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MAFMC and ASMFC Approve Bluefish Rebuilding Plan and Revised Allocations

June 14, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Bluefish Management Board (Board) jointly recommended approval of the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. The Amendment updates the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) goals and objectives, initiates a rebuilding plan, establishes new allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors, implements new commercial allocations to the states, revises the process for quota transfers between sectors, and revises how the management plan accounts for management uncertainty.

The Council and Board initiated the Amendment in December 2017 to consider revisions to the commercial and recreational fisheries allocations and the state-specific commercial allocations. In 2019, an operational stock assessment for bluefish indicated the stock was overfished, and the Council and Board subsequently decided to incorporate the rebuilding plan in the Amendment.

During their joint meeting last week, the Council and Board reviewed a summary of the five virtual hearings and written comments submitted by 378 individuals and organizations, in addition to the recommendations of their joint Advisory Panel.

After weighing the pros and cons of shorter and longer rebuilding plan timeframes, the Council and Board ultimately selected the rebuilding plan which utilizes a constant fishing mortality approach and is projected to rebuild the stock in 7 years. Rebuilding progress will be analyzed through management track stock assessments every two years. The management track assessment scheduled for later this month will be the first step in informing specifications for the 2022-2023 fishing years.

The revised sector allocations increase the recreational allocation from 83% to 86% of the acceptable biological catch and decrease the commercial allocation from 17% to 14%. The Council and Board used catch data from 1981-2018 as the basis for sector allocations since it more accurately captures the cyclical nature of the fishery, while providing each sector with sufficient access to the resource considering historical usage.

The Council and Board based state commercial allocations on more recent data to improve efficiency within the commercial fishery and better reflect the current distribution of the stock. As such, the Amendment allocates a baseline quota of 0.1% to each state, and then allocates the rest of the commercial quota based on landings data from 2009 to 2018 (see Table 1 below). Recognizing that several states will be losing quota during a time when the coastwide commercial quota is already at an historic low, the Council and Board decided to phase-in the allocation changes over 7 years in order to reduce short-term economic impacts to the affected commercial fishing industry. The Council and Board also committed to reviewing the approved state allocations within 5 years.

Read the full release here

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.

  • June 2021 Public Comment Form

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.

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:

  • Public Hearing Document – an abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts
  • ASMFC Draft Amendment – a more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved
  • Alternatives Quick Reference Guide – provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment
  • Public Hearing Presentation on YouTube

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

NORTH CAROLINA: Legislative Update-Representative Billy Richardson Files Net-Ban Bill (H-513)/NCFA Position on H-513/Commercial Bluefish Proclamation

April 1, 2021 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association:

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for 4/16/2021: NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

Note that due to the length of this update, the list of bills will be abbreviated so only the two new bills will be listed. The previous bills had no action this week.

The most significant issue related to the General Assembly this week was the introduction of a net ban bill by Representative Billy Richardson from Cumberland County. He did something similar in 1994. Back then his bill called for a “non-binding referendum put to the voters statewide. If it would have passed, it still would have needed action by the General Assembly to be put in place. That bill was killed in the Rules Committee without any discussion. I’ll go into more detail about that history later.

H-513 is Rep. Richardson’s net ban bill. The name listed for the bill is PEOPLES’ CHOICE FOR MARINE SOURCES. That is probably a typo for the title and should be RESOURCES, but that certainly isn’t the only problem with the bill. When filed, the only other sponsor was Representative Marvin Lucas, also from Cumberland County. Larry Yarborough added his name later. The bill was referred to House Rules.

The other bill introduced this week is H-518 by Representative Ed Goodwin. All of the sponsors are listed below. The title is TEMPORARILY WAIVE COMMERCIAL FISHING FEES. The bill would waive Standard Commercial Fishing Licenses, Retired SCFL, Shellfish licenses and Commercial fishing vessel registration for the period of April 1, 2021 through June 29, 2022. Any fees paid already would be subject to a refund upon request. NCFA supports the measure with the following modifications:

1.) Provisions must be made for the Division of Marine Fisheries to recoup some of the revenue lost as a result of the measure. A portion of the money DMF derives from these license sales is used to support programs essential to the commercial fishing industry.

2.) A request to consider including for-hire licenses in the exemption as well.
The bill has been referred to the Marine Resources Committee.

