Saving Seafood

Notice to Offshore Fishing Fleet East of NC and VA

November 4, 2019 – The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

This fall and winter, Avangrid Renewables will continue to study the Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Lease Area (OCS-A 0508) by conducting High-Resolution Geophysical Surveys to characterize the seabed within the lease area and cable corridor to the northwest. The survey will commence November 1 and is expected to run through January 30, 2020, weather dependent.

Fishermen fishing or transiting northeast of Oregon Inlet, NC, and southeast of Virginia Beach, VA are encouraged to note the survey area locations, activities, and timing. From November 1 through November 15, the M/V Gerry Bordelon will be towing survey equipment up to 1,000′ astern, with limited maneuverability. Mariners are asked to maintain a 1 nautical mile closest point of approach, and fishermen are requested to move any fixed fishing gear out of the area during this period.

Additional information, including charts showing the sampling areas is available at: www.avangridrenewables.com/kittyhawk. For questions, contact Rick Robins, Fisheries Liaison, Avangrid Renewables, 757/876-3778.

Reminder! Proposed SMZ Designations in NC and SC – Scoping Meetings Begin Today at 6 PM

October 28, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public comment proposed changes affecting federal fisheries management, including designating specified artificial reefs off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina as Special Management Zones to restrict the types of gear that can be used to harvest snapper grouper species. The designations are being considered at the request of each state’s marine resources agencies. Public comment is also being solicited on proposed changes to the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone and measures to modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels.

Learn more about the proposed measures with summary documents and video presentations, provide written comment online, and participate in the webinars!

Public Scoping – Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34
October 28-30, 2019 6:00 PM
Webinars with Listening Stations in NC

The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:

  • Establish 30 Special Management Zones (SMZs) at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of North Carolina. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper species by spear would be limited to the recreational bag limit.
  • Establish four additional SMZs at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Harvest of snapper grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear (without powerheads) and harvest would be limited to the recreational bag limits.

Webinars with Listening Stations for Proposed SMZ Designations
Monday, October 28
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
Dare County Administration Bld., Manteo, NC

Tuesday, October 29
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, Morehead City, NC

Wednesday, October 30
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Southern District Office, Wilmington, NC

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34 Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Register now to participate in the public scoping meetings via webinar or participate in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available from the Council’s website.

Public Hearings via Webinar – Modifications to Commercial Southern Zone King Mackerel Season 2 Trip Limits
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 8
October 29-30, 2019 5:00 PM

Rhe draft amendment would modify the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone (NC/SC line to Miami-Dade/Monroe Co. boundary) during Season 2 (October 1st to the end of February). Access the Public Hearing Summary, view the video, submit comments online and register now to participate in the scheduled webinars. https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Tuesday, October 29
Webinar Registration

Wednesday, October 30
Webinar Registration

Public Scoping via Webinar – Shrimp Vessel Transit Provisions
Amendment 11 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan
November 5 & 7, 2019 7:00 PM
Webinars

The draft amendment proposes modifications to current transit provisions during cold-weather closures of the fishery. Additional information is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Tuesday, November 5
Webinar Registration

Thursday, November 7
Webinar Registration

New Research to Examine Economic Impacts of North Carolina Commercial Fisheries

October 25, 2019 — Imagine a vessel gliding through coastal waters, heading for Wanchese in Dare County. Upon arrival, the captain, mate and team at the fish house hustle to unload the day’s catch: baskets of blue crab.

North Carolina’s most harvested commercial species by pound, the blue crab will be sold in nearby seafood markets or trucked to farm-to-table restaurants in Raleigh or Charlotte. Other days, depending on market demands, it may be packed on ice, bound for New York, Boston or Washington, DC.

North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry is a complex economic puzzle with many pieces. In 2017, $97 million of wild-caught fish and shellfish were landed, over $16 million to Wanchese alone.

“These fisheries support local communities by providing important sources of employment, business income and food,” explains Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economist.

Harrison is leading a new research project to consider commercial fisheries’ impacts on state and local economies. The one-year study, which includes partners at three universities, is funded by the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund. The fund is jointly overseen by the Marine Fisheries Commission’s Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the Funding Committee for the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund.

Read the full story at The Island Free Press

SAFMC to Hold Scoping Webinars on Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC

October 23, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled scoping webinars and is soliciting public comments on potential designation of special management zones (SMZs) in federal waters off North Carolina and South Carolina (Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34). The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:

Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off North Carolina as SMZs

  • Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs
  • Restrict harvest of snapper grouper species with spear on those reefs to the recreational bag limit

Designate 4 artificial reefs in federal waters off South Carolina as SMZs

  • Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs
  • All harvest of snapper grouper species on those reefs would be limited to the recreational bag limit

Three scoping webinars will be held on October 28, 29, and 30 at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required:

Individuals can also participate in the webinars in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available here.

The Scoping Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are now available from the South Atlantic Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Outer Banks fisherman will test device that could save sharks — by tickling them

October 18, 2019 — Fun fact: Sharks, unlike fish, can sense electrical stimuli, according to scientists.

Researchers in North Carolina are hoping to use that biological trait to their advantage with the help of a small electronic device designed to protect sharks from overfishing, N.C. State University announced in a press release this month.

The device, which “has shown promise in the laboratory,” is reportedly ready to start pilot testing off the Outer Banks.

