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Florida captain pays $22,300 to settle federal fisheries case

May 20, 2022 — A Florida commercial fishing captain agreed to pay $22,300 restitution in a settlement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and National Marine Fisheries Service for resource-related violations dating back to 2015, the agencies said in a May 17 statement.

Darrell York of the commercial fishing vessel Watch Out settled on charges of illegally taking red snapper and grouper, according to the agencies.

“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in bringing those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and are actively evading officers to justice,” said Col. Roger Young of the state commission’s Division of Law Enforcement.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Southwest Florida fishery prepares for uncertain stone crab season

October 15, 2020 — Stone crabbers in Southwest Florida are facing an uncertain season, but meeting it with high hopes and optimism.

The season opens Thursday.

New crabbing regulations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have cut the season short and raised the size limit of claws. On top of that, the coronavirus pandemic has put the restaurant industry in flux.

“We’re all looking forward to another good season,” said Kelly Kirk, owner of Kirk Fish Company on Marco Island. “This season is a new one for us with COVID and some new regulations, but we’re excited to get back to work. It’s time and we’re ready and fired up for it and hope our customers are, too.”

Read the full story at Naples Daily News

FLORIDA: FWC approves draft for changes to 2020 red snapper season

December 13, 2019 — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission approved draft proposals on Thursday to extend red snapper season and its authority to manage it.

Regarding the 2020 red snapper season, the commissioners were presented two options; June 11-July 25 and June 1-July 13.

In 2019, the Gulf red snapper season ran from June 1 to July 12.

The staff recommended the June 11-July 25 option because it will be a low risk of exceeding Florida’s quota for 2020, which is 1,913,451 lbs. That is slightly higher than 2018 and 2019 quotas.

“There’s a lot of varying opinions on what people want,” Amanda Nalley of Marine Fisheries Management said. “Some people want weekends only seasons, some people want seasons that start earlier, and we consider all of that.”

Read the full story at The Destin Log

There’s a whale baby boom off Florida’s east coast; 5th North Atlantic right whale calf spotted

February 12, 2019 — There’s a whale baby boom taking place off Central Florida’s east coast for the “rarest” of the world’s large whales.

On Friday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported on its Facebook page that during the current North Atlantic right whale birthing season, a fifth calf has been spotted off Florida — this time near Sebastian Inlet State Park with a first-time mother.

“Volunteers with Sebastian Inlet State Park sighted a mother-calf pair February 5, 2019, just off the beach,” the FWC posted on its Flickr account. “Photographs taken by Park Ranger, Ed Perry, confirm the mother is Catalog #4180. Right whale #4180 is at least eight years old and this is her first known calf. The pair was observed resting and nursing at the surface.”

So, why do five right whale calves constitute a baby boom?

Read the full story at the Orlando Sentinel

Stone crab catch in short supply across Florida

September 12, 2018 — It seems the only thing Florida stone crabbers harvested with any consistency during the season that ended May 15 was optimism. And that was often hard work.

The average annual haul since 2011 has been 3.7 million pounds, valued at $27.8 million. The harvest in pounds has climbed the past few years, with catch from October to December traditionally being better than January to May.

But 2018 bucked the recent seasonal trend, yielding just 2.1 million pounds — not much more than the 1.98 million pounds caught in 2013-2014 season that was labeled “historically low” by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials.

Shorter supply resulted in higher dollar value, though. Commission landings data shows an estimated value for all claw sizes this season at $29.6 million.

Price aside, it was hard for some fish houses to meet demand.

“I don’t know if we broke 100,000 pounds this season,” said Tommy Shook, general manager of Frenchy’s Stone Crab Co. in Palm Harbor, Fla. “The year before was 190,000 [pounds sold].”

The independent crabbers he buys from just weren’t able to deliver. “It sure makes it hard when the phones are ringing and there’s nothing to sell,” he said. “Nothing worse than being a crab company with no crabs.”

