Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Announces a Delay in the Effective Date for the Final Rule to Require Turtle Excluder Device Use for all Skimmer Trawl Vessels 40 Feet and Greater in Length

March 30, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries is delaying the effective date of the final rule amending the definition of tow time and requiring the use of TEDs designed to exclude small sea turtles in their nets in skimmer trawls 40 feet in length and greater in the Southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries until August 1, 2021.
  • Safety and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have limited our Gear Monitoring Team’s ability to complete the in-person workshops and training sessions on the final rule that we had anticipated and communicated to the public.
  • The delay in the effective date is to allow NOAA Fisheries additional time for training fishermen, ensuring TEDs are built and installed properly, and for responding to installation and maintenance problems when the regulations go in effect.
  • NOAA Fisheries outreach strategy will use social media, targeted virtual meetings and dockside workshops, instructional videos, digital media, and the establishment of a role-based social media and email account (info@noaa.gov).
  • NOAA Fisheries is also considering taking additional action to protect sea turtles in skimmer trawl fisheries. Specifically, NOAA Fisheries is reconsidering the potential expansion of TED requirements for skimmer trawl vessels less than 40 feet in length and whether additional rulemaking is currently warranted.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

By August 1, 2021, skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and greater in length that are rigged for fishing are required to install TEDs in their nets. For the purposes of this rule, vessel length is the length specified on the vessel’s state registration or the U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation required to be onboard the vessel while fishing.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

  • The final rule delays the effective date from April 1, 2021 to August 1, 2021.
  • NOAA Fisheries has made no other changes to the regulations that were published in the skimmer trawl final rule.

Where can I find more information on the Final Rule delaying the effective date of the Skimmer Trawl Rule, the Skimmer Trawl Final Rule, and TED Outreach?

Southern Shrimp Alliance critical of US Customs Working Group’s forced labor recommendations

March 26, 2021 — The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) has come out in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CPB) new directorate to make forced labor a priority trade issue, while simultaneously opposing the recommendations of the Forced Labor Working Group of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (CCOAP).

The working group is an advisory group consisting of private businesses and non-governmental organizations that aim to offer clarity and aid to CBP in its efforts to regulate U.S. imports.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Sediment diversion project could drastically alter Louisiana shrimp, oyster fisheries

March 18, 2021 — A U.S. Corps of Engineers environmental impact statement for the planned USD 2 billion (EUR 1.67 billion) Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project acknowledges it will drastically alter the south Louisiana shrimp and oyster fisheries.

“Moderate to major, adverse, permanent direct and indirect impacts are anticipated on shrimp fisheries in the project area due to expected negligible to minor, permanent, beneficial impacts on white shrimp, and major, permanent, adverse impacts on brown shrimp abundance,” an executive summary of the report, issued on 5 March, stated.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

SAFMC Chooses Preferred Management Measures for Dolphin and Wahoo Fisheries

March 5, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

During its meeting this week, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council chose preferred management alternatives affecting Dolphin and Wahoo harvested in federal waters along the entire Atlantic coast. The proposed measures, as outlined in Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan, would reduce the current recreational vessel limit for Dolphin from 60 fish to 48 fish per vessel while maintaining the 10 fish per person/day bag limit and reduce the daily bag limit for Wahoo from 2 fish to 1 fish per person/day. Reductions in harvest are intended to help prevent seasonal closures that could be imposed should catch levels be exceeded.

Regional differences in the Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries became the focus of discussion as members of the Council reviewed concerns expressed during public hearings held in late January. Fishermen in South Florida and the Keys, including charter captains, have expressed concerns about catching fewer Dolphin and encountering smaller fish over the past few years and have requested the Council take action to reduce harvest. Further north, charter captains and other fishermen have raised objections to the proposed reductions, noting the importance of maintaining higher vessel limits for trips that require much farther runs offshore.

“We’ve heard from constituents and advisory panel members and believe their observations. Looking at the various management scenarios for both Dolphin and Wahoo, the Council compromised to reduce catches while addressing concerns of fishermen dependent on these valuable recreational fisheries,” explained Council Chair Mel Bell. “There are many variables affecting these migratory fisheries, including international harvest, environmental conditions, and other factors. We don’t have a clear sense of what the problem is and we’re being more preventative than curative at this point,” said Bell.

Amendment 10 also includes updates to annual catch limits, modifications to sector allocations, and changes to accountability measures designed to ensure the catch levels are not exceeded for both Dolphin and Wahoo. Proposed management measures would also allow properly permitted commercial fishing vessels with trap, pot or buoy gear onboard to retain up to 500 pounds (gutted weight) of Dolphin and remove the Operator Card requirement for for-hire and commercial fishermen in the Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo fishery. After considering recommendations from its advisory panels and public comment, the Council removed an action that would have allowed filleting Dolphin at sea on for-hire vessels in federal waters north of the NC/VA border. The Council is scheduled to approve Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 10 for review by the Secretary of Commerce during its June meeting.

