Saving Seafood

MAFMC Approves Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Amendment

December 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

During a meeting last week in Annapolis, Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council took final action on an amendment to modify the species separation requirements for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. If approved and implemented by the Secretary of Commerce, the amendment will allow vessels to land mixed catches of surfclam and ocean quahog during a declared mixed trip. The amendment also introduces enhanced monitoring and reporting procedures to ensure accurate tracking of catch and effective enforcement of regulations.

The Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries are managed under an individual transferable (ITQ) system. Current regulations prohibit landing the two species on the same trip or placing them together in the same cages. In recent years, industry has reported that it has become increasingly difficult to avoid mixed catches. This has created challenges related to catch monitoring, allocation tracking, and enforcement, as well as logistical and economic challenges for industry.

In 2021, the Council initiated an amendment to explore potential modifications to the species separation requirements. Although final action was originally scheduled for June 2024, the Council opted to postpone the decision to allow time for a workshop to explore additional implementation approaches and enforcement issues. The two-day workshop was held in October 2024, with participation from Council members, NOAA Fisheries staff, industry representatives, and others. Workshop discussions informed development of a revised alternative which was supported by the fishing industry and ultimately adopted by the Council.

Under the revised regulations, vessels intending to harvest both clam species would be required to declare a mixed trip through their Vessel Monitoring System prior to leaving port. Vessels declaring a single species trip would be subject to the current single species regulations. Any dealer or processing facility wishing to receive mixed catches would be responsible for developing a NOAA-approved catch monitoring plan that describes how their in-plant sorting and reporting of catch for both species will occur. In addition, third-party independent catch monitors would be randomly deployed to shoreside facilities to ensure accurate reporting of catch data.

Although the Council considered requiring full retention of both clam species, they ultimately agreed that this could be avoided if improvements are made to discard data via a combination of increased observer coverage and self-reported discards on vessel trip reports. Observer coverage would be increased in the first year to cover up to five percent of all clam fishing trips. Data collected in the first year would be used to determine the appropriate observer coverage level for future years.

The Council acknowledged that there will be additional costs associated with the increased observer coverage and development of a new shoreside catch monitoring program. Some of these costs could be recouped through the cost recovery program, which requires ITQ allocation holders to pay an annual fee to recover the costs of management, data collection and analysis, and enforcement activities involved with the program.

Secretarial review of the amendment will involve a thorough review of the proposed measures by NOAA Fisheries, including further opportunities for public comment. Additional information, updates, and background materials related to this amendment are available at https://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-species-separation.

New study offers improvements to estimating shellfish populations

March 14, 2022 — The following was released by the Science Center for Marine Fisheries: 

A new study, jointly conducted and funded by the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), finds ways to reduce a source of uncertainty in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog population estimates: defining the efficiency of the survey gear. The study, published in Fishery Bulletin, is part of the Center’s long-running efforts to improve our understanding of shellfish.

The dredge efficiency issue, which dates to the early 1990s, is about how effective clam research survey vessels are at catching surfclams and ocean quahogs. The efficiency of a clam dredge—which is a measure of the proportion of Atlantic surfclams or ocean quahogs on the ocean floor that a dredge can catch—is one of the key variables in stock assessment population estimates. The efficiency of the dredge is a primary factor affecting the biomass estimate of the stock and therefore an important criterion determining how the assessment evaluates the status of the stock relative to management goals.

One way researchers measure efficiency is through field depletion experiments, where a dredge is run multiple times in a single area to measure the percentage of available shellfish it caught with each tow. These experiments are used in both the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog assessments to help estimate their dredge efficiencies. There is no way to know what true dredge efficiency is, but conducting many depletion experiments allows scientists to make a reasonable estimate.

The first depletion experiment was conducted in 1997 as a joint effort between NMFS, academic scientists, and the clam fishery. This team carried out many such studies over the following 15 years, making this one of the longest running successful collaborations of this type. This recent study addresses the remaining uncertainty surrounding dredge efficiency by looking at data from this large set of depletion experiments conducted over two decades and examines the quality of these experiments and the efficiency estimates they produced. Specifically, the study took a close look at simulated depletion experiments, where scientists know what the true dredge efficiency is, to identify common characteristics of studies that do a good job estimating dredge efficiency compared to those that do a poor job.

By focusing on the “best” experiments and identifying field experiments that potentially produced inaccurate efficiency estimates, scientists can refine the set of depletion studies used to help estimate efficiency in stock assessments. This refined set of depletion studies has particular influence on non-model-based biomass estimates, which play an important role in verifying the model-based results and are commonly used in management. Once identified, characteristics of good and bad depletion experiments can also inform methodology used in future experiments.

“Identifying field depletion experiments with accurate efficiency estimates helps confirm present stock assessment models’ gear efficiency estimates,” said Leanne Poussard, of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and the lead author of the study.

