Saving Seafood

NEFMC Seeks Contractor for Habitat Climate Vulnerability Assessment Matrix and Species Narratives Development

May 3, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking the services of an independent contractor to develop informational products for fishery managers that integrate the results of three assessments:

  • The Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment (NHRA);
  • The Northeast Fish and Shellfish Climate Vulnerability Assessment (FSCVA); and
  • The Northeast Habitat Climate Vulnerability Assessment (HCVA).

This is a temporary contractor role, commencing on or about July 1, 2021, with expected completion by December 31, 2022.  The contractor will work closely with the Council’s Habitat Plan Coordinator, as well as other NHRA and HCVA investigators.  The application deadline is May 31, 2021.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT: This project provides the New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils, which lead the Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment, with an opportunity to integrate the outputs from all three of the identified assessments for use in fisheries management.  The major objectives for this project are to:

  • Refine and advance a preliminary habitat-species vulnerability matrix; and
  • Develop species narratives for prioritized managed and forage species in the region.

The matrix will summarize which species use which habitat types, by life stage, and identify habitat and species climate vulnerabilities.  The species narratives will describe how the vulnerability of habitats to climate change may impact the vulnerability of those species, with a focus on species that are highly dependent on highly vulnerable habitats.

HOW MANY SPECIES ARE INVOLVED: The objective is to complete narratives for 50 species as part of this contract, with the remaining 20 species completed if possible, as resources permit.  A table containing the full list of species is available in the solicitation announcement.

TIMELINE: The timeline for this effort is July 2021 through December 2022, though most work is expected to be completed by July 2022 to align with the end date of the Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: The Council is looking for candidates who have: (1) background in marine fisheries biology, ecology, habitat science, climate science, and/or habitat modeling, including knowledge of Greater Atlantic Region managed and forage species; (2) familiarity with the federal fisheries management in the Greater Atlantic Region, including a basic understanding of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regulatory guidance; (3) strong writing skills and a demonstrated ability to summarize complex issues in clear, easily read documents; (4) a demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team but with considerable independence and initiative and strong interpersonal skills; and (5) the ability to research and compile fisheries habitat and scientific research with minimal supervision.

APPLICATION DETAILS: Interested professionals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae, examples of similar work completed for other organizations or publications, and a budget with expected expenses no later than May 31, 2021.

QUESTIONS: For more information, contact Executive Director Tom Nies at (978) 465-0492 ext. 113, tnies@nefmc.org, or Habitat Plan Coordinator Michelle Bachman at (978) 465-0492 ext. 120, mbachman@nefmc.org.

NOAA Fisheries Approves 16 Groundfish Sectors for Fishing Years 2021 and 2022 and Allocates Annual Catch Entitlements for Fishing Year 2021

April 29, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective May 1

NOAA Fisheries is approving fishing years 2021 and 2022 sector operations plans and contracts from 16 groundfish sectors, and granting 19 regulatory exemptions to improve the efficiency and flexibility of sector vessels. We are also allocating annual catch entitlements for fishing year 2021 based on Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Annual catch entitlements may be modified based on the New England Fishery Management Council’s recommendations in Framework Adjustment 61, if approved, at a later date.

This action also amends the groundfish monitoring regulations to allow the use of electronic monitoring to meet sector monitoring requirements. NOAA Fisheries has determined that the electronic monitoring audit model is sufficient for use in place of at-sea monitors for catch accounting. Sector vessels may now choose to use either at-sea monitoring or electronic monitoring to meet monitoring requirements, provided that the vessels’ sector has a corresponding monitoring program approved as part of its fishing years 2021-22 sector operations plan.

For more information read the rule as filed in the Federal Register and our bulletin.

Scallop Research Share Days Scheduled for Thursday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – Tune In

April 29, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will be hosting two Scallop Research Share Days on Thursday, May 6, 2021 and Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Both sessions will be held by webinar and are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

Share Days provide an opportunity for award recipients of the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program to “share” their findings with fishery managers and the public. This year, other scallop researchers who are conducting studies on topics that have been identified by the Council as research priorities also will have the chance to share their work.

Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn said, “Scallop Research Share Days are a great opportunity for fishery managers and stakeholders to learn more about ongoing scallop research in our region. Expanding the scope of this event to include researchers outside of the Scallop RSA Program will help the Council determine where to focus future RSA priorities. I encourage anyone who’s interested in the scallop fishery to join both of the webinar sessions for this event and listen to the short overviews of the important scallop research that’s being conducted in our region.”

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Revised 2021 and Projected 2022 Spiny Dogfish Specifications

April 29, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective May 1

NOAA Fisheries is implementing revised catch specifications for the 2021 and 2022 spiny dogfish fishery, as recommended by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. These catch limits are revised from what was originally projected for fishing year 2021 to reflect the Mid-Atlantic Council’s updated risk policy to prevent overfishing, and the same specifications are projected for fishing year 2022. Because the new risk policy accepts a higher level of risk for stocks at or above biomass targets, the proposed revisions increase all catch limits nearly 10 percent, as shown in the table below.

