Saving Seafood

NORTH CAROLINA: NMFS accepts comments on proposed gear restricting zones

November 27, 2020 — Carteret County residents and others have an opportunity to provide input to federal fisheries managers on potential restrictions to fishing gear.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service is accepting public comment on Regulatory Amendment 34 to the fishery management plan for the snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region.  Comments on the proposed rule are due by Wednesday, Dec. 16. The proposed rule would create 30 special management zones around artificial reefs off North Carolina, including six off the coast of Carteret County, and four off of South Carolina. The the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources have requested these SMZs.

The proposed SMZs range in size from 0.041 to 1.01 square miles. There would be additional gear and harvest restrictions within the proposed zones.

The stated purpose of the framework amendment is to restrict use of fishing gear that could result in high exploitation rates to reduce adverse effects to federally managed snapper-grouper species at these sites. Harvest of snapper-grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel and spear in the SMZs. Therefore, the action would prohibit the use of bandit reel, powerhead, pot and longline gear at the sites.

Read the full story at the Carteret County News-Times

Additional Public Listening Session on December 3 for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

November 25, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

December 3, 2020 from 12 pm to 2 pm ET

Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA), which are called for in the May 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, are defined as geographic areas that have been evaluated for their potential for sustainable commercial aquaculture. Selected areas are expected to support multiple aquaculture farm sites of varying types including finfish, shellfish, seaweed, or some combination of these farm types.

We have added a fifth AOA listening session to grant stakeholders another opportunity to provide comment. To ensure that all stakeholders, including the recreational and commercial fishing industries, from whom we would like to hear more, have the opportunity to provide comments the additional public listening session will be held December 3, 2020 from 12:00-2:00 ET.

Through the current request for information, which is open until December 22, the public and our stakeholders are encouraged to provide comments for AOA creation in federal waters off of southern California and the Gulf of Mexico as well as the location of future AOAs. The synthesis of public input and NOAA’s powerful data-driven siting analysis are essential elements to highlight space that is environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Read the full release here

Reminder of Seasonal Fishing Restrictions in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters

November 25, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

1)  Seasonal Red Hind Closure

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishers and the public of the annual seasonal closure on fishing for, or possession of, red hind grouper in Puerto Rico federal waters west of 67° 10’ W longitude (see map).

  • The closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on December 1, 2020, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, February 28, 2021.

2)  Seasonal Fishing Prohibitions in Red Hind Spawning Areas

From December 1 through February 28 each year, fishing for any species is prohibited in federal waters of the following red hind spawning aggregation areas:

  • The Tourmaline Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico (see map, inset A), bounded by the following coordinates (regulations only apply to the portion of Tourmaline Bank in federal waters):
    • A      18°11.2’ N      67°22.4’ W
    • B      18°11.2’ N      67°19.2’ W
    • C      18°08.2’ N      67°19.2’ W
    • D      18°08.2’ N      67°22.4’ W
  • The Abrir La Sierra Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico, which lies completely within federal waters (see map, inset A), and is bounded by the following coordinates:
    • A      18°06.5’ N      67°26.9’ W
    • B      18°06.5’ N      67°23.9’ W
    • C      18°03.5’ N      67°23.9’ W
    • D      18°03.5’ N      67°26.9’ W
  • The Lang Bank red hind spawning aggregation area, east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (see map, inset B), bounded by the following coordinates:
    • A      17°50.2’ N      64°27.9’ W
    • B      17°50.1’ N      64°26.1’ W
    • C      17°49.2’ N      64°25.8’ W
    • D      17°48.6’ N      64°25.8’ W
    • E      17°48.1’ N      64°26.1’ W
    • F      17°47.5’ N      64°26.9’ W

3)  Annual Fishing and Anchoring Prohibitions within Hind Bank

NOAA Fisheries also reminds that fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels within the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, south of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is prohibited year round (see map, inset C).  The Hind Bank Marine Conservation District is bounded by the following coordinates:

  • A      18°13.2’ N      65°06.0’ W
  • B      18°13.2’ N      64°59.0’ W
  • C      18°11.8’ N      64°59.0’ W
  • D      18°10.7’ N      65°06.0’ W

4)  Seasonal Bajo de Sico Area Closure

The seasonal closure in Federal waters of the Bajo de Sico area off western Puerto Rico, which began October 1, 2020, continues until March 31, 2021.  During the closure, fishing for and possession of reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council is prohibited.  Anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited year-round.  See Fishery Bulletin FB20-060 for more information.

WHY THESE CLOSURES ARE HAPPENING:

These restrictions were developed to provide further protection for red hind spawning aggregations and large snappers and groupers, and to better protect the essential fish habitat where these species reside.

