Saving Seafood

Lobster Poachers Caught and Vessel Forfeited in Biscayne National Park

April 25, 2016 — Biscayne National Park and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers conducted a safety and marine fisheries inspection on the commercial fishing vessel “El Donny.” The inspection ultimately resulted in filed charges, a plea agreement and sentencing.

During the inspection officers observed a lobster shell inside a crab trap, although the boat owner indicated that no lobsters were on the vessel. While inspecting the engine room, an officer noticed a white plastic bag hidden behind some engine equipment. This bag, along with four others that were discovered, included a total of 87 wrung lobster tails, 66 of which were undersized.

Read the full story at the South Dade News Leader

Lionfish Removal Effort Ramps Up: Florida Incentivizes Anglers to Help Target Invasive Species

April 22, 2016 — They’re the beauties with the beastly reputation—one so unwelcome that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has launched a new incentive program aimed at their eradication.

We’re talking about lionfish, those ornately designed invasives of aquarium origin that have overrun reefs throughout Florida’s coast. Exploding in numbers, lions compete with native species and upset local ecosystems.

You’d think that all the grouper, sharks, and barracuda would appreciate the additional forage, but lionfish pack a set of poisonous spines that warn would-be diners to back off.

So, that leaves humans to handle the task of eradicating these fish, or at least controlling their numbers. And that’s the idea behind the FWC’s 2016 lionfish removal program highlighted by a Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day on May 16.

Read the full story at Outdoor Life

Some Green Sea Turtles Can Now Wave Goodbye To Their Endangered Status

April 20, 2016 — Slow and steady won the race, at least for a few green sea turtles.

U.S. officials announced early this month that breeding populations in Florida and on the Pacific coast of Mexico are off the endangered list.

They will be re-classified as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, which means they are no longer immediately threatened by extinction but still merit protection under the act.

“It’s just like the manatees. Even though the turtles have been downgraded, it won’t affect them as far as enforcement goes,” FWC spokesman Bobby Dube told Florida Keys Keynoter.

Read the full story from the Huffington Post

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Approves Lionfish Removal Efforts

April 14, 2016 — At its April 13 meeting in Jupiter, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a two-part lionfish plan to further encourage removals of the invasive species in 2016.

Lionfish have a potential negative impact on native wildlife and habitat and the FWC encourages divers and anglers to remove them from Florida waters whenever they can.

The two-part initiative will include a statewide reward program that will expand upon 2015 efforts and a Panhandle Pilot Program.

“Innovative programs like these are a great way to generate public involvement and interest in controlling the lionfish population,” said FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski. “Those that remove lionfish not only get rewarded for their efforts, but they also get the experience of helping manage Florida’s fisheries. In addition, involving Florida’s residents and visitors helps us gather better data to continuously evaluate and improve our approach to invasive species control.”

See the full story at The Fishing Wire

Projections for red snapper season are in

April 14, 2016 — DESTIN, Fla. — Although the end date is still uncertain, the start of red snapper season is June 1.

“But good news is on the way,” said Capt. Gary Jarvis of the Back Down2 and president of the Destin Charter Boat Association.

Jarvis is anticipating a 50 day season for the charter for-hire boats in federal waters.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met last week in Texas to discuss catch limits, requirements and allocations of various fisheries – among them red snapper.

In recent years the red snapper fishery, which was deemed overfished by regulators, has started to rebound and this year anglers may get a few more days.

See the full story at Northwest Florida Daily News

Florida Gulf Red Snapper Season Set

April 14, 2016 — At its April 13 meeting in Jupiter, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the 2016 recreational red snapper season in Gulf of Mexico state waters.

The 2016 season will open Saturdays and Sundays in May starting May 7. On May 28, the season will open continuously through July 10. Finally, the season will reopen for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, and on Labor Day. This would provide for a 78-day season in Gulf state waters.

This season will help maintain fishing opportunities for recreational anglers in state waters and provide additional May and fall weekend fishing days.

See the full story at The Fishing Wire

Gulf Council to Convene Headboat Advisory Panel

April 14, 2016 — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils will convene its Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat Advisory Panel (AP) May 3-4, 2016 at the Council office – 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, in Tampa, Florida. The meeting is scheduled from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm May 3, and from 9:00 am – noon May 4.

The charge of the Ad Hoc Advisory Panel is to make recommendations to the Council relative to the design and implementation of flexible measures for the management of reef fish for the headboat component of the for-hire sector.

After hearing a summary of the April Gulf Council meeting, the AP will discuss the management goals and objectives for the headboat management program and review the management alternatives contained in Reef Fish Amendment 42. AP recommendations will be presented to the Council in June.

See the full story at The Fishing Wire

FLORIDA: Men sentenced for poaching spiny lobsters in Miami-Dade waters

April 5, 2016 — MIAMI — Two South Florida men have been sentenced for illegally poaching spiny lobsters in Miami-Dade County.

On Tuesday, 54-year-old Donny Caridad Gonzalez and 77-year-old Nemesio Garcia Gonzalez appeared in court to be sentenced for the crime that occurred on May 9, 2015.

According to officials, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers observed a suspicious lobster shell inside a crab trap, even though the boat owner claimed no lobsters were on the boat. As officials investigated the boat, an officer found a total of 87 wrung lobster tails, 66 of which were undersized.

The lobsters were illegally collected outside of regular lobster season, which is Aug. 6 through March 31.

Read the full story at WSVN

Conservation efforts show results as status of eight green sea turtle species changes

April 6, 2016 — The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has changed the status of some green sea turtle species from endangered to threatened in its latest report. Credit should be given to conservation efforts carried out by different wildlife preservation organizations across the world. Work of law enforcers and agencies has also been praised by the latest report.

On Tuesday, the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) have changed the status for few species which have seen recovery in their population. Experts said that there are many types of green sea turtles and the legislation is applicable on the ones found in the United States and Mexico.

During the conservation efforts and project, the conservators divided the species in 11 segments. Out of them, three remain as endangered and the other eight have been changed to threatened species. With the division, specialists will be able to keep a track on the turtles’ development and to come up with better conservation strategies.

Though threatened is not the best scenario, it is the first step in the right direction. Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries, said, “Successful conservation and management efforts developed in Florida and along the Pacific coast of Mexico are a roadmap for further recovery strategies of green turtle populations around the world”.

Read the full story at Mainer News Online

Asian economic slump hurt lobster prices

April 1, 2016 — A slump in the Asian economy dented last season’s record-high prices for Florida Keys spiny lobster, but a solid harvest satisfied commercial fishermen.

The 2015-16 lobster season closes Friday, with state fishery researchers expecting a commercial harvest of nearly 6 million pounds when the last crustacean is counted.

“Production was up, a lot better than last year,” Key West commercial fisherman Jason Yarbrough said Tuesday.

“But when you’re getting $3 a pound less than last season, that does make a substantial difference,” Yarbrough said.

Read the full story at Bloomberg