July 20, 2016 — The Mid Atlantic Fishery Managment Council released the agenda for their August 2016 Council meeting today. The meeting will take place from August 8-August 11 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Atlantic Herring Area 1A Days Out Conference Call Scheduled for Wednesday, July 20 at 3:00 PM
July 18, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
Atlantic Herring Section members from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will meet via conference call on Wednesday July 20, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) days out measures for Trimester 2 (June 1 to September 30). The states are concerned the current rate of landings will result in the trimester quota being reached before September 30th. Fishermen and other interested parties are welcome to listen in and participate at the Chair’s discretion.
Current days out measure:
July 15 – September 30: Vessels may land herring 5 consecutive days a week until further notice. All other days are designated as days out of the fishery.
Join the conference call by dialing 1.888.394.8197 and entering the passcode 499811 when prompted.
Please contact Ashton Harp, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0740 or aharp@asmfc.org for more information
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants
July 13, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council:
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. Working at the grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has eleven advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and concerned citizens.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. Members may serve for three consecutive terms before reaching their term limit. AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Members must have access to a working email account and the Internet in order to receive meeting materials and correspondence relative to their service on the advisory panel.
See the full release at the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council
Gulf Council Seeks Applicants for Ad Hoc Red Snapper Panel
July 12, 2016 — The following was released by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council:
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is accepting applications for membership on a newly created Ad Hoc Red Snapper Private Angler Advisory Panel. The charge of the panel is to develop fair and effective ways to mitigate the derby fishing occurring in the private angler component of the red snapper fishery. The panel will meet by January 2017.
Advisory panels are comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery resources, or who are engaged in the harvest of Gulf of Mexico managed species. Membership provides individuals with an opportunity to become more directly involved in the management decision-making process.
Ad hoc advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and will serve a two-year term. Advisory panel members generally meet no more than once or twice per year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses. Ad Hoc panels operate in the same manner; however, these panels are temporary and are disbanded when the panel charge has been met.
To apply to this Ad Hoc Advisory Panel, complete the online application.
If you have any questions, please call the Council office at 813-348-1630.
Applications must be received by August 5, 2016 for consideration by the Council during its August meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations for Blueline Tilefish, Black Sea Bass, and Yellowtail Snapper in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic
July 12, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The final rule for Regulatory Amendment 25 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 25) will publish on July 13, 2016.
The final rule for Regulatory Amendment 25 will implement the following changes:
Blueline Tilefish
Regulations for blueline tilefish will be effective on July 13, 2016.
- Increase the annual catch limits for blueline tilefish from 26,766 to 87,521 pounds whole weight (commercial sector) and 26,691 to 87,277 pounds whole weight (recreational sector).
- Reopen commercial harvest for blueline tilefish on July 13, 2016. Commercial harvest will close in 2016 if the commercial annual catch limit is met.
- Increase the commercial trip limit from 100 to 300 pounds gutted weight.
- Increase the recreational bag limit from one fish per vessel to three fish per person per day for the months of May through August within the aggregate bag limit. There will continue to be no recreational retention of blueline tilefish during the months of January through April and September through December, each year.
- The increases in the commercial trip limit and the recreational bag limit are in response to the increase in the annual catch limit.
Black sea bass
Regulations for black sea bass will be effective on August 12, 2016.
- Increase the recreational bag limit for black sea bass from five to seven fish per person per day.
Yellowtail Snapper
Regulations for yellowtail snapper will be effective on August 12, 2016.
- Change the yellowtail snapper fishing year start date for both the commercial and recreational sectors from January 1 to August 1, each year. Changing the start of the fishing year to August 1 will benefit both sectors because it will ensure harvest is open during the winter months when yellowtail snapper obtains a higher price per pound commercially, and during peak tourist season in south Florida where the majority of yellowtail snapper harvest takes place.
More Information
For more information, including electronic copies of Amendment 25 and Frequently Asked Questions may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Web site.
July 11 ASMFC Atlantic Herring Days Out Call Cancelled; Information on Maine Emergency Rule
July 11, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
As of June 6, 2016, 25% of the Trimester 2 quota (June 1 – September 30) for Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) has been harvested. The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has issued a herring emergency rule, effective July 9, 2016, in an attempt to distribute the Trimester 2 quota (72.8% of the Area 1A sub-ACL) as far into Trimester 2 as possible. This action also provides for fishing opportunities to account for
weather and safe operations.
As described in the emergency rule, vessels landing herring caught in Area 1A in any Maine port will be limited to the following provisions. See the DMR regulations for specific definitions and more information:https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDMR/bulletins/154c337
- 3 fishing days (Saturday 6 p.m. to Tuesday 6 p.m.)
