Saving Seafood

UNC Researchers: Climate change causing fish migration

March 30, 2022 — The University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences says climate change is threatening the fishing industry, which contributes close to $300 million to the economy in North Carolina.

Marine researchers say climate change is continuing to impact the environment along the coast and is now impacting the amount of fish in the water here in the east.

University of North Carolina’s Marine Sciences college in Morehead City has conducted research into the decrease in the number of fish.

Dr. Janet Nye, Associate Professor at the Institute of Marine Sciences, has been studying water temperatures and how it impacts fish along North Carolina’s Coast.

Nye says the increase in temperatures has caused flounder and grouper numbers to decrease.

Read the full story at WITN

New research shows that 85% of coral reef fish studied are overfished

February 10, 2022 — A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has found concrete evidence that more than 85 percent of the grouper and snapper studied are overfished as a direct result of increasing human demand for seafood.

The research team analyzed 30 years of population data for 15 coral reef fish species central to South Florida’s commercial and  using their length-based risk analysis (LBRA) framework.

They found that three out of the five grouper species, all eight snapper species, and two grunts analyzed were below the 40 percent minimum spawning potential ratio, a regulation necessary to sustain fish populations.

Read the full story at Phys.org

 

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.

 

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 1, 2021

July 27, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

  • The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 1, 2021. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

Why this Closure is Happening:

  • The current commercial catch limit is 117,148 pounds whole weight. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

After the Closure:

  • The harvest or possession of blueline tilefish is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector for blueline tilefish is open.
  • These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel with a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, and apply to the harvest of blueline tilefish in both state and federal waters.
  • The 2022 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2022, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

The South Atlantic Bite – Newsworthy Notes – July 22, 2021

July 22, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting to Address Red Snapper Catch Levels
Wednesday, July 28
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. via webinar

Join members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) as they meet next week to discuss catch level recommendations for Red Snapper based on the most recent stock assessment. The SSC reviewed the assessment in April 2021 and requested additional information be provided before making catch level recommendations, including a presentation on the usage rates of descending devices when releasing Red Snapper. The stock assessment used data through 2019.

In 2020, new regulations were implemented requiring a descending device be on board when harvesting or possessing species in the Snapper Grouper complex in federal waters, including Red Snapper. The SSC will receive presentations on estimating usage rate of descending devices and other information before setting catch level recommendations. The Council will receive a report from the SSC during the September 2021 Council meeting in Charleston, SC.

The SSC will also discuss managing annual catch limits for data-limited stocks and guidance for developing catch level projections. Meeting information, including the agenda and overview, public comment form, and briefing book materials are available from the Council’s website. Public comment will also be accepted during the meeting. Register now for the SSC meeting webinar and receive email reminders.

Learn more about descending device requirements and other best fishing practices from the Best Fishing Practices page of the Council’s website.

Get Your Fish On
Tour the best fishing guide of Gray’s Reef
Thursday, August 5
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. via webinar

Responsible recreation has kept Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary an ideal fishing destination for over 40 years. Join the sanctuary as they introduce an online best fishing practice guide for you to make the most of your trip to Gray’s Reef. Learn about the sanctuary’s regulations and other applicable federal and state fishing regulations, how to properly rig a fish descending device, and learn about apps to help you log your catch. Register now for the webinar.

Located 19 miles east of Sapelo Island, Georgia, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is in the South Atlantic Bight (the offshore area between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Canaveral, Florida) on an area of the continental shelf where temperate and tropical waters mingle west of the Gulf Stream. Because of Gray’s Reef’s unique location at the intersection of temperate and tropical waters, the sanctuary serves as a sentinel point for various monitoring programs of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Learn more about Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

Can You Name That Fish?
Test your fish ID skills and share your photos

Occasionally we receive email inquiries from fishermen and others asking for help to identify a fish that doesn’t commonly land on a boat deck. It is exciting to see the photos and the challenge of identifying the fish is always welcome.

This photo was recently sent to the Council office from Graham Harrison, a commercial snapper grouper fisherman from Hatteras, North Carolina. He was fishing off of Cape Hatteras, about 135 fathoms (810 feet) deep, near the Continental Shelf, when this Blackbar Drum (Pareques iwamotoi) took the squid bait he was using.

The deepwater drum is found off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America. It has some interesting color variations and body shape transitions from juvenile to adult. While sometimes observed by scientists from deepwater submersibles and caught by commercial fishermen, Captain Harrison has fished for over 30 years and said he’s never seen one! Special thanks to the NCFishes.com team for their helpful online resource: Drum and Croaker Diversity in North Carolina.

Do you have an unusual fish photo and story to share? If so, send it our way. Kim Iverson at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net

Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance Urges Feds to Preserve Red Grouper Access for All Americans

July 8, 2021 — Last month, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council changed the allocation between commercial and recreational red grouper from a 76:24 split to 59.3:40.7 split on a slightly reduced total allowable catch.

