call information is included below:
 
Atlantic Herring Days Out Meeting
Wednesday, April 24
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
 
You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone at the following link:https://meet.goto.com/405812685. If you are new to GoToMeeting, you can download the app ahead of time (click here) and be ready before the meeting starts. For audio, the meeting will be using the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP), but if you are joining the webinar from your phone only, you can dial in at +1 (571) 317-3112 and enter access code 405-812-685 when prompted. The webinar will start at 12:45 p.m., 15 minutes early, to troubleshoot audio as necessary.
 
Federally-permitted Herring Category A vessels must declare into the Area 1A fishery at least 45 days prior to the start of the fishing season. Small-mesh bottom trawl vessels with a federal Herring Category C or D permit must declare into the Area 1A fishery by June 1, 2024. Vessels should check with each state of landing regarding their notification procedures.
 
The 2024 Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is 5,504 metric tons (mt). The initial specification for the 2024 Area 1A sub-ACL of 5,546 mt was decreased by 42 mt due to the catch overage in Area 1A in 2022. After adjusting for the 30 mt fixed gear set-aside and the 8% buffer (Area 1A closes at 92% of the sub-ACL), the Area 1A sub-ACL is 5,036 mt. There is no research-set-aside for 2024.
 
In November 2023, the Board established the following seasonal allocations for the 2024 Area 1A sub-ACL: 72.8% available from June 1 – September 30 and 27.2% available from October 1 – December 31. Fishermen are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per day harvested from Area 1A until June 1, 2024.
 

Fishermen Sound Alarm: US Government Policies Threaten Way of Life in US Pacific Islands

March 25, 2024 — Read the full article atbWestern Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Amidst mounting concerns and resounding frustration, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council convened its 198th meeting this week, where the voices of the fishing community advisors echoed with urgency. Their impassioned pleas highlighted the dire challenges facing the industry, including escalating anxieties over fishing area closures and the destabilizing impact of foreign seafood imports on market dynamics.

Hawai‘i Advisory Panel (AP) member and Kaua‘i fisherman Abraham Apilado, Jr. said, “If the goal is to sustain fisheries, major changes need to be made today. If the goal is to kill off the fishermen and resources, then keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re doing an amazing job.”

The United States is proposing to overlay and extend the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) and potentially the Pacific Remote Islands MNM with sanctuary regulations, compounding current fishing closures (see map).

“The tuna industry is the only industry we have, the government relies on the canneries,” said Gene Pan, American Samoa AP member and Fono Representative. “You are stopping us from fishing but not the Chinese. Without the people, there is no Samoa.”

Council Chair Will Sword stressed, “Without the StarKist cannery, we cannot continue to sustain our cultural heritage and keep it vibrant. Further disadvantaging our remaining 12 purse seine vessels in American Samoa affects our cannery.”

“Our purse seine boats can’t compete because it’s not a level playing field,” said American Samoa AP member and Cape Fisheries CEO Joe Hamby. “The Seafood Import Monitoring Program is not working. U.S. fishers and processors should be protected by a duty on fish imports—seafood security is important. Fishing or processing, it’s a matter of having the political will to defend against negative impacts to domestic producers.”

Eric Kingma, Hawaii Longline Association executive director, said, “We are facing unprecedented market conditions. There is a large supply of fish coming in, driven by El Niño conditions. The market isn’t there because of the huge amount of imported, subsidized, gassed tuna being ‘dumped’ into the market and retailers are not adjusting downward during periods of high local supply of fresh tuna. Not only is this bad for the local consumer, but it’s unfair to the Hawai‘i fishing industry. The subsidized foreign imports and retail price gouging on fresh landed ‘ahi is really hurting the Hawai‘i longline fleet. Recently, vessels are averaging $2-3 per pound for high quality ‘ahi, but it’s over $30 per pound at the store. It’s not fair to consumers or fishermen.”

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said, “If you were the President of the United States, which would you choose—the people of the U.S. or your legacy?”

