Saving Seafood

Federal Fishery Managers Approve Measures for Red Snapper, Mackerel, Blueline Tilefish

December 6, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met this week in Wilmington, North Carolina and approved management measures, that if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, will provide flexibility for red snapper seasons, increase trip limits for the commercial king mackerel fishery, and allow additional harvest of blueline tilefish.

Each year, NOAA Fisheries determines if a season for red snapper can occur in federal waters in the South Atlantic. Under current regulations, if the number of days is less than three, the fishery will not open. This applies to both recreational and commercial sectors. The Council approved Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for formal review by the Secretary of Commerce that would eliminate that requirement, providing more flexibility should a shortened season be allowed. After much discussion, the Council decided not to move forward with an action to change the opening date of the commercial red snapper season within the regulatory amendment.

While Council members are well-aware that fishermen are anxious to have additional days added to the red snapper season as the stock continues to rebuild, the Council must abide by annual catch limits until a stock assessment is completed. The Council has approved measures that will help shorten the time required for a new red snapper stock assessment through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment program. The new assessment is scheduled to begin in 2021.

Mackerel

The Council also approved measures to increase the commercial king mackerel trip limit in the Atlantic Southern Zone, south of the Flagler/Volusia County line in Florida during season two. Framework Amendment 8 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery Management Plan would set the trip limit at 100 fish throughout season two, with no step-up during the month of February. Earlier this year, the Council requested NOAA Fisheries increase the trip limit from 50-fish to 75-fish after hearing concerns from fishermen that they were not able to harvest the full commercial annual catch limit due to the more restrictive trip limits. The 75-fish increase was approved by NOAA Fisheries through emergency rule for the 2019/2020 season beginning October 1st. The Council’s intent is to have the new regulations in place for the 2020/2021 season.

Measures for the Spanish mackerel commercial fishery were also discussed. The Council is considering reducing the current trip limit of 3,500 pounds in the Northern Zone (NC/SC line through NY) to help extend the season, with alternatives ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 pounds and a preferred trip limit of 2,000 pounds. Public hearings will be held via webinar in late January or early February.

Blueline Tilefish

The most recent stock assessment for blueline tilefish was conducted in 2017 as a joint assessment between the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The deep water fishery primarily occurs in the South Atlantic, but landings have increased north of North Carolina. Following the stock assessment, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee provided recommendations for catch level increases. The Council considered options for implementing the increases and moved forward with final approval of Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3 during its meeting this week. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the amendment will increase the annual catch limit for blueline tilefish from 174,798 pounds (whole weight) to 233,968 pounds (whole weight).

Additional information about the December Council meeting, including an interactive story map, committee reports, and summary motions is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for March 2-6, 2020 in Jekyll Island, GA.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 30, 2019

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

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on July 30, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2020 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

Quota bump for an economically important fish north of NC

November 21, 2018 — BOSTON — Federal fishing regulators are going to allow fishermen to catch more of an economically important species of fish on the East Coast.

The rule changes apply to blueline tilefish, which is a species that has been caught from Massachusetts to Florida over the years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s authorizing a quota bump north of the Virginia border with North Carolina.

The new quotas apply for 2019 to 2021 and they are 15 percent more than the 2018 limits. Commercial fishermen will be able to catch nearly 27,000 pounds of the fish, while recreational fishermen will be allowed nearly 72,000 pounds.

Read the full story at the Associated Press

 

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting – October 15-17, 2018

October 4, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee October 15-17, 2018 in Charleston, SC. The SSC assists the Council in the development, collection, evaluation, and peer review of information relevant to fishery management plans and amendments. The meetings are open to the public and may also be access remotely via webinar.

Meeting Dates: October 15-17, 2018

Meeting Location:
Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29401

Agenda Highlights

  • Review of changes to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) data
  • Review of stock assessment revisions using the newly calibrated MRIP numbers for Blueline Tilefish, Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper, and Vermilion Snapper
  • Review of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission’s Red Snapper Gear Selectivity Study

Additional Information:

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 22, 2018

August 20, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 22, 2018. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by August 22, 2018. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2019 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2019, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at  https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

November 14, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Correction: Date corrected in bold below.

NOAA Fisheries announces that we are implementing regulations for Amendment 6 to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. This action sets commercial and recreational management measures for the blueline tilefish fishery in the Mid-Atlantic. Blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) is also known as grey tilefish.

This rule goes into effect on December 15, 2017.

Blueline tilefish have been managed for many years under the South Atlantic Council’s Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, whose measures only apply south of the Virginia/North Carolina border. The fishery in the Mid-Atlantic was considered very small and remained unregulated until recently.

Recreational and commercial blueline tilefish catch has been increasing steadily in the Greater Atlantic Region (Virginia to Maine) since 2011. In 2014, commercial landings increased more than 20-fold from the previous several years’ average. This rapid increase in unregulated harvest represented a risk to the long-term sustainability of the stock, and triggered the Mid-Atlantic Council to request emergency management measures in 2015. Interim management measures took effect in June 2016, while the Council developed this proposed amendment.

Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan manages the federal waters blueline tilefish fishery north of the Virginia/North Carolina border, as part of the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. The rule requires fishermen to hold a valid Greater Atlantic Region open access tilefish commercial or charter/party permit to ensure adequate reporting and monitoring of blueline tilefish fishing activity.

