Saving Seafood

Trump pushing growth of US seafood markets

May 18, 2020 — As we sit to answer the clamor for yet another FishOn magnus opus, we see that the sun is shining, the winds have calmed and the boys, Foster and Willie, are saddled up and waiting imperiously at the door, threatening an indoor magnus opus of their own.

So, time’s a wastin’. Let’s not tempt the fates. To the items!

OK, but where does bleach fit in?

You may have heard that President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order promoting the competitiveness and economic growth of the U.S. seafood industry and you’re probably wondering what it all means.

We don’t have the foggiest notion. So we went directly to the primary source — NOAA Fisheries Assistant Director Chris Oliver —for an explanation.

Oliver, in a statement announcing the order, said it specifically calls for the expansion of sustainable U.S. seafood production through more efficient and predictable aquaculture permitting, cutting-edge research and development, regulatory reform to maximize commercial fishing and enforcement of “common-sense restrictions” on seafood imports that do not meet U.S. standards.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Great South Channel Habitat Management Area

May 18, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces three exemption areas within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area where dredge fishing for surfclams or mussels will be allowed.

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) created the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area (HMA) as part of its Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2, which prohibited the use of all mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in the area. The HMA contains complex benthic habitat that is important for juvenile cod and other groundfish species, but also susceptible to the impacts of fishing.

This action allows the surfclam fishery to operate hydraulic dredge gear year-round in two small areas (McBlair and Fishing Rip) and seasonally in a third area (Old South) within the HMA. Mussel dredge fishing is also allowed in these exemption areas. These exemption areas were chosen to allow relatively limited access to some historical surfclam fishing grounds, while protecting the majority of the HMA. The three exemption areas total only 6.9 percent of the total area of the HMA, and do not include areas most clearly identified as containing complex and vulnerable habitats.

You can read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register.

Update on NOAA Fisheries Observer Coverage

May 15, 2020 — NOAA Fisheries has released the following updates on fisheries observer coverage requirements. The requirements are broken down by region below:

Alaska Region – The region is extending the observer waiver for vessels in the Partial Coverage Category of the North Pacific groundfish and Pacific Halibut fisheries operating from ports other than Kodiak, Alaska. This exemption does not exempt vessels using electronic monitoring, or the requirement that vessels continue to log trips in Observer Declare and Deploy System (ODDS).  This limited waiver extension is in effect from May 3, 2020 through May 31, 2020. Waivers of observer coverage will continue as needed on a vessel by vessel basis for all other required fisheries.

West Coast Region – Beginning at 12:00 am on May 1, 2020, fishery observer and catch monitor coverage is again required per existing regulations for all commercial fishing vessels and first receivers in required West Coast fisheries. Waivers of observer coverage will continue as needed on a vessel by vessel basis.

Pacific Island Region – Observer coverage continues in all required fisheries. Waivers of observer coverage will continue as needed on a vessel by vessel. International observer requirements for tuna purse seine vessels have been waived by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission until May 31, 2020.

Southeast Region – Beginning at 12:00 a.m. on May 5, 2020, observer coverage will again be required per existing regulations for the following fisheries: South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp, South Atlantic Rock Shrimp, South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, Southeast Gillnet, Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish, Gulf of Mexico Shrimp, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline, Shark Bottom Longline (Atlantic HMS), Shark Gillnet (Atlantic HMS). Waivers of observer coverage will continue as needed on a vessel by vessel basis.

Greater Atlantic Region – The region is extending the existing observer waiver exemption for all vessels issued Greater Atlantic Region permits from the requirements to carry an observer or at-sea monitor. This waiver is in effect from May 3, 2020, through May 30, 2020.

Northeast Observer Waiver Extended Through May 30

May 15, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry human observers or at-sea monitors for an additional two weeks, through May 30, 2020. This action is authorized by 50 CFR 648.11, which provides the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator authority to waive observer requirements, and is also consistent with the criteria described in the agency’s emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor and evaluate this situation.  As we have done in other parts of the country, we will use this time to work with the observer service providers to implement adjustments to the logistics of deploying observers, ensuring qualified observers or at-sea monitors are available as soon as safely possible.

Observers and at-sea monitors are an essential component of commercial fishing operations and provide critical information that is necessary to keep fisheries open and to provide sustainable seafood to our nation during this time. We will continue to monitor all local public health notifications, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updates. We are committed to protecting the public health and ensuring the safety of fishermen, observers, and others, while fulfilling our mission to maintain our nation’s seafood supply and conserving marine life.

Scallop RSA Share Day: Tune in on May 19th to Learn More about Industry-Funded Research

May 15, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will be hosting a Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program Share Day on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 via webinar beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event will feature updates and preliminary findings from projects recently funded through the RSA program. The presentations will benefit the Scallop Plan Development Team and Scallop Advisory Panel in making recommendations to the Scallop Committee and full Council for future research priority setting for this program. In addition, all scallopers and other stakeholders may be interested in hearing about how RSA projects enhance management of the fishery and address critical resource, gear, bycatch, and survey issues.