H-513 PEOPLES’ CHOICE FOR MARINE SOURCES

Sponsored by Richardson, Lucas, Yarborough

Currently in House Rules; https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/House/PDF/H513v1.pdf

H-518 TEMPORARILY WAIVE COMMERCIAL FISHING FEES

Sponsored by Goodwin, Hanig, Wray, Richardson, Autry, Brisson, Carney, Carter, Fisher, Harrison, Hunter, Iler, Insko, Lucas, McNeely, Moss, Shepard

Currently in House Marine Resources; if favorable to Finance, then Rules. https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/House/PDF/H518v1.pdf

God bless,
Jerry

NCFA POSITION ON H-513; PEOPLES’ CHOICE FOR MARINE SOURCES; (NET BAN BILL):

It goes without saying that the North Carolina Fisheries Association is opposed to H.B. 513, PEOPLES’ CHOICE FOR MARINE SOURCES, or the Net Ban Referendum Bill.

While the stated purpose of H.B. 513 is “to protect saltwater finfish, shellfish, and other marine animals from unnecessary killing, overfishing, and waste “the true purpose, as with all gear ban or gamefish bills, is to reallocate the resource from one user group to another.

Did you know that no commercial fishing gear ban has ever been implemented by a state or federal agency tasked with managing coastal fisheries? Why is legislation always used to ban commercial gears rather than the fisheries management process?

The answer is quite simple: gear bans are not necessary and not supported by science unless, of course, you include the political sciences. Fisheries Managers regulate the use of gears, rather than prohibit them, to achieve sustainable harvest and have done so in NC. Gill nets are the most highly regulated gear in North Carolina mostly due to perception and not reality.

Rhetoric from groups like the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) have painted nets as an unregulated, indiscriminate, and destructive gear but the data tells a different story. Dead discards or “waste“ from gill nets have been greatly reduced for many species of finfish like Red Drum, Southern Flounder and Striped Bass simply by regulating the construction and \ or use of the gear. Waste from gill nets now makes up a very small percentage of the total removals for these species while waste in the recreational fisheries has become a significant portion of the total removals. For example, between 2008 and 2017 the recreational sector removed 3,895,597 Red Drum from the stock, 1,568,177 of which were dead discards or waste. These 1,568,177 fish wasted recreationally, over this ten- year period, alone exceeds the total commercial removals, harvest and dead discards combined, for the 29 – year period from 1989 to 2017 of 1,550,130 red drum. If waste in our fisheries is a concern you need to look at all gears for both sectors and determine the level of waste and how or even if it is impacting overall abundance, not single out a gear for prohibition based simply on personal perception.

Since 1994 the number of gillnet trips has decreased by more than 50% as have the number of vessels and fishermen participating in the gill net fisheries. The pounds of fish harvested by gill nets has also been reduced by more than 50% which is interesting, considering the many gear restrictions implemented in this time period. One would assume harvest would have dropped significantly more than effort did. During this same time period the number and pounds of fish harvested recreationally has changed very little but the numbers of fish released and subsequent dead discards or waste has increased dramatically, nearly tripling. This shows that overall, recreational opportunity to catch fish has increased despite what you may have heard to the contrary.

I’m not sure what the bill sponsors mean by “unnecessary killing “but as we interpret it, unnecessary means something that is not a necessity or non-essential. One of the most important lessons gleaned from the covid-19 pandemic has been that domestic food production is essential to national stability. While some states chose to prohibit recreational fishing, commercial fishermen across this country were deemed essential workers in the food production industry and allowed to operate. As meat processing facilities across the country struggled, many Americans turned to their local seafood market for the protein they needed. Nets are an essential gear for many, small scale, North Carolina fishermen and without this gear seafood production will certainly be reduced, as it has with every gill net regulation implemented since the mid 90’s. Commercial fishermen and their gears are necessary and essential to the millions of citizens who are unable to access our fisheries resources for themselves.

Commercial gear bans have been adopted in many coastal states as you may have heard many times. What you probably have not heard is that fisheries managers in those states cannot tell if the predicted benefits from the net bans have been realized. While recreational fishermen often claim success, as they are now catching fish previously harvested by commercial gears (reallocation), managers will tell you the net bans have not prevented overfishing or resulted in overall increases in abundance for many species. In fact, recreational size limits have increased and creel limits have decreased for many highly valued recreational species like Red Drum, Speckled Trout, and Southern Flounder despite the commercial gear bans and \ or gamefish status. While there is some anecdotal evidence of increases for a couple of species, changes to recreational regulations and fish stocking programs make it impossible to determine if the net ban was responsible. The only quantifiable impact of the gear bans has been the negative impacts to commercial fishing families and their communities.

