Saving Seafood

2021 Atlantic Cod Stock Management Workshops

July 30, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The New Hampshire Sea Grant, New England Fishery Management Council, and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center will be hosting a workshop series focusing on the management implications of restructuring Atlantic cod stocks from August 12 – September 20.

This five-part series will focus on the management implications of a potential split in Atlantic cod stocks into five distinct biological stocks, instead of the two that are currently managed. These workshops follow up on the previous series that focused on the science behind the decision and draws from the 2020 report by the Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Working Group.

Presentations by technical experts will be followed by an open public discussion ensuring information is available to best inform the cod stock assessment process.

Registration is required to participate.

Offshore Wind Fight Shifts to New York Bight as Scallop Industry Calls for Changes

July 28, 2021 — Saying the proposed offshore wind lease areas in the New York Bight need to be reconsidered to reduce the impact to scallops and scallop fishermen, industry advocates and scallop fishermen called for change during an online call with federal officials July 20.

“The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is the most valuable federally managed fishery in the United States, worth more than $570 million in ex vessel value and $746 million in total processed value in 2019,” according to the Fisheries Survival Fund.

Barnegat Light and Long Beach, N.Y. combined for a total of $19.4 million in the value of scallops landed, according to data from New England Fishery Management Council’s scallop framework adjustment between 2010 and 2017. For 2021, the NEFMC’s scallop update found Atlantic scallops make up the vast majority of landed value in eight of the largest East Coast fishing ports and over 40 percent in four other areas.

During the July 20 call with officials from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, industry representatives highlighted the need for a buffer zone to protect the “most valuable scallop area in the Mid-Atlantic and expressed concern over the environmental and fisheries impacts of offshore wind development,” according to a Fisheries Survival Fund press release issued July 26.

“Damage to the scallop industry will have far reaching consequences for working families in ports through the Atlantic Coast. The harm will extend beyond fishermen and processing plant employees – many of whom are recent immigrants – to fuel docks, marine equipment suppliers, restaurants and markets,” the Fisheries Survival Fund statement reads, noting throughout the entire coast, scallops were valued over $500 million, or half a billion dollars, in processed value in 2019. “This does not include the additional economic value added by the remainder of the supply chain until the product ultimately reaches consumers in markets and restaurants.”

Read the full story at The Sand Paper

NOAA Fisheries Sets Management Measures for Northeast Multispecies

July 27, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective Today

We are approving the previously proposed Framework 61 developed by the New England Fishery Management Council that sets or adjusts catch limits for groundfish stocks for the 2021 fishing year (May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022), including the three stocks managed jointly with Canada. For 2021, Framework 61 decreases six stock quotas, and increases four stock quotas compared to 2020. These revised catch limits are based upon the results of stock assessments conducted in 2020 and are intended to help prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks.

This action also revises the status determination criteria for Georges Bank and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder, implements a revised rebuilding plan for white hake, and implements a universal exemption to allow sectors to target redfish.

Read the final rule as published in the Federal Register and the permit holder bulletin.

Read the full release here

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – Thursday, July 29, 2021 – Skate, Groundfish, Scallop, Social Science Issues; Guidance for Data Limited Stocks

July 21, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet by webinar to discuss issues related to skates, social and economic information in recent groundfish and scallop actions, federal guidance under National Standard 1 for developing annual catch limits for data limited stocks, and ABC control rules for groundfish.  The public is invited to listen live.  Here are the details.

WHEN:  Thursday, July 29, 2021

START TIME:  9:00 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 930-5321.  The access code is 971-717-154.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA:  More specifically, the SSC will meet to:

  • Review information presented by the Council’s Skate Plan Development Team (PDT) and develop acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for the Northeast Skate Complex for fishing years 2022-2023;
  • Receive a presentation on the SSC Social Science Subpanel’s review of social and economic information in Groundfish Framework Adjustment 59 and Scallop Framework Adjustment 32;
  • Discuss comments on the document titled NOAA/NMFS NS1 [National Standard 1] Technical Guidance Subgroup 3 Tech Memo, which addresses annual catch limits (ACLs) for data-limited stocks;
  • Discuss approaches for modifying ABC control rules for the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan; and
  • Consider other business as necessary.

COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.  Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.  Additional information is available in the meeting notice.

MATERIALS:  All documents for this meeting will be posted on the SSC July 29, 2021 meeting webpage.

QUESTIONS:  Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

NEFMC Seeks Specialist with Experience in Economics for Staff Position – Apply by August 6, 2021

July 15, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is looking for a fishery specialist with experience in economics to join its staff.  The specialist will assist in the preparation of fishery management plans, which requires a broad range of technical and communications skills.  This is a highly visible and demanding position.  The application deadline is August 6, 2021.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in the preparation of documents, including Environmental Impact Statements for fishery management plans/amendments and other related documents.
  • Compile and analyze fisheries, environmental, biological, socio-economic, or other technical data using appropriate database and statistical analysis software.
  • Prepare meeting summaries and assist in the conduct of public meetings.
  • Develop economic analyses of fishery management alternatives, including benefit/cost analyses or analyses of cost-effectiveness.
  • Communicate economic concepts effectively to decision-makers and the public.
  • Work collaboratively with other fisheries scientists, economists, and social scientists.
  • Conduct other tasks as assigned.
The August 6, 2021 application deadline is an extension from the initial deadline of July 6, 2021.  Details are available in the vacancy announcement.

Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting: Information for Vessel Operators

July 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Background

  • Beginning November 10, 2021, GARFO-permitted commercial fishing vessels will be required to have an electronic device onboard, start an electronic vessel trip report (eVTR) for each trip, and submit completed reports within 48 hours of the end of a trip.
  • Reporting requirements do not apply to vessels holding only a permit for American lobster.
  • Vessels issued for-hire permits for New England Fishery Management Council-managed fisheries (i.e., Northeast multispecies) will also be required to use eVTR and report within 48 hours of the end of a trip.
  • Vessels issued a for-hire permit for Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council species or a private recreational vessel tilefish permit already submit vessel trip reports electronically. See our webpage for more information on the requirements.

How to Report

  • GARFO, our partners, and several companies have developed applications that meet our eVTR reporting requirements. There are software apps for virtually all smart phones, tablets and computers.
  • An up-to-date listing can be found on our Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting Software Options web page along with instructions on how to use GARFO’s apps and links to partner apps.

More Information and Resources

Port Agents:

  • Based in offices from Maine through Virginia, Port Agents are available to provide remote and in-person eVTR app assistance to individuals or small groups throughout the region.
  • You may contact a Port Agent directly, or through our Vessel Reporting Help Desk at (978) 281-9188 or nmfs.gar.reporting@noaa.gov.  Contact information for Port Agents and their areas of coverage can be found here.

Webinars:

  • We will hold a series of instructional webinars for vessel operators.
  • The first webinars are scheduled for Thursday, July 29 and Tuesday, August 3
  • A schedule of these can be found on our events website.
  • These webinars will be for commercial and multispecies for-hire vessel operators and will be scheduled geographically according to Port Agent coverage areas.
  • Recordings of these trainings will also be available and posted on our website.

Other Resources:

To keep in touch on the latest information regarding eVTR implementation and other vessel reporting topics you can sign up for our bulletins. To sign up or to update your existing subscriptions, go to our sign up page.  Once you are on the sign up page follow these directions:

  • Bulletins are listed under the Regional Updates subscription topic.
  • Under the New England/Mid-Atlantic Updates sub-topic.
  • Click the + sign to expand the list, and select eVTR and VMS updates.
  • Then click submit at the bottom.

Read the full release here

Potential Gear Conflicts in Lobster Area 4

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The New England Fishery Management Council has received reports of gear conflicts between lobster fishermen and scallopers occurring south of Long Island, NY in Lobster Area 4 (see figure below).

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1857(1)(K), it is unlawful to remove, damage, or tamper with fishing gear owned by another person within the EEZ. Violations of the Act, including unlawful gear interaction, may result in civil penalties.

The lobster gear in this area is set east-to-west in 30-pot trawls and marked by highflyers. Gear is set starting in mid-July and fished through December.  Gear is typically tended every seven nights. When fishing in this area, please be aware of the presence of fixed gear and tune your radar to be able to detect highflyers.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Travis Ford, Regional Office, 978-281-9233 or Caleb Gilbert, Office of Law Enforcement, 978-281-9338

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Proposed Rebuilding Plan for the Southern Red Hake Fishery

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comment on a proposed rule that would establish a 10-year rebuilding plan for the overfished southern red hake stock. The New England Fishery Management Council took additional time to develop this action given a pending research track assessment that could have potentially affected the rebuilding requirements for southern red hake and took final action in June 2020.

In addition, the proposed rebuilding plan would decrease the year-round possession limit from 5,000 lb to a dual 1,000/600-lb possession limit based on the selectivity of gear-type or mesh size used. The 600-lb possession limit would apply to standard small-mesh trawls (less than 5.5 inches square or diamond mesh), which are less selective, while the 1,000-lb possession limit would apply to large-mesh trawls and other more selective gear types which includes raised footrope trawls, large mesh belly panel trawls, and rope separator trawls.

For more details, please read the rule as published in the Federal Register. You can provide comments through our online portal. Comments are due by July 27, 2021.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Receives Updates on Offshore Wind, Atlantic Herring, EBFM; Approves 2021-2025 Research Priorities

July 9, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met June 22-24, 2021 by webinar. In addition to the actions the Council took on scallops, groundfish, and skates, here are other important highlights.

Habitat/Offshore Wind – The Council received offshore wind presentations from three different agencies.

  • The Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) covered how NOAA Fisheries cooperates and coordinates with other agencies on wind issues, develops checklists to help guide analyses of socio-economic impacts on fishing communities, as well as Endangered Species Act biological assessments and other analyses, conducts essential fish habitat (EFH) consultations and EFH mapping, and more;
  • The Northeast Fisheries Science Center focused on offshore wind impacts on federal scientific surveys and the associated implications; and
  • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) provided a broad overview of offshore wind energy projects throughout the Atlantic region.

Read the full release here

MASSACHUSETTS: Meet the women of New Bedford’s Waterfront: Scientists analyze data to support fisheries

July 7, 2021 — Scientist Kevin Stokesbury pulled up a digital presentation in his New Bedford office at the School for Marine Science and Technology. Across from him sat fisheries consultant Cate O’Keefe with a notepad and pen in hand.

For about an hour, O’Keefe asked Stokesbury (her former doctoral advisor) a series of questions about scallop surveys, the potential impacts of offshore wind development on data collection, and the ways in which survey collaboration could improve.

She will meet with other researchers in the region in the coming weeks for a project with the New England Fishery Management Council — the organization that regulates fisheries in federal waters from Maine to Connecticut. The working group O’Keefe is involved with expects to issue a set of recommendations to improve scallop surveys by next summer, which will ultimately inform the future management of New Bedford’s most lucrative fishery

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times