Other Business:

Red Snapper
NOAA Fisheries provided an update on the recreational Red Snapper Season for 2021. Due to delays from COVID-19, some landings data from 2020 are not yet available. Those data are expected in May 2021. NOAA Fisheries intends to announce the 2021 season as soon as data are available and evaluated. If a season is allowed, the recreational season for Red Snapper begins on the second Friday in July. The number of fishing days is determined by NOAA Fisheries based on catch estimates from the previous season. The recreational season was open for four days in 2020 and five days in 2019.

A new stock assessment for Red Snapper will be reviewed by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) during its meeting in late April. The Council will receive an overview of the assessment and the SSC’s recommendations during its June meeting. The Council discussed management options for considering the stock assessment results in setting the 2021 catch levels and requested that staff determine if an abbreviated framework can be used to adjust catch levels and if so, prepare such an amendment for Council review at their June 2021 meeting. The Council will also move forward with a plan amendment to modify annual catch limits, allocations, and other management measures necessary as a result of the stock assessment.

King Mackerel, Red Porgy, Snowy Grouper and Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area
The Council continued work on management measures addressing Atlantic migratory group King Mackerel to address the recent stock assessment update that found the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. The measures, originally included in Framework Amendment 10 and now Amendment 34 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan, would modify annual catch limits and sector allocations, increase the recreational bag limit and possession limits off the coast of Florida, reduce the minimum size limits for both commercial and recreational sectors, and allow retention of “cut off” King and Spanish Mackerel by recreational fishermen as is allowed for the commercial sector. Public hearings on the amendment will be scheduled following the Council’s June meeting.

Proposed management measures for Red Porgy to end overfishing and rebuild the stock continued to be reviewed in Amendment 50 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, with public hearings scheduled this summer. The Council reviewed recent stock assessment results for Snowy Grouper and recommendations from its SSC and will begin developing an amendment to address management measures. The Council also approved Coral Amendment 10 for public hearings to be held prior to the Council’s June meeting. The amendment addresses a Shrimp Fishery Access Area for rock shrimp along the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern off the east coast of Florida.

Additional information about this week’s meeting, including a meeting Story Map, committee reports, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently scheduled for June 14-18, 2021 in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Reminder: SAFMC March 1-5, 2021 Meeting via Webinar

February 23, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as they convene their quarterly meeting next week, March 1-5, 2021. The meeting will be held via webinar and is available to the public as it occurs. A single webinar registration will allow access to each day of the meeting. Register now to receive email reminders as the meeting date approaches. Additional materials and meeting details are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights

  • Amendment 10 to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan
    • The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will review recent public comments and continue to work on the amendment with actions to modify catch levels and sector allocations for both Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce recreational vessel limits for Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce bag limits for Wahoo and other measures affecting the fishery along the Atlantic coast.
  • Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Coral Amendment 10) – a public hearing on proposed measures will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • Snapper Grouper Committee will address:
    • Red Porgy – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50) – management measures to end overfishing and rebuild the stock
    • Greater Amberjack – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 49) – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations
    • Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program – proposed changes to modernize the existing program. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • King Mackerel – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below).

The meeting begins Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. with a meeting of the Full Council. Meetings of the Council’s committees will continue through the week, concluding with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday, March 5th.

Public Comment Session – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council will accept public comment on agenda items during this time. In addition, public hearing comments specific to Coral Amendment 10 (Shrimp Fishery Access Areas) and scoping comments for the Wreckfish ITQ Program and proposed management options for King Mackerel will also be solicited. A separate registration is required to provide public comment.

All meeting materials, the online comment form, and webinar registration information is available by selecting the appropriate tab from the March 2021 Council meeting page at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Meeting Materials and Online Public Comment Form Now Available for SAFMC March 1-5, 2021 Meeting via Webinar

February 16, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting materials for the upcoming March 1-5, 2021 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are now available, including the meeting week agenda and individual committee agendas and overviews. An online public comment form is also available.

The meeting will be held via webinar and is available to the public as it occurs. A single webinar registration will allow access to each day of the meeting. Register now to receive email reminders as the meeting date approaches. Additional materials and meeting details are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights

  • Amendment 10 to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan
    • The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will review recent public comments and continue to work on the amendment with actions to modify catch levels and sector allocations for both Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce recreational vessel limits for Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce bag limits for Wahoo and other measures affecting the fishery along the Atlantic coast.
  • Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Coral Amendment 10) – a public hearing on proposed measures will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • Snapper Grouper Committee will address:
    • Red Porgy – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50) – management measures to end overfishing and rebuild the stock
    • Greater Amberjack – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 49) – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations
    • Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program – proposed changes to modernize the existing program. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • King Mackerel – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below).

