Saving Seafood

New Jersey assures fishermen they can fish for summer flounder

May 26, 2017 — In the tumultuous lead-up to the opening of summer flounder season, the state has assured recreational fishermen that the season will start on Thursday with an 18-inch size limit and 3-fish possession limit in place.

In simpler words, fishermen can fish for summer flounder despite a motion Monday by a regional fishery body to not accept New Jersey’s approved regulations.

New Jersey’s Marine Fisheries Council adopted the state’s new regulations last week but a motion to not accept them was made by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder Management Board on Monday.

In a press release on Wednesday, just hours before the start of the recreational season for summer flounder, the Department of Environmental Protection said any possible federal non-compliance decisions would first need to be voted on by ASFMC’s Policy Board and the full Commission before a finding of non-compliance is sent to NOAA Marine Fisheries for consideration.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

New Jersey’s flounder season starts Thursday with 18-inch limit

May 26, 2017 — The state’s summer flounder season will begin Thursday as scheduled despite an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission board motion Monday to not accept New Jersey’s new rules.

Recreational anglers in state waters will get to keep up to three summer flounder per day that meet the 18-inch minimum-length requirement. The season will run through Sept. 5.

The state Marine Fisheries Council last week adopted the regulations, which they believe achieve the conservation equivalency the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service requested.

“We are going forward with the regulations, because we strongly believe that we have passed regulations that meet the conservation equivalency of the Commission’s proposed quota limits,” state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said Wednesday.

Last year, anglers in the state were allowed to keep five fish at 18 inches in the ocean and four fish at 17 inches in the bay.

In February, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved reductions that would have limited New Jersey recreational fishermen to three fish at 19 inches in the ocean and three at 18 inches in the Delaware Bay.

Read the full story at the Press of Atlantic City

Federal Black Sea Bass Management Measures for Recreational Fishermen Stay Same for 2017

May 25, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

For recreational fishermen fishing in federal waters, the black sea bass minimum size, possession limit, and fishing season will stay the same for 2017.

The measures are:

Minimum size: 12.5 inches

Possession limit: 15 per angler

Open Seasons: May 15-Sep 21 and Oct 22-Dec 31.

For more information, please read our permit holder bulletin posted online.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently made adjustments to recreational management measures in state waters for New Jersey through Massachusetts to limit recreational catch in 2017.

If the federal minimum size, possession limit, and/or season differ from the regulations for your state (where you will be landing the fish), you must follow the more restrictive regulations. Please contact your state for the latest information. 

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175 or jennifer.goebel@noaa.gov

Revised Black Sea Bass Catch Limits for 2017 and Projected Limits for 2018

May 24, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

Today, NOAA Fisheries announces it has revised the 2017 black sea bass specifications to increase catch limits based on updated information on the status of the stock. 

Specifically, this action will:

  • Increase in the 2017 commercial quota by 53 percent;
  • Increase the the 2017 recreational harvest limit by 52 percent; and
  • Establish projected catch limits for 2018.

Through this action, we are also removing an accountability measure that would have reduced the amount of quota available to the commercial fishery in 2017. 

Read the Fishery Bulletin for more information or the final rule as published in the Federal Register.

Questions? Contact Allison Ferreira at 978-281-9103 or allison.ferreira@noaa.gov

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Rule Requiring Electronic Reporting for Charter/Party Vessels in the Mid-Atlantic Region

May 24, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule that would require for-hire vessels with federal permits for some species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council to submit their vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically. 

This action is not a change in reporting requirements; however, it is an administrative modification to the method for submitting VTRs.

This action is expected to:

  • Increase the timeliness (availability) of data submitted through VTRs;
  • Reduce the reporting burden on data providers (for-hire operators and/or captains) by eliminating the need of paper-based reporting; and
  • Increase the accuracy and quality of data by reducing recall bias associated with delayed completion and submission of paper forms.

Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and supplemental documents on our website.

Comments must be received by June 23, 2017, and may be submitted via the e-rulemaking portal.

Questions? Contact Allison Ferreira at 978-281-9103 or allison.ferreira@noaa.gov

Carlos Rafael wins sentencing delay

May 24, 2017 — The sentencing of New Bedford fishing mogul Carlos Rafael has been moved off another month and he now is expected to hear his fate on July 28 in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Rafael, who pleaded guilty in late March to falsifying fish quotas, conspiracy and tax evasion, requested the extension. He said he needs more time gather and provide the relevant — and voluminous — financial records that are the center of the federal government’s case against him.

Rafael, 65, initially was set to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young on June 27.

“The short continuance requested in this motion will allow Mr. Rafael to complete this process such that the information can be presented in the pre-sentence report and considered at sentencing,” William H. Kettlewell, Rafael’s attorney, wrote in his motion for the extension.

