Saving Seafood

Reminder: Update your Fish Online Account by June 1

May 6, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As part of our conversion to online permitting and eVTR, we are changing the way that vessel owners and operators login to Fish Online starting June 1.

To access Fish Online, instead of entering your permit number and PIN combination, you must now login using your personal Fish Online user account. We made this change to increase your account security and to enable vessel owners to give access, or “entitlements,” to their vessel records to other trusted people while managing multiple vessels in one account. We began implementing this process in 2020 and continue to reach out to vessel owners and operators to provide information and offer technical assistance.

Vessel Owners

Earlier this year, in anticipation of our annual vessel permit renewal season, we mailed instructions to vessel owners on how to update their accounts. Owners must use their user accounts to:

  • Use services such as permit renewals and electronic reporting.
  • Review landings data submitted by operators and dealers.
  • Provide account access to other trusted people.
  • Manage multiple vessels in one account.

If you are a vessel owner and have not yet created your login credentials, we strongly encourage you to do so by going to the How to Create an Account in Fish Online instructions located on our Vessel Trip Reporting web page. These step-by-step directions demonstrate how to create a validated Fish Online account by using either a Credential Security Code (CSC) or by calling our Help Desk.

Vessel Operators

Vessel operators also need a Fish Online account to use any of  GARFO’s eVTR applications and to view their previously submitted eVTRs. Starting last month, we began sending notices to vessel operators and will continue this process throughout the summer. Once vessel operators receive a letter in the mail, if they have not already, they should create their user accounts as soon as possible by going to the How to Create an Account in Fish Online instructions located on our Vessel Trip Reporting web page. These step-by-step directions demonstrate how to create a validated Fish Online account by using either the Credential Security Code (CSC) in the letter we mailed to you or by calling our Help Desk.

Questions?

For assistance with obtaining your CSC code, entitling vessels, or creating your Fish Online user account:

  • Call our Vessel Reporting Help Desk at 978 -281-9188 from the phone number listed on your vessel permit. This is needed to verify your identity.
  • Contact your local Port Agent.

New Web Tool Aims to Reduce Whale Entanglements on the U.S. West Coast

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA scientists have combined the latest data on ocean conditions and marine life off the West Coast on a new data tool. It gives fishermen and fishery managers up-to-date ecosystem information that may help reduce the risk of whale entanglements. They hope it will also help the public understand how environmental factors influence the marine food web in a time of climate change.

“Resource managers and stakeholders can refer to the page for the latest information like prey abundance or sea surface temperatures before considering a season delay or other management options,” said Jarrod Santora, a research biologist at the NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center who helped develop the new system.

Increase in Whale Entanglements

Between 2014 and 2019, NOAA Fisheries confirmed 163 large whale entanglements off Washington, Oregon, and California. By comparison, 64 whale entanglements were confirmed in the same region from 2008 to 2013. Humpback whales are the most common species entangled, but NOAA also confirmed gray, blue, fin, and minke whales entanglements. NOAA is responsible for recovering and protecting these whales under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Read the full release here

Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which pays tribute to generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched our nation’s history and are instrumental to its future. Join us in celebrating this month by meeting some of our colleagues from coast to coast who help NOAA Fisheries ensure sustainable fisheries, conserve and recover protected species, conduct scientific research, and conserve important habitats.

Jui-Han Chang, Research Biologist

Growing up in Taiwan, Jui-Han was surrounded by spectacular oceans and rugged mountains. Her  father is an amateur ecologist and her mother is an environmental advocate, so it seemed she was destined for a career in science. But it took her a while to find her path.

Now she works at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center on multiple scallop-related projects, including data collection, stock assessment, climate change, and artificial intelligence. All of these things influence sea scallop management. She loves her work at the center because she’s very passionate about fisheries science. Most importantly, it really excites her that the work she does has a real impact on marine resource management and sustainable fisheries.

Learn more about Jui-Han and her work

Kristen Koyama, National Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator

Kristen Koyama grew up on the west side of Los Angeles, California near the ocean. The ocean was always a presence in her life and she visited the beach on weekends. However, she still struggled to connect to the natural world even though she was fascinated by it. Living in an urban area made her seek out nature more, and her interest in marine science and the ocean continued throughout her education and career.