Fish Stock Assessment Limitations in the Western Pacific

Hawai‘i Council Member Matt Ramsey questioned how NOAA can develop strategies to promote seafood and equity and environmental justice (EEJ), while at the same time limiting fishing opportunities. Sam Rauch, NOAA deputy assistant administrator for regulatory programs, stated, “The goal of NMFS is not to limit fishing opportunities in general. In fact, NMFS is supposed to promote optimum yield, and that is the task that both the Council and NMFS are tasked with under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”

The Council endorsed the Hawai‘i and Guam bottomfish stock assessments to update catch limits. The previous Guam assessment, which found the bottomfish stock complex was overfished, used a model likely not suited for data-limited fisheries. The latest assessment, which used the same model with updated catch data, showed an improved stock condition, but not enough to rebuild the stock. 

“It is one of the things we have learned particularly in the Western Pacific,” Rauch said. “Models that we apply to manage fisheries for [optimum yield] elsewhere in the country sometimes break down when they are applied to artisanal, cultural or subsistence fishing, much like the type of fishing that happens in the territories.”

American Lobster Board Releases Draft Addendum XXX for Public Comment Draft Addendum Considers Addendum XXVII Impacts on Foreign Imports

March 21, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Two public hearings have been scheduled to gather input on Draft Addendum XXX to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Draft Addendum considers how the measures of Addendum XXVII, approved in May 2023, will apply to foreign imports of American lobster. One hearing will be conducted in a hybrid format, and one general hearing will be conducted via webinar. Regardless of where the hybrid hearing is being conducted, all are welcome to participate in either the virtual or hybrid hearing.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act prohibits imports of whole live lobster smaller than the minimum possession size in effect at the time under the Commission’s American lobster management program. This provision, referred to as the Mitchell Provision, was passed to prevent imports of lobster smaller than what the US industry can harvest. The current minimum gauge size for Lobster Conservation Management Area (LCMA) 1 of 3 ¼” is the smallest minimum size in effect for the US lobster fishery.

 
Under Addendum XXVII, changes to the current gauge and escape vent sizes in LCMA 1 (inshore Gulf of Maine) were triggered as of October 2023. Therefore, a series of gradual changes to gauge and vent size will begin January 1, 2025, starting with an increase to the minimum gauge size in LCMA 1 from 3 ¼” to 3 5/16”. The 3 5/16” gauge size will be the smallest minimum gauge size in effect for US harvesters in the Commission’s FMP. Draft Addendum XXX considers whether the Addendum XXVII minimum size increases should apply to imports, meaning the smallest minimum size for foreign imports would match the smallest minimum size in effect for the US industry.
 
Unlike most draft addenda, Draft Addendum XXX does not present a range of management alternatives. Rather, it is an administrative document that would consider whether the Addendum XXVII minimum size increases should apply to imports.
 
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during the hybrid or virtual webinar hearing you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or U.S. mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 562.247.8422 and enter access code 796-096-508. Regardless of where the hybrid hearing is being conducted, all are welcome to participate in either the virtual or hybrid hearing.
 
For the virtual or hybrid hearings, please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu to register for a public hearing webinar. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing. 
 
Submitting Comments
The public is encouraged to submit comments at any time during the addendum process. The Draft Addendum is available athttps://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AmLobsterDraftAddendumXXX_PublicComment.pdf or via the Commission’s website at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. Public comment will be accepted until11:59 PM (EST) on June 3, 2024 and should be sent to Caitlin Starks, Senior FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or to comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Lobster Draft Addendum XXX).

Scientists Endorse HI and Guam Bottomfish Stock Assessments, Recommend Approaches to Survey False Killer Whales

March 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Yesterday science advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council accepted two recent bottomfish stock assessments for the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) and Guam as the best scientific information available (BSIA).

The assessments found the MHI deep-seven stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, and the Guam stock is likely not overfished and likely not experiencing overfishing relative to reference points.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) endorsed the 2023 benchmark stock assessment and recommended the Council initiate the process for setting an updated acceptable biological catch and specifying annual catch limits (ACLs). 