Read the full release here

CALIFORNIA: Fishermen in Monterey Bay hit with new wave of Dungeness crab season delays

November 25, 2020 — You couldn’t blame crab fishermen Tim and Dan Obert for feeling like they’re passing through the perfect storm.

First there was the pandemic, which shut down restaurants and, in turn, much of the demand for Dungeness crab. Then a new regulation took effect on Nov. 1 that heavily restricts the Dungeness fishery’s operations when whales and sea turtles are around. Then the state delayed the opening of the Dungeness crab season until after Thanksgiving.

“If you take all three of those things, you will destroy this fishery,” said Tim Obert, 35, of Scotts Valley. “There will be no crabbers left.”

Dungeness crab in Northern California is an integral and celebrated part of the culture of coastal communities stretching from Monterey to Crescent City. Wharf restaurants sling crab legs to thousands of tourists in the spring and summer, while bustling seafood markets feed countless locals during the holiday season.

Read the full story at The Mercury News

New South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements Begin January 2021

November 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Educational materials are on their way to all permit holders and are available online

NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils are implementing the new Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program in January 2021.  The intent of the program is to provide more timely catch information by federally-permitted charter vessels, to enhance data collection for better fisheries management and science, and to provide accurate and reliable fisheries information about catch, effort, and discards to be used in future stock assessments and management evaluations.

South Atlantic – Start Date for reporting is January 4, 2021

Federal Charter/Headboat Permit Holders for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, or Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo are required to begin submitting weekly reports on January 4, 2021.

Gulf of Mexico – Start Date for reporting is January 5, 2021

Federal Charter/Headboat Permit Holders for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Reef Fish or Gulf Coastal Migratory Pelagics are required to begin reporting on January 5, 2021.  The owner or operator of a vessel with a federal Gulf Charter/Headboat Permit will be required to submit an electronic fishing report for each trip prior to offloading fish, or within 30 minutes after the end of the trip, if no fish are landed.  Also, the owner or operator of a vessel with the permit must electronically declare (hail-out) a trip before departing for a trip.  Additionally, at a later date that NOAA Fisheries has not yet determined, vessel owners or operators must install NOAA Fisheries approved hardware/software with location tracking capabilities that, at a minimum, archives vessel position data and transmits data to NOAA Fisheries.

Helpful Tools and Materials

To help you prepare for the upcoming reporting requirements, NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils have developed the following outreach tools:

  • Information tool-kit: Informational packet describing the requirements with a step-by-step guide on how to sign-up for an account, download reporting applications, and begin reporting. The tool-kit will be mailed to all charter/headboat permit holders in the beginning of December 2020.
  • Instructional videos: Short videos describing the requirements and how to report.
  • Webinars: Hands-on training to answer your questions and walk you through the reporting process. The webinars will be recorded and made available to the public.
    • Gulf of Mexico federal for-hire permit holder webinars:
      • December 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, EST
      • December 15, 2020 at 6:00–8:00 PM, EST
    • South Atlantic and Atlantic federal for-hire permit holder webinars:
      • December 16, 2020 at 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, EST
      • December 16, 2020 at 6:00–8:00 PM, EST
    • Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Website: This website will contain all the informational materials and host the most up-to-date information on vendors, landings locations, reimbursements, and more.

To access the tool-kits and instructional videos go to: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing-data/southeast-hire-electronic-reporting-program.  The website also provides information on the webinars including how to register and attend.

If you have any questions, please call our customer service hotline (available from 8:00-4:30, EST) at 1-833-707-1632 or email us at ser.electronicreporting@noaa.gov.

Please know that NOAA Fisheries is here to help, and we respect your time and business operations.  We look forward to working with you during the implementation phase of this new program.  Our goals are to provide each fisherman with excellent customer service, improve for-hire data collection, and reduce the amount of time you spend reporting so you can focus more time on your customers.

Commercial Closure for Gray Triggerfish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on November 29, 2020

November 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 29, 2020.  During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020 July through December commercial catch limit is 156,162 pounds whole weight. The unused portion of the catch limit from the January through June season is added to the July through December catch season.  The new catch limit is used to project trip limit reductions and closures.  Commercial landings are projected to reach the July through December commercial catch limit.  According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for gray triggerfish does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 29, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The commercial gray triggerfish 2020 fishing season in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a catch limit of 156,162 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1190.

NOAA Fisheries Offers Webinars to Inform IFQ Participants of Changes to New Online System

November 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries is currently updating the Catch Shares Online System. The new system will be hosted in a cloud application that should decrease unexpected down-times.
  • Prior to the new website launch on or around December 21, 2020, NOAA Fisheries IFQ Catch Share Support Team will be hosting several Cisco Webex webinars to familiarize fishery participants with changes in the new Catch Share Online System.
  • The URL to the website will be changing to https://SECatchShares.fisheries.noaa.gov/.