Kristen’s interest in nature led her to a multifaceted career in ecology, public policy, and international conservation issues. Today, she plays an important role at NOAA Fisheries as the national recovery coordinator for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Learn more about Kristen Koyama and her work

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective 0001 hr May 6

NOAA Fisheries is closing the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area to all federally permitted limited access general category scallop vessels effective 0001 hr, on May 6, 2021.

As of May 6, 2021, no scallop vessel fishing under federal scallop regulations may fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area. The scallop regulations require that we close this area once we project that 100 percent of the 2021 default total allowable catch for this area will be taken. The closure will be in effect until the end of the fishing year, March 31, 2022.

Framework Adjustment 33 to the Scallop FMP is currently under review and will implement a 2021 NGOM LAGC TAC of 119,222 lb when finalized. Because the Framework Adjustment 32 default TAC will be harvested by May, 6, a closure is required before Framework Adjustment 33 is finalized. After Framework Adjustment 33 is in place, the difference between the 2021 NGOM LAGC final catch and the Framework Adjustment 33 TAC will be deducted pound-for-pound from a future fishing year.

If you have declared a trip into the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area using the correct Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) code and have crossed the VMS demarcation line before 0001 hr, May 6, 2021, you may complete the trip and retain and land scallops caught from the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area.

Exemption for Maine and Massachusetts Vessels Fishing Exclusively in State Waters

If you have a valid Maine or Massachusetts state scallop permit, you may continue to fish in Maine or Massachusetts state waters within the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area under the State Waters Exemption program. If you are fishing under an Individual Fishing Quota scallop permit (Limited Access General Category A), any pounds landed under a state waters only trip will still be deducted from the vessel’s allocation.

Exemption for Limited Access Vessels Fishing Compensation Trips Under the Scallop Research Set-Aside Program

This closure does not affect the Limited Access fleet that was allocated a separate Total Allowable Catch of 97,500 lb for the 2021 fishing year under Framework 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The Limited Access Total Allowable Catch will be harvested by vessels that are participating in the 2021 scallop Research Set-Aside Program.

Read the full release here

More than 60 seafood organizations ask Congress to resurrect National Seafood Council

May 5, 2021 — More than 60 leading seafood organizations have signed a letter to congress to support appropriations to resurrect the National Seafood Council in the United States.

The letter has been delivered to members of Congress, with a request that appropriations  be made to support a national seafood marketing campaign, as recommended by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MAFAC). The initial request is for USD 25 million (EUR 20.8 million) to fund the marketing efforts, according to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP).

Read the full story at Seafood Source

60+ Leading Seafood Orgs Support National Seafood Campaign

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

More than 60 leading organizations in the nation’s diverse seafood community sent a letter to Congress today to support a comprehensive, nationwide seafood marketing and public education campaign as recommended by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MAFAC) in July 2020.

Seafood is the healthiest, most environmentally sustainable form of animal protein production on the planet, but Americans are not eating nearly enough for optimal health as outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. An unprecedented public education campaign, with initial support from the federal government, is needed to inspire a shift in consumer behavior and to measurably increase American seafood consumption from the current 16 lbs. to 26 lbs. per capita, which is the recommended two servings per week. To support this campaign, the letter to Congress requests an initial appropriation for $25 million.

The full press release is available online, along with the letters sent to the House and Senate.

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2021 Recreational Rules for Summer Flounder

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are finalizing “conservation equivalency” for the recreational summer flounder fishery as recommended by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Under conservation equivalency the combination of state or regional measures must be “equivalent,” in terms of conservation (i.e., not expected to exceed the recreational harvest limit), to a set of “non-preferred coastwide measures,” which are recommended by the Council and the Commission each year.

For the 2021 fishing year we have waived the federal recreational bag limit, minimum fish size, and fishing season for summer flounder, and fishermen are subject to regulations in the state where they land. Please contact your state for information on summer flounder recreational rules.

Read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today.

Read the full release here

Fatima Sauafea-Le’au, Fisheries Biologist

May 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What is your key responsibility?

I am a fisheries biologist based in Pago Pago, American Samoa. One of my primary roles is to serve as a fisheries liaison for coral reef management. I provide support and assistance to the American Samoa resource management partners and local communities on coral reef management projects. I conduct reviews and provide conservation recommendations for Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations on development projects in American Samoa to minimize, avoid, and/or mitigate any adverse effects to EFH.

