Saving Seafood

MAFMC News Roundup – 4/22/21

April 22, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

April Council Meeting Summary: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met via webinar April 6-8, 2021. Check out the April 2021 Council Meeting Summary for all the details, or watch the meeting recordings on YouTube. During this meeting, the Council:

  • Postponed final action on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment during a joint meeting with the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board
  • Adopted status quo specifications for the Mid-Atlantic blueline tilefish fishery for 2022-2024
  • Reviewed a preliminary range of alternatives for the Tilefish Multi-Year Specifications Framework
  • Provided comments on E.O 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
  • Received an update regarding several ongoing activities in support of the Council’s EAFM guidance document
  • Reviewed the 2021 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report and EAFM Risk Assessment
  • Received an update on the East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative
  • Received a presentation on Climate Change Science Efforts Underway at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center

June Council Meeting to be Conducted by Webinar: The next Council meeting, scheduled for June 8-10, will be held virtually. Topics to be addressed in June include final action on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment; review of previously approved 2022 specifications for longfin squid, butterfish, Atlantic surfclam, and ocean quahog; approval of 2022 Illex squid specifications; review of the Illex incidental trip limit and butterfish mesh regulations; habitat updates; and more. An agenda will be available in early May.

Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment: Tomorrow, April 23, is the last day to submit comments on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. Learn more and submit comments here.

Advisory Panel Application Deadline: Tomorrow is also the deadline to apply for the Council’s advisory panels. All current advisors must reapply to be considered for reappointment. Apply here.

May SSC Meeting: The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet via webinar May 11-12, 2021. During this meeting the SSC will review and consider changes to the 2021 Illex squid ABC, recommend a 2022 Illex ABC, and review the previously recommended ABCs for butterfish, longfin squid, Atlantic surfclam, and ocean quahog. The SSC will also discuss topics related to the Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report and provide feedback on possible 2026 Research Track Assessment Priorities.

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum: The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) will convene its Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Region Ocean Forum from May 3-6, 2021. This year’s all-virtual event will feature expert panel discussions on ocean planning issues including offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic, climate-induced ocean changes, ocean justice, and emerging technologies for monitoring the ocean. The event will also feature opportunities for public participation, a virtual networking luncheon and a first-ever poster session highlighting the work of students and early career professionals.

For-Hire and Recreational Tilefish Reporting: As a reminder, for-hire vessels with permits for MAFMC-managed species are required to submit their Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) electronically within 48 hours of completing their trip. All recreational vessels targeting or retaining golden or blueline tilefish from Virginia to Maine are required to obtain a recreational tilefish permit and must submit an electronic VTR within 24 hours of completing a trip where tilefish were targeted and/or retained.

Commercial Electronic Reporting: Beginning November 10, 2021, commercial and some recreational fishermen in the Greater Atlantic Region will be required to start submitting VTRs electronically. Learn more about the reporting requirements and software options.

Offshore Wind Updates: The Council periodically sends out updates on offshore wind activities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Read the latest update sent on 4/13/21. Sign up to receive wind updates here. Recent notices to mariners and comment opportunities are also listed on our Offshore Wind Notices page.

ASMFC At-Sea Monitoring RFP: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct components of the At-Sea Monitoring Training Program for the NEFSC.

ROSA Fisheries Resource Data Project RFP: The Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) is seeking a qualified contractor to conduct research and prepare a report with recommendations for standardizing and sharing fisheries resource data to support better understanding of the impacts of offshore wind development on ecosystems. Read the RFP for more details. Proposals are due May 11, 2021.

Upcoming Meetings

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo – msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.

ASMFC 2021 Spring Meeting Webinar Final Agenda and Materials Now Available

April 21, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Please note there was an error in the final agenda for the ISFMP Policy Board. The correct agenda item follows.

Review and Consider New York’s Appeal of Addendum XXXIII to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (P. Keliher) Final Action

The revised agenda is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2021SpringMeetingWebinar/2021SpringMtgWebinarFinalNotice_Agenda.pdf

Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment Public Comment Deadline – Friday, April 23

April 19, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The deadline to submit written comments on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment is this Friday, April 23, 2021. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are developing this joint amendment to address a wide range of issues related to management of the Atlantic Bluefish fishery. The amendment contains alternatives to:

  • Revise the fishery management plan (FMP) goals and objectives;
  • Modify the bluefish allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors;
  • Modify the commercial allocations to the states;
  • Initiate a rebuilding plan;
  • Revise the quota transfer processes;
  • Revise how the FMP accounts for management uncertainty; and
  • Revise the de minimis provisions in the Commission’s FMP.

