Saving Seafood

Wind Team Fishery Biologist Embraces Opportunities for Innovation, Collaboration

April 22, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Lisa Methratta is the fishery biologist for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s offshore wind team. She brings academic training and professional experience in ecological research to bear on the study of offshore wind interactions with fish and fisheries.

“I am interested in designing new approaches for studying the ecological effects of offshore wind in marine ecosystems,” says Methratta, who previously worked for NOAA Fisheries as the national aquaculture liaison in the Office of Protected Resources. One of her tasks there was to lead an agency-wide working group examining the risks to protected species posed by offshore aquaculture.

“Wind power and aquaculture will each interact with the marine ecosystem in unique ways, many of which we are still learning about,” Methratta says. “Innovative, scientifically rigorous research will enrich our understanding of these interactions and support a healthy ecosystem with sustainable fisheries and industrial development in the offshore zone.”

Read the full release here

Virginia’s fishing industry has lost millions because of coronavirus pandemic, internal memo says

April 22, 2020 — In the weeks since the coronavirus halted most restaurant operations, Virginia’s fishing industry has taken a big hit.

The information comes from an internal memo the Virginia Marine Resources Commission shared with the Daily Press.

The memo cites revenue potential loss from March through June ranging from $53 million to $68 million due to a near 90% decrease in market demand. The data was compiled to begin to understand the economic impact of COVID-19 on the fishing industry, both commercial and recreational, deputy commissioner Ellen Bolen said.

The information is anecdotal and gives broad calculations, she added.

The aquaculture industry ― which includes oyster and clam harvesters ― estimates it is losing between $3.5 and $7 million per month, according to the memo. The figures compiled do not factor in losses in supply such as bait, fuel and ice.

Commercial fishery jobs — some 18,220 around Virginia — includes harvesters, dealers, processors, importers, distributors and retail, according to data from the NOAA Fisheries Economics of the United States report.

Read the full story at The Virginian-Pilot 

NOAA Fisheries – FB20-029: Waiver of Observer Requirement in HMS, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Extended – Waiver Now in Effect through May 4, 2020

April 22, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Dear Federal Permit Holders, Partners, and Stakeholders,

Providing seafood to the Country remains an essential function even in these extraordinary times. Adequately monitoring United States fisheries remains an essential part of that process. However, in recognition of numerous travel or social distancing restrictions or guidance, NOAA Fisheries continues to temporarily waive the requirement for federally-permitted vessels participating in the following federal fisheries to carry a fishery observer:

  • South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp
  • South Atlantic Rock Shrimp
  • South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
  • Southeast Gillnet
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish
  • Gulf of Mexico Shrimp
  • Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline
  • Shark Bottom Longline (Atlantic HMS)
  • Shark Gillnet (Atlantic HMS)

This waiver is in effect April 21 through May 4, 2020, after which time we will evaluate the need for another extension. This waiver does not apply to vessels that are currently at sea with an observer on board. In addition, this waiver applies only to human observer coverage and not to electronic monitoring requirements. Note, NOAA Fisheries is not issuing waivers for participants in the Atlantic HMS Shark Research Fishery. All other requirements, including reporting and pre-trip notification call-in requirements, remain in place.

This action is consistent with criteria in the agency’s emergency rule regarding issuing waivers from requirements to carry fishing observers during the COVID-19 pandemic (85 FR 17285, March 27, 2020). Specifically, the first criterion allows NOAA Fisheries to waive observer coverage if local, State, or national governments, or private companies or organizations that deploy observers pursuant to NOAA Fisheries regulations, restrict travel or otherwise issue COVID-19-related social control guidance, or requirement(s) addressing COVID-19-related concerns, such that it is inconsistent with the requirement(s) or not recommended to place an observer(s). At this time, State and local emergency requirements to shelter-in-place and otherwise restrict travel are hindering our ability to deploy observers.

NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor and evaluate this situation. As we have done in other parts of the country, we will use this time to work with the observer service providers to implement adjustments to the logistics of deploying observers, ensuring qualified observers or at-sea monitors are available as soon as safely possible.