The meeting begins Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. with a meeting of the Full Council. Meetings of the Council’s committees will continue through the week, concluding with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday, March 5th.

Public Comment Session – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council will accept public comment on agenda items during this time. In addition, public hearing comments specific to Coral Amendment 10 (Shrimp Fishery Access Areas) and scoping comments for the Wreckfish ITQ Program and proposed management options for King Mackerel will also be solicited. A separate registration is required to provide public comment.

All meeting materials, the online comment form, and webinar registration information is available by selecting the appropriate tab from the March 2021 Council meeting page at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Reminder: SAFMC Seeks Input on Proposed Red Porgy Management Measures; Shrimp Fishery Access in Deepwater Coral Habitat Area

February 2, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Public scoping meetings begin this week via webinar as members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council solicit comment on measures proposed for the Red Porgy fishery in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the east coast of Florida. The Council is also soliciting public input on an action to establish a rock shrimp fishery access area in the Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern, a deepwater coral area located off the east coast of Florida.

Provide your comments on proposed management measures directly to Council members via webinar during the scoping meetings or review the scoping materials and provide written comment using online comment forms. Details are available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Red Porgy (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50)

A recent stock assessment determined the Red Porgy stock is experiencing overfishingand the stock continues to be overfished despite a rebuilding plan being in place. Significant reductions in harvest are proposed in Amendment 50 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The amendment also includes measures to adjust catch levels and allocations based on revisions to recreational estimates from NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP).

Red Porgy Public Scoping Webinars:

Learn more and access the online comment form at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Rock Shrimp Fishery Access

(Coral Amendment 10)

The amendment contains a single action to establish a rock shrimp fishery access area along the eastern edge of the northern extension of the Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern. The action would provide limited access to traditional fishing grounds.

Shrimp Fishery Access Scoping Webinars:

Learn more and access the online comment form at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Southeast Regional Permits Office Will Start Issuing Operator Permits on Paper Effective Immediately

January 26, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • An operator permit is required for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic, and for rock shrimp of the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic.
  • Effective immediately, the NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region Permit Office will no longer be issuing an operator permit for these fisheries on a plastic card, but will be issuing the permit on paper.
  • In addition, beginning in February 2021, if an applicant selects the “Check here to receive your operator permit by email” box on the application, the operator permit will be emailed to the applicant upon approval and the applicant can print it. Otherwise, if the applicant does not select the “Check here to receive your operator permit by email” box on their application to the Southeast Region Permit Office, the operator permit will be printed out on paper and mailed to them from the Southeast Region Permit Office.

Who is required to have an operator permit?

  • An operator of a vessel that has, or is required to have, a commercial vessel permit or a charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo.
  • An operator of a vessel that has, or is required to have, a commercial vessel permit for rock shrimp (Carolinas Zone) or a commercial vessel permit for rock shrimp (South Atlantic federal waters).
  • More information on operator permits can be found here for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic, and here for rock shrimp of the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic.

How will I receive my approved operator permit?

Starting February 2021, if the applicant selects the “Check here to receive your operator permit by email” box on the paper application, the operator permit will be sent to the email address provided.

What if I still want my approved operator permit mailed to me instead of emailed?

While the email address is a required field on the application, unless the applicant selects the “Check here to receive your operator permit by email” box, we will print and mail the paper operator permit from the Southeast Region Permit Office.

Read the full release here

NFI gearing up for virtual Global Seafood Market Conference, webinar series

January 19, 2021 — The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has launched a webinar series intended to provide analysis of the latest trends affecting the global seafood industry.

The largest U.S. seafood trade group began hosting biweekly Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) webinars last week, with a focus on the global shrimp trade, which like most seafood categories, experienced wild fluctuations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. SeafoodSource is providing exclusive coverage of the GSMC Webinar series, which will be providing comprehensive market content throughout 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Bait and Switch: Mislabeled Salmon, Shrimp Have Biggest Environmental Toll

January 14, 2021 — Seafood is the world’s most highly traded food commodity, by value, and the product is hard to track from source to market. Reports of seafood mislabeling have increased over the past decade, but few studies have considered the overall environmental effects of this deceptive practice.

A study by Arizona State University, the University of Washington and other institutions examined the impacts of seafood mislabeling on the marine environment, including population health, the effectiveness of fishery management, and marine habitats and ecosystems.

Read the full story at Seafood News