“Stones were in very short supply in our area last season,” said Katie Fischer of Island Seafood Co. in Matlacha, on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast. “Our local crab house couldn’t supply us, so we had to drive to a crab house up in Englewood the whole season.” Island Seafood was paying $28 a pound for jumbo claws and $20 to $25 for large claws at the dock.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

 

FLORIDA: Scallop season scheduled for next week

August 10, 2018 — There is certain hesitancy about pronouncing the start of scallop harvest season in St. Joseph Bay.

After all, nothing about the past two seasons as been on schedule.

Nevertheless, the 2018 scallop harvest season in St. Joseph Bay is scheduled to open Aug. 17, next Friday, with the potential for the first full season in three years.

If indeed a full season is realized, it will come to a close Sept. 30.

Gulf County’s season in the last to open in Florida as the state moved to region-specific seasons this year.

Researchers have yet to complete and post the numbers from the annual survey of the scallop population in St. Joseph Bay.

The numbers, a researcher with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission should be posted on the FWC website before the end of the week.

But, there was a hint of positive vibes for the season this past weekend during a “scallop rodeo.”

Last Saturday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invited those interested to participate in a collection of scallops as a continuation of restoration efforts that began three years ago.

Read the full story at The Port St. Joe Star

SAFMC Reminder: Public Scoping Comments Solicited for Proposed Measures in Spiny Lobster Amendment 13   

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

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting public input on management measures being considered for spiny lobster in federal waters off the coast of Florida. In addition to written comments, the Council will hold two public scoping webinars to review proposed measures and solicit public input for Amendment 13 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic.

Draft Amendment 13 addresses inconsistencies between State of Florida spiny lobster regulations and those in federal waters off the coast of Florida, including regulations pertaining to the bully net fishery. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission recently implemented new regulations for the fishery after hearing concerns from the public about the increase in participation in both the commercial and recreational bully net fishery. The fishery primarily occurs at night and involves the use of long-handled nets.

Amendment 13 includes options for an endorsement, vessel marking, and gear prohibitions for the bully net fishery, similar to those currently required in Florida state waters. The measures are expected to help management and enforcement of spiny lobster harvest by creating consistent regulations in state and federal waters. The amendment also addresses other inconsistencies in the regulatory process.

Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 Public Scoping via Webinar:
Council staff will provide an overview of measures being considered and solicit public comment on the proposed measures and any additional recommendations. Registration is required.

  • Monday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. 
    Register
  • Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m.
    Register 

The Council is also currently accepting written comments on proposed measures. Written comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 9, 2018. Learn more, including a video overview of Amendment 13, a Story Map highlighting the issues, and a copy of the Amendment 13 Scoping Document, from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. Webinar registration and information on submitting written comments is also available on the same website page.

Learn more about the SAFMC by visiting their site here.

 

Council Solicits Public Scoping Comments for Proposed Measures in Spiny Lobster Amendment 13

January 1, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting public input on management measures being considered for spiny lobster in federal waters off the coast of Florida. In addition to written comments, the Council will hold two public scoping webinars to review proposed measures and solicit public input for Amendment 13 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic.

Draft Amendment 13 addresses inconsistencies between State of Florida spiny lobster regulations and those in federal waters off the coast of Florida, including regulations pertaining to the bully net fishery. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission recently implemented new regulations for the fishery after hearing concerns from the public about the increase in participation in both the commercial and recreational bully net fishery. The fishery primarily occurs at night and involves the use of long-handled nets.

Amendment 13 includes options for an endorsement, vessel marking, and gear prohibitions for the bully net fishery, similar to those currently required in Florida state waters. The measures are expected to help management and enforcement of spiny lobster harvest by creating consistent regulations in state and federal waters. The amendment also addresses other inconsistencies in the regulatory process.

  • View the Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 Video Overview by clicking here.
  • Submit Written Comments. The Council is currently accepting written comments on proposed measures until 5:00 p.m. on February 9, 2018.
  • Mark your calendar for scoping webinars (see below).

Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 Public Scoping via Webinar:
Council staff will provide an overview of measures being considered and solicit public comment on the proposed measures and any additional recommendations. Registration is required.

  • Monday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. 
    Register
  • Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m.
    Register 

Learn more about the SAFMC by visiting their site here.

