Saving Seafood

2021 Coastal Survey Catches Nearly 2,500 Atlantic Sharks

July 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Sandbar sharks were the most common shark caught during the 2021 Large Coastal Shark Bottom Longline Survey. This survey of large and small coastal sharks was conducted from April 12 to May 28 by scientists from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Apex Predators Program.

The survey is conducted in U.S. waters from Florida to the mid-Atlantic area every two to three years to provide relative abundance indices of coastal shark populations. Working from the contracted commercial longline vessel F/V Eagle Eye II, scientists from the center’s Narragansett Laboratory in Rhode Island and vessel crew caught 2,462 sharks of 11 species. The vessel left Port Royal, South Carolina to begin the survey just south of Fort Pierce, Florida. The survey ended at the North Carolina–Virginia border.

“We had a lot of weather delays this year, but we were still able to complete the majority of stations we cover each survey,” said Cami McCandless, who along with Lisa Natanson were the two scientists on board for the survey. Both are from the center’s Apex Predators Program based at the Narragansett Laboratory. Natanson has been the chief scientist on this survey since its inception in 1996. She retired in 2020 but returned this year to help lead the survey one last time before handing over the reins.

“The survey was designed to sample coastal sharks just prior to their northward migration along the coast,” Natanson said. “The 47-day survey consistently occurs in early to mid-April and ends at the Memorial Day weekend. Since the inception of the survey, there has been an increase in weather days. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of stations although the geographic extent of the survey has remained the same over the years.”

Read the full release here

Gulf Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15, 2021

July 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will open to shrimp trawling beginning 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on July 15, 2021, corresponding to the time Texas opens its waters to shrimp trawling.

Why This is Happening:

  • The waters off Texas are closed to shrimp fishing annually to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest, and to prevent waste of brown shrimp that might otherwise be discarded because of their small size.
  • The fishery closed May 15, 2021.
  • The re-opening date for Texas waters is based on the results of biological sampling by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and assessment of maximum tidal durations.
  • In addition, Texas regulations only allow a 60-day closure; the 60 day period expires July 15, 2021.

Read the full release here

Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting: Information for Vessel Operators

July 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Background

  • Beginning November 10, 2021, GARFO-permitted commercial fishing vessels will be required to have an electronic device onboard, start an electronic vessel trip report (eVTR) for each trip, and submit completed reports within 48 hours of the end of a trip.
  • Reporting requirements do not apply to vessels holding only a permit for American lobster.
  • Vessels issued for-hire permits for New England Fishery Management Council-managed fisheries (i.e., Northeast multispecies) will also be required to use eVTR and report within 48 hours of the end of a trip.
  • Vessels issued a for-hire permit for Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council species or a private recreational vessel tilefish permit already submit vessel trip reports electronically. See our webpage for more information on the requirements.

How to Report

  • GARFO, our partners, and several companies have developed applications that meet our eVTR reporting requirements. There are software apps for virtually all smart phones, tablets and computers.
  • An up-to-date listing can be found on our Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting Software Options web page along with instructions on how to use GARFO’s apps and links to partner apps.

More Information and Resources

Port Agents:

  • Based in offices from Maine through Virginia, Port Agents are available to provide remote and in-person eVTR app assistance to individuals or small groups throughout the region.
  • You may contact a Port Agent directly, or through our Vessel Reporting Help Desk at (978) 281-9188 or nmfs.gar.reporting@noaa.gov.  Contact information for Port Agents and their areas of coverage can be found here.

Webinars:

  • We will hold a series of instructional webinars for vessel operators.
  • The first webinars are scheduled for Thursday, July 29 and Tuesday, August 3
  • A schedule of these can be found on our events website.
  • These webinars will be for commercial and multispecies for-hire vessel operators and will be scheduled geographically according to Port Agent coverage areas.
  • Recordings of these trainings will also be available and posted on our website.

Other Resources:

To keep in touch on the latest information regarding eVTR implementation and other vessel reporting topics you can sign up for our bulletins. To sign up or to update your existing subscriptions, go to our sign up page.  Once you are on the sign up page follow these directions:

  • Bulletins are listed under the Regional Updates subscription topic.
  • Under the New England/Mid-Atlantic Updates sub-topic.
  • Click the + sign to expand the list, and select eVTR and VMS updates.
  • Then click submit at the bottom.

Read the full release here

2021 Spring Gulf of Maine Cooperative Bottom Longline Survey Concludes

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Gulf of Maine Cooperative Bottom Longline Survey has been conducted from two commercial fishing boats each spring and fall since 2014 by the science center’s Cooperative Research Branch. At each station environmental conditions are collected by sensors and a baited longline (1 nautical mile in length) is set and retrieved. Scientists then remove catch from the line and weigh, measure, and collect biological samples from the fish that come onboard.

Spiny dogfish, cusk, and haddock were the largest components of the catch, consistent with what has been seen in earlier surveys. Other species commonly caught included thorny skate, Atlantic cod, barndoor skate, white hake, and red hake. This season we also caught 17 Atlantic wolffish and seven Atlantic halibut. Both species are considered “data-poor” in terms of stock assessments. Staff also observed multiple instances of porbeagle sharks eating fish off the line.

Read the full release here

Fish Out of Water: How Capture Affects Sablefish Health, Reflexes, and Survival

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Sablefish is a high-quality, deepwater fish that supports a valuable Alaska fishery. The fishery has seen dramatic changes in recent years. The highest abundance of young  sablefish in decades arrived with warming temperatures. At the same time, a rapidly-growing pot fishery has emerged alongside traditional hook-and-line fishing in the Gulf of Alaska. A new study shows that, with careful handling, they are able to withstand the stresses of capture on hook-and-line gear—but their.reflexes could be impaired.

