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Scallops: Council Requests Control Date to Potentially Address Switching Between LAGC Permit Categories in Northern GOM

January 31, 2023 — The following was released by The New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is asking the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) to establish a control date that potentially could be used to determine eligibility criteria for switching between the types of Limited Access General Category (LAGC) permits that can be used to access the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Area.

The Council voted to request the control date during its January 24-26, 2023 meeting in Portsmouth, NH. The vote was 10-to-6 with one abstention. Control dates become effective the day NOAA Fisheries publishes a notice in the Federal Register, which may not be until March for this particular request.

The Council took this step as a precautionary move while it assesses a recent increase in fishing activity and permit switching in the Northern Gulf of Maine, especially between C and B permits. Category C permits give vessels the opportunity to land 40 pounds of scallops as incidental catch on non-scallop trips, while B permits allow directed fishing on 200 pounds of scallops per day in the Northern Gulf of Maine area.

LAGC Category A permit holders with individual fishing quota (IFQ) can make a one-time transfer from a Category A IFQ permit to either a Category B 200-pound NGOM permit or a Category C 40-pound incidental catch permit (see graphic on page 2).

The permit switching issue is not one of the Council’s 2023 scallop work priorities, so no action is forthcoming in 2023. But the control date will remain in place should the Council choose to address LAGC permit switching down the road. Scallop biomass in the Northern Gulf of Maine is increasing, which is one reason for the switches.

Read the full release here

 

Council Presents 2022 Award for Excellence to Maggie Raymond

January 26, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council honored Maggie Raymond, former Executive Director of Associated Fisheries of Maine and a 25-year participant in the Council process, by presenting her with the 2022 Janice M. Plante Award for Excellence.

Council Chair Eric Reid called the recognition “long overdue.”

“Maggie represents the epitome of someone dedicated to both the commercial fishing industry and sustainable fisheries management,” said Chair Reid. “Her tenure covers a period of tremendous change, stretching from the early days of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to our evolving adaptation to climate change and the challenges of coping with offshore wind development.”

Maggie’s strongest connection with the Council is with groundfish, beginning around the time the Council adopted limited entry and was transitioning the entire fishery to days-at-sea management. It was a period of intense conflict between fishermen and managers, driven by fear in the industry that the changes would collapse the fishery.

“Maggie helped people navigate these tumultuous changes and served as an invaluable conduit to explain the science and management implications to fishermen,” said Chair Reid. “She was a fierce advocate for industry interests.”

Read the full release here

Monkfish: Council Takes Final Action on Fishing Year 2023-2025 Specifications/Measures; Revises Research Set-Aside Priorities

January 26, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council voted on a package of measures during its January 2023 meeting that set the stage for how the monkfish fishery will operate during the 2023-2025 fishing years.

The measures were developed through Framework Adjustment 13 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan and include the following:

• Acceptable biological catches (ABCs) and other specifications for both the Northern and Southern Monkfish Fishery Management Areas (see map on page 2);

• Days-at-sea allocations and a days-at-sea usage cap for both the northern and southern areas; and

• A 12″ minimum mesh size requirement for monkfish gillnets with implementation delayed until 2026.

The monkfish fishery is managed jointly between the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The New England Council has the administrative lead, but joint management means both Councils must vote on new measures before an action can be submitted to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation. The Mid-Atlantic Council will discuss and vote on Framework 13 on February 7, 2023.

The New England Council also revised its 2023-2024 priorities for the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program during the January meeting in Portsmouth, NH.

Read the full release here

 

New England council honors Maggie Raymond of Maine

January 26, 2023 — The New England Fishery Management Council honored Maggie Raymond, former executive director of the Associated Fisheries of Maine and a 25-year participant in the council process, by presenting her with the 2022 Janice M. Plante Award for Excellence.

Council Chair Eric Reid called the recognition “long overdue.”

“Maggie represents the epitome of someone dedicated to both the commercial fishing industry and sustainable fisheries management,” said Reid. “Her tenure covers a period of tremendous change, stretching from the early days of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to our evolving adaptation to climate change and the challenges of coping with offshore wind development.”