The assessment from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) used data from the Hawai‘i Fishery Reporting System and the Bottomfish Fishery Independent Survey in Hawai‘i (BFISH) survey, spanning fishing years 1949 to 2023. Significant improvements were made to catch data evaluation and standardization techniques, culminating in a robust modeling platform known as Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment (JABBA). PIFSC incorporated adjustments based on feedback from the 2023 Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR), improving the assessment’s reliability.

SSC members suggested upcoming assessments explore age-based models and conduct tests to check the accuracy of data standardization methods. They also voiced concerns about using data from the Hawai‘i Marine Recreational Fishing Survey to determine fishing effort and proposed different ways to estimate catch levels from various sectors.

Regarding the Guam bottomfish fishery, the SSC accepted the 2024 assessment and recommended the Council determine if the ACLs for Guam bottomfish need revision within the current rebuilding plan. The fishery is operating under a rebuilding plan that addresses its previously overfished condition based on the 2019 assessment. It uses an associated ACL of 31,000 pounds to rebuild the stock. 

The updated stock assessment includes data from 2018 to 2023 and highlights changes in species composition, notably an increase in onaga (longtailed red snapper, Etelis coruscans). The assessment indicates that while the stock is not currently overfished or experiencing overfishing, it hasn’t yet reached sustainable yield levels, necessitating continued adherence to the rebuilding plan. 

False Killer Whale Management Area

The SSC determined the available scientific information was not suitable for estimating the abundance of the Hawai‘i offshore population of false killer whales (FKWs) in areas outside of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2023, PIFSC defined a new “management area” for the offshore pelagic stock that is known to inhabit areas both inside and outside of the EEZ around Hawai‘i. The SSC adopted the report and recommendations from a working group tasked with reviewing the pelagic FKW management area approach. 

The working group found the limited biological data outside of the EEZ were not sufficient to delineate a biologically based area that defines the pelagic stock, or for applying the modeling approach used to estimate the number of animals inhabiting that area. The SSC recommended the National Marine Fisheries Service not use the approach for any management purpose, and instead recommended prioritizing gathering additional tagging and genetic data outside of the EEZ. 

Pelagic FKWs are known to take bait and catch from longline fishing gear, and may be accidentally caught in these fisheries. Most FKWs accidentally caught in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery are released alive. However, NMFS considers most of these interactions to be “serious injuries” if the hook or other part of the longline gear is left on the animal. The abundance estimates for FKWs are used to estimate the maximum number of individuals that can be removed from a population without causing it to decline below a sustainable level. 

Recent Publication on Gaps in Biodiversity Protection

The SSC discussed a presentation on a new scientific framework published in a recent scientific journal aiming to evaluate marine biodiversity across different spatial scales. The framework emphasizes identifying ecologically and societally important marine species, characterizing effective protection networks and using existing data. The authors’ analysis found current U.S. marine protected areas contain only a fraction of the nation’s marine biodiversity, with none meeting all criteria for effective protection. 

However, the SSC highlighted the contentious nature of defining “protection” and raised concerns about the assumption that total area closures are the most effective means of protection. The SSC noted a total closure might not be as effective as technical measures for specific conservation and fisheries management objectives.

SSC members highlighted the importance of identifying threats to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures. They emphasized that threats like climate change and human activities are significant concerns for biodiversity protection, which may not be fully addressed by protected areas alone. Despite the report showing 97% of the biodiversity claimed to be protected in the United States is within the Western Pacific Region, the SSC asserted the report is not a fair assessment of conservation measures implemented throughout the nation.

The SSC recommended the Council work with the Council Coordination Committee, comprising the eight regional fishery management councils, to ensure proposed conservation measures address identifiable threats and have measurable impacts in mitigating those threats.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Jason Biggs (Guam Div. of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology); Shelton Harley (Fisheries New Zealand); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Justin Hospital (National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Steve Martell (Sea State Inc.); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Craig Severance (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, retired); Francisco Villagomez (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (NMFS PIFSC).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Will Sword, noncommercial fisherman/engineer (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Manny Dueñas, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam) (vice chair); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Shaelene Kamaka‘ala, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Hawai‘i); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); and Gene Weaver, CNMI Judiciary (CNMI). Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; and Archie Soliai, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy (acting), NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Colin Brinkman, U.S. State Dept.; Brian Peck, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and RADM Michael Day, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District. 