Gill nets certainly interact with “other marine animals “as do other commercial and recreational gears. North Carolinas anchored gill net fisheries currently operate under two Federal Incidental Take Permits ( ITP’s ) meant to reduce interactions with endangered sea turtles and sturgeon. These ITP’s are required for any fishery to legally interact with endangered species. The recreational sector is known to illegally capture endangered sea turtles but the state has taken no action to either reduce or prevent these interactions from occurring. Simply put , the law has not been evenly applied to all citizens making commercial fishermen feel like second class citizens. A quick google search will show that recreational anglers catch turtles, birds, and dolphins but no one has ever drafted a bill proposing a ban on hook and line gear. Again, conservation is not the goal of gear bans so those proposing the ban only point out the issues with the gear they no longer wish to compete with.

As mentioned above reallocation is and always has been the true goal and result of net bans. I recently had the opportunity to provide feedback on a paper, written by a scientist at UNC, for the NC Marine and Estuary Foundation. The paper compared North Carolinas fishery management structure and strategies to the 23 other coastal states and gear bans were part of that comparison. In this paper gear bans were listed under the heading “Resource Allocation “as that is the driving force behind net bans.

Net bans and gamefish bills are not management strategies. They are political strategies utilized by groups who want to reduce the ability of those they view as competition to harvest fish. Nothing more!
By proposing a public referendum, the bill sponsors are hoping to give these groups the opportunity to win over NC voters who are largely uneducated when it comes to coastal fisheries issues. If this bill were passed these groups will ramp their efforts to misinform the public, as they have done in other states, knowing that the group that controls messaging controls the vote.

Members of the NC General Assembly have a responsibility to educate themselves on an issue before taking action. Likewise, NCFA members should be aware of the issues above when speaking or writing about the issue. Unlike the “other side”, let’s use facts and not rhetoric when corresponding or talking to elected officials. And consider this: even if you have all the facts but are disrespectful to those you are conversing with, you lose! And if you lose, WE lose!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue before corresponding with your elected officials, contact us.

Glenn Skinner
NCFA-Executive Director

PROCLAMATION: RE: BLUEFISH – COMMERCIAL PURPOSES – POSSESSION LIMIT

This proclamation supersedes proclamation FF-6-2021, dated December 11, 2020. It establishes the possession limit for the commercial bluefish fishery. The fishery will close by proclamation once the commercial quota is projected to be reached or December 31, 2021, whichever occurs first.

John G. Batherson, Acting Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., April 16, 2021, the following restrictions will apply to the commercial bluefish fishery in Coastal Fishing Waters:

I. HARVEST LIMIT AND PERIOD

  • It is unlawful for an individual or commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons, license holders, or vessels involved, to possess, sell, or offer for sale more than 800 pounds of bluefish per day or per trip, whichever is more restrictive.
  • The fishery will close by proclamation once the commercial quota is projected to be reached or December 31, 2021, whichever occurs first.

SEE PROCLAMATION LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFO.

http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=31cde6f3-7d56-4d1c-91b4-337da86bf20e&groupId=38337

REMINDER: Public Hearings for Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment Begin This Week

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

The first two public hearing webinars for the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment will be held this week, on Wednesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 25. Additional hearings will be held on March 30, April 1, and April 8. All hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. Written comments will be accepted through 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.

Learn More

Complete details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available in the Council’s Public Hearing Document (an abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts) and the Commission’s Draft Amendment (a more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved). We have also developed a Alternatives Quick Reference Guide which provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment.

A recording of the Public Hearing Presentation is now available on YouTube. If you are not planning to attend a public hearing, we encourage you to watch this video before submitting written comments.

Virtual Hearing Schedule

You are encouraged to provide oral comments at any of the following public hearings. While we encourage you to attend the hearing that is targeted toward your state or regional grouping, anyone is welcome to participate in any hearing. See the hearing announcement for a list of hearing contacts.

  • Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
  • Thursday, March 25, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Delaware, Maryland, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and Virginia
  • Tuesday, March 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Connecticut and New York
  • Thursday, April 1, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
  • Thursday, April 8, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: New Jersey

Webinar Connection Instructions

To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-866-901-6455 and enter access code 140-544-592. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Dustin Colson Leaning at 703-842-0714.

Please note that if you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented. 

Written Comments

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

1. ONLINE: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/bluefish-allocation-rebuilding-amendment

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

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Applicants for Advisory Panels

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

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on nine 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. All current advisory panel members must reapply in order to be considered for reappointment.

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 – see below for details)

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.

Information About the New Communication and Outreach Advisory Panel

The Council is soliciting applicants for a new Communication and Outreach (C/O) Advisory Panel. Formation of this advisory panel was identified as a priority in the Council’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and 2021 Implementation Plan. The C/O Advisory Panel’s primary purpose will be to provide advice and recommendations on effective strategies for achieving the Council’s communication objectives. Specific tasks may include:

  • Helping to identify effective communication tools and approaches for reaching Council stakeholders;
  • Providing feedback on the content and delivery of Council communication and outreach products;
  • Identifying opportunities to increase public understanding and awareness of the Council and its managed fisheries;
  • Informing the Council about topics of stakeholder interest or high priority communication needs; and
  • Reviewing and providing feedback on draft communication products (e.g. web pages or fact sheets), as needed.

Similar to the Council’s other advisory panels, membership on the C/O Advisory Panel should reflect the diverse interests of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s stakeholders. Members may include commercial and recreational fishermen, for-hire operators, representatives from non-governmental organizations, scientists/academics, members of the general public, fishery managers, and communication/outreach professionals.

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

MAFMC and ASMFC to Hold Public Hearings for Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment

February 22, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are seeking public comment on management options under consideration in the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. This 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.

Comments may be provided at any of 5 virtual public hearings to be held between March 24 and April 8, 2021 or via written comment until April 23, 2021

We encourage you to visit the Council’s Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment web page or the Commission’s Public Input web page, where you can read the Public Hearing Document, the Draft Amendment, and watch the public hearing presentation (to be posted by March 12, 2021).

The Council’s Public Hearing Document is an abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts. The Commission’s Draft Amendment is a more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved. Both documents contain identical options for public input, but each have been developed according to each management body’s differing requirements. Commenters need only to submit comment on one of the documents. We have also developed a Quick Reference Guide which provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment.

Virtual Hearing Schedule

Interested members of the public are encouraged to provide oral comments at any of the following public hearings. While we encourage you to attend the hearing that is targeted toward your state or regional grouping, anyone is welcome to participate in any hearing. See the hearing announcement for a list of hearing contacts.

  • Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
  • Thursday, March 25, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Delaware, Maryland, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and Virginia
  • Tuesday, March 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Connecticut and New York
  • Thursday, April 1, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
  • Thursday, April 8, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: New Jersey

Webinar Connection Instructions

To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-866-901-6455 and enter access code 140-544-592. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Dustin Colson Leaning at 703-842-0714.

Please note that if you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented. 

Read the full release here

Commercial bluefish fishery opens without possession limit

January 8, 2021 — North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation FF-6-2021 opened the commercial bluefish fishery and removes the possession limit at 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1, 2021.

The proclamation applies to the commercial bluefish fishery in Coastal Fishing Waters.

The fishery will close by proclamation once the commercial quota is projected to be reached or Dec. 31, 2021, whichever occurs first.

Read the full story at The Coastland Times

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2021 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications

December 15, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces final 2021 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. These specifications are similar to 2020. The only change is a reduction of 1.14 million pounds in the recreational harvest limit to account for higher than projected recreational discards in 2019.

The final 2021 coastwide commercial quota is 2,767,793 pounds, and the final recreational harvest limit is reduced to 8,344,914 pounds. There is no transfer between recreational and commercial sectors because the recreational fishery is expected to fully attain this harvest limit. This action does not change any other management measures, including the daily recreational bag limit of 3 fish per person for private anglers and 5 fish per person for for-hire (charter/party) vessels. The commercial state allocations for 2021 are provided in the following table. No state exceeded its allocated quota in 2019, nor is projected to do so in 2020; therefore, no commercial accountability measures are required in 2021.

Read the full release here

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