WEBINAR SCEDULE

Cisco Webex software can be opened from your browser. If you are unfamiliar with this software, technical assistance will be provided 30-45 minutes prior to teach webinar start time. Webinars are scheduled during the evening on Tuesdays and afternoon on Fridays. We encourage IFQ participants to attend one of the webinar dates listed below:

This schedule can also be found on the Catch Share Online System homepage under Additional Information listed as Webinar Schedule.

FOR HELP JOINING THE WEBINAR

  • On the Catch Share Online System homepage, navigate to the Additional Information tab.
  • Under Additional Information, click on the link for Directions on Joining Cisco Webex.

** In the event of a government shutdown (furlough) outreach sessions may be cancelled **

Read the full release here

ALASKA: Next year’s SE pink salmon harvest could be closer to average

November 24, 2020 — Next year’s catch of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska could come in a little below average, although that would be an improvement following several years of weak returns.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is forecasting a harvest of 28 million pinks in the region next summer. Andy Piston, the department’s pink and chum salmon project leader for Southeast, said that would still put the catch a little below the recent 10-year average.

“That forecast for 28 million harvest for 2021, that’s actually for an odd year that’s quite a bit below what we’ve seen in most recent years with the exception of 2019,” Piston said. “And in 2019, the parent year for 2021’s return, that was the first year in a long time where we saw a really poor odd-year harvest.”

Pink salmon spawn two years after they’re born. Southeast has been in a cycle of weak returns for even years but better numbers in the odd years. This year’s catch wound up at eight point one million pinks (8.1 million), roughly the same harvest from two years ago. The region hasn’t seen catches that low since 1976.

Fish and Game’s forecast is based in part on trawl surveys that catch young pinks heading to sea each year. Those are conducted in partnership with NOAA Fisheries researchers in the northern panhandle.

Read the full story at KFSK

NOAA Fisheries Announces Atlantic Herring Management Area 1B Sub-ACL Harvested

November 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective 00:01 hours on November 25 through December 31, 2020

Under the New England Fishery Management Council’s Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, no person may fish for, possess, transfer, receive, land, or sell more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 1B for the remainder of the fishing season, as of 00:01 hours on November 25, 2020.  We project that 92 percent of the Area 1B Atlantic herring catch limit will be harvested by November 25, requiring a closure of the directed fishery. At 00:01 hours on November 25, 2020, a 2,000-lb herring possession limit per trip or calendar day will become effective for Management Area 1B and will be in effect through December 31, 2020.

Additionally, federally permitted dealers may not purchase, possess, receive, sell, barter, trade or transfer more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 1B.

This action is in effect through 24:00 hr local time, December 31, 2020, except for vessels carrying more than 2,000 lbs of herring from Area 1B that enter port before 00:01 local time on November 25, 2020.

Read the full release here

World Fisheries Day: A Message from Alexa Cole, Director of NOAA Fisheries Office Of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection

November 23, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

World Fisheries Day explores moves countries are taking together to find solutions to the increasingly inter-connected problems in our fisheries. Because fish and other marine wildlife cross national boundaries, the way countries manage their marine resources affects the status of fish stocks and protected and endangered species.

NOAA Fisheries’ international affairs work builds strategic fishing partnerships with foreign nations to promote sustainable and responsible management of fisheries and other relevant marine resources. Our efforts shone this year—from tackling the scourge of IUU fishing, to setting global standards to decrease marine mammal bycatch—all while representing America’s interests.

Tackling Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing

Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing practices damages nations’ economies, hurt fishermen who play by the rules. They threaten global food security, and rob us all of precious ocean resources. These activities can occur at various points through the international seafood supply chain. For that reason, our efforts to combat them must be multi-pronged.

​In 2018, we established the first-ever U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The program requires documentation from the point of harvest to the point of entry into U.S. commerce for 13 species of seafood particularly vulnerable to IUU fishing. This provides a way to trace seafood entering our domestic supply chain—deterring and combating illegal fishing activities. In 2020, we released a new accompaniment to the program—the SIMP-Compliant Importers List. The list recognizes U.S. importers with a demonstrated history of excellent audit compliance with the SIMP requirements. It reduces costs to both the government and industry while incentivizing importers to maintain the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of SIMP.

Globally, NOAA Fisheries is a leader in analyzing foreign fishing activities on the high seas. Every two years, we issue a Report to Congress that identifies nations whose vessels have been identified as engaging in IUU fishing. We then work with those nations to correct the identified problems. We will release our next report in 2021.

Read the full release here