- 2 landing days (Sunday 6 p.m. to Tuesday 6 p.m.)
- Weekly landing limit of no more than 600,000 lbs (15 trucks)
- Harvester vessels can make at-sea transfers to only one carrier vessel per week
- Harvester vessels are limited to making one landing per 24-hour period (6 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Harvester and carrier vessels shall send an email hail to DMR three hours prior to landing. See DMR website for specific reporting requirements.
Given the above measures, action on behalf of the Atlantic Herring Section is not warranted at this time; therefore, the ‘days out’ call on July 11 is cancelled. Staff will continue to monitor landings and will schedule ‘days out’ calls on an as needed basis, while providing 48 hours notice to interested parties. Vessels (except those landing in Maine) should adhere to the following ‘days out’ schedule that was released by the Commission in April.
- July 1 – 14: Vessels may land 4 consecutive days a week. All other days are designated as ‘days out’ of the fishery (e.g., vessels may not land herring).
- July 15 – September 30: Vessels may land herring 5 consecutive days a week until further notice. All other days are designated as ‘days out’ of the fishery.
Summary of ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass & Bluefish Management Boards
July 7, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass and Bluefish Management Boards met via conference call to review the latest recreational harvest estimates from the Marine Recreational Information Program. Most notably for both bluefish and black sea bass, the final 2015 recreational harvest estimates were uncharacteristically larger than the preliminary estimates. Based on this information, the Board discussed the need to change state recreational measures for the 2016 fishing season. While no management action was taken for bluefish since the 2016 annual catch limit had not been exceeded, the Board briefly discussed the possibility of transferring unused recreational quota to the commercial fishery (as allowed under the FMP). However, based on final 2015 bluefish harvest estimates, NOAA Fisheries anticipates the 2016 recreational quota will be fully utilized, prohibiting any transfer to the commercial sector. NOAA Fisheries will be releasing a final rule on 2016 bluefish fishery later this month. The Board and Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council will discuss the final rule at their joint meeting in August.
Taking several factors into consideration, the Board chose to not take any management action for the recreational black sea bass fishery. Its decision was based on (1) the validity of the harvest estimates given the significant change from preliminary to final numbers; (2) concern about changing recently promulgated state regulations; (3) concern regarding socioeconomic impacts to the for‐hire industry; (4) difficultly in enforcing mid‐season regulatory adjustments; and (5) the potential for increases in discard mortality under more restrictive measures. The Board discussed a number of ways NOAA Fisheries could improve the annual specification process for these species. These include providing a more timely delivery of final recreational harvest numbers from the previous season, which would allow the states to more precisely tailor their regulations; incorporating vessel trip reports in its preliminary harvest estimates; and seeking ways to increase sample sizes in the for‐hire fishery to more accurately represent catch and effort in this sector.
Request for Proposals: Tilefish Surveying
July 7, 2016 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Managment Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a contractor to develop a “proof-of-concept” survey for blueline and golden tilefish. The work would be used to implement a relative abundance survey (from Cape Hatteras through the northernmost extent of their range) and should involve both design and pilot implementation components, as well as consideration of coordination with any other relevant surveys.
Interested parties should provide a proposal including methodology, timeline, costs, qualifications, and three references by August 8, 2016. Please see the Request for Proposals linked below for complete details and submission instructions.
NEFMC Newsletter – Council Report
July 6, 2016 — The following was released by the NEFMC:
The Council Report summarizes major actions approved at NEFMC meetings or highlights items of interest.
At its June 21-23 meeting in Portland, ME, the Council approved actions related to the development of its fishery management plans.
The issues involved:
- Sea Scallop FW 28 and the RSA Program
- Small Mesh Multisp. Amendment 22
- Industry Funded Monitoring Amendment
- Atlantic Herring Amendment 8
- Groundfish FW 56 and the haddock catch cap for herring midwater trawl gear
- Other Items of Interest
Upcoming Witch Flounder Outreach Meeting
July 5, 2016 — The following was released by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center:
NEFSC will be hosting a Witch Flounder outreach session prior to the SARC 62 meeting scheduled later this year.
Outreach topics will include a summary of the 2015 Update, the ABC, and the plan to transition from VPA to ASAP. Witch Flounder assessment scientists will respond to questions, comments or feedback from interested parties.
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 26th, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Location: S.H. Clark Conference Room, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Call-In Details: 877-653-6612 (toll-free) or 517-600-4840 (toll charges apply; for international callers)
Participant Code: 8116908
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