Saving Seafood

SAFMC Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels

October 16, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. Advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups, fishing organizations, etc., and concerned citizens. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel
(1) Open Seat

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) NC Seat; (1) SC Seat; and (1) FL Seat

Information and Education Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(3) Open Seats

How to Apply

Additional information including application forms for individual advisory panels is available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions about the advisory panel seats please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available at: https://safmc.net/council-members/.

Applications must be received by November 6, 2019 for consideration by the Council during its December 2-6, 2019 meeting in Wilmington, NC.

Temporary Increase in Atlantic King Mackerel Commercial Trip Limit in the Atlantic Southern Zone Beginning October 1, 2019

September 30, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries announces a temporary rule to increase the commercial king mackerel trip limit from 50 to 75 fish in the Atlantic Southern Zone during Season 2 (October 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020).
  • The commercial trip limit will increase in federal waters in the areabetween the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.

    WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

  • This change to the commercial trip limit will be effective on October 1, 2019.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

  • At their June 2019 meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested an emergency rule to increase the commercial trip limit for king mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone during Season 2 (October-February) of the 2019/2020 fishing year.
  • From October 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020, the commercial trip limit for Atlantic king mackerel will be 75 fish in federal waters between the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.
  • The temporary rule will also remove the potential for a trip limit reduction in February 2020 from 75 to 50 fish when 70 percent of the quota is reached.
  • There are no changes to the Season 2 trip limit in federal waters north of Volusia County, Florida.
  • The increase in trip limit is necessary to prevent unnecessary economic losses and will substantially increase the likelihood of achieving optimum yield for king mackerel in the 2019/2020 fishing year.
  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently developing a framework amendment to consider changes to the commercial king mackerel trip limits in Season 2 in the Atlantic Southern Zone in future years.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

For more information on the emergency rule, you may contact the following:

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Karla Gore

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By Phone: (727) 824-5305, By FAX: (727) 824-5308

Increase in Atlantic King Mackerel Commercial Trip Limits in the Atlantic Southern Zone March 1-September 30

September 11, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries announces an increase in commercial king mackerel trips limits in the Atlantic Southern Zone during Season 1 (March 1-September 30).
  • During March each year, the commercial trip limit will increase from 50 to 75 fish between the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.
  • In addition, the commercial trip limit will increase from 75 fish to 3,500-pounds from April 1 through September 30 off Volusia County, Florida.
  • On September 1, 2019, the National Marine Fisheries Service reduced the trip limit from 75 to 50 fish south of Volusia County, Florida, to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary because 75% of the Season 1 quota was landed.
  • Therefore, the trip limit will remain at 50 fish for the area south of Volusia County, Florida, through September 30.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

  • These changes to the commercial trip limits will be effective on September 11, 2019.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

  • Commercial trip limits are changing as a result of Framework Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.
  • For the month of March, between the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary, the king mackerel commercial trip limit will be 75 fish.
  • Between April 1 and September 30, the trip limit will be 3,500-pounds off Volusia County, Florida.
  • There are no changes to the current April 1 through September 30 trip limit south of Volusia County, Florida, to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Read the full release here

NJ leads country in fishing production

September 3, 2019 — I bet you didn’t know that New Jersey’s commercial saltwater fishing industry generated $6.2 billion in 2018 according to the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration, placing New Jersey fifth in the U.S. in commercial fishing production. That’s a lot of fish, and a lot more than fish.

“The Jersey Seafood industry is a tremendous benefit to the state’s economy with the responsible supply that is landed in our state each year,” NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher said. “New Jersey is among the leaders in the country in several seafood categories because of our hard-working commercial fishermen and successful seasons year after year.”

In 2017, the total seafood catch in New Jersey was 198.6 million pounds placing New Jersey 10th in the country for catch. New Jersey ranks No. 1 in the nation in quahogs landed at 16.5 million pounds, second in sea scallops landed with 11 million pounds, second in Atlantic mackerel landed at 2.8 million pounds, second in surf clam harvest with more than 18.3 million pounds, and second in squid commercial landings at 24.9 million pounds.

Read the full story at My Central Jersey

NOAA Fisheries: Commercial Closure in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Northern Zone on August 24, 2019

August 20, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 2019, and will re-open on March 1, 2020. The northern zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel includes federal waters from North Carolina through New York. During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Spanish mackerel in or from the northern zone federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open, but those fish may not be sold.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the quota from being exceeded.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Spanish mackerel does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, August 24, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the northern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel is open.

