Saving Seafood

REP. DANIEL WEBSTER: Red snapper deal a step forward

July 12, 2017 — It’s summer and with its arrival comes Florida’s fishing season. Fishing in the Gulf is an age-old pastime enjoyed by Floridians and tourists alike. Our miles of coastline and myriad of fish call both the seasoned and brand new angler, but with these miles comes also the responsibility to conserve our fish for generations.

Florida has worked diligently on maintaining a healthy stock of red snapper in our Gulf waters for years. And the great news is this year, we have an expanded season for red snapper in particular — a prized staple in our Gulf.

Last week, Florida joined the other four Gulf States in a compromise with the federal government that aligns both federal and state recreational red snapper fishing seasons for this summer. The result: 39 weekend days and holidays.

This is a step forward in maximizing private angler access to red snapper. With this agreement, President Donald Trump’s Department of Commerce demonstrates that through compromise and sound science, recreational anglers can participate in extended red snapper fishing without harm to the environment. The ruling permits fishing of red snapper on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June 16 until Labor Day, Sept. 4, as well as July 3 and 4. Floridians and adjoining Gulf neighbors now have the longest federal-waters fishing season since 2013.

This agreement respects Florida’s much-need voice in the maintenance of our red snapper stock. Red snapper is a particularly important cultural element of our district and of our state. Red snapper fishing boosts tourism and recreational anglers alike, which are both critical to the Florida economy.

Read the full letter at The Suncoast News

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 18, 2017

July 12, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on July 18, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by July 18, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded. This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2018 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight. 
  • This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or by clicking here.

Brad Gentner: It’s time to rethink ‘catch shares’

July 7, 2017 — Catch shares in marine fisheries is a concept unfamiliar to most people, and it is probably completely alien to most hunters and anglers in this country. It is a system of wildlife management that bestows some percentage of a public marine resource, like red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, to private businesses for free, to use and sell for their own profit. It was thought that by giving away ownership rights to individuals, the fishery would consolidate and ultimately become easier to manage. While the same number of fish would be caught, the benefits of funneling access to the resource through fewer entities was thought to remove some of the uncertainty in the industry and thus would be worth the price of privatizing a public resource for free.

While catch shares are still the darling of some fisheries economists, there is a growing backlash against this management tool worldwide for a variety of reasons. At the heart of these complaints is fleet and wealth consolidation, extraction of public wealth for private profit, and failure to capitalize share-cost into production costs.

Within the past two years, two small-scale fisheries organizations, the World Forum of Fisher Peoples and the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers came out in opposition to a large World Bank investment initiative centered around rights-based management. These small-scale fisherfolk organizations oppose “ocean grabbing” because it destroys communities and consolidates the fleet and the fishery wealth in too few hands. In addition to these grassroots resistance efforts, there have been several scholarly articles published that state that the only real guaranteed output from catch shares is capacity reduction through consolidation. And while reducing capacity is the key to reducing overfishing, it is not a sufficient condition to improving biological outcomes. In other words, there is no guarantee that stock will be conserved, but a definite guarantee that the industry will shrink, generally damaging coastal communities.

Beyond the consolidation problem, as we’ve seen in the Gulf red snapper commercial sector, these systems create “quota barons” who pay their harvesters laborer wages in order to increase their profits or lease out their quota to other fishermen or new entrants. First-generation quota holders paid nothing for the public resource, and this failure to capitalize the share value as a cost in the production of fish by quota holders is actually distorting quota markets and changing incentives. When the quota is given away to the first generation of fishers at the inception of a catch share, the subsequent generations of fishermen essentially become fishery sharecroppers forever.

Read the full opinion piece at the Houston Chronicle

LOUISIANA: Red snapper season dominates LWFC meeting

July 8, 2017 — The dire prediction from two state fishery managers that recreational anglers would catch Louisiana’s self-imposed limit of red snapper by early July did not materialize after information was provided during Thursday’s Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.