Draft Agenda, Meeting Materials and Webinar Information for the March 26th Meeting of the ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Now Available

March 12, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The draft agenda, meeting materials, and webinar information for the upcoming meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board are now available at https://asmfc.org/calendar/3/2024/Atlantic-Striped-Bass-Management-Board/2283. The Board will meet via webinar on March 26 from 1 – 3 PM to review and consider approval of Addendum II state implementation plans. The draft agenda and meeting materials can also be directly accessed at https://asmfc.org/files/Meetings/AtlStripedBassBoardMarch2024/AtlStripedBassBoardMaterials_March2024.pdf.

 
Webinar Information
To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2467799310213414229(Webinar ID: 832-373-955). If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) via your computer, you can also call in at 213.929.4212, access code 963-536-315. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
 
For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
 
Meeting Process
The Board Chair will provide an opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of the meeting. The Board Chair will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the Board Chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
 
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter.  If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.
 
Public Comment Guidelines
With the intent of developing policies in the Commission’s procedures for public participation that result in a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board has approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings:
For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. The Board Chair will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the Board Chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, the Board Chair will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. The Board Chair has the flexibility to decide how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.
For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, the Board Chair has the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.
In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comment for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action)
 
1.    Comments received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18 will be included in supplemental materials.
2.    Comments received by 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.
 
The submitted comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution.  As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.
 
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org. 

Western Pacific Scientists to Advise Fishery Management Council on Hawai‘i and Guam Bottomfish

March 11, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Scientific advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet March 12-14, 2024, to provide advice and guidance on the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) deep-seven bottomfish and Guam bottomfish fishery stock assessments, among other topics.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting is open to in-person or remote participation via web conference for attendees. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available atwww.wpcouncil.org/event/151st-ssc-meeting.

MHI Deep-Seven Bottomfish Assessment

The SSC will discuss and evaluate a new benchmark stock assessment model for the MHI bottomfish fishery. The Council’s Hawai‘i Fishery Ecosystem Plan encompasses seven bottomfish species, managed as a species complex. The stock in 2023 is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, similar to the 2018 benchmark and 2021 update assessments. The new model uses estimates of harvest rate, annual biomass and other parameters to define the stock status relative to reference points.

The SSC will review a report and recommendations from a 2023 Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) panel and may provide feedback to determine whether the new stock assessment represents the best scientific information available (BSIA). If appropriate, the Council will proceed with developing new annual catch limits (ACLs) for fishing years 2025-2029 based on the outcomes. The catch limit for the fishing year September 2023 to August 2024 is 492,000 pounds.

Guam Bottomfish Assessment

Similar to Hawai‘i, the SSC will review the 2024 updated stock assessment for 13 Guam bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) to recommend annual catches for fishing years 2024-2029. The Guam bottomfish fishery is operating under a rebuilding plan and associated ACL of 31,000 pounds. This is based on a 2017 benchmark stock assessment that concluded the stock complex was overfished, but not experiencing overfishing. The SSC will review a report and recommendations from the WPSAR panel and determine if the latest assessment should be considered BSIA for management action. Information from the 2024 report suggests BMUS in Guam were not overfished or experiencing overfishing in 2023. 

The SSC will consider and may provide feedback on WPSAR Terms of Reference for a bottomfish data review to be held in July 2024.

 The SSC will also receive an update on an upcoming survey aimed at filling data gaps for false killer whales outside of the U.S. exclusive economic zone. The members will revisit discussions on scientific approaches for managing the pelagic stock of the species.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets March 18-20 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/198th-council-meeting.

Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind Launch Fisheries Compensation Programs

March 4, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Vineyard Wind 1

Vineyard Wind opened a 90-day eligibility period for the Vineyard Wind 1 Fisheries Compensatory Mitigation Program. This program will provide compensation to commercial fishermen for economic impacts from the construction, operations, and decommissioning of Vineyard Wind 1.