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 .

Council Requests Emergency Action for Commercial Mackerel Fishery

June 17, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Nearly 40 fishermen and others interested in federal fishery management issues spoke during a public hearing held this week as part of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s week-long meeting in Stuart, Florida. The majority of comments focused on the need for an increase in the commercial king mackerel fishery off the southeastern coast of Florida during the second season that extends into the winter months (October 1st through the end of February). Since the 2015-16 season, the commercial fishery in the Southern Zone (Flagler/Volusia county line south) has harvested under 60% of their annual catch limit. The value of the unharvested quota is estimated $3,885,647 per season over the past four fishing seasons.

Fishermen explained that the current limit of 50 fish per trip often marginalizes profit and keeps fishermen from carrying crew, preventing a new generation of fishermen from getting involved in the fishery and presenting safety at sea issues. Fishermen also spoke about the recent negative economic impacts of severe weather and environmental factors such as poor water quality.

After considering public comment and recommendations from its Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, the Council approved a motion to request NOAA Fisheries use emergency action to increase the second season commercial king mackerel trip limit from 50 fish to 75 fish in the Southern Zone. The Council made the request with the intention of having the increase in place by the beginning of the October 1, 2019 opening. The Atlantic king mackerel stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, and it is not anticipated that the commercial quota will be exceeded with the increased trip limit.

“We sincerely appreciate the Council’s support in recognizing the importance of increasing the commercial king mackerel trip limit here in South Florida,” said Ira Laks, Chairman of the Council’s Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel and a dual-permitted commercial/charter captain from Jupiter, Florida. “The Council considered input from its advisory panel as well as a number of mackerel fishermen who attended Wednesday night’s public hearing,” explained Laks. “I want to also thank all of the fishermen who took the time and effort to attend the hearing. It made a difference.”

Other Items
Red Grouper
A 2017 stock assessment for red grouper indicates the stock is overfished and undergoing overfishing. As a result, the Council reduced the annual catch limit for red grouper in 2018, but further measures are needed. The Council approved Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 30 during its meeting this week. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the amendment will revise the rebuilding schedule for the red grouper stock and modify the spawning season prohibition off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina, adding the month of May to the current January through April closure. The amendment would also establish a commercial trip limit of 200 pounds gutted weight for red grouper in federal waters.

Red Snapper
The Council also discussed options for the red snapper fishery. The number of recreational fishing days for red snapper in federal waters in the South Atlantic is determined by NOAA Fisheries each year, based on the estimated harvest from the previous year. If fishing is allowed, the opening dates of both the recreational fishery and commercial fishery currently begin in July. The Council is considering options for modifying the current parameters in place, including the season start dates as well as days of the week when red snapper harvest is allowed to allow more flexibility for the season and reduce the number of fish that must be released.

Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan would address these modifications and includes action to remove the minimum number of days for allowing a red snapper season (currently 3 days or more), modify the start date of the recreational red snapper season, revise the days of the week harvest would be allowed, and modify the start date of the red snapper commercial fishery. Public hearings via webinar and listening stations will be scheduled for August and the Council will review public comments during its September 16-20, 2019 meeting in Charleston, SC. The public hearing schedule will be publicized as soon as it becomes available.

Dolphin Wahoo
The Council also continued to work on management measures for dolphin fish and wahoo through Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan. The amendment currently includes actions to revise annual catch limits, sector allocations, and accountability measures and options to reduce the vessel limit for dolphin. The amendment would also remove operator card requirements, addresses retention and gear training requirements for commercial vessels and options for allowing for-hire vessels north of the North Carolina/Virginia border to fillet dolphin with skin intact under the condition that two fillets equal one fish. Dolphin and wahoo are managed in federal waters along the Atlantic coast by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. There is no minimum size limit for dolphin in federal waters off of North Carolina northward. The Council’s Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel had requested the Council considers allowing the sale of bag limit dolphin by dual-federally permitted (charter and commercial) vessels. After considering public comment and input received during this week’s public hearing, and much discussion, the Council decided to remove the action as part of Amendment 10. The Council will continue to discuss the amendment in September.

At the request of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and after considering public scoping comments, the South Atlantic Council will move forward to develop an amendment to designate bullet and frigate mackerel as ecosystem component species within the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan and evaluate appropriate regulatory actions. The designation, widely supported during the scoping process, would acknowledge the important role the two species play as forage fish for dolphin and wahoo.

