Saving Seafood

Reminder – New Regulations for Descending Devices and Hook Modifications Begin Tomorrow

July 14, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Fishermen heading offshore this Friday to take advantage of the last day of the recreational Red Snapper opening in the South Atlantic are reminded that new regulations requiring descending devices be on board and changes to hook requirements become effectiveJuly 15, 2020 in federal waters.

Descending Device Requirements

The new requirements are designed to help improve the chances that released fish survive by encouraging the use of descending devices when needed and modifying current hook requirements. Beginning July 15th, a descending device must be on board and readily available for use (attached to a minimum of 60-feet of line with at least 16 ounces of weight) when targeting snapper grouper species. The descending device can help reduce the effects of barotrauma, a condition that occurs when a fish is rapidly reeled up from depth. Signs include protrusion of the stomach from the fish’s mouth, bulging eyes, prolapse, and bubbling scales. A descending device can quickly be used to send the fish back to depth, improving its chances of survival.

Hook Modifications

Changes to hook requirements are also being implemented. Fishermen targeting snapper grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits north of 28 degrees N. latitude (approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida) must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks. The new regulations also require that all hooks must be non-stainless steel when targeting snapper grouper species in federal waters in the South Atlantic.

Recreational, Commercial and For-Hire Fishermen

Note that the new requirements apply to recreational fishermen as well as federally-permitted for-hire (charter) and commercial snapper grouper vessels fishing in federal waters (greater than 3 nautical miles) off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida.

Learn More

Additional details on the new requirements as well as information on proper handling techniques, how to identify barotrauma, and how-to videos demonstrating the effectiveness of descending devices are available from the Council’s new Best Fishing Practices webpage at: https://safmc.net/best-fishing-practices/.

Questions? Contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Program Coordinator at Cameron.Rhodes@safmc.net or contact the Council Office at 843/571-4366.

Florida’s first aquatic preserve in 32 years a possible snag in federal plans for drilling

July 7, 2020 — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made water quality improvements through environmental regulation a priority of his administration.

In his 18 months in office, DeSantis has launched a four-year, $2.5 billion plan to address water quality issues in the Everglades, receiving more than $640 million in this year’s budget.

DeSantis also has prevailed upon lawmakers to adopt several key policy directives, such as the newly minted Clean Waterways Act, which includes initiatives to reduce nutrient-laden runoff into state waters and increases environmental fines by 50 percent.

As a part of that effort, DeSantis resigned House Bill 1061, which designates about 800 square miles of Gulf of Mexico coastal waters off Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, including 400,000 acres of seagrass, as the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve.

Sponsored by Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, HB 1061 was approved by the House, 117-1, and the Senate, 39-0, where that chamber’s version was spearheaded by Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Bartow.

The Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve is the first preserve created by Florida lawmakers in 32 years and the 42nd established since the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 allowed state-owned submerged lands with “exceptional biological, aesthetic and scientific value” to be classified as aquatic preserves or sanctuaries.

Read the full story at The Center Square

Florida pushes for offshore aquaculture fast-track from Trump’s executive order

June 26, 2020 — Florida officials in June requested that the U.S. Commerce Department designate federal waters off the state’s coast as a marine aquaculture opportunity area, a move that would open and jumpstart the state’s offshore aquaculture industry.

The term “aquaculture opportunity area” comes from the Trump Administration’s 7 May executive order titled “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth,” which laid out a variety of strategic plan to promote the growth of the U.S. seafood sector, including aquaculture. The executive order charged federal agencies with identifying “at least two geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source

The mystery of male sea turtles in Florida: There may be fewer but does it matter?

June 22, 2020 — Scientists tracked a point on a map from their computers at home this spring, witnessing it travel up the southeast coast of Florida. The point represented a male sea turtle, and the tracks provided a glimpse into its mysterious life. Males don’t return to beaches like females do, so researchers know relatively little about them.

But with fewer male hatchlings emerging from nests over the past few decades, researchers are now studying male sea turtles with more urgency. Hotter beaches have led to female-dominated hatchlings, since temperature influences whether a sea turtle will be born male or female.

No one knows exactly how a dwindling supply of males will affect these threatened and endangered species living off the Florida coast. Researchers are performing paternity tests on hatchlings and sticking tracking devices on turtles to figure out how many males are mating and how to better protect them. Summer is the heart of nesting season and baby turtles incubating in Florida sand right now may help scientists determine how an imbalance of males and females will impact future populations.

Read the full story at The Miami Herald

US restaurants look to Father’s Day seafood promotions for boost

June 19, 2020 — While United States restaurants continue to feel the pain of having dining rooms closed for several months, many are counting on seafood promotions to boost sales for Father’s Day.

