Saving Seafood

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

Informational S-K Grant Program Webinar on July 14 at 4 pm

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

Please join NOAA Fisheries on Wednesday, July 14 from 4-5 pm ET for an informational webinar hosted by the Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) Grant Program discussing the FY22 S-K Grant Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity, which published on grants.gov on June 18.

FY22 S-K Webinar Info:

Register: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?RGID=r8051d97353275edb994727fac155c572
Time: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 @ 4:00 pm (1 hour duration)
Event number: 199 806 0963
Event password: noaa (6622 from phones)

Read the full release here

ALASKA: 2019 Norton Sound crab fishery gets disaster status

July 6, 2021 — The 2019 Norton Sound red king crab fishery has been determined by Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo to qualify for disaster status.

Positive determinations make this and other fisheries eligible for disaster assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They may also qualify for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration.

Raimondo worked with NOAA Fisheries to evaluate the fishery in the Nome area. A declared fishery disaster must meet specific requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act or the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act. For example, there must be commercial fishery economic impacts and declines in fishery access or biomass resulting from specific allowable causes due to the fishery disaster event.

Read the full story at The Cordova Times

Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee Meeting

June 30, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Transboundary Resources Assessment Committee (TRAC) will meet on July 12-14. This year, TRAC will consider the assessment for Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder, an update of biological and fishery indicators for Eastern Georges Bank Haddock and Atlantic Cod, an overview of the data limited methods tool (DLMtool) application to Atlantic Cod and the subsequent advice, and an update for Allocation Shares. Results of the 2021 TRAC assessment meeting will be reported to management agencies in both countries.

If you wish to attend, please confirm your participation at the meeting via MS Teams with your respective TRAC co-chair Tara Trinko Lake (U.S. Co-chair) or Tara McIntyre (Canadian Co-chair) by Monday, July 5th.

About TRAC

TRAC was established in 1998 to peer review assessments of transboundary fishery resources in the Georges Bank area, in order to ensure that the management efforts of both Canada and the United States of America, pursued either independently or cooperatively, are founded on a common understanding of fishery resource status.