Saving Seafood

New England council joins Mid-Atlantic in push to require electronic trip reporting

July 19, 2019 — The New England Fishery Management Council has decided to join with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in requiring all vessels to use electronic vessel trip reports (eVTR), replacing physical reports.

The action was initiated after the Mid-Atlantic council started investigating the possibility of switching all trip reporting in December 2018. The move, under an omnibus framework action, would require that all vessels use eVTR, a method that has been available since 2013.

“The Mid-Atlantic Council has been interested in eVTR for the past several years,” Karson Coutre, of the Mid-Atlantic council, told SeafoodSource in May. “Many stakeholders have voiced the desire to move in the direction of electronic reporting with technological advances and eVTR being an established means to submit VTRs since 2013.”

Electronic reporting would eliminate the need to individually scan thousands of reports: In 2018, the Mid-Atlantic council had to process over 70,000 reports. Every single one needs to be entered into a database, and sometimes clarity issues caused by handwriting or other problems makes information less accurate than it would be in an electronic report.

As a result of the Mid-Atlantic council’s investigation into using eVTR, the New England council had to initiate its own investigations. Many permit-holders in the region hold permits belonging to both councils, estimates by the New England council places at least 2,514 vessels holding permits in both regions, or nearly 90 percent.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

CORRECTED: Regional fishery council moves toward mandatory e-reporting

July 17, 2019 — The digital age of vessel reporting is on the line and the New England Fishery Management Council is trying to make sure fishermen under its purview answer the call.

The council has embarked on a management strategy that ultimately will require all commercial fishermen holding federal permits for New England council-managed species to file their vessel trip reports electronically rather than by the traditional paper reports.

“The goal is to go to a mandatory electronic reporting system,” said Janice Plante, spokeswoman for the council. “But we also know that this is going to present a challenge for some fishermen used to filing paper reports. We’re going to need an extended implementation period. NOAA Fisheries and both the Mid-Atlantic council and our council agree on that.”

The New England council is joining the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in working toward a fully digital format — known as eVTRs — for filing the vessel trip reports that provide regulators with catch data on every fishing trip, including each chart area, gear type and/or mesh size fished.

The current vessel reporting regulations require fishermen to complete their paper VTR prior to landing. Plante said that will continue under electronic filing. However, she said, the timeline for submitting the reports remains under consideration and will be finalized before the new regulations take effect.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

August 2019 MAFMC Meeting Agenda

July 16, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 – Thursday, August 15, 2019

Location: Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, 21 N. Juniper St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, Telephone 215-496-3200.

Meeting Materials: Briefing documents will be posted below as they become available.

Public Comments: Written comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2019 to be included in the briefing book. Comments received after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on August 8, 2019 will be posted as supplemental materials on the Council meeting web page. After that date, all comments must be submitted using an online comment form available at available at http://www.mafmc.org/public-comment.

Webinar: For online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/august2019.

Meeting Agenda

PDF Version

NEFMC Joins MAFMC in Commercial eVTR action

July 16, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is taking steps to bring all commercial fishermen who hold federal permits for Council-managed species into the digital age by requiring vessel trip reports (VTRs) to be submitted electronically instead of on paper. These electronic reports are known as eVTRs, and this proposed action will apply to all of the Council’s fishery management plans.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has been working since December of 2018 on a Commercial eVTR Omnibus Framework Action that would apply to all vessels with federal commercial permits for MAFMC-managed species, which include summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, surfclams, ocean quahogs, bluefish, and tilefish.

Read the full release here

Commercial eVTR Framework Webinar – Tuesday 7/23 at 8:30 a.m.

July 10, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Council will hold a webinar on Tuesday, July 23 at 8:30 a.m. to provide an update on the Commercial eVTR Framework and to review the available eVTR applications. This action could require electronic submission of Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) for commercial permit holders. Participants will also have an opportunity to provide input on specific issues, such as the timing for submitting eVTRs.

Date/Time

  • Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Connection Info

To install the Adobe Connect app or test your connection, please visit: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

Materials

The updated eVTR framework document with action alternatives will be posted to the MAFMC eVTR webinar event page later this week.

