Saving Seafood

Montauk Fisherman and Wholesalers Indicted in Fraud Scheme

April 22, 2021 — A federal grand jury has indicted two members of Montauk’s Gosman family and a commercial fishing boat owner on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and obstructing an investigation in connection with a scheme to sell at least $250,000 in illegally caught fluke and black sea bass. The United States Department of Justice announced the indictment on Wednesday.

The indictment stems from about 70 fishing trips that Christopher Winkler, 61, also of Montauk, made aboard his boat New Age from May 2014 to July 2016 during which he took fluke and black sea bass in excess of federal catch quotas, according to the Department of Justice. The fish was sold to a now-defunct company, Greater New York Fish, at the New Fulton Fish Market in the Bronx that was owned in part by Asa Gosman, 45, and Bryan Gosman, 48.

After the Bronx company stopped operating, Mr. Winkler continued to sell the allegedly illegal catch to the two men, through Bob Gosman Co., in which they had an ownership role, the Justice Department said.

The grand jury charged Mr. Winkler, Bryan Gosman, and Asa Gosman with one count each of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as well as to unlawfully frustrate National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration regulatory efforts.

Read the full story at The East Hampton Star

New York Fisherman and Fish Dealer Charged with Conspiracy, Fraud, and Obstruction

April 21, 2021 — The following was released by The United States Department of Justice:

Today, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York unsealed the indictment of one fisherman, a wholesale fish dealer, and two of its managers for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and obstruction in connection with a scheme to illegally overharvest fluke and black sea bass. All four defendants are from Montauk.

Christopher Winkler, 61, Bryan Gosman, 48, Asa Gosman, 45, and Bob Gosman Co. Inc. were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as well as to unlawfully frustrate the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) efforts at regulating federal fisheries. Winker and the corporate defendant each face substantive fraud charges. In addition, each of the defendants was charged with obstruction.

The indictment alleges that between May 2014 and July 2016, Winkler, as captain of the New Age, went on approximately 70 fishing trips where he caught fluke or black sea bass in excess of applicable quotas. This fish was then sold to a now-defunct company and unindicted co-conspirator in the New Fulton Fish Market in the Bronx. Both Asa Gosman and Bryan Gosman had an ownership interest in the defunct company. After the Bronx company went under, Winkler sold a smaller quantity of his illegal catch directly to Bob Gosman Co. Inc., a Montauk fish dealer in which Asa Gosman and Bryan Gosman had a management role. The overages of fish included at least 74,000 pounds of fluke, and the overall over-quota fish (of all species) were valued at least $250,000 wholesale.

Under federal law, a fishing captain is required to accurately detail his catch on a form known as a Fishing Vessel Trip Report (FVTR), which is mailed to NOAA. Similarly, the first company that buys fish directly from a fishing vessel is termed a fish dealer, and fish dealers are required to specify what they purchase on a federal form known as a dealer report, which is transmitted electronically to NOAA. Pursuant to statutory mandate, NOAA utilizes this information to set policies designed to ensure a sustainable fishery. The indictment alleges that the part of the conspiracy was to falsify both FVTRs and dealer reports in order to cover-up the fact that fish were taken in excess of quotas.

Additionally, Asa Gosman, Bryan Gosman, and Bob Gosman Co. Inc., acting through its agents and employees, were charged with obstructing the investigation into these crimes by corruptly withholding certain documents and records sought by a federal grand jury.

Initiated as part of Operation One-Way Chandelier, the indictment is part of a multi-year, ongoing investigation into fisheries fraud on Long Island. The case is being investigated by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. Trial Attorney Christopher Hale of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.

The defendants will be arraigned at a future date.

Read the full release here

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

MAFMC Advisory Panel Applications Due This Friday, April 23

April 19, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The deadline to apply for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels is this Friday, April 23. All current advisory panel members must reapply to be considered for reappointment.

