Saving Seafood

Electronic tracking system considered for lobstermen in federal waters

August 13, 2021 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering requiring electronic tracking for the lobstermen who fish in federal waters.

The commission’s American Lobster Management Board initiated a draft addendum last week with the goal of collecting spatial and effort data from lobster and Jonah crab fishermen.

“In my opinion, this is the single most important thing the American Lobster Board can do to ensure the viability of the American lobster fishery,” said Dan McKiernan, the board’s chairman. “Through the proposed action, the board seeks to significantly improve our understanding of stock status, identify areas where lobster fishing effort might present a risk to endangered North Atlantic right whales and provide important information to help reduce spatial conflicts with other ocean uses, such as wind energy development and aquaculture.”

The management board has expressed interest in implementing these types of requirements over the last few years and has supported efforts to look into the systems and technology that would be needed to collect the data.

In May, the board created a working group that had representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state and federal law enforcement and members of the board to study electronic tracking. The working group recommended that data be reported at a minimum rate of one ping per minute for at least 90 percent of the fishing trip in order to tell the difference between when the fishermen are lobstering and when they are in transit. It would also be able to calculate the number of traps per trawl.  Cellular tracking devices are the preferred technology for the tracking.

Read the full story at The Ellsworth American

Strelcheck to lead NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast region

August 13, 2021 — Andy Strelcheck will begin his new role Sunday as regional administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, which oversees North Carolina and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Strelcheck, who began his career with NOAA in 2004, succeeds retired Regional Administrator Dr. Roy Crabtree, who was in the position since 2003. Strelcheck has worked in marine fisheries research and management and managed protected resources and habitat conservation.

“I’m honored to make this announcement,” NOAA Fisheries’ Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said in a statement. “He’s done an incredible job acting in the position since the beginning of the year and we’re looking forward to him officially taking on this important role.”

The Southeast region, which has responsibility for marine ecosystems from Texas to North Carolina and the U.S. Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, works with three fishery management councils, state and federal partners, the fishing industry, and other stakeholders to manage and conserve federal commercial and recreational fisheries, marine mammals, endangered and threatened species, habitat and more, according to NOAA.

At the agency, Strelcheck previously oversaw data analyses and analytical work that supported fishery management council regulatory actions, led the development and operation of the commercial red snapper and grouper-tilefish individual fishing quota programs, valued at more than $50 million annually. He most recently served as deputy regional administrator. Before that, he served as a fishery plan coordinator and branch chief for the region’s commercial catch share programs in southeast regional office’s Sustainable Fisheries Division.

Read the full story at Coastal Review Online

National Fisheries Institute Statement on NOAA’s IUU Report to Congress

August 13, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

NOAA’s 2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management, released today, is an example of a tool used to effectively fight Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing.

The report identifies 31 nations and or entities that are either engaged in pirate fishing or not doing enough to stop destructive fishing practices.

Enforcement of rules that deny dubious actors entry to U.S. ports and institute import restrictions are key to successfully rooting out IUU. At the same time, the report lauds countries like Ecuador and Korea for redoubling their efforts to stop IUU fishing in their waters.

NOAA Fisheries’ commitment to cracking down on IUU is on display in this report and should be applauded.

NOAA releases report identifying seven countries engaged in IUU

August 12, 2021 — NOAA has cited seven countries as engaged in IUU fishing, including Mexico, and an additional 29 countries or entities as lacking effective regulatory programs to combat bycatch, including the European Union.

The latest report, the “2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management,” determined that China, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Senegal, and Taiwan all had vessels engaged in IUU fishing activities during 2018-2020. Mexico’s presence on the list makes it the second report in a row where the country has been listed among those engaged in IUU fishing.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Safe Boating Means Safe Fishing. Avoid Whales.

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

The Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network has received an uptick in reports of humpback whales hooked or entangled in monofilament and tuna fishing gear. This notice is to remind boaters and fishermen that fishing too closely to whales is dangerous for you, your passengers, and the whales. Getting too close can result in whales being struck, vessels damaged, and gear loss when whales get entangled or hooked in fishing gear. Additionally, injuring or potentially injuring a whale is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the federal law that protects all marine mammals from human activity that negatively impacts their ability to live and thrive naturally.

While many monofilament entanglements are shed over time, some of these entanglements can be detrimental to the animals. Any puncture of the skin in the marine environment leaves vulnerable animals open to infection— particularly stressed animals that have had previous entanglements or injuries, and calves.

