Saving Seafood

Necropsy Offers Rare Opportunity to Study White Shark Biology

February 29, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

On Friday, February 23, 2024, NOAA Fisheries received a report of a 15-foot female white shark that washed up on the shores of Navarre Beach, Florida. Local partners quickly responded to the event and monitored the shark. The NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement then transported it to the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center facility in Panama City, Florida. There, our scientists conducted a necropsy, or animal autopsy. While the team was not immediately able to determine the cause of death, they collected extremely rare samples from this enormous elasmobranch.

A “Great” Amount of White Shark Information

NOAA Fisheries researchers Michelle Passerotti, Heather Moncrief-Cox, and John Carlson led a team of eight biologists in conducting the necropsy over the weekend. They spent 9 hours collecting precise measurements, recording detailed notes, and dissecting the animal to gain valuable samples and information about the shark.

The white shark is one of the most well-studied shark species in the world. They gather in key feeding areas along coastlines throughout the world, which allows researchers to study them closely and predictably. However, most of these studies occur with live animals. Some samples—like vertebrae for ageing, stomach contents for diet studies, or reproductive measurements—can only be collected from a dead specimen. Opportunities to study dead sharks are incredibly important for science.

United States Promotes Labor Standards, Improved Monitoring at South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation

February 8, 2024 — Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries:

At its 12th annual meeting in Ecuador, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation adopted U.S. proposals to improve observer coverage and combat labor abuse in South Pacific fisheries.

Led by NOAA Fisheries, including colleagues from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. delegation built on important successes from last year’s meeting to continue strengthening management and monitoring of the squid fishery in the South Pacific. This fishery has been the focus of claims of rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in recent years. U.S efforts led to the adoption of a comprehensive high seas boarding and inspection program last year that significantly increases opportunities for monitoring this fleet.

Combating IUU Fishing through 100 Percent Transshipment Observer Coverage

Many South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation members have been concerned about the lack of monitoring for at-sea transshipment in the Convention Area, particularly in the squid fleet. A new conservation measure brokered by the United States and co-sponsored by New Zealand will boost observer coverage for transshipment to 100 percent. Unmonitored transhipment, particularly on the high seas, creates opportunities for untraceable seafood products to enter the market. The United States is greatly concerned about the rise of seafood caught by illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. This agreement is a huge step forward in assuring sustainably caught seafood for U.S. markets.

“Adoption of the U.S. transshipment measure at this year’s meeting is an important achievement that will help the organization improve monitoring and ensure compliance of vessels fishing in the South Pacific,” said Alexa Cole, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce for NOAA Fisheries, who serves as the U.S. Commissioner to the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. “I am extremely pleased that the Commission was able to reach an agreement on these significant improvements that continue to increase our capacity to monitor and regulate the activities of these vessels.”

Improved Monitoring of the Jumbo Flying Squid Fishery

The United States also led the charge to adopt an increase in observer monitoring in the jumbo-flying squid fishery.  Repeated concerns have been raised regarding the current levels of observer coverage being below the acceptable scientific standards for purposes of data collection and monitoring compliance. To address this gap, the United States and New Zealand proposed increasing observer coverage, with an allowance for electronic monitoring once the Commission develops standards.

After extensive negotiations, the Commission agreed on an increase of more than 200 percent in observer coverage for the largest fleet in the fishery by September 2025. The new measure will allow progressive increases in observer coverage to a level of 10 percent of fishing days. This coverage could be achieved through a mix of human observers and electronic monitoring.

Last year, with U.S. leadership, the Commission placed limits on the number of vessels engaged in the squid fishery for the first time. This fishery had seen exponential growth in past years, which is now capped. The increased observer coverage further strengthens the management of this fishery.

Paving the Way for Electronic Monitoring

Members adopted a proposal from Ecuador, supported by the United States, to create a new working group to establish electronic monitoring standards. Members will consider the proposal for adoption at next year’s Commission meeting. The United States will chair this important work with support from Ecuador.