Restaurants are creative with their promotions, knowing that some customers will be comfortable dining in – restaurants are in different phases of re-opening, depending on the state – and some will prefer take-out.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

SAFMC Meeting June 8-11, 2020 via Webinar

May 27, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their quarterly meeting June 8-11, 2020 via webinar. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Key West, Florida was rescheduled via webinar due to the coronavirus and concerns for public safety.

The meeting week begins on Monday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday, June 11.

Meeting briefing book materials, including committee agendas and overviews, discussion documents, and presentations are now available at: https://safmc.net/june-2020-council-meeting-details/. An online comment form is also available for written comments. The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 10th beginning at 4:00 PM. Details on how to sign up for public comment are available from the meeting page of the website.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Best Fishing Practices – The Information and Education Committee will receive updates on the Council’s Best Fishing Practices campaign including input from its I&E Advisory Panel.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the Dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, and consider other revisions to the Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries. The Committee will also provide recommendations on management options to add Bullet and Frigate Mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as Ecosystem Component Species.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Council is scheduled to approve measures to designate existing artificial reefs in federal waters off NC and SC as Special Management Zones at the request of the state marine resource agencies. In addition, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review results of stock assessments for Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will review the results of a recent stock assessment for King Mackerel and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Citizen Science – The Citizen Science Committee will provide feedback on Program goals and objectives, evaluation plan options, and receive updates on current CitSci projects including FISHstory and SAFMC Release.

Additional Information:

Discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries will be held during each species-specific committee meeting. Further discussions and consideration of Council actions will take place during the meeting of the Full Council on Thursday in order to consider the impact across fisheries and all public comments. The Council will discuss these impacts and consider any necessary response.

COVID-weary Florida seafood restaurants, wholesalers crank back into gear

May 26, 2020 — This coming Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be a time of reflection in the US as the country salutes its fallen soldiers but, for Dewey Destin and others in Florida’s seafood restaurant industry, it’s also a time to hustle for business as the tourists begin their annual summer invasion of the US state.

Thanks to the recent easing by Florida of its coronavirus-related restraints, Destin already is seeing an uptick in traffic at his three Dewey Destin’s Restaurants locations on the state’s panhandle this weekend.

“I would say the last 10 days we’ve been close to probably 80% of what it should be. So it’s looking fairly good,” the owner told Undercurrent News on Friday, adding: “As long as we don’t have a spike in people getting sick, which could put us all back to zero again.”

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Florida Seafood Business Owners Break Down Reopening Process, Impacts of COVID-19

May 22, 2020 — The seafood sector in Florida is beginning to reopen businesses and the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance (GCSA) provided a look into how business owners are approaching the process.

Florida members of the Alliance, which represents restaurants, hotels, fishermen and seafood dealers tied to the fishing economy in the Gulf of Mexico, are placing a priority on limiting the spread of COVID-19 and supporting those impacted by the pandemic while following all of the state’s reopening guidelines.

Read the full story at Seafood News

FLORIDA: Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance Members Get Back to Work With Focus on Safety and Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 21, 2020 — The following was released by the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance:

Florida members of the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance (GCSA), an alliance of restaurants, hotels, fishermen, and seafood dealers tied to the Gulf of Mexico’s fishing economy, are beginning to safely reopen their businesses, prioritizing preventing the spread of COVID-19 and supporting those affected by the pandemic. Members are adhering to Florida’s reopening guidelines, which require restaurants to restrict indoor seating to 50 percent capacity and to space all dining groups at least six feet apart.

GCSA member Dewey Destin, the owner of two seafood restaurants in Destin, Florida, and a third in Navarre, Florida, first reopened his restaurants on May 4, saying he is comfortable with reopening “as long as it is done in a safe manner.” Mr. Destin made clear that his top priority is the health and safety of his staff and customers. To that end, all of his restaurant staff are required to wear masks, wash their hands every half hour, and have their temperature taken every day. His staff are also sanitizing condiment containers and menus between each use, and marking the floor near bathrooms to keep people properly socially distanced in line.

Fishermen are still working, but prices are 30 to 40 percent lower than they were before the COVID-19 closures. To reopen his restaurants, Mr. Destin sourced grouper, snapper, oysters, blue crab and shrimp from local Gulf Coast dealers.

“This is obviously a very tough market for seafood producers,” Mr. Destin said. “We’re trying to do our part to help local fishermen continue the essential work of providing Americans with fresh, healthy seafood.”

Read the full release here

FLORIDA: Agricultural and marine industries take hit from COVID-19, says UF/IFAS survey

May 20, 2020 — New numbers show agricultural and marine industries are taking a huge hit from the coronavirus pandemic.

The University of Florida and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences held a virtual news conference Tuesday to reveal the findings of a month-long survey conducted with members of the agricultural and marine industries in Florida.

Almost every marine industry lost revenue according to the survey’s results. Andrew Ropicki, an assistant professor specializing in marine resource economics, noticed that despite this decrease, some businesses relatively fared better.

Read the full story at WCJB