Saving Seafood

Merrimack River Watershed Comprehensive Plan for Diadromous Fishes Now Available

July 20, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

On June 17, 2021, NOAA Fisheries along with partners, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, released the Merrimack River Watershed Comprehensive Plan for Diadromous Fishes.

Prior to pervasive dam construction in the late 18th and early 19th century, diadromous fish were abundant in the Merrimack River watershed including American shad, river herring (alewife and blueback herring), sturgeon (Atlantic and shortnose), American eel, striped bass, Atlantic salmon, and sea lamprey. The present day abundance of diadromous species remains a small percentage of historical levels. Restoration efforts during the past 40 years have improved the habitat and connectivity conditions resulting in a modest increase in diadromous fish abundance.

The purpose of the Merrimack River Watershed Comprehensive Plan for Diadromous Fishes is to create a framework to balance diadromous fish restoration efforts with other water resource uses and ecosystem services in the Merrimack River watershed.

To read the complete plan visit the website and search for Merrimack River Watershed Comprehensive Plan for Diadromous Fishes.

Questions?

Ben German, NOAA Fisheries, 978-281-9353

Ben Gahagan, MA Division of Marine Fisheries, 978-282-03038 ext 140

Marion Larson, MA Division of Fish and Game, 857-303-0239

Matt Carpenter, NH Fish and Game Department, 603-271-2612

Laurie Munroe, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 413-588-1005

Experts Collaborate on Mission to Document Protected Species

July 19, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Scientists from NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center recently completed the first leg of a mission to survey marine mammals and other protected species in waters off the southeast coast of the United States. They are locating, identifying, and counting marine mammals from both the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter and a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft.

The data they collect will be used to assess the abundance, distribution, ecology, and behavior of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds throughout the U.S. Atlantic. These data are also critical for updating the Atlantic stock assessment reports required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Usually, we conduct these marine mammal surveys annually but were not able to collect data in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The beginning of this trip has also had some challenges—two tropical storms have made for rough seas and grounded flights.

In spite of these challenges, the ship-board team has logged 325 marine mammal sightings—a single leg record for the team—since departing Newport, Rhode Island on June 12 and arriving in Charleston, South Carolina on July 3. Notable sightings included two large Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) sightings, a Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) sighting, and multiple false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) sightings. Scientists were also towing a hydrophone array to collect passive acoustic data—underwater sounds from whales and dolphins. They collected 76 recordings, 16 of which were from sperm whale groups.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on an Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to Collect Deep-water Reef Fish in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters

July 19, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an exempted fishing permit from NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center Panama City, Florida Laboratory.  The objectives of this project are to (1) use underwater video to collect size and abundance data and describe benthic habitats of deep-water reef fish species off the western, northeastern, and southeastern coasts of Puerto Rico and (2) collect biological samples to determine reproductive cycles, growth estimates, and the age and size at sexual maturation of commercially important deep-water snapper species.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council has ranked investigations into deep-water snapper fishing at the highest priority level for deep-water research in their region.  The applicant is currently authorized to conduct similar deep-water snapper research under an exempted fishing permit issued on July 30, 2020, which is valid through August 1, 2021.

Project Description:

  • Under this exempted fishing permit, Science Center staff and contracted commercial fishers would deploy four vertical lines per site: one to collect a water sample at depth, one with an underwater video camera to record deep-water species and habitats at depth, and two fishing lines with 9 hooks each to catch the targeted deep-water snappers (vertical fishing line).
  • Targeted species include black, blackfin, cardinal, queen, silk, and wenchman snappers.  Non-targeted species expected to be incidentally caught include vermilion snapper and black, red, tiger, yellowfin, misty, yellowedge, and red hind groupers.
  • Project activities would be conducted from August 1, 2021 through August 1, 2023.
  • Sampling would occur along the western, northeastern, and southeastern coasts of Puerto Rico at depths of 328 – 2,133 feet (100 – 650 meters).
  • A maximum of 45 fishing trips would be conducted per coast, per year.  Approximately, 40 of the trips each year would be in federal waters and the remaining 95 trips in state waters.

NOAA Fisheries finds this application warrants further consideration, and is seeking public comment on the application.  A final decision on issuance of the permit will depend on NOAA Fisheries’ review of public comments received, the Caribbean Fishery Management Council’s recommendations, consultations with the affected states and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws.

How to Comment on the Application:

The comment period is open now through July 30, 2021.  You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail.  Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Application information:  https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/commercial-fishing/noaa-nmfs-panama-city-lab-2021

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the e-Rulemaking portal.

  1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter “NOAA-NMFS-2021-0058” in the Search box.
  2. Click the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail:  Submit written comments to Sarah Stephenson, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

$8.3 Million in Funding Recommended for Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Projects

July 16, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA is recommending nearly $8.3 million in funding to continue 23 ongoing habitat restoration projects through our Community-based Restoration Program. These projects will restore habitat for coastal and marine species in 13 states and territories and provide benefits for communities and the environment. The projects will also support coastal communities that rely on healthy habitats for benefits like clean drinking water, flood and storm protection, and industries like boating, fishing, and tourism.

By reopening rivers to fish passage, reconnecting rivers to their floodplains, and reducing coastal runoff, these projects will support oysters, corals, and several fish species. They will also aid in the recovery of four NOAA Species in the Spotlight:

Recipients and their partners include nonprofits; federal, state, and local agencies; tribes; private sector businesses; and academia.

