Saving Seafood

Council against Hudson Canyon sanctuary

April 18, 2017 — A Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary proposal got little to no support from the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council.

In fact, the council voted 15-4 against it when it met in Avalon last week for its regular scheduled spring meeting.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, operators of the New York Aquarium, nominated the canyon under the marine sanctuary program, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The aquarium’s goal is to advance marine conservation for the sensitive species and habitats in the canyon, including the permanent restriction oil, gas, and other mineral exploration and extraction.

However, fishermen have not been behind it because of the potential to be shut out of fishing the canyon. Advocates for fishermen said management of the canyon is best left to proven science-based management tools that include fishermen in the future.

They contend protections such as those that safe-guard deep sea corals, and regulations on fish are already in place.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

Jersey Shore Fishing: MAFMC to vote on protecting federal waters reefs on Wednesday

October 5th, 2016 — The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance provided the following important notice:

This October 5th, 2016; NJOA’s continuing efforts to bring New Jersey’s offshore artificial reefs under the protection of a Special Management Zone (SMZ) enters formal review by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC).   The SMZ Monitoring Team comprised of MAFMC staff members has released its recommendation regarding SMZ status for NJ’s 13 artificial reefs located in Federal waters.

To summarize, the SMZ Monitoring Team’s recommendation is “the SMZ Monitoring Team recommends that the Council designate all 13 New Jersey’s artificial reefs located in the EEZ as SMZs. The SMZ designation should stipulate that no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may fish in the 13 New Jersey Special Management Zones with any gear except hook and line and spear fishing (including the taking of fish by hand)”

The SMZ report will be presented at the MAMFC’s October meeting at the Stockton Seaview Hotel, 401 S New York Rd,  Galloway, NJ, 08205.

The public is welcome to present their opinions during tomorrow’s discussion.

Read the full story at NJ.com 

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2016-2018 Regs for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass

December 30, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces the 2016-2018 regulations for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass.

The summer flounder catch limit is reduced by 30 percent (from 23 million lbs to 16 million lbs) due to 4 years of below average recruitment (young fish entering the fishery). The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has requested a stock assessment update for next year.

The scup catch limit is slightly reduced compared to 2015 levels, but is still well above recent catch.

The black sea bass catch limit will increase from 5.5 million lbs to 6.67 million lbs for 2016 and 2017. This is based on the revised recommendation of the Mid-Atlantic Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The 2018 regulations will be determined after the next scheduled stock assessment.

To get all the details on these proposed regulations, read the rule as published in the Federal Register today and the permit holder bulletin posted on our website.

Questions? Contact Moira Kelly at 978-281-9218 or moira.kelly@noaa.gov.