Prosecutors did not oppose the extension.

Under his plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Rafael may have to surrender up to 13 of his groundfishing vessels and must pay almost $109,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Rafael, known throughout New England as the “Codfather” because of his vast vessel and permit holdings, could face up to 76 months in prison on the three charges — far less than the up to 20 years he would have faced under the original 27-count indictment.

Federal prosecutors have recommended a prison sentence of 46 months and a significant period of supervised release.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

Fluke fight finally finished – for 2017

May 24, 2017 — Local fishermen have finally learned what the regulations will be for the summer flounder season in New Jersey. After a very long period of bickering, a compromise has been reached.

For all coastal waters there will be a 3-fish daily limit with an 18-inch minimum size limit. The minimum size in Delaware Bay will be 17-inches while anglers fishing on the beach at IBSP will have a daily limit of two fish at 16-inches. The season will begin on Thursday, May 25, and run until Tuesday, September 5.

In 2016 the summer flounder season ran from May 21 through September 25 with a five fish per day limit and a minimum size of 18-inches. The original proposed restrictions for 2017 called for a 19-inch minimum size and a daily limit of 3 fish.

The NJ Marine Fisheries Council recommended the new rules at a meeting last week, and DEP Commissioner Bob Martin has approved them with a season running from May 25 through September 5.

The regulations adopted by DEP are final but the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council did not accept them, and appear to be moving toward New Jersey being in non-compliance.

Although few anglers are pleased at these regulations, it is a compromise from prior statements and a reflection of the work put forth by NJ state officials at the federal level.

The federal government had mandated rules to reduce the total catch by New Jersey recreational anglers. This determination was reached when NOAA announced the stocks of summer flounder had been reduced to unacceptable levels.

The state of New Jersey decided to fight the federal mandate with Governor Chris Christie and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection coming out strongly against it. State officials including DEP head Bob Martin met with senior officials from the Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries to express their opposition.

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

SCeMFiS Announces $200,000 for Fisheries Management Research on Mammals, Menhaden, Ocean Quahogs, Surf Clams

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – May 23, 2017 – The Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCeMFiS) Industry Advisory Board (IAB) announced $200,000 in funding today for seven fisheries research projects and marine mammal-related work. The funding was approved during the Spring IAB Meeting held in Ocean Springs, Mississippi from April 26-27.

The selected projects will research species such as menhaden, ocean quahogs, surf clams, and marine mammals. They will also address critical management issues related to how fisheries managers conduct and implement stock assessments. Grant recipients include researchers from the Gulf  Coast Research Laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), the School for Marine Science and Technology at UMass Dartmouth (SMAST), the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William & Mary (VIMS), and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES).

“The projects, both shellfish and finfish, that have been funded by SCeMFiS have already shown positive results in contributing to the ‘Best Science’ available,” said Guy Simmons, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Sea Watch International and Chairman of the IAB, in a SCeMFiS release. “I believe the success of the past four years has been validated by new membership recruitment and the acceptance of the science from management agencies. I am especially proud of the work that went into the development and approval of our seven new research projects.”

SCeMFiS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program, which matches industry, government and other organizations with relevant academic specialists. The SCeMFiS IAB is composed of members of the shellfish and commercial finfish industries and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

“As participants in the Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog fisheries, many of its stakeholders have been involved in cooperative research with the goal of reducing uncertainty in the fisheries management plan for many years,” said Mr. Simmons. “Since the formation of SCeMFiS, these efforts have been dramatically enhanced by the involvement of all the members as well as the guidance from the National Science Foundation.”

The IAB will review funded projects at its next meeting in Cape May, New Jersey October 31-November 1. A full list of SCeMFiS research projects already underway can be found online here.

Descriptions of the seven new research projects, provided by SCeMFiS, are below:

Risk-Based Catch Advice 

  • Evaluation of Alternative Approaches to Risk-Based Catch Advice – this project will review and evaluate methods applied by Scientific and Statistical Committees of regional fishery management councils to evaluate forecast error and improve optimal yield within an appropriate consideration of uncertainty and risk. Principal Investigator: Steve Cadrin, UMass Dartmouth [SMAST]

Stock Assessment

  • Stock Assessment Team – the stock assessment team will provide external support to NMFS for benchmark assessment working groups with a focus in 2017 on the Atlantic mackerel assessment. Principal Investigator: Eric Powell, USM

Marine Mammals

  • Independent Advisory Team for Marine Mammal Assessments – Phase V – this team addresses uncertainties in slow growing marine mammal populations and the interactions between marine mammals and fishing operations. Principal Investigator: Paula Moreno, USM.