Yesterday, the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance (GCSA), called the move “… deeply disturb[ing] …”.  If approved, the Council’s action will deprive the citizens of the United States access to 600,000 pounds of red grouper this year currently being caught by commercial fishermen, and enjoyed by anyone who does not have the ability or opportunity to fish recreationally,” the group said in a statement. GCSA represents seafood harvesters, distributors, and restaurants across Gulf Coast.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance Calls on Federal Government to Preserve Red Grouper Access for All Americans

July 6, 2021 — The following was released by the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance:

Members of the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance, representing seafood harvesters, distributors, and the restaurants serving their products, are deeply disturbed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s recent proposal to reallocate 20 percent of the commercial red grouper quota to the recreational sector.

If approved, the Council’s action will deprive the citizens of the United States access to 600,000 pounds of red grouper this year currently being caught by commercial fishermen, and enjoyed by anyone who does not have the ability or opportunity to fish recreationally. It will also deprive restaurants of revenue from those landings, and will block both local residents and tourists from accessing our Gulf seafood resources.

This decision demonstrates the success of an ongoing effort by the well-funded recreational fishing lobby to take a disproportionate share of the quota for their personal enjoyment, and for the profit of companies supplying fishing gear and recreational vessels.

Of America’s approximately 330 million citizens, only 38 million are holders of recreational fishing licenses, tags, permits and stamps, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The 11 percent of Americans who enjoy fishing recreationally, who can afford the gear, boats and charters needed to participate in this sport, certainly have the right to access this resource, but they should not have the right to monopolize the resource.

The other 89 percent of Americans nationwide who do not hold fishing licenses, tags, permits or stamps also have the right to access domestic seafood resources, which they currently do through the labor of our commercial fishermen and distributors, who supply wild-caught seafood to their markets and favorite restaurants.

Commercial fishing is just as important to the Gulf tourist economy as recreational fishing, even though the benefits are often overlooked. If commercial fishermen can’t catch enough local species like grouper, the impacts will ripple through the critically important restaurant industry. Less grouper to catch means less grouper for restaurants, and that will inevitably lead to higher prices at the table.

Red grouper is one of the best selling local seafood items at Gulf restaurants. Without ready access to it at prices customers feel comfortable paying, some restaurants may have to consider supplementing their wild-caught products with farm-raised fish from overseas. Fresh, local seafood is one of the reasons people come from across the country to the Gulf; a restaurant industry without it would be far less appealing.

Appointees to the Fisheries Council selected by former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross from the slates of nominees submitted by regional governors tipped the composition of the Council in the direction of recreational fishing interests who derive their pleasure from our fisheries over those who derive their livelihoods from our fisheries.

As the former Governor of Rhode Island, our current Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, unquestionably understands the need to balance the rights of recreational fishing participants with the rights of citizen consumers. Like our Gulf Coast, the Rhode Island economy has for centuries supported fishing interests – both commercial and recreational – as well as a robust tourist trade that sustains restaurants, markets and hotels filled with guests who enjoy local seafood. We must continue developing methods to share our nation’s coastal resources and not exclude one sector in favor of another.

About the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance
The Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance (GCSA) unites fishermen, seafood dealers, and restaurants to advocate for the fair distribution of fish across the Gulf Coast. Americans who live in or visit the Gulf should have fish to catch at sea and fish to buy onshore. Our members drive a fishing economy that provides jobs, promotes tourism, and delivers fresh seafood across the Gulf Coast. View our membership here.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Management of Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico: Comment Period Ends June 28, 2021

May 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a draft environmental impact statement for Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.  The Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of the draft environmental impact statement on May 14, 2021.

The purpose of this draft environmental impact statement is to assess the environmental impacts associated with a reasonable range of alternatives intended to modify the red grouper commercial and recreational sector allocations, overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets of Gulf of Mexico red grouper.

Read the full release here

Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants

April 8, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Are you interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels. The Council is soliciting applicants for several open seats on the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Advisory Panel as well as the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.

The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and plan amendments. Management issues on the table for 2021 include climate vulnerability and impacts relative to fisheries, development of the Council’s Habitat Blueprint, King Mackerel catch levels and management adjustments, and modifications to management of Snowy Grouper, Yellowtail Snapper, Red Porgy, Red Snapper and several other species in the Snapper Grouper management complex. Members of the Council’s Law Enforcement Advisory Panel will provide recommendations specific to enforcement issues affecting these and other fisheries.

Members of the Council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens. Most of the seats on advisory panels are allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) Florida Seat, (1) South Carolina Seat, (1) Georgia Seat, and (2) At-Large Seats

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(6) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
(1) North Carolina Seat and (1) Florida Seat

How to Apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the “About Us” section of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net. Applicants may provide letters of recommendation as part of their online application.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 5, 2021 for consideration by the Council during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting scheduled via webinar.