Saving Seafood

MAINE: Regional Ocean Plan Likely to Be Approved by Thanksgiving

November 4, 2016 — The Northeast Ocean Plan will be the first coordinated ocean strategy of its kind in the country when it is adopted by the National Ocean Council. That is likely to happen before Thanksgiving.

The Ocean Plan will not create new laws, regulations or penalties, but it will increase oversight of the area between the high-tide zone to 200 miles out to sea while coordinating 140 federal laws that regulate ocean activities in the Northeast.

That sounds overwhelming. It isn’t. The heart of the new plan is an easy-to-use data mapping tool that shows which laws apply to an activity or location and which agencies oversee them. Different uses, habitats, shipping lanes, infrastructure and more can be layered on one map to identify jurisdiction and potential conflicts.

The regional plan was developed in response to the 2010 Executive Order on Ocean Policy which requires better coastal and ocean management. Members from six Northeastern states, ten federal agencies, ten tribes and the New England Fisheries Management Council formed the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) to help craft it.

The goal is to coordinate planning based on regional information, even as the ocean environment and marine uses change. Improving and understanding marine life and habitats and ecosystem-based management are important guiding principles.

The Northeast states, which already have a history of working together on fisheries issues, started work on the ocean plan in 2012. The final draft was released for review October 19, making the Northeast Region the first in the country to complete a regional plan.

The Northeast RPB sought public and scientific input through hundreds of informal gatherings and public meetings over the past four years while drafting the plan. Part of their research included going to fishing wharves and small towns to get input. Planners incorporated the public comments and their responses into the final plan.

If the Northeast Ocean Plan is approved later this month as expected, implementation will soon follow. The Northeast Ocean Data Portal, which allows instant mapping of different ocean values and uses based on peer-reviewed data, makes it easy to identify where interests overlap and which agency has jurisdiction.

Read the full story at The Free Press Online 

Regional Ocean Plan Likely to Be Approved by Thanksgiving — Maine to Benefit

November 3, 2016 — The Northeast Ocean Plan will be the first coordinated ocean strategy of its kind in the country when it is adopted by the National Ocean Council. That is likely to happen before Thanksgiving.

The Ocean Plan will not create new laws, regulations or penalties, but it will increase oversight of the area between the high-tide zone to 200 miles out to sea while coordinating 140 federal laws that regulate ocean activities in the Northeast.

That sounds overwhelming. It isn’t. The heart of the new plan is an easy-to-use data mapping tool that shows which laws apply to an activity or location and which agencies oversee them. Different uses, habitats, shipping lanes, infrastructure and more can be layered on one map to identify jurisdiction and potential conflicts.

The regional plan was developed in response to the 2010 Executive Order on Ocean Policy which requires better coastal and ocean management. Members from six Northeastern states, ten federal agencies, ten tribes and the New England Fisheries Management Council formed the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) to help craft it.

The goal is to coordinate planning based on regional information, even as the ocean environment and marine uses change. Improving and understanding marine life and habitats and ecosystem-based management are important guiding principles.

The Northeast states, which already have a history of working together on fisheries issues, started work on the ocean plan in 2012. The final draft was released for review October 19, making the Northeast Region the first in the country to complete a regional plan.

The Northeast RPB sought public and scientific input through hundreds of informal gatherings and public meetings over the past four years while drafting the plan. Part of their research included going to fishing wharves and small towns to get input. Planners incorporated the public comments and their responses into the final plan.

If the Northeast Ocean Plan is approved later this month as expected, implementation will soon follow. The Northeast Ocean Data Portal, which allows instant mapping of different ocean values and uses based on peer-reviewed data, makes it easy to identify where interests overlap and which agency has jurisdiction.

Read the full story at The Free Press

Now that draft regional ocean plan is out…

July 19, 2016 — In Commercial Fisheries News May issue, the background, impending release, and need for fishermen to comment on the draft Northeast Regional Ocean Plan were discussed.

The Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) is now accepting written comments on the draft ocean plan through July 25, and will host a series of public meetings across the region.

A full list of meetings is provided on the RPB’s website. We encourage you to review the ocean plan and provide comments relevant to your fisheries.

On May 25, the RPB – comprised of six New England states, six federally-recognized tribes, nine federal agencies, and the New England Fishery Management Council – released the nation’s first draft Regional Ocean Plan.

Over four years in the making, and building on the efforts in the region that have occurred over the last decade, the Regional Ocean Plan (the plan) is intended to advance coastal and ocean data, improve engagement with ocean users, and enhance coordination among agencies who manage ocean and coastal resources.

Read the full story at Commercial Fisheries News

Exactly where do Maine lobstermen find their catch? Hard to say

July 13, 2016 — It is the state’s largest fishery, bringing in more than $500 million a year and employing tens of thousands of people up and down the supply chain, but there is no map that shows exactly where Maine’s lobstermen trap their catch.

Most of them fish within 3 miles of the coast, and thus do not fill out detailed federal catch reports or have onboard satellite tracking systems that lend themselves to detailed maps of valuable fishing territories.