To qualify for the program, commercial fishing vessel owners/operators must submit an online application between March 4, 2024 and June 3, 2024. This eligibility period is the only time that commercial fishing vessel owners/operators can qualify for compensation from the program. Fishermen will not need to demonstrate economic impacts from Vineyard Wind 1 to qualify or receive payments.

The program is open to commercial fishing vessel owners/lessees in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island who can demonstrate historical fishing activities in the lease area, OCS-A 0501.

Open house and tabling events will be hosted in March to help fishermen apply for the program. See this announcement for details. Additional information about the program, including eligibility criteria, is available on the program website.

South Fork Wind

South Fork Wind announced the opening of their eligibility application for direct compensation for commercial and for-hire recreational fishing vessels that have experienced economic impacts from construction and some aspects of operation of the South Fork Wind Project. Separate programs have been established for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

If eligible, commercial and for-hire recreational fishing operations may file a claim for direct losses/impacts arising from the construction and some aspects of operation of the South Fork Wind project and unforeseen, extraordinary events that lead to later business interruption and direct losses/impacts caused by the project.

Visit the South Fork Wind Fisheries Compensation Program website for additional information and application instructions.

General Guidance for Submitting Fishing Activity Data Requests to NOAA Fisheries 

Contacts for data requests

NOAA Fisheries has provided the following contacts for fishing activity data requests:

General guidance for requests: 

NOAA Fisheries has provided the following guidance for fishing activity data requests:

  • Specify if data are needed by a certain date
  • Include all the fundamental details: Contact information for the person requesting the data; Permit number and vessel name for data requested; What data you need (e.g., logbook landings, fishing revenue, permit issuance); Date range for the data (e.g., fishing or calendar years 2016-2022); Area the data applies to (e.g., logbook data when fishing in the Vineyard Wind 1 lease area)
  • Ensure you have access to historical data from previous owners. Submit or reference existing written proof that a previous vessel/permit owner has given you permission to access their historic fishing data. Make sure permissions include all years of your data request.)
  • Identify expected data output (e.g., spreadsheet or map)

SEDAR Begins Preparations for Benchmark Stock Assessment for the Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia

March 5, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The SouthEast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process has initiated a benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic migratory group (AMG) cobia to be completed in the fall of 2025. The goal of the assessment is to evaluate the health of AMG cobia and inform the Commission’s management of this species. SEDAR’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public.

As the first step in a multi-step method for determining the status of AMG cobia along the US Atlantic coast, SEDAR will be conducting a Data Scoping Webinar on March 18 from 1 – 3 p.m. Information on registering for the webinar is available by contacting Julie Neer, SEDAR Coordinator, at Julie.Neer@safmc.net.  Another six Data Webinars, each focusing on a different topic, will be conducted from June 3 – August 12. The final product of these data webinars is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses.
 
The remaining two steps in the SEDAR process include an Assessment Process utilizing webinars and an in-person Review Workshop. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Additional information on the schedule of events can be found at https://sedarweb.org/documents/sedar-95-atlantic-cobia-schedule-of-events/.
 
Participants for the upcoming SEDAR Workshops were appointed by the Commission’s Coastal Pelagics Management Board and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include: data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; and staff of the Commission and state and federal agencies.
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PR24-07
 
 
Tina Berger
Director of Communications
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
703.842.0749

Request for Proposals: Collaborative Strategies to Adapt Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRA) to Changing Ocean Conditions

February 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking a contractor to investigate potential modifications to the scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRA). This work will build on previous analyses of commercial scup discards and the GRAs, utilizing available fisheries and environmental data. It is anticipated that this project will be funded by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. This project will address the IRA funding priority to develop and implement management changes or processes that address climate vulnerability or improve climate resiliency of fisheries.

Proposal Deadline: The proposal deadline is April 12, 2024. Work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025.

Background: First implemented in November 2000, the Northern and Southern Scup GRA are intended to reduce juvenile scup discards in small mesh fisheries during certain times of the year. GRA regulations and boundaries have been reviewed and modified several times. Recent analyses have shown that the GRAs contributed to the rebuilding of the scup stock and continue to have a positive effect on reducing juvenile scup discards. However, spatial patterns of more recently observed discards suggest there has been a shift in where and when discards occur.