In the directed sablefish fishery, commercial fishermen must retain all sablefish (regardless of size) until individual fishing quotas are filled. Then, all remaining catch is returned to sea. To accurately assess the fish stocks to set sustainable catch limits, managers need to estimate how many of the fish caught and released will survive.

A new collaborative study provides information essential for sustainable management of  the sablefish fishery as it evolves and adapts to changing conditions. NOAA Fisheries  Alaska Fisheries Science Center scientists teamed up with a veterinary professor at Oregon State University. They looked at how the stress of capture and time out of water affects the health and reflexes of sablefish, and whether that contributes to delayed mortality. Their findings provide a better understanding of mortality after release from pot fishing. They provide information essential for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to evaluate the implications of proposed “careful release” of small sablefish before fishing quotas are filled.

Read the full release here

Meet Susan-Marie Stedman, Policy Analyst for NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Susan-Marie Stedman is a Policy Analyst for NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation . She has been with NOAA for 28 years and currently works in our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Can you tell us about a project related to habitat that you’re currently working on or that you enjoyed?

Recently we released NOAA’s draft Mitigation Policy for Trust Resources for public comment. We started working on the project 5 years ago and throughout its development there were a lot of ups, downs, and delays. It took a team of more than two dozen people to explore all the issues, draft language, and untangle the complexities of different programs and authorities. I had never worked with such a large team before. I made mistakes, learned a lot, and am extremely proud of the final product. When it is finalized following the public comment period, the policy will help to conserve wetlands, mudflats, coral reefs, and other important coastal and riverine habitats. It means a lot to me to be part of something that will help protect the ecosystems I love!

What habitat work has been especially successful or inspiring to you?

When I first joined the office in 1993, I was part of an interagency team called the White House Wetlands Working Group. We met just around the corner from the White House and next to the offices for the Council on Environmental Quality. I always had a sense of being in a place where important work was going on. The purpose of the group was to resolve differences between federal agencies working on wetland regulations and policy. It was very inspiring to see people with fundamental disagreements find a way to overcome their differences and then go out for a beer together after the meeting.

Read the full release here

On an Alaskan island, a mayor fights for fur seals – and a new future

July 13, 2021 — Fifty years ago, Patrick Pletnikoff spent his summers stripping blubber from the carcasses of seals clubbed to death in Alaska’s annual harvest, competing with other young men to show who wielded the fastest blade.

Now he’s fighting for a bigger prize: to transform his native St. George Island’s fortunes and protect dwindling colonies of northern fur seals by creating Alaska’s first marine sanctuary in the surrounding waters – a move that would empower local people to limit fishing for the seals’ prey.

Commercial sealing was once the lifeblood of St. George, a treeless speck of volcanic rock far from the U.S. mainland. But the indigenous Unangan community has struggled to find a new niche in the decades since the trade was banned, and there are now less than 60 inhabitants left.

As the long-serving mayor, Pletnikoff has spent years lobbying the federal government to add St. George to the network of 15 U.S. marine sanctuaries, hoping that a designation will kick-start a new “conservation economy” based on eco-tourism, scientific research and sustainable fishing.

Read the full story at Reuters

Potential Gear Conflicts in Lobster Area 4

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The New England Fishery Management Council has received reports of gear conflicts between lobster fishermen and scallopers occurring south of Long Island, NY in Lobster Area 4 (see figure below).

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1857(1)(K), it is unlawful to remove, damage, or tamper with fishing gear owned by another person within the EEZ. Violations of the Act, including unlawful gear interaction, may result in civil penalties.

The lobster gear in this area is set east-to-west in 30-pot trawls and marked by highflyers. Gear is set starting in mid-July and fished through December.  Gear is typically tended every seven nights. When fishing in this area, please be aware of the presence of fixed gear and tune your radar to be able to detect highflyers.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Travis Ford, Regional Office, 978-281-9233 or Caleb Gilbert, Office of Law Enforcement, 978-281-9338

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

Read the full release here

COVID-19 Observer Coverage Waiver Lifted for Northeast Vessels with Electronic Monitoring

July 13, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective today, July 13, a vessel enrolled in an electronic monitoring program may be assigned observer or monitor coverage consistent with its respective program’s requirements. This lifts a temporary exemption that has been in place since August 2020.

In June, NOAA Fisheries and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center announced that vessels were no longer eligible for release from observer or monitor coverage if a fully vaccinated observer or a quarantined/shelter in place observer is available. This exemption was lifted for most vessels July 1, and today’s announcement lifts it for EM vessels.

Read the full release here

NEW YORK: Peconic Bay Scallop Die-Off On Long Island Leads To Federal Disaster Declaration

July 13, 2021 — Federal regulators have declared a fishery disaster following a massive scallop die-off over the last two years in eastern Long Island.

Nearly 90% of Peconic Bay scallops died off because of parasitic disease, an invasive predator and warming waters due to climate change.

Barley Dunne, who runs the shellfish hatchery in East Hampton, said he hopes sets of scallops can make a comeback.

“Last year, there was a huge set from Flanders in Riverhead all the way out to Montuak. And right now there are tons of beautiful 1-year-old bay scallops at the bottom. So, the big question is whether they are going to make it through the summer. Because that’s when the die-off is occurring,” Dunne said.

Read the full story at WSHU