January 30, 2017 — We here at FishOn love lobsters for so many reasons. They taste great. They generate employment here in the commonwealth’s most lucrative lobster port and they provide the only real use for that gigantic pot in our cupboard.
Value of Maine lobster exports to China on pace to triple for 2016
January 30, 2017 — Live lobster exports to China are on pace to triple in value in 2016, despite the incursion of some new lobster suppliers to the growing Asian market.
Final figures for 2016 won’t be known until February, but through November, the value of live lobster shipments from Maine to China climbed to $27.5 million, nearly tripling from the $10.2 million reported in November 2015. That’s roughly half the total export of live lobsters from Maine to date, excluding Canada, where many Maine lobsters are processed and then imported back into Maine for distribution.
And those figures don’t include the traditional year-end surge leading up the Chinese New Year on Jan. 28, when Chinese celebrants have been serving up lobster from Maine, Massachusetts and Canada in ever-increasing numbers.
Maine man tackles commercial fishing – without a net
January 30, 2017 — Chef Benjamin Hasty, owner of Thistle Pig in South Berwick, was having a beer with a co-worker at 7th Settlement, a brewpub in Dover, New Hampshire, when he saw Tim Rider walk by, carrying fresh fish to the pub’s kitchen.
“We kept seeing someone schlepping these big totes of fish going by us,” Hasty recalled. “I said, ‘I need to introduce myself because I need to get some of that.’ ”
Hasty invited Rider, owner of New England Fishmongers, to join him for a cup of coffee. Rider told him he is one of the few New England commercial fishermen who still catches groundfish the old-fashioned way, with a rod and reel; experts believe he is the only one in Maine, and perhaps all of New England, who is doing so full time.
MAINE: South Portland considers pier improvements to support anticipated aquaculture boom
January 30, 2017 — PORTLAND, Maine — It’s not easy to find the Portland Street Pier, but it’s there, right off Front Street, wedged among the Sunset Marina, the Saltwater Grille restaurant and a couple of massive green fuel tanks owned by the Portland Pipe Line Corp.
There’s no sign trumpeting its location, even though it’s one of South Portland’s prime waterfront assets. The weathered gray structure at the edge of Portland Harbor is empty and icy quiet this time of year, when the docks have been pulled from the water and the nine lobstermen who use the facility from spring through fall keep their fishing boats elsewhere.
City officials are trying to change that. They’re taking steps to improve and expand the long-neglected municipal pier in the hope of turning it into an incubator for aquaculture enterprises in Casco Bay. To prove that they’re heading in the right direction, they point to the ongoing development of about 10 new aquaculture leases in the region, which could double the number of commercial operations growing mussels, oysters, scallops or seaweed in the nutrient-rich waters off Maine’s largest metropolitan center.
UMass Dartmouth cod survey takes a technical leap with high-def video
January 27, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Scientists at the UMass School for Marine Science and Technology are reporting a major advance in a new technology to use video to survey the fish stocks in the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic.
Dr. Kevin Stokesbury’s team surveyed the entire Stellwagen Bank, a fishing ground in the Gulf of Maine about 15 miles south of Gloucester and 6 miles north of Provincetown. They found large numbers of cod, whose stock assessments have been sharply reduced in recent years because of surveys done by NOAA fisheries. The reduction has caused a chain reaction in the fishing industry as abundant species cannot be caught if too much cod is hauled in as bycatch.
Four years in the making, Stokesbury’s video apparatus has now been equipped with high-resolution video that enables the identification of every fish that passes through the open-ended trawl net used to count fish without harming them.
“The seven-day cruise was very successful,” Stokesbury said in a news release. “Atlantic cod were observed over much of the bank, and the largest tow collection was of 345 cod in a half hour, with individuals measuring up to 83 centimeters. The idea is to increase the amount of sea floor sampled per sea day without killing more fish.”
Chief scientist and graduate student Travis Lowery told The Standard-Times that the big improvement over past versions of the video apparatus is the addition of a GoPro camera that enables the identification of every fish in high definition. Prior versions relied entirely on a tethered black and white video camera.
‘If it’s caught in Rhode Island … eat it’
January 27, 2017 — KINGSTON, R.I. — In a packed auditorium at University of Rhode Island on Jan. 17, foodies of every variety converged at the Rhode Island Food System Summit to talk about food production, distribution, economic policies and more.
The 350-person gathering was part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s development of the state’s first comprehensive food strategy to support the local food economy. The strategy is a five-year action plan that will leverage key components of Rhode Island’s food system: agriculture and fisheries, economic development, and health and access.