Experienced fishermen don’t troll or cast near feeding whales, because they know tuna aren’t going to get caught up in the bubble clouds or aggregations of feeding whales. These fishermen know that approaching humpback whales* closer than 100-300 feet is not worth the risk.  If you happen to hook a whale with your gear or hit one with your boat, report it right away to NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Marine Animal Reporting Hotline: 866-755-NOAA (6622) or to the US Coast Guard.

*North Atlantic right whales are protected by federal regulations that prohibit vessels from approaching within 500 yards (1500 feet) of right whales, with limited exceptions. If a right whale is sighted within the 500 yard buffer, then the vessel must depart the area immediately unless they are a commercial fishing vessel in the act of hauling back gear.

Read the full release here

East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Webinars

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

In order to help fishing communities and fishery managers prepare for an era of climate change, numerous fisheries management bodies along the Atlantic seaboard have teamed up to launch the East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning project.

The project is being organized by a core team of representatives from the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and NOAA Fisheries.

The team has lined up three kick-off webinars to introduce stakeholders to climate change scenario planning, explain the benefits of participating in the process, outline additional ways to become involved, and begin collecting stakeholder input.

Webinar dates and times are listed below and advance registration is strongly encouraged.

  • East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Kick-Off Webinar #1
    Aug 30, 2021 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Register for Webinar #1
  • East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Kick-Off Webinar #2
    Sep 1, 2021 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Register for Webinar #2
  • East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Kick-Off Webinar #3
    Sep 2, 2021 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Register for Webinar #3

eVTR Announcements: Upcoming Webinars and Web App Update

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

The next instructional eVTR webinars will be held Thursday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. These webinars will provide vessel operators and others with a walkthrough of the eTrips Mobile 2, Fish Online Apple iOS and Fish Online Web App as options for submitting your eVTRs.

How Do I Join?

More information can be found on our webpage for this series: How to Use Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting Apps. This page includes webinar login information.

Read the full release here

 

NOAA takes strong stand against IUU fishing and harmful fishing practices

August 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA:

Today, NOAA released the 2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management, identifying 31 nations and entities for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected marine life on the high seas, where nations lack conservation measures comparable to those of the United States. In it, NOAA also negatively certifies Mexico for continued IUU fishing activities, meaning Mexican fishing vessels will be denied entry into U.S. ports and Mexico could face import restrictions on fish and fish products.

IUU fishing is a serious global problem that threatens ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries that are critical to global food and economic security – putting law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers in the United States and abroad at a disadvantage.

Bycatch (or unwanted catch and discards) can hurt conservation of protected marine life. Nations that do not have regulatory programs to effectively reduce or mitigate bycatch threaten the sustainability of shared ecosystems and living marine resources. Today’s report, and the underlying identification and consultation process, is one of several tools that NOAA deploys to deter and prevent IUU fishing and support effective international marine conservation.

“As one of the largest importers of seafood in the world, the United States has a global responsibility and an economic duty to ensure that the fish and fish products we import are caught sustainably and legally,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, and acting assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator. “IUU fishing undermines U.S. fishermen who operate under the strongest fishery management practices and conservation laws, and NOAA will use every tool to make sure all nations follow the same rules.”

The report contains several key findings:

  • China, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Senegal, and Taiwan are identified for having vessels engaged in IUU fishing activities during 2018-2020.
  • Algeria, Barbados, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, European Union, France, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Portugal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, and Turkey are identified for lacking a regulatory program comparable in effectiveness to the United States to reduce the bycatch of protected marine life in their fishing operations.
  • Some nations or entities were identified for both IUU fishing and bycatch activities.

The 2021 Report also announced certification determinations for nations identified for IUU fishing activities in the 2019 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management, following a two-year consultation period where NOAA works with each nation to encourage corrective action. Mexico received a negative certification for IUU fishing activities identified in 2019, which were failing to curb the flow of small vessels fishing illegally in the U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Failure to remedy these incursions into U.S. waters led to Mexico’s negative certification.

In contrast, Ecuador and the Republic of Korea received positive certification determinations for taking actions to remedy the IUU fishing activities for which they were identified in 2019.

