Saving Seafood

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Stakeholder Input on Summer Flounder Recreational Management

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

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is collecting public comments and suggestions regarding current and future management of the recreational summer flounder fishery. Input provided through the scoping comment form will help inform the development of a management strategy evaluation, which will evaluate different management strategies designed to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. 

The Council is collecting this information as part of the continued progress and implementation of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management.

The Council encourages all stakeholders who have interest, knowledge, or experience related to the recreational summer flounder fishery to provide comments. The form should take 10-15 minutes to complete, and your answers are confidential. More information.

Provide comments on the MAFMC’s scoping comment form by Monday, January 25, 2021.

Read the full release here

Public Information Sessions for Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule Begin Tonight

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

We are proposing to amend the regulations implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury to North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in northeast commercial lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries to meet the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

To give the public an opportunity to learn about the proposed rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, we are holding 4 public information sessions. Everyone is welcome to attend and ask questions about the proposed rule.

See our summary fact sheet for more information on the proposed rule.

Please note, there will be an opportunity to provide comments at our public hearings in February. You may also provide comments online through the Regulations.gov comment portal. The comment due date is March 1, 2021.

Public Information Sessions

To sign up to attend, choose the link for the public information session you want to attend.

The information sessions run from 6:30-9 pm and are designed to orient participants to the documents and the review process, and to answer questions about what the proposed rule and DEIS contain. Public comments will only be accepted if time permits.

We will be opening the sessions at 6 pm for troubleshooting, so please log on early.

The sessions are focused on the proposed requirements for particular areas, though you may attend any session, and ask questions about any area.

If you are unable to attend, you may access a pre-recorded version of the slides to learn more about the rule.

Read the full release here

New Vessel Slow Zone Southeast of Atlantic City and Extended Slow Zone South of Martha’s Vineyard

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

NOAA Fisheries announces a new Slow Zone (voluntary vessel speed restriction zone) southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey.  On January 9, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Atlantic City Buoy acoustically detected the presence of right whales 20nm southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. This new Slow Zone is in effect until January 24, 2021.

Also, on January 8, a New England Aquarium aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. This slow zone is extended through January 23.

Mariners, please go around these areas or go slow (10 knots or less) inside this area where right whales have been detected.

The South of Martha’s Vineyard Slow Zone is in effect through January 23 for waters bounded by:

41 25 N
40 44 N
069 59 W
070 55 W

The Southeast of Atlantic City Slow Zone is in effect through January 24 for waters bounded by:
39 25 N
38 44 N
073 44 W
074 36 W

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

Read the full release here

Webinars Set: Cooperative Research Challenges During COVID-19

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

On behalf of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Cooperative Research Branch, I am pleased to invite you to attend the “Cooperative Research: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19” workshop series.  

Two 90-minute WebEx virtual workshops for researchers, industry partners, and field scientists will be held on February 25 and March 4, 2021.

The first webinar will focus on how cooperative research field work was adapted to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second webinar will focus on how fishermen worked with researchers to independently collect scientific data during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it may be used to bridge data gaps.

These virtual workshops are designed to foster a dialogue about how cooperative research has adapted and continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, including exchanging experiences from the field.

Each workshop will include brief presentations by organizations and industry partners involved in cooperative research across the region, and discussions moderated by the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch Chief, Dr. Anna Mercer.

No RSVP is needed. On the days of the events, login to the Webex platform using the credentials found on our Event Page.  I look forward to having you join with other community partners to take a close look at how operations changed in 2020.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Sincerely,

Giovanni Gianesin, NEFSC/Cooperative Research Branch

NOAA Fisheries Implements Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan

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

NOAA Fisheries is implementing an amendment recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council to establish an Atlantic herring acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rule and prohibit the use of midwater trawl gear in inshore waters from Canada to Connecticut.

Acceptable Biological Catch

The ABC control rule is intended to ensure sustainable herring harvest and account for herring’s role as forage in the ecosystem. The control rule sets herring ABC for 3 years, but allows ABC to vary year-to-year with projected estimates of biomass.

Prohibiting Midwater Trawl Gear Inshore

This amendment prohibits the use of midwater trawl gear inshore of the 12-nautical mile territorial sea boundary from the U.S./Canada border to the Connecticut/Rhode Island border and inshore of 20 nautical miles off the east coast of Cape Cod (see map).

