Saving Seafood

NEFMC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate Groundfish ABC Control Rule Meeting

July 25, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is looking for an independent contractor to facilitate a meeting that will discuss draft goals and objectives for Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules. This is a short-term, temporary contractor role, commencing on or about August 7, 2023, and expected to be completed by October 2023.

 
 
AUGUST 17, 2023 MEETING: During its June meeting, the Council initiated a framework adjustment to consider modifying or replacing the existing groundfish ABC control rules. As a next step, the Council’s Groundfish Committee will meet to discuss possible goals and objectives of the framework on August 17, 2023. 
 
The meeting will include a facilitated session with members of the Groundfish Committee, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, the Groundfish Plan Development Team, the Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels, the Risk Policy Working Group, and the public to discuss developing draft goals and objectives for this action that are consistent with National Standard 1, National Standard 1 guidelines, and the Council’s Risk Policy.
 
The Council seeks a meeting facilitator familiar with the groundfish stock assessment process and ABC control rules to run the facilitated session of the Groundfish Committee meeting.
 
  • The specific outcome is a draft list of possible goals and objectives for the ABC controls rules framework for consideration by the Groundfish Committee.
 
  • The Groundfish Committee will discuss the resulting list in the afternoon on the same day. The Groundfish Committee may decide to make recommendations to the Council.
 
MORE INFORMATION: A complete list of specific tasks, discussion questions for the facilitator, desired experience and demonstrated skills for facilitator candidates, and application submission information can be found in the request for proposals.

Council Seeks Contractor to Prepare Study for Potential Establishment of Groundfish Research Coordinating Body – Apply by August 2, 2023

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

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is looking for an independent contractor to prepare a study about potentially establishing a coordinating body for New England groundfish research – in particular, cooperative research. This is a short-term, temporary contractor role. The application deadline is August 2, 2023.

THE IMPETUS: In January 2023, the Conservation Law Foundation and UMass-SMAST convened a workshop to bring together a diverse working group with broad representation from commercial and recreational fisheries, federal and state fisheries agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations.  The objectives for this workshop were to:

  • Identify research priorities and best practices in cooperative research; 
  • Propose opportunities and implementation strategies for increasing and improving groundfish cooperative research and its application to assessment and management; and
  • Do so with the ultimate intent of improving the condition of the New England groundfish fishery.

WORKSHOP OUTCOME: The working group’s lead recommendation was to establish a regional coordinating body to identify and prioritize research needs for groundfish, ideally providing or securing funding, with a focus on answerable questions that meet assessment and management needs.

STATEMENT OF WORK: The contractor’s role for this project is to examine and scope out in greater detail the possible nature and responsibilities of such a coordinating body. The analysis should consider: (1) the current status and history of groundfish research in the region, including cooperative research; (2) previous regional and national reviews and strategic planning exercises; (3) financial, legal, regulatory, and other constraints; and (4) examples provided by approaches taken in other regions. The analysis should address the following list of questions and considerations:

1.  What organization might lead and house this body?

2.  What organizations/groups would need to buy in to the idea?

3.  What would be the membership?

4.  What would be the purview?

5.  What would be the mechanism for input from scientists and fishermen in terms of which stock(s) and what data needs will have the most influence in improving assessments?

6.  What would be the group’s activities to facilitate regional coordination cooperation, and communication? And,

7.  What are the possible fundings sources, both for running the body and for funding the research questions identified?

The Contractor will research these questions and other topics that arise and then prepare a detailed report that describes the analyses and findings. Proposals should describe what groups will be consulted on the idea. The Contractor will be supervised by the Council’s executive director or a designed and present the results of a draft report to the Groundfish Committee in September or October 2023.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A complete description of the project background, statement of work, desired experience and demonstrated skills for candidates, and application submission information can be found in the request for proposals.

TIME SENSITIVE: Work may commence as early as August 10 and is expected to run no later than November 1, 2023.

New England council moves to ‘revisit’ herring trawl restrictions

July 1, 2023 — The New England Fishery Management Council has approved a “problem statement” to guide its work on revisiting the Inshore Midwater Trawl Restricted Area that was overturned by a March 2022 court decision.

The council’s Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan included an exclusion zone that effectively pushed midwater operators farther offshore. The council voted during its June 27-29 meeting at Freeport, Maine to make it a “priority to take another look at the area and address issues raised by the court.”

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Atlantic Herring: Council Adopts Problem Statement for Action to Revisit Inshore Midwater Trawl Area From Amendment 8

June 29, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has approved a problem statement to guide its work on revisiting the Inshore Midwater Trawl Restricted Area that was developed under Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan

The restricted area, also referred to as a buffer zone or exclusion zone, was implemented by NOAA Fisheries but subsequently vacated by a federal court on March 29, 2022. More information on the court’s ruling can be found here. As a next step, the Council made it a 2023 work priority to take another look at the area and address issues raised by the court.

The Council approved the problem statement for this subsequent action during its June 27-29, 2023 meeting. The vote was 13-to-4. The problem statement, outlined in full on page two, expands the geographic scope and potential range of measures and gear types to be considered under a new action.

Since this next action will go beyond revisiting the original Amendment 8 provisions, the Council also had to approve a change to its 2023 Council priorities, which it did by a large majority. As a result, the Council will:

“Explore a range of management alternatives to minimize user conflicts, including spatially and temporally explicit gear restrictions, area closures, and possession limits”; and

“Consider, but not be limited to, the spatial extent of the Midwater Trawl Restricted Area approved by the Council in Amendment 8, with a particular focus on areas not already subject to seasonal closures to midwater trawling.”

