Saving Seafood

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting June 8-11, 2020

May 12, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its quarterly meeting Jun 8-11, 2020 via webinar. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Key West, Florida was rescheduled via webinar due to the coronavirus and concerns for public safety.

“This was a tough decision and a first for our Council,” said John Carmichael, the Council’s Executive Director. “We always look forward to quarterly in-person meetings and seeing constituents in each state in the region but given the circumstances, this approach was our best option,” explained Carmichael. “Council members and staff are experienced with meetings via webinar and we will work with members of the public to ensure access to the meetings as they occur each day. We welcome public participation and comment.” The meeting week begins on Monday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday, June 11.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 10th beginning at 4:00 PM. Meeting materials and an online comment form will be available for written comments beginning May 22, 2020. The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance for each meeting day.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Best Fishing Practices – The Information and Education Committee will receive updates on the Council’s Best Fishing Practices campaign including input from its I&E Advisory Panel.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, and other revisions to the dolphin and wahoo fisheries. The Committee will also provide recommendations on management options to add bullet and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as Ecosystem Component Species.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Council is scheduled to approve measures to designate existing artificial reefs in federal waters off NC and SC as Special Management Zones at the request of the state marine resource agencies. In addition, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review results of stock assessments for Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will review the results of a recent stock assessment for King Mackerel and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Citizen Science – The Citizen Science Committee will provide feedback on Program goals and objectives, evaluation plan options, and receive updates on current CitSci projects including FISHstory and SAFMC Release.

Additional Information:

The impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries will be discussed during each species-specific committee meeting and during Full Council, including updates from individual states, updates on COVID-19 relief funds, and staff operational updates. The Council will discuss these impacts and consider any necessary response.

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available by May 22, 2020.

Observer Waiver Expires for Southeast, Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

May 7, 2020 — The National Marine Fisheries Service notified permit holders and the public Tuesday that a waiver for observer coverage in some fisheries expired at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020. As of 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, observer coverage was reinstated for those fisheries.

Those permitted fisheries include:

  • South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp;
  • South Atlantic Rock Shrimp;
  • South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper;
  • Southeast Gillnet;
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish;
  • Gulf of Mexico Shrimp;
  • Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline
  • Shark Bottom Longline (Atlantic HMS); and
  • Shark Gillnet (Atlantic HMS)

Read the full story at Seafood News

Reminder – Public Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Special Management Zones off NC and SC

April 30, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

At the request of state marine resource agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering designating existing artificial reefs in federal waters as Special Management Zones (SMZs).

The designation, as proposed in Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan would restrict allowable gear and limit harvest for species in the snapper grouper management complex. The measures are being considered in order to prohibit gear that has the potential to result in overexplortation of snapper grouper species at the artificial reefs. The SMZ designation will help optimize fishing opportunities and also define the areas as Essential Fish Habitat.

Proposed Measures

Regulatory Amendment 34 would:

  • Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off NC as SMZs
    • Allow only hand-held fishing gear: handline, rod and reel and spear
    • Restrict harvest of snapper grouper species with spear to the recreational bag limit
  • Designate 4 artificial reefs in federal waters off SC as SMZs
    • Allow only hand-held fishing gear: handline, rod and reel and spear
    • All harvest of snapper grouper species would be limited to the recreational bag limit

Public Hearings and Comment

Public hearings will be held via webinar May 4 and 5, 2020. Hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. Webinar registration is required.

Additional information, including a public hearing document, presentation with detailed maps, and an online comment form is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

May 1st Triggers Opening of Shallow-Water Grouper and Other Species in the South Atlantic

April 29, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

If you are fortunate enough to be out on the water this spring, fishing can be a great way to ease stress while practicing social distancing and other safe measures to ensure public safety. Beginning May 1st, fishermen will have a few more species to target in South Atlantic federal waters (greater than 3 nautical miles off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida).

May 1st marks the beginning of the shallow-water grouper season, following the annual spawning season closure from January 1st through April 30th. The one exception is the Red Grouper season in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina, which will open for harvest on June 1st.

Regulations also change for Greater Amberjack, Snowy Grouper, Hogfish and several other species.

Check out the latest blog for details.

Observer Waivers Extended for Some HMS, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

April 23, 2020 — Shelter-in-place requirements in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic areas are making it difficult to deploy observers, the National Marine Fisheries Service said today in a notice to industry. Therefore, observer requirements will be waived through May 4.

Providing seafood to the country remains an essential function even in these extraordinary times. Adequately monitoring U.S. fisheries remains an essential part of that process. However, in recognition of numerous travel or social distancing restrictions or guidance, NMFS continues to temporarily waive the requirement for federally-permitted vessels participating in the following federal fisheries to carry a fishery observer, the notice said:

  • South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp
  • South Atlantic Rock Shrimp
  • South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
  • Southeast Gillnet

Read the full story at Seafood News

FLORIDA: UF survey assesses coronavirus effect on marine businesses, aims to help industries

April 23, 2020 — A Fort Pierce commercial fishing wholesaler has begun selling freshly caught seafood directly from its boats, docked on the northwest side of the North Causeway.