Apply Here

The Council is accepting applications for the following advisory panels:

  • Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
  • Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
  • Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
  • Tilefish
  • Bluefish
  • Ecosystem and Ocean Planning
  • River Herring and Shad
  • Dogfish (jointly managed with New England Council)
  • Communication and Outreach (NEW!)

How to Apply

Anyone interested in serving on an advisory panel may apply online or download an application at www.mafmc.org/advisory-panel-application. Applications can also be obtained by calling (302) 518-1143 or emailing msabo@mafmc.org.

Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mary Sabo at (302) 518-1143, msabo@mafmc.org.

About Advisory Panels

Advisory panels provide information and recommendations to the Council during the development of fishery management plans, amendments, specifications, and other initiatives. One of the chief responsibilities of advisory panels is the development of annual Fishery Performance Reports. These reports provide the Council and SSC with information about the factors that influenced fishing effort and catch within each fishery during the previous year. Learn more about advisory panels here.

Advisory panels are composed of individuals with diverse experience and interest in Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Members include commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, for-hire operators, commercial dealers, scientists, environmentalists, and other members of the interested public. Most advisory panels meet 1-2 times per year. Members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Individuals who are appointed to advisory panels serve for three-year terms.

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 Announces the 2021-2022 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • The 2021-2022 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.19′ N. latitude), will open April 1, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., local time, and will close April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., local time.
  • The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.
  • Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2021-2022 fishing year will be below the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2021-2022 recreational fishing year.

WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING:

  • NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years with available data were substantially below this value.
  • This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season.

Read the full release here

Webinar Instructions for the April 6-8 MAFMC Meeting

March 30, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet by webinar next week, Tuesday, April 6 – Thursday, April 8, 2021. A portion of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board. A detailed agenda and briefing documents are available on the April 2021 Council Meeting Page.

Webinar Connection Instructions

The Council has changed webinar platforms and will conduct this meeting via Webex. Please review the information below carefully. If you have not used Webex before, you are encouraged to connect during one of two test sessions we will hold Wednesday, March 31 (tomorrow) at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m. (scroll down to TEST SESSIONS for details). All are welcome to connect during these test sessions.

JOIN THE APRIL 2021 COUNCIL MEETING:

Before connecting to the webinar, we recommend that you review the Council Meeting Webex Participant Guide for detailed step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. each day. We will have the webinar up and running by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. We recommend connecting a few minutes early.

  1. Click Here to Join the Webinar (if prompted, enter meeting number: 129 017 5026; Meeting password: mafmc)
  2. If this is your first time using Webex you will be prompted to download and install the application (recommended), or you can choose to join the meeting in your browser. If you are joining from a mobile device you will need the Cisco Webex Meetings app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
  3. Sign In: On the sign in screen you will be asked to enter your full name.
  4. Connect your audio: On the meeting preview screen you can choose how you want to connect your audio. You will have the option to use your computer mic/speakers or phones for audio. See the Webex Participant Guide for details on selecting and changing your audio settings. If you have an unstable internet connection, we recommend using phone. To use your phone for audio, first sign into the Webex link above, then look for the “call in” option (if you don’t see this, look for the “use computer for audio” button which you can click to bring up the “call in” option). That will give you a prompt with the phone number, access code, and Attendee ID#. Please make sure to use the Attendee ID# on your screen, as that will allow us to identify you on our end.
  5. A note about video: Participant video will be disabled for this meeting. However, depending on your webcam settings you may still see your video on the meeting preview screen before you enter the webinar. This will not be displayed to other participants. You can disable the preview by clicking the “Stop Video” button.
  6. Telephone-only access: For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, dial 1-844-621-3956 (meeting number: 129 017 5026#). Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar. If you are connected by phone only you will need to enter *6 on your keypad to unmute/mute yourself and *3 to raise/lower your hand.