All other spiny dogfish management measures and requirements, including the 6,000-lb federal trip limit, remain unchanged.

For more details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register, and/or the bulletin posted on our website.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Drops Limited Access from Skate Amendment 5 Toolbox for Both Wing and Bait Fisheries

April 26, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will continue to work on Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, the Council will not be developing alternatives that involve limited access for either the skate wing or skate bait fisheries as part of this amendment. The Council made this decision during its April 13-15, 2021 webinar meeting.

The Council conducted two rounds of scoping for Amendment 5. The first was in 2017 when the amendment was largely focused on limited access and qualification criteria. The second was in January and February of 2021 after the Council agreed to expand the scope of the amendment to consider ways other than limited access to:

  • Prevent triggering incidental skate possession limits;
  • Improve the precision and accuracy of fishery data; and
  • Better define fishery participants.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Provides Guidance on Actions to Rebuild Herring Stock, Consider Spawning Protection on Georges Bank

April 23, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council received a progress report during its April 13-15, 2021 webinar meeting on two evolving framework adjustments to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. The Council discussed both actions and provided feedback to guide the Herring Plan Development Team (PDT), Herring Committee, and Herring Advisory Panel (AP) on the work these groups will continue to conduct in the months ahead.

FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 9 – This framework includes two components:

  • Measures to rebuild the Atlantic herring resource; and
  • Measures to potentially adjust accountability measures (AMs) in the fishery.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Decides Against Limited Entry for Party/Charter Component of Recreational Groundfish Fishery

April 23, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will not be developing a limited entry program for party/charter vessels that participate in the recreational groundfish fishery. The decision was made during the Council’s April 13-15, 2021 webinar meeting.

The Council debated a motion to move ahead with limited entry and thoroughly discussed the advantages and potential drawbacks of using limited entry to manage the for-hire groundfish fleet. The final vote was 7-to-7 with two abstentions. Therefore, the motion failed for lack of a majority and, as such, the Council will not pursue work on a limited entry amendment. Here is a recap of how the Council got to this point.

Read the full release here

NEFMC SSC Social Science Subpanel – Listen Live – Wednesday, April 28, 2021 – Groundfish, Scallop Specifications

April 20, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

An ad-hoc Social Science Subpanel of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet via webinar on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 to conduct a peer review of recent Northeast multispecies and Atlantic sea scallop specifications.  The public is invited to listen live.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m.

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

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (914) 614-3221.  The access code is 429-619-243.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply. 

AGENDA:  The SSC Social Science Subpanel will:
  • Receive presentations on the social and economic analyses in Groundfish Framework Adjustment 59 and Scallop Framework Adjustment 32;
  • Discuss the presentations and related materials, which are part of the subpanel’s review of social and economic impact analyses for typical Council actions that adjust fishery specifications; and
  • Where appropriate, develop recommendations for consideration by the full Council at a future meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Opportunities for public input and comments will be available during the meeting.  The deadline for submitting written comments is 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021.  Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.
 
MATERIALS:  All documents, including the peer review description, terms of reference, list of subpanel members, and framework documents, are posted on the SSC Social Science Subpanel April 28, 2021 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 Discusses Scallops, Habitat, Climate Change, NTAP, Congressional Updates, and Ecosystem at April 2021 Meeting

April 16, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met April 13-15, 2021 by webinar. Here are some highlights.

CLIMATE SCIENCE: The Council received a climate science presentation from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center that covered: observed changes on the Northeast Continental Shelf related to temperature, currents, and pH; NOAA’s Climate Science Strategy; the Northeast Regional Action Plan; and more.

NRCC CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING: The Northeast Region Coordinating Council (NRCC) is moving forward with an East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative. The NRCC consists of leadership from the Shown above, the U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf. A list of upcoming webinars in the NOAA Fisheries U.S. Northeast Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series is posted here. – NOAA Fisheries graphic New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils, the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The South Atlantic Council, although not an NRCC member, is participating in the climate change scenario planning initiative.

Read the full release here

Get your Maine scallops while the season lasts

April 16, 2021 — With just a couple weeks of April left, if you like Maine scallops, you had better take the opportunity to get them while you can. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting for the fishery to re-open in December. Unlike many other types of Maine seafood, scallops are only available seasonally. It’s a little confusing, though, because there are two different seasons. That’s because there are two parts of the fishery, one closer to shore and one further offshore. Scallops are a highly valuable species, so managing them well provides substantial income for the state’s economy

The state fishery, which opens in December, takes place inshore of the three-mile state water limit. It is managed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). They issue licenses by lottery for two types of license – one for dragging, the primary means of harvesting, and one for divers who collect scallops by SCUBA. The season is slightly different for each type. The inshore fishery is divided into zones that are closed when harvesting limits are reached.

The federal fishery, which takes place out past three miles from shore, is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). That fishery requires a separate license and each permit is specific to a designated area. We are part of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) area. The state scallop season is often the one people think of and associate with Maine fishermen, but around 40 Maine boats fish in the NGOM.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald