Saving Seafood

Commercial Hook-and-Line Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone Will Reopen on April 4, 2021 and Close on April 9, 2021

April 2, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone (depicted in map below) will reopen for five days in April 2021. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 4, 2021, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021.
  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2021.

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial hook-and-line quota for the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone is 575,400 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate approximately 50,562 pounds of the quota remain.
  • Landings projections indicate that the remaining quota will be caught within five days of reopening the fishery.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • After 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021, no commercial hook-and-line fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Southern Zone.
  • The Southern Zone gillnet component closed on January 28, 2021.
  • Therefore, no king mackerel caught in this zone may be purchased, bartered, traded, or sold after 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in hook-and-line king mackerel that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold between 12:01 a.m., local time, April 4, 2021 and 12:01 a.m., local time, April 9, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why was the fishery closed on February 22, 2021?

  • Original projections indicated that commercial harvest of king mackerel for the hook-and-line component in the Southern Zone would reach their quota by February 22, 2021.
  • In accordance with regulations, NOAA Fisheries closed the fishery when the quota was projected to be met, in order to prevent overfishing.  Overfishing is when the annual catch rate is too high.
Read the full release here

April Edition of NOAA Navigator Now Available!

April 2, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The NOAA Navigator is a bi-monthly informational insert that we publish in Commercial Fisheries News.

The April issue of the Navigator is now available. Articles in this edition include:

  • Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Season Reminder
  • Coonamessett River Restoration
  • Study on Ocean Acidification
  • Fisheries Stock Assessments Underway
  • Reporting and Permitting Updates

Questions?

Contact Kate Swails, Regional Office, 978-282-8481

Extended and New Slow Zones South of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard to Protect Right Whales

April 1, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces the extension of Slow Zones set to expire south of Nantucket and south of Martha’s Vineyard and establishes another Slow Zone south of Nantucket. On March 31, 2021 several aggregations of right whales were detected south of Nantucket, MA and south of Martha’s Vineyard, MA by the NOAA North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting Survey. These three right whale Slow Zones are in effect immediately through April 14, 2021.

Mariners are requested to route around these areas or transit through them at 10 knots or less.

Slow Zone Coordinates:

South of Nantucket, MA, March 30 – April 14, 2021 *NEW*

41 01 N
40 19  N
069 50 W
070 46 W

South of Nantucket, MA, February 26 – April 14, 2021 *Extended*

41 23 N
40 40 N
069 39 W
070 35W

South of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, March 7 – April 14, 2021 *Extended*

41 21 N
40 41 N
070 15 W
071 06 W

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

Read the full release here

New Rules to Protect Turtles From Shrimp Nets Postponed

March 31, 2021 — New rules designed to keep endangered and threatened sea turtles from drowning in some inshore shrimp nets are being postponed, and federal regulators are considering whether to expand the rules, officials said Tuesday.

Coronavirus pandemic restrictions over the past year have limited in-person workshops and training opportunities for fishermen to install escape hatches called turtle excluder devices, or TEDs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Therefore, the new rules announced in 2019 will take effect Aug. 1 instead of on Thursday.

“The delay … is to allow NOAA Fisheries additional time for training fishermen, ensuring TEDs are built and installed properly, and for responding to installation and maintenance problems when the regulations go in effect,” the statement said.

Six species of sea turtles, all of them endangered or threatened, are found in U.S. waters.

The rule requires the devices on skimmer trawls pulled by boats at least 40 feet (12 meters) long.

NOAA Fisheries is reconsidering whether to require the devices on boats shorter than 40 feet long, “and whether additional rulemaking is currently warranted,” the statement said.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at U.S. News

5 Things You Should Know About Sustainable Seafood

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In the United States, sustainable seafood is not only a possibility, it’s our priority. Fish, shellfish, and marine algae are renewable resources—they can reproduce and replenish their populations naturally. That means we can sustainably harvest fish within certain limits without depleting their populations. Fishery management is the process of using science to determine these limits—catching some fish while leaving some to reproduce and replace the fish that are caught. The United States is a global leader in seafood sustainability.

Our global population is rising, but our global abundance of wild fish is not. Aquaculture, or farming in water, plays a critical role in ensuring that our need for seafood is met sustainably. It is a resource-efficient way of increasing and diversifying U.S. seafood production. The future of sustainable seafood must include both farm-raised and wild-capture seafood. Seafood farming, if done responsibly as it is in the United States, is increasingly recognized as one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce food and protein.

Read on to learn more about what sustainable seafood means in the United States and how we are working to support healthy fisheries and provide safe sources of seafood.

1. U.S. fishermen abide by some of the most rigorous environmental measures in the world.

The United States has a well-earned reputation as a global leader in sustainability. U.S. fisheries management is guided by several laws, including the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.

Learn more about the laws and policies that keep our ocean resources productive and sustainable

2. U.S. fisheries are managed under 10 national standards of sustainability.

These standards aim to prevent overfishing, protect other species and habitat, and minimize bycatch on non-target species. They ensure sustainable and responsible fishery management in the United States.

Learn more about the National Standards

3. Managing wild fish populations sustainably and keeping fishermen on the job is a dynamic process.

U.S. fisheries management is a transparent and robust process, based on strong science, responsive management, and enforced compliance. NOAA Fisheries works closely with eight regional fishery management councils, whose members represent commercial and recreational fishing, environmental, academic, and government interests.

Learn more about how we manage fisheries in the United States

4. Expanding aquaculture can stabilize and diversify seafood supply.

Aquaculture is a sustainable way to produce food, using fewer resources than other protein sources. This is especially important when considering the impacts of climate change on land-based farming and wild-capture fisheries.

Learn more about how aquaculture supports a sustainable Earth

5. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing leads to unsafe and unsustainable practices and harms law-abiding fishermen around the world.

Combating IUU fishing is a top priority for the United States. NOAA Fisheries is proud to be a leader in the nation’s comprehensive approach to this battle. We work with U.S. and state agencies to promote compliance with import requirements that help prevent IUU fish and fish products from entering our markets. We also work with foreign governments and regional fisheries management organizations to promote international cooperation to achieve effective, responsible marine stewardship and ensure sustainable fisheries management.​

Learn more about how NOAA is working to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing globally

Sustainable seafood is a continuous journey and science is a big part of our success. Effective management for both wild-caught and farmed species starts with accurate scientific information about fish and fisheries. Be sure to visit our site regularly to learn even more about how we support safe sources of seafood by ensuring our fisheries are productive and sustainable.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Atlantic Herring Management Area 3 Sub-ACL Harvested

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective at 00:01 April 1

Under the New England Fishery Management Council’s Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, no person may fish for, possess, transfer, receive, land, sell, or purchase more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 3 for the remainder of the fishing season when 98 percent of the sub-annual catch limit is harvested. As of April 1, 2021, we project 98 percent of the Area 3 Atlantic herring catch limit will be harvested, requiring a closure of the directed fishery.

At 00:01 hours on April 1, 2021, a 2,000-lb herring possession limit per trip or calendar day will become effective for Management Area 3 (Figure 1) and will be in effect until December 31, 2021. This reduced possession limit does not apply to a vessel that enters port before 00:01 local time on April 1, 2021.

Also at 00:01 hours on April 1, 2021, no federally permitted dealer may purchase, possess, have custody or control of, sell, barter, trade or transfer, or attempt to sell, barter, trade, or transfer more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or calendar day from Management Area 3 through 24:00 hr local time, December 31, 2021, unless it is from a vessel that enters port before 00:01 local time on April 1, 2021.

For additional information, please see the rule as filed in the Federal Register and our bulletin.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Lou Forristall, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-282-8457

Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2021-2022 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • The 2021-2022 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.19′ N. latitude), will open April 1, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., local time, and will close April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., local time.
  • The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.
  • Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2021-2022 fishing year will be below the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2021-2022 recreational fishing year.

WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING:

  • NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years with available data were substantially below this value.
  • This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Proposes to Approve 16 Groundfish Sectors for Fishing Years 2021 and 2022 and Allocate Annual Catch Entitlements for Fishing Year 2021

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries received sector operations plans and contracts from 16 groundfish sectors for the 2021 and 2022 fishing years. We are proposing to approve these 16 operations plans and grant 19 regulatory exemptions to improve the efficiency and flexibility of sector vessels. We are also proposing to allocate annual catch entitlements for fishing year 2021 based on Framework 59 and default specifications. Annual catch entitlements may be modified based on the New England Fishery Management Council’s recommendations in Framework 61, if approved, at a later date.

This proposed rule announces our determination that the electronic monitoring audit model is sufficient for use in place of at-sea monitors for catch accounting. Sector vessels may choose to use either at-sea monitoring or electronic monitoring to meet monitoring requirements, provided that the vessel’s sector has a corresponding monitoring program approved as part of its fishing years 2021-22 sector operations plan.

The proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. Submit your comments through the online portal. The comment period is open through April 15, 2021.

Copies of each sector’s draft operations plan and contract are available online.

Questions?

Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

Fishermen: Contact Claire Fitz-Gerald, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9255

Reminder: Requirements for the Limited Access Atlantic Mackerel Fishery

March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In order to participate in the Atlantic mackerel fishery you must follow certain notification, reporting, and monitoring requirements.

General requirements are below:

For more information and additional requirements please read our bulletin.

Questions?

Industry: Contact Aly Pitts, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9352

Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

  • Submit weekly vessel trip reports (VTRs) for all permits.
  • Provide 48-hr pre-trip notification to retain more than 20,000 lb (9.07 mt) of mackerel.
  • Please call Sara Weeks at 508-642-6005 for a mackerel trip that will not be catching and retaining herring. For a trip that would be a herring or groundfish combination trip with mackerel, please notify NOAA Fisheries via PTNS at least 48 hours prior to beginning any trip to be considered for monitoring coverage.
    • Enter trips up to, but no more than, 10 days in advance.
    • Login with your vessel permit number and Fish Online PIN.
    • Call the Fish Online Help Desk at 978-281-9188 if you need a PIN.
    • Enter your fishery, trip type, sail date, port of departure, trip length, and gear type.
    • Call the PTNS Help Desk at 855-FISHES-1 if you need assistance or have questions.
  • Declare trips via VMS and submit daily catch reporting via VMS for limited access mackerel vessels
  • Provide 6-hr pre-landing notification via VMS to land over 20,000 lb (9.07 mt) of mackerel

$12.3 million available for Louisiana fisheries assistance

March 31, 2021 — Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Tuesday $12,339,916 in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to assist fisheries across Louisiana. The funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and will support activities that have been authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“Commercial fisheries support one of 70 jobs in Louisiana, and the pandemic hit them hard. Louisiana fishermen are resilient, and these funds will help get our fisheries back on their feet,” said Kennedy.

The funding will directly support coastal states and territories, including Louisiana, whose fisheries have suffered under the pandemic.

Read the full story from WVUE at FOX 8