Saving Seafood

Public–Private Partnership Remains Key to the Annual Bottomfish Survey in Hawaiʻi

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

There is light at the end of the tunnel as many of the restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic start to relax. However, restarting large-scale research and survey operations takes time. The 2020 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey in Hawaiʻi (#BFISH) was highly successful. It showed that cooperative research fishers, working in partnership with NOAA, can achieve a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency. In 2021, NOAA will continue to rely on our 10-year cooperative research partnership with the local fishing community to conduct survey operations critical to fishery management in Hawaiʻi.

The annual survey  became operational in 2016. It continues to provide important local abundance estimates used in the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock Assessment.

A key difference between #BFISH and many of our other research missions is its foundational partnership with the local fishing community. Traditionally, the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette conducts stereo-video camera deployments. Local fishers contracted through Lynker Technologies and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group conduct research fishing operations. They use traditional hook-and-line methods to collect samples within an experimental design developed in close partnership with Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists. As in 2020, our Lynker/Pacific Islands Fisheries Group partners will conduct 100 percent of the sampling, including both fishing and camera operations.

Read the full release here

MASSACHUSETTS: Count finds more elvers visiting Rockport

July 12, 2021 — The numbers, brought to you by Eric Hutchins and his volunteers from their annual census of eel movement along the Mill Brook, have been down for several years.

Not in 2021. This summer, the mighty Mill Brook has exploded into the eel-formational super highway.

The year began promisingly, with 350 eels counted from April 1 to the second week of June. But no sooner had the first wave abated than another began and the Mill Brook was en fuego.

Hutchins, a NOAA Fisheries biologist and Gulf of Maine restoration coordinator, said the streak included several hundred-eel days. As of June 29, the total count was 985 — including a jump of 402 eels in a single week.

Eel-lectrifying!

Now the really important stuff: The Eel Raffle fundraiser, where ticket buyers tried to get closest to the pin on the final number of eels counted between April 1 and Columbus Day.

“Of the original 58 raffle tickets sold, only 14 are left viable with total count guesses over 1,000,” Hutchins wrote in a June 29 email. “The next closet ‘guess’ is 1,033. But that might fall later today. Things are fast and furious this year at the eel trap.”

Where they always respect their elvers

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Reminder: Coral Protection Areas on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

On June 25,  NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to designate coral protection areas on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine.  This action becomes effective on July 26.

This action:

  • Establishes the Georges Bank Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area. This area is on the outer continental shelf in New England waters. It complements the Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area established by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in January 2017.
  • Prohibits bottom-tending commercial fishing gear (with the exception of red crab pot gear) in the Georges Bank Coral Protection Area to protect deep-sea corals.
  • Designates the Mount Desert Rock and Outer Schoodic Ridge Coral Protection Areas in the Gulf of Maine. Vessels are prohibited from fishing with bottom-tending mobile gear in these areas. Vessels are still able to fish for lobster in these areas using trap gear.
  • Designates the Jordan Basin Dedicated Habitat Research Area in the Gulf of Maine as a dedicated habitat research area.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Proposed Rebuilding Plan for the Southern Red Hake Fishery

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comment on a proposed rule that would establish a 10-year rebuilding plan for the overfished southern red hake stock. The New England Fishery Management Council took additional time to develop this action given a pending research track assessment that could have potentially affected the rebuilding requirements for southern red hake and took final action in June 2020.

In addition, the proposed rebuilding plan would decrease the year-round possession limit from 5,000 lb to a dual 1,000/600-lb possession limit based on the selectivity of gear-type or mesh size used. The 600-lb possession limit would apply to standard small-mesh trawls (less than 5.5 inches square or diamond mesh), which are less selective, while the 1,000-lb possession limit would apply to large-mesh trawls and other more selective gear types which includes raised footrope trawls, large mesh belly panel trawls, and rope separator trawls.

For more details, please read the rule as published in the Federal Register. You can provide comments through our online portal. Comments are due by July 27, 2021.

Read the full release here

Gulf of Mexico commercial fisherman upset at red grouper allocation

July 12, 2021 — Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico said they were shocked to see their share of the red grouper quota cut by 600,000 pounds.

A statement released Tuesday, 29, June by the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance said the reallocation to recreational fishermen means a loss of about USD 3 million (EUR 2.5 million), a significant loss for “fishing families.” They also fear it could lead to overfishing of the species.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Illex Squid Assessment Stakeholder Session Reminder

July 9, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Research Track stock assessment for Illex (shortfin) squid, includes a virtual stakeholder listening session on July 13th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Agenda:

  1. Welcome, introductions, meeting purpose

  2. Brief overview of the assessment, key Terms of Reference, and an update on where the Working Group is in the process

  3. Questions/ideas regarding progress already made, or work yet to be done

  4. Additional input and/or broader questions

  5. Wrap-up and next steps

To join this session, please register using this RSVP link no later than July 12th. If you are unable to attend but would like to add a question or comment, you can submit one in the RSVP link.

