Saving Seafood

New Slow Speed Zone West of Martha’s Vineyard to Protect Right Whales

January 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In Effect through January 15

NOAA Fisheries announces a new Slow Zone (voluntary vessel speed restriction zone) south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

On December 31, 2020, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Cox Ledge Slocum glider acoustically detected the presence of right whales 32nm west of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

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

The West of Martha’s Vineyard Slow Zone is in effect through January 15 for waters bounded by:

41 34 N
40 54 N
070 50 W
071 43 W

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

Read the full release here

New Slow Speed Zone South of Martha’s Vineyard to Protect Right Whales

December 31, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In Effect through January 14

NOAA Fisheries announces a new Slow Zone (voluntary vessel speed restriction zone) south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

On December 30, 2020, Protected Species Observers aboard wind farm survey vessel Ventus noted the presence of right whales 21nm South of Martha’s Vineyard.

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

The South of Martha’s Vinyeard Slow Zone is in effect through January 14 for waters bounded by:

41 25 N
40 44 N
069 59 W
070 55 W

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

Read the full release here

Due to COVID-19, Drone Survey Powers NOAA’s Bering Cod Assessment

December 30, 2020 — Every other year, NOAA Fisheries conducts an acoustic-trawl survey from crewed research vessels to measure pollock abundance in Alaska’s eastern Bering Sea. As a result of COVID-19, many research surveys were canceled, and we weren’t able to conduct our walleye pollock surveys. Data collected from these surveys are critical to manage pollock, which comprise the nation’s largest commercial fishery.

NOAA Fisheries scientist Alex De Robertis at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center developed a contingency plan: conducting the survey with saildrone wind- and solar-powered ocean-going robots. The hope was to collect some data despite the vessel survey cancellation.

For the past several years, De Robertis and colleagues at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center have been working with partners at NOAA Research’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory,  Saildrone and Kongsberg. They use uncrewed surface vehicles equipped with low-power sonar (acoustic) sensors to conduct research in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The pollock survey contingency plan was an opportunity to apply what they had learned to collect data for resource management.

Read the full story at The Maritime Executive

Proposed Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

December 30, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, we released our proposed modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to further reduce the impacts of entanglement in fishing gear on right whales in U.S. waters. The proposed modifications focus on the Northeast jonah crab and lobster trap/pot fisheries, which deploy about 93 percent of the buoy lines fished in areas where right whales occur. In 2021, the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team will be asked to recommend risk reduction measures for other Atlantic trap/pot and gillnet fisheries. We also released the associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement today.

We opened a public comment period on both of these documents. Comments are due on the proposed modifications and on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by March 1, 2021. We will also hold a series of virtual public hearings to explain the proposed modifications and to accept public comments on the modifications.

Find out more on our website:

How to Comment

1. Attend a public hearing.

2. Submit your comments in writing through our online comment portal. The comment portal will open on December 31, 2020. To comment, go to: regulations.gov. Search for NOAA-NMFS-2020-0031. Choose “Comment Now” to submit your comments.

Read the full release here

Emergency Rule to Increase Carryover for NE Groundfish – Effective 12/31

December 30, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is announcing a temporary rule for an emergency action that increases the maximum level of Annual Catch Entitlement allowed to be carried over in the Northeast groundfish fishery from fishing year 2019 into fishing year 2020.

On July 2, 2020, the New England Fishery Management Council requested that NOAA Fisheries implement an emergency action to mitigate significant adverse economic impacts to the groundfish fishery caused by the state health and travel restrictions, and market disruptions at the end of fishing year 2019.

This action, which is effective tomorrow (December 31, 2020), increases the maximum carryover of fishing year 2019 sector Annual Catch Entitlement for Gulf of Maine haddock, Georges Bank haddock, and American plaice. The action also allows for unused leased-in Days-At-Sea to be carried over from fishing year 2019 into fishing year 2020 by common pool vessels.

For more details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register, and our permit holder bulletin.

Read the full release here

Sharing Our 2021 Priorities and Annual Guidance

December 22, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, we released the NOAA Fisheries Priorities and Annual Guidance for 2021. This document provides guidance to all NOAA Fisheries employees in executing our mission responsibilities. It also guides the development and execution of the agency’s Annual Operating Plan by establishing a framework for priority milestones. Our primary goal continues to be the long-term sustainability of our fisheries for the benefit of all fishermen, support industries, and the coastal communities that depend on them. Our overall strategic goals have not changed significantly from last year. However, COVID-19 significantly altered the environment related to the management of the nation’s fisheries and the protection and recovery of marine life.

In 2021, our programs, projects, and investments will be designed and conducted in a manner that supports these three strategic goals:

  • Amplify the economic value of commercial and recreational fisheries while ensuring their sustainability
  • Recover and conserve protected species while supporting responsible fishing and resource development
  • Improve organizational excellence and regulatory efficiency

Read the 2021 Priorities and Annual Guidance document

Extended: Slow Speed Zone Southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey to Protect Right Whales

December 21, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In Effect through January 4

NOAA Fisheries is extending a Slow Zone (voluntary vessel speed restriction zone) southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

On December 20, 2020, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s acoustic array noted the presence of right whales southeast of Atlantic City.

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

The SE Atlantic City Slow Zone is in effect through January 4 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

Extended: Slow Speed Zone in New York Bight to Protect Right Whales

December 21, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In Effect Until January 5

NOAA Fisheries is extending a Slow Zone (voluntary vessel speed restriction zone) in the New York Bight.

On December 21, 2020, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s acoustic array noted the presence of right whales southeast of New York, NY.

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

The New York Bight Slow Zone is in effect until January 5 for waters bounded by:

40 41 N
40 01 N
073 03 W
073 55 W

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

Read the full release here

Scientists look for invasive crab ‘fingerprint’ in Alaska waters

December 18, 2020 — Scientists are on the lookout for an invasive crab species expected to move north into Alaskan waters. This year in Southeast Alaska, they added a new tool to the monitoring effort for European green crab, which is a threat to the state’s shellfish and salmon.

European green crab or shore crab have been expanding their range north along the Pacific coast. But this year they were discovered just south of the Alaskan border.

“This Haida Gwaii occurrence last summer puts them very close to us,” said Linda Shaw, invasive species coordinator for the Alaska regional office of NOAA Fisheries. “I really wish I could say we don’t expect them, but prudence dictates that we say, yes, we think it’s a matter of when, not if.”

In July, natural resources managers found male and female adult green crab in Haida Gwaii, formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Read the full story at KTOO

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2021 and 2022 Golden Tilefish Specifications and Emergency Action

December 18, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries announces final quota specifications for the 2021 mid-Atlantic golden tilefish fishery and projected specifications for 2022. These catch limits are mostly status quo, with only a slight change in the final incidental quota to account for updated discard estimates.

ABC=Acceptable Biological Catch, ACL=Annual Catch Limit, ACT=Annual Catch Target, TAL=Total Allowable Landings

Additionally, we are implementing the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s request for emergency action to allow a one-time 5-percent carryover of unharvested individual fishing quota (IFQ) into the 2021 fishing year. This carryover allowance will help mitigate the adverse impact of regional closures of restaurants and fish markets during 2020. We will send IFQ quota shareholders a letter indicating how much quota they may carryover.

All other management measures and requirements remain unchanged. This includes the incidental landing limit of 500 lb (whole weight) or 50 percent (by weight) of all fish being landed, including tilefish, whichever is less. The recreational trip limit of eight fish per angler is also unchanged.

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