Observers and at-sea monitors are an essential component of commercial fishing operations and provide critical information that is necessary to keep fisheries open and to provide sustainable seafood to our nation during this time. We will continue to monitor all local public health notifications, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updates. We are committed to protecting the public health and ensuring the safety of fishermen, observers, and others, while fulfilling our mission to maintain our nation’s seafood supply and conserving marine life.

Note, vessels permitted and authorized to participate in these federal fisheries are monitored in a number of ways in addition to the placement of at-sea observers. For example, HMS pelagic longline vessels must adhere to the electronic monitoring program for each trip. Additionally, there are vessel monitoring system requirements for various vessels in addition to logbook submissions. Therefore NOAA Fisheries maintains the ability to collect valuable information from these fleets even in the absence of at-sea observers due to the temporary waivers associated with COVID-19.

The Southeast Regional Office, the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division within the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center will evaluate the impacts of waivers on our fisheries and observer programs throughout this period by monitoring:

  • Fishing activity, in comparison to when observers have been deployed, to track continued compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Changes in the level of fishing effort and landings.
  • Changes in health and safety guidelines that may affect observer availability and ability to travel.
  • The status of the fisheries and/or protected species that were being observed or monitored to ensure that the relevant conservation and management goals are still being met.

Danielle Blacklock, director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Aquaculture, discusses future of U.S. industry

April 21, 2020 — Danielle Blacklock took over as director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Aquaculture in mid-March, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to come to a head in the United States. Over the past decade, Blacklock has served in multiple positions at NOAA, most recently as a senior policy advisor for aquaculture. In that role, Blacklock completed a six-month assignment at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, focused on aquaculture sustainability globally. She also served as the acting deputy in the office for several months.

Blacklock is charged with overseeing the aquaculture component of NOAA’s sustainable seafood portfolio and providing the strategic vision for developing a stronger aquaculture industry in the United States. Nearly a month into her appointment, SeafoodSource connected with Blacklock to discuss her goals as director, the office’s response to COVID-19 complications and what the future of U.S. aquaculture looks like.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

NOAA Fisheries Sets Northeast Multispecies Measures for the 2020 Fishing Year

April 21, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are setting common pool possession and trip limits to ensure that the common pool fishery is able to fully utilize its available quotas. Effective on May 1, these possession and trip limits were developed based on the common pool sub-Annual Catch Limits set by Framework Adjustment 58 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. We also considered preliminary 2020 sector rosters, expected common pool participation, and common pool fishing activity in previous fishing years. During the fishing year, we will monitor common pool catches, and, will adjust common pool management measures as necessary.

Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Special Access Program

Northeast multispecies vessels may not target yellowtail flounder within the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) in fishing year 2020. Northeast multispecies vessels are not allowed to fish in this SAP using flounder trawl nets, but may fish in this SAP in 2020 to target haddock with a haddock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or hook gear. This SAP is open from August 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021.

Regular B Days-at-Sea Program

The Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) program is closed for fishing year 2020.  During this closure, Northeast multispecies vessels may not declare or use Regular B DAS.

More Information

For more details, read the notice and the permit holder bulletin.

At-sea waiver extended

April 20, 2020 — Local commercial groundfishermen breathed a double-sigh of relief last week. The New England Fishery Management Council voted 12-5 to postpone final action — initially anticipated for its June meeting — on the draft amendment that will set at-sea monitoring levels in the fishery for years to come. Fishing stakeholders argued the current immersion in everything COVID-19 made it almost impossible for fishermen to study the amendment in detail for public comment and that social distancing might have precluded final action at an in-person meeting in June (as opposed to a webinar).

And on Friday, NOAA Fisheries announced it is extending by two weeks its waiver period for at-sea monitors and human observers aboard vessels fishing in the Greater Atlantic Region. So, no observers or monitors until May 2 at the earliest.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Announcement: Northeast Observer Waiver Extended through May 2

April 20, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Consistent with the agency’s emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and under the authority granted to the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator at 50 CFR Part 648.11(c), NOAA Fisheries is extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry human observers or at-sea monitors for an additional two weeks, through May 2, 2020.

NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor and evaluate this situation. As we have done in other parts of the country, we will use this time to work with the observer service providers to implement adjustments to the logistics of deploying observers, ensuring qualified observers or at-sea monitors are available as soon as safely possible.