 

MSA Reauthorization Fault Lines on Recreation and Stock Target Flexibility Exposed in House Hearing

July 25, 2017 — SEAFOOD NEWS — In last week’s hearing on HR200, the latest version of amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the flash points between recreational and commercial fisheries management — one of the most visible in the suite of proposed changes to the MSA — were made clear.

The last time Magnuson-Stevens was amended, stock conservation efforts were strengthened and the standards to which the regional council system was held, were tightened. This go-around, “flexibility” in allowing conservation methods and goals to be more responsive to needs in the recreational sector is getting some traction in Congress.

HR 200, authored by Alaska’s Representative Don Young, eases requirements for a 10-year rebuilding plan, extends state’s jurisdiction to 9 miles in certain regions, and shifts authority to MSA when other laws, such as the Endangered Species Act or the Antiquities Act (to create marine monuments), are involved.

At last week’s hearing, four industry representatives before the House Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans provided balanced comments from both the commercial and recreational sectors. The four — Nick Wiley, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; Jeff Kaelin from Lunds Fisheries; Charles Witek, New York angler and fisheries writer; and Sean Martin, president of the Hawaii Longliners Association — were invited to comment on “Exploring the Successes and Challenges of the Magnuson-Stevens Act” and the viability of HR 200.

The questions posed after testimonies, most focused on summer flounder, red snapper, and recreational involvement in these fisheries, shed light on what House members are thinking.

Chairman Doug Lamborn, from Colorado, noted that the “best available science” may be improved upon “dramatically, by using fisheries-based platforms.” He added that “if we work with commercial and recreational fishermen to improve the science, we’ll get more buy in.”

“Scientific uncertainty is killing us — it really is,” noted Kaelin. He explained that when uncertainty is high, managers use precautionary methods to set catch limits, season times, size limits, etc. “The error bars are like this,” Kaelin said, stretching his hands apart. “And all the decisions are being made at the lower end of the error bars.”

Lamborn said, “That indicates that we must pass this legislation.”

He also noted that “restrictive ACLs (annual catch limits) that were applied across all recreational programs may not work. It works well for the commercial sector, but not recreational.

“HR 200 would help in this matter,” Lamborn said.

Witek pushed back on some assertions that MSA was failing in management of red snapper, summer flounder, and other contentious fisheries stocks.

“The [summer founder] decision has done very serious harm to the interjurisdictional cooperative management on the east coast,” Witek said, referring the Secretary Ross’s recent overturning of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decision that New Jersey was in violation of summer flounder catch limits, the penalty of which would be a moratorium on that fishery.

“The Secretary’s decision has taken the stick away,” Witek said. “The stick was the moratorium. The carrot was a compromise. Other states are now looking for a pass from the Secretary, for instance with striped bass in the Chesapeake.”

Witek said the red snapper decision to extend the red snapper recreational fishery by more than a month in the Gulf “could very well be the death knell to red snapper in the Gulf coast.

“It’s a death spiral that I see no way out of. Except the Gulf council may have a way out of it because they’re talking about changing the definition of overfished stock. By shifting the goals posts they solve the problem,” Witek said.

While Lamborn said the current MSA needs improved science, better transparency and more flexibility, subcommittee member Jared Huffman (California) said MSA is working well, noting that over 40 stocks have now been rebuilt under the MSA guidance and that the precursor to HR200, HR 1335 would not be acceptable by the U.S. Senate.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

More federal red snapper days possible

June 7, 2017 — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is considering a plan that could lead to more fishing days for red snapper in federal waters.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is offering to add more fishing days for recreational anglers in exchange for the Gulf states agreeing to shorten their red snapper season in state waters.

“Florida would have to give days to get days,” according to an FWC press release.

Current discussion are aiming to align an expanded federal season with weekend and holidays throughout the summer. In exchange, FWC would give up some fishing days in state waters, according to the release.

These changes would apply only to private anglers. No change is being considered to the for-hire season which is open daily until July 19.

The season for private anglers ended Saturday — a mere three days. Since the announcement was made, there has been intense anger from local fisherman and a steady call for a longer season. Local politicians have sent letters to both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which regulates the fishery, and the Department of Congress asking for more days.

Read the full story at the Panama City News Herald 

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