Saving Seafood

U.S. SHORTFIN SQUID FISHERY ACHIEVES MSC CERTIFICATION

May 2, 2019 — The following was released by the Marine Stewardship Council:

The U.S. Northeast Northern Shortfin Squid (Illex illecebrosus) fishery in the Northwest Atlantic has been certified sustainable against the MSC fisheries standard. The assessment, executed by independent conformity assessment body SCS Global Services and requested by Lund’s Fisheries, Inc. and The Town Dock, was part of a scope expansion following the successful certification of the U.S. Northeast Longfin Inshore Squid (Loligo pealeii) bottom trawl fishery in 2018. Illex joins Loligo as the 2nd squid species in the world to be MSC certified.

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus), also known as Illex, is a commercially important species with a broad range that extends between the Sea of Labrador and the Florida Straits. Illex’s geographic distribution is largely influenced by water temperature and water masses. During spring, Northern shortfin squid migrate onto the continental shelf between Newfoundland and Cape Hatteras, and during late autumn, species migrate off the continental shelf presumably to an unknown winter spawning site.

“Sourcing and eating certified sustainable squid has never been easier,” said Brian Perkins, Regional Director of the Americas for the Marine Stewardship Council. “The fishery has demonstrated its hard work in sustaining the resource, and in meeting the MSC fisheries sustainability standard. We’re proud to have a 2nd responsible squid fishery join the program.”

“We are very pleased to offer certified sustainable shortfin squid to our trusted customers and America’s seafood consumers, ” said Wayne Reichle, President of Lund’s Fisheries. “The Marine Stewardship Council certification demonstrates the integrity of our domestic seafood management and monitoring systems. We are working daily to sustainably manage our east coast squid fishery to the benefit of the resource