Observers and at-sea monitors are an essential component of commercial fishing operations and provide critical information that is necessary to keep fisheries open and to provide sustainable seafood to our nation during this time. We will continue to monitor all local public health notifications, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updates. We are committed to protecting the public health and ensuring the safety of fishermen, observers, and others, while fulfilling our mission to maintain our nation’s seafood supply and conserving marine life.

NOAA Fisheries: Southeast Region Permit Office Update and Availability

April 14, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

The Southeast Region (SERO) Permit Office is still open, but due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic our operating processes have changed.

Office Phone Call Center – Due to limited staff in the office, we have suspended the live phone call center. Our main number now goes directly to voicemail. If you leave a message and contact information, someone from our office will call you back as soon as possible.

Submitting Your Application – We are experiencing up to a week delay with receiving applications, documents, and correspondence by mail. There is no delay in receiving applications via the Southeast Fisheries Permit System. We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to submit their renewal application, supporting document(s), and application fee via the online system. Permits can be renewed starting 60 days prior to their expiration date. We recommend starting the renewal process as soon as your permits are eligible.

Pending Applications – Due to the delay in receiving mail through the USPS, if you have an application pending due to deficiencies, we recommend using the online system for online applications to upload missing documents, or our fax (727-551-5747), if you submitted a paper application to transmit the missing information back to us. Be advised, we do not accept the following documents via fax:

  1. An entire application to renew, transfer, or request new permits.
  2. Original permits (for transfer applications).
  3. Payment (i.e. copy of check, money order, or credit card number).
  4. Reporting requirements – All logbooks are submitted to the Logbook Office at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, FL. (877-376-4877 – Option 2).
  5. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements (i.e. power down exemptions) – All VMS related questions need to be asked to the Office of Law Enforcement – VMS Office. (877-376-4877 – Option 3).

Check Application Status – To check if we received your vessel or dealer application, visit our Application Status website. This website will also tell you the date we are currently processing applications on. If your application was received after this date, we have not started processing it yet.

MORE INFORMATION:

If you have further questions regarding this matter, please contact the SERO Permit Office by telephone at (877) 376-4877, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays and leave a message.

Recreational Tilefish Anglers: Learn How to Obtain a Permit and Report Your Catch

April 14, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Recreational tilefish anglers may soon be subject to new permitting and reporting requirements. Under proposed regulations published by NOAA Fisheries, private recreational vessels (including for-hire operators using their vessels for non-charter, recreational trips) would be required to obtain a federal vessel permit to target or retain golden or blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. These vessel operators would also be required to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically within 24 hours of returning to port for trips where tilefish were targeted or retained. For more information about the proposed requirements, check out our Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting FAQs.

NOAA Fisheries is encouraging anglers not already using another electronic VTR system to utilize NOAA Fish Online, which is available through a mobile app or a web-based portal. Other systems that may be suitable for recreational anglers include SAFIS eTrips/mobile and SAFIS eTrips Online. You can access information about approved applications and other aspects of electronic reporting on the NOAA Fisheries website.

Read the full release here

Meet Dr. Anne Hollowed, Renowned For Her Work Assessing the Effects of Climate and Ecosystem Change on Fish Stocks

April 13, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Dr. Anne Hollowed is a Senior Scientist with the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center. She conducts research on the effects of climate and ecosystem change on the current and future status of fish and fisheries. She leads the Status of Stocks and Multispecies Assessment program. Anne currently serves as co-chair of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. She is also an Affiliate Professor with the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington.

We asked Anne to share a little bit about herself, what inspired her to pursue a career in fisheries science and what she would recommend for other young scientists interested in getting into the field.

When did you know you wanted to be a fisheries scientist?

My mother was a chemist and she nurtured my interest in science. I spent my summers in Kansas, at a family retreat. Time spent disconnected from the fast pace of the world allowed me to explore the diversity of nature and animal behavior. By the time I entered college I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in biology. My decision to pursue a career in ocean studies was formed during my semester abroad. I attended Lawrence University, a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin. My professors taught an interdisciplinary course in oceanography that included field work on Andros Island in the Bahamas. It only took one open ocean dive for me to know that I wanted to spend the rest of my career studying the ocean.

Read the full release here