“Ms. Poussard’s work has rekindled interest in the cooperative depletion experiment dataset and produced important guidance for anyone undertaking similar experiments in the future”, said Dr. Dan Hennen of NMFS.

Notice to Fishermen: 2021 Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Cost Recovery Tag Fees

July 22, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are announcing the 2021 cost recovery per-tag fees for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) program.

2021 Cost Recovery Cage Tag Fees

Atlantic Surfclam: $0.88 per tag
Ocean Quahog: $0.70 per tag

The fee for each cage tag is calculated based on the number of ITQ cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs during the 2020 fishing year, and the costs associated with operating the program in 2020.  The fees are then multiplied by the number of tags used during the 2021 fishing year to determine the final bill amount. These cost recovery fees are separate from, and in addition to, the price ITQ permit holders currently pay to the tag vendor to obtain cage tags each year.

In early 2022, we will issue bills to quota shareholders based on these tag fees and the number of their 2021 cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs. The initial quota shareholder who first received the allocation of cage tags is responsible for the fee even if the tag is leased, sold, or otherwise used by someone else.

For more information read our bulletin.

Read the full release here

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

July 25, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold four public hearings in August and September 2019 to solicit public input on the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment. The Council is also soliciting written comments on the amendment through September 14, 2019.

The Excessive Shares Amendment considers a variety of approaches to ensure that no individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferrable quota (ITQ) privileges. In addition, this action includes measures to revise the process for specifying multi-year management measures, require periodic review of the excessive share cap level, and allow adjustments to be made under the frameworkable provisions of the FMP. Lastly, this action may also revise the management objectives for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan.

Additional information is available at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment. A public hearing document is available HERE.

Attend a Hearing

Public hearings will be held on the following dates:

  1. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:30PM:  The Grand Hotel. 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204; telephone: (609) 884-5611.

  2. Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 6:30PM:  Internet webinar. Connection information to be posted at www.mafmc.org/council-events prior to the meeting.

  3. Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:30PM:  LaQuinta Inns & Suites, 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801; telephone: (410) 546-4400.

  4. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 6:30PM:  Radisson Hotel Providence Airport. 2081 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone: (401) 739-3000.

Submit Written Comments:

In addition to providing comments at any of the public hearings, you may submit written comments by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on September 14, 2019. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:

  1. ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment;

  2. EMAIL to jmontanez@mafmc.org;

  3. MAIL to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19901; or

  4. FAX to (302) 674-5399.

Please include “SCOQ Excessive Shares Amendment Comments” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Please direct any questions about the amendment to José Montañez, jmontanez@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5258.

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Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

July 2, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold four public hearings in August and September 2019 to solicit public input on the Draft Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment. The Council is also soliciting written comments on the amendment through September 14, 2019.

The Excessive Shares Amendment considers a variety of approaches to ensure that no individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferrable quota (ITQ) privileges. In addition, this action includes measures to revise the process for specifying multi-year management measures, require periodic review of the excessive share cap level, and allow adjustments to be made under the frameworkable provisions of the FMP. Lastly, this action may also revise the management objectives for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan.

Additional information is available at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment. A public hearing document will be posted no later than July 18.

Attend a Scoping Hearing

Public hearings will be held on the following dates:

  1. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:30PM: The Grand Hotel. 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204; telephone: (609) 884-5611.
  2. Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 6:30PM: Internet webinar. Connection information to be posted at http://www.mafmc.org/council-events/2019/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment-public-hearing-2 prior to the meeting.
  3. Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:30PM: LaQuinta Inns & Suites, 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801; telephone: (410) 546-4400.
  4. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 6:30PM: Radisson Hotel Providence Airport. 2081 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone: (401) 739-3000.

Submit Written Comments:

In addition to providing comments at any of the scoping hearings, you may submit written comments by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on September 14, 2019. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:

Please include “SCOQ Excessive Shares Amendment Comments” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Please direct any questions about the amendment to José Montañez, jmontanez@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5258.

Request for Public Input on Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Individual Transferable Quota Program Review

April 9, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public comments on a review of the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program. Comments are due by May 8, 2019.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Catch Share Policy prepared in 2010 indicates that periodic reviews are expected of all Limited Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs). This program review report for the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog ITQ fishery covers the time period prior to and after implementation of the program in 1990 and provides a detailed evaluation of the ITQ program since its inception.

The program review document is available on the Council’s website at: http://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-itq-review

Comments are due by May 8, 2019 and may be sent by any of the following methods:

Comments are due by May 8, 2019 and may be sent by any of the following methods:

Please include “SCOQ ITQ Review” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Please direct any questions about the review to Jessica Coakley at jcoakley@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5252.