The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for September 16-20, 2019 at the Town and Country Inn in Charleston, SC. Additional information for this week’s meeting, including final committee reports, an interactive story map, and meeting report is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Measures to Rebuild the Atlantic Mackerel Stock

June 7, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan would establish a five-year rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel, set 2019-2021 specifications, modify closure triggers to slow the commercial fishery when harvest approaches the annual quota, and update the river herring and shad catch cap in the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

For details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register. Supporting analysis for this rule is available on the Council’s website.

Comments are due July 8, 2019.

To submit comments online, please use the e-rulemaking portal, or send comments by regular mail to Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA, 01930. Please mark the outside of the envelope, “Comments on the Proposed Rule for Atlantic Mackerel Framework 13.”

Read the full release here

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting June 10-14, 2019 in Stuart, FL

May 16, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their next meeting June 10-14, 2019 at the Marriott Hutchinson Island, 555 N.E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL, 34996. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council.

An informal Public Discussion Session will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. and a formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 12th beginning at 4:00 PM. For-Hire Electronic Reporting Training Sessions are also scheduled, dependent upon the publication of the final rule implementing the reporting requirement. An online comment form will be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs. A Saltonstall-Kennedy (S/K) Grant Program discussion will be held on Tuesday, June 11th and Wednesday, June 12th beginning at 5:00 p.m.; public input will be accepted.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee will discuss alternatives for modifying the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons. The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment for public hearings.
  • Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear – The Snapper Grouper Committee will continue to discuss proposed requirements for the use of descending devices, venting tools, and circle hooks, as well as changes to restrictions on powerhead gear.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The committee will continue to discuss management options for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.
  • Allocations – The Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole to begin discussions of allocations between recreational and commercial sectors.
  • King Mackerel – The Council will consider an increase in the Atlantic king mackerel commercial trip limit through emergency action.

Additional Information:

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on May 24, 2019.

There are plenty of fish in the sea. Why do we eat so few?

May 7, 2019 — The waters off New England teem with a wide range of species, from scup, white hake, and mackerel to whelk, surf clams, and peekytoe crab. But despite this abundance, just a small handful of regionally available species dominate the marketplace—mostly lobster, scallops, and cod. Why don’t supermarket shelves better mirror the diversity of local waters?

That question is the subject of a new survey of fish and shellfish diversity in grocery stores and specialty markets in New England. The study, published on Monday by Eating with the Ecosystem, a nonprofit that promotes local and sustainable seafood harvesting in the Northeast, looks for “symmetry”: namely, the balance between the creatures found in nearby waters and the products found in the seafood section. For now, the study found, that proportion is greatly out of whack.

The report is based on the shopping experiences of 86 citizen scientists, who collected data over a six-month period of time. Each week, participants were randomly assigned four species from a list of 52 species commonly found in the waterways where New England fishers harvest their catch. They were instructed to seek their targets out at up to three markets, bring one home, cook out, and rate their experience. Basically, it was adult hide-and-seek but with pollock and sea urchins instead of people.

Read the full story at The New Food Economy

Reminder – Public Hearings on Best Fishing Practices, Powerhead Gear – Scheduled via Webinar Next Week

April 24, 2019 — The following was published by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public input on Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 that includes proposed requirements designed to help improve survival of released fish. The amendment would also modify current regulations for the use of powerhead gear. Public hearings on proposed measures and alternatives will be held next Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1 via webinar beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The Council is also seeking public comment on a proposal to add two species of mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as ecosystem-component species to recognize their importance as prey. Public scoping webinars are also scheduled in May as noted below.

PUBLIC HEARING AND SCOPING
Public Hearings (Webinar): Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear
(Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29)
* Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration
* Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration

The draft amendment addresses use of best fishing practices to improve survival of released snapper-grouper species, including alternatives for the use of descending devices and/or venting tools to release fish experiencing barotrauma (injury due to the expansion of the gas when reeled up from depth) and modifications to current non-stainless steel circle hook requirements. The amendment also includes measures to modify powerhead regulations.

The public hearing summary and presentations are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. The online public comment form is also available and public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 10, 2019.

Public Scoping (Webinar): Bullet and Frigate Mackerels

(Option to add species to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan)
* Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration
* Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration

The Council is considering adding bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as ecosystem component species, acknowledging the role the two currently unmanaged species play as important prey for both dolphin and wahoo.

Learn more and provide your comments!
http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/