What is Essential Fish Habitat?

Where did you grow up?

I am a Samoan, born and raised in American Samoa. I grew up in a small village called Aua on Tutuila Island in a family that values culture, church, and family.

What is your educational background?

I earned a B.S. degree in biology from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and an M.S. degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.

Are you a member of any organizations within your community?

I am an active member of a few organizations within my Catholic church, Maria Fatima Parish, in Aua, Tutuila. These organizations include the St. Gregory Choir, Women’s Organization, Youth Group, and Sunday School Teachers Organization. I am a volunteer science mentor for the Marist St. Francis Elementary School, assisting regularly with student science fair projects. I am also the Treasurer for the Marist St. Francis Elementary School Parents and Teachers Association.

What book influenced you to be the person that you are today?

Thrive by Arianna Huffington. People often think that you are a successful person when you have a bigger salary and office space. However, this book shows how success is not only defined by money and power but the importance of being mindful, having self-awareness, taking care of yourself, and being generous to others. The book defines these thriving elements in the areas of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving. I am using these elements to help me in my journey to success.

What advice would you have for today’s youth interested in a federal government career?

Believe in yourself and never let fear limit you from applying for a career opportunity in the federal government. Do your research on federal career opportunities and work towards obtaining the required skills and experiences for the opportunity relevant to your interest. Obtain a college degree and seek internship opportunities within the federal offices that you are interested in.

Peter Kuriyama, Research Mathematical Statistician

May 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Meet Peter Kuriyama, a research mathematical statistician with the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

What is your key responsibility?  

I do stock assessments for coastal pelagic species. The results of these assessments inform fisheries management on the west coast of the United States.

Where did you grow up?

Solana Beach, California.

What is your educational background?  

I did my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara and Ph.D. at University of Washington. My dissertation mainly looked at the impact of catch share implementation on the U.S. West Coast groundfish fishery.

What are your hobbies?    

I like surfing, cooking, reading, and basketball.

Is there a book, quote, or person that influenced you to be the person that you are today?  

My parents and grandparents are strong influences. A couple recent books, The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama and Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, have been impactful. The Color of Air tells a story of a Japanese immigrant family working on sugarcane plantations in Hawai’i. Japanese immigrants came to Hawai’i thinking that they would work on plantations for a couple of years, but plantation owners prevented them from returning home and forced them to continue working. My ancestors worked on these plantations in Hawai’i and likely had similar experiences. Interior Chinatown excavates Asian-American stereotypes in pop culture. I regularly listen to the podcast Time to Say Goodbye, which discusses Asian America among many other topics.

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Month mean to you? What does being a career civil servant mean to you?

To be honest, I didn’t even know that May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Unfortunately, I think this year it will be featured more prominently than in previous years. I think months of awareness are good, and hopefully they motivate people to keep learning and acting year-round.

While there are often challenges to the work, I feel fortunate to be able to do science that helps to sustainably manage fisheries.

Slow Zone East of Cape Cod to Protect Right Whales

May 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces a new voluntary right whale Slow Zone.  On May 3, 2021, the Center for Coastal Studies observed right whales east of Cape Cod, MA.  This Slow Zone is in effect through May 18, 2021.

Mariners are requested to route around this or transit through it at 10 knots or less.

Slow Zone Coordinates:

East of Cape Cod, MA, May 3, 2021- May 18, 2021

42 16 N
41 35 N
069 30 W
070 22 W

See the coordinates for all the slow zones currently in effect.

Active Seasonal Management Areas 

Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:

Cape Cod Bay, January 1 – May 15

Great South Channel, April 1 – July 31

Find out more and get the coordinates for each mandatory slow speed zone.

Give Right Whales Room

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. NOAA is cautioning boaters and fishermen to give these endangered whales plenty of room. We are also asking all fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales and remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements. Commercial fishermen should use vertical lines with required markings, weak links, and breaking strengths.

Right Whales in Trouble

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are only about 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

North Atlantic right whales are NOAA Fisheries’ newest Species in the Spotlight. This initiative is a concerted, agency-wide effort to spotlight and save marine species that are among the most at risk of extinction in the near future. 

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.

Read the full release here