That suits many lobstermen just fine, because they say their territory changes from year to year and they don’t like the notion of the government tracking where they fish. But that attitude makes life difficult for regulatory agencies responsible for permitting non-fishing activities in the Gulf of Maine, such as wind farms or mining operations.

The lack of detailed, up-to-date maps of lobster fishing grounds is obvious when reviewing the hundreds of maps collected by the Northeast Regional Planning Body, the federal planning body that is overseeing the nation’s regional ocean planning from the Gulf of Maine to Long Island Sound. The council is building a trove of online data, maps and information tracking a wide range of coastal and marine activities, from popular cruise ship routes to protected marine mammal habitats to public beaches and beach restoration projects.

Trying to fill the information gap

The data portal has maps that paint a detailed picture of other fisheries, with current and historical views of the number of fishermen who work any given area for each species of groundfish and how much they are catching in each area. But the information about lobstering is limited to a few lobster biomass maps and management area maps.

The Island Institute, a nonprofit group out of Rockland that represents the interests of Maine’s island and more remote coastal communities, is trying to step up to fill that gap, if not with maps, then with voices from the lobstering industry.

The group has issued a report on the “spatial characterization” of the lobster fishery, which is government-speak for what a map of the lobster industry would look like if such a map existed, said Nick Battista, marine programs director for the institute and part of the team that produced the report.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

New Bedford Port Director, Ocean Conservancy Spokesperson Talk Northeast Ocean Planning

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – July 12, 2016 – On June 26, New Bedford, Massachusetts Port Director Ed Anthes-Washburn and Christine Hopper, Ocean Conservancy outreach specialist for coastal and marine spatial planning, appeared on WJFD-FM in New Bedford to discuss Northeast ocean planning.

In a conversation with Irene de Amaral, host of “Conversas que importam,” Anthes-Washburn and Hopper agreed that ocean planning is necessary to ensure current ocean users are consulted as new projects develop and to create a common set of data so different government agencies are working with the same information.

“The Ocean Conservancy has been great about having a big tent and bringing all the stakeholders in so that their input is heard and reflected in the decisions that happen on our oceans,” Anthes-Washburn said. “We want to make sure that all of the current uses and all of the future uses are worked out in a successful way, and I think ocean planning is a key tool to do that effectively.”

“It’s really just about bringing everyone around the table, having a good conversation, making sure that the best available data is out there, and that we’re all talking and communicating with each other so we can cumulatively make the best decisions for our ocean spaces,” Hopper said.

The Draft Northeast Ocean plan is available for public review and comment until July 25 at neoceanplanning.org.

Listen to the full discussion here

Northeast Ocean Plan is solidifying

July 6, 2016 — ELLSWORTH, Maine — The new Northeast Regional Ocean Plan currently being developed will not create any new regulatory authority, Maine Department of Marine Resources Deputy Commissioner Meredith Mendelson told a group at the Ellsworth Library last week.

The hearing, one of three in Maine, was held to solicit comment from the public and from “stakeholders” on what it anticipates is a near-final draft of the Northeast Ocean Plan. The public comment period began May 25 and ends July 25.

Six years ago, President Obama signed an executive order establishing a National Ocean Policy that called for the creation of nine regional boards to develop plans “to better manage the nation’s oceans and coasts.”

Four years ago, the Northeast Regional Planning Board was formed to develop a strategy for the waters off New England. The board includes representatives of nine federal agencies with authority of one sort or another over activities in the ocean, six federally recognized tribes, the New England Fishery Management Council and all six New England states.

Read the full story at the Mount Desert Islander

Waters changing off Maine coast

June 30, 2016 — As I gear up to head back out onto the ocean, hoping for another strong lobster season, I’m reminded just how much these waters have changed.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the impacts changes in our climate have brought to our fisheries — differing molt cycles, lobster migration into deeper, cooler waters and the effects that warming waters have had on shrimp and other species. We’ve all experienced the increased severity of weather events and heard the warnings about an increasingly acidic ocean.

Now we’re also hearing the clamor of those who seek to use ocean space for their industries, including renewable energy production, offshore aquaculture and others. Many of these new users require leases that restrict access for traditional ocean users.

With all of this happening simultaneously, it’s become more important than ever to find a balance between existing and new uses while also protecting everything that our ocean has to offer for future generations.

As more and more people — from recreational fishermen to major businesses — put demands on our ocean and coastal areas, it’s clear that it will require us to make many tough decisions. That’s why I’ve supported the regional ocean planning process as prescribed by the National Ocean Policy.

The process brought together representatives from across six New England states, six federally recognized tribes, nine federal agencies and the New England Fishery Management Council to produce a plan that provides a data portal of information about the region’s ocean and better coordinates and improves ocean management at all levels of government. Last month, this group — the Northeast Regional Planning Body — became the first in the nation to release a draft of its regional ocean plan (neoceanplanning.org/plan/).

I think back to when I served on the Maine Ocean Acidification Commission. At that time, it became clear to me just how much information is still needed to answer all the questions that come with complex ocean issues.

