Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Management of Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico: Comment Period Ends June 28, 2021

May 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a draft environmental impact statement for Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.  The Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of the draft environmental impact statement on May 14, 2021.

The purpose of this draft environmental impact statement is to assess the environmental impacts associated with a reasonable range of alternatives intended to modify the red grouper commercial and recreational sector allocations, overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets of Gulf of Mexico red grouper.

Read the full release here

Exploring Atlantic Salmon’s Battle for Survival: A Story Map

May 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Wild Atlantic salmon stocks in the United States have declined significantly since the late 19th century. Historically, dams, overfishing, and pollution led to large declines in salmon abundance.

The Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, and Sheepscot Rivers of the Merrymeeting Bay region have a long history of human development. This story map tells the history of this area’s many dams and our restoration efforts to recover the populations of endangered Atlantic salmon.

salmon

Read the full release here

Industry-Funded Monitoring Coverage in the Atlantic Herring Fishery Will Begin on July 1, 2021

May 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Beginning on July 1, 2021, NOAA Fisheries will begin selecting vessels with Category A or B herring permits fishing on declared herring trips for industry-funded monitoring (IFM) coverage. Vessels issued a Category A or B Atlantic herring permit will be required to secure and pay for at-sea monitoring coverage on trips that are selected for IFM coverage.

These vessels must log into their Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS) web account to review the list of approved providers in PTNS and rank them in order of preference. Vessels should rank their providers in PTNS by June 20, 2021 to avoid any delays in the IFM assignment process.

For more information, go to our IFM website, which includes information on reporting requirements, approved IFM providers, the midwater trawl electronic monitoring exempted fishing permit, and other details.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Carrie Nordeen, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9272

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

Deadline Extended: ASMFC Still Seeks Proposals for At-Sea Monitoring Trainers

May 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct components of the At-Sea Monitoring (ASM) Training Program for the center. The submission deadline has been extended to May 24, 2021.

NOAA Fisheries is required to collect biological and compliance data aboard U.S. domestic fishing vessels, data which cannot be obtained at the dock or on research vessels. Specifically, observer data is essential to reliably estimating catch and bycatch, and in helping to implement programs to reduce bycatch. A sharp increase to the coverage rate (up to 100%) for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery in Fishing Year 2022 and observer attrition during the 2020 fishing year have resulted in the need for approximately 140 new at-sea monitors.

The awardee shall provide and retain the necessary qualified personnel, materials, equipment, services, and facilities to conduct components of the ASM training for the Center. The Awardee shall conduct approximately 4-6 trainings per year. The training will be conducted as a collaborative effort between NOAA Fisheries and the Awardee; where some components of the training will be conducted by the Awardee and some training components will be conducted by NOAA Fisheries.

Application Instructions

Applicants seeking to apply to the RFP must submit, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on May 24, 2021. Please see the RFP online for complete proposal details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions.

For More Information:

Please contact Deke Tompkins at dtompkins@asmfc.org or (313) 303-2623.

Press contact: Tina Berger, (703) 842-0740

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2021-2026 Specifications for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

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

Effective June 14

NOAA Fisheries is setting 2021 and projecting 2022-2026 commercial harvest quotas for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs. The final quotas, which have remained unchanged since 2004, are:

  • Atlantic surfclams: 3.4 million bushels
  • Ocean quahogs: 5.36 million bushels
  • Maine ocean quahogs: 100,000 Maine bushels

In addition, the Atlantic surfclam minimum size limit will be suspended for the 2021 fishing year, as it has been every year since 2005. There is currently no minimum size for ocean quahogs.

For more details, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register and the bulletin.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Laura Hansen, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9225

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

Attention Current and Future “Slinky Pot” Users: Update to Frequently Asked Questions to Promote Compliance with Biodegradable Panel Regulation

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

NOAA Fisheries has updated its FAQs regarding longline pot gear and the placement of biodegradable panels on “slinky pots.” The applicable regulation, 50 CFR 679.2 (definition of “authorized fishing gear” at (15)(i)), defines these as:

Biodegradable panel. Each pot used to fish for groundfish must be equipped with a biodegradable panel at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) in length that is parallel to, and within 6 inches (15.24 cm) of, the bottom of the pot, and that is sewn up with untreated cotton thread of no larger size than No. 30.

