Saving Seafood

NOAA Shipyard Update: NEFSC Fall Research Cruises Will Continue

September 22, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The annual NEFSC Fall Bottom Trawl Survey will be conducted on the NOAA Ship Pisces, which is a fishery survey research vessel similar to the Bigelow. Only Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine will be surveyed. The two most southerly areas, the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England have been dropped.

If all goes smoothly in preparing the Pisces to support the survey, October 16 is the target start date carrying on through November 20.

Fishing gear will be moved from the Bigelow onto the Pisces, and some devices will be installed for monitoring trawl performance while the gear is fishing. Supplies and equipment needed for the survey are already aboard the Bigelow, and will be transferred to the Pisces. The modifications to Pisces are underway.

In a typical year, the Fall Bottom Trawl Survey occupies an average of 377 stations across the Northeast Continental Shelf from the Cape Hatteras to the northern Gulf of Maine in four segments, or legs. Each leg covers a different area beginning in the south and ending in the north.

The number of stations in the Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine survey areas will be similar to past years. Fewer data will be collected at each station because Pisces has less fish handling capacity than the Bigelow. However, samples critical for stock assessments will be collected, including lengths, weights, and hard parts used for aging fish (usually scales and ear bones). Two other NEFSC research cruises planned for this fall were also delayed by the Bigelow repair, and will be conducted on other ships.

The first leg of the Fall Ecosystem Monitoring cruise has been moved to the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter, an oceanographic research vessel. This cruise collects oceanographic data and plankton samples and has been conducted from the Gunter in the past. There is no firm plan for Leg 2 of this cruise, but the Bigelow is an option if it is ready as scheduled. A beaked whale sighting survey was moved onto a chartered vessel, the R/V Sharp, operated by the University of Delaware, and has been completed with fewer objectives than originally planned.

Meanwhile, repairs continue on schedule for the NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow. The ship is expected back in service in early November 2017.

Read this update on the Northeast Fisheries Science Center website.

Commerce chief Ross makes waves, roils fisheries rules

September 21, 2017 — Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has wasted little time in giving a jolt to the nation’s fisheries.

In June, the 79-year-old billionaire investor who now oversees NOAA Fisheries singlehandedly extended the fishing season for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, ignoring protests from scientists and environmentalists that it could spur overfishing of the popular species.

Then in an unprecedented decision in July, he handed a big win to New Jersey fishermen and the state’s Republican governor, Chris Christie, by overturning catch limits for summer flounder that had been approved by an interstate fisheries commission.

While Ross wants more fishing and more seafood exports, critics say his early moves have smacked of meddling and favoritism and will ultimately sabotage hard-won conservation gains.

And many fear that states and fishing groups will directly seek political relief instead of following NOAA procedures and adhering to fishing quotas set by government experts and scientists.

“It just really seems that it’s kind of setting a bad precedent,” said Trey Blackiston, a former commercial fisherman from Chestertown, Md.

Noah Oppenheim, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, said he’s still waiting for Ross to sign an emergency declaration for California crabbers and salmon fishermen. But he’s worried about the signals from Washington.

“We’re asking maybe the wrong questions, right?” Oppenheim said. “If the Trump administration is finding it easier to disrupt the status quo than to follow the normal procedures to get this done, we don’t want any part of that. We’re sort of sitting on the West Coast with one of the best fishery management council processes in place … watching the country crumble and wondering what the hell’s going on. But I’m not inclined to seek political favors.”

Read the full story at E&E News

MASSACHUSETTS: CLF teleconference on Rafael agrees on one thing: More monitoring

September 14, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Less than two weeks remain until the Carlos Rafael trial is scheduled to wrap up with sentencing set for Sept. 25 and 26.

The Conservation Law Foundation held a teleconference Wednesday to discuss the evolution of Rafael’s actions to his guilty plea and potential fallout from sentencing.

CLF attorney Peter Shelley discussed the topic with Togue Brawn of Downeast Dayboat, a commercial scallop company, and Patrick Shepard of the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries.

“I think it’s fair to say all eyes on are NOAA fisheries and what’s it going to do,” Shelley said.

The answer at this point is no one really knows — at least until sentencing. NOAA has consistently told The Standard-Times it doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation.

However, the CLF teleconference provided recommendations on what can be done in the aftermath of Rafael’s sentencing.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

NOAA Fisheries: Ocean surveys show poor conditions for Columbia salmon

September 13, 2017 — Ocean conditions for salmon headed to sea this year are very poor, according to recent NOAA Fisheries research surveys, and have a high likelihood of depressing salmon returns to the Columbia River in the next few years.

The outlook is described in a recent research memorandum from NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center, which has been studying the ecology of young salmon entering the ocean for more than 20 years. The research has helped reveal how conditions in the ocean affect salmon survival and, ultimately, how many salmon complete their life cycle to return to their home streams and spawn a new generation of fish.

NOAA Fisheries researchers regularly survey ocean conditions off the Pacific Northwest Coast, focusing especially on factors known as “ocean indicators” that can serve as barometers of salmon survival.

They also assess the number and condition of juvenile salmon along the Oregon and Washington coastlines, since the survival of the fish during their first months at sea helps predict how many are likely to survive over the longer term.

Read the full story at the Chinook Observer

NOAA Fisheries Announces Increase in Commercial Scup Quota and Possession Limits for Winter II Period (November to December 2017)

September 13, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA announces an increase in the commercial scup quota and possession limit for the 2017 Winter II Period (November 1-December 31).

Unused quota from the Winter 1 Period (January 1-April 30) is being rolled over into Winter II.

