Saving Seafood

NEFMC Reelects Dr. John Quinn as Chair, Eric Reid as Vice Chair; Welcomes Two New Members

September 29, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council today reelected Dr. John Quinn of Massachusetts and Eric Reid of Rhode Island to serve as chairman and vice chairman, respectively, for another year in the Council’s two top leadership positions.

This is Dr. Quinn’s fifth consecutive year in the chairman’s post. He is the Assistant Dean of Public Interest Law and External Relations at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) School of Law. He also is the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Government Relations at the UMass School of Law. Prior to becoming Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn. – NEFMC photo Council Vice Chairman Eric Reid. – NEFMC photo Council chairman, Dr. Quinn served as vice chair for three years. He joined the Council in 2012 with a long history of legislative, legal, and fishing industry experience as a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 18 years and as a practicing attorney, first at an outside law firm from 1989-1992 and then through his own firm from 1994-2010. During these tenures, he spent a considerable amount of time working on fisheries issues, which led him to be well prepared for his extensive responsibilities as Council chairman.

This is Eric Reid’s second year as Council vice chairman. He works at Seafreeze Shoreside Inc., a large, full-service seafood processing facility in Galilee, Rhode Island. He previously owned and operated his own business, Deep Sea Fish of Rhode Island, for 11 years before joining Seafreeze in 2013. Eric has a long history in seafood processing in several of New England’s largest fishing ports, and in his early career, he spent time on both commercial and recreational fishing vessels. He currently is a U.S. Commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.

Read the full release here

2020 Meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Consultative Committee

September 4, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is announcing the 2020 meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Consultative Committee. This meeting is held annually to ensure that the interests of U.S. stakeholders in the fisheries of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are adequately represented at the Annual Meeting of the Organization.  NAFO Consultative Committee members and all other interested U.S. stakeholders are invited to attend.

Date:

The meeting will be held September 9, 2020, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.

How to Attend:

The meeting will be held virtually via Webex.  Please visit the events page for additional information.

For Additional Information Contact:

Shannah Jaburek, Regional Office,  978-282-8456

NOAA Fisheries Announces Fishing Opportunity in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization

July 27, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is soliciting interest in multi-year fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area.  Primarily as a result of a five-year transfer arrangement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for 1,000 mt of yellowtail flounder, we intend to issue permits for up to five years.  A multi-year permit would increase market stability and ease the permitting process, allowing authorized vessels to plan and fish for the duration of the new yellowtail arrangement.

Interested vessels should review the requested information in the Federal Register announcement and submit letters of interest to Michael Pentony, US Head of Delegation, as described in the announcement by August 11, 2020.

Read the full release here

NAFO Consultative Committee Meeting September 16 in Gloucester MA

September 9, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is holding a public meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultative Committee.

NAFO is a regional fisheries management organization that coordinates scientific study and cooperative management of the fisheries resources of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, excluding salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species (e.g., shellfish).

This meeting will help to ensure that the interests of U.S. stakeholders in the fisheries of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are adequately represented at the Annual Meeting of the Organization.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultative Committee members and all other interested U.S. stakeholders are invited to attend.

Meeting Details

Date: September 16, 2019

Time: 1 pm – 3:30 pm EST

Location: Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930

Questions?

If you would like information about webinar access or have other questions about this meeting, please contact Moira Kelly, Regional Office, 978-281-9218

NOAA Seeks Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Commissioner

December 27, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

NOAA Fisheries is seeking a U.S. citizen to serve a four-year term as a Commissioner representing the commercial fishing industry to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). NAFO is a regional fisheries management organization with 12 Contracting Parties that coordinates scientific study and cooperative management of the fisheries resources of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, excluding salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species (e.g., shellfish). NAFO was established in 1979 by the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries. The United States joined NAFO in 1995.

The U.S. Commissioner to NAFO representing the commercial fishing industry must be knowledgeable and experienced in the conservation and management of fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.  The role of the U.S. industry Commissioner is to provide advice and support to the Federal Commissioner during NAFO meetings and to participate in the domestic U.S. advisory process for NAFO. The U.S. industry Commissioner is expected to serve on U.S. delegations to NAFO, including attending the NAFO annual meeting each September and other relevant meetings held during the year. The non-government Commissioners may not serve more than two consecutive four-year terms.

Learn more about NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region here.

 

Skates: New England Council Approves 2018-2019 Fishery Specifications and Proportional Barndoor Skate Possession Limit for Wing Fishery

September 28, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

With one exception, the New England Fishery Management Council has approved Framework Adjustment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework contains specifications for the 2018 and 2019 fishing years, including total allowable landings (TALs) for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries, as well as measures to allow the landing of barndoor skates.

Once approved and implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the framework will allow the landing of barndoor skates in the wing fishery. Barndoor skate landings will be capped at 25% of the total wing possession limit allowed per season.

The Council adopted a 31,327 metric ton (mt) acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the skate complex based on advice from its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Under the skate plan, which covers seven species of skates, the annual catch limit (ACL) is equal to the ABC. Deductions from the ACL are made to account for: (1) management uncertainty; (2) projected dead discards; and (3) projected state landings, all to achieve the TAL for the overall federal fishery.

