Saving Seafood

March 2022 Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting Update

January 18, 2022 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

This letter is an update regarding our plans for the March 2022 Council meeting. As the March Council meeting date approaches, we are continuing to monitor the COVID pandemic while making plans for a partial in-person setting. These plans were outlined in an earlier letter from Chairman, Gorelnik, and entail an in-person meeting of the Council, the Salmon Technical Team, the Salmon Advisory Subpanel, and in-person accommodations to facilitate Tribal advisors as requested. Appropriate precautions will be in place, such as testing and masking. We plan to have all other Management Teams, Advisory Subpanels, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, and the public participate in the meeting remotely.

It is important to note that these plans are contingent on the status of the COVID pandemic. We are monitoring the status of the pandemic on a daily basis and are hopeful that the latest wave will soon peak and that case counts will decline rapidly from there. To facilitate adequate time for planning, we anticipate making a final decision regarding March Council meeting plans before or on February 4th. At that time, we will decide whether to continue with current plans for a partial in-person meeting, or to revert to a fully remote model like we have been doing through the course of the COVID pandemic.

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we navigate this difficult time.

A PDF version of this announcement is available on the Council’s website.

 

Council Exploring Options to Reduce Release Mortality and a Holistic Approach to Management of Snapper Grouper Species

December 15, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are beginning to explore ways to reduce the number of fish that are released in the Snapper Grouper Management Complex and improve survival rates for those fish that are released. The multi-species complex includes 55 species of snappers, groupers, porgies, grunts, and amberjacks. “We simply have to get a handle on these regulatory discards,” explained Council Chair Mel Bell during the Council’s meeting last week in Beaufort, North Carolina. “Fishermen also play a key role in improving the survival rate for released fish and ultimately determining the future of the fishery.” The Council has consistently encouraged the use of Best Fishing Practices including a descending device requirement and hook modifications for snapper grouper fishermen in federal waters in place since July 15, 2020.

According to the latest stock assessment for Red Snapper, discard mortality (the number of fish that are released and die) accounts for 90% of the overall fishing mortality, primarily from the recreational fishery as anglers continue to fish year-round for other snapper grouper species. Large numbers of discards affect managers’ ability to prevent overfishing while also reducing the number of fish that can be kept and landed by the fishery. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee determined the Red Snapper stock continues to be overfished and undergoing overfishing largely due to discard mortality, and in September provided the Council a total Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) for Red Snapper of 25,000 pounds. Under law, the Council may not set an annual catch limit that exceeds that ABC, leaving little room for an opening of the fishery when the updated ABC is implemented. However, given that the majority of Red Snapper mortality is due to discarded fish, the Council recognizes that reducing discard losses is necessary to prevent overfishing and could possibly increase the amount of fish available to harvest.

The Council is moving forward with a Release Mortality Reduction Framework Amendment to address the Red Snapper ABC recommendation while looking at possible ways to reduce release mortality and end overfishing. After reviewing input from its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, Council members discussed ideas for reducing the number of fish that are released and increasing survivorship of released fish, including: restricting access to specific areas (spatial or depth) where Red Snapper congregate; gear modifications such as requirements for single hooks, leader lengths, and lines per person; daily weight limits of per person; and seasonal openings. “The Council has a legal mandate to end overfishing and address the Acceptable Biological Catch level from its SSC,” said Jessica McCawley, Chair of the Council’s Snapper Grouper Committee. “We know some of these ideas may be of concern to fishermen and certainly welcome input as we consider things such as regional differences or sector differences in this fishery. One size may not fit all.”

The Council will begin soliciting public input and suggestions for how to best reduce the number of released fish and improve release mortality in early 2022 and discussions will continue during its March 2022 meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Over the last year the Council has been investigating recreational permits or licenses for the Snapper Grouper fishery as a tool to help identify the universe of fishermen and improve data collection. The Council will receive a final report from a Recreational Reporting Workgroup during its March 2022 meeting.

The Council is also considering a holistic approach to managing the Snapper Grouper fishery and approved the use of a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to robustly evaluate management impacts across the fishery. The Council intends to use the MSE to evaluate varying strategies to achieve management objectives to rebuild overfished stocks and prevent overfishing, while balancing the needs for fishery access, resource use, and accommodating sector and geographical differences in the fishery. Updates on the MSE will be provided to the Council as the project gets underway.