Stronger Protection Against Labor Abuses in Fisheries

Members took a critical first step to address labor abuses in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation Convention area. The Commission adopted a decision introduced by the United States, New Zealand, and Australia to establish labor standards on fishing vessels operating in the South Pacific. The decision encourages members to ratify international instruments and adopt national legislation to strengthen labor standards in the fisheries sector. Members are also encouraged to implement measures to eliminate forced labor, ensure a safe working environment, and promote fair terms of employment for fishers.

Recent reports have highlighted cases of labor abuses in fisheries, including the jumbo flying squid fishery. This decision will support actions to protect human rights and pave the way for improved working conditions in South Pacific fisheries.

Taken together, these measures, all adopted by consensus, demonstrate the reach and effectiveness of multilateral engagement. These tools will provide greater protection to the fisheries resources and increased transparency to the operations, and safeguard the crew members on board these vessels.

Promoting Conservation of High Seas Area with Rich Biodiversity (Salas y Gomez and Nazca Ridges)

With U.S. support, the Commission adopted a decision by Chile calling attention to the Salas y Gomez and Nazca Ridges within the work of the organization’s Scientific Committee. This high seas area consists of two underwater mountain chains stretching 1,800 miles. They are among the most unique and ecologically significant areas in the world. Home to at least 82 threatened or endangered species, these seamounts are also an important spawning and nursery area for valuable fisheries. Under the new proposal, the Scientific Committee will evaluate relevant research and data and make management recommendations for the Commission to consider, laying the groundwork for future protection.

Ianelli Lauded for Great Work

The meeting in Ecuador also marked the end of Jim Ianelli’s final term chairing the Science Committee. Ianelli is a member of the U.S. delegation and a senior scientist at NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center. He was lauded for his exceptional work on behalf of the commission for the last 10 years. “Jim has the trust and respect of all members of the Commission,” said Cole. “The Commission has benefited greatly from his calm and steady leadership, sense of humor, and commitment to ensuring we made decisions that were rooted in good science. His expertise will be greatly missed.”

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation

The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation manages the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources of the South Pacific Ocean. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation Convention applies to the high seas of the South Pacific, covering about a fourth of the Earth’s high seas areas. The main species fished in the area are jack mackerel and jumbo flying squid in the Southeast Pacific, and deep-sea species associated with seamounts in the Southwest Pacific.

Scallops: NEFMC Advances Framework Adjustment 38 for Fishing Year 2024; Higher VMS Ping Rates Part of the Package

December 7, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has signed off on Framework Adjustment 38 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. Next, the framework will go to NOAA Fisheries for review and implementation. The target implementation date is April 1, 2024, the start of the new scallop fishing year.

Framework 38 contains specifications and other measures for 2024 and default specifications for 2025. It also includes more frequent reporting through the vessel monitoring system (VMS). A higher 5-minute ping rate will be triggered when a scallop vessel crosses seaward of the VMS demarcation line on a scallop declaration code. Implementation of this measure may be slightly delayed beyond April 1 but is intended for 2024 to improve enforcement.

FULL-TIME ALLOCATIONS: Full- time limited access scallop vessels will be allocated three 12,000-pound access area trips with two trips into Area II and one into the New York Bight. Full-time vessels also will be allocated 20 open area days-at- sea for fishing year 2024.

PART-TIME ALLOCATIONS: Part- time limited access vessels will be allocated one 14,400-pound trip, which can be fished in either Area II or the New York Bight. These vessels will be allocated eight open area days-at-sea.

LAGC ALLOCATIONS: Limited access general category (LAGC) vessels collectively will be allocated 856 access area trips that can be fished in Area II, the New York Bight, and the central portion of Area I as shown in the map on page 1 in green. Once the 856 trips have been taken, access area fishing by LAGC vessels will end. The Council did not suballocate trips by specific area.

The northern portion of Area I, known as “the sliver,” will be closed in 2024. The Area I-Sliver contains high densities of scallops that are likely to recruit to the 4” rings in scallop dredge gear by the 2025 fishing year. These scallops are being protected in 2024 to grow and gain weight for 2025.

Read the full release from the New England Fishery Management Council

Ecological Forecasts Offer New Insight into Changing Conditions that Can Shift Fisheries, Drive Conflicts

December 6, 2023 — Weather forecasts only look out a few days to weeks. Two new research studies describe the increasing accuracy of specialized scientific models in forecasting changes in the ocean up to a year in advance.