“We are encouraged by the positive steps certain nations took to address the identified IUU fishing practices,” said Alexa Cole, acting deputy assistant secretary for international fisheries, and director of NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection. “NOAA is committed to working with each of the 31 nations and entities identified in this year’s report to strengthen their fisheries management and enforcement practices.”

The report illustrates key ways NOAA improves international fisheries management by: developing law enforcement capacity and best practices to combat IUU fishing, supporting the effective management of protected species and shark catch on the high seas, and ensuring a fair market for the U.S. fishing industry.

Read the 2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management.

Save the Date – Stakeholder Engagement Day, November 8 – American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, MD

August 12, 2021 — The following was released by the American Fisheries Society:

Monday, November 8, is Stakeholder Engagement Day at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. This one-day event allows commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture industry stakeholders to learn about relevant research, contribute to presentations and panel discussions, and attend an evening networking event with fisheries scientists and managers. Stakeholders who are interested in attending this part of the AFS Annual Meeting are invited to apply for a reduced one-day registration rate of $50 (reduced from the $380 full rate).

Online applications must be submitted by Friday, October 29. Applicants will be notified within two weeks of submission if their application for reduced registration has been approved based on their involvement with the commercial fishing, recreational fishing, or aquaculture industries, as well as their potential involvement with cooperative research or events for Stakeholder Engagement Day. Upon notification, successful applicants will be provided with additional information about Stakeholder Engagement Day. If your application is not approved, you may still attend the meeting at the standard registration rate.

Event Schedule

While daily schedules are under development, a preliminary list of the meeting’s symposia highlights the research that will be discussed at the full meeting.

Scientist-Industry Networking Event

Stakeholder Engagement Day attendees will be invited to attend a joint scientist-industry networking event following the meeting. This social will be co-sponsored by the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (AIFRB) and other partners. Please keep an eye on this webpage for additional details.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Some scientific and fishing organizations have generously offered financial or other (e.g., merchandise, seafood for networking event) support for Stakeholder Engagement Day to facilitate industry participation. Please reach out to our subcommittee co-chairs if your organization would like to contribute to the success of Stakeholder Engagement Day.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, or would like more information about opportunities to participate in panels, present on your fishery or collaborative research partnership, or potential financial assistance to support your attendance at the meeting, please contact one of the co-chairs (email contact info below) of our subcommittee on Stakeholder Engagement.

Sub-Committee on Stakeholder Engagement

  • Max Appelman (NOAA)
  • Dave Bard (NOAA Affiliate)
  • Mark Chandler (NOAA): mark.chandler@noaa.gov     Co-Chair
  • Dr. Willy Goldsmith (American Saltwater Guides Association)
  • Catherine Krikstan (NOAA Affiliate)
  • David Sikorski (Coastal Conservation Association – Maryland)
  • Jeffrey Vieser (NOAA Affiliate):  jeffrey.vieser@noaa.gov      Co-Chair
  • Dr. Douglas Zemeckis (Rutgers University): zemeckis@njaes.rutgers.edu     Co-Chair

Sen. Cantwell Applauds Unprecedented Investment in Puget Sound and Salmon Recovery in Infrastructure Package

August 12, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA):

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement about a historic $2.855 billion investment in salmon recovery and ecosystem restoration programs, as well as tens of billions of dollars allocated for water infrastructure in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). (A full description of the infrastructure bill’s impacts on Washington state can be found here.)

“The infrastructure bill makes serious investments in some of our salmon recovery challenges,” said Senator Cantwell. “For the first time, the bill creates a new culvert removal and habitat restoration grant program that prioritizes salmon and will open up spawning habitat. The bill also provides robust funding for EPA regional efforts to clean up Puget Sound as well as a significant down payment in the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.”

The IIJA includes the following salmon and ecosystem restoration funding (all numbers are over 5 years):