The year-round inshore midwater trawl restricted area will reduce midwater trawl vessel overlap with other user groups (i.e., commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, ecotourism) that rely on herring as forage. The restricted area may also reduce catch of river herring and shad, reduce fishing pressure on the inshore herring stock, and help ensure herring are available to predators.

Read the full release here

Looking Ahead: NOAA Fisheries Science and Management Priorities for 2021

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

Today, we are sharing two messages from our leadership team that wrap up 2020, recognize some of the successes and challenges we encountered, and look ahead at both our science and management priorities for 2021.

  • Look Ahead at Science Priorities and Challenges by Cisco Werner, Director of Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor. “If we’ve learned any lessons, we’ll likely hold on to some newly-discovered efficiencies, such as using uncrewed technologies for survey work, cooperative research with the fishing industry, the inclusivity of virtual meetings, and more.”
  • Look Ahead at Management Priorities and Challenges by Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs. “Despite the anticipated challenges of COVID-19 through 2021, we will continue our commitment to our core mission as we balance changes to safety protocols with getting the job done.”

Questions?

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

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Critical Habitat for Ringed and Bearded Seals in U.S. Arctic

January 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate critical habitat in U.S. waters off the coast of Alaska for Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia distinct population of bearded seals. Both species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The ESA requires that NOAA Fisheries designate critical habitat for listed species in areas within the jurisdiction of the United States. Critical habitat identifies geographic areas that contain features essential to the conservation of a listed species.

Designating critical habitat does not create a preserve or refuge, and would not affect subsistence harvest of ringed or bearded seals by Alaska Natives.

Read more.

NOAA Fisheries Science Helps Maine’s Pioneering Sea Scallop Farmers

January 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

A trait fishermen and scientists share is adaptability: the trait required to think on your feet, be comfortable with uncertainty, and repurpose resources when necessary.

“Adaptable” is a word that perfectly describes Marsden Brewer, a third-generation commercial fisherman, who is also a scallop farmer and owner of PenBay Farmed Scallops. Brewer’s business is the result of his 20-year effort, as well as techniques learned through Maine’s enduring friendship with its sister state, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His three-and-a-quarter acre Stonington, Maine, farm is the first of its kind in Penobscot Bay.

“Princess” Scallops: A New England Locavore’s Delight

The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is one of the most valuable in the United States. While wild caught scallops have shells four inches across or larger and you only eat the adductor muscle, Brewer sells a smaller, whole-animal product. He offers three sizes:

  • “Princess” scallops are two inches across and can be grown in just 18 months
  • Medium scallops are about 2.75 inches and take 2 years
  • Large scallops are about 3 inches and take 3 years to grow.

Whole scallops are a delicacy prepared by chefs at restaurants in Maine and as far away as Colorado and Arizona. Brewer is not competing with the wild scallop fishery, but bringing a new local seafood to market. He has led other fishermen to farm scallops as a way to diversify their income in a changing environment.

Read the full release here

Cooperative Research: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19

January 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

About

The novel coronavirus has presented many challenges to researchers and fishermen, who often work in close quarters at sea and shore-side. However, some of our cooperative research partners have developed strategies to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and continue their work safely. To share what has been learned, the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch is hosting two, 1.5 hour WebEx virtual workshops on February 25 and March 4, 2021. The first webinar in this series will focus on how cooperative research field work was adapted to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second webinar in this series will focus on  how fishermen worked with researchers to independently collect scientific data during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it may be used to bridge data gaps.

More Information

In August and September 2019, the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch (CRB) hosted a series of stakeholder engagement sessions in eight ports along the Mid-Atlantic and New England seaboard. Regional partners identified priorities and challenges for scientific research conducted in collaboration with commercial fishermen. In response to recommendations made during those sessions, CRB planned to host two summits in 2020 to facilitate regional coordination of cooperative research and development of new partnerships. These summits have been postponed as part of the national effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. In the interim, the Cooperative Research: Facing the Challenges of COVID-19 virtual meetings will carry on the conversation among the network of researchers and industry partners, focused on contemporary challenges.

Read the full release here