Saving Seafood

Industry Spoke and We Listened: Communications Effort Focuses on Groundfish Monitoring and Amendment 23 Development

May 20, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries collaboratively manages U.S. fisheries with fishery management councils, fisheries commissions, and state partners. The New England Fishery Management Council is developing Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Through this amendment, the Council is evaluating the current groundfish monitoring program and considering changes to improve the monitoring system. Early discussions during the development of Amendment 23 revealed that industry members wanted more information about our current monitoring system. The groundfish monitoring system is complex, and since the at-sea monitoring program is industry-funded, changes to this program have implications for the industry. Communication is key to our work and we always strive to do a better job communicating about our programs and systems. The development of this amendment presents an opportunity for us to improve understanding about our monitoring programs. We can also help industry and other stakeholders engage in the development of Amendment 23.

Creating a Plan to Improve Communication about Monitoring and Amendment 23

In 2018, we contracted with a team of public outreach specialists from Vision Planning and Consulting, LLC (VPC). They helped us develop a strategic communications plan to improve the way we communicate about groundfish monitoring and Amendment 23. We developed the plan to ensure that members of the industry, particularly those who may not always participate in Council meetings, have the information they need to engage meaningfully in the management process.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Publishes New Resources for Amendment 23

May 19, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We have several new guidance web pages to help stakeholders navigate the Amendment 23 process. Our Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) participation guide explains the different ways to get involved in Amendment 23 and provide comments, and our DEIS economic analysis guide explains how businesses can read and use the economic analyses to understand how Amendment 23 may affect their operations.  For more information about these resources, read our web story explaining how industry helped us develop a plan to improve the way we communicate about Amendment 23 and the groundfish monitoring program.

Stay Up to Date

Visit our Amendment 23 web page, which is updated regularly as new resources and information about the amendment become available.

Great South Channel Habitat Management Area

May 18, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces three exemption areas within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area where dredge fishing for surfclams or mussels will be allowed.

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) created the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area (HMA) as part of its Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2, which prohibited the use of all mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in the area. The HMA contains complex benthic habitat that is important for juvenile cod and other groundfish species, but also susceptible to the impacts of fishing.

This action allows the surfclam fishery to operate hydraulic dredge gear year-round in two small areas (McBlair and Fishing Rip) and seasonally in a third area (Old South) within the HMA. Mussel dredge fishing is also allowed in these exemption areas. These exemption areas were chosen to allow relatively limited access to some historical surfclam fishing grounds, while protecting the majority of the HMA. The three exemption areas total only 6.9 percent of the total area of the HMA, and do not include areas most clearly identified as containing complex and vulnerable habitats.

You can read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register.

Blue Harvest believes it’s time again to look at locally sourced and processed seafood

May 15, 2020 — The following was released by Blue Harvest Fisheries:

Did you know that approximately 80% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported?  Most of the imported seafood comes from China, and much of the rest from other developing countries in Asia and Latin America. By comparison, of all the other types of food consumed in the U.S., only 13% is imported.

We believe it’s time to take another look at local, sustainable groundfish from New England. Why?

SHORTER, SAFER SUPPLY CHAIN AND SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT

Locally harvested and processed seafood usually travels through fewer steps in the supply chain to get to your plate. Meanwhile, imported seafood travels great distances by air travel and generates far greater carbon emissions along the way. Seafood that is locally caught, processed and shipped has a substantially smaller carbon footprint.

For instance, Blue Harvest’s groundfish are harvested by our own vessels from local fisheries off the New England coast. These fisheries are all near our processing plant in New Bedford, MA and the major shipping facilities of nearby Boston. Not only does this provide for a short, sustainable supply chain, but it also allows us to maintain tight control over every step of the supply chain process. This meticulous management ensures our products meet the highest standards for quality and safety.

STRONGER LOCAL COMMUNITIES

When you support local harvesters and processors, you also help support an entire industry of small local businesses and suppliers. A strong commercial fishing industry helps keep our local economies strong and our communities healthy and vibrant.

HEALTHIER, SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

U.S. fisheries are among the best managed in the world. Blue Harvest’s vessels target underfished and underutilized groundfish from MSC-certified sustainable fisheries in the New England waters of Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine, which are some of the most closely monitored and tightly regulated fisheries in the U.S.

Blue Harvest is also MSC Chain of Custody Certified. The Standard ensures an unbroken chain of custody and that our certified seafood is identifiable, segregated and traceable.

HEALTHIER, BETTER TASTING SEAFOOD

Many seafood products from China or Europe have been twice frozen and/or treated with additives. While this helps reduce costs, it may also change the natural flavor and texture of the fish. Blue Harvest groundfish are once frozen and processed without any additives. And all our groundfish are processed in our own, modern waterfront plant located in New Bedford, MA.

Learn more about our amazing New England fishery and Blue Harvest products here, and follow us on Facebook for our latest updates!

June 10-19, 2020 PFMC Meeting Notice (Online Meeting) and Agenda Now Available

May 13, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC or Council) and its advisory bodies will meet June 10-19, 2020 online only, to address issues related to groundfish, salmon, highly migratory species, coastal pelagic species, and administrative matters.

Please see the June 10-19, 2020 Council meeting notice on the Council’s website for further updates and details regarding webinar participation; schedule of advisory body meetings, our E-Portal for submitting public comments, and public comment deadlines. There will be no meetings schedule during the weekend of June 13‐14, however, the meeting will continue daily on Monday, June 15 at 8 a.m. through Friday, June 19, 2020.