The models have increasing value as climate change drives shifts in ocean temperatures and other conditions with new and unexpected outcomes. The changes can have ecological and economic repercussions. For example, warming ocean temperatures increase the overlap between fishing fleets and protected species like whales and sea turtles, which can trigger fishing closures. The research was conducted by scientists at NOAA Fisheries and University of California, Santa Cruz.

NOAA Fisheries is also pursuing development of “Climate-Ready Fisheries” that adjust to changing conditions, even over the course of a single fishing season. Some forecasts examined in the new studies could provide insight as much as a year in advance. This could highlight potential conflicts or opportunities in time for managers and fishermen to do something about them. This kind of proactive management was highlighted in the recent National Climate Assessment as an important approach to addressing the impacts of climate change.

“We can now look months or even a year out and ask, what is that part of the ocean going to look like, and what does that mean for the species and for the people and industries who use it?” said Stephanie Brodie, lead author of one of the new studies. “For fisheries, it gives managers a chance to evaluate the trade-offs in reducing human-wildlife conflict and supporting an economically viable fishery.”

Read the full story at NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries proposes habitat protection for threatened corals in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

December 5, 2023 — NOAA Fisheries has proposed a rule to designate critical habitat for five threatened reef-building coral species in the Pacific Islands region. This rule refines an earlier proposal in 2020 for Endangered Species Act-listed Indo-Pacific coral species following the inclusion of new data and information received from the community during the previous public comment period.

“Pacific coral reefs play an important role in shoreline protection, while also supporting the local economy and serving as biodiverse ecosystems,” said Dawn Golden, assistant regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office. “Despite facing threats – including temperature rise and pollution – designating critical habitat aims to minimize the impacts of these threats and promote coral resilience.”

Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate areas containing habitat characteristics where Acropora globiceps, A. retusa, A. speciosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, and Isopora crateriformis reproduce, disperse, settle and mature. These include select locations in the waters around 16 islands and atolls.

Read the full story at Maui Now

 

Court rules against feds in charterboat case

December 4, 2023 — There are enough federally permitted charterboat operations in Louisiana to warrant attention from the latest ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The ruling turns aside a U.S. Department of Commerce regulation which demanded these charterboat operators install a constant (24-hour) GPS tracking device on their vessels and report what opponents considered to be “confidential economic data” to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance took up the cause for the Mexican Gulf Fishing Company, et al. (meaning more than 1,300 federally permitted charterboat operations) in a plea to the courts to have the requirement declared unconstitutional on a violation of the Fourth Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

Read the full story at The Advocate

Climate Change Likely to Reshape West Coast Fisheries by Sending Fish Farther Offshore

August 21, 2023 — Shifting ocean conditions associated with climate change will likely send high-value sablefish into deeper waters off the West Coast, new research shows. That could make the fish tougher to catch and force fishing crews to follow them or shift to other, more accessible species.

The research led by scientists at NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center provides a glimpse of West Coast fisheries with climate change. Fishing crews must always balance the value of different commercial species against the distances involved in catching them, but climate change could alter that equation in new ways.

Scientists studied how four species of West Coast groundfish commonly caught together may respond to climate change. The four species accounted for 53 percent of bottom-trawl groundfish revenue off the Pacific Coast over the last decade. They include sablefish, the most valuable groundfish species, as well as Dover sole; shortspine thornyhead; and longspine thornyhead.

“Together, these are a large proportion of the groundfish caught off the West Coast, so they provide some indication of how things may change and the choices those changes present for the fishing community,” said Owen Liu, a research scientist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. “This may not be good news for the fisheries, but it hopefully provides some foresight into how distributions may shift and gives fisheries and managers time to consider how to adapt to these changes.”

The research published in Science Advances can help the commercial fishing fleet and fisheries managers prepare for changes climate change may bring to the ecosystem, researchers said. Climate models predict warming temperatures and declining oxygen levels in waters off the West Coast, which is dominated by the California Current. Temperatures and oxygen levels are known to affect the distribution of fish species.