Once you have registered, a WebEx meeting link will be sent to the email address you provide.

Additional information can be found on the Illex Working Group webpage

We hope that you can join us.

Read the full release here

Building Community Resilience Through Habitat Restoration

July 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In addition to supporting fisheries and protected resources, habitat restoration builds resilience in communities and ecosystems. Hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters can have devastating effects on coastal communities. Restoring healthy habitats can help protect these communities from damage caused by extreme weather and a changing climate.

Almost half of the U.S. population lives near a coast. Communities, businesses, and infrastructure in these areas are under increasing pressure from the impacts of flooding, climate change, and sea level rise. If current trends continue, up to $106 billion worth of coastal property is predicted to be below sea level by 2050.

Habitat restoration provides a safe, effective, and affordable approach to coastal protection. Efforts like restoring coastal wetlands and removing outdated dams can improve coastal resilience—helping communities recover from and adapt to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change.

The NOAA Restoration Center in the Office of Habitat Conservation invests in habitat restoration across the country where our fisheries and protected resources need it most. Our funding and technical assistance help build effective, efficient restoration projects that meet the needs of both fisheries and coastal communities. Our habitat restoration work supports coastal community resilience by:

  • Restoring wetlands to reduce flooding caused by more frequent, more intense storms
  • Protecting shorelines from erosion and sea level rise
  • Eliminating safety risks associated with outdated, hazardous structures

Read the full release here

New Tribal Research Coordinator for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center

July 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is pleased to announce that we have hired a new Tribal Research Coordinator. Mabel Baldwin-Schaeffer joins the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Communications Program and will be based in Anchorage, AK.

Baldwin-Schaeffer will provide technical support to help enhance existing communications and outreach efforts. She will also foster relationships with subsistence communities and fishing sectors to identify opportunities for scientific collaboration and co-production of research.

“This is a first for us and we couldn’t be more excited to have Mabel working with us. Mabel was very successful in building partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups to co-produce data when she was at the Fisheries, Aquatic Science and Technology Laboratory at Pacific University,” said Robert Foy, Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. “We know our efforts to identify research needs and to more effectively communicate with and design collaborative research projects with Alaska Indigenous communities, Tribal governments, and Alaska Native organizations will benefit greatly from Mabel’s knowledge and experience.”

Baldwin-Schaeffer has both a science background—a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Alaska Pacific University—and ties to local communities. Given her direct experience with Alaska Native community cultures, traditions, and ways of communicating, Baldwin-Schaeffer will help to strengthen collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities in Alaska. She will also build staff capacity at Alaska Fisheries Science Center to engage effectively in these efforts. This will help facilitate greater information sharing and opportunities to develop mutually beneficial research priorities.

“I am committed to making positive steps in improving collaboration within and between Alaska’s tribal communities and the institutions and agencies committed to supporting sustainable subsistence-based livelihoods and healthy marine ecosystems,” said Baldwin-Shaeffer.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Recommends NOAA Fisheries Rescind Control Dates for Skate Wing and Skate Bait Fisheries

July 7, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

After thoroughly debating the issue during its June 22-24, 2021 webinar meeting, the New England Fishery Management Council voted to recommend that NOAA Fisheries rescind the existing control dates for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries. The current control dates are:

  • Skate Bait Fishery – July 30, 2009; and
  • Skate Wing Fishery – March 31, 2014.

The Council originally recommended control dates because it was concerned about potential increases in effort and speculative entry into the fishery while it explored limited access options for skates.

Read the full release here

Slow Zone Southwest of Martha’s Vineyard to Protect Right Whales

July 6, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces a new voluntary right whale Slow Zone.  On July 2, 2021, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution acoustic buoy detected right whales southwest of Martha’s Vineyard.  This Slow Zone is in effect through July 18, 2021.

Mariners are requested to route around this or transit through it at 10 knots or less.

Slow Zone Coordinates:

Southwest of Martha’s Vineyard, July 2-18, 2021

41 23 N
40 44 N
071 16 W
070 23 W

See the coordinates for all the slow zones currently in effect.

Active Seasonal Management Areas 

Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:

Great South Channel, April 1 – July 31

Find out more and get the coordinates for each mandatory slow speed zone.

Give Right Whales Room

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. NOAA is cautioning boaters and fishermen to give these endangered whales plenty of room. We are also asking all fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales and remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements. Commercial fishermen should use vertical lines with required markings, weak links, and breaking strengths.

Right Whales in Trouble

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are only about 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

North Atlantic right whales are NOAA Fisheries’ newest Species in the Spotlight. This initiative is a concerted, agency-wide effort to spotlight and save marine species that are among the most at risk of extinction in the near future. 

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.

Read the full release here