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

NEW JERSEY: Reefs could get special management zone status

October 6, 2016 — The 13 artificial reefs that sit outside of three miles on the New Jersey coastline could get a Special Management Zone designation.

The designation would allow for restrictive gear rules on the reefs that would limit the taking of fish to hook and line and spear only. It would prohibit commercial fisherman from the use of fixed pots or trap gear.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council to designate the 13 artificial reef sites as Special Management Zones last November.

That, of course, was preceded by a long, turf war between commercial and recreational fishermen on the reefs that culminated with the state’s artificial reef program being shut down in 2011.

A compromise was reached last year on the reefs in state waters where commercial fishermen were given access to portions of two existing reefs and a new square-mile reef was agreed to be constructed in state waters for use by recreational anglers.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press