Read the full release here

Back to the Field: NOAA Biologists Return to Papahānaumokuākea to Study and Protect Hawaiʻi Wildlife

July 16, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

A team of biologists from NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is setting off for a field season in the remote islands of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The team departed Honolulu on the M/V Kahana II July 10, and the ship will return August 6. However, most of the biologists will stay behind for a season of hard work collecting data on some of the iconic threatened and endangered species of Hawaiʻi—Hawaiian green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals.

The Work of NOAA Field Biologists in the Monument

The primary goal of this research cruise is to set up biological field camps at five sites within the monument:

  1. Lalo (French Frigate Shoals)
  2. Kamole (Laysan Island)
  3. Kapou (Lisianski Island)
  4. Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Reef)
  5. Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll)

Setting up camp on these remote islands is a big undertaking—each camp needs tents and all of the food, fresh water, scientific equipment, and safety supplies that teams of three to seven biologists will need for their stay of over 2 months. The research cruise team will also conduct monk seal surveys at islands where they do not establish camps—Nihoa, Mokumanamana (Necker) and Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll).

Once camps are established, the real work begins. Hawaiian monk seal biologists at the five camps will survey the islands to get an accurate count of monk seals. They will also monitor moms and pups to track reproductive success and attach identification tags to seals’ flippers to help track individuals through their lives. At two of the sites (Lalo and Pearl and Hermes Reef), the team will use an underwater device (sound trap) to record monk seal vocalizations and understand the noises they hear.

Marine turtle biologists will join a team of two who have been at Lalo since early spring. The turtle team will count and tag male turtles and nesting female turtles, monitor nest success, and collect samples from hatchling turtles.

Read the full release here

Attention: Fish Online eVTR app Android Users

July 16, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

This notice applies to any vessel operators who are currently using the NOAA Fisheries FOL eVTR app for Android devices. We will no longer be supporting the Android version of the FOL reporting app.

If you are currently using the Android eVTR app we recommend you download the FOL Web app which works on both iOS and Android devices. The Web app can be downloaded through your current FishOnline account.

What to Do:

  1. Go to the Fish Online Login Page, enter your login credentials and click Log In.
  2. After you login, select the vessel  or vessel operator permit for which you are completing a trip report.
  3. Once you are on your Vessel/Operator Profile page, click VTR/IVR Reporting from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  4. On the next screen, select VTR/IVR Reporting. This will bring you to the reporting home page.
  5. If this is your first time using the app, you will see “download” under the NOAA Fish Online banner at the top of the screen. You can download this as an app onto your computer or to any mobile device
  6. Once the app is downloaded, you will only have to log into the app to begin reporting your catch.

Read the full release here

NOAA Lifts COVID-19 Observer Coverage Waiver for Northeast Vessels With Electronic Monitoring

July 15, 2021 — NOAA Fisheries announced on Tuesday that they are lifting an exemption on at-sea observers that has been in place since August 2020.

Effective July 13, vessels enrolled in an electronic monitoring program may be assigned observer or monitor coverage consistent with its respective program’s requirements. This is a follow up from a June announcement in which NOAA Fisheries stated that vessels would no longer be eligible for release from observer or monitor coverage if a fully vaccinated observer or a quarantined/shelter in place observer is available.

Read the full story at Seafood News

New Turtle Excluder Device Requirements for all Skimmer Trawl Vessels 40 Feet and Greater in Length Take Effect on August 1, 2021

July 15, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

  • On August 1, 2021, a final rule goes into effect amending the definition of tow time and requiring the use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) designed to exclude small sea turtles in the nets of skimmer trawlers 40 feet and greater in length in the Southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries.
  • For the purposes of this rule, vessel length is the length specified on the vessel’s state registration or the U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation required to be onboard the vessel while fishing; if there is a difference in documented vessel length, the lesser length will be used.
  • Beginning August 1, 2021, skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and greater in length must have TEDs installed in any net that is rigged for fishing.

Additional Information:

Reminder: NOAA Fisheries Continues Monthly For-Hire Electronic Reporting Webinars

July 15, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office is hosting monthly question and answer webinar sessions to assist participants with program information and compliance.

When:

The next webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20, 2021, from 6:30-8:00 PM, E.T.

To register for the webinars and access additional information, such as tool-kits and instructional videos, go to: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing-data/southeast-hire-electronic-reporting-program. 

Additional Information:

Program staff and vendor representatives will participate in these webinars to answer questions and resolve issues identified by users.  These webinars are for anyone with an interest in the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program and specifically, any captain, owner, or lessee running a headboat or charter trip on a vessel with any of the following federal for-hire permits: Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish, Atlantic dolphin wahoo, South Atlantic snapper-grouper, Gulf of Mexico reef fish, or Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagic fish.

NOAA Fisheries implemented the new Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program in January 2021.  This program provides more timely catch, effort, and discard information from federally-permitted for-hire vessels.  Our goals in these webinars are to provide fishermen with quality customer service, improve understanding of federal for-hire data collection, and explain ways the reporting apps may simplify the reporting requirements.  NOAA Fisheries respects your time and business operations, so please continue to submit suggestions on ways we can improve your understanding of the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program.  We look forward to working with you.

Please call our customer service hotline with any questions (available from 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, ET) at 1-833-707-1632 or email us at ser.electronicreporting@noaa.gov.

2021-2022 Annual Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine

July 15, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries has implemented annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.

Pacific sardine harvest are allowed only in the live bait fishery, minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. The incidental harvest of Pacific sardine is limited to 20 percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other stocks managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan or up to 2 metric tons per trip when caught with non-Coastal Pelagic Species stocks. The annual catch limit for the 2021-2022 Pacific sardine fishing year is 3,329 metric tons.

This rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.

Read the full release here