Saving Seafood

Red snapper season gains length this year

May 31, 2018 — The Gulf of Mexico off Texas’ upper and middle coast is likely to be a bit bumpy now through the weekend as a moderate, 10- to 15-knot south wind is predicted to kick up 2- to 4-foot seas in offshore waters. Add a little wind-chop and tight wave intervals to the mix, and the open Gulf could be irritatingly, if not nauseatingly, uncomfortable for recreational anglers bouncing, rolling and pitching in the Gulf in 20- to 26-foot fishing boats.

But that’s not likely to blunt the number of Texas-based anglers heading offshore beginning Friday. They have reason to be encouraged and excited. Friday marks the opening of what promises to be the longest red snapper fishing season in more than a decade for Texas recreational anglers fishing from private boats in waters beyond the state’s jurisdictional boundary.

After two decades of seeing recreational fishing season for red snapper in Gulf water under federal jurisdiction (beyond 9 nautical miles) steadily shrink from year-round until 1997 to as few as 11 days in 2016, Texas anglers fishing in federal waters will this year be able to catch and retain the Gulf’s most popular reef fish for what state fisheries managers project will be an 82-day season.

That 82-day season, tentatively set to end Aug. 21, is almost double 2017’s 42-day federal-water season for private-boat anglers, nearly eight times 2016’s 11-day season and the longest since a 194-day season in 2007. The federal-water recreational snapper limit will remain two snapper per day with a 16-inch minimum length requirement.

Read the full story at the Houston Chronicle

 

More groups weigh in on red snapper actions

May 30, 2018 — A commercial fishing group is the latest to express hope that a test program that gives states more control over recreational red snapper fishing will benefit the Gulf of Mexico fishery overall.

Louisiana’s season started Friday and will remain open until state figures show the federally approved quota of 743,000 pounds for sport fishermen has been met.

The action comes after the state Wildlife and Fisheries Department won federal approval last month to oversee fishing of the popular species in federal waters up to 200 miles offshore both this year and in 2019.

Under the Exempted Fishing Permit, or EFP, sport fishermen are limited to two red snapper a day at least 16 inches in length. The state will use its LA Creel program to monitor catch totals.

Sport fishing groups, in earlier comments, welcomed the action.

Last week, it drew qualified praise from the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, which represents commercial red snapper fishermen.

Read the full story at the Daily Comet

 

Red snapper removed from ‘overfished’ list

May 29, 2018 — After several years of debate mixed with rancor, among a handful of marine biologists and well-funded environmental organizations, federal fisheries managers declared Gulf of Mexico’ red snapper stocks no longer fall into the “overfished” classification.

The news came earlier this month when the 2017 Status of U.S. Fisheries Report was sent to Congress.

Red snapper were among five species removed from the “overfished” list. Others were the gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico, yelloweye rockfish and Pacific ocean perch along the Pacific Coast and winter flounder on the Georges Bank.

Bluefin tuna was also on that listing in the western Atlantic, but the report read, “… due to significant scientific uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment.”

The report drew praise from the recreational fishing community, which has insisted red snapper stocks, especially stocks in the western Gulf of Mexico should have been off the overfished list at least three years ago, but that stocks in the eastern gulf dragged down the overall red snappers Gulf-wide.

Six other species, including sailfish in the western Atlantic, were removed from the “overfishing” list.

Read the full story at the Acadiana Advocate 

 

2 Gulf States: Recreational Red Snapper Season Opens Friday

May 25, 2018 — BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Recreational red snapper seasons open Friday in state and federal waters off Louisiana and Mississippi. Openings are scheduled June 1 off Texas and Alabama and June 11 off of Florida‘s west coast for anglers after the popular sport and table fish.

The states announced those dates in April, after the federal government authorized two-year experimental permits to let states along the Gulf of Mexico manage recreational seasons for red snapper.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at U.S. News

Alabama anglers ready for expanded red snapper season

May 23, 2018 — Alabama’s recreational fishermen will be allowed to catch red snapper on weekends throughout the summer thanks to an experimental permit granted to the state from the federal government’s NOAA Fisheries.