Raymond’s strongest connection with the council is with groundfish, beginning around the time the council adopted limited entry and was transitioning the entire fishery to days-at-sea management. It was a period of intense conflict between fishermen and managers, driven by fear in the industry that the changes would collapse the fishery.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Fishery council executive retires

January 24, 2023 — The executive director of the Newburyport-based New England Fishery Management Council is retiring.

The council opened its Jan. 24 to 26 meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with the announcement that Executive Director Thomas A. Nies, a 25-year veteran of the council staff, will retire this summer. The council is initiating a nationwide search for his replacement.

“I’m fully committed to the council process, said Nies in the announcement. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my job.”

Nies joined the council staff in 1997. He first worked on the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and then spent 13 years as the council’s lead analyst for groundfish. In that role, he led the Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT), as he did the Herring PDT beforehand. He also helped develop a standardized bycatch reporting methodology for Northeast fisheries. He became executive director in 2013.

Read the full article at Gloucester Daily Times

NEFMC Executive Director Tom Nies Announces Retirement

January 24, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council opened its January 24-26, 2023 meeting in Portsmouth, NH with the news that Executive Director Thomas A. Nies, a 25-year veteran of the Council staff, will be retiring this summer. The Council will immediately initiate a nationwide search for his replacement.

Tom joined the Council staff in 1997. He first worked on the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and then spent 13 years as the Council’s lead analyst for groundfish. In that role, he led the Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT), as he did the Herring PDT beforehand. Tom also helped develop a standardized bycatch reporting methodology for Northeast fisheries. He became Executive Director in 2013.

Council Chair Eric Reid said, “The New England Fishery Management Council has had the rare privilege to have Tom at the helm of what can be, at times, a rather unwieldy ship. On every voyage, Tom’s tremendous work ethic and institutional knowledge have been unsurpassed assets not only to the Council members and “I’m fully committed to the Council process. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my job.” – Executive Director Tom Nies. staff but also to our stakeholders and the public.”

As Executive Director, Tom’s many responsibilities have included participating in: (1) the Council Coordination Committee (CCC), which includes leadership from all eight of the nation’s regional fishery management councils; and (2) the Northeast Region Coordinating Council (NRCC), which, among other tasks, determines the region’s stock assessment schedule.

Chair Reid said, “Tom has earned the respect of all of us in New England and nationwide from Gloucester to Guam. He is a true professional, and we’ll always be grateful for his strong leadership.”

Prior to joining the Council, Tom completed a 21-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard. He logged over 10 years of at-sea duty and served as the Commanding Officer of the Boston, MA-based USCG Cutter Spencer. His land-based assignments included a stint at the fisheries law enforcement branch at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He later served as the Admiral’s representative for the First Coast Guard District Law Enforcement Division at New England Council meetings, which was his introduction to the Council.

The Council will issue a vacancy announcement to solicit a new Executive Director. Tom will overlap with his successor to ensure a smooth transition. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Read the full release here

NEFMC January 24-26, 2023 Meeting

January 18, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, January 24 through Thursday, January 26, 2023. This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.

 

COVID PROTOCOLS:  The Council continues to follow all public safety measures related to COVID-19 and intends to do so for this meeting.  Please participate remotely if you are experiencing COVID symptoms or do not feel well.  Updates will be posted on the meeting webpage as needed.

 

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. each day.  The first day will begin with a short closed session. The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

 

Here are a few items of note for Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

 

NGOM CONTROL DATE:  The Council will discuss and then decide whether to recommend a control date to potentially limit the movement of limited access general category (LAGC) permits in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) scallop fishery.  A control date by itself is not binding, and it does not commit the Council to taking any specific management action. The purpose of a control date is to discourage speculative entry or fishing activity while the Council considers if and how participation in the fishery may be affected or controlled.  If the Council decides to recommend a control date for the NGOM scallop fishery, the control date itself will be the day NOAA Fisheries publishes a notice in the Federal Register.

 

MOBILE GEAR AND GILLNET FISHERMEN:  Gear researchers from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center will give the Council a presentation on engaging mobile gear fishermen to visualize ropeless gear positions to prevent gear conflicts.  Ropeless gear is being tested and used by some fishermen to reduce right whale entanglements.  In addition to answering questions during the Council meeting, the gear researchers will be available afterward to meet with fishermen to gather additional feedback and respond to any remaining questions.

