Scientific and Statistical Committee Archives - Page 5 of 6

SAFMC News Release: Upcoming Meetings Will Address Federal Fisheries Management Issues

April 7, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Fishermen and others interested in federal fishery management issues will want to mark their calendars for upcoming meetings that may affect fishing for snapper grouper, mackerel, cobia, dolphin and wahoo, as well as policies affecting essential fish habitat and ecosystem-based management and the harvest of spiny lobster. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold several advisory panel meetings as well as a meeting of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the SSC Socio-Economic Panel in the coming weeks. A public hearing for issues affecting spiny lobster will be held via webinar in May.

The Council’s advisory panel members, representing recreational fishermen, charter captains, commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and others knowledgeable about fisheries issues, provide grassroot input into the fishery management process. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and Socio-Economic Panel are responsible for reviewing the scientific basis of Council management plans and actions and developing fishing level recommendations in accordance with national fisheries guidelines. Members of the SSC include stock assessment scientists, economists, biologists, sociologists, and others knowledgeable about fisheries in the South Atlantic.

Additional information about the meetings is listed below, including meeting agendas, overviews, and briefing book materials are posted on the Council’s website (see details below). Members of the public are invited to attend all meetings and encouraged to participate in the spiny lobster public hearing via webinar. The SSC and advisory panel meetings will also be accessible online via webinar as they occur. Webinar registration is required and details are posted on the meeting pages of the website.

Advisory Panel Meeting Agenda Highlights

Meeting Materials: The AP meeting materials and webinar registration information is now available at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/current-advisory-panel-meetings/.

Meeting Locations: With the exception of the Habitat Advisory Panel and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel, all of the following advisory panel meetings will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418, phone: 843/744-4422.

April 17-19, 2017 Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel Meeting

Red snapper management options to reduce discards, improve the survival of released fish, and improve recreational reporting (Amendment 43)
Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendment 26 (Recreational) – measures include modifications to aggregate bag limits, reducing minimum size limits for black sea bass and gray triggerfish, and changes to the current spawning season closure for shallow-water grouper
Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendment 27 (Commercial) – measures include options for split seasons, shallow-water grouper season closure, and trip limits for the Jacks complex
Limited-entry for the for-hire (charter) fishery

April 19-20, 2017 – Mackerel Cobia and Cobia Sub-Panel Advisory Panel Meeting

Updates on Atlantic cobia recreational fishing season, upcoming stock assessment, and ongoing cobia research
Atlantic Spanish mackerel – possible limited entry for federal commercial permits, and gillnet endorsements
King mackerel – latent commercial permits, Atlantic king mackerel trip limits on Spanish mackerel gillnet trips

April 21, 2017 – Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel Meeting

Dolphinfish Research Program presentation
Update on South Atlantic Council actions including recent changes to commercial trip limits for dolphin and the status of electronic reporting requirements for charter vessels
AP input on management options including the definition of Optimum Yield for dolphin,management of annual catch limits, allowable gear in the commercial fishery for dolphin and wahoo, and operator card requirements.

May 16-17, 2017 – Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management

Advisory Panel Meeting

Meeting Location: Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

Continued development of the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plan II
Draft Essential Fish Habitat Policy Statement for Artificial Reefs
Presentation by the Sargasso Sea Commission

May 18-19, 2017 – Law Enforcement Advisory Panel Meeting

Meeting Location: Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

Updates on recent Council actions and the electronic reporting pilot program for charter vessels
Possible changes to Operator Permits to improve utility
Enforcement of fishery closures
Retention of recreational bag limits when citations are issued and other issues

Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and Social & Economic Sub-Panel Meeting – April 24 – April 27, 2017

Analysis of fishing behavior, a socio-economic analysis of the snapper grouper fishery, and economic and social indicators of stock abundance top the agenda for a meeting of the Social & Economic Sub-panel of the Council’s SSC beginning on April 24th. Members of the SSC will then convene for the next three days to discuss scientific issues affecting the upcoming stock assessment for vermilion snapper, golden tilefish projections, approaches for obtaining an acceptable biological catch for red snapper, black sea bass bag and size limit analysis, and uncertainty in the Marine Recreational Information Program estimates and discuss a possible joint meeting of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s SSCs in the future to address these estimates. Public comment will be accepted during the SSC meeting and the meeting is available via webinar. Registration is required. Additional information will be posted at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/scientific-and-statistical-committee-meetings/ as it becomes available. Meeting location: Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

