May 13, 2021 — Taiwan’s lucrative fishing industry has come under fire for subjecting its migrant workforce to forced labour and other abuses, contrasting with the government’s promotion of the democratic island as a regional human rights beacon.
Federal Judge Halts Blood Harvest of Horseshoe Crabs
May 13, 2021 — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the planned blood harvest of thousands of horseshoe crabs in a South Carolina wildlife refuge until a lawsuit seeking to require the practice be conducted sustainably is resolved.
Defenders of Wildlife and the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a motion in March seeking to stop a pharmaceutical company’s practice of harvesting horseshoe crabs for their blood as they come ashore to lay eggs each spring in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks released a 29-page opinion granting the groups’ motion for a preliminary injunction and halting a planned harvest while the case is pending.
The Atlantic horseshoe crab is a protected species and critical contributor to biomedical research. Medical researchers value the arthropod’s milky-blue blood because it is the only known natural source of limulus amebocyte lysate —a substance that can detect dangerous endotoxins in drugs and vaccines.
Alaska’s Fisheries Committee Gets Seafood Market Report from ASMI in Last Days of Session
May 13, 2021 — Alaska’s House Fisheries Committee had the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) slated for a marketing update last Tuesday, but the meeting — and the presentation — were cancelled. As it was, committee members got a copy of the presentation, which brings the state up to date on Alaska’s seafood marketing activities and impacts of COVID-19 on the seafood sector.
The full presentation is still available on the House Fisheries Committee website. It gives a snapshot of ASMI’s structure, mission, funding sources, recent consumer research results, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Sharing Information on Fisheries Activities Across International Boundaries Has Benefits
May 13, 2021 — According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one-third of fish stocks are overfished while another 60% cannot sustain increases in fishing, a problem exacerbated by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It doesn’t have to be this way, and a recent study suggests that States can better detect and curtail IUU fishing through improved sharing of fisheries information.
One reason overfishing is such a persistent problem is that fishing vessels frequently operate across international boundaries, and many governments lack the technological, operational, and institutional capacity they need to collect, analyze, and share information about what’s happening in their waters.
The benefits of information sharing
The study, by the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), found that sharing fisheries data—including which vessels are operating where and how—can make the involved States both more aware of and more able to combat IUU fishing. This finding holds even when only one government shares such information, unreciprocated.
Such cooperation could be enormously helpful, for example, when a vessel flagged to one country fishes in another’s waters and then offloads the catch in the port of a third State. The benefits grow as countries increase the amount of information shared.
NORTH CAROLINA: Commercial fishermen say they can’t stay afloat under biased regulations
May 13, 2021 — The commercial fishing industry is a lifeline for many coastal communities in North Carolina.
According to a study from NC State University, the fishing industry provides nearly $300 million to the state’s economy and employs more than 5,000 people.
However, many commercial fishermen feel like they’ve been playing defense for a decade, fighting for their livelihood.
“It’s a hard day to fight when you get up and you know you’re fighting for your survival every day, and you’re regulated to the point where you can barely make it,” said Doug Cross.
Cross runs Pamlico Packing Company with his brother. He grew up around the docks in Vandemere and started helping out at the family business when he was 13.
“I’ve seen years where the boats were a liability, and I’ve seen years where the boats were a blessing,” said Cross.
NFI Statement on USDA’s Decision to Purchase Nutritious Consumer-Ready Seafood
May 13, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will purchase up to $159.4 million of seafood and other items as part of its Section 32 food assistance program. This purchase marks “the largest single seafood purchase in the Department’s history,” according to the agency.
It’s good to see USDA recognize the importance of our essential workers as well as provide Americans with healthy seafood. NFI looks forward to working with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on this as they begin the procurement process.
The seafood community and the 1.7 million Americans jobs along its value chain, has been hit hard by the pandemic from the men and women who work the water to processors, distributors and retailers and restaurants that offer seafood. Most of the links in that vital chain are small businesses that have struggled to survive. Help, like this, will greatly benefit recovery and help get Americans back to work.
NORTH CAROLINA: Nothing fishy about it: Seafood saves lives
May 13, 2021 — Fish literally saves lives: A North Carolina statewide public relations campaign will focus on promoting the health benefits of eating local seafood.
The campaign explores the health benefits of eating local seafood that directly affect the consumer, backed by well-documented scientific data from respected health professional and scientists.
The Science Behind Your Local Seafood uses a website and digital billboards to promote fish as among the healthiest foods on the planet, emphasizing its nourishment for both body and brain. This data will be used to educate con-sumers across generations.