While round, tunnel-shaped “slinky pots” do not have a distinct top or bottom, NMFS has concluded that it is possible to configure them to comply with the regulation. Each pot used to harvest federally managed groundfish must be equipped with a biodegradable panel at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) in length that is sewn up with untreated cotton thread of no larger size than No. 30. Each 18” panel must be sewn into the mesh covering the frame of a tunnel-shaped pot on the curved surface of the pot (not on a tunnel end).

Under the existing regulation, wrapping the door closure of a pot with untreated cotton thread DOES NOT meet the regulatory definition of a biodegradable panel for any type of pot.

We encourage you to read the updated Frequently Asked Questions for the Longline Pot Gear GOA IFQ Sablefish Fishery. Question #8 contains example photographs of biodegradable panels on “slinky pots” that NMFS has found to be compliant.

Ship speed limit sought to protect endangered whales in Gulf

May 12, 2021 — A speed limit for ships in part of the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Panhandle is needed to protect the few remaining endangered whales there, environmental groups said Tuesday.

The groups asked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service to set a 10-knot (11.5 mph, 18.5 kph) speed limit in an area covering about 11,500 square miles (30,000 square kilometers) off Florida and Alabama.

Shipping interests did not immediately answer requests for comment on the petition, which also asks NOAA Fisheries to make all shipping detour around the whales’ core habitat at night.

The federal agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation, spokeswoman Allison Garrett said.

“One of the rarest, most endangered whales on the planet is in our backyard, and we have a responsibility to save it,” said Michael Jasny, director of the Marine Mammal Protection Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the groups.

Read the full story at The Star Tribune

NOAA Fisheries Announces Additional For-Hire Electronic Reporting Webinars

May 11, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

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

When:

The webinars are scheduled for the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 6:30-8:00 PM, ET
  • Tuesday, June 15, 2021, from 6:30-8:00 PM, ET
  • Tuesday, July 20, 2021, from 6:30-8:00 PM, ET

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 Electronic For-Hire 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 pelagics, Atlantic dolphin wahoo, South Atlantic snapper-grouper, Gulf of Mexico reef fish, or Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagics.

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 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.

NOAA Fisheries Offers Webinars to Assist Skimmer Trawl Fishermen with Turtle Excluder Device (TEDs) Installation

May 10, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

Fishing gear specialists with NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fishery Science Center’s Gear Monitoring Team will host question and answer webinar sessions and virtual workshops summarizing upcoming skimmer trawl Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements and assist participants with program information and compliance.

When:

  • The webinars are scheduled twice a month on Tuesday mornings starting at 9:00 AM through 10:30 AM CST. Webinars are scheduled for May 18, June 1, June 15, July 13, and July 27, 2021.
  • In addition, virtual workshops will be held one Friday a month starting at 9:00 AM through 10:30 AM CST. Virtual workshops are scheduled for May 14, June 25, and July 30, 2021. The full schedule and registration information are listed below.

TED Tuesday Webinars:

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Addition of Bullet Mackerel and Frigate Mackerel to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan of the Atlantic as Ecosystem Component Species

May 10, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 12). The final rule adds bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan and designates them as ecosystem component species. Ecosystem component species are those that do not require conservation and management, but are deemed important to include in a fishery management plan to achieve ecosystem management objectives. Bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel are documented as important prey species particularly for wahoo, dolphin (to a lesser extent), blue marlin, and yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Region.

When Rule Will Take Effect:

Regulations become effective June 9, 2021.

Summary of Changes:

  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council wants to consider ecosystem management approaches to fisheries management and advance ecosystem management objectives in the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.
  • Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 12 and the final rule could result in potential indirect benefits such as increased awareness among the fishing constituents, fishing communities, and fishery management agencies.
  • If landings for bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel were to greatly increase in the future to unsustainable levels, fisheries managers could be made aware of the changing stock status before the stocks are depleted which may have subsequent beneficial effects on populations of several economically important predatory fish species, including dolphin, wahoo, blue marlin, and yellowfin tuna.

Read the full release here