Saving Seafood

New rules for scallop fishery scheduled to take effect April 1

February 24, 2022 — A Feb. 17 presentation on upcoming changes to Northern Gulf of Maine scallop fishery management drew a number of New England fishermen to listen to scallop leaders from the New England Fishery Management Council and agencies of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The biggest change for scallop fishermen is that vessels fishing in Northern Gulf of Maine waters will be required to take industry-funded scallop (IFS) observers on board when selected to do so. Additionally, a portion of Stellwagen Bank in Massachusetts Bay will open for scallop fishing.

Hosted by the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, which is not holding its in-person annual conference this year, the webinar served to explain and answer questions on Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan and its regulatory framework.

That compliance framework is not yet completed but aims to meet Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan’s effective date of March 31. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) enacted Amendment 21 on Jan. 12 and is drafting Framework 34 to implement the changes.

Read the full story at the Ellsworth American

 

New England council concerned with offshore wind, aquaculture impact on fish habitat

February 23, 2022 — Concern over the impact of offshore wind energy development – and potentially aquaculture in federal waters – has the New England Fishery Management Council preparing a ‘Habitat Area of Particular Concern’ (HAPC) in southern New England to focus on cod, scallops and other species that rely on essential fish habitat south of Cape Cod.

During its Feb. 1-3 meetings the council initiated a framework adjustment to develop the new HAPC, with a goal of having it ready in April.

According to a council summary, HAPCs “emphasize the importance of specific areas and habitat features; and strengthen the basis for conservation recommendations designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on habitat.”

With Vineyard Wind undertaking construction of it 800-megawatt project and neighboring leaseholders moving forward, offshore wind is the council’s most immediate concern.

Longer term is the potential for offshore aquaculture, with some companies exploring how to raise Atlantic salmon and other species off southern New England.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

 

NEFMC Initiates Action for HAPC in Southern New England; Discusses Great South Channel Habitat Management Area

February 18, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will be developing a Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) in Southern New England to place additional conservation focus on Council-managed species that rely on essential fish habitat (EFH) within this area, which is south of Cape Cod.

During its February 1-3, 2022 webinar meeting, the Council initiated a framework adjustment to pursue the new HAPC. It also:

  • Discussed the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area (HMA) and the clam industry’s request for additional access to the HMA beyond the current three exemption areas;
  • Received a summary of the white paper titled “Habitat Management Considerations for the Northern Edge of Georges Bank,” which will help inform future discussions if the Council decides to consider habitat management changes on the Northern Edge as a work priority down the road;
  • Received an update on offshore wind activities in the Greater Atlantic Region (see presentation);
  • Was informed that the Council was finalizing its comment letter on the Amitié Subsea Cable project, which runs between Massachusetts and France and the United Kingdom; and
  • Agreed to submit a comment letter on the Running Tide Technology project, which proposes to grow kelp on the northwestern portion of Fippennies Ledge in the Gulf of Maine.

Read the full release from the NEFMC

New England council considers leasing proposal for scallop fishery

February 18, 2022 — Dozens of permit-holders and vessel owners, some of whom manage large-scale commercial fishing operations, have backed amending regulations in New England’s scallop fishery to allow leasing — a proposal that concerns the New Bedford Port Authority, smaller fishing fleets and some shoreside businesses.

Current regulations in the limited access scallop fishery allow one permit per vessel, which entitles a vessel to a certain number of days at sea, as well as a given number of access area fishing trips. A leasing program could enable a permit-holder (and his or her vessel) to lease and fish additional days or trips from another permit.

Supporters of leasing say it will improve efficiency and cut operational costs in the scallop fishery, which brings hundreds of millions of dollars in landings to New Bedford annually. For example, permit-holders could retire old vessels and save on repair costs without losing allocations, or lease in the event a vessel breaks down.

But the New Bedford Port Authority, along with some of the city’s shoreside business and scallop fishermen, according to their attorney, cite concerns that leasing could lead to further consolidation of the fishery to the detriment of smaller fleets and businesses.

Though the Scallopers Campaign, which has recently led the effort behind leasing, has promulgated certain program ideas, the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), would start with a blank slate and develop its own leasing program if it votes to proceed in September.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Light

NEFMC to Update Skate Plan Objectives through Amendment 8

February 17, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is developing Amendment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to update two objectives in the original FMP that have become outdated. This amendment is the result of a process that began with Amendment 5 and led to Framework 9, which the Council debated during its February 1-3, 2022 webinar meeting. Here is the sequence of events.

  • Amendment 5: The Council began work on this amendment in 2017 and went through two rounds of scoping. As part of the action, the Council considered establishing limited access in the skate wing and/or bait fisheries and other measures to prevent the triggering of incidental skate possession limits, improve the precision and accuracy of catch data, and better define skate fishery participants. In September 2021, the Council discontinued work on the amendment and concurrently initiated Framework Adjustment 9 to pursue two remaining elements of Amendment 5.
  • Framework 9: This framework was initiated to: (1) update the FMP’s objectives; and (2) revise conditions for federal skate fishing permits. In February 2022, the Council selected “No Action” for the permitting alternatives and agreed to update the FMP objectives through another action — Amendment 8.
  • Amendment 8: The Council has taken final action on the updated FMP objectives. The Council now will submit these changes to NOAA Fisheries for review and implementation under Amendment 8. Updates to the FMP’s goal and objectives need to be implemented through an amendment and therefore could not be accomplished through Framework 9, which is why this additional step is needed.

Read the full release from the NEFMC

NOAA Announces Proposed Management Measures For Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery for 2022 FY

February 17, 2022 — NOAA Fisheries announced the proposed management measures for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for the 2022 fishing year (FY).

According to the Framework Adjustment 34 proposed rule in the Federal Register, the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommend a scallop fishery Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) of 56.7 million lbs. (25,724 mt) for 2022 and 51.1 million lbs. (23,200 mt) for the 2023 FY.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Webinar to outline changes to the Northern Gulf of Maine scallop fishery

February 16, 2022 — The Maine Fishermen’s Forum is hosting a webinar on Thursday, Feb. 17, which will outline changes to the scallop fishery of the Northern Gulf of Maine in which many Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts fisherman participate.

Many scallopers work out of Gloucester to be closer to the fishing grounds. The new measures start April 1, and the webinar will be an educational session to make scallopers aware of the changes.

The webinar, organized by the New England Fishery Management Council, is scheduled to run from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Panelists scheduled are Jonathan Peros, scallop lead for NEFMC; Travis Ford, scallop lead for the Greater Atlantic Fisheries Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries); and Jessica Blaylock, industry-funded scallop observer program lead at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center of NOAA Fisheries.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

New Bedford, Mass. mayor wants Eric Hansen on Fisheries Management Council

February 16, 2022 — The Port of New Bedford has the honor of being the most valuable commercial fishing port in the nation, and the hub of commercial fishing in the Northeast, but the city has no local voice representing it on the New England Fisheries Management Council.

The last New Bedford voice on the council was John Quinn, who left in 2021 and was replaced by Michael Pierdinock of Plymouth.

Eric Hansen is looking to be the New Bedford voice on the council.

“We’re the largest valued fishing port in the nation and to not have a voice on the council is just wrong,” Hansen said.

Hansen has been a scallop fisherman, like his father and grandfather before him, for 44 years. He doesn’t go to sea anymore but his scallop vessel F/V Endeavor does and these days his son is at the wheel, serving as captain.

Hansen said it’s important to have someone who has been an actual fisherman serve on the council.

“I’m very thankful for the letters of support and humbled,” Hansen said regarding the letter of support to Gov. Charlie Baker from Mitchell.

In his letter to the governor, Mitchell said Hansen, “has an extensive history as a leader in New Bedford’s fishing community and has dedicated himself to the work of ensuring successful, sustainable fisheries.”

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

NEFMC Recommends Recreational Measures for Gulf of Maine Cod, Haddock for 2022; Discusses Atlantic Cod Stock Structure

February 14, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met February 1-3, 2022 by webinar and devoted the entire third day of the meeting to groundfish issues. In short, the Council:

  • Developed recommendations on recreational fishing measures for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock for the 2022 fishing year for consideration by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) of NOAA Fisheries, which consults with the Council but is responsible for setting the measures;
  • Received a presentation on the 2021 Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Science/Assessment and Management Workshops, as well as the resulting draft final report;
  • Received a progress report from the Atlantic Cod Research Track Working Group; and
  • Engaged in an extensive discussion on potential management units for Atlantic cod based on the recent work on stock structure. The Council gave the Groundfish Committee a specific charge for considering next steps, which the full Council will review and discuss during the April 2022 meeting.

Read the full release from the NEFMC

Maine Forum to Host Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Webinar on February 17; Fisheries Leadership Session on March 23

February 10, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Maine Fishermen’s Forum will be hosting two webinars of direct interest to the New England Fishery Management Council’s stakeholders. One will focus on the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) scallop fishery and the other will provide an opportunity for fishermen and other webinar participants to have an open dialogue with NOAA Fisheries leadership.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the forum’s board of directors canceled the March 2022 in-person event but made way for educational virtual seminars with remote participation by those who tune in via Zoom. Here are the details for the webinar lineup.

NORTHERN GULF OF MAINE SCALLOP FISHERY: This webinar, which is titled “Upcoming Changes to the Management of the Federal Scallop Fishery in the Northern Gulf of Maine,” will take place on Wednesday, February 17, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHO ARE THE PANELISTS?

• Jonathon Peros, scallop lead for the New England Fishery Management Council and organizer of this webinar session;

• Travis Ford, scallop lead for the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries); and

• Jessica Blaylock, industry-funded scallop observer program lead at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center of NOAA Fisheries.

Read the full release from the NEFMC