Saving Seafood

As lawmakers take up NOAA funding, conservation groups demand $300M for endangered marine species

May 3, 2024 — With budget season well underway on Capitol Hill, a coalition of environmental groups renewed calls for lawmakers to commit a significant chunk of funding to federal programs aimed at marine wildlife conservation.

Writing in a letter last week to leaders of the House and Senate appropriations committees, the 80 or so conservation advocates led by the Center for Biological Diversity sounded the alarm about the Protected Resources Science and Management Program, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

The protected resources subprogram, which is responsible for overseeing the welfare of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins as well as sea turtles and other species, has been “underfunded for decades and desperately needs more funding to protect, conserve and recover our nation’s imperiled marine species,” the groups wrote.

In its 2025 budget request, NOAA asked Congress for roughly $266 million for its Protected Resources Science and Management Program, which it said aims to “assess, understand and conserve the health of protected species, the ecosystems that sustain them and the communities that value and depend on them.”

Read the full story at Courthouse News Service

 

Status of the stocks: Record-low number of stocks on overfishing list in 2023

May 2, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In a report released today, NOAA Fisheries announced that 2023 saw a record low for the number of fish stocks subject to overfishing. The annual Status of the Stocks report is an assessment of the 506 stocks and stock complexes managed by NOAA Fisheries, and provides a look at the overall health of fisheries in the U.S. Maintaining sustainable fisheries contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, provides important recreational opportunities and helps meet the growing challenge of increasing our nation’s seafood supply.

In 2023, U.S. fisheries data revealed that 94% of stocks are not subject to overfishing and 82% are not overfished. These numbers show slight improvements compared to the 2022 figures of 93% and 81%, respectively. Ongoing positive trends continued with the number of stocks on the overfishing list decreasing by three stocks, reaching an all-time low of 21 stocks, and the number of stocks on the overfished list decreasing by one stock, to 47. Since 2000, NOAA Fisheries has rebuilt 50 stocks.

“By ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, we are strengthening the value of U.S. fisheries to the economy, our communities and marine ecosystems,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Sustainably managed fisheries are important to the nation’s economy, and provide opportunities for commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, while keeping a renewable supply of seafood for consumers.”

NOAA Fisheries recently released the Fisheries Economics of the United States report for 2022. The latest data shows U.S. commercial and recreational fishing supported 2.3 million jobs and generated $321 billion in sales across the broader economy in 2022. The U.S. commercial fishing and seafood industry, as well as recreational fishing, continue to have a broad, positive impact on the economy.

“Managing fisheries sustainably is an adaptive process that relies on sound science, innovative management approaches, effective enforcement and meaningful partnerships with robust public participation,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. “We continually adjust management measures in response to complex challenges including climate change, rebuilding stocks, ending overfishing and developing new forecasting tools to better predict ocean conditions.”

To keep U.S. fisheries operating sustainably, NOAA Fisheries partners with the U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils and Interstate Fisheries Commissions, for dynamic, science-based management processes that are proving successful at ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks.

Since 1996, NOAA Fisheries has reported on the status of U.S. fisheries, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Reporting on the status of fish stocks provides fisheries managers and the public with an account of how well current fisheries management measures are working.

NEFMC: Scallop Research Set-Aside Program to Support 14 New Projects; Several 2024 Announcements Include Multi-Year Awards

May 2, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program will support 14 new projects that were selected from the 2024 RSA solicitation. Several awards will support multi-year research, including a four-year regional survey effort. The set-aside harvest is expected to generate $22 million in revenue. Of that total, $5 million will fund the targeted research and $17 million will compensate industry partners who harvest the set-aside scallops. To determine the award amounts, the price of sea scallops was projected to average $14 per pound of meats.

Council Priorities and Research Partners

Seven different institutions will lead the projects, partnering with fishermen, fishing businesses, and non-profit fishery research organizations. The new RSA projects address 2024-2025 research priorities identified by the New England Fishery Management Council in June 2023. At that meeting, the Council asked NOAA Fisheries to modify the Scallop RSA Program to allow for longer-term RSA awards for regional survey work, which the agency accommodated in this latest round of funding with a four-year award. Other Council priorities are listed here on page 1. RSA-funded scallop surveys have been a long-standing priority. They have become increasingly important in: (1) providing information that directly helps scientists determine the status and distribution of the resource; and (2) guiding the Council in making management decisions for this valuable resource.

The new awards were announced on May 2, 2024 by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) of NOAA Fisheries. The Council and NOAA Fisheries work together to support the Scallop Research Set-Aside Program. While the Council sets the research priorities, NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program.

Read the full release from the NEFMC

NOAA issues final ruling on Cook Inlet federal fishing waters

May 2, 2024 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a final ruling on a disputed commercial salmon fishing area in Cook Inlet.

The Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ, starts three miles off shore and is where drift gillnet fishermen catch the majority of fish. In 2020, commercial fishermen sued over management of the fishery. Courts and fishermen went back and forth, and a year ago, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council was tasked with choosing a new management plan. In an unprecedented move, the council took no action, which turned the decision over to NOAA Fisheries.

Read the full story at Alaska Public Media

ALASKA: NOAA and the State of Alaska to Hold AOA Spatial Planning Workshop

March 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and the State of Alaska are hosting a day-and-a-half Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) Spatial Planning Workshop March 26 and 27, 2024, at Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska.

The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the ongoing AOA identification process in Alaska state waters.

NOAA provides science-based tools and strategies to help communities consider how and where to sustainably develop aquaculture that complements wild-caught fisheries, working waterfronts, and resilient communities. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and National Marine Fisheries Service are jointly convening this workshop.

NOAA, working in collaboration with the State of Alaska over the coming years, will support the sustainable development of invertebrate (shellfish, sea cucumbers) and seaweed farming in state waters.

Please Join Us To:

  • Learn more about NOAA’s spatial planning approach and discuss available spatial data within Alaska study areas
  • Document data gaps and help identify points of contact for additional data
  • Increase transparency, local capacity, and resources to support seaweed and invertebrate mariculture planning
  • Further develop an engaged community to inform NOAA’s AOA identification process in Alaska state waters

Travel Needs: We have limited travel funds to assist with airfare, accommodations, and incidentals. Please contact Teresa Fairchild (TFairchild@psmfc.org) for travel assistance. 

All Alaska seafood industry members, charter and sport fishermen and hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, Tribal organizations, coastal community members, managers, scientists and others who might be interested are welcome to join. This is an opportunity to share information and discuss how you can help inform future planning efforts.

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