As part of the governor’s plan, Sue AnderBois was hired as the state’s first director of food strategy in June 2016. Her job responsibilities include creating policy for every aspect of the state’s food system — from farm to market to table. Her position will be funded for two years by grants from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, the John Merck Fund and Main Street Resources.
The plan’s goals also include alleviating food insecurity and hunger among state residents, making food production more accessible, creating and growing markets for Rhode Island food products, prioritizing environmental and economic sustainability and creating a positive economic climate for food-related businesses.
UMass’s award-winning dining halls serving up tasty dogfish as chefs reject ‘trash fish’ moniker
January 27, 2017 — AMHERST, Mass. — It may not have the tastiest name, but a University of Massachusetts chef says dogfish is becoming a popular fish on campus.
All the dining commons serve the fish — 400 to 500 pounds of it — as part of a fish fry every Friday night.
Bob Bankert, chef de cuisine for UMass Dining, said UMass began seeking alternatives to cod several years ago, and began serving dogfish in the fall.
“Cod is way over fished,” Bankert said.
Before arriving at dogfish, the dining halls also began serving other so-called “trash fish” such as pollock and redfish.
But Bankert rejects the “trash fish” moniker — born from the practice of fisherman tossing such species out instead of bringing them to market — and instead calls fish like dogfish “under loved.”
Bankert said people don’t have problems with the idea of eating catfish — but some balk at the name “dogfish.”
Dogfish — a shark species also known as “cape shark” — is native to New England waters. But, about 90 percent of the harvest has been sent to England for that country’s fish and chips, Bankert said.
He’s hoping that through word of mouth and focus on the fish, more people will try it and be able to find it at markets.
America’s Fishing Industry Unites to Support Chris Oliver for NOAA Fisheries
January 27, 2017 — The following was released by the National Coalition for Fishing Communities:
Washington, D.C. – In a nearly unprecedented display of unanimity, members of the fishing industry representing New England, Pacific, North Pacific, Mid-Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaiian and Southeastern fisheries, as well as the National Fisheries Institute based in Washington, D.C have rallied to support the appointment of North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) Director Chris Oliver as the next Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In the past week, several letters have been sent to President Trump’s transition team advocating for the appointment of Mr. Oliver to lead NOAA Fisheries. In total, the letters represented 55 seafood companies, trade associations and conservation groups. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is the nation’s top regulator of fishing in federal waters.
The push comes at a time when more 90 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported from overseas, resulting in an astonishing $13 billion seafood trade deficit.
“America’s fisheries generate millions of jobs and contribute billions to the economy, but we could do a lot more,” said Daniel Occhipinti, General Counsel of Oregon-based Pacific Seafood Group and one of the leaders of the coalition. “We believe Chris Oliver has the experience to increase the economic productivity of our fisheries while also promoting conservation and sustainability, which is critical.”
Mr. Oliver has spent his career in fisheries management, serving for the past 16 years as the Executive Director of the NPFMC. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Oliver also worked served as the Deputy Director and Gulf of Alaska Fishery Management Plan Coordinator.“
I’ve known Chris Oliver for many years, and without a doubt, he has the skills and experience required for this job,” said Lori Steele, Executive Director of the West Coast Seafood Processors Association. “
Chris has a keen sense for how to balance competing interests in a way that promotes sustainability, enhances community and, most importantly, optimizes productivity of a fishery.”
“I’ve known Chris for about ten years. What he can bring to NOAA Fisheries is a strong commitment to using the council process for managing fisheries,” said Mary Beth Tooley, an at-large member of the New England Fishery Management Council and Maine resident “Chris is an ardent believer in the tenets of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. He is committed to achieving optimum yield, while preventing overfishing”.
The diverse coalition supporting Oliver represents a nearly-unprecedented level of cooperation between disparate fishing communities across the nation, including American seafood businesses from more than nine states, dozens of local fishermen’s associations, the leading trade groups from across the country.
“People ask why we have a $13 billion dollar seafood trade deficit and what we can do to fix it,” said Occhipinti, “the answer isn’t trade barriers, it’s increasing domestic production. We think Chris Oliver is the man for the job.” Signers of the letter include:
FISHING ORGANIZATIONS
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Major seafood processing companies with operations in Alaska and Washington
The Seafood Coalition
Consortium of fishing organizations across the nation
Freezer Longline Coalition
Longline companies, vessel owners, and related businesses in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
National Fisheries Institute
Non-profit organization dedicated to education about seafood safety, sustainability, and nutrition
Garden State Seafood Association
New Jersey fishermen and New Jersey’s fisheries dependent businesses
Organized Fishermen of Florida
Commercial fishermen from Florida.
Marine Conservation Alliance
“Seafood-interest organization of coastal communities, harvesters, processors, and western Alaska Community Development Quota entities”
Long Island Commercial Fishing Association
Group dedicated to sustainable fishing out of New York.
