Saving Seafood

NEFMC Signs Off on Framework 36 For 2023 Scallop Fishing Year

December 12, 2022 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) met this week and took final action on the 2023 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. They say that the measures selected are “projected to result in roughly 25 million pounds of landings valued at roughly $398 million.” To compare, this year was 34 million pounds.

Despite biomass being down “considerably” over the past few years, the NEFMC reports that scallops are “not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.” They also referred back to a 2022 survey that was released back in September. That survey found “several areas with new sets of seed scallops, as well as beds with concentrations of smaller scallops that are continuing to grow.” But again, despite positive signs, there are still some concerns, like that the survey also revealed that biomass overall was at its lowest observed level since 1999. The reason highlighted in the survey is because of minimal recruitment over the past several years.

Read the full article at Seafoodnews.com

Scallops: Council Signs Off on Framework 36 with Specifications and Other Measures for 2023 Fishing Year

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

The New England Fishery Management Council took final action on 2023 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery when it met December 5-9, 2022 in Newport, RI. The measures are contained in Framework Adjustment 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan and include default specifications for fishing year 2024. The new scallop fishing year begins on April 1. NOAA Fisheries must review and implement the framework before the measures take affect.

Scallops are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, which indicates the resource remains healthy. However, total biomass is down considerably from the past several years. Survey biomass estimates in 2022 were the lowest since 1999. The exceptionally large 2012 and 2013 year classes of scallops that drove landings up above 50 million pounds from 2018 through 2020 have passed through the fishery. Since 2013, recruitment has been below average in the Mid-Atlantic and average on Georges Bank until this year and last.

The Council considered these factors when selecting landings targets for the 2023 fishing year. The measures selected are projected to result in roughly 25 million pounds of landings valued at roughly $398 million.

Read the full release here

Habitat: Council Receives Updates on Salmon Aquaculture Framework, Offshore Wind; Retains Georges Bank DHRA

December 7, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council covered four habitat-related topics during its December 2022 meeting in Newport, RI. These included:

• A progress report on the Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Framework;

• A review of the Georges Bank Dedicated Habitat Research Area (DHRA) and decision to retain it;

• Updates on offshore wind activities; and • A short overview of contracted work related to the northern tip of Closed Area II on Georges Bank, which is referred to as the Northern Edge.

Read the full release here

NEFMC December 5-8, 2022 Meeting

November 29, 2022 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a four-day meeting from Monday, December 5 through Thursday, December 8, 2022. 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 toCOVID-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:  1:00 p.m. on Monday and 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  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, December 1, 2022.  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
  2. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 1:45 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) 655-0060.  The access code is 848-886-639.  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 atNEFMC December 5-8, 2022 meeting.  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 – Wednesday, November 9, 2022 – Groundfish Issues

November 2, 2022 — The following was released by the 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 groundfish.  The public is invited to listen live.  Here are the details.

 
 
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 (914) 614-3221.  The access code is 634-029-213.  Your regular phone charges will apply.
 
AGENDA:  The SSC will meet to:
 
  • Review information provided by the Council’s Groundfish Plan Development Team and results from the recent peer-reviewed management track stock assessments for the groundfish stocks identified below;
 
  • Using the Council’s acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rule, recommend the overfishing limits (OFLs) and acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for fishing years 2023, 2024, and 2025 for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, white hake, and Georges Bank haddock; and 
 
  • Discuss other business if necessary.
 
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022.  Address comments to Council Chair Eric Reid or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.  Additional information is available in themeeting notice.
 
MATERIALS:  All documents for this meeting will be posted on the SSC October 26-27, 2022 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 SSC – Listen Live – Wednesday and Thursday, October 26-27, 2022 – Groundfish and Monkfish Issues

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

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

 
 
START TIME:  9:00 a.m. both days
 
 
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 (415) 930-5321.  The access code is 557-716-863.  Your regular phone charges will apply.
 