Other Business

The Council approved Amendment 32 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan with actions affecting Gulf Migratory Group Cobia, including the Florida East Coast Zone. The fishery is managed jointly by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. A recent stock assessment for Gulf Migratory Group Cobia indicates the stock is not overfished but is undergoing overfishing. Actions in the amendment include a reduction in the daily possession limit from 2 fish to 1 fish per person per day with a vessel limit of two fish per trip. The reductions would apply to both recreational and commercial sectors. The amendment would also increase the minimum size limit to 36 inches fork length for the Florida East Coast Zone. Amendment 32 must be approved by the Secretary of Commerce before measures are implemented.

Additional information about the December 2021 Council meeting, including Story Maps, committee reports, and other materials 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 7-11, 2022, at the Westin Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia.

 

PFMC Notice: Final draft revised Fishery Ecosystem Plan available for public review

December 9, 2021 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

In September 2021, the Council adopted a revised draft of the Pacific Coast Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) for public review. You may access the draft document on the Council website’s Fishery Ecosystem Plan page.

The Council is scheduled to adopt this final updated Fishery Ecosystem Plan in March 2022, which will conclude the Council’s 5-year review of the FEP. We encourage Council advisory bodies and the public to submit comments on this final draft for consideration at the Council’s March 2022 meeting. Check the Council website for information about the March 2022 Council meeting as it becomes available.

For further information:

•Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Dr. Kit Dahl at 503-820-2422; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

MAFMC and ASMFC to Consider Final Action on Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment

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

Next week, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board) will consider final action on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment during the Council’s December 2021 Council Meeting.

Final action was previously considered in April 2021 but was postponed until December to allow further progress to be made on the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework and Addendum. The purpose of this joint amendment is to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. Details on the specific alternatives being considered are available in the Decision Document and in the Combined Briefing Materials. Additional background information can be found here.

Meeting Details: This agenda item is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14 (please note that this start time is subject to change). Members of the public are welcome to attend in person at the Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle Annapolis, MD 21401) or online via Webex webinar (Meeting number: 2330 933 4966; Meeting password: ncKMj56xX6p). Please see the December 2021 Meeting Page for additional details, including health and safety precautions. A live stream of the meeting will also be available on our YouTube channel.

Public Comment: Members of the public participating in person and remotely will have opportunities to provide oral comments during the meeting. There is no need to pre-register for public testimony. At the appropriate time, the chairman will provide instructions on how to indicate your desire to speak. You may also submit written comments through the December 2021 Public Comment form or via email to cmoore@mafmc.org. Comments submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, will be combined and posted as supplemental materials on the meeting page(please note that comments submitted by December 1 are already included in the briefing materials). After December 9, comments may only be submitted through the comment form (no email).

Questions? For questions about the amendment, contact Kiley Dancy (kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257) or Dustin Colson Leaning (dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714). For questions about the meeting or public comment procedures, contact Mary Sabo (msabo@mafmc.org, 302-526-5261).

December 2021 Council Meeting – Quick Links

•Meeting Page

•Join the Webinar

•Public Comment Form

•Combined Briefing Materials: Summer Flounder/Scup/Black Sea Bass Allocation Amendment

 

PFMC: Area 2A Pacific Halibut Managers online meeting will be held January 4, 2022

December 1, 2021 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will host an online meeting of the Area 2A Pacific halibut governmental management entities that is open to the public. The online meeting will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Pacific Time, or until business for the day has been completed.

Please see the Area 2A Pacific Halibut Manager’s online meeting notice on the Council’s website for participation details.

For further information:

•Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Ms. Robin Ehlke  at 503-820-2410; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

 

PFMC: Notice of a public online meeting

November 30, 2021 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

Ad hoc Ecosystem Workgroup to hold online meeting December 17, 2021

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) is holding an online meeting, which is open to the public. The online meeting will be held Friday, December 17, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, or until business for the day is completed.

Please see the EWG meeting notice on the Council’s website for additional details.

For further information:

•Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Dr. Kit Dahl at 503-820-2422; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

PFMC
11/30/2021

 

NEFMC December 7-9, 2021 Webinar Meeting – Listen Live, View Documents

November 30, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, December 7 through Thursday, December 9, 2021.  The public is invited to listen live and provide input during designated opportunities for public comment.  Due to ongoing public safety considerations related to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted entirely by webinar.