Through this action, we are implementing a commercial possession limit of 300 pounds per trip.

The recreational season will run from May 1-October 31, and will close as of December 15, 2017, when this rule becomes effective. When the fishery re-opens in May, recreational fishermen will have limits of:

  • 7 fish per person on Coast Guard inspected for-hire vessels (party boats)
  • 5 fish per person on uninspected for-hire vessels (charter boats), and
  • 3 fish per person on private recreational vessels.

Amendment 6 also calls for new permitting and reporting requirements for private recreational vessels. These measures are not being implemented at this time. Because they require additional development and outreach, they will be implemented later through a separate rule, and will not be in effect for the 2018 fishing season that starts on May 1, 2018.

More information is available in the final rule as filed in the Federal Register notice today, and in the permit holder bulletin on our website.

To learn more about NOAA Fisheries visit their site here.

 

Commercial Reopening for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on October 24, 2017, for Eight Days

October 20, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen for eight days on October 24, 2017. Commercial harvest will reopen 12:01 a.m. (local time) on October 24, 2017 and close 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 1, 2017. During the eight-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for blueline tilefish is 336 pounds whole weight or 300 pounds gutted weight.

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. On July 18, 2017, the commercial catch limit for the 2017 season was projected to be met, and NOAA Fisheries closed the season. However, a recent landings update indicates that the blueline tilefish catch limit was not met.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The 2018 fishing season for the commercial sector opens at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2018.
  • As a reminder, recreational harvest is closed for the remaining part of 2017. Therefore, the recreational bag and possession limit for blueline tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters is zero.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#_top.

Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.

Warming oceans: fish on the move

August 17, 2017 — The oceans are getting warmer, and fish are adapting to rising ocean temperatures with their fins and swimming to waters that better suit their temperature preferences. Shifts in the distribution of important coastal fish species are resulting in changes to historical fishing options, new fishing opportunities and new fisheries management challenges.

There are many examples of the distributions of fish species changing in response to the warming oceans, but let’s focus on a few species important to Delaware both past and present. Winter flounder were popular recreational fish decades ago, but they have largely left Delaware waters that are now too warm. Summer flounder and black sea bass remain two of the most sought-after recreational fish in Delaware, but their distribution is gradually shifting northward, with fewer fish available in Delaware waters.

While flounder and black sea bass are examples of changing fish distributions that have decreased fishing opportunities in Delaware, other species seem to be more available in Delaware due to the warming ocean, such as cobia and blueline tilefish, with other southern species likely to become more common in Delaware as our waters continue to warm.

Changing temperatures, changing fish

Winter flounder were a popular, cool weather catch for Delaware’s recreational anglers during the 1960s and 1970s. Delaware was at the southern range of winter flounder distribution and their departure from Delaware waters began soon after those peak years. The number of winter flounder caught during December in Delaware’s Inland Bays by the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s trawl survey declined by more than 90 percent between 1966 and 1981.

Adult winter flounder had virtually disappeared from the trawl survey catches by the early 1990s, with a similar and notable reduction in recreational angler catches. Winter flounder have suffered a steep population decline over the past 20 years and the current winter flounder distribution suggests that this species is still moving north to stay in its preferred temperature range, making it unlikely that they will return to Delaware.

Read the full story from Outdoor Delaware at the Delaware State News

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 18, 2017

July 12, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on July 18, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by July 18, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded. This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2018 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight. 
  • This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or by clicking here.

NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Adding Blueline Tilefish to Golden TIlefish Management Plan

June 28, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries is asking for comments on a proposed rule to add blueline tilefish to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.

Blueline tilefish have been managed for many years under the South Atlantic Council’s Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, whose measures only apply south of the Virginia/North Carolina border. The fishery in the Mid-Atlantic was considered very small and remained unregulated until recently.

Recreational and commercial blueline tilefish catch has been increasing steadily in the Greater Atlantic Region (Virginia to Maine) since 2011. In 2014, commercial landings increased more than 20-fold from the previous several years’ average. This rapid increase in unregulated harvest represented a risk to the long-term sustainability of the stock, and triggered the Mid-Atlantic Council to request emergency management measures in 2015. Interim management measures took effect in June 2016, while the Council developed this proposed amendment.

Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan would manage the federal waters blueline tilefish fishery north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. We are proposing these management measures for blueline tilefish as part of the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.

Through this action, we are proposing a commercial possession limit of 300 pounds per trip. 

We are also proposing a recreational season from May 1-October 31 and limits of:

  • 7 fish per person on Coast Guard inspected for-hire vessels (party boats)
  • 5 fish per person on uninspected for-hire vessels (charter boats), and
  • 3 fish per person on private recreational vessels.

The proposed rule would require fishermen to hold a valid Greater Atlantic Region open access tilefish commercial or charter/party permit to ensure adequate reporting and monitoring of blueline tilefish fishing activity. We also recommend requirements for new permits and catch reporting for private recreational fishermen.

More information is available in the proposed rule and Notice of Availability, along with the draft Environmental Assessment and preliminary Regulatory Impact Review. 

You may submit comments on either through the e-rulemaking portal or by mailing your comments to: John Bullard, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Please mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on Blueline Tilefish Amendment.”

The comment period closes for the proposed rule on July 28, 2017 and for the Notice of Availability on August 14, 2017.

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