Jason Adriance, the state Wildlife and Fisheries biologist who reports to the LWFC on such matters, told the seven-member commission Louisiana fishermen took less than half of the 1.04 million pounds of red snapper during the early three-day federal season and a special weekends-only season struck between congressmen and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

That 1.04 figure comes from data showing Louisiana’s recreational take is 14 percent of the overall catch from Gulf waters when extracted from the annual recreational catch quota mandated by federal fisheries managers.

The special recreational season opened June 9, and came after the June 1-3 season in federal waters, the shortest-ever recreational red snapper season.

The congressional push, which was acknowledged to be led by Reps. Garret Graves and Steve Scalise, both Louisiana Republicans, gave the five Gulf states three options from which a 39-day season was put in place to run Fridays-through-Sundays with exceptions adding July 3-4 and Labor Day, Sept. 4, to the open season, which is to close Sept. 4.

Adriance’s presentation indicated the recreational catch, derived from its LA Creel data, came up just short of 500,000 pounds, and said that number didn’t include catches from the four-day Fourth of July period.

Read the full story at The Acadiana Advocate

Are the red snapper regulations in federal waters too restrictive?

June 30, 2017 — Regulations surrounding red snapper are the subject of a lot of chatter on fishing docks throughout the panhandle.

The three day red snapper season in federal waters was recently expanded to cover most of the summer, but there was a trade-off in a reduced number of red snapper days in state waters.

So, are the current fishing regulations helpful? Or harmful? It depends on who you ask.

Behind a local marina in Panama City sits a third generation charter captain who makes a living off of fishing.

“Our limits have gotten smaller, the amount of days that we get are definitely smaller. I make my full living charter fishing here in Panama City, been doing it my whole life, it supports me and my family, I’ve actually got twins on the way, they’re going to be here later in the year,” Hook ’em Charters Captain BJ Burkett said.

Captain BJ tell us the current red snapper fishing regulations in federal waters, which start nine nautical miles out, hinder his ability to profit as much as he used too.

“We started out, I’d say about 10 years ago we used to have 190 day red snapper season and we’re down to a, this year we got 49 days for the federal charter for hire industry. We have had as few as 9 days in a year a couple years back, but the seasons have definitely changed. It’s kinda sad in our eyes,” Burkett said.

Representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tell us those regulations are enforced for a reason.

“Conservation laws are in place, you know, to ensure the natural resource is abundant and there for future generations to use,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission representative Rebekah Nelson.

We also reached out to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, who responded with a statement saying in part, NOAA Fisheries regulate fishing to help foster healthy fish populations. It continues to say fish populations can be depleted if they’re caught faster than they can reproduce.

Read the full story at WJHG

LOUISIANA: Illegal Sale of Snapper Leads to Drug Charges

June 20, 2017 — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged commercial fishing and drug violations on June 18 in Terrebonne Parish.

Agents cited Arthur Freeman, 53, of Lockport, for selling fish without a commercial wholesale dealer’s license, failing to complete a trip ticket, possession of marijuana, and failing to comply with the individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for by not giving a three hour notification of selling red snapper, not getting a IFQ confirmation number and not reporting his IFQ landing. Agents arrested Ross Adam, 33, of Grand Isle, for possession of meth, drug paraphernalia and being in possession of a firearm while in possession of an illegal controlled substance. Adam was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

Agents received a tip about two men trying to illegally sell red snapper at a seafood dock in Dulac. Agents arrived on scene and found a vessel with Freeman and Adam on board with eight red snappers totaling 69 pounds. Agents learned that Freeman was attempting to sell the fish for $3 a pound without having a commercial wholesale dealer’s license nor a completed trip ticket.

Agents also found that Freeman did not give the proper three hour notification for the IFQ program and subsequently did not receive a IFQ confirmation number and failed to report the caught red snapper.

Upon inspection of the vessel, agents also found Freeman in possession of marijuana and Adam in possession of meth, two pipes, and a rifle and pistol. Agents seized the snapper and sold them to the highest bidder and the firearms.

Possession of methamphetamine carries up to a $5,000 fine and five years in jail. Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs carries up to a $10,000 fine and five to 10 years of prison.

Selling fish without a wholesale dealer’s license and failing to complete a trip ticket each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to give a three hour notification, receive a IFQ confirmation number and report the red snapper each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.