Private anglers – fishermen who own boats and aren’t licensed by the state or federal government as charter boats – will be allowed to fish on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 1 through Sept. 3. The season will also include the entire week of July 4 and Monday, Sept. 3, Labor Day. Anglers are permitted two fish per day and the fish must be at least 16 inches in total length.

To fish for red snapper, anglers ages 16-64 must have a valid Alabama saltwater fishing license. Fishermen 65 and older and those younger than 16 are exempt from license requirements. They must sign up with the free Saltwater Angler’s Registry. It is available in the license section of www.outdooralabama.com.

The season for federally licensed charter boats runs straight through from June 1 through July 21.

Alabama Director of Marine Resources Scott Bannon explained that NOAA issues exempted permits to allow experimental programs outside the normal rules for the fishery.

Read the full story at the Alabama Newscenter

 

No longer ‘overfished,’ what’s next for red snapper?

May 21, 2018 — Red snapper was removed last week from the federal government’s “overfished” list, but whether that will lead to lessened catch restrictions for anglers remains uncertain.

The species, one of the most popular for Gulf of Mexico anglers, has been the subject of intense debate among regulators, environmentalists and sport fishermen.

Anglers complain that federal authorities have set overly restrictive catch limits and unnecessarily short seasons despite a rebound in the species’ numbers. Environmental and conservation groups counter that the shortened seasons are necessary to help the species meet federal targets for rebounding after years of severe overfishing.

Red snapper is among 35 fish stocks NOAA Fisheries said last week have rebounded sufficiently for removal from the “overfished” designation.

“Ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks provides two key benefits for the American people,” Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, said in a news release. “First, it strengthens the value of U.S. fisheries’ contribution to the economy, which in 2015 exceeded $208 billion. Second, it supports the communities and marine ecosystems that depend on healthy fisheries.”

The next step would be to declare the stock “rebuilt.” That would take more fish counts, or stock assessments, whose accuracy has also been debated.

Nonetheless, as the species rebounds, federal regulators, including the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, have more options that could lead to increased catch limits or longer seasons.

Read the full story at the Daily Comet

 

US says number of overfished fish stocks at all-time low

May 18, 2018 — PORTLAND, Maine — The number of American fish stocks that can be described as ‘‘overfished’’ has hit an all-time low, the U.S. government announced on Thursday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made the statement as part of its annual Status of Stocks Report to Congress. Six populations of fish are being removed from its list of overfished stocks, including the popular commercially fished stocks of Gulf of Mexico red snapper and Georges Bank winter flounder, the agency said.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Boston Globe

NOAA: Request for Comments on Limited Opening of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Fishery in South Atlantic Federal Waters

May 17, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests comments on a proposed rule for Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 43). The proposed actions would specify recreational and commercial annual catch limits for red snapper beginning in 2018.

  • Red snapper recreational and commercial seasons would open in South Atlantic federal waters for limited harvest beginning in 2018.
  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 43 after recent scientific information indicated an increase in the red snapper population since 2014.
  • NOAA Fisheries determined the proposed limited harvest beginning in 2018 is neither expected to result in overfishing, nor prevent continued rebuilding of the population.

*The comment period on the proposed rule begins on May 17, 2018, and comments are due by June 18, 2018.*

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES FOR RED SNAPPER:

  • The total annual catch limit would be 42,510 fish.
  • The recreational annual catch limit would be 29,656 fish.
  • The recreational bag limit would be one red snapper per person per day. This applies to private and charterboat/headboat vessels (the captain and crew on for-hire vessels may retain the recreational bag limit).
  • The commercial annual catch limit would be 124,815 pounds whole weight (12,854 fish).
  • The commercial trip limit would be 75 pounds gutted weight.
  • There would be no minimum size limit for the recreational or commercial sectors.
  • The opening and closing of the recreational sector would be specified before the recreational season begins and would be weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
  • The commercial sector would close when the commercial annual catch limit is projected to be met.
  • Amendment 43 specifies that the commercial sector would open the 2nd Monday in July and the recreational sector would open the 2nd Friday in July.  If the fishing seasons do not open exactly on these dates, they would open as close to these dates as possible.
  • NOAA Fisheries will announce the opening dates, if the amendment is approved, in a future Fishery Bulletin.

