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New England Council Update – March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Here’s a roundup of upcoming meetings and new developments that are relevant to the New England Fishery Management Council’s stakeholders.

SCALLOPS: New Bedford and Chatham, MA are the next two stops on the scoping meeting circuit for Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The New Bedford meeting is today, Wednesday, March 20, and Chatham is up tomorrow, Thursday, March 21. Both meetings begin at 6 p.m. Also, a webinar is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., and more scoping meetings will be held next week in Virginia and New Jersey. The series caps off in Gloucester on April 3. Visit the Amendment 21 webpage to see the complete lineup and download the scoping document, press release, and staff presentation.

COMMERCIAL eVTRs: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is developing an Omnibus Framework to considerrequiring commercial vessels that carry federal permits for Mid-Atlantic Council-managed species to submit Vessel Trip Reports electronically (eVTRs). This action, if approved, will apply to New England fishermen who obtain Mid-Atlantic permits for summer flounder/scup/black sea bass, bluefish, mackerel/squid/butterfish, and other species. The Mid-Atlantic Council has scheduled a webinar for Monday, March 25 beginning at 9 a.m. to collect input from its Advisory Panels. Details are available at AP webinar about commercial eVTRs.

ATLANTIC HERRING: The New England Council’s Herring Advisory Panel (AP) will meet for a half-day on Wednesday, March 27 at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA. The Herring Committee will meet in the same location the following day, Thursday, March 28. The AP and Committee both will discuss upcoming herring actions, work priorities, 2019-2021 specifications, and more. The agenda and meeting materials are available at Herring AP and Herring Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Council’s Executive Committee will meet Wednesday, March 27 in Wakefield, MA. More information will be available soon at Executive Committee meeting.

SCIENTIFIC AND STATISTICAL COMMITTEE (SSC): The Council’s SSC will meet via webinar on Friday, March 29, 2019 to discuss and comment on the Council’s research priorities. Learn more at SSC webinar.

GROUNDFISH: The Council’s Groundfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Monday, April 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Logan Airport. The Groundfish Committee will meet in the same location the following day, Tuesday, April 2. Both will discuss Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23, the Council’s Gear Standards Policy, and 2019 groundfish priorities. More information will be available soon at Groundfish AP and Groundfish Committee.

ECOSYSTEM-BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT (EBFM): The Council’s EBFM Committee will meet on Thursday, April 4 and again on Monday, April 15. Both meetings will be held at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, RI beginning at 9:30 a.m. The committee will discuss issues related to the development of a draft example Fishery Ecosystem Plan (eFEP) for Georges Bank. More information and related documents will be posted as they become available at EBFM April 4, 2019 and EBFM April 15, 2019.

RECREATIONAL GROUNDFISH: The Council has scheduled a series of listening sessions to solicit comments and gauge public interest on whether it should develop a limited access program for the recreational groundfish party/charter fishery under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The sessions, which include a webinar, will run from April 4 through May 10 from Maine to New Jersey. For more information and complete details about the times and locations of the listening sessions, read the press release, public notice, and download the background document.

MID-ATLANTIC COUNCIL: The Mid-Atlantic Council will be discussing several issues relevant to New England stakeholders during its April 8-11 meeting in Avalon, NJ. The Commercial eVTR Omnibus Framework described above is on the agenda, and the New England Council will be holding one of its Recreational Groundfish Party/Charter Fishery listening sessions in the same location on Monday, April 8. Take a look at the agenda at MAFMC Avalon, NJ.

NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL: The full New England Fishery Management Council will meet April 16-18, 2019 at the Hilton Hotel in Mystic, CT. The agenda and meeting materials will be available soon at NEFMC Mystic, CT.

MONKFISH: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, NOAA Fisheries) announced that it is implementing 2019 monkfish specifications as recommended by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils in Framework Adjustment 10 to the federal Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Monkfish FMP is a joint plan between the two Councils with New England having the administrative lead. The framework contains specifications for fishing years 2017-2019. At the time the framework was implemented, NMFS approved 2017 specifications, along with “projected specifications” for 2018 and 2019. This week, NMFS said it does not expect 2018 catch limits to be exceeded, so 2019 specifications will go into place on May 1 as initially developed by the Councils. These include a total allowable landing limit of 6,338 metric tons (mt) in the Northern Fishery Management Area and 9,011 mt in the southern area. Find out more in the Federal Register notice and permit holder bulletin.

