Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Announces Correction to Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan

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

NOAA Fisheries announces a correction to the final rule of Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan originally published on April 27, 2020. A minor error in the body of the original rule listed the new barndoor skate wing possession limits in Season 2 as 1,025 lb (465 kg), which was the old limit. This has been corrected to the accurate, increased limit of 1,250 lb (567 kg).

These values were correct in the proposed rule and the regulatory text of the final action, so this rule simply corrects the minor error in the text of the body of the Federal Register notice. This action does not make any changes to the regulatory text, specifications, or management measures.

For more details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register. You can also find the original final rule for Framework 8 in the Federal Register.

NOAA Fisheries Approves Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan

April 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are implementing Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. Framework 8 increases 2020-2021 skate fishery total allowable landings by 13 percent, and increases seasonal trip limits for the wing and bait fisheries to provide additional flexibility to fishermen. Specifically, this final rule will:

  • Increase the annual catch limit for the skate complex 4-percent to 32,715 mt
  • Increase total allowable landings of skate wings 13-percent to 11,879 mt
  • Increase the total allowable landings of skate bait 13-percent to 5,984 mt
  • Increase the bait fishery Season 3 possession limit to 25,000 lb
  • Increase the wing fishery Season 1 possession limit to 3,000 lb
  • Increase the wing fishery Season 2 possession limit to 5,000 lb
  • Increase the barndoor skate possession limit in the wing fishery to 750 lb in Season 1, and to 1,250 lb in Season 2

All other management measures and requirements, including incidental possession limits of 500 lb in the wing fishery and 8,000 lb in the bait fishery, remain unchanged. These measures will be effective for the start of the fishing year on May 1, 2020.

For more details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register, or the bulletin posted on our website.

NEFMC Skate, Scallop, EBFM, and SSC Webinars: Join-In, Listen Live, Get Documents

March 23, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold several advisory panel (AP) and committee meetings via webinar in late-March to discuss issues related to skates, scallops, and ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM). The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee also will meet by webinar.

Here are three important notes that apply to all of the webinar meetings.

  • Anyone who wants to provide oral comments during one of the webinar meetings MUST register for the webinar. The telephone call-in option by itself will not let you speak unless you register first. When you register, you will be given a PIN number that you’ll need to enter when prompted after you dial-in with your phone. Many participates simply use the microphone and speaker options on their computers instead of calling in after registering for the webinar. Please be aware that if you dial-in, your regular phone charges will apply.
  • Instructions for how to provide oral comments during webinar meetings can be found in the Council’s “Remote Participation” guide.
  • The Council has a deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at its meetings. Individual deadlines are listed below, but the submission address is the same for all meetings. Address comments with an appropriate subject line to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org. The address for mailing comments is: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill #2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

Here’s what’s in the queue for the rest of March.

SKATE ADVISORY PANEL AND SKATE COMMITTEE: The Skate AP and Skate Committee will meet jointly via webinar on Thursday, March 26, 2020 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SKATE WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Register Now for the Skate AP/Committee webinar.

SKATE CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8321. The access code is 346-538-257.

AGENDA: The Skate AP and Skate Committee will discuss issues related to potential limited access, skate fishing communities, and Council research priorities. Details are available in the meeting notice and agenda.

SKATE COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials are posted on the Council’s website at Skate AP/Committee March 26, 2020 webinar documents.

SCALLOP ADVISORY PANEL: The Scallop AP also will meet via webinar on Thursday, March 26, 2020 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SCALLOP AP WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Register Now for the Scallop Advisory Panel webinar.

SCALLOP AP CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 930-5321. The access code is 924-004-372.

AGENDA: The Scallop AP will receive an update on Framework Adjustment 32 and work to finalize the range of alternatives in Amendment 21. Details are available in the meeting notice.

SCALLOP AP COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials will be posted on the Council’s website at Scallop AP March 26, 2020 webinar documents.

SCALLOP COMMITTEE: The Scallop Committee will meet via webinar on Friday, March 27, 2020 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SCALLOP COMMITTEE WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Register Now for the Scallop Committee webinar.

SCALLOP COMMITTEE CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (872) 240-3311. The access code is 502-063-709.

AGENDA: The Scallop Committee will receive an update on Framework Adjustment 32 and work to finalize the range of alternatives in Amendment 21. Details are available in the meeting notice.

SCALLOP COMMITTEE COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials will be posted on the Council’s website at Scallop Committee March 27, 2020 webinar documents.

EBFM COMMITTEE AND PLAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (PDT): The Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee and EBFM PDT will meet jointly via webinar on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 beginning at roughly 11:00 a.m. or as soon as the State of the Ecosystem Report* discussion at the simultaneous Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting is finished.

