Saving Seafood

Seasonal Closure of Mutton Snapper Spawning Aggregation Area in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters off St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

February 22, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN:

Annual Seasonal Area Closure

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and the public of the upcoming seasonal closure on fishing for any species in federal waters of the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (Figure 1).

  • This closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 1, 2021, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, June 30, 2021.

Year-Round Fishing Prohibitions

Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets, or trammel nets is prohibited within federal waters of the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area year-round.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

This seasonal area closure protects mutton snapper when they are spawning (reproducing) and more vulnerable to fishing pressure.  The closure also protects the habitat that supports those aggregations.

The Mutton Snapper Spawning Aggregation Area is located off southwest St. Croix and is bounded by lines connecting the following coordinates:

A   17°37.8′ N         64°53.0′ W

B   17°39.0′ N         64°53.0′ W

C   17°39.0′ N         64°50.5′ W

D   17°38.1′ N         64°50.5′ W

E   17°37.8′ N         64°52.5′ W

A   17°37.8′ N         64°53.0′ W

Read the full release here

One New (Boston) and One Extended (Atlantic City) Slow Zone to Protect Right Whales

February 18, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces a new voluntary right whale Slow Zone East of Boston, Massachusetts and an extension of the voluntary right whale Slow Zone southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

On February 17, 2021, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Stellwagen slocum glider detected the presence of right whales 30nm east of Boston. The Boston Slow Zone is in effect through March 4, 2021.

On February 18, 2021, Rutgers University’s slocum glider detected the presence of right whales 20 nm southeast of Atlantic City. The Atlantic City Slow Zone is in effect through March 5, 2021.

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

Slow Zone Coordinates:

Southeast of Atlantic City, in effect through March 5, 2021

39 25 N
38 44 N
073 44 W
074 36 W

East of Boston, in effect through March 4, 2021

42 40 N
42 00 N
069 57 W
070 52 W

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

Read the full release here

NEFMC Recommends 2021 Recreational Measures for Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock for GARFO’s Consideration

February 18, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Recognizing that COVID-19 will continue to impact angler and party/charter boat fishing in the year ahead, the New England Fishery Management Council voted during its late-January 2021 webinar meeting to recommend that NOAA Fisheries, through its Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), implement status quo recreational fishing measures for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock for the 2021 fishing year.

These are the same measures that GARFO implemented on August 13, 2020 during the pandemic to provide additional fishing opportunities for cod and more access to the abundant haddock resource at a time when the recreational fishing community, especially the for-hire fleet, was greatly impacted by the pandemic. In selecting those measures, GARFO considered the Council’s June 2020 request to expand the fall fishing window to help recreational fishermen make up for lost access to the springtime fishery.

The Council received input from both its Recreational Advisory Panel and Groundfish Committee before voting. GARFO will consider the Council’s recommendation, but NOAA Fisheries will make the final decision.

Read the full release here

New England Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program Funding Opportunity

February 18, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Applications Accepted Until April 1, 2021

NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program 2021-2022 funding competition is now open!

B-WET funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs are multi‐stage activities that include learning both outdoors and in the classroom and aim to increase understanding and stewardship of watersheds and related ocean, coastal, riverine, estuarine, and Great Lakes ecosystems.

New England B-WET focuses on the priorities and challenges facing New England watersheds by helping students and teachers apply scientific methods and tools to understand and appreciate their local watershed system. The New England region includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. B-WET encourages students to become more interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. By focusing on watersheds where they live and by participating in personally relevant stewardship projects, students and teachers can become knowledgeable stewards of their local environment.

To learn more about this year’s priorities and to apply visit our website.

Read the full release here

REMINDER: NOAA Fisheries Phone Survey Ongoing

February 18, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries and the University of Florida launched a phone survey in January to continue assessing the impact of COVID-19 on commercial/for-hire fishing operations, and on seafood dealers and processors. Thank you to those of you that have already responded. A second round of phone calls began on February 12th.

This survey will assist us in assessing  economic impacts on individual businesses over the entire 2020 calendar year. It is a follow-up to a survey conducted during July/August 2020 on impacts for the first half of the year. The first reports using results from last summer’s survey as well as other data can be found here.

We are using this multi-region survey to inform NOAA Fisheries, the Department of Commerce, Congress, fishery management councils, state fishery managers, and stakeholders about the economic and social impacts of Covid-19 on the fishing industry.

If You Get a Call

Phone survey participants were randomly selected to participate. If you were selected, you will receive a phone call from the University of Florida with a 352 area code. Your response is very important to the success of this survey. It will take less than 10 minutes, and the information you provide is strictly confidential.

For more information on the phone survey, see this bulletin from NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region.

Read the full release here

11 Cool Cetaceans Facts

February 17, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals are often referred to as “sentinels” of ocean health, providing insight into marine ecosystem dynamics. Learn more cool things about cetaceans below.

1. They tend to be social and live in groups. Cetaceans may communicate by slapping the water.

Dolphins and porpoises exhibit complex communication and echolocation by making squeaks, buzzes, whistles, and clicks that can be heard from miles away. They are also thought to communicate by slapping the water’s surface with their tails or bodies.