PLEASE NOTE: The timing of the 2018 season is contingent upon approval of Amendment 43 and when the final rule is implemented.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 83 FR 22938, published May 17, 2018, 2018

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period on the proposed rule begins on May 17, 2018, and comments are due by June 18, 2018. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail.Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries. Comments are still being accepted on the notice of availability for Amendment 43 until June 15, 2018.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

  1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0148.
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What would the regulations be for red snapper during these proposed seasons?

  • The recreational bag limit would be one red snapper per person per day.
  • The commercial trip limit would be 75 pounds gutted weight.
  • There would be no minimum size limit for either the recreational or commercial sector.

Why is limited harvest of South Atlantic red snapper being proposed to begin in 2018?

  • Recent studies show red snapper abundance has increased in the South Atlantic since 2014, and was highest in 2017.
  • These fisheries independent studies are available online at:
    • Southeast Reef Fish Survey Program:

http://safmc.net/download/Briefing%20Book%20Council%20Mtg%20Dec%2020 17/Late%20Documents/TAB07_Snapper%20Grouper/TAB07_2017%20Red%20 Snapper%20update%20-%20SAFMC%20Dec%202017%20V2.pdf.

    • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

http://safmc.net/download/Briefing%20Book%20Sept%202017/Late%20Materials/TAB01/Tab01_A1_FWRI_SA_Red_Snapper_OverviewREVISEDSep17.pdf

  •  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission study also shows a greater number of large red snapper and a broader range of ages in recent years suggesting the red snapper population is rebuilding despite the limited harvest allowed in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
  • The proposed total annual catch limit equals the landings of red snapper when harvest occurred in 2014, the highest observed landings during the limited openings in 2012-2014.
  • The harvest prohibitions of red snapper since 2010 have resulted in adverse socio-economic effects to fishermen and fishing communities such as loss of additional revenue and recreational opportunities, as well as indirect benefits to businesses that provide supplies for fishing trips.
  • There is also a need for red snapper fishery dependent data. Federal and state personnel would collect information, including catch data and biological samples during the proposed open seasons beginning in 2018, which would inform future population assessments for red snapper.

How would the proposed limited harvest beginning in 2018 affect the overfishing and overfished status of red snapper?  

  • NOAA Fisheries has determined that the proposed limited harvest beginning in 2018 is not expected to result in overfishing and would not prevent the continued rebuilding of the red snapper population.

What is the history of South Atlantic red snapper harvest and prohibitions since 2010?  

  • Harvest of red snapper from South Atlantic federal waters was prohibited in 2010 when the population was determined to be severely overfished and undergoing overfishing (See 2008 population assessment – Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review [SEDAR] 15).
  •  Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region established a process that allowed harvest if total removals (landings plus dead discards) were below the acceptable biological catch in the previous year.
  • Limited harvest of red snapper was allowed in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
  • The estimated total removals of red snapper exceeded the acceptable biological catch in 2014, 2015, and 2016, resulting in no allowable harvest since 2014.
  • NOAA Fisheries temporarily allowed limited harvest of red snapper beginning November 2, 2017, by a temporary rule through emergency action. The temporary rule was effective through December 31, 2017.

What is the current status of the red snapper population in the South Atlantic Region?  

  • The latest population assessment (SEDAR 41) was completed in 2016 and revised in 2017. It indicated the South Atlantic red snapper population is overfished and undergoing overfishing; however, the population is rebuilding.
  • The red snapper overfishing determination in the assessment came from 2012-2014 when only a small amount of harvest was allowed to occur. However, discards during this time period were high due to fishermen targeting other species that co-occur with red snapper, which likely contributed to the overfishing determination.
  • Recent results from fishery-independent studies suggest that the relative abundance of red snapper has increased since 2014.

What are some Best Fishing Practices while fishing for red snapper?  

  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council identified the following best practices to reduce release mortality and further protect the population as it rebuilds:
    • Avoid areas likely to have red snapper if you already have met your recreational bag limit. If you are approaching your commercial vessel limit, move to a different area.
    • When red snapper are out of season, avoid areas where they are common.
    • Use single hook rigs since the recreational bag limit for red snapper during the proposed limited fishing seasons would be one per person per day. This will potentially reduce the number of red snapper that are caught on one drop.
    • Use non-offset circle hooks while fishing in areas where red snapper are common.
    • Use a dehooking device to remove the hook. Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them to the water as quickly as possible.
    • Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.