For more information, contact Karson Coutre, kcoutre@mafmc.org (302) 526-5259.

REPORTER: U.S. Scallop Supply Increases 3rd Year In A Row

July 3, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — With a combined approach of effort limitation and rotating harvest areas, the Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) is one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States, and is the most valuable wild scallop fishery in the world. It’s managed by the New England Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fisheries Management Plan, which maximizes scallop yields while protecting beds of young scallops.

According to the NEFMC Council Report, Framework Adjustment 30 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP, which contains catch specifications for the 2019 and 2020 (default) fishing years, has been approved by NMFS for implementation. The most likely scenario includes seven 18,000 lb. access area trips and 24 days-at-sea. These allocations are projected to result in landings of about 60 million pounds of scallops in FY 2019.

Scallop Trade

Scallop imports into the United States increased 12.4%, or 5.1 million pounds in 2018 compared to the previous year. However, this increase was largely due to the abundant volume rushed in from China in December 2018, ahead of the 25% tariff increase originally set for a January 1, 2019 implementation, which was later postponed. China continues to be the largest scallop supplier to the United States, accounting for about 46% of the 46.5 million pounds of scallops imported into the U.S. Shipping fewer scallops to the U.S. are Argentina (-13.6%) and Japan (-33%), while China (15.4%), Canada (5.5%), Mexico (2394.7%) and Peru (190.1%) have shipped more in 2018 than the previous year (Chart 1).

Export activity declined year-overyear. January to December exports totaled 14.1 million pounds, 14% fewer than the 16.4 million pounds shipped out in 2017. Canada remains our largest export destination, accounting for roughly 29% of annual exports; other significant destinations for U.S. production are the Netherlands, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

The Markets 

More imports, larger landings, and a decline in exports, resulted in an increase in net supply. Our net supply calculation suggests an annual total of nearly 87 million pounds compared to 75 million in 2017; a 16% improvement (Chart 2).

The market for U.S. origin sea scallops fell as seasonally expected at the start of the new season, but strengthened throughout the end of the year amid little to no landings of larger domestic U/10 sized sea scallops. The market held somewhat of an unsettled undertone as varying inventory positions broadened  the range of wholesale offerings available to customers. Those with thin inventories reported higher premiums, while those with more stable inventory holdings were able to offer a lower price. The average price paid for a domestic dry U10 in 2018 was $12.18, down 20% from the previous year average of $15.25/lb. Similarly, dry 10/20 count scallops decreased by 4.6%, averaging $10.30/lb. compared to $10.80 in 2017.

The market for Canada origin sea scallops saw premiums developing during 2018 Q4. Frozen inventory levels were not as abundant compared to previous years and one factor contributing to this were fewer exports from Japan into Canada. In 2018, while Japan harvested the same number of scallops as expected, the harvest was of a smaller size, attributing to about 25% less product available for export. Less exports paired with strong domestic demand in Japan was one of the factors attributing to the Canadian wholesale market strengthening at the end of their calendar year season.

The average price paid for a 10/20 count Canadian sea scallop in 2018 was $11.91/lb., down 12.8% from the previous average of $13.66/lb. in 2017.

Looking Forward

Conservation efforts have been strong resulting in productive years for fisherman. The outlook for this year is that with an increased net supply, prices could continue to fall, attracting a wider consumer base at the restaurant and retail levels this summer, once again. However, while landings thus far in the 2019 season have been abundant, the quality is being noted as “medium” with a higher than favorable percentage of splits and pieces. Will quantity outweigh quality and keep prices down? The coming months will tell…

This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

July 2, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold four public hearings in August and September 2019 to solicit public input on the Draft Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment. The Council is also soliciting written comments on the amendment through September 14, 2019.

The Excessive Shares Amendment considers a variety of approaches to ensure that no individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferrable quota (ITQ) privileges. In addition, this action includes measures to revise the process for specifying multi-year management measures, require periodic review of the excessive share cap level, and allow adjustments to be made under the frameworkable provisions of the FMP. Lastly, this action may also revise the management objectives for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan.

Additional information is available at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment. A public hearing document will be posted no later than July 18.