The Council annually “sets aside” 1.25 million pounds of scallop meats that can be used to support research in the fishery. The Council then determines research priorities. NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program.

Read the full release here

Luria demands $10 million in funding to support Virginia fisheries

May 14, 2020 — On Wednesday, Congresswoman Elaine Luria released a letter written to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross outlining the need for nearly $10 million in relief for Virginia’s fisheries and complete transparency with NOAA’s recent funding distribution.

The CARES Act, Section 12005 directs the Department of Commerce to distribute $300 million to the seafood and fishery industry businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

NOAA released its plan last week for distributing these funds throughout each state, of which $4,520,475 is slated to go to Virginia fisheries, which is about 1.5% of the total allocation.

“It is unacceptable that NOAA’s allocation decision does not reflect the dramatic losses Virginia watermen have faced as a result of this pandemic and does not accurately calculate the contribution of Virginia’s fisheries industries to the national seafood industry,” said Luria. “I urge NOAA to immediately revise its allocation formula to provide Virginia at least $10 million in CARES Act fisheries funding.”

Read the full story at WAVY

Training Builds on Growing Popularity of Kelp Farming

May 14, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

For 28 years Riley Starks has fished near Lummi Island, Washington, netting Chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon. He also owns a bed and breakfast on the island that specializes in providing guests with unique skill-building experiences. They can smoke salmon and make jam and ikura, which is seasoned and cured salmon roe. He has observed many of the Puget Sound area’s 17 species of kelp—or brown macroalgae—while tending his nets.

He jumped at the chance to further build his own skills as part of intensive training in seaweed farming sponsored by Washington Sea Grant. In early February, he joined about 30 seaweed enthusiasts, including representatives of four tribes, seven military veterans, several commercial fishermen, and shellfish farmers. They took a three-day deep dive into the seaweed industry.

“The training was comprehensive and excellent,” Starks said. “I particularly appreciated the emphasis on the importance of working with the tribes early in the process—they have unique and important rights that must be respected.”

Seaweed farming has taken off in recent years in Maine and Alaska, which have dozens of farms and more in the works. Despite the increase in domestic production, the United States remains the fifth largest importer of seaweed for human consumption. Seaweed is added to many products, such as salsas, sauces, salads, seasonings, and pastas, used in restaurants and at home. That market demand, plus the health and environmental benefits of seaweed farming, have generated interest in Washington state. Uncertainty exists about the permitting process and access to local processing facilities, given the newness of kelp farming in local waters.

Read the full release here

CARES Act provides more than $5M for North Carolina commercial fishing industry

May 14, 2020 — Commercial fishermen in North Carolina will receive more than $5 million in federal financial assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an announcement last week, saying the U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced the allocation of $300 million in fisheries assistance funding provided by Sec. 12005 of the CARES Act to states, tribes and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Under the act, North Carolina’s commercial fishermen will receive $5,460,385.

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the relief package will support America’s fishermen and the seafood sector’s recovery.

“Thank you President (Donald) Trump, (U.S. Treasury) Secretary (Steven) Mnuchin and our congressional leaders of both parties for your work to pass the historic legislation that is bringing much needed relief to America’s fishermen,” Mr. Ross said. “This administration stands with the men and women working to provide healthy and safe seafood during this uniquely challenging time, while our U.S. fisheries work to continue to support 1.7 million jobs and to generate $200 billion in annual sales. The nation is grateful to our fishermen for their commitment.”

Read the full story at Carolina Coast Online

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final 2020 and Projected 2021 Scup and Black Sea Bass Specifications

May 14, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are implementing the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s recommended 2020 specifications for the scup and black sea bass fisheries. The revised specifications are based on recently completed operational stock assessments. The projected 2021 specifications are also included in this rule.

For more information, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register, and our permit holder bulletin.

Read the full release here

Feds eye cutting bluefish catch to avoid overfishing

May 13, 2020 — Federal regulators are considering the East Coast’s harvest of bluefish to prevent overfishing.

Bluefish are popular gamefish that are also harvested commercially for food. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the catch of the oily fish would be reduced by 25%, to about 2.8 million pounds, under the current plan.

The recreational harvest would be cut by nearly 40% to a little less than 9.5 million pounds. The federal bluefish recreational daily bag limit would also be reduced.

Private recreational vessels will face a daily bag limit of three fish per person, and for-hire vessels, such as charter boats, will see a daily bag limit of five fish per person.

Fishermen seek bluefish from Maine to Florida, with North Carolina accounting for the largest share of the harvest in 2018. Commercial fishermen have typically caught between 3 million and 7 million pounds of the fish per year over the last decade.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times