Saving Seafood

Feds holding the line on monkfishing rules for now

May 5, 2017 — PORTLAND, Maine — Federal fishing regulators say the rules for harvesting monkfish are staying the same for now.

Monkfish are bottom-dwelling fish that resemble sea monsters and are prized by some chefs. They are fished commercially along the East Coast and are a popular item at fish markets and restaurants.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have not been changes to monkfish possession limits for 2017.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Virginian-Pilot

Anglers seeing red over snapper season

May 5, 2017 — To say the least, local anglers are unhappy about the three-day federal red snapper season this year.

“A federal season is a joke,” said Chris Nixon of Wewahitchka. “A three-day federal season is an insult.”

Other words used by anglers to describe the three-day season included “ridiculous,” “shenanigans,” “a travesty,” “a sick joke,” “corruption at its finest” and a handful of curse words.

For years now, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has been steadily shrinking the length of the red snapper season for private anglers. Twenty years ago, the red snapper fishery was open to recreational anglers year round. Then the Sustainable Fishery Act of 1996 passed, and the season started shrinking to combat overfishing and rebuild stocks.

From 2000 to 2007, the season was open from April 21 through Oct. 21, but then NOAA changed the management plan to try to rebuild the stock faster. In 2008, it dropped to 66 days. In 2010, it was 53 days. In 2012, it was 40 days. In 2014, it was nine days.

In 2014, private anglers and for-hire boats still were operating under the same rules, but a nine-day season was devastating to for-hire boats, who depend on customers. So, in 2015 a new rule, Amendment 45, was put in place by NOAA, dividing the two groups. Private anglers received 10 days; for-hire boats had a 44-day season.

Now, private anglers have a historically short three-day season — that doesn’t fully align with a weekend — and they are crying foul. And for-hire vessels have a 49-day federal season.

Read the full story the Panama City News Herald 

Monkfish Permit Holders: No Changes to Monkfish Posession Limits for Now

May 4, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We would like to remind monkfish permit holders that there have not been any changes to the monkfish possession limits for 2017.

We have not yet published a proposed rule soliciting public comment on Framework Adjustment 10 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. If approved, Framework 10 would increase several possession limits.

We anticipate the proposed rule will be filing soon, and will announce when the proposed and final rules are published.

NOAA Fisheries Announces the Opening of the Western, Northern, and Southern (Gillnet component) Zones to Commercial King Mackerel Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico On May 11, 2017

May 4, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the re-opening of the western, northern, and southern (gillnet component only) Gulf of Mexico zones to commercial king mackerel fishing at 12:01 a.m. local time, May 11, 2017. NOAA Fisheries will publish a closure notice for each zone when the respective quota is projected to be reached.

WHY THIS RE-OPENING IS HAPPENING:

  • A final rule effective on May 11, 2017, increases the quota for each zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The western, northern, and southern zones are currently closed because landings reached the old quotas.
  • The increase in the quotas allows additional harvest for the 2016/2017 fishing year, thus NOAA Fisheries is re-opening the zones in the Gulf of Mexico which have available remaining quota to commercial king mackerel fishing.
  • The landings for the southern zone hook-and-line component exceeded the original quota and are at 100 percent of the new quota; thus, only the western, northern, and southern (gillnet component only) zones will re-open.
  • Beginning May 11, hook-and-line fishing will be prohibited in the Florida Keys, which will now be part of the southern zone in the Gulf year round, and thus is subject to the Gulf of Mexico southern zone hook-and-line component closure.
  • Additional quota information for the 2016/2017 season is as follows:
Pounds landed Old quota Old quota % New quota New quota % Pounds left
Western 1,114,278 1,071,360 104.00 1,180,000 94.43 65,722
Northern 289,641 178,848 161.95 531,000 54.55 241,359
Southern Hook and Line 619,544 551,448 112.35 619,500 100.01 0
Southern Gillnet 534,892 551,448 97.00 619,500 86.34 84,608

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Where are the zones that will re-open?

  • Please see the map below.

