Saving Seafood

Massachusetts State Legislators Write to NOAA on SMAST Funding

April 14, 2016 –Members of the Massachusetts state legislature have written to Dr. William Karp, the head of Science and Research at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), in response to a recent rejection of a scallop research set-aside proposal from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST).

In their letter, the legislators asked Dr. Karp to renew the funding, which they contend has been critical in producing accurate, independent estimates of the scallop resource.  They state that past SMAST studies “have stood the test of time,” and have “positively helped the [New England Fishery Management] Council in its regulatory functions under Magnuson [Stevens Act].”

They conclude that “cutting out the independent approach provided by the University of Massachusetts is not only scientifically questionable, but undercuts the ability of the Federal government to make sound assessments, formulate plans and explain those actions in the very complicated areas of fisheries management.”

Read the letter here

Dr. William Karp: NOAA choices on scallop studies relies on science

April 14, 2016 — I am writing regarding your recent editorial and news coverage of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program and the projects that have been selected for 2016-17. The Scallop RSA Program is one of the best examples of cooperative fisheries research with industry in the nation, serving an important role in supporting the management of this fishery, which is such a part of New Bedford’s economy. Your readers should know that the program is very competitive, that all proposals are evaluated using independent reviews, and that although all have worthy points, not all can be funded.

As director of NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, it is my goal to build stronger strategic partnerships with regional research partners, including UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology, an institution with a strong record in educating students and in carrying out research that is directly relevant to managing living marine resources. NOAA funds a faculty member at SMAST and there are many examples of productive collaborations involving SMAST students and faculty, and NEFSC researchers. A number of these activities include Dr. Kevin Stokesbury, a member of the SMAST faculty who is recognized for his work on survey methodology and scallop assessment, and for his effective collaboration with industry.

When Dr. Stokesbury’s RSA proposals for further sea scallop surveys were not selected for funding in 2016, I was greatly concerned about how this would be received. I appreciate his concern over the result, well publicized in your paper, but I believe his criticism of the grants process is unfounded.

See the full letter at the New Bedford Standard-Times

RHODE ISLAND: Fishermen-heavy crowd shows frustration with catch rules, monitoring costs at RI forum

April 14, 2016 — PROVIDENCE, RI — A forum on the sustainability of the commercial fishing industry revealed significant frustration in a fisherman-heavy crowd and a few suggestions for future changes, but little tangible optimism, Thursday night at Rhode Island College.

“Right now, there are more fish in the Atlantic Ocean than there was 20 or 30 years ago — we are just not allowed to catch them anymore,” said fisherman Mark Phillips, a New York native who has fished out of New Bedford for several decades.

Phillips and New Hampshire fisherman David Goethel, who sued the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in December over catch monitoring costs, were the two fishermen on the forum’s six-person panel.

They drew, by far, the most applause from the crowd throughout the event, as both reiterated industry-wide complaints about a regulatory environment that fishermen say is choking their viability.

The forum was titled, “Is Commercial Fishing Sustainable?” But Phillips said the real question, in his view, is whether fishermen and fishing communities are sustainable.

See the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

NOAA Research Vessel Now Homeported in Newport

April 13, 2016 — NEWPORT, RI — Today marks the first day that the 209-foot research vessel Henry B. Bigelow is officially homeported here in Newport, marking a “victory for the Ocean State,” according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association fisheries research vessel has a primary objective of studying and monitoring Northeast Marine Fisheries throughout New England and has nets that trawl as deep as 6,000 feet.

The Bigelow collects data used for stock assessments that ultimately influences catch limits and fishing quotas as well as help scientists understand changes to the fishery.

Reed said that he has been lobbying for years for the ship to be homeported here in Rhode Island to save taxpayers money.

NOAA officials said that change is based on a study that included another vessel, the Okeanos Explorer, a deep sea exploration ship homeported at Quonset Point at the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown.

See the full story at the Newport Patch

SMAST scallop researcher rejected for NOAA funding for first time since 1999

April 13, 2016 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — For the first time since 1999, internationally known SMAST scientist Kevin Stokesbury has been denied federally administered funding for annual scallop surveys, as government officials questioned the cost and design of his latest proposal.

Many local fishermen credit Stokesbury’s work with reviving the scallop industry over more than a decade, and a prominent scalloper said Tuesday that it was hard to make sense of the funding denial this year.

“We as an industry are very upset about this — it’s very disturbing,” said Dan Eilertsen, who owns six scallopers based on Fish Island. “Our fishery has been managed based on the published work that (Stokesbury) does.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service, under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), told Stokesbury on March 29 that his proposal for a $2.65 million scallop survey project had been denied for the 2016-17 grant cycle.