Scope of Work: The contractor will build on previous Council commercial scup discard and GRA analyses and utilize available fisheries and environmental data to investigate potential modifications to the scup GRAs. Modifications could include consideration of alternative measures based on adaptive management strategies. As described in the full request for proposals, this project should analyze bycatch trends for scup over time, identifying changes in spatial patterns and intensity and their connection to shifts in scup distribution. Hotspot, cluster, or alternative time/area closure analyses may be used to pinpoint areas where regulatory changes could mitigate impacts on juvenile scup. The project should examine regulatory and economic factors influencing scup discards and assessment, including evaluation of potential tradeoffs associated with bycatch reduction strategies. In addition, the contractor will plan and facilitate at least two in-person workshops with fishery stakeholders to solicit input on scup discards and GRAs.

The contractor will be expected to develop a report with recommendations on a set of management alternatives that the Council could consider for implementation through a future management action.

Additional Information: Complete details about the project background, scope of work, contractor qualifications, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the request for proposals.

NEFMC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate Atlantic Cod Management Transition Workshops – Apply by March 15, 2024

February 26, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is looking for an independent contractor to facilitate public workshops related to its Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan.

APPLICATION DEADLINE – TIME SENSITIVE: The application deadline is March 15, 2024. This is a temporary position, commencing on or about April 1, 2024. Work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.

WHAT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S ROLE: The contractor will assist with: (1) planning and facilitating three public workshops; and (2) preparing a report summarizing the outcomes of the workshops. More specifically, the contractor will work with a representative of the Council and the Groundfish Plan Development Team to, among other duties:

  • Assist in developing a workshop agenda, format, and scope to be applied at all three workshops;
  • Prepare workshop materials and organize workshop logistics;
  • Serve as the lead facilitator at the workshops, a role that includes moderating discussions, ensuring meeting norms, and encouraging stakeholder engagement;
  • Prepare a brief summary of each workshop that includes: (a) participant information, (b) a list of identified challenges, opportunities, and questions, and (c) a summary of recommendations, all to be delivered within one week of each workshop’s completion; and
  • Prepare a workshop report collating information from the three workshops. A draft report should be submitted by June 10, 2024, and the final report should be submitted by June 30, 2024.

WHY IS THE COUNCIL HOLDING THESE WORKSHOPS: Atlantic cod historically has been assessed as two biological units – Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank cod. However, based on the conclusions of an interdisciplinary working group and a new Atlantic Cod Research Track Stock Assessment, Atlantic cod will be assessed as four biological units going forward, beginning with the June 2024 Management Track Stock Assessments.

To address this profound change on the science side, the Council embarked on a multiyear effort to develop a transition plan to determine how best to manage Atlantic cod under the new stock structure. In order to ensure stakeholder engagement through the Atlantic cod management transition planning efforts, the Council made it a priority to conduct at least one focused workshop in the first half of 2024 to “identify challenges and develop alternatives for addressing Atlantic cod management considering the new biological units.”

THREE WORKSHOPS: The Council decided to hold three workshops to cover a broad geographic range of stakeholders.  The workshops will take place in April and May 2024 with one in Portland, Maine, one in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and one in the Providence, Rhode Island area. All workshops will be held in-person. The same agenda and format will be applied at all workshops with flexibility to adjust to meet specific regional needs.

WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE WORKSHOPS: The Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan will be carried out through two phases. Phase I will address measures to be implemented for the 2025 groundfish fishing year.  Phase II will focus on long-term management measures for Atlantic cod.

Workshop attendees will:

  • Consider changes in allocation of quota among fishery participants across the commercial and recreational sectors;
  • Address potential measures to enhance cod productivity by protecting spawning cod; and
  • Consider future changes in stock distribution under climate drivers.

CONTRACTOR SKILLS AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION INFORMATION: A full description of the desired experience and demonstrated skills from the contractor can be found in the request for proposals (RFP). Application submission information also can be found in the RFP.  Remember, the application deadline March 15, 2024.