April 2021 Webinar Details

Meeting Link: https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=ma078a78c34dafc6403e350a30eeeeac4

Meeting Number (access code): 129 017 5026

Meeting password: mafmc

Join by phone:

TEST SESSIONS

We will hold two test sessions for participants to make sure they are set up to join the meeting next week. Drop in at any time to test your audio and get familiar with the Webex interface. Please note that there are unique links for each test session (these are not the same as the April meeting link in the previous section). Connection instructions for each session are provided at the following links:

  1. Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  2. Monday, April 5, 2021, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

As an alternative, you can use the Webex Test Meeting tool to join a test meeting at any time.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you are having trouble connecting to the webinar, please check the Webex Participant Guide and these troubleshooting steps to see if your question is addressed there. This page provides step-by-step instructions for joining a meeting from Windows and Mac computers, IOS and Android devices, and internet browsers.

NEED HELP?

If you need technical assistance prior to the meeting, contact Stephen Pearson at spearson@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5256. Check the April meeting page for staff contact info if you need help during the meeting.

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo, Communication and Outreach Coordinator, msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.

Reminder: Public Comment Deadline for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment is March 16

March 12, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

As a reminder, the deadline to submit public comments on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment is Tuesday, March 16, 2021. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are developing this joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The amendment also considers options that would allow a portion of the allowable landings to be transferred between the commercial and recreational sectors each year.

Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

1. ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment

2. EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org

3. MAIL or FAX to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director

    Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

    800 North State Street, Suite 201

    Dover, DE 19901

    FAX: 302.674.5399

Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Learn More

Complete details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available in the Public Hearing Document. The Alternatives Quick Reference Guide provides a brief overview of the alternatives. This guide should be used in conjunction with the Public Hearing Document and is intended to help members of the public provide comments on specific alternatives. You can also view a recording of the Public Hearing Presentation that was provided at the public hearings. Additional background information and related documents are available on the action page for this amendment.

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

For additional information and updates, please visit: https://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment. If you have any questions, please contact:

  • Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257
  • Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714

MAFMC Webinar Meeting: April 6-8, 2021

March 8, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet by webinar Tuesday, April 6 – Thursday, April 8, 2021. A portion of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board. Briefing documents and presentations will be posted on the April 2021 Council Meeting Page as they become available.

Agenda: A detailed agenda is available here. Topics to be addressed at this meeting include:

  • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Updates
  • Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment – Final Action
  • Blueline Tilefish Specifications
  • Golden Tilefish Multi-Year Specifications Framework – Meeting 1
  • Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad – Listening Session
  • 2021 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report and EAFM Risk Assessment
  • East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative
  • Climate Change Science Efforts Underway at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center – Presentation

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, March 24, 2021 to be included in the briefing book. Comments submitted after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2021 will be posted as supplemental materials. After that date, comments may only be submitted using the form below.

Webinar: The Council is transitioning from Adobe Connect to Webex as its primary webinar platform. In the coming weeks we will post detailed webinar connection instructions, an updated webinar guide, and information about training sessions on the meeting page. Please stay tuned for a future email with webinar connection information.

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

Massachusetts sets rules for recreational catches

February 26, 2021 — Massachusetts has set fishing regulations for the upcoming 2021 recreational fishing season, retaining the status quo in state waters on seasons and limits for most species.

The exceptions are the striped bass circle hook requirements, as well as the Gulf of Maine haddock and cod seasons and a pending recommendation on gear restrictions for blue crabs.

The Division of Marine Fisheries expects to announce the new regulations on the three pending measures in late March. It has scheduled a virtual public hearing for March 2 at 6 p.m. Participation requires advanced registration at http://bit.ly/3pRGpBZ.

Here are the 2021 regulations on seasons and limits for a variety of recreational species:

Black sea bass — The season will run May 18 to Sept. 8. The minimum size is 15 inches and the trip possession limit is five fish per angler.

Bluefish — The season runs all year, with no size limits. Possession limits are three fish per day for anglers fishing from the shore or aboard private vessels. The trip possession limit for anglers aboard for-hire craft is five fish.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times