Saving Seafood

NH and Maine lobstermen push back against new size rule amid economic fears

January 15, 2025 — A new regulation on catchable lobster size could significantly reduce lobster hauls this summer, according to industry members, with local lawmakers expressing concerns about its impact on the Seacoast economy.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which oversees certain species along the Atlantic coast, is implementing a change that will increase the minimum size for catchable lobsters in states including Maine and New Hampshire over the next two years.

The regulation involves an increase in the size of the gauge used by fishermen to measure lobster length to determine if they can be caught or must be released. The minimum gauge size will rise from 3.25 inches to 3.375 inches by July 1, 2025, as stated by the ASMFC. This size will further increase to 3.5 inches by July 1, 2027.

Read the full article at Seacoastonline

ASMFC leaves rockfish regulations unchanged

December 27, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has left rockfish regulations unchanged.

The decision responds to the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates that while the resource remains overfished, it is not currently experiencing overfishing. Projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above-average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit, combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. To address these concerns, the Board plans to explore a range of reductions for both recreational and commercial fisheries, including adjustments to season and size limits that account for regional differences, as well as potential no-harvest and no-targeting closures.

“We understand that many will be disappointed in the Board’s decision to initiate an addendum versus taking immediate action,” said Board Chair Megan Ware from Maine. “However, after deliberating for more than three hours about the path forward, the Board came to the conclusion that the best course of action is to proceed with an addendum which will allow for clarity on 2024 removals and additional analyses.”

Read the full article at Shore Daily News

ASMFC Votes to Keep Striped Bass Regulations for 2025 Season

December 17, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) met Monday to discuss the status of striped bass populations and consider changes to 2025 management measures. Despite concerns over below-average striped bass numbers in the Chesapeake Bay, the commission voted to keep current recreational fishing regulations in place for another year, wait for more population data to be released from the 2024 Stock Assessment, and decide on regulations for the 2026 season.

The decision follows the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicated that while the resource remains overfished, it is not currently experiencing overfishing. The ASMFC’s goal is to rebuild the striped bass stock by 2029.

n January, the ASMFC approved new rules limiting recreational anglers to keeping only one fish within the 19- to 24-inch slot size, with larger fish over 25 inches designated as breeders. Charter boat captains, who are grouped with recreational anglers, reported significant financial impacts this past season due to the restrictions.

Read the full article at WBOC

Atlantic Striped Bass Board Initiates Addendum to Consider 2026 Management Measures

December 17, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has initiated Draft Addendum III to consider recreational and commercial management measures for 2026 to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. Options will consider a range of reductions for the recreational and commercial fisheries. Recreational reductions will consider season and size limits that take into account regional differences, including no-harvest and no-targeting closures. Final action is planned for no later than October 2025 with implementation in early 2026.

 
“We want to thank the thousands of members of the public who took the time to provide thoughtful comments ahead of this Board meeting,” said Board Chair Megan Ware from Maine. “We understand that many will be disappointed in the Board’s decision to initiate an addendum versus taking immediate action. However, after deliberating for more than three hours about the path forward, the Board came to the conclusion that the best course of action is to proceed with an addendum which will allow for clarity on 2024 removals and additional analyses.”
 
The action responds to the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates the resource remains overfished but is not experiencing overfishing. Short-term projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. This action is intended to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by adjusting subsequent 2026 management measures to ensure the stock is on the necessary rebuilding trajectory.


 
At the meeting, the Board considered two possible paths forward. The first was to take immediate Board action to reduce fishing mortality in 2025. The second was a longer, more comprehensive process given one of the primary options being considered is seasonal closures, which represents a new management approach for the Board. Ultimately, the Board chose the second path by initiating an addendum that would provide the Board more time to develop a fuller suite of management options, allow for the incorporation of full 2024 fishery removals data, and afford the public with a more robust opportunity to provide input. The Board noted preliminary data indicate the current measures implemented through Addendum II are on track to reduce 2024 removals from 2023 and 2022 levels. The Board also recognized the importance of the thousands of public comments submitted for this meeting and the upcoming public input through the addendum process on 2026 management measures.