Why aren’t all of the zones re-opening?

  • Zones are only re-opening if there is sufficient available quota to harvest
  • NOAA Fisheries determined that the southern zone hook-and-line component does not have sufficient quota available to allow for a re-opening and a timely closure to prevent exceeding their quota.
  • Therefore, the southern zone hook and line sector will not be re-opening for the 2016/2017 fishing year when the final rule becomes effective May 11.
  • Because the Florida Keys will now be part of the southern zone in the Gulf year round, harvest of hook-and-line fishing there for king mackerel is prohibited when the southern zone is closed.

What will the quotas be in later fishing years?

  • Quota for years up to the 2019/2020 fishing years are listed below.
Year Western Northern Southern Hook and Line Southern Gillnet
2016/2017 1,180,000 531,000 619,500 619,500
2017/2018 1,136,000 511,200 596,400 596,400
2018/2019 1,116,000 502,200 585,900 585,900
2019/2020 1,096,000 493,200 575,400 575,400

What is the status of the king mackerel population in the Gulf of Mexico?

  • A 2014 assessment determined that the Gulf of Mexico king mackerel population is not undergoing overfishing (too many fish being harvested) nor is it considered to be overfished (too few fish).
  • The assessment indicates that catch levels for the population can be increased.

Related Links and Information can be found on NOAA Fisheries Website:   http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2016/am%2026/index.html

3-Day Red Snapper Season for Anglers in Gulf’s US Waters

May 3, 2017 — Private recreational anglers went 25 percent over last year’s quota for red snapper , and will have only three days to fish federal waters this year for one of the Gulf of Mexico’s most popular sport and table fish, federal regulators said Tuesday.

Charter boat captains will have a 49-day season. Both seasons will start June 1.

“It’s a disappointment to me to that we have made such gains in rebuilding this stock but the season’s going to be this short,” said Roy Crabtree, regional fisheries administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A big reason, he said, is that private anglers are expected to take 81 percent of their 3 million-pound (1.3-million kilogram) quota out of state waters, where seasons range from 66 days off Alabama to year-round off Texas.

 That leaves little to be caught farther offshore in federal waters — and GPS units, electronic fish finders and other advancements have made anglers far more efficient than they used to be, Crabtree said.

State officials and politicians say the 3-day season just proves states should regulate the species.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at U.S. News

MAGGIE RAYMOND: ‘Codfather’ should lose all his permits

May 3, 2017 — Carlos Rafael’s environmental crime spree, spanning two decades, will finally come to an end. He pleaded guilty to federal charges of falsifying fish catch reports, conspiracy and tax evasion. He will serve at least four years in jail and will forfeit millions of dollars in fishing assets. For law abiding fishermen, this day is long overdue.

While other fishermen were complying with steep reductions in fishing quotas, Carlos Rafael decided those rules didn’t apply to him. His violations set back groundfish rebuilding requirements, and forced others to compete with his illegal activity on the fishing grounds and in the market. He has harmed the entire groundfish industry, and fishermen from Maine to New York deserve to be compensated.

Read the full letter at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: What’s next for Carlos Rafael’s fishing permits?

May 3, 2017 — Almost a week ago, City Council members asked for their names to be attached to a late file agenda pertaining to Carlos Rafael’s groundfish permits.

Behind Ward 4 Councilor Dana Rebeiro, Council President Joseph Lopes and Ward 5 Councilor Kerry Winterson, the council requested “that the Committee on Internal Affairs meet with Attorney General Maura Healey and NOAA to discuss how current owners and mariners operating in New Bedford have the first right of refusal to acquire licenses to be auctioned as result of the plea agreement in the case of The United States vs. Carlos Rafael…”

The written motion was a bit premature.

Following Thursday’s council meeting, Rebeiro acknowledged the measure was “to get ahead of the ball” in terms of where the permits may land.

So what’s next?

Rafael’s plea agreement with the United States lists 13 vessels and the accompanying permits that could be potentially forfeited. However, none of his assets will be surrendered without an order of forfeiture, which describes exactly what will be taken.