Atlantic Menhaden

  • Evaluation of Sampling Adequacy for Atlantic Menhaden Fisheries – this project will evaluate the current Atlantic sampling program for the characterization of menhaden fishery catch leading to recommendations designed to increase sampling efficiency. Principal Investigators: Geneviève Nesslage, UMCES & Robert Leaf, USM

Ocean Quahog

  • Ocean Quahog Population Dynamics: Validation of Estimation Procedures for an Age-at-Length Key – this study builds on previous work that developed the first population age frequencies for the U.S. stock by developing and testing approaches for deriving age-at-length keys from sparse datasets. Principal Investigators: Eric Powell, USM & Roger Mann, VIMS
  • Ocean Quahog Population Dynamics: Population Modeling to Interpret Population Age Frequencies – this project will develop a population dynamics model to explain observed changes in abundance at age over the past 250 yr since ocean quahogs first colonized their present Mid-Atlantic range. Principal Investigator: Eric Powell, USM

Surf Clams 

  • Survey of Surf Clams (Spisula solidissima) Southeast of Nantucket – this will be the first survey of a region providing substantial surfclam catch to determine the need to expand the NMFS stock survey and to evaluate the distribution of complex habitat within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. Principal Investigators: Roger Mann, VIMS & Eric Powell, USM

Read a release from SCeMFiS here

Offshore Wind Turbines Blamed For Killing Family Of Whales

May 23, 2017 — Marine environmental experts blame offshore wind turbines for the deaths of three minke whales that washed up on British beaches, The Times reported Monday.

Wildlife experts claim that the noise generated by wind turbines affected the sonar that whales use to navigate, causing them to beach themselves. There are several commercial offshore wind farms close to where the whales beached themselves.

“My personal opinion is that it could be a consequence of wind farms and the amount of sand in the water,” John Cresswell, chairman of the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service, told The Times. “If you stop the boat off the coast you can feel the vibrations and hear the noise.”

The U.K. coastguard received reports of a minke whale calf that had become separated from its mother Friday evening. By the next afternoon, it had been found dead at the mouth of the River Ore, and its mother washed up near Felixstowe. On Sunday, another dead adult whale surfaced, indicating that an entire family could have been killed.

“There are studies that show that the sounds created by the operational noise of the turbines create vibrations under that may in fact disorient marine mammals like whales,” Bonnie Brady, director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association who regularly discusses the impacts of noise on marine mammals, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “In the case of what looks like this mother and calf, they go on the wrong path and end up disoriented then beaching themselves. The sound kills.”

Read the full story at The Daily Caller

EDF: Rafael’s assets should be seized, fund fishery restoration

May 21, 2017 — After decades of fraud, Carlos Rafael can finally do some good for the fishing industry, fishermen and fish stocks he so badly damaged.

Mr. Rafael reaped tens of millions of dollars, mislabeling millions of pounds of fish to mislead regulators and exceed quota limits. In the process, he was not just breaking the law — he was undermining sustainability in the New England groundfish fishery, cheating his fellow fishermen of their future.

Mr. Rafael amassed an empire of more than 40 fishing boats and 44 fishing permits, making his one of the largest commercial fishing companies in the country. Now, having pleaded guilty to a raft of charges including false labeling, conspiracy and tax evasion, he faces the potential for serious jail time when he is sentenced on June 27. But that should just be the beginning. NOAA, the IRS and the federal judge in this case have an unprecedented opportunity to dispense justice in a way that can transform this iconic fishery.

Leaders in the fishing industry have made two demands that we support: Carlos Rafael should never again be allowed to fish, and his groundfish quota should be redistributed to other participants in the fishery who were among his victims. We propose a third remedy: He should face steep fines and asset seizures proportionate to his crimes, and the proceeds should be used to fix system failures that allowed his criminality to flourish.

Specifically, we are calling for the creation of a Groundfish Monitoring Fund. One of the major causes of the New England cod crisis, and a key enabler of Rafael’s crimes, is inadequate monitoring of the groundfish fleet. Only 1 out of 10 groundfish boats carries an at-sea observer, and there are no monitors to document catch when fishermen bring their harvest to land. As a result, participants in the fishery can’t have confidence that all are abiding by fishing rules, and little accurate information on fishing activity exists upon which to base harvest limits. It is no wonder that Rafael’s massive fraud went undetected for so long, or that this fishery has one of the worst records of stock recovery in the country.

A Groundfish Monitoring Fund could turn this fishery around. In other places, like the U.S. Pacific and British Columbia, successful groundfish monitoring programs have helped resuscitate stocks and put fishermen on a level playing field. There are growing calls for New England to adopt similar innovations, and the Fishery Management Council recently kicked off an amendment process that could get this done. A major remaining challenge, however, is the cost burden of effective monitoring. If a Groundfish Monitoring Fund could overcome that hurdle by helping underwrite costs, it could be a historic breakthrough.

Read the full opinion piece at the New Bedford Standard-Times