Read the full story at The Outdoor Wire

39-day red snapper season gives private recreational anglers relief, but future seasons still unsettled

June 17, 2017 — Now that private recreational fishermen are in the first days of the new 39-day red snapper season in federal waters, there’s a lingering question about any future season or seasons for the hundreds of thousands of recreational anglers throughout the five Gulf States.

After Wednesday’s announcement came from the U.S. Department of Commerce, pro-fishing groups proclaimed a long-overdue win for the private recreation fishing community.

During the same hours, groups long aligned with and supporting commercial fishing and the separation of the recreational fishing sector — it’s been three years since these groups pushed for separate seasons for private anglers and for-hire/charterboat interests — decried the move, even to the point of stating the National Marine Fisheries Service indicated red snapper numbers will continue to increase, but at a much slower rate.

None of those claims were revealed in Commerce’s announcement.

The advance of a 39-day season began in the days following the early May proclamation by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that set a three-day, June 1-3, private recreational red snapper season in federal waters, that’s nine miles out to 200 miles into the Gulf.

And Wednesday’s announcement came just hours after U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., the majority whip, was critically wounded while practicing for the annual baseball game between Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate.

“I’d like to offer my thoughts and prayers to Whip Scalise, his staff, the Capitol Police, and their families,” Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross said. “Majority whip Scalise and his staff have been incredibly helpful on this and a host of other issues, and I wish them and the other victims a speedy recovery.”

Tuesday night, on the eve of the announcement, Scalise declared the three-day season “unacceptable.”

Read the full story at The Acadiana Advocate

Federal Managers Continue to Address Red Snapper and Cobia Management

June 16, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida this week, where red snapper and cobia fisheries continued to dominate discussions. The harvest of red snapper is currently prohibited in federal waters ranging from three to 200 miles off the South Atlantic coast as the stock continues to rebuild. The recreational fishery for Atlantic cobia (Georgia to New York) closed in federal waters earlier this year as a result of harvest estimates from NOAA Fisheries showing the annual catch limit was exceeded in 2016.     

The Council received a presentation by NOAA Fisheries during this week’s meeting showing that the estimated number of red snapper removed (landings plus dead discards) exceeded the acceptable biological catch in 2016, a situation that has kept the fishery closed for the past two years under the current management plan. The removals are primarily associated with the recreational fishery where red snapper are captured and released while fishermen target other co-occurring species. Approximately 28% of the fish released by recreational anglers are estimated to die primarily due to barotrauma, the physical damage to body tissues caused by differences in pressure as the fish is being retrieved.     

Meanwhile, Council members, with representatives from both commercial and recreational fisheries, focused on how to allow limited harvest of red snapper beginning in 2018. “Council members and members of the public have repeatedly expressed their frustration at the increasing numbers of red snapper that are being released as this stock recovers,” said Council Chair Dr. Michelle Duval. “While we explore measures to allow limited harvest we must also be cautionary in our approach to not allow overfishing to occur should the fishery reopen next year.”     

After lengthy discussion, the Council approved modifying draft Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to include a single action to revise annual catch limits for red snapper. The draft amendment would remove the current process and equation used to specify the annual catch limit and includes alternatives for establishing an annual catch limit for 2018 ranging from approximately 23,600 to 76,000 fish. The intent is to expedite the amendment by holding public hearings via webinar in August, in-person hearings at the Council’s September meeting, and approving the amendment for Secretarial review at that time. The new measures could be in place in time to allow limited harvest beginning in July of 2018.     

Earlier in the week, the Council hosted a workshop on “Improving the Survival of Released Fish”. Eight speakers presented on best practices for reducing discard mortality, including the use of various descending devices, minimizing handling, and other practices. “These best fishing practices show the cumulative positive affects recreational anglers can have in reducing mortality of fish that are released,” stated Council member Chester Brewer, a recreational representative from West Palm Beach, Florida. “It is imperative that anglers learn about these tools and put them to good use.” Workshop information and the presentations are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/briefing-books/2017-june-council-meeting-briefing-book/.  