NAFO EXEMPTION

On September 27 during its meeting in Gloucester, MA, the Council voted to add measures into the framework to consider exempting vessels that fish exclusively within the NAFO Regulatory Area on a given trip from Skate FMP regulations that pertain to permit, mesh size, effort control, and possession limit restrictions, similar to exemptions that already exist within this area for Northeast multispecies and monkfish. NAFO is the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.

The Skate Plan Development Team (PDT) now will develop a range of alternatives for this NAFO area exemption. The Council discussed an expedited process for selecting its preferred alternative with the goal of having Framework 5 implemented as close to May 1, 2018 as possible. This date marks the start of the new fishing year for skates.

Read the full release at the New England Fishery Management Council

NOAA Seeks Nominations for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultative Committee

August 8, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA is soliciting nominations for individuals to serve as members of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Consultative Committee. NAFO is a regional fisheries management organization that coordinates scientific study and cooperative management of the fisheries resources of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, excluding salmon, tunas/marlins, whales and sedentary species (e.g., shellfish). NAFO was established in 1979 by the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries. The United States acceded to the Convention in 1995, and has participated actively in NAFO since.

NOAA is also announcing a meeting of the NAFO Consultative Committee on August 30, 2017.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice.

Canada’s first redfish fishery achieves MSC certification as sustainable

May 23, 2017 — The following was released by the Marine Stewardship Council:

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) are proud to announce Canada’s first redfish fishery to meet the globally recognized MSC Fishery Standard.  With this achievement, Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus), also known as Atlantic redfish or ocean perch, caught in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 3LN, can now be sold as MSC certified by companies with MSC Chain of Custody certificates.

International collaboration toward successful rebuilding

Straddling Canadian and international waters, 3LN redfish has a colourful history dotted by interaction with Soviet, Cuban, South Korean, Portuguese and Spanish fleets. Overfishing in the late 1980s caused depletion that led to a moratorium being declared on directed fishing in 1998. After years of careful management, the stock recovered and the fishery was re-opened in 2010.

Managed by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), a cautious Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is established through a well tested harvest control rule that has been peer-reviewed by scientists from NAFO-member countries.  This management approach has proven effective at continuing stock growth and is expected to continue to guide this fishery through long-term sustainability.

Canada holds 42.6% share of the TAC, the majority of which is caught by Ocean Choice International vessels fishing on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

“This certificate is a demonstration of the rigour applied to the management of the Canadian redfish fishery in 3LN.”says Bruce Chapman, President of GEAC, the industry association representing the fishery client group. “We continue to work towards all of our fisheries being able to bear the MSC label.” 

Meeting the world’s most recognized standard for sustainability

Redfish are long-lived species with unique reproductive characteristics that demand strong management measures to ensure protection of the stocks. To achieve MSC certification, the 3LN redfish fishery demonstrated it meets all three MSC Principles through a healthy target stock, very low by-catch and high unlikelihood of disrupting ecosystem structure and function, and effective management.

Beyond TAC and individual country quotas, other conservation measures for redfish include gear specifications, restrictions on areas and times of fishing and protection of sensitive areas.

Jay Lugar, Program Director for MSC in Canada added: “The combined efforts of all actors to follow globally accepted best fishery management practices for 3LN redfish is a clear signal to world markets of a long-term commitment to maintaining the stock at sustainable levels. It is also proof that fish stocks can recover and robust fisheries management works. The MSC is proud be a vehicle that the Canadian fishing industry employs to demonstrate this.”

The rigorous 24-month assessment against the MSC standard was undertaken by independent certifier SAI Global Services.

Announcing 2016 Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area

March 1, 2016 — We are announcing 2016 fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area for U.S. fishing vessels.

Read the announcement as filed in the Federal Register.

Background

The United States is a Contracting Party to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization or NAFO. NAFO is an intergovernmental fisheries science and management body whose convention on Northwest Atlantic Fisheries applies to most fishery resources in international waters of the Northwest Atlantic. 

NAFO’s Fisheries Commission is responsible for the management and conservation of the fishery resources in its Regulatory Area.

What NAFO fishing opportunities are available to U.S. fishing vessels?

NAFO manages Atlantic cod, yellowtail and witch flounders, Acadian redfish, American plaice, Greenland halibut, white hake, capelin, shrimp, skates, and Illex squid. NAFO maintains conservation measures for these species (in its Regulatory Area), including catch limits that are allocated among NAFO Contracting Parties. 

Who can apply for these fishing opportunities?

Any U.S. fishing interests (e.g., vessel owners, processors, agents, others). 

How do I apply?

Send an expression of interest in writing to:

John K. Bullard

U.S. Commissioner to NAFO

NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office 

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930 

phone: 978-281-9315

John.Bullard@noaa.gov

For more information, read the Federal Register announcement, visit the NAFO website, or contact:

Michael Ruccio

NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930 

phone: 978-281-9104

fax: 978-281-9135

Michael.Ruccio@noaa.gov

The deadline is March 15.