The Herring Plan Development Team, Herring Committee, and Advisory Panel (AP) will work on the new herring action over the summer using the problem statement as its starting point. The Council will receive an update during its September 2023 meeting.

Council Supports Changes to Scallop RSA Program and Sets 2024-2025 RSA Priorities; Initiates Framework Adjustment 38

June 29, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council voted during its late-June meeting to ask the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) to modify the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program to allow for longer-term RSA awards for regional survey work.

More specifically, the Council’s request was to “allow regional scallop surveys used for stock assessments and specification setting to be funded for up to four years, with an option for a one-year extension for completing grant reports and data analysis.”

The proposed changes stem from recommendations made by the Council’s Scallop Survey Working Groupand through the 2019 RSA Program Review.

In an April 12, 2023 letter, NOAA Fisheries confirmed it could consider RSA awards of up to five years but typically limits awards to four years as a “best practice.”

 

Council Receives Final Thorny Skate Whitepaper; Initiates Framework 12 to Develop 2024-2025 Specs, Other Measures

June 28, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council covered three items related to the Northeast skate complex when it met June 27-29, 2023 in Freeport, Maine. These included:

• A brief recap of the May 22, 2023 assessment oversight panel meeting for the Skate Complex Management Track Stock Assessment, along with a reminder of the method used to assess skates (the peer review meeting for this assessment is scheduled for September 18-22, 2023);

• Acceptance of the final thorny skate whitepaper and discussion of next steps; and

• Initiation of Framework Adjustment 12 to set 2024-2025 specifications for the skate complex and consider removing the partial possession prohibition on barndoor skates and allowing possession of smooth skates.

THORNY SKATE REBUILDING: The Council made it a 2023 work priority to develop a whitepaper on potential approaches to support thorny skate rebuilding. The Council received a progress report on this work during its April 2023 meeting. The Skate Plan Development Team refined the draft whitepaper, which The thorny skate rebuilding whitepaper is posted here. was then presented to the Skate Committee and Advisory Panel for further discussion. The Council voted to accept the final version during its June meeting

NEFMC June 27-29, 2023 Meeting – Freeport, ME – Listen Live, View Documents

June 20, 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, June 27 through Thursday, June 29, 2023.  This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.  Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.  Updates will be posted on the meeting webpage as needed.

 

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. each day.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

 

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, June 22, 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 Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 12:00 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.

 

 

  • 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 (562) 247-8422.  The access code is 577-802-684.  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 June 27-29, 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 Seeks Fishery Specialist – Apply by July 7, 2023

June 12, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) seeks candidates for the position of Fishery Specialist. The specialist will assist in the preparation of fishery management plans, which requires a broad range of technical and communications skills.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The application deadline is Friday, July 7, 2023.

This is a highly visible, demanding position. The successful applicant will work closely with the Council staff, as well as other professionals from state agencies, the federal government, fishery user groups, and academic institutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Support the development of fishery management actions by the Council.
  • 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, social, economic, and other technical data using databases and statistical analysis software.
  • Communicate technical concepts effectively to decision-makers and the public.
  • Work collaboratively with other fisheries scientists, economists, and social scientists.
  • Prepare meeting summaries and assist in the conduct of public meetings.
  • Conduct other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ANALYTIC/COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

  • General understanding of or experience in the management of fisheries in federal waters.
  • Experience working cooperatively with small teams to complete tasks under demanding deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to explain complicated issues to diverse audiences.
  • Graduate degree in fisheries policy or science with experience in resource or fisheries-related analysis.
  • Ability to research and analyze pertinent technical data and an understanding of various technical information sources.
  • Demonstrated quantitative analytic and technical writing skills.
  • Familiarity with plotting and analysis of data with Geographic Information Systems and solid understanding of Microsoft Office software packages.
  • Experience with R and Rstudio a plus.
  • Strong interpersonal and writing skills and ability to synthesize technical information from a variety of sources.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet exacting deadlines.

Further information about the position and the application process are available in the vacancy announcement.

Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program Supports Two 2023-2024 Projects; Both Address a Top Research Priority

June 6, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program will support two recommended projects during 2023 and 2024 that focus on one of the highest research priorities identified by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The priority calls for:

“Research to develop a standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) index for the commercial directed monkfish gillnet fishery to be used for stock assessment purposes.”

The New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils jointly manage the monkfish fishery. The New England Council has the administrative lead. The Councils and NOAA Fisheries work together to support the Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program. While the Councils determine the research priorities, NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program.

NOAA Fisheries announced the recommended 2023-2024 awards on June 6, 2023. No federal money is used to support monkfish RSA projects. Instead, the RSA awards come in the form of monkfish days-at-sea. The Councils “set aside” 500 days-at-sea annually from the total number of monkfish days allocated tolimited access monkfish vessels. The money generated from compensation fishing under these days is used to fund the research and compensate industry partners.

Read the full release here

Council Selects Cate O’Keefe to be Next Executive Director

June 3, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has chosen Dr. Catherine “Cate” O’Keefe of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts to be its next executive director. Cate will replace Tom Nies, who is retiring.

Cate has over 20 years of experience in fisheries science and management. She is the owner of Fishery Applications Consulting Team. As its principal consultant, she has provided technical, research, and facilitation services to a wide range of clients, including the New England Council for scallop and monkfish projects. She also has provided services to offshore wind energy companies, fishing industry organizations, global consulting firms, academic institutions, and research organizations. She currently serves as vice chair of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.

Cate earned her doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST). Her dissertation was titled: “An incentive-based, collaborative approach to maximize yield by avoiding bycatch in the US sea scallop fishery.” She earned a master’s degree through the Boston University Marine Program in Woods Hole and a bachelor of arts in biology and fisheries from Hampshire College.