Offshore Shift Goes Deep

The forecasts anticipate declines in the abundance of sablefish and shortspine thornyhead and increases in longspine thornyhead, with mixed forecasts of the abundance of Dover sole. All the species except longspine thornyhead are expected to move farther offshore into deeper waters. The steep offshore drop beyond the continental shelf, which on the West Coast is 20 or more miles offshore, can lead to substantial increases in depth for groundfish species that inhabit the sea floor.

As the species shift farther offshore, the increased depths and distances mean that fishing vessels must travel farther to reach their target species. They may also find that standard bottom trawl gear becomes less efficient at catching fish at such depths. Greater proportions of sablefish and shortspine thornyhead may also descend below 700 fathoms, depths where the groundfish management plan that governs fishing off the West Coast currently prohibits fishing.

The findings also highlight the challenge fisheries managers may face in keeping fishing sustainable even as conditions change and species move.  That may mean rethinking regulations so fishing can continue while protecting enough fish and habitat so species can maintain themselves long-term.

“If a significant proportion of target species moves deeper, as our results suggest for some species, there may be an incentive for industry and management to overcome technical and policy challenges to enable fishing at greater depths to follow target species to their new habitats,” the researchers concluded.

Read the full story at NOAA Fisheries

ALASKA: New quota system to start for trawl harvests of cod in Bering Sea and Aleutians

August 21, 2023 — Commercial fishermen netting Pacific cod from the Bering Sea and Aleutians region will be working under new individual limits starting next year designed to ease pressure on harvests that regulators concluded were too rushed, too dangerous and too prone to accidentally catch untargeted fish species.

The new system will require fishers who harvest cod by trawl – the net gear that scoops up fish swimming near the bottom of the ocean – to be part of designated cooperatives that will then have assigned quota shares. The fisheries service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it has notified eligible participants and is asking for applications.

The cod-trawling program, to start next January, is the first new fishery quota system started since 2012 in federal waters off Alaska, according to NOAA Fisheries.

The Pacific cod harvest is the second-biggest commercial groundfish catch in the waters off Alaska, after pollock, according to NOAA Fisheries. The 2021 commercial harvest totaled 330.4 million pounds and was worth $86.5 million, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Read the full story at KTOO

New West Coast Fishery Increases Access for U.S. Vessels to Swordfish

May 10, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

A new West Coast fishery will take advantage of the deep-diving habits of swordfish to reduce the risk of catching other species. NOAA Fisheries has adopted final regulations for this new fishery under an amendment to the federal Fishery Management Plan for Highly Migratory Species.

The final regulations authorize a deep-set buoy gear fishery for swordfish, one of the most lucrative species on the West Coast. Fishermen have previously targeted swordfish mainly with drift gillnets, but recent federal legislation will phase those out in 5 years. Without other alternatives, only a small harpoon fishery remains to pursue swordfish, despite strong consumer demand and a healthy U.S. West Coast stock.

Commercial swordfish landings on the West Coast peaked in the 1980s at more than 7 million pounds worth close to $13 million annually, according to NOAA Fisheries statistics. Since then, increasing restrictions on gillnet fishing off the West Coast have reduced landings. In 2021, they were only 300,000 pounds worth about $1.5 million in 2021.

The Hawaii-based longline fishery that catches swordfish outside West Coast U.S. federal waters took over high-value markets such as restaurants and seafood counters. Deep-set buoy gear provides a new opportunity for West Coast vessels to pursue swordfish using fishing lines hanging deep underwater where few species other than swordfish venture.

 

Supreme Court to hear major case on limiting the power of federal government, a long-term goal of legal conservatives

May 2, 2023 — The Supreme Court agreed Monday to reconsider long held precedent and decide whether to significantly scale back on the power of federal agencies in a case that can impact how the government addresses everything from climate change to public health to immigration.

Conservative justices have long sought to rein in regulatory authority, arguing that Washington has too much control over American businesses and individual lives. The justices have been incrementally diminishing federal power but the new case would allow them to take a much broader stride.

The justices announced they would take up an appeal from herring fishermen in the Atlantic who say the National Marine Fisheries Service does not have the authority to require them to pay the salaries of government monitors who ride aboard the fishing vessels.

Their action means they will reconsider a 1984 case – Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council – that sets forward factors to determine when courts should defer to a government agency’s interpretation of the law.

Read the full story at CNN