According to the U.S Attorney’s office, the order of forfeiture will be issued “at and after sentencing,” which is scheduled for June 27.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

NPFMC June 2017 Agenda

May 2, 2017 — The following was released by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council: 

The AGENDA and SCHEDULE are now available. Documents will be posted through links on the Agenda. The deadline for public comments is 5:00 pm (AST) Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

The Council meeting will be broadcast at npfmc.adobeconnect.com/june2017. Motions will be posted following the meeting. Alaska Airlines offers travel discounts to the meetings. Other meetings to be held during the week are:

Scientific and Statistical Committee: June 5-7, Ballroom 2
Advisory Panel: June 6-10, Ballroom 3
Enforcement Committee: June 6, 1-4pm, Egan Room
Council: June 7-13, Ballroom 1

Submit comments to npfmc.comments@noaa.gov.

Fishery Management Councils to Meet May 15-18 in Gloucester

May 2, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council: 

Leadership teams from the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils will be gathering in Gloucester, MA for the spring 2017 Council Coordination Committee (CCC) meeting.

The CCC is comprised of the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Pacific, and North Pacific Fishery Management Councils. CCC chairmanship rotates annually among the eight Councils.

The committee meets twice each year to discuss issues relevant to all fishery management councils. The National Marine Fisheries Service – often called NOAA Fisheries – annually hosts the first meeting, which for 2017 was held Feb. 28-March 1 in Arlington, VA. The New England Council is serving as this year’s CCC chair and will be hosting the May 15-18 spring meeting at the Beauport Hotel on the Gloucester Harbor waterfront. The public is welcome to attend.

Principal agenda items will be discussed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 16-18, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. The eight Councils will take part in a Round Robin on Tuesday morning. Council deputy directors will meet concurrently and report to the full CCC on Thursday, May 18. Copies of the agenda will be available shortly. Hotel information can be found at http://www.beauporthotel.com.

Read the full release here

Associated Fisheries of Maine Says Rafael’s Permits Must Go Back into Quota Pool

May 2, 2017 — SEAFOOD NEWS — In a statement today, Maggie Raymond, Executive Director of the Associated Fisheries of Maine, said that NMFS only legal option with Carlos Rafael’s permits is to cancel the permits and return them to the quota share pool.

Raymond says “Carlos Rafael’s environmental crime spree, spanning two decades, will finally come to an end. Rafael pled guilty to federal charges of falsifying fish catch reports, conspiracy and tax evasion. He will serve at least four years in jail and will forfeit millions of dollars in fishing assets.  For law-abiding fishermen, this day is long overdue.”

“While other fishermen were complying with steep reductions in fishing quotas, Rafael decided those rules didn’t apply to him. Rafael’s violations set back groundfish rebuilding requirement and forced others to compete with his illegal activity on the fishing grounds and in the market. Rafael has harmed the entire groundfish industry, and fishermen from Maine to New York deserve to be compensated.”

“Rafael’s history is so egregious that the National Marine Fisheries Service is obliged to cancel all his groundfish permits and fishing privileges. Existing regulations describe a process for re-distributing the fishing privileges from cancelled permits to all other permit holders in the fishery – and this is precisely the process that should be followed in this case.”

The current New England groundfish management plan that established industry sectors and allocated quota based on fishing histories from 1996 to 2006 provides that if a permit is canceled, NMFS must recalculate the quota shares of all remaining fishing permits within that category, as the allocations were made based on a certain level of eligible fishing history.

The Associated Fisheries of Maine is saying that this system should be followed in Rafael’s case, meaning the catch share confiscated from Rafael due to illegal activity would be then redistributed among all remaining valid permit holders.

This is the option that concerns New Bedford because it would mean a re-distribution of some groundfish quota rights to other ports.  However, Raymond argues that all New England fishermen who did abide bycatch limit rules were adversely affected by Rafael’s illegal fishing and that they deserve to be compensated.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.