Saving Seafood

Fishing group meets to discuss New England catch limits

July 23, 2015 — It’s simple: If fishermen can’t catch it, we can’t eat it. On Wednesday, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center met with fishermen across New England to discuss the state of groundfish like cod.

The federal government had to close down all commercial and recreational cod fishing late last year because the population was at an all-time low. This restriction allows them to repopulate off the coast of Maine and Massachusetts.

22News spoke with Schermerhorn’s Seafood Owner Michael Fitzgerald as he was getting updated from his suppliers. Cod is still largely off limits, but there is a popular alternative you can buy.

Read the full story and watch the video at WWLP

 

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Applicants for Trawl Survey Advisory Panel

July 16, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on the Northeast Trawl Survey Advisory Panel. The objectives for the panel are to understand existing NEFSC trawl survey gear performance and methodology, evaluate the potential to complement or supplement current NEFSC surveys, and to improve understanding and acceptance of NEFSC survey data quality and results.

The panel will identify concerns about regional research survey performance and data, identify methods to address or mitigate these concerns and promote mutual understanding and acceptance of results. The panel will consist of 16 members including members of the Councils and the Atlantic States Fishery Commission, industry experts, non-federal scientists and Northeast Fisheries Science Center scientists. Panel members are expected to serve for three years.

The Council is seeking applications to fill five positions:

  • Three fishery stakeholder representatives
  • Two academic or non-academic scientists

Anyone interested in serving on this advisory panel may apply online or download an application at www.mafmc.org/forms/advisory-panel-application. Applications can also be obtained by calling the Council office at (877) 446-2362 or by emailing jsaunders@mafmc.org. Completed applications should be submitted using one of the following methods:

Please include “TRAWL SURVEY ADVISORY PANEL” in the subject of your fax or email.

Completed applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. 

All nominees are subject to an additional level of review by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and may be declined membership because of a marine resource violation.