NOAA Fisheries Approves Monkfish Quota for 2019

March 19, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is implementing monkfish quotas for the 2019 fishing year that we announced on July 12, 2017. There have been no overages in 2018, and there is no new biological information, so we are now finalizing the 2019 quotas that were previously announced. The quotas are the same as the 2017 and 2018 quotas and are in place until April 30, 2020.

All other requirements remain the same.

For more details, read the rule as filed in the Federal Register and the permit holder bulletin on our website.

NEW YORK: Bill to regulate monkfish passed

January 11, 2019 — Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso’s bill to protect and regulate monkfish was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo. The new law amends and extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s authority for regulation measures for the management of monkfish, including size limits, catch and possession limits, open and closed seasons, closed areas, restrictions on the manner of taking and landing, and requirements for permits.

The monkfish is also known as “the poor man’s lobster” for its delicious taste, but unseemly appearance.

“By extending the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s ability to control monkfish fishing, we ensure both the protection of our natural environment and the fishing industry” said D’Urso. “It is our duty as citizens to ensure that our natural environment is preserved for future generations.”

Read the full story at The Island Now

DAVE MONTI: Research Set-Aside program good for fish and fishermen

August 27, 2018 — The National Marine Fisheries Service’s Research Set-Aside (RSA) program has raised funds for fishery research while allowing fishermen to catch more fish.

It has successfully worked for the scallop industry in New England and for a charter industry pilot program that I participated in seven years ago.

RSA programs use a set-aside of fishery resources, whether quota or days-at-sea, to generate revenue that is used to conduct needed research. Here in the Northeast, the New England Fishery Management Council has successfully used its RSA program to study Atlantic sea scallops, Atlantic herring and monkfish.

The charter fishing industry RSA program I participated in with seven other vessels purchased summer flounder quota (with a grant) to run a summer flounder pilot project.

Software developed during the pilot allowed charter captains to record catch and effort in real time electronically with computer tablets on their vessels. Today, the software is approved by NOAA for use by charter captains and commercial fishermen in the Greater Atlantic Regional.

Read the full story at The Sun Chronicle

NEFMC Seeks Input on RSA Programs; Take the Online Survey!

August 15, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is asking fishermen and their cooperative research partners who participate in the Atlantic Sea Scallop, Atlantic Herring, and/or Monkfish Research Set Aside (RSA) Programs to take an online survey and provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of these programs and pass along any suggestions for improvement. Other stakeholders who have an interest or role in RSA programs also are encouraged to take the survey.

The survey is part of the Council’s comprehensive review of RSA programs, which is being conducted by a six member review panel that includes two representatives each from: the New England Council; the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, NOAA Fisheries) Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO); and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). A representative from the Mid-Atlantic Council staff also sits on the review panel as an observer.

Take the online survey here

Read the full release here

Monkfish Research Awards to Improve Understanding of Monkfish Biology and More

July 31, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS — NOAA Fisheries and the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils have announced three new cooperative research projects that will improve the understanding of monkfish biology, as well as how to reduce catch of skates in monkfish gillnet gear. 500 days-at-sea have been set aside by the councils to be awarded to projects that address monkfish research priorities.

Coonamessett Farm Foundation was awarded 296 monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) days-at-sea to conduct a 2 years study on determining sex and maturity stage in Southern New England monkfish. Coonamessett Farm Foundation will use ultrasound methods to determine sex and maturity stage. In addition, they will also be conducting hormone analyses to “create a reproductive profile based on sex and maturity stage of monkfish.”

Meanwhile, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County was awarded 303 monkfish RSA days-at-sea to conduct a 2-year experiment evaluating a modified gillnet designed to reduce skate bycatch. The University of New England was awarded 401 monkfish RSA days-at-sea to conduct a 2-year study on monkfish vertebrae and illicia.

This story originally was originally published in Seafood News, it is republished here with permission.