2. Killer whales are part of the dolphin family. There are three main types of killer whales, or ecotypes, in the North Pacific: Resident, Transient, and Offshore.

In fact, they are the largest member of the Delphinidae, or dolphin family. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species such as long-finned pilot whales and false killer whales, whose common names also contain “whale” instead of “dolphin.”

Each North Pacific killer whale ecotype differs in appearance, diet, habitat, genetics, and behavior. While all three types share at least part of their habitats, they are not known to interbreed. Resident killer whales usually eat different varieties of fish, primarily salmon. Southern Resident killer whales prefer Chinook salmon, some of which are endangered. Transient (or Bigg’s) killer whales eat other marine mammals, such as seals, and squid. Offshore killer whales primarily eat sharks and scientists have discovered that the whales’ teeth are worn down over time due to sharks’ rough skin.

In January, 2019, an experienced group of killer whale biologists launched an expedition from the southern tip of Chile into some of the roughest waters in the world, searching for what could be a new species of killer whale.

3. Blue whales have the biggest hearts on the planet.

The heart of a blue whale weighs more than 1,000 pounds, the weight of an average dairy cow.

Read the full release here

REMINDER: NOAA Fisheries reaches out to fishermen by phone; conducting surveys for scientists to assess impacts on commercial/for-hire fishing operations and seafood dealers/processors related to COVID-19

February 17, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries and our partner, the University of Florida, are teaming up on a phone survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on commercial/for-hire fishing operations and on seafood dealers and processors. The phone survey is a follow-up to an earlier on-line survey conducted in July and August on economic impacts for the first half of 2020. The upcoming survey will assist us in assessing economic impacts over the entire calendar year.

Survey participants were randomly selected to participate. If you receive a phone call from the University of Florida with a 352 area code, your response is very important to the success of this survey. It will take less than 10 minutes, and the information you provide is strictly confidential.

PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY:

We are using this multi-region survey to inform NOAA Fisheries, the Department of Commerce, Congress, fishery management councils, state fishery managers, and stakeholders about the economic and social impacts that the recent economic downturn has had on the fishing industry.

NOAA Fisheries will draft reports for the public detailing the revenue losses and recovery of fishing-dependent businesses over the past year. Here is a look at what we have already been able to capture and release in a series of snapshot reports. You helped make this information available to us. Thank you!

MORE INFORMATION:

If you have further questions regarding the survey please contact:

Mike Jepson in the Gulf of Mexico Region, Michael.Jepson@noaa.gov

Matt McPherson in the South Atlantic Region, Matthew.McPherson@noaa.gov

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

February 17, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on a proposed rule that would set the commercial harvest quotas for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs for the 2021 through 2026 fishing years based on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommendation.

The proposed 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 would be suspended for 2021, as it has been every year since 2005. There is currently no minimum size for ocean quahogs.

For more details on the proposed specifications, read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal. The comment period is open through March 4, 2021.

Questions?

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

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

Celebrate Black History Month with NOAA Fisheries

February 16, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Black History Month is observed every February to recognize the history and achievements of African Americans and their central role in our nation’s history. As we celebrate this year, we’d like to highlight the extraordinary research and important contributions of African Americans at NOAA Fisheries. Trailblazers like Dr. Ambrose Jearld, one of NOAA’s first African American fisheries biologists, led the way for many young scientists and specialists to pursue their dreams and their passion for marine and environmental science. Check out these interviews with our colleagues to learn more about their contributions to NOAA.

Watch this video featuring Dr. Ambrose Jearld

Larry Alade, Research Fisheries Biologist

Larry’s primary role as research fisheries biologist is to investigate and develop scientific tools to assess the health of fish populations in the region to inform and advise the federal fishery management process. This involves studying and monitoring changes in fish abundance, distribution and demographics (i.e. size, age, sex etc.), measuring and quantifying impacts of fishing activity and understanding biological and physical processes within the ecosystem that contribute to the observed changes in the fishery resource.

He first came to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center as an intern after completing his master’s degree in applied computer science. He later returned to the Science Center while earning his doctoral degree. After finishing his Ph.D., the Science Center hired him in 2008 to work for the Population Dynamics Branch assessing groundfish stocks. Larry is a 2020 John Bullard Diversity Award winner.

Learn more about Larry Alade and his work

Read the full release here

Commercial Hook-and-Line Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone Will Close on February 22, 2021

February 16, 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 (Gulf) Southern Zone (depicted in map below) will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 22, 2021.
  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2021.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial hook-and-line quota for the Gulf Southern Zone is 575,400 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate that commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in this zone is rapidly approaching the quota.
  • In accordance with the regulations NOAA Fisheries is required to close harvest for a species when the quota has been met or is projected to be met.  This closure is needed to constrain landings to commercial hook-and-line quota in the Southern Zone.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • No commercial hook-and-line fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Southern Zone after 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 22, 2021.
  • 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 February 22, 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 before 12:01 a.m., local time, February 22, 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.
Read the full release here