START TIME:  9:30 a.m. on Day 1 and 9:00 a.m. on Day 2 and 3.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

•WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

•TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:

1.By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and

2.By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.

•OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 12:00 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.

◦ SIGN UP NOW:  Interested in speaking?  Email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

•Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.

•THIS IS KEY!  If you want to speak during opportunities for public comment, you need to: (1) register for the webinar; and (2) actually “join” the webinar.  People who call in by telephone without joining the webinar will be in listen-only mode.  Those who take both steps – register and then join the webinar – will see the meeting screen and be able to click on a “raise hand” button, which will let the meeting organizer know you want to be unmuted to speak.

•We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Phone numbers are listed on the Help Desk Poster, or just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (914) 614-3221.  The access code is 731-472-552.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  Remember, you will not be able to speak if you do not first  join the webinar as described above.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC December 7-9, 2021 meeting.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

 

MAFMC: December 2021 Hybrid Council Meeting

November 17, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Monday, December 13 – Thursday, December 16, 2021 

Westin Annapolis

100 Westgate Circle Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 972-4300

or via Webex webinar

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a hybrid in-person/virtual Council meeting December 13-16, 2021. Council members, other meeting participants, and members of the public will have the option to attend the meeting in person at the Westin Annapolis or participate online via Webex webinar. Portions of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Bluefish Management Board and Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Management Board. All attendees, regardless of whether they choose to attend in-person or virtually, will be given opportunities to provide comments.

Please see the December 2021 Council Meeting Page for additional information and updates.

Webinar: No pre-registration is required. At the time of the meeting, click here to join the webinar (if prompted, enter meeting number: 2330 933 4966; Meeting password: ncKMj56xX6p). Additional details, including instructions for joining by phone, are available on the meeting page.

Briefing Materials: Most briefing materials will be available on the meeting page by December 3. Supplemental materials will be posted by December 10.

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 December 1, 2021 to be included in the briefing book. Comments received after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on December 9, 2021 will be posted as supplemental materials. After December 9, written comments may only be submitted using the form below.

•December 2021 Public Comment Form

Agenda: A detailed agenda is available here. Below is an overview of the agenda topics to be covered each day.

Monday, December 13

•Executive Committee (Closed Session)

•Offshore Wind Updates

•Omega Net Mesh Measurement Gauge – Presentation

•2022-2023 Bluefish Recreational Measures

Tuesday, December 14

•Recreational Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation

•2022 Summer Flounder Recreational Measures

•2022 Scup Recreational Measures

•2022 Black Sea Bass Recreational Measures

•Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment (Final Action)

Wednesday, December 15

•2020-2024 Research Priorities (Biennial Review)

•Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements

•Climate Change Scenario Planning Update

•Ocean City, MD Video Project Update

•Habitat Activities Update

•Sea Turtle Bycatch in Trawl Fisheries

•Acknowledgments and Awards

Thursday, December 16

•2022 MAFMC Implementation Plan

•Business Session

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

NEFMC January 20, 2016 SSC Meeting Webinar Information

January 20,2016 — The following was released by the New England Fisheries Management Council: 

Dear Interested Parties: 

Meeting: The public is invited to listen in to the January 20, 2016 Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting (SSC). It is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Boston Logan Airport, 100 Boardman Street.

Location: Use this link Hilton Garden Inn for further information about the venue.

Webinar Registration: See https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/275069593350454785 for online access.

The webinar will be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST .

Charges for Listening: There are no charges if you access the webinar via your computer. If dialing in, your normal phone charges will apply.

Dial in number: Toll: +1 (415) 930-5321

Access Code: 370-792-963

Meeting Materials: Please consult the Council’s website http://www.nefmc.org/calendar/jan.-20-2016-ssc-meeting where you will find an agenda and copies of the materials to be considered. 

Questions: If you have questions prior to or during the meeting, feel free to call Pat Fiorelli the Council office at (978) 465-0492 ext. 106, or otherwise send her an email at pfiorelli@nefmc.org.

Ocean Planning Update: Supplementary November 16-17 Meeting Materials

November 11, 2015 — The following was released by the Northeast Ocean Council: 

Supplementary meeting materials, which will be presented and discussed at the upcoming November 16-17 Northeast Regional Planning Body Meeting, have been posted online. If you have not yet registered, please do so by following the registration link on the meeting webpage.

The meeting summary from our October 20 Stakeholder Forum is also available online.