Southeastern Fisheries Association
“Nonprofit fisheries trade association [in the Southeastern United States] founded by a core group of fish dealers in 1952.”
Golden Gate Fisherman’s Association
“A group of sport fishing professionals and concerned anglers dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of he marine fisheries in the San Francisco Golden Gate waters”
Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers
Alaskans who fish for “King, Snow and Bairdi crab in the Bering Sea.”
At Sea Processors Association
“Trade association representing six companies that own and operate 16 U.S.-flag catcher/processor vessels.”
Sportfishing Association of California
Works to promote California sportfishing needs with governing agencies at the state, federal, and international levels.
Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association
West Coast Seafood Processors Association
“Serves the needs of the shore-based seafood processors in California, Oregon, and Washington”
Columbia River Crab Fisherman’s Association
Coos Bay Trawlers Association
Western Fishboat Owners Association
“Non-profit representing albacore troll-vessel owners and supporting businesses in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii.”
American Fishermen’s Research Foundation
“Established in 1971 to aid, encourage, promote, and support science and education in the field of albacore and related fish species.”
Coalition of Coastal Fisheries
Directed Sustainable Fisheries
Southern Offshore Fishing Association
SEAFOOD COMPANIES
Pacific Seafood
Over 2500 employees at over 35 facilities in seven states
Dana Wharf Sportfishing
Private sportfishing charter company out of Dana Point, California.
Coastal Villages
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance
A non-profit working to represent commercial fishermen in the Gulf.
Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Organization for organizing Florida Keys fishermen into “an effective lobby to protect and promote the fishing industry.”
Alaska Groundfish Data Bank
Alaskan Leader Seafoods
Longline business that owns four freezer-longliners fishing out of Alaska.
Alaska Marine Conservation Council
“Community-based, non-profit organization committed to protecting the long-term health of Alaska’s marine ecosystems”
Alaska Whitefish Trawlers
Has represented the Gulf of Alaska shore-based catcher-vessel trawl industry for over four decades.
Aleutian Spray Fisheries, Inc.
Fishes for Alaska Pollock, Pacific Cod, Opilio Crab, and Alaska King Crab
Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
“Formed to allow for an organized community voice for fishing and fisheries in response to current and future state and federal legislation that affects fishing, fisheries, and attendant coastal and marine environments”
American Albacore Fishing Association
Non-profit representing commercial pole and line vessels.
American Seafoods Company
Harvests, processes, distributes and markets a diverse array of seafood products from sustainably managed fisheries in U.S. waters off Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
“The purpose of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation to promote economic growth and opportunities for residents of its member communities through sustainable use of the Bering Sea resources.”
Harbor Masters and Port Captains Incorporated
Organization of port leaders throughout California
California Fisheries & Seafood Institute
“The nation’s largest regional organization representing members of the consumer seafood supply industry.”
Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara
“Integrates Regional Efforts Of Fishing Communities With The Aim Of Improving The Economic And Biological Sustainability Of Fisheries”
California Wetfish Producers Association
Established in 2004 to promote sustainable fisheries and foster cooperative research on sardines, mackerels, anchovy and market squid, as well as coastal tunas
California Marine Affairs & Navigation Conference
“Consortium of California harbors, ports and marine interest groups.”
Catalina Offshore Products
Seafood company sourced out of Southern California
California Lobster and Trap Fishermen’s Association
Fishing Vessel Owners Association
Longline vessel operators, based in Seattle.
Fisheries Survival Fund
Atlantic scallop fishermen from Maine to Virginia.
Groundfish Forum
Trade association representing 6 trawl companies fishing for flatfish.
Hawaii Longline Association
“Established in 2000 to advance the interests of the fishermen and related industries involved in the Hawaii longline fisheries.”
Icicle
Midwater Trawler’s Cooperative
Northwest Food Processors Association
Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative
“Trade association representing three companies that own and operate 10 U.S.-flag catcher/processor vessels for whiting in the West Coast.”
Southern Offshore Fishing Association
Tri Marine
Trident Seafoods
Largest seafood company in the United States
Washington Trollers Association
“Serving fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the salmon”
United Catcher Boats
Owners of vessels that trawl for groundfish in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and West Coast
United Fishermen’s Marketing Association
West Coast Fisheries Consultants
Association of consultants working in the West Coast fishing industry
CITY/STATE ENTITIES
City of Unalaska, Alaska
Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
“Non-profit trade association serving the hospitality needs of Oregon.”
Oregon Trawl Commission
Oregon state government agency.