Key agenda items for the meeting include Council considerations to:

  • Provide Recommendations to Upcoming International Forums Including U.S. Positions on Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch Limits to the Inter‐American Tropical Tuna Commission and Receive an Update on the U.S./Canada Albacore Tuna Treaty
  • Adopt Terms of Reference for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Endangered Species Act Consultation Update
  • Adopt Final Risk Assessment, Review Draft Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup Management Measure Recommendations, and Provide Guidance
  • Final Action to Adopt Management Measures and Exempted Fishing Permits for 2021‐2022 Groundfish Fisheries
  • Adopt Final List and Schedule of Groundfish Stocks for Assessment in 2021, the Stock Assessment and Methodology Review Terms of Reference (TOR) for Groundfish and Coastal Pelagic Species, and the Rebuilding TOR for Overfished Groundfish Stocks; Refine the Preliminary List of Stocks for 2023 Assessments
  • Review Draft Sardine Rebuilding Plan, Adopt a Range of Alternatives, and Consider a Preliminary Preferred Alternative, As Appropriate
  • Adopt Final Recommendations for Electronic Monitoring Program Regulatory Changes, Program Implementation, and Exempted Fishing Permits
  • Adopt Final Inseason Adjustments for 2020, Including Shorebased Carryover, as Necessary to Achieve but Not Exceed Annual Catch Limits and Other Management Objectives

Meetings of advisory bodies will also be conducted by online meetings based on the schedules in the agenda. There will be one opportunity for public comment daily in each of the online meetings.

Instructions for how to connect to the online meetings will be posted on the Council’s June 2020 Meeting webpage prior to the first day of the meeting.

Please note that the evolving public health situation regarding COVID‐19 may further affect the conduct of the June Council and advisory body meetings. Pacific Council staff will monitor COVID‐19 developments and will determine if there is a need for additional measures. If such measures are deemed necessary, Council staff will post notice of them prominently on our website (www.pcouncil.org). Potential meeting participants are encouraged to check the Pacific Council’s website frequently for such information and updates.

For further information:

Reminder: Herring Midwater Trawl Vessels May Not Fish in Groundfish Closed Areas Without a NOAA Fisheries-Certified Observer Onboard

May 12, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is temporarily waiving the requirement for all vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry a fishery observer or at-sea monitor. The waiver is currently in effect through May 16, 2020, and future extensions of this waiver will be evaluated weekly.

Herring midwater trawl vessels may not fish in Groundfish Closed Areas while this waiver is in effect. Groundfish Closed Areas include Cashes Ledge Closure Area, Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area, Closed Area I North (February 1 – April 15), and Closed Area II. Midwater trawl vessels issued Atlantic herring permits are required to carry a NOAA Fisheries-certified observer onboard as a condition of fishing in a Groundfish Closed Area. Therefore, a herring midwater trawl vessel not carrying an observer onboard may not fish in a Groundfish Closed Area.

Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23: Join the May 12 and May 21 Public Hearing Webinars

May 6, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled two more public hearings on Draft Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23, which is being developed to improve the accuracy and accountability of catch reporting in the commercial groundfish fishery.

The Council held its first public hearing on April 15, 2020 by webinar. Given the continued restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19, the Council will hold the May 12 and May 21 public hearings by webinar as well. Here’s what you need to know to join in.

Read the full release here

MASSACHUSETTS: Fishing sectors, nonprofits seek federal pandemic aid

May 1, 2020 — Fishing stakeholders are urging Congress to expand federal assistance in the next round of funding to include fishing-related nonprofit associations and Northeast fishing sectors to help them keep their employees working during the pandemic.

In a letter to the respective chairmen of the U.S. House and Senate small business committees, stakeholders called on lawmakers to redress inequities toward many non-profits that have been precluded from sharing in benefits — specifically the Paycheck Protection Program — contained in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

“Our primary principle concern is for the equitable treatment of the Northeast groundfish industry sectors organized pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(5), and for those U.S. fishing industry trade associations organized pursuant to IRS section 501(c)(6),” the stakeholders stated in the letter.

Those associations include the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition, the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, the Fishing Partnership Support Services and other fishing nonprofit organizations.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

NEFMC Addresses Recreational eVTRs, Chub Mackerel; Receives Ecosystem, Stellwagen, Whale Updates

April 29, 2020 — The New England Fishery Management Council met April 14-15, 2020 by webinar and covered a wide range of issues. In addition to the actions it took on Atlantic sea scallops, groundfish, Atlantic herring, and red hake, the Council also:

  • Discussed matters involving recreational electronic vessel trip reports (eVTRs) and Atlantic chub mackerel – see pages 2 and 3 for details;
  • Received a presentation from: (1) the Northeast Fisheries Science Center on the 2020 State of the Ecosystem report covering New England, and (2) the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee, which made recommendations on the report;
  • Received a short update on work being conducted by the Council’s Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Committee;

Read the full story from the New England Fishery Management Council

PFMC: Groundfish Subcommittee of the SSC to hold online meeting May 12-14, 2020

April 24, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and invited scientific experts will hold a meeting to review proposed length-based assessment methods followed by a workshop to explore data-limited assessment methods.  The meeting is open to the public.

The online meeting will be held from Tuesday, May 12, 2020 through Thursday, May 14, 2020 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing until 5:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time each day or until business for the day has been completed.

Please see the Groundfish Subcommittee of the SSC May 12-14, 2020 online meeting notice on the Council’s website for participation details.

For further information:

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