Spiny Lobster Regulatory Amendment 4 Public Hearing via Webinar

May 9, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

Spiny lobster in federal waters from North Carolina to Texas are managed jointly by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The South Atlantic Council will hold a public hearing via webinar to address management measures proposed in Regulatory Amendment 4 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan. Actions in the amendment address biological parameters such as acceptable biological catch (ABC) for spiny lobster in both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico following a recent stock assessment. The amendment would also prevent the use of lobster traps for recreational harvest in federal waters in the South Atlantic. Additional information, including webinar registration and public hearing documents and presentations will be posted at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearing-and-scoping-meeting-schedule/by April 25, 2017.

A PDF copy of this news release is available from the Council’s website.

NEFMC SSC Meeting, Jan. 17, 2017, Live Streaming Information

January 12, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. The public is invited to participate via webinar or telephone. Here are the details.

MEETING LOCATION: Courtyard Marriott, Boston Logan Airport, 225 McClellan Highway. Hotel information is available here.

START TIME: 9:00 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting will be available at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1862035415569459713.

There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8321.

The access code is 830-280-660.

Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC will review information provided by the Council’s Groundfish Plan Development Team and make overfishing level (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for witch flounder for fishing years 2017 and 2018. The SSC also will: (1) receive a presentation on revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act National Standard 1 guidelines; (2) receive an update on the Council’s efforts to develop a worked example of an ecosystem-based fishery management approach for Georges Bank; and (3) discuss other business as necessary.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials are available on the Council’s website at SSC Jan. 17, 2017 meeting.

QUESTIONS: Call Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 106 or email her at joleary@nefmc.org. Or contact Janice Plante using the information below.

Mid-Atlantic Council Initiates Action in Response to Overage of Black Sea Bass Catch Limit

December 21st, 2016 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

On December 15, 2016, at their meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council initiated a framework action to review and modify accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial black sea bass fishery. The Council initiated this action in response to new information from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) indicating that commercial catch in 2015 exceeded the annual catch limit due to higher than anticipated discards. On December 21, NMFS announced a rule which reduced the 2017 commercial quota by 34% in response to this overage, as required by the Council’s AMs.

AMs are measures that are implemented if annual catch targets are exceeded and are intended to mitigate the negative biological impacts of such overages. Commercial AMs for black sea bass currently require pound for pound paybacks through quota deductions in following years, regardless of the circumstances of the overages. The Council initiated a framework action to consider adding flexibility in the commercial AMs based on stock status. The Council intends to develop and implement this framework by mid-2017.

Black sea bass management measures for 2017 may also be modified as a result of a new benchmark stock assessment, which was peer-reviewed this month. According to this assessment, black sea bass are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet in January 2017 to review the assessment and determine if it can be used to inform the Council’s management decisions. If so, the SSC will recommend acceptable biological catch limits for black sea bass for 2017-2019. At their February 2017 meeting in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Council plans to recommend commercial and recreational black sea bass catch and landings limits for 2017-2019 based on this new information. These recommendations are expected to result in a revised 2017 commercial quota that could reduce the magnitude of the reduction needed to address the overage of the 2015 annual catch target.

New England Fishery Management Council Seeks Scientific and Statistical Committee Candidates

November 1, 2016 — The following was released by the NEFMC:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The three-year appointments begin Jan. 1, 2017 and run through Dec. 31, 2020. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2016.

The purpose of the SSC is to assist the Council in the development, collection, and evaluation of statistical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific information relevant to the development of fishery management plans.

SSC nominees should have expertise in statistics, fisheries biology, marine ecology, economics, sociology, anthropology, or other social sciences as they apply to fisheries management. SSC members are expected to provide independent, scientific advice to the Council.

Additional information about SSC responsibilities and details about how to submit nominations is available on the Council website at candidates or announcement.

Information about previous SSC meetings and related business is available at SSC activities.

NEFMC SSC Meeting Live Streaming Information

August 5, 2016 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. The public is invited to participate via webinar or telephone. Here are the details.

MEETING LOCATION: Hilton Garden Inn, Boston Logan Airport, 100 Boardman Street. Hotel information is available here.

START TIME: 9:00 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting will be available here.

There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (914) 614-3221.

The access code is 960-909-979.

Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC will develop overfishing levels (OFLs) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for (1) Georges Bank yellowtail flounder for fishing year 2017; (2) monkfish for fishing years 2017-2019; and (3) Atlantic deep-sea red crab for fishing years 2017-2019. The SSC also may take up other business as necessary.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials are available on the Council’s website at SSC Aug. 10, 2016 meeting.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Measures for 2016-18 Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fisheries

April 26, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries announces the 2016-18 management measures for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries.

Atlantic Mackerel Fishery

As of May 26, we are decreasing the Atlantic mackerel commericial quota to 9,177 mt and the recreational quota to 614 mt because catches have remained low since 2011,and the last stock assessment for mackerel was in 2010. Without a new stock assessment the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee decided to base the 2016-18 Acceptable Biological Catch on 50% of the long-term median catch.

To keep the catch cap on river herring and shad in the mackerel fishery proportional with the quota, we are reducing it from 89 mt to 82 mt.

Squid and Butterfish Management Controls

This action requires longfin squid and butterfish moratorium permit holders to use 3-inch mesh when possessing more than 5,000 lbs, up from 2,500 lbs, and clarifies that 5-inch (square or diamond) or greater strengtheners may be used outside the 3-inch mesh to avoid breaking nets during large hauls. These measures go into effect on May 26.

As of April 26, vessels with a longfin squid and butterfish moratorium permit are no longer required to call into the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS).

For more information on these management measures, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today and the fishery bulletin pdf posted on our website.

South Atlantic Council to Convene Scientific & Statistical Committee and Socio-Economic Panel on May 3-5, 2016 in Charleston, SC

April 22, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAFMC Scientific & Statistical Committee and Socio-Economic Panel Scheduled to Meet May 3-5,2016 in Charleston, SC.

Socio-Economic Panel Meeting (May 3, 2016, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM)

Agenda items include a discussion of Optimum Yield, review of an economic decision tool for Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 dealing with hogfish, provide input on red snapper management, and discuss recent and upcoming council actions in the South Atlantic region.

Scientific & Statistical Committee Meeting (May 3-5, 2016)

The SSC will review and provide input on proposed management measures for hogfish, mutton snapper, and electronic reporting in the for-hire sector; review the stock assessments and provide fishing level recommendations for red snapper; and more.

NEFMC January 20, 2016 SSC Meeting Webinar Information

January 20,2016 — The following was released by the New England Fisheries Management Council:

Dear Interested Parties:

Meeting: The public is invited to listen in to the January 20, 2016 Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting (SSC). It is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Boston Logan Airport, 100 Boardman Street.

Location: Use this link Hilton Garden Inn for further information about the venue.

Webinar Registration: See https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/275069593350454785 for online access.

The webinar will be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST .

Charges for Listening: There are no charges if you access the webinar via your computer. If dialing in, your normal phone charges will apply.

Dial in number: Toll: +1 (415) 930-5321

Access Code: 370-792-963

Meeting Materials: Please consult the Council’s website http://www.nefmc.org/calendar/jan.-20-2016-ssc-meeting where you will find an agenda and copies of the materials to be considered.

Questions: If you have questions prior to or during the meeting, feel free to call Pat Fiorelli the Council office at (978) 465-0492 ext. 106, or otherwise send her an email at pfiorelli@nefmc.org.

New England Fishery Management Council seeks candidates

November 5, 2015 — The New England Fishery Management Council announced in a news release that it is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee.

Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by other individuals or organizations. Nominees must submit a resume or curriculum vitae. A summary of qualifications, including length and type of relevant experience must also be included. Appointments are for three years, with the term beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2018.

Read the full report by Penobscot Bay Press

NEFMC Seeking Scientific and Statistical Committee Members

October 23, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The NEFMC seeks applicants who are interested in serving on its Scientific and Statistical Committee for the upcoming three-year term, beginning in January 2016. The Council may potentially fill more than one vacancy. Qualified individuals should have demonstrated expertise in one of the following: as an economist, fisheries scientist with expertise in population biology, or in marine ecosystems. The deadline for applications is November 18.

If you are having trouble opening the attachment which contains more complete details, please go to the Council’s website – RequestforSSCApplicants_3-yr-term.pdf. If you have questions about the SSC, the work it does and the time commitment required, please contact Chris Kellogg at ckellogg@nefmc.org or 978 465 0492, ext. 112.

View a PDF of the Notice