“Several sharks are overfished or are experiencing overfishing on the U.S. East Coast,” fisheries extension specialist Sara Mirabilio said in the release. “Populations of scalloped hammerhead, dusky, sandbar and blacknose sharks all could benefit from an effective deterrent from commercial fishing gear.”

The device could also help fishermen save time and money. Sharks like to chomp on fish while they’re hooked — leaving fishermen with just a head by the time the fish are reeled in, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

Capt. Charlie Locke, an Outer Banks fisherman, has partnered with researchers on the project.

Read the full story at The Charlotte Observer

Provide Comment on Proposed Changes to Federal Fisheries Management

October 18, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public comment on a variety of proposed changes affecting federal fisheries management, including designating specified artificial reefs off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina as Special Management Zones to restrict the types of gear that can be used to harvest snapper grouper species. The designations are being considered at the request of each state’s marine resources agencies. Public comment is also being solicited on proposed changes to the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone and measures to modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels.

Learn more about the proposed measures with summary documents and video presentations, provide written comment online, and mark your calendar to participate in the webinars!

Public Scoping – Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34
October 28-30, 2019 6:00 PM
Webinars with Listening Stations in NC

The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:

* Establish 30 Special Management Zones (SMZs) at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of North Carolina. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper species by spear would be limited to the recreational bag limit.

* Establish four additional SMZs at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Harvest of snapper grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear (without powerheads) and harvest would be limited to the recreational bag limits.

SMZ Public Comment Period Now Open – Webinars with Listening Stations Scheduled

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34 Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are now available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Register now to participate in the public scoping meetings via webinar or participate in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available from the Council’s website.

Public Hearings – Modifications to Commercial Southern Zone King Mackerel Season 2 Trip Limits
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 8
October 29-30, 2019 5:00 PM
Webinars

The draft amendment would modify the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone (NC/SC line to Miami-Dade/Monroe Co. boundary) during Season 2 (October 1st to the end of February). Access the Public Hearing Summary, view the video, submit comments online and register now to participate in the scheduled webinars. https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Public Scoping – Shrimp Transit Provisions
Amendment 11 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan
November 5 & 7, 2019 7:00 PM
Webinars

The draft amendment proposes modifications to current transit provisions during cold-weather closures of the fishery. Additional information is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

New device to be tested off Outer Banks could help save sharks from commercial fishing all over the world

October 17, 2019 — An Outer Banks fisherman next summer will test a device about the size of a spark plug that could save rare sharks.

The waterproof gadget with a transistor inside would be connected just above the hooks on a long line used for commercial harvesting of species such as tuna and swordfish. It would emit an electric pulse that drives sharks away from the baited hook.

“If this works it will be huge,” said Outer Banks fisherman Charlie Locke. “It could benefit fisheries all over the world.”

Sharks swarm the waters around the Outer Banks with many species spawning and giving birth here.

Hungry sharks gobble chunks from large tunas on commercial fishing lines. Charter boat anglers often reel in nothing but a fish head after a shark has bitten off the rest.

“We already know there is a healthy population here,” Locke said.

Read the full story at The Virginian-Pilot

NORTH CAROLINA: Proposal to regulate coastal fishing draws strong differences of opinion

October 17, 2019 — A proposed coastal fishing regulation designed to protect species is drawing sharp differences of opinion from some of those affected.

Some think the measure is necessary to prevent continued loss of important fish species.

Others think the measure won’t work as intended and could prove catastrophic for coastal fishing industries.

Tom Roller is a professional fishing guide in Beaufort who brings his clients to sounds, bays, inlets and creeks to cast for red drum, speckled sea trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel.

But his bread and butter, he said, is Southern flounder.

“They are extremely important to my business, but we don’t catch Southerns like we used to because they aren’t here anymore,” he said. “They are an example of how to overfish something and not do anything.”

The recreational Southern flounder fishery is closed for the rest of the year since the catch exceeded its target defined by the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.

Commercial landings of Southern flounder, according to the N.C. Wildlife Federation, have declined 88 percent over the past two decades. A landing is the amount of fish harvested at sea and brought to land.

Read the full story at the Carolina Public Press

Sea Grant Research Could Help Commercial Fishers Keep Sharks off Gear

October 4, 2019 — North Carolina Sea Grant is collaborating on a new project to keep sharks away from commercial fishing gear. A team from NC State University, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Indiana University-South Bend are partnering with the private sector to pilot test a device that deters the predators.

“Several sharks are overfished or are experiencing overfishing on the U.S. East Coast,” says Sara Mirabilio, a fisheries extension specialist with North Carolina Sea Grant, a statewide program based at NC State University. “Populations of scalloped hammerhead, dusky, sandbar and blacknose sharks all could benefit from an effective deterrent from commercial fishing gear.” Most often, sharks are caught unintentionally in a fishery that is targeting other fish, she explains. This is referred to as bycatch.

The project is one of three announced today by the National Sea Grant College Program to better understand highly migratory species, such as sharks, along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Mirabilio and colleagues, including Richard Brill at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Peter Bushnell at Indiana University-South Bend, are testing a state-of-the-art electronic device that could help conserve species of sharks whose populations fishery managers are trying to rebuild. Unlike other fish, sharks possess an electrosensory system that equips them to detect close-range movements of predators or prey.

Read the full story at Island Free Press