Where can I find more information on the environmental assessment?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Frank Helies

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

 

NOAA report: Number of overfished stocks in U.S. reaches all time low

May 17, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The number of domestic fish stocks listed as overfished has reached an all-time low, with three species of West Coast rockfish rebuilt to sustainable levels, according to the 2017 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress. The number of stocks on the overfishing list also remained near all-time lows, an encouraging indicator that the U.S. fishery management system is achieving its long-term sustainability goals.

“Ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks provides two key benefits for the American people,” said Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “First, it strengthens the value of U.S. fisheries’ contribution to the economy, which in 2015 exceeded $208 billion dollars. Second, it supports the communities and marine ecosystems that depend on healthy fisheries.”

Three West Coast stocks were rebuilt to target levels in 2017, bringing the total number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish stocks to 44 since 2000:

  • Bocaccio
  • Darkblotched rockfish
  • Pacific ocean perch

The overfishing list at the end of 2017 included 30 stocks, and the overfished list included 35 stocks. Overall, 91 percent of U.S marine fish stocks are not subject to overfishing and 87 percent are not overfished.  A stock is on the overfishing list when the harvest rate – a direct result of fishing activities – is too high. A stock is on the overfished list when the population size of a stock is too low, whether because of fishing or other causes, such as environmental changes.

Six stocks were removed from the overfishing list:

  • Sailfish – Western Atlantic
  • Blue king crab – Pribilof Islands
  • Puerto Rico Wrasses Complex
  • Coho salmon – Puget Sound: Hood Canal
  • Winter flounder – Georges Bank
  • Witch flounder – Northwestern Atlantic Coast (due to significant scientific uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment)

Six stocks came off the overfished list:

  • Yelloweye rockfish – Pacific Coast
  • Winter flounder – Georges Bank
  • Gray triggerfish – Gulf of Mexico
  • Red snapper – Gulf of Mexico
  • Pacific ocean perch – Pacific Coast
  • Bluefin tuna – Western Atlantic (due to significant scientific uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment)

“Rebuilding stocks to fully utilize our fisheries is one way NOAA can reduce our nation’s seafood deficit,” said Oliver. “We look forward to exploring innovative approaches to fisheries management and working with our partners to ensure America’s fisheries remain the world’s most sustainable.”

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our other social media channels.

 

Wilbur Ross Calls for Seafood Trade Surplus in Press Club Speech

May 15, 2018 — Yesterday in Washington, during a nationally televised event at the National Press Club and following his speech on U.S.-China trade policy, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross discussed his concerns and plans for the U.S. domestic fishing industry. Specifically, Sec. Ross wants to focus on reducing the U.S. seafood trade deficit, noting that over 80 percent on seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported. As part of this effort, Secretary Ross expressed the need to collaborate with the commercial fishing industry and for U.S. fisheries to achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield.

The Secretary’s full remarks are below:

As to fisheries, one of the great surprises to me both in the confirmation hearing and even more so now that I’m occupying this job has been the amount of congressional attention to fishing, especially to red snappers. I’ve spent so many months about the allocation of fishing capability between the commercial fishermen and the sport fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico that for a whole month I refused to eat any red snapper – I had more than had my fill of it every day. So fisheries are a very complicated area. Many, many, many species. Each one has a whole regulatory apparatus around it.

But I have one particular axe to grind, and that is more than 80% of our seafood consumed in the US is imported, and that seems a little bit silly to me given the coastlines we have and given everything else. So one of my objectives is to try to change that trade deficit into a trade surplus. It should be a thing that we’re very good at, it is a thing we’re very good at, and so we’re going to try to fix that. So that’s a very big preoccupation and I’ve been working a lot with the fisheries group and with the private sector on how to solve that problem.

A lot of the seafood being imported here is grown in aquaculture under conditions that would never be permitted for a US company. So it’s a kind of subsidy of them. There are also some health issues with some of those imports so we’re going to try to deal with that, and we’re also going to try to deal with how do we get to the maximum sustainable harvest in our waters, and how do we bring in selected elements of aquaculture done properly on our own part. So fisheries is a very complicated question but a very, very important one.

Listen to the remarks here.