EBFM COMMITTEE/PDT WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Register Now for the EBFM/PDT webinar.

EBFM COMMITTEE/PDT CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 655-0052. The access code is 933-669-071.

AGENDA: In addition to the State of the Ecosystem Report*, the EBFM Committee and PDT will discuss issues related to public outreach related to EBFM and the Council’s example Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Georges Bank. Details are available in the meeting notice.

EBFM COMMITTEE/PDT COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials will be posted on the Council’s website at EBFM Committee/PDT March 31, 2020 webinar documents.

SCIENTIFIC AND STATISTICAL COMMITTEE (SSC)*: The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet via webinar on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to listen live.

SSC WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Register Now for the SSC webinar.

SSC CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (631) 992-3221. The access code is 157-256-431.

AGENDA: The SSC will receive a presentation on the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s State of the Ecosystem 2020 report and provide recommendations on suggested revisions. The SSC also will discuss other business as necessary.

SSC COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020.

MATERIALS: Meeting materials are posted on the Council’s website at SSC March 31, 2020 webinar meeting documents.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE WEBINAR MEETINGS: Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

NEFMC Roundup – Herring, EBFM, Skates, Red Hake, January 2020 Meeting

February 5, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Here are several timely management actions that directly relate to the work of the New England Fishery Management Council.

ATLANTIC HERRING SPECIFICATIONS:  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) is collecting public comment through February 12, 2020 on Framework Adjustment 6 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP).  This framework was developed by the Council to set specifications and catch limits for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years and update the overfished and overfishing definitions for Atlantic herring.  Visit the Council’s Framework 6 webpage.  Stakeholders also may want to keep tabs on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s progress on Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Atlantic Herring FMP, which may impact how the Area 1A quota is allocated.
 
ATLANTIC HERRING ASSESSMENT:  Atlantic herring is one of several stocks undergoing a management track assessment in 2020.  An Assessment Oversight Panel (AOP) meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2020 in Woods Hole, MA.  The agenda and webinar registration information can be found on the meeting webpage.  Discussions related to Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, and longfin inshore squid are scheduled for the afternoon.  Surfclams, ocean quahogs, and butterfish are on deck in the morning.  The assessment peer review meeting for Atlantic herring and the other stocks mentioned above is scheduled for June 22-26, 2020.
 
EBFM CONTRACTOR:  The Council is seeking a contractor to prepare Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management-related public outreach materials.  Letters of interest and supporting documents must be received by February 14, 2020.  Details are available at EBFM Outreach.  Here’s a link to the announcement.
 
SKATES:  NOAA Fisheries is collecting public comment through March 6, 2020 on Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP.  The framework was developed by the Council to set skate wing and skate bait specifications for the 2020-2021 fishing years.  Visit the Council’s Skate Framework Adjustment 8 webpage for more information.
 
RED HAKE:  On February 3, NOAA Fisheries reduced the commercial possession limit for southern red hake from 5,000 pounds to the incidental limit of 400 pounds per trip for the remainder of the fishing year, which ends April 30.  The agency took this action after projecting that 90% of the total allowable landings limit would be reached on or around February 2.  Details are available in the Federal Register notice.  The Council is working on an action to rebuild southern red hake.  Visit the Council’s whiting webpageand take a look at materials from the last Joint Whiting Committee and Advisory Panel meeting and January 2020 Council meeting.  The Council will be sending out additional information about this action in the near future.
 
NEFMC JANUARY 2020 MEETING:  The full New England Council met January 28-30, 2020 in Portsmouth, NH.  Visit the meeting webpage to access the audio and all meeting materials.  Among the many topics covered, the Council discussed how it uses sociocultural information in its process.  Take a look at the presentation and report.  Also, here’s a list of news releases from the meeting.
SAVE THE DATE:  The Council’s next meeting will be held April 14-16, 2020 in Mystic, CT.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Modifications to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan

February 5, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Framework 8 includes 2020-2021 Specifications and increased seasonal possession limits for the wing and bait fisheries to provide additional flexibility to fishermen. We propose to:

  • Increase the annual catch limit for the skate complex to 32,715 mt from 31,327 mt in 2019.
  • Increase total allowable landings of skate wings to 11,879 mt from 10,499 mt in 2019.
  • Increase the total allowable landings of skate bait to 5,984 mt from 5,289 mt in 2019.
  • Increase the bait fishery Season 3 possession limit to 25,000 lb from 12,000 lb.
  • Increase the wing fishery Season 1 possession limit to 3,000 lb from 2,600 lb.
  • Increase the wing fishery Season 2 possession limit to 5,000 lb from 4,100 lb.
  • Increase the barndoor skate possession limit in the wing fishery from 650 lb to 750 lb in Season 1, and from 1,025 lb to 1,250 lb in Season 2.