Submit Comments Here

Details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available at the following links:

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted through April 23, 2021 by any of the following methods:

  1. ONLINE: Online Comment Form (recommended)
  2. EMAIL: mseeley@mafmc.org
  3. MAIL: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director
    Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
    800 North State Street, Suite 201
    Dover, DE 19901
  4. FAX: 302-674-5399

Please include “Bluefish Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Tips for Providing Public Comment

We value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:

  • Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?
  • Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?
  • Is there any additional information you think should be considered?

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact:

  • Matthew Seeley, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, mseeley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5262
  • Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714

ASMFC Seeks Proposals to Conduct Components of the At-Sea Monitoring Training Program

April 19, 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 (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct components of the At-Sea Monitoring (ASM) Training Program for the NEFSC.

NMFS is required to collect biological and compliance data aboard U.S. domestic fishing vessels, data which cannot be obtained at the dock or on research vessels. Specifically, NMFS observer data is essential to reliably estimating catch and bycatch, and in helping to implement programs to reduce bycatch. A sharp increase to the coverage rate (up to 100%) for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery in Fishing Year 2022 and observer attrition during the 2020 fishing year have resulted in the need for approximately 140 new at-sea monitors.

The Awardee shall provide and retain the necessary qualified personnel, materials, equipment, services, and facilities to conduct components of the ASM training for NEFSC. The Awardee shall conduct approximately 4-6 trainings per year. The training will be conducted as a collaborative effort between NMFS and the Awardee; where some components of the training will be conducted by the Awardee and some training components will be conducted by NMFS.

Applicants seeking to apply to the RFP must submit, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on May 19, 2021. Please see the RFP for complete proposal details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions. The RFP is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/RFPs/AtSeaMonitorTrainingRFP_April2021.pdf.

For more information, please contact Deke Tompkins at dtompkins@asmfc.org or 313.303.2623.

ASMFC Releases 2020 Annual Report

April 16, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is pleased to present you with our 2020 Annual Report, http://www.asmfc.org/files/pub/2020AnnualReport_web.pdf.  In the report, you will find a quick guide to stock status for the 27 species and species groups the Commission manages; a fisheries management section, which focuses on species which had the most significant management or stock assessment activities in 2020; and sections highlighting our major accomplishments in 2020 in the areas of fisheries science, habitat conservation, and fishery-dependent data collection and management. Please visit the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org for additional information on any of our programs or activities.

The report reflects our Commissioners’ commitment to accountability and transparency in all they do to sustainably manage the stocks under their care. We hope that you will find the information contained within this report useful and interesting.

NOAA to reimburse monitoring costs

April 13, 2021 — NOAA Fisheries has set its electronic monitoring reimbursement policy for Northeast groundfish sector vessels in the 2021 fishing season and is urging fishermen to purchase and install the systems now while federal funds are available.

“For fishing year 2021, groundfish sector vessels may use either electronic monitoring or human at-sea monitors to meet the monitoring requirements, provided the sector has a corresponding monitoring program as part of its approved operations plan,” the agency stated. “Vessels that choose to use electronic monitoring will be eligible for reimbursement, while government funding is available.”

The agency said sector vessels employing electronic monitoring should submit receipts for reimbursable costs to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, using the same process they use for human at-sea monitoring reimbursements.

It said costs eligible for reimbursement largely fall within six areas: equipment, technical support, video review, operational costs, training and COVID-19 protocols.

The equipment category covers the purchase and installation of equipment necessary “to outfit a vessel with one fully functioning electronic monitoring system.”

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Atlantic Herring Area 1A Days Out Meeting Scheduled for April 22, 2021

April 9, 2021 — 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 22, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to discuss days out measures for the 2021 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
April 22, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone at the following link:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/916881365. 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 (VoIP), but if you are joining the webinar from your phone only, you can dial in at +1 (224) 501-3412 and enter access code 916-881-365 when prompted. The webinar will start at 9:30 a.m., 30 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, 2021. States will send additional correspondence regarding the notification procedure.

