Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Announces Modifications to South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing Seasons

October 13, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 33).  This final rule allows the South Atlantic red snapper fishing season to be less than four days.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective November 13, 2020.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR RED SNAPPER:

The final rule removes the minimum season length requirement, and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less.  The removal of this requirement improves access to the red snapper resource.

Read the full release here

These inexpensive tools could help increase Gulf fish stocks, advocates say

October 8, 2020 — Sport-fishing groups and federal officials say mandating that offshore anglers carry a simple $12 tool could help sustain red snapper and other fish stocks in the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. House last week passed the Descend Act, which requires recreational, commercial and charter boats to carry a venting tool or a descending device while fishing for reef fish in the Gulf’s federal waters.

Here’s the problem: Red snapper and other reef fish are often returned to the water for a variety of reasons. For instance, they might be caught out of season, undersize or over the catch limit.

The rapid change in pressure from being brought to the surface from deeper waters causes many of these fish to experience barotrauma. The condition causes gas pressure to build up in the fish’s body, making it difficult or impossible to swim back down to its normal depth. As a result, many fish die at the surface or fall victim to predators.

Read the full story at Houma Today

SAFMC: Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Meetings of Interest

October 6, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Offshore fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries management for such species as Dolphin, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, snappers and grouper may want to mark your calendar for upcoming meetings. Join meetings via webinar as fishery managers, scientists, advisory panel members and others discuss fisheries issues.

Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews and briefing book materials for the meetings will be posted on the Council’s website as they become available. Links to webinar registration for each meeting will be available and an online public comment form provided as appropriate. Register early for a meeting and receive an email reminder as the meeting date approaches.

Upcoming Meetings via Webinar:

Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel
October 8
1 PM – 5 PM

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee
October 13-15
9 AM – 5 PM daily

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
October 21-22
9 AM – 4 PM and 9 AM – 12 PM

Wreckfish ITQ Shareholders and Wholesale Dealers Meeting
October 26
1:30 PM – 4 PM

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel
October 28
8:30 AM – 5 PM

Joint South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Scientific and Statistical Committees
October 30
9 AM – 1 PM

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
November 2
1 PM – 5 PM

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
November 4-6
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM; 9 AM – 4 PM; and 9 AM-12 PM

SAFMC Meeting – Recreational Fisheries Issues
November 9
10 AM – 4 PM

Coral Advisory Panel and Deep Water Shrimp Advisory Panel
November 10
1 PM – 3 PM

SAFMC Executive Committee Meeting
November 12
10 AM – 12 PM

SAFMC December Meeting
December 7-10

‘Great Red Snapper Count’ finds abundance in Gulf

October 5, 2020 — Scientists have presented findings to Congress that report there are more red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico than previously known, information that could affect future management of the fishery.

According to a summary by Chris Oliver, assistant fisheries administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the new information comes from the Great Red Snapper Count, a survey conducted by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University. On Thursday, a team from the Harte Institute briefed members of Congress on their findings.

“First, the welcome news,” wrote Oliver. “(B)ased on this study, there are more red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico that previously thought, possibly up to three times as many. We can all agree that’s a good thing.”

The Great Red Snapper Count began in 2016 when $10 million in federal funding was made available for a study. The goal for the two-year project was to create an independent estimate of the snapper population in the Gulf. The Harte Institute summed up the problem:

Read the full story at AL.com

Behind the Scenes of the Most Consumed Seafood

October 1, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Shrimp, tuna, clams—the most popular seafood items in the United States are familiar names to both seafood lovers and the occasional consumer. You may have wondered about the environmental impact of consuming more of a popular product.

We’ve got good news: U.S. seafood is sustainable seafood! Thanks to our robust quotas, retention limits, and other management measures, you can be confident that U.S. seafood products were harvested sustainably.

Around 75 percent of the shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of Mexico. Three species dominate the catch there: white shrimp, pink shrimp, and brown shrimp. Each of these species currently have population levels above the targets set by scientists.

Federally permitted shrimp fishermen are required to report their landings. They also provide information on fishing effort, including the number of fishing trips they take. The data is used in shrimp stock assessments and to support the sustainable management of red snapper. Depending on the gear they use, shrimpers must also use special equipment that reduces incidental catch, including sea turtle bycatch.

Read the full release here

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting September 14-17, 2020

September 9, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s quarterly September meeting will be held next week via webinar. The meeting is available to the public via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance by visiting the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/september-2020-council-meeting-details/.

Meeting materials, including committee agendas and overviews, decision documents, and presentations are also posted on the website.

Note! A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form is also now available.

Additional Information:

Information for the September 2020 meeting and other meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. For questions, please contact: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or by phone at 843/302-8440.

Commercial Closure for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 5, 2020

August 31, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 5, 2020. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited.

All harvest or possession of red snapper in or from federal waters is now prohibited, as the recreational fishing season is also closed for 2020.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2020 commercial catch limit is 124,815 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the annual catch limit from being exceeded.

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 prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for red snapper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on September 5, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Unless specified otherwise, commercial harvest will open on July 12, 2021, for the 2021 commercial fishing season.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

NOAA Fisheries Announces a Delay in Effective Date for New For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements in the Atlantic

August 7, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries is delaying the effective date of the final rule to implement the South Atlantic For-Hire Reporting Amendment. The final rule establishes electronic reporting requirements for vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper and modifies the reporting deadline for headboats.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The rule will be effective on January 4, 2021.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

  • No action is required by federally permitted charter fishermen at this time. NOAA Fisheries will send more information in the fall of 2020. If you have questions, please call 833-707-1632
  • The final rule requires weekly electronic reporting for federally permitted charter fishermen and modifies the reporting deadline for headboats starting January 4, 2021.
  • The requirements for weekly electronic reporting apply to charter vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    Charter fishermen must report information such as trip start and end dates and times, species kept and discarded, fishing location, depth fished, hours fished, and charter fee.
  • Electronic reports from charter fishermen are due by Tuesday following the end of each reporting week, which runs from Monday through Sunday.
  • Charter fishermen can report using their computer, smartphone, or tablet with access to the internet. Reporting must be through software approved by NOAA Fisheries for this program.  NOAA Fisheries will send information on approved software and how to use it through a toolkit mailed to each permit holder in fall of 2020.  This information will also be posted to our website.
  • Headboat vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper will continue to submit reports to the Southeast Headboat Survey but will be required to submit electronic fishing reports by Tuesday following a reporting week, rather than by Sunday.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 47917, published August 7, 2020

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

Reminder – Advisory Panel Seats Open

August 3, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens.

Most of the seats on advisory panels are allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

  • Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
    (1) NC Recreational Seat, (1) SC Recreational Seat, and
    (1) At-Large Research Scientist Seat
  • Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
    (1) Commercial Seat and (1) Recreational Seat
  • Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
    (1) NGO Seat and (2) Open Seats
  • Outreach and Communication Advisory Panel
    (1) Open Seat, (1) Recreational Seat, and (1) Media Seat
  • Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
    (3) NC Seats, (3) SC Seats, (1) GA Seat, and (6) FL Seats

How to Apply
Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the Council’s website at safmc.net/council-members/ or through the Council office.

Applications must be received by August 10, 2020 for consideration by the Council during its September 14-18, 2020 meeting scheduled via webinar.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — 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., local time on August 11, 2020. 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 sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new catch limit from being exceeded.

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 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.