To get all the details on these proposed modifications, read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register today.

We are accepting comments through March 6, 2020.

Please submit comments either through the online e-rulemaking portal or by mailing your comments to:

Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA, 01930.

Please mark the outside of the envelope, “Comments on the Proposed Rule for Skate Framework 8.”

NOAA: Gulf of Maine skate makes comeback

January 6, 2020 — After nine years in a rebuilding plan with strict management, including a prohibition on landings, Gulf of Maine smooth skate was declared rebuilt in 2018.

The declaration was included in “Status of U.S. Fisheries Annual Report to Congress,” prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and submitted to lawmakers this fall.

The report details the status of 479 federally managed stocks or stock complexes in the U.S. in an effort to identify which stocks are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are rebuilt to sustainable levels.

Building on a trend of the past few years, the report noted that the vast majority of U.S. fish stocks were at sustainable population levels in 2018, and the number of U.S. fish stocks subject to overfishing remains at a near all-time low.

According to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, the Northeast skate complex fishery includes seven skate species and operates from Maine to North Carolina. The bottom-dwelling, kite-shaped skate is taken with long lines and gill nets, both as a targeted fishery and as by catch.

Read the full story at Wicked Local

NEFMC Receives Skate, Herring, Dogfish, and EBFM Updates

December 5, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council began its December 3-5, 2019 meeting in Newport, RI by receiving numerous reports and updates from its own committees, as well as partner agencies. Here are a few highlights.

SKATES: The Council’s Skate Committee, Plan Development Team (PDT), and Advisory Panel (AP) continue to work on Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The amendment is being developed to consider creating limited access permits for the skate wing and/or skate bait fisheries. The PDT is working to provide data to help the the Skate Committee and AP better understand the fisheries and fishermen using the skate resource. In other skate news, the Council was informed that:

  • The 2019 Skate Annual Monitoring Report, which covers fishing year 2018, had been finalized; and
  • Framework Adjustment 8 to the FMP, which contains 2020-2021 specifications for the skate wing and bait fisheries, appeared to be on schedule for approval and implementation by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) in time for the May 1 start of the 2020 fishing year.

Read the full release here

NEFMC Approves 2020-2021 Skate Specifications

September 25, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has approved Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework contains specifications for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years, including total allowable landings (TALs) for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries that are slightly higher than current landing limits.

The Council adopted a 32,715 metric ton (mt) acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the skate complex based on advice from its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). This is 1,388 mt higher than what’s now in place. The Council supported the modest increase after the SSC determined it was scientifically justified and because the increase should allow the fishery to achieve optimum yield.

Under the skate plan, the annual catch limit (ACL) is equal to the ABC. Deductions from the ACL are made to account for: (1) management uncertainty; (2) projected dead discards; and (3) projected state landings, all to achieve the TAL for the overall federal fishery.

Read the full release here

TOMORROW–Webinar on Genomics for Fisheries Management: An Application to the Thorny Skate

September 17, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join the Lenfest Ocean Program on Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Gavin Naylor of the University of Florida to discuss his project on thorny skate genomics in the North Atlantic.

Dr. Naylor and his team are using modern genomic tools to tease out the spatial population structure of thorny skates and to investigate factors that may have contributed to past changes in abundance. The findings could help managers determine the appropriate spatial scale for thorny skate management and lead to the development of effective conservation strategies across the North Atlantic. The project began in 2017.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Register for the webinar here

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – August 21, 2019 – Monkfish, Skates, Red Crab, GB Yellowtail OFLs, ABCs

August 14, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.  The public is invited to attend in person or listen live via webinar or telephone.  Here are the details.

LOCATION:  The meeting will be held at the Hotel Providence in Providence, RI.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting will be available at Listen Live.  There will be no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8422.  The access code is 927-194-100.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA:  The SSC will develop overfishing limit (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for:
  • Monkfish fishing years 2020 through 2022;
  • Deep-sea red crab fishing years 2020 through 2022;
  • The Northeast skate complex for fishing years 2020 and 2021; and
  • Georges Bank yellowtail flounder for fishing years 2020 and 2021 as managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
The SSC also may discuss internal organization issues and other business.
 
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8 a.m. on Monday, August 19.  Address comments to Council chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.  The address for mailing comments is:  New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill #2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
 
MATERIALS:  Meeting materials will be posted on the Council’s website at SSC August 21, 2019 documents.
 
QUESTIONS:  Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 106, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.