MAINE: Moratorium on fishing Maine shrimp to continue through 2025

December 16, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section is maintaining the current moratorium on northern shrimp fishing through the 2025 fishing year. That makes 11 years of no commercial shrimp fishing in Maine.

That action followed the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, “which indicates the northern shrimp stock has been at low levels of biomass for over the past decade despite the fishery being under a moratorium since 2014,” said the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in a Dec. 13 news relesae.

The Update found no improvement in stock status and 2023 summer survey indices of abundance, biomass, and recruitment were the lowest in the 1984-2023 time-series.

There will be a pilot industry-funded winter sampling program for 2025 with a research set-aside quota of 26.5 metric tons (or approximately 58,400 pounds).

Read the full article at the Penobscot Bay Pilot

Public Comment Summary for December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Now Available

December 13, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The summary of public comment for the December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board is available on the meeting page at https://www.asmfc.org/home/December-2024-AtlStripedBassBoard-meeting as well as through the following direct link.

 
 
As a reminder, the details on the webinar and meeting process follow.
 
Webinar Information 
The meeting will be broadcast via webinar; to register for the webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108

(Webinar ID 586-838-579).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. 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.
 
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so 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. 


Meeting Process 
The Board Chair will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The Chair will work with staff to compile the list of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees.
 
The Board Chair will also provide the opportunity for comment at the meeting, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda. The Chair has the discretion in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities. This could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition of a motion until the Chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the Board.

NOW AVAILABLE: Draft Agenda, Meeting Materials and Webinar Information for the December 16 Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Meeting

December 3, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The draft agenda and meeting materials for the December 16th Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board meeting are now available at https://asmfc.org/files/AtlStripedBassBoardMaterials_Dec2024.pdf or on the December 2024 Atlantic Striped Bass Board Meeting page. 

The Board will meet in-person and via webinar on Monday, December 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to consider changing 2025 management measures to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by the 2029 deadline. The meeting will be held at the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202. The Advisory Panel Report and all written comments received by December 10 will be posted no later than December 13.

The meeting responds to the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates the resource remains overfished but is not experiencing overfishing. Short-term projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. In this scenario, the probability of rebuilding by 2029 is less than 50%. Under Addendum II to Amendment 7, the Board can change management measures through Board action, instead of developing an addendum, if the stock assessment indicates a less than 50% probability of the stock rebuilding by 2029. As a result, the Board will meet December 16 to consider changing 2025 management measures to reduce fishing mortality and increase the probability of rebuilding to at least 50%.

Webinar Information

The meeting will be broadcast via webinar; to register for the webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108

(Webinar ID 586-838-579).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. 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.

The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so 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.

Meeting Process

The Board Chair will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The Chair will work with staff to compile the list of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees.

The Board Chair will also provide the opportunity for comment at the meeting, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda. The Chair has the discretion in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities. This could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition of a motion until the Chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the Board.

Public Comment Guidelines

The Commission anticipates a large volume of written public comments will be submitted for this meeting. In order to compile and provide the comments to the Board in a timely manner before the meeting, written comments may be submitted via email to comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10. Comments received after this date will not be included in the Board’s materials.

If your organization is planning to release an action alert, please contact Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0716, so she can work with you to develop a unique subject line to enable us to better organize incoming comments.

Informational Webinar to Review Technical Report

As a reminder, the Commission will host an Informational Webinar on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. to review the management options developed by the Technical Committee and provide the public with sufficient background information to inform the development and submission of public comment by December 10. No public comments will be taken at this webinar; staff can address clarifying questions as time allows but public comments will not be taken. To register for the December 5 Informational Webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3243414609517348697 (Webinar ID 263-766-419).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol, you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 195-793-780. 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 more information, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org.

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and Panel to Meet December 12 Section to Consider Draft Amendment 4 for Public Comment and Set 2025 Specifications

November 20, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section (Section) and Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Thursday, December 12, at the Westin Portland Harborview, 157 High St, Portland, Maine; 207.775.5411. The AP will meet from 9 – 11 AM to review the 2024 stock assessment update and discuss the Technical Committee’s proposal for a pilot winter sampling program.