The 2021 Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is 1,391 metric tons (mt). 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 1,252 mt. There is no research-set-aside for 2021 because the participants in the RSA program will not continue their RSA project in 2021.

In October 2020, the Board established the following seasonal allocations for the 2021 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, 2021.

Please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0716 or efranke@asmfc.org for more information.

A copy of the meeting announcement can be found at: http://www.asmfc.org/files/AtlHerringApr2021DaysOutMeetingNotice.pdf

Final Day for Striped Bass Comments

April 9, 2021 — The following was released by the American Saltwater Guides Association:

By now, you probably know that striped bass are in trouble. The public comment deadline for the Striped Bass Amendment 7 Public Information Document is today at 5 PM and we need your help. For details and suggested talking points, take a look at our Guide to the Public Information Document, or watch the Striped Bass Town Hall that we recorded last week. You can make a difference.

Send your comments to comments@asmfc.org. Just like with the last addendum, we are running a raffle through The Saltwater Edge. This time, the grand prize is a striped bass trip with a Costa Pro. Click the link for prize details. It doesn’t matter what position you take. We just want to know that you commented. To enter, just cc stripercomments@gmail.com when you submit your comments to ASMFC. We will pick random winners after the deadline on April 9.

Read the full release here

MAFMC and ASMFC Postpone Final Action on Potential Changes to Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Allocations

April 8, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

During a joint webinar meeting on Tuesday, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board (Board) voted to postpone a final decision on potential changes to the commercial and recreational allocations of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. This delay is intended to allow for further development of the Recreational Reform Initiative before any allocation decisions are made. The Council and Board are now scheduled to take final action on the commercial/recreational allocation amendment at a joint meeting in December 2021.

Summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass are highly sought by both commercial and recreational fishermen throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England. The commercial/recreational allocations for all three species are currently based on historical proportions of catch or landings. Recent changes in how recreational catch is estimated have resulted in a discrepancy between the current levels of estimated recreational harvest and the allocations to the recreational sector. In response to the revised data, the Council and Board initiated the amendment in 2019 to consider possible changes to the commercial and recreational allocations. This action also aligns with the Council’s policy of reviewing fishery allocations at least every 10 years.

The Council and Commission received 334 public comments from both commercial and recreational fishery participants and organizations during five virtual public hearings and a written comment period earlier this year. In general, comments from the commercial sector favored maintaining status quo allocations, and comments from the recreational sector tended to support the alternatives that would increase allocations to the recreational sector. A more detailed summary of the public comments is available here.

Much of the discussion during this week’s meeting focused on the possibility of postponing an allocation decision to allow for further development of the Recreational Reform Initiative — an approach that has been recommended by stakeholders from both sectors, as well as representatives from the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). The Recreational Reform Initiative focuses on management changes to more appropriately account for uncertainty and variability in the Marine Recreational Information Program data and provide stability in the recreational bag, size, and season limits. Proponents of delaying final action have argued that a better sense of potential management changes through the Recreational Reform Initiative may inform the allocation decisions that the Council and Board are considering through this action.

After several hours of discussion, the Council and Board voted to postpone final action until December. This delay is not expected to affect the timing of any allocation changes, as GARFO has advised that implementation of the amendment would be very unlikely to occur until January 1, 2023, regardless of whether approval occurred at this meeting or in December. In the months ahead, staff may incorporate a small number of new alternatives proposed by Council and Board members that fall within the range of alternatives already analyzed within the amendment. The Council and Board are expected to discuss the need for any additional alternatives at their joint meeting in August.

Additional information and updates on this amendment are available at: http://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment.

The press release can also be found at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/606f338cpr21-08_SFSBSB-Allocation-Final-Action-Postponed.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed 2021 Recreational Rules for Summer Flounder

April 6, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on proposed 2021 summer flounder recreational fishery management measures.

We propose to continue the conservation equivalency approach for the summer flounder recreational fishery, in which states or regions develop minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that will achieve the necessary level of conservation. Both the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended continuing conservation equivalency in 2021.

The proposed rule contains additional details on conservation equivalency, including what measures would be put in place if the Commission does not ultimately recommend conservation equivalency.

More Information

Read the proposed rule  as published in the Federal Register today. The comment period is open through April 21, 2021. Submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Emily Keiley, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9116
Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103