AGENDA:  The SSC will meet to:
 
  • Review information provided by the Council’s Groundfish Plan Development Team, as well as results from the recent peer-reviewed management track stock assessments for several groundfish stocks;
 
  • Using the Council’s acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rule, recommend the overfishing limits (OFLs) and acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for fishing years 2023, 2024, and 2025 for Georges Bank haddock, Gulf of Maine haddock, Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, Gulf of Maine winter flounder, American plaice, white hake, pollock, and Atlantic halibut;
 
  • Receive an update on the development of ABC control rule alternatives under consideration for the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan;
 
  • Review information provided by the Council’s Monkfish Plan Development Team, as well as results from the recent Monkfish Management Track Stock Assessment and peer review;
 
  • Recommend the OFLs and ABCs for the Northern and Southern Monkfish Fishery Management Areas for fishing years 2023, 2024, and 2025;
 
  • Recommend an approach for determining the discard deduction from the annual catch target for setting specifications for the monkfish fishery for fishing years 2023-2025; and
 
  • Discuss other business if necessary.
 
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022.  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 posted on the SSC October 26-27, 2022 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 Scientific and Statistical Committee Nominees to Serve for 2023-2025

October 13, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).  Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by other individuals or organizations.  Appointments are for three years with the term beginning in January 2023 and ending December 2025.  All relevant materials should be sent to the Council office and must be received by 8:00 a.m. on December 23, 2022.

SSC nominees should have expertise in statistics, fisheries biology, marine ecology, economics, sociology, anthropology, or other social sciences as they apply to fisheries management.  SSC members are expected to provide independent, scientific advice to the Council.

The purpose of the SSC is to assist the Council in the development, collection, and evaluation of statistical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific information relevant to the development of fishery management plans.  Responsibilities are outlined in the solicitation announcement and in the Council’s Operations Handbook.

SSC members are reimbursed for travel expenses up to specified limits for attending official meetings at the Council’s request and receive a daily stipend subject to funding.

The duties and responsibilities of this position require nominees to file the Statement of Financial Interests to fulfill the requirements of the Magnuson‐Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  The purpose of this report is to assist potential candidates and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.  Please complete the form and include it with your application.

Nominations and supporting materials may be submitted by regular mail to the Council office or by email to Joan O’Leary at joleary@nefmc.org.  All nominations must be received by 8:00 a.m. on December 23, 2022.

If you have questions or need further information about this process, please contact Council Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at (978) 465-0492 ext. 112; ckellogg@nefmc.org.

Fishing regulators fear wind turbines could threaten spawning area for Atlantic cod

October 11, 2022 — Scientists identified spawning cod in a large area currently leased for offshore wind development, prompting fisheries regulators to declare the habitat a “high priority” and raising concerns that some projects could derail the decade-long effort to rebuild the struggling commercial fishery.

The designation by the New England Fishery Management Council was submitted to the federal NOAA Fisheries in August and is now pending final approval. Those involved say it is the most declarative action taken by the regional council in its approach to the emerging wind energy industry, highlighting its “concern over potential adverse impacts from offshore wind development.”

“We want to make it very clear that there are important fishery resources in this area,” said council spokesperson Janice Plante. “We hope that it creates an extra layer of consideration as these projects go forward.”

The boundaries of the designation, which is called a Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC), is roughly 3,000 square miles and spans all nine wind-energy lease areas in federal waters off Southern New England. It includes a buffer zone beyond the lease areas, “recognizing that some types of development activities can generate impacts at scales of tens of kilometers beyond the site of construction and operations.”

Read the full article at the New Bedford Light

Council to Hold Seven In-Person Public Information Workshops on Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management

October 11, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled seven in-person public information workshops to help fishermen and other stakeholders learn more about ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM).

The workshops will run for three hours each and cover: (1) how EBFM can be used as a tool to assess and manage fisheries in general; and (2) more specifically, how EBFM potentially could be used to regulate fisheries on Georges Bank. The Council has developed a Draft Example Fishery Ecosystem Plan (eFEP) for Georges Bank in preparation for further discussion.

Read the full release here

Council Receives Final Monkfish Fishery Performance Report and Framework 13 Update; Hears Skate Monitoring Report Recap

October 4, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council discussed several items related to monkfish and skates during its September 26-29, 2022 hybrid meeting in Gloucester, MA.

• The Council received the final 2022 Monkfish Fishery Performance Report, which was developed to help the Council better understand present conditions in the fishery.

• The Council also received an update on Framework Adjustment 13 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which includes specifications for the 2023-2025 fishing years and other management measures. This portion of the discussion covered very preliminary outcomes from the latest monkfish stock assessment, which was peer reviewed the week before the Council meeting. And,

• The Council received an overview of the 2022 Skate Annual Monitoring Report, which covered the fishery and data through the 2021 fishing year and incorporated improvements recommended by the Skate Plan Development Team (PDT).

Read the full release here