By gathering that needed information and data, we will be able to chart a course to help our coastal communities decide whether to gear up for the economic growth of new ocean uses such as renewable energy or aquaculture, expand efforts toward climate mitigation and remediation or try to retain the qualities and spatial freedom of our wild-caught fisheries. Now, through this plan, we have so much more of that information all in one place.

Read the full story at the Kennebec Journal

Government’s Northeast Regional Ocean Plan nears completion

June 23, 2016 — ELLSWORTH, Maine — Six years ago, President Obama signed an executive order establishing a National Ocean Policy that called for the creation of nine regional planning boards to develop plans “to better manage the nation’s oceans and coasts.”

Four years ago, the Northeast Regional Planning Board was formed to develop a plan for the waters off New England. The board includes representatives of nine federal agencies with authority of one sort or another over activities in the ocean, six federally recognized tribes, the New England Fishery Management Council and all six New England states.

Since then, the Northeast board has worked to draft a plan that will promote “healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems,” effective decision-making and “compatibility among past, current and future ocean uses.”

On Monday, the board held a hearing at the Ellsworth Library to solicit comment from the public and from “stakeholders” on what it anticipates is a near-final draft of the Northeast Ocean Plan. The public comment period began May 25 and ends July 25.

Monday’s hearing was one of nine scheduled throughout New England during the month of June. The first was held in Rockland on June 6. The final hearing — and the third in Maine — is scheduled for June 30 in Portland.

The current schedule calls for the Northeast board to meet in September after staff members have incorporated public comments to approve final version of the plan. The final step will be for the National Ocean Council to review and approve the plan which is subject to revision at five-year intervals.

Read the full story at the Ellsworth American

ROB MOIR: Expanding the fisherman’s voice

June 17, 2016 — Gloucester’s fishing industry knows all too well about the complexity of our oceans. Through my years of working with groups like the commercial striped bass fishermen and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, I have seen our fishermen adapt to the highs and lows that come with fishing these seas. That complexity has multiplied as new demands are placed on our ocean and coastal areas. From wind power to aquaculture, there are more and more people making a living off our waters.

And while we all agree that New England should make the most of these opportunities, we can’t do it at the expense of our fishermen’s livelihood, the health of our ocean wildlife or the places where our families go to play. It is now more critical than ever for us to effectively protect our oceans.

That is why I’m proud to see the years of compromise come to fruition with the release of our nation’s first draft regional ocean plan. Following the establishment of the National Ocean Policy in 2010, a planning body made up of New England states, local tribes and federal agencies came together to coordinate the efforts of all agencies that work on ocean-related issues. The result: a draft plan that streamlines ocean management at all levels of government.

I applaud the Northeast Regional Planning Body for a great first draft. I’m happy to see that the first goal focuses on maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. This connects so well to my many years of working with fishermen and other ocean users to adopt a more ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.

For those in the fishing industry, this plan provides many benefits. But what tops the list in my mind is the ability to have all of this robust data and information in one place. With 150 species of marine life, the data portal is full of science and research that has been thoroughly validated. Anyone reading the plan can add comments or observations, and make note of any perceived gaps in the information. It allows us, for the first time ever, to break down siloes of information that have existed across the numerous state and federal agencies that manage our oceans.

Read the full editorial at the Gloucester Daily Times

Ocean Planning Update: Draft Northeast Ocean Plan and Public Comment Meetings

May 26, 2016 — The following email was released yesterday by the Northeast Regional Planning Body:

Earlier today [May 25, 2016], the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB), a group composed of representatives from six New England states, six federally recognized tribes, nine federal agencies, and the New England Fishery Management Council, announced the rollout of its Draft Northeast Ocean Plan. The Draft Plan is available at the RPB website: neoceanplanning.org. The RPB is seeking input on the Draft Plan in multiple ways: people can provide comment online or in writing (see the website for details) or by attending one of the following public meetings (please note: there have been a couple of schedule changes to this list, so please check the website for further updates):

Monday, June 6 – Maine

Location: Rockland Public Library, 80 Union Street, Rockland, ME

Time: 5PM to 8PM

Wednesday, June 8 – Connecticut

Location: Conference Room, Marine District Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT

Time: 7PM to 9PM

Monday, June 13 – Massachusetts

Location: Maritime Gloucester, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM

Tuesday, June 14 – Massachusetts

Location: Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Hearing Rooms C & D, Boston, MA

Time: 2PM to 4:30PM

Wednesday, June 15 – Massachusetts

Location: New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM

Monday, June 20 – Maine

Location: Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State Street, Ellsworth, ME

Time: 5PM to 8PM

Monday, June 27 – New Hampshire

Location: Portsmouth, NH DES Office 222 International Drive, Suite 175

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM

Wednesday, June 29 – Rhode Island

Location: TBD

Time: 6PM to 8:30PM

Thursday, June 30 – Maine

Location: Portland, ME TBD

Time: 5PM to 8PM

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you—

John Weber

 

On behalf of:

Betsy Nicholson, RPB Federal Co-lead

Grover Fugate, RPB State Co-lead

Richard Getchell, RPB Tribal Co-lead