  • National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program: $1 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a new program aimed at removing, replacing or restoring culverts, which will enable the recovery of salmon passage and habitats. This provision was authored by Senator Cantwell, and this program will be the first federal program devoted entirely to culverts.
  • Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund: $172 million for NOAA’s Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, a grants program that provides funding to States and Tribes to protect, conserve, and restore West Coast salmon.
  • Fish Passage Barrier Removal Grants: $400 million for the creation of a new community-based restoration program focused on removing fish passage barriers.
  • EPA Estuary Programs: The National Estuary Program (NEP) is a network of organizations that protects and restores 28 estuaries around the country, including the Puget Sound and Columbia River Basin.
  • $132 million for the National Estuary Program.
  • $23 billion for the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, including $15 billion for Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
  • $10 billion across multiple programs for monitoring and remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals enter the environment through production or waste streams and are extremely difficult to remove. According to the EPA, they are known to have “adverse reproductive, developmental and immunological effects in animals and humans.”
  • NOAA Habitat Restoration Programs: These funds will be used to enable communities, Tribes, and states to respond and adapt to climate change impacts.
    • $491 million for Habitat Restoration and Community Resilience Grants.
    • $492 million for the National Ocean and Coastal Security Fund Grants.
  • EPA Water Quality Programs: These provisions of the IIJA help improve overall water quality and prevent pollution to protect salmon-supporting ecosystems. The IIJA also includes significant funding for Tribal and rural water systems and would provide funding for stormwater and wastewater systems in Washington state and Puget Sound.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Cantwell has been a staunch advocate of protecting and strengthening critical salmon populations. Earlier this year, Cantwell secured commitments from Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to work on increasing investments in salmon habitat and prioritizing fisheries management. Cantwell also championed and passed the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Phase III Act in 2019, which authorized an integrated and collaborative approach to addressing water challenges in the Yakima River Basin. For years, Cantwell has led the fight to protect Alaska’s Bristol Bay – one of the world’s largest fisheries – against the proposed Pebble Mine, emphasizing the devastation that the mine could bring to the Pacific Northwest. In 2020, the permit was denied and now Cantwell is now pushing for permanent protections.

Senator Cantwell also has a strong history of leading efforts in Congress to address water contamination due to PFAS, and she has repeatedly introduced bipartisan legislation to hold federal agencies accountable for addressing PFAS contamination at military bases across the country. In January 2020, Cantwell sent a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Navy expressing concern over PFAS health risks to Kitsap County residents, and in February 2020, she called on the EPA to provide an updated timeline for when it will implement the commitments made in the agency’s plan to combat PFAS exposure. In 2017, Cantwell urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to support programs to investigate and clean up chemicals that have contaminated drinking water sources across the nation and secured $62 million in funding for water remediation and environmental restoration in impacted communities.

Support for salmon recovery and ecosystem restoration in the IIJA:

“The funding for salmon recovery and culvert removal and replacement contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a huge win for the resource and the people of the State of Washington,” said Bob Kehoe, Executive Director of the Purse Seine Vessel Owners’ Association’s (PSVOA). “These investments in salmon recovery and fish habitat restoration will go a long way toward the goal of rebuilding salmon populations here on the West Coast.  Senator Cantwell deserves a great deal of credit for her leadership in the Senate on salmon recovery.”

“We are very excited to see that the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation will help protect and restore Pacific salmon runs,” said Justin Parker, Executive Director of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “We all depend on natural infrastructure such as habitat to support salmon recovery, a robust economy and the tribes’ treaty-protected resources.  The bill is an important step toward addressing our natural infrastructure needs in Washington through programs such as the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and many others.  We are thankful for Senator Cantwell’s leadership and our delegation’s efforts to secure these critical investments.”

“Funding in the infrastructure package for Puget Sound, salmon recovery and fish passage improvements gives us the chance to make significant progress now,” said Laura Blackmore, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “We’re seeing the effects of climate change on our environment already. We need funding at a scale to address big issues—like salmon recovery, fish passage, and ecosystem restoration—with urgency. We’re grateful to Senators Cantwell and Murray for their leadership and passion in working to secure funding that helps us meet these challenges.”

“Our lands and waters are part of America’s infrastructure. Like good roads and bridges, healthy watersheds are critical to the safety and well-being of our families and the economic growth of our communities,” said Mike Stevens, Washington State Director for The Nature Conservancy.  “This legislation includes game-changing investments in fish passage, community-based habitat restoration, Puget Sound recovery and Pacific salmon habitat restoration. Senator Cantwell was critical to making this bi-partisan package come together in ways that make us all stronger in the face of a changing climate and help us meet our commitments to Tribal nations and overburdened communities. The Nature Conservancy looks forward to working with Senator Cantwell to ensure the legislation makes it to the President’s desk for signature.”

A full description of the infrastructure bill’s impacts on Washington state can be found HERE.

The full text of the infrastructure package is available HERE.