 
The Section will meet from 12 – 3 PM on the same day to review the 2024 stock assessment update and the Technical Committee’s pilot winter sampling program proposal, set specifications for the 2025 fishing year, and consider approval of Draft Amendment 4 for public comment. Draft Amendment 4 considers options for setting multi-year moratoria and the implementation of a management trigger. The management trigger would be comprised of a set of biological and/or environmental indicators that could signal when the northern shrimp stock in the Gulf of Maine is at a population level that could support a sustainable fishery.
 
Meeting materials will be available December 2, 2024 at https://asmfc.org/calendar/12/2024/Northern-Shrimp-Section/2423. Public comment may be submitted via email to comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 6.
 
For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atctuohy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740. 
 

States Schedule Public Hearings on Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum VII

November 19, 2024 — The Atlantic coastal states of New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on the Draft Addendum VII to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish, which considers potential measures to maintain consistency with the federal Fishery Management Plan in response to the proposed rule to implement Spiny Dogfish Framework Adjustment 6. In addition to the December 11 hearing, stakeholders are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings. The public hearing details follow:

Date and Hearing Format
State/Agency
Contact
Wednesday, December 11
Hybrid Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
All Participating States (ME – FL)
 
 
703.842.0740
Tuesday, December 17 
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
609.748.2063
Wednesday, December 18
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources & Virginia Marine Resources Commission
443.758.6547
 
757.247.2236


The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils developed Spiny Dogfish Framework Adjustment 6 in response to a 2021 Biological Opinion and 2022 Action Plan that called for reducing bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. The coastwide Atlantic sturgeon population is made up of five distinct population segments, all of which are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and Atlantic sturgeon harvest has been under a coastwide moratorium in federal and state waters since 1998. The Commission’s Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Sturgeon maintains the moratorium through at least 2038, and while the 2024 stock assessment update showed signs of improvement, the stock remains depleted coastwide.
 
The Board initiated Draft Addendum VII in August 2024 after the Councils recommended measures to NOAA Fisheries to prohibit overnight soaks for federal spiny dogfish permit holders on gillnets with 5”-10” mesh in November and May for a certain area of state and federal waters off of New Jersey, as well as for gillnets of 5.25”-10” mesh in November through March in specified areas off of Maryland and Virginia. The options in the Draft Addendum aim to establish equivalent overnight soak restrictions for spiny dogfish harvesters in state waters that do not possess a federal spiny dogfish permit.
 
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during virtual webinar hearings 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 +1 (631) 992-3221 and enter access code 780-880-486.
 
To register for a virtual public hearing webinar please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. 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. If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1 (631) 992-3221, access code 780-880-486. An audio PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.
 
For those who cannot attend any of the virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available mid-December at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input.
 
Submitting Comments
The Draft Addendum is available at https://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/SpinyDogfishDraftAddendumVII_PublicComment_Oct2024.pdf or via the Commission’s website at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. All those interested in the management of spiny dogfish are encouraged to provide input either by participating in a virtual public hearing or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on January 3, 2025 and should be sent to James Boyle, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201 or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum VII).

Directed Atlantic Herring Fishery Closure for Management Area 1A Effective 9 PM on November 12

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

NOAA Fisheries and the States of Maine and New Hampshire, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts project the Atlantic herring fishery will catch 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL by November 12, 2024. The Area 1A directed fishery will close effective 9 PM on November 12, 2024 and remain closed until further notice. Vessels that have entered port before 9:00 p.m. on November 12, 2024 may land and sell, from that trip, greater than 2,000 pounds of herring from Area 1A.

During a closure, vessels participating in other fisheries may retain and land an incidental catch of herring that does not exceed 2,000 pounds per trip or calendar day. In addition, directed herring vessels traveling through Area 1A must have all fishing gear stowed.
 
In accordance with the Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring, the fixed gear set-aside of 30 metric tons will continue to be available to fixed gear fishermen operating in Area 1A west of Cutler, Maine through December 31, 2024.
 
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0716 or efranke@asmfc.org.