The revised Winter II commercial scup quota is 5,160,914 lbs, up 76 percent from 2,929,762 lbs.

The revised commercial scup possession limit for the Winter II season is 18,000 lb per trip, up 50 percent from 12,000 lbs per trip.

When state and federal possession limits are different, fishermen are required to abide by the more restrictive of the two.

For more details, read the Federal Register notice as filed today, and the permit holder bulletin on our website.

Questions? Contact Cynthia Hanson, 978-281-9180 or Cynthia.hanson@noaa.gov.

NEW JERSEY: Anglers Argue Over Fishing Limits

September 13, 2017 — STAFFORD, N.J. — A trip to Annapolis, Maryland might be what saves the 2018 New Jersey fishing season.

Saltwater anglers and their allies crowded the Stafford Township municipal chambers, where the Marine Fisheries Council held its regular Sept. 7 meeting. Although the first hour was filled with its usual reports and comments, the Council’s second hour saw passionate arguments and discussion from Council and audience members about what to do with the ever-shortening fishing season and its negative impact on commercial fishermen throughout the state and beyond.

Jim Hutchinson Jr.’s Sept. 8 article at TheFisherman.com quoted boat captain Adam Nowalsky that cuts felt in fish seasons and quotas for 2017 will be mild compared to what’s expected for 2018, based on the early returns from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries surveys. Those quotas and seasons are set annually.

Captain Victor Hartley III of Miss Ocean City explained to Jersey Shore Online that although regulations dictate what size fish may be kept, anglers must count all fish caught toward quotas.

“We don’t have enough quotas is one issue, and the other issue is we don’t have enough days,” Hartley explained. “We don’t have the time to catch anything.”

Read the full story at Jersey Shore Online

National Saltonstall-Kennedy Webinar & Training Thursday, September 14, 2017

September 11, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA published the 2018 Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Solicitation on August 11, 2017. Pre-proposals are due through Grants.gov by October 10, 2017. Full applications are due by January 8, 2018.

In an effort to assist all potential applicants, NOAA Fisheries will be conducting an informal, national webinar to walk you through the online pre-proposal and full application process on Thursday, September 14, at 2:30pm Eastern.

To listen to the presentation, call 877-918-6629 and enter  participant code 4526000. To see the presentation, join the Webinar.

The presentation will include:

* The objective of the SK Program
* Solicitation timelines
* How to apply
* Priority areas
* Evaluation criteria
* Where to find more information
* Question and answer session

Established in 1954, the Saltonstall-Kennedy grants program is designed to address the needs of fishing communities, improve the economy by building and maintaining sustainable fisheries, and increase other opportunities to keep working waterfronts viable.

Questions? Contact National S-K Manager, Dan Namur at Dan.Namur@noaa.gov.

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2018/2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program Funding Opportunity

September 11, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, is soliciting Atlantic Sea Scallop research proposals under the 2018/2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program.

Under this program, proceeds generated from the sale of set-aside scallops will be used to fund research activities and compensate vessels that participate in research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota.

Projects funded under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program must enhance the understanding of the scallop resource or contribute to scallop fishery management decisions. Priority is given to funding research proposals addressing the list of 2018 and 2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Priorities listed in the Funding Opportunity.

Read the complete 2018/2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop Federal Funding Opportunity.

To apply for this NOAA Federal Funding Opportunity, go to Grants.gov, and use the following code: NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2018-2005322.

Complete proposals/applications must be received on or before 5 p.m. EDT on November 6, 2017.

For proposals submitted through Grants.gov, a date and time receipt will be the basis of determining timeliness. The proposal must be validated by Grants.gov in order to be considered timely. PLEASE NOTE: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in developing your submission timeline.

If you prefer to mail your application, please send one signed original and two hard copy applications postmarked by November 6, 2017 to Cheryl A. Corbett, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, ATTN: 2018/2019 Atlantic Scallop Research Set-Aside Program.

Find out more about Northeast Research Set-Aside Programs.

Questions? Contact Cheryl Corbett at 508-495-2070 or Cheryl.Corbett@noaa.gov.

Now Open: NOAA Marine Debris Prevention Grant Opportunity for 2018

September 11, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce our Marine Debris Prevention federal funding opportunity.

The Marine Debris Program offers funding that supports locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects. These projects benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and wildlife including migratory fish.

This opportunity provides funding to support eligible organizations for activities to prevent the introduction of marine debris into the marine and coastal environment. Applicants requesting funding for projects to address a specific marine debris issue, and that will actively engage these groups in hands-on personal participation, are welcome to apply. Projects focused on efforts to prevent marine debris from entering the environment through targeted behavior change will be given priority.

To apply for marine debris prevention funding through this opportunity, applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), via email, to grants.marinedebris@noaa.gov.

The deadline for LOI submission is September 28. After NOAA reviews all submitted LOIs, only those invited to submit a full proposal will be considered for funding.

Applicants will be notified by November 1 if they have been invited to submit a full proposal.

Questions? Contact marinedebris.web@noaa.gov.

Sturgeon habitat in focus

September 6, 2017 — ELLSWORTH, Maine — Federal fisheries managers have taken a significant step toward promoting the recovery of the nation’s depleted Atlantic sturgeon resource.

Last week, NOAA Fisheries designated a vast area along the Atlantic coastline as critical habitat for the Atlantic sturgeon. The critical habitat designation will require federal agencies to consult NOAA Fisheries if they operate or fund activities that may affect designated critical habitat in more than 3,968 miles of important coastal river habitat from Maine to Florida.

Atlantic sturgeon was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2012.

Read the full story at the Mount Desert Islander