For example:
- Scientific Review indicates an average 7.7 IQ point gain in children whose mothers ate seafood during pregnancy compared to mothers who did not.
Submission Deadline for Proposals to Conduct Components of the At-Sea Monitoring Training Program Extended to May 24, 2021
May 13, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), is extending the submission deadline for proposals to conduct components of the At-Sea Monitoring (ASM) Training Program for the NEFSC. The deadline is extended until May 24, 2021 (previously May 19, 2021). The complete Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found here. For more information, please contact Deke Tompkins at dtompkins@asmfc.org.
South Atlantic Bite – Newsworthy Notes – May 13, 2021
May 13, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Reminder! – Public Hearing Today for Shrimp Fishery Access Area along Northern Extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern
(Coral Amendment 10)
Today at 5:00 PM
The Council continues to seek public input on a proposed action to establish Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Coral HAPC off the east coast of Florida. Register now to attend the hearing via webinar and learn more about the proposed area. The Council will consider the amendment again during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting via webinar.
We’re Upgrading our Website –
Take this limited opportunity to help us better help you!
Looking for the number of black sea bass you can retain or perhaps a map showing the latest coordinates of MPAs off the NC coast? A calendar of upcoming meetings or a video presentation from a public hearing? You’ll find it all on the Council’s website at www.safmc.net.
We’re working to redesign the website to make it easier for you to navigate and provide you with the information you need. The web developers involved in the project have created a quick online activity to better understand how to group content on the website. Please complete the activity by Monday of next week.
Bullet and Frigate Mackerel Acknowledged for Important Role as Prey Species for Wahoo, Dolphin, Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna
Little fish lead to bigger fish. Bluewater fishermen along the Atlantic coast targeting those really big fish understand the importance of prey to the overall well-being of those larger predators. At the request of the Council, Bullet and Frigate Mackerel, two important prey species are now included in the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as ecosystem component species. NOAA Fisheries announced the Final Rule for Amendment 12 earlier this week. The Rule is effective June 9, 2021.
Learn more about the importance of Bullet and Frigate Mackerel and how this designation may help ensure healthy populations for the future.
New Discoveries and Management Decisions in Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program
Report to Congress highlights impressive discoveries, science-informed management decisions and more
Speak of coral reefs and most people imagine tropical waters in the Florida Keys or Hawaii. But deep-sea corals create habitat for countless species off of every coastal state in the country. In the past two years, NOAA and their partners have discovered the most expansive area of deep-sea coral reefs known to date off the U.S. Southeast coast.
These areas offer significant ecological value and support a number of U.S.-managed fishery species. The recently released Report to Congress showcases new accomplishments and scientific discoveries. Learn more about Deep-Sea Coral Habitat. Follow expeditions as they occur and see video and incredible images of areas that may be closer than you think!
Citizen Science Increasingly Informs Ocean Expertise – and Policy
A recent paper in BioScience that includes authors from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Pew, academia, and NOAA outlines marine citizen science projects that are contributing to conservation and management in the U.S. and elsewhere. Case studies include projects gathering data for fish species as well as others collecting information on sea grasses, coral reefs and other habitat.
This article from Pew highlights the Council’s Citizen Science Program as well as other citizen science efforts and increasing interest in promoting its use to conduct research projects that would not otherwise be possible.
MAFMC Webinar Meeting: June 7-10, 2021
May 13, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s June 2021 Meeting will be held via webinar Monday, June 7 – Thursday, June 10, 2021. The meeting will begin with a closed Executive Committee session on June 7 to discuss advisory panel appointment recommendations. The public portion of the meeting will begin on June 8 at 9:00 a.m. Part of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Bluefish Management Board and ISFMP Policy Board. Briefing documents and presentations will be posted on the June 2021 Council Meeting Page as they become available.
Agenda: A detailed agenda is available here. Topics to be addressed during the meeting include:
- 2020 MRIP Estimation Methodology Presentation
- Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment – Final Action
- Recreational Reform Initiative Update
- Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog 2022 Specifications Review
- Longfin Squid and Butterfish 2022 Specifications Review
- Illex Squid 2021-2022 Specifications
- Unmanaged Commercial Landings Report
- Habitat Update
- Offshore Wind Updates
- ASMFC Policy Board Remand of Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocations – Council Discussion
Public Comments: Written comments may be submitted using the online comment form linked below or via email, mail, or fax (see this page for details). Written comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 to be included in the briefing book. Comments submitted after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2021 will be posted as supplemental materials. Comments submitted after June 3 may only be submitted using the form below.
Webinar: Webinar connection instructions will be posted on the June 2021 Meeting Page at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
Questions? Contact Mary Sabo, msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.