Attend a Scoping Hearing

Public hearings will be held on the following dates:

  1. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:30PM: The Grand Hotel. 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204; telephone: (609) 884-5611.
  2. Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 6:30PM: Internet webinar. Connection information to be posted at http://www.mafmc.org/council-events/2019/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment-public-hearing-2 prior to the meeting.
  3. Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:30PM: LaQuinta Inns & Suites, 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801; telephone: (410) 546-4400.
  4. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 6:30PM: Radisson Hotel Providence Airport. 2081 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone: (401) 739-3000.

Submit Written Comments:

In addition to providing comments at any of the scoping hearings, you may submit written comments by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on September 14, 2019. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:

Please include “SCOQ Excessive Shares Amendment Comments” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Please direct any questions about the amendment to José Montañez, jmontanez@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5258.

Request for Proposals: 2020 Golden Tilefish Survey

June 27, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a qualified industry representative to conduct the first year of a long-term tilefish survey. A successful project would develop and implement a golden tilefish survey to create an index of abundance, collect life history data, and observe habitat preference for determination criteria of overfishing limits and acceptable biological catches.

Proposals are due by July 31, 2019.

Please review the Request for Proposals for complete details and instructions for proposal submission.

Summer flounder: Will quota increase affect regional markets?

June 27, 2019 — A 2019 stock assessment indicated summer flounder are in good shape — neither overfished nor subject to overfishing. Following the assessment, the commercial quota was increased to 10.98 million pounds for the season.

This is a relief for fleets and industry who recall when the stock had dipped to record lows in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, things have started to look up. Now, regulators allocate 60 percent of the annual catch limit to the commercial fishery (divided among states) and 40 percent to the recreational fishery.

This year is unusual, says Kiley Dancy of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, “because summer flounder catch limits were just modified midseason.”

States will continue to receive allocations based on their historic landings, any beyond 9.55 million pounds will be divided equally among Mid-Atlantic and southern New England states. Another potential future regulatory change is revisiting the commercial/recreational allocation, but no specific plans have been made yet.

How the newly revised catch limits affect fleets and the industry is yet to be determined. With the commercial quota increasing from interim 2019 levels by 49 percent (before accounting for overage deductions) there could be an industrywide boost.

“It’s really too early in the year yet to see how the increase in fluke quota has affected the market, we’ll know better as we head into the fall and early winter,” says Mike Roderick, from The Town Dock, a large wholesaler in Narragansett, R.I. “The price of fluke is a bit soft right now because all the states are open at the same time, and as a result, causes the prices to dip with a flood of fish to the market. Hopefully, the states can work together to prevent this from happening next year.”

Read the full story at National Fisherman

How Do I Chum You Up?: Dewey Hemilright, Long Line Fisherman of Wanchese

June 19, 2019 — Sitting in the wheelhouse of the 42-foot FV Tarbaby in Wanchese, NC, we found Captain Dewey Hemilright, pelagic longliner, member of one the most highly restricted fisheries in the U.S. if not the world. As his girlfriend’s dog Annie angled for back-scratches, Captain Dewey pointed to a large console of equipment that makes up his mandatory Video Monitoring System, recording his every move when in Bluefin territory. He flipped through a notebook containing swordfish, Atlantic tuna, snapper grouper, large coastal sharks, and Spanish mackerel permits. He listed all of his U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements, and showed us his federal sea turtle de-hooking certification.

“Every 3 years I’ve got to be re-certified or I don’t get my permits renewed,” he explained. “For this sea turtle class, we have to de-hook a cardboard box!”

Above and beyond all the permit requirements, monitoring, and fishing regulations, it takes much more to stay afloat in the fishing industry. To Captain Dewey, it comes down to an emphasis on “we”, not “me,” and active participation in management.

“Your fishery is on the agenda, like it or not. So we better be involved.” Hemilright has been involved in fisheries management since 1997. “I’ve had a few people enable me to go to meetings early on, and I don’t know whether to thank them or kick them in the ass.” He currently serves as one of three voting delegates from North Carolina on the federal Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and is on six Council advisory committees. He’s also a liaison to the South Atlantic Council, as North Carolina is a “swing state” ecologically, and is subject to federal management of northern and southern species.

Read the full story at Raising the Story