Walk-up customers can buy fresh snapper, swordfish and yellowfin tuna at discounted rates as long as supplies last each day.

It’s how Day Boat Seafood LLC is adjusting to a drop in demand caused by closed restaurants and fewer dinners being sold by those that remain open for takeout or delivery, said managing partner Scott Taylor.

“Fortunately, we did see some grocery store chains step up to buy more domestically caught seafood, since imported seafood sources have not been able to deliver product,” said Taylor. About 80-90% of seafood bought in the U.S. comes from other countries, he said.

Such effects of the coronavirus pandemic on marine businesses are what a University of Florida research branch is trying to learn about through a new survey open until May 15.

Read the full story at TC Palm

Coast Guard breaks up Mexican poachers’ red snapper incursion off Texas

April 10, 2020 — Thirteen Mexican fishermen were detected poaching red snapper far north of the U.S. maritime boundary off south Texas Monday when the Coast Guard moved in to break up their longlining operations, Coast Guard officials said.

Three lanchas – small, slim-hulled outboard boats of 20 to 30 feet that can run at 30 knots – were corralled about 50 miles inside the boundary and detained by crews on a Coast Guard cutter, small boat and helicopters.

The haul brought in 12 miles of longline gear, other fishing equipment illegal under U.S. law, and 2,020 pounds of poached red snapper.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

NOAA Lists Waiver of Observer Requirements HMS, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

April 10, 2020 — NOAA has issued another update on the temporary waiver of observer requirements for federally permitted vessels.

According to the latest document, NOAA is temporarily waiving the requirement to carry a fishery observer for federally permitted vessels participating in the following fisheries:

-South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp
-South Atlantic Rock Shrimp
-South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
-Southeast Gillnet
-Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish
-Gulf of Mexico Shrimp
-Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline
-Shark Bottom Longline (Atlantic HMS)
-Shark Gillnet (Atlantic HMS)

Read the full story at Seafood News

Louisiana fishers could find relief in coronavirus stimulus package

April 10, 2020 — With restaurants closed, commercial fishers like Sean Heverin, from Leesville, are struggling to sell their catch. Heverin targets red snapper, among other species, which he then sells in bulk to companies that resell the fish to restaurants.

But that supply chain is gone, and retail markets cannot buy in the quantity that Heverin is used to selling.

“It’s been really tough lately with the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “Lately, we’ve had to try pre-selling the fish before leaving the dock, and most places say no, or that the price is too high.”

Heverin and other Louisiana fishers could find some relief in the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package signed by President Donald Trump last month. The bill includes $300 million for those in the fishing industry whose businesses have seen losses greater than 35 percent as compared to the prior 5-year average revenue.

But the bill did not outline a process for distributing the funds, said Ashford Rosenberg, a policy analyst for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance.

Read the full story at NOLA.com

Snapper Grouper AP Meeting Postponed; Reminder for Upcoming Meetings via Webinar

April 1, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will postpone the scheduled April 15-16, 2020 meeting of its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel due to concerns over the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the AP members. “Advisory panel members provide grass-roots level recommendations to the Council and are a key part of the decision-making process,” said Executive Director John Carmichael. “Snapper Grouper AP members include commercial fishermen, charter captains, seafood dealers, private anglers and others currently dealing with impacts to their businesses and their lives. We want to be sensitive to our constituents’ needs and ensure their involvement in the Council process,” explained Carmichael. The Council is currently collecting input from several of its advisory panels as the impacts of COVID-19 continue.

Reminder for Upcoming Meetings

Meanwhile, meetings noted below will be held as scheduled via webinar. The meetings are open to the public and webinar registration is required. Additional information, including meeting agendas, overviews, and briefing book materials will be posted on the Council’s website two weeks prior to each meeting. Online comment forms will also be available.

Please note the meeting dates listed below and mark your calendars!

Advisory Panel Meetings
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/current-advisory-panel-meetings/

Information and Education Advisory Panel
April 14-15, 2020

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
April 22, 2020

Scientific and Statistical Committee
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/scientific-and-statistical-committee-meetings/

SSC Socio-Economic Panel Meeting
April 8-9, 2020

Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting
April 28-April 30, 2020

Council members and staff will continue to monitor advisories. We encourage you to stay involved with fisheries management issues via webinars and utilize the meeting materials available online, including the public comment forms. Please reach out with any questions you may have. Stay safe, support local businesses when possible, and keep washing your hands!