California Sea Urchin Commission
Works to “ensure a sustainable sea urchin resource and a reliable supply of quality seafood product”
###
New camera can help assess cod stocks in Gulf of Maine
January 26, 2017 — Researchers from UMass Dartmouth say they have successfully tested an underwater video-survey system that they hope will provide an accurate method to assess Atlantic cod stocks.
In collaboration with fishermen, the research team recently placed high-resolution cameras in an open-ended commercial trawl net on Stellwagen Bank in the Gulf of Maine, known as one of the world’s most active marine sanctuaries.
The cameras captured images of cod and other groundfish as they passed through the net. Periodically, researchers from UMD’s School for Marine Science & Technology closed the net for short periods to collect length, weight, and take other biological samples from some of the fish. The fish are unharmed and are returned to the sea.
New England Fishery Management Council Approves Witch Flounder Specifications; Recommends 2017 Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock Recreational Measures
January 26, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):
The New England Fishery Management Council has approved new witch flounder specifications for the 2017-2019 groundfish fishing years. Allocations will be based on an acceptable biological catch (ABC) of 878 metric tons (mt). When adjusted for management uncertainty, the ABC results in an annual catch limit (ACL) of 839 mt. This value is almost double the 441 mt ACL currently in place for the 2016 fishing year, which ends April 30, 2017.
The specifications are part of Framework Adjustment 56 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The Council approved other framework measures in November (see list next page) but held off on witch flounder specifications pending the completion of a new benchmark stock assessment.
During its Jan. 24-26 meeting in Portsmouth, NH, the Council: (1) received a briefing on the new assessment; (2) made several decisions related to the assessment itself and witch flounder specifications; (3) approved revised 2017-2019 annual catch limits; and (4) voted to submit Framework 56 to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for approval. The target implementation date is May 1, the start of the 2017 fishing year.
The assessment was conducted as part of the 62nd Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW)/Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC), which wrapped up in December. The SARC and independent peer reviewers concluded that neither the overfished nor overfishing status of the stock could be determined, so both are now considered “unknown.” The model used to conduct the assessment was rejected because it exhibited a problematic retrospective pattern, meaning it tended to underestimate fishing mortality and overestimate biomass. The SARC instead used an “empirical approach” and based its conclusions on: (1) a three-year/six-survey moving average of exploitable biomass estimates; and (2) the mean exploitation rate observed from 2007-2015, which was 0.060.
The Council supported using this empirical approach but noted that the 2018 and 2019 ABCs are likely to change based on the 2017 operational assessment for witch flounder. The Council requested that the operational assessment consider changes to the exploitation rate used under the empirical approach.
Following the witch flounder discussion, the Council voted to submit Framework 56 to NMFS for review. The framework also contains:
- A Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank northern windowpane flounder sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) for the scallop fishery;
- A temporary, two-year modification to the existing accountability measure policy for the scallop fishery so that accountability measures only apply when the scallop fishery exceeds its sub-ACL for George Bank yellowtail flounder or northern windowpane flounder and the overall ACL for that stock is also exceeded;
- An increase in the herring midwater trawl fishery’s Georges Bank haddock sub-ACL from 1% to 1.5%; and
- Proposed 2017 U.S./Canada quotas for shared stocks on Georges Bank.
Recreational Measures: In other groundfish related actions, the Council also asked NMFS to consider implementing the following Gulf of Maine cod and haddock recreational fishing measures for the 2017 fishing year. NMFS has the final say on this action, so the Council’s vote is only a recommendation.
- Gulf of Maine cod – zero possession;
- Gulf of Maine haddock – a 12-fish per-person bag limit, a 17” minimum size, and two closed seasons:Sept. 17, 2017-Oct. 31, 2017 closed
March 1, 2018-April 14, 2018 closed
Recreational fishermen have exceeded their 2016 sub-ACLs for both stocks, and three months remain in the fishing year. Preliminary figures indicate that 192% of the Gulf of Maine cod sub-ACL has been harvested and 115% of the recreational fishery’s Gulf of Maine haddock sub-ACL has been taken.
Therefore, based on the best scientific advice available, the Council agreed to recommend zero cod possession for 2017 on all recreational trips by both private and for-hire vessels.
The Council then focused on trying to maximize recreational fishing opportunities on haddock while avoiding impacts on cod.
Southern Windowpane: The Council voted to ask NMFS to consider all possible remediation methods available to put in place a one-year exemption to the pending accountability measures for southern windowpane flounder for fishing year 2017.
Priorities: The Council reviewed its 2017 groundfish priorities, which include, among many other actions: setting ABCs and ACLs for all stocks; supporting operational assessments for all stocks; reviewing groundfish catch in “other” fisheries; revising Atlantic halibut measures; improving the recreational management process for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock; and launching a groundfish monitoring amendment.
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