 

  • The Council will receive an update on the development of Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Phase 2 measures, including proposals to reduce entanglements of large whales in gillnet fisheries.  Also on the agenda is a short update on Council coordination with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to develop sink gillnet measures to protect Atlantic sturgeon and potentially large whales.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

 

  • WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023.  Please note that written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting.

 

  • TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:

 

  1. By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and

 

  1. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.

 

  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 12:15 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.

 

    • SIGN UP:  Interested in speaking?  If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room.  To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

 

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

 

  • Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.

 

  • THIS IS KEY!  If you want to speak during opportunities for public comment, you need to: (1) register for the webinar; and (2) actually “join” the webinar.  People who call in by telephone without joining the webinar will be in listen-only mode.  Those who take both steps – register and then join the webinar – will see the meeting screen and be able to click on a “raise hand” button, which will let the meeting organizer know you want to be unmuted to speak.

 

  • We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

 

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (415) 655-0052.  The access code is 424-643-767.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  Remember, you will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar as described above.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.

 

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC January 24-26, 2023 meeting webpage.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

 

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

 

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – Friday, January 20, 2023 – Monkfish and Atlantic Halibut

January 13, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet by webinar to discuss issues related to monkfish and Atlantic halibut.  The public is invited to listen live.  Here are the details.

WHEN:  Friday, January 20, 2023
START TIME:  9:00 a.m.
WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to join the meeting through this webinar.  The Remote Participation Guide is posted here.
CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (213) 929-4212.  The access code is 250-348-919.  Your regular phone charges will apply.
AGENDA:  The SSC will meet to:
  • Consider making recommendations for acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for the Northern and Southern Monkfish Management Areas for fishing years 2023 through 2025 using: (1) the average of the I-Smooth approach, which utilizes multipliers applied to recent three-year catches; and (2) the most recent method to determine ABCs.
  • Consider corrected 2022 management track stock assessment information for Atlantic halibut to possibly develop a revised ABC recommendation for this stock for the 2023 through 2025 groundfish fishing years.  And,
  • Discuss other business if necessary.
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.  Address comments to Council Chair Eric Reid 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 psted on the SSC January 20, 2023 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.

Learn More About How Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Can Work on Georges Bank; Two pMSE Meetings Still to Come

January 7, 2022 — The New England Fishery Management Council will hold two additional meetings in January on the development of a prototype management strategy evaluation (pMSE) that’s intended to demonstrate how the MSE process can be used to evaluate ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) approaches within a Georges Bank Ecosystem Production Unit.

The meetings will be held in person with no webinar option. They are scheduled for:

• Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, RI – here is the meeting notice; and

• Friday, January 20, 2023, also at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, RI – here is the meeting notice.

The pMSE work is being overseen by the Council’s EBFM Committee and the chairs of each of the Council’s advisory panels, who collectively are serving as fishery stakeholders. The project is being conducted with contracted support from the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST).

Read the full article at New England Fishery Management Council

Panel: Fishing plan can rebuild long lost cod stock by 2033

January 5, 2022 — Federal ocean regulators say a new fishing plan has a chance to rebuild the New England cod stock, which is a goal even many commercial fishermen have long regarded as far fetched.

Atlantic cod were once a cornerstone of the New England economy, but the catch has plummeted after years of overfishing, environmental changes and restrictive quotas. Most of the cod sold in the U.S. comes from overseas because many American fishermen avoid the fish-and-chips staple altogether.

But the regulatory New England Fishery Management Council has approved a new strategy that it said has a 70% chance of rebuilding the stock by 2033. The proposal, which is awaiting final approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would use 10 years of low catch limits to try to rebuild the cod population in the Gulf of Maine.

The council said in a statement that the new plan will lower the fishing mortality rate for the fish over the next decade to “offer more protection for Gulf of Maine cod and give the stock a better chance of rebuilding.” But some fishermen are unconvinced cod are ever coming back.

Read the full article at the Associated Press

 

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