See the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

Congressman Walter Jones Opposes More Federal Restrictions on ENC Waters

The following was released by the office of Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3):

April 11, 2016 — Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) joined Dare and Carteret counties in opposing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed expansion of the Monitor Sanctuary off the Eastern North Carolina coast.  The existing sanctuary protects the remains of the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad that sank in December 1862.  In January, NOAA published proposals to significantly expand the Monitor Sanctuary.   Dare and Carteret counties subsequently passed public resolutions opposing expansion due to concerns they may be used in the future to restrict public access to large areas of federal waters off the North Carolina coast.

“There is no need for new designations or access restrictions for fishermen and boaters that may flow from them in the future,” said Congressman Jones.

Congressman Jones has long been an advocate for Eastern North Carolina fishermen by fighting against overreaching government regulations on recreational and commercial fishing.  He has also secured much-needed money for dredging at Morehead City Harbor, and Oregon, Hatteras, and New River Inlets, in addition to fighting the Obama administration’s assault on fishing access through unilateral marine monument designation.  

For additional information, please contact Maria Jeffrey in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or at maria.jeffrey@mail.house.gov.

Head of NOAA, Kathryn Sullivan visits Pacific Council

The following was released by NOAA:

April 11, 2016 — VANCOUVER, WA. — Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), visited the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meeting in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday, April 9, 2016  and addressed the Council, which is responsible for managing ocean fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California. Dr. Sullivan is a distinguished scientist, astronaut, and explorer.

Dr. Sullivan spoke on the 40th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or MSA, which forms the basis for marine fisheries management in the United States. “There’s no way to say the MSA has been anything other than a success in terms of net consequences for the resources. It’s not always an easy journey, but the MSA has put the U.S. at the forefront of sustainable and effective fisheries management.”

Dr. Sullivan had many positive things to say about the Pacific Council, which is one of eight regional fishery management councils around the country. “This Council in particular has exemplified the strong and productive role the Councils have played. The ethos that this Council brings, to what is admittedly still a difficult challenge, is very noteworthy. It’s a very constructive culture. Many times on this trip, members of the community and Council have gone out of their way to say good things about the NOAA team; to really acknowledge that there are human beings on the on the sides of the table here. My sense is that this Council does its work in a very constructive and effective fashion.”

Dr. Sullivan was finishing a 1,000-mile road trip along the West Coast. Along her way, Dr. Sullivan met with fishermen and fishing family members to talk about the groundfish trawl catch share program, electronic monitoring of fish catches, fishing observer costs, the effects of climate change, and the need to develop and maintain trust between fishing communities and fishery managers.

She also recognized the Council’s outgoing Executive Director, Dr. Don McIsaac, and presented him with a plaque honoring his career. “Don’s experience, Don’s personal character and manner gave him the tools and insights needed to guide the Council through a challenging time,” she said. “With his hand on the helm, overfished groundfish stocks were cut in half, the Council became a leader in electronic monitoring and ecosystem-based management, and Don was a key organizer of a national fisheries conference that helped chart a course for fisheries management in the future. The next Executive Director is clearly going to have big shoes to fill.”

Council Chair Dorothy Lowman said “Dr. Sullivan has both a breadth of knowledge and a passion for ocean resources and communities that depend on those resources. We are very fortunate to have her leadership at NOAA exploring how best to focus the agency’s resources to provide services to the public.”

The Pacific Council is one of eight regional councils established in 1976 by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and recommends Federal fisheries management actions off Washington, Oregon, and California.

MASSACHUSETTS: Gloucester group critical of NOAA quotas, methods

April 8, 2016 — GLOUCESTER, Mass. —  The city’s Fisheries Commission weighed in with public comments on proposed adjustments to the Northeast Fishery Management Plan, expressing concern about heavy cuts in 2016 catch quotas for some of the fishery’s most important species and frustration with the process for determining the size of fish stocks.

The commission’s comments, which significantly mirror comments generated by the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition on Framework Adjustment 55, are contained in a letter to John K. Bullard, regional administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“The commission is supportive of the Northeast Seafood Coalition comments,” Commission Chairman Mark Ring wrote to Bullard. “Notably, the concerns raised by the NSC over the catch reductions slated for the 2016 fishing season, which are based on the 2015 Operational Assessment Update.”

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

NOAA Seeks Comment on Atlantic Bluefish

April 8, 2016 — The following was released by the National Marine Fisheries Service:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on the proposed 2016-2018 annual catch limits for Atlantic bluefish for both recreational and commercial fisheries. The proposed limits are based on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommendations.

The total limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries combined would be 10 percent lower than the 2015 limit (from 18.19 million lbs to 16.46 million pounds).

Read the full release at The Fishing Wire