Vineyard Wind Appoints Crista Bank as Fisheries Liaison

July 30, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by Vineyard Wind:

Vineyard Wind today announced the appointment of Crista Bank as Fisheries Liaison. In this role, Bank will lead the project’s regional engagement with fishing industry representatives on Cape and Islands, the South Coast, Rhode Island, and along the East Coast.

A fisheries scientist, Bank brings extensive local, regional, national and international experience and deep knowledge of marine science and fisheries issues to her role at Vineyard Wind.

“We’re pleased to have Crista lead our efforts to address the important questions the fishing industry have raised about the impacts of offshore wind development on the marine environment and on sea life,” said Erich Stephens, Chief Development Officer with Vineyard Wind. “Crista will play a key role in ensuring that the first large-scale offshore wind project in the US helps establish a robust body of knowledge that will benefit the American offshore wind industry and the fishing community for decades to come.”

Most recently, Crista served as a fisheries biologist at the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at UMass Dartmouth, working on collaborative research projects with commercial fishermen studying cod, monkfish, and halibut. Previously, she served on the Schooner Ernestina, the only surviving 19th century Gloucester-built fishing schooner and one of two remaining examples of the Fredonia-style schooners, where she earned her 100-ton United States Coast Guard Captain’s license. Bank also worked on board traditional sailing vessels across the world, including journeys to the Indian and Atlantic oceans. She started her career teaching marine science at outdoor experiential education programs in New England, Southern California, and the Florida Keys. Crista earned a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth and a Master’s degree in Fisheries Oceanography from SMAST.

In May, Vineyard Wind was selected to negotiate long-term contracts with Massachusetts’ electric distribution companies (EDCs) for construction of an 800-megawatt (MW) wind farm 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard; the project will provide the amount of clean energy used by over 400,000 homes across Massachusetts Vineyard Wind remains on schedule to begin site construction in 2019 and become operational by 2021.

About Vineyard Wind

Vineyard Wind LLC is an offshore wind development company seeking to build the first large-scale offshore wind energy project in the US, to be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Wind, based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is 50 percent owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and 50 percent by Avangrid Renewables. For more information, visit www.vineyardwind.com.

MASSACHUSETTS: Falmouth Research Group Receives Monkfish Grant

July 26, 2018 — A Falmouth-based nonprofit has received a grant through NOAA Fisheries and the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program.

The Coonamessett Farm Foundation received a two-year cooperative research project grant to improve the understanding of monkfish biology.

The study will explore non-lethal techniques for determining the sex of the fish and evaluate the maturity stage of Southern New England Monkfish.

Read the full story at CapeCod.com

New Hampshire fishermen face declining prices

July 2, 2018 — Local commercial fishermen say the price per pound they earn for their catch has dropped in recent years as their industry continues to struggle financially.

Fishermen say they have been selling their fish at prices several cents per pound less than in years past, citing strict catch quotas, a decline in businesses that buy their fish and a rise in imported fish as causes for the drop in their earnings.

Hampton fisherman David Geothel said prices for small American plaice, a species of flounder on which he relies in the face of strict cod catch limits, have dropped from $1.40 to $1.50 per pound in previous years to between 40 and 70 cents per pound now. Grey sole, or witch flounder, another species he targets frequently, has gone from $1.50 to $1.80 per pound down to 80 cents to $1.10 per pound.

Jamie Hayward, a gillnetter out of Portsmouth, said he has seen monkfish prices drop by 60 percent from what they were in years past. He and Goethel both said the drop in prices is another blow to fishermen struggling with strict regulations they say are upending their industry. There were once dozens of fishermen in New Hampshire, but now Goethel said less than 10 are actively groundfishing.

“It has potential to be the end, to be honest with you,” Hayward said of the prices and what they could mean for commercial fishing.

Read the full story at the Hampton Union

Scallop RSA Program: NEFMC and NOAA Announce 15 Awards Selected for 2018-2019 funding

May 16, 2018 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) are pleased to announce that 15 projects have been selected for 2018-2019 funding through the Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program.