Cobia      

Council members continued to address management of Atlantic cobia including a request from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that the Council consider transferring management authority to the Commission. The move would allow additional flexibility between the states for management of the fishery, which primarily occurs in state waters off the northeastern coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The Council decided to move forward to develop an amendment with options for transferring management authority as well as complementary management with the ASMFC.

The Council decided not to pursue taking emergency action to change the management boundary and annual catch limits for Atlantic cobia but did request that NOAA Fisheries recalculate the recreational harvest estimates for 2015 and 2016 as reported through the Marine Recreational Information Program. Fishermen and others have expressed considerable doubt in the estimates, especially for landings off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia. The Council plans to hold a workshop in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in November of this year to address recreational data collection and estimates. A stock assessment for cobia is scheduled to begin in 2018.

Other Business     

The Council approved measures that will allow increases in the harvest of spiny lobster in both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico following a recent stock assessment. Spiny Lobster Regulatory Amendment 4 would increase the acceptable biological catch from 7.32 million pounds to 9.6 million pounds. The amendment would also prohibit the use of traps for recreational harvest of spiny lobster.  The amendment will be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce for formal review and approval.        

After reviewing a white paper, recommendations from its advisory panel, and public comment, the Council voted to move forward with development of an amendment to consider a moratorium on the issuance of federal for-hire snapper grouper permits, using the established control date of June 15, 2016.     

The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be held September 11-15, 2017 in Charleston, SC. Additional information about this week’s meeting, including an interactive story map, meeting report and summary reports from each committee are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/2017-june-council-meeting/. 

Fishermen react to extended red snapper season

June 15, 2017 — Wesley Heimen has been fishing for over 20 years.

The El Campo native woke up to good news Thursday morning that will make his fishing trips in the summer more pleasant.

The agreement between Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Commerce will allow recreational anglers to fish for red snapper in federal and state waters for 39 weekend days beginning Friday and running through Labor Day, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“I found out in the morning from a friend, and I was really excited,” said the 40-year-old. “It’s great that we get the opportunity to fish more in the summer now.”

Fishermen are allowed to fish Friday, Saturday and Sunday with additional open days on July 3, July 4 and Sept. 4.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s old regulation allowed fishing for red snapper for three days from June 1 to June 3.

“We only got three days in the summer session, and now we have 39 weekend days,” Heimen said. “I’m excited for the kids because the red snapper fight hard and they can get some experience catching that type of fish.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife allows fishermen four red snappers in state waters. In federal waters, the NOAA allows two red snappers.

Read the full story at the Victoria Advocate

Red Snapper season extended by 39 days

June 14, 2017 — Red snapper season in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will reopen Friday and extend through Labor Day with certain restrictions, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Wednesday.

The  39-day extension will allow Texas anglers, along with anglers in other gulf states, on private boats to catch red snapper each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during this period. Plus the season will remain open July 3-4 and Sept. 4.

This means anglers may target snapper out to 200 miles from shore during an extra 39 days this summer. In exchange, Texas state waters, which extend out nine nautical miles, will be closed to snapper fishing Monday through Thursday during the extension.

This extension will have no immediate effect on anglers fishing from charter vessels and party boats. Their season began June 1 and runs through July 19, but only in federal waters.

Previously, the summer snapper season for private anglers in federal waters ran from June 1-3 for all gulf states. Texas has a year-round snapper season in state waters, while other gulf states have shorter state seasons.

Anglers on charter vessels and party boats throughout the gulf are not allowed to fish in state waters except during the federal season.

These restrictions are meant to curb overfishing of red snapper, according to federal fisheries managers, which have imposed ever-shortening seasons. The red snapper population is on the rebound, but not fully recovered, according to federal fisheries managers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The size and bag limit for red snapper during the extended federal season will remain the same at two fish that measure at least 16 inches.

Texas rules allow anglers in state waters to keep four fish daily that measure at least 15 inches.The Texas state season will resume after Labor Day.

Florida and Alabama fisheries managers have agreed to forego their fall state-water seasons. Louisiana and Mississippi have agreed to review their fall seasons and may decide to not to reopen their state waters in the fall, according to the Department of Commerce.