DON CUDDY: New England surf clam fishery is headed for disaster

January 7, 2019 — When it comes to fishery management controversy never seems to be too far away. Last month you may have read about the dubious nature of a decision by the New England Fishery Management Council to close a large area of Nantucket Shoals to fishermen who harvest surf clams there, ostensibly to protect fish habitat. Questionable actions such as these undermine industry confidence in fishery regulators and serve only to alienate, and embitter, fishermen and the many others on the waterfront whose livelihoods are threatened by such draconian measures. With respect to protecting fish habitat allow me to quote from NOAA Fisheries’ own web site (fishwatch.gov) which bills itself as ‘U.S. Seafood Facts.’ The salient quote, with respect to the Atlantic surfclam, spissula solidissima, is this: “Fishing gear used to harvest surfclams has minimal impacts on habitat.” In spite of this fact these traditional grounds have now been designated as essential fish habitat and clamming is banned there indefinitely. NOAA also tells us that surfclams support a valuable fishery. Well, come April 9 it will not be nearly as valuable for those who participate in the harvest and that includes fishermen and shore workers in New Bedford, Gloucester and Bristol, Rhode Island where Galilean Seafood employs around 120 people in this fishery.

“There were five areas out there where we harvested our clams and the two areas with the most historical tows are the ones they closed,” Alan Rencurrel told me. Alan knows surf calms. He owns Nantucket Sound Seafood in New Bedford where the clams he catches are hand shucked. “If you steam ’em open they get chewy,” he said. He’s been fishing on the Shoals since 1992. “And there were boats out there before me.”

He also played me some high-resolution video, taken from a dredge-mounted camera, showing the sea bed in the area known as the Rose and Crown, the largest of the areas to be closed. There were no fish, rocks or cobble to be seen, just a solitary skate, on a sandy bottom littered with old mussel shells. “We can’t tow over rocky bottom like a scallop dredge,” he told me. It’s too hard on the gear and anyway clams prefer sand bottom, he said. Conversely, groundfish such as cod and haddock are found on hard bottom.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Rule

March 16, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

Today, NOAA Fisheries announces that the proposed Amendment 17 to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan is available for public review and comment.  

Amendment 17:

  • Establishes a cost recovery program for the individual transferable quota (ITQ) fisheries;
  • Makes administrative changes to how biological reference points are incorporated into the management plan; and 
  • Removes the optimum yield range from the plan

For more details, read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and the supporting documents available on our website.

Comments are due April 15, and may be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by regular mail to:

John K. Bullard

Regional Administrator

NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA  01930. 

Please mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Amendment 17.”

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175 or email jennifer.goebel@noaa.gov.

First U.S. Clam Fishery Embarks on Sustainable Fishing Assessment

December 22, 2015 — The following was released by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC):

The Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog fishery has become the first clam fishery in the U.S. to step forward for assessment to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) global standard for sustainable fishing. Working with scientists, the fishing industry and conservation groups, MSC has developed the world’s most credible and recognized standard for environmentally sustainable wild-caught seafood.

Iconic surfclams and ocean quahogs are important commercial species in the U.S, found in products such as breaded clam strips, minced clams, stuffed clams, chowders and bisques. In 2014, the surfclams and quahogs harvest was valued at approximately $30 million and $22 million, respectively.

If certified, these clams will be eligible to carry the internationally recognized blue MSC ecolabel, which provides consumers an easy way to choose seafood that can be traced back to a certified sustainable source.
 
Mike Kraft, Vice President of Sustainability, Bumble Bee Seafoods, one of the processors supporting this assessment said: “Our customers and consumers care about sustainability and want to contribute to healthy ocean ecosystems by enjoying sustainably harvested surfclams and quahogs now, and in the future. We are confident that the MSC process will validate the sustainability of these well-managed and healthy fisheries.”

Brian Perkins, MSC regional director – Americas, said: “The MSC’s vision is for oceans to be teeming with life for future generations. We welcome the U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog fishery’s decision to enter MSC assessment. This is an important milestone for the MSC and for fishing in the U.S.”

Landing ports for U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog are New Bedford, Gloucester, and Fairhaven, Massachusetts; Warren and Bristol, Rhode Island; Point Pleasant, Atlantic City, Cape May, and Port Norris, New Jersey; and on occasion, Ocean City, Maryland. The processors supporting this assessment include: Bumble Bee Seafoods; Sea Watch International Ltd; Lamonica Fine Foods; Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc.; and Surfside Foods LLC.

The independent assessment will be conducted by SCS Global Services, an accredited third-party conformity assessment body. SCS Global Services will assemble a team of fishery science and policy experts to evaluate the fishery according to the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard: the health of the stock of surfclam and ocean quahog; the impact of fishing on the marine environment; and the management of the fishery. The process takes around 18 months and is open to stakeholders. All results are peer reviewed and no decision is made about a fishery’s sustainability until after the assessment is