“The Scallop RSA Program truly has become one of the flagships of the scallop fishery,” said New England Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn. “The collaborative efforts that take place at sea between fishermen and researchers go a long way toward enhancing our understanding of what’s happening with the resource. The results of this RSA work funnel back to the Council and support stock assessments. Without a doubt, the RSA program helps us better manage our – Virginia Institute of Marine Science photo extremely valuable scallop fishery.”

Projects will address research priorities established by the Council, with a particular focus on resource surveys. The awards are expected to generate more than $12 million: $3 million to fund research; and $9 million to compensate industry partners who harvest set-aside quota

“We are excited to be able to work with the New England Fishery Management Council, industry, and scientists to fund sea scallop science through the Research Set-Aside Program,” said NEFSC Science and Research Director Dr. Jon Hare. “The projects funded support surveys, bycatch mitigation, and biological studies, all with the purpose of improving the information used in the management of the sea scallop resource.”

The New England Council established the Sea Scallop RSA Program to address research questions that support management of the scallop resource. The Council sets the research priorities and researchers compete for funding through a federal grant competition managed by NOAA Fisheries.

No federal funds are provided to support the research. Instead, projects are awarded pounds of scallops, which have been “set aside” from the annual fishery quota for this purpose. Successful applicants partner with the fishing industry to harvest their set-aside award to generate funds for the research. There are active research set-aside programs for Atlantic sea scallops, Atlantic herring, and monkfish.

2018-2019 Scallop RSA Award Summary

The awards fall into three categories: scallop surveys (dredge, drop camera, and HabCam); bycatch mitigation; and sea scallop biology.

Scallop Surveys

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) received new awards to conduct dredge surveys in Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and the Nantucket Lightship. Under an existing award from last year, VIMS also will conduct a dredge survey of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. As part of ongoing efforts to better understand scallop survey dredge performance, VIMS investigators received an award to evaluate the hydrodynamic characteristics of both lined and unlined survey dredges in the largest flume tank in the world, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland at Memorial University’s Marine Institute.

The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) received three awards to conduct surveys using a drop-camera array. Through these awards, researchers plan to conduct high-resolution surveys of the Nantucket Lightship, Closed Area I, Great South Channel, and select portions of the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will conduct Habitat Camera Mapping System (HabCam) optical surveys throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight and on the northern flank of Georges Bank. In addition to these surveys, researchers will continue to evaluate dredge effects on habitat and habitat recovery in the Closed Area II Habitat Area of Particular Concern. Coonamessett Farm Foundation will conduct a HabCam survey of the Nantucket Lightship and Southern Flank of Georges Bank.

Bycatch Mitigation

Coonamessett Farm Foundation will continue its seasonal survey on Georges Bank, collecting information on bycatch rates for yellowtail flounder and other species relative to scallop meat yield. These data also will be used to evaluate sea scallop health and meat quality, biological questions about several flounder species, and to examine lobsters for shell disease.

Coonamessett Farm Foundation will continue its loggerhead sea turtle tagging program, receiving funds to tag up to 20 loggerheads with water activated tags. Tag data will be used to evaluate spatial and temporal overlap between loggerhead sea turtles and the scallop fishery.

Coonamessett Farm Foundation also will be testing a dredge twine-top cover net in an attempt to quantify dredge selectivity characteristics.

Sea Scallop Biology

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science will investigate sea scallop density-dependence factors that may be affecting growth, mortality, and reproduction of scallops in the Nantucket Lightship and Elephant Trunk areas. In addition, VIMS will conduct a pilot study to extend the current stock assessment model to better account for sea scallop ages with a particular focus on the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Nantucket Lightship areas.

WHOI will receive support to determine if a gonadosomatic index (GSI) can be calculated from Light Field 3D images of shucked scallops collected during fishing operations. The GSI is used to assess maturity and spawning events in many species of fish and shellfish, including scallops. If successful, this could improve the ability to collect and quantify scallop maturation and spawning data during the course of routine fishery sampling procedures.

The 2018-2019 award listings can be found on the Northeast Fisheries Science Center website at: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/coopresearch/news/scallop-rsa-2018-2019/.

RSA award announcements and answers to “frequently asked questions” also are available at https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/coopresearch/rsa_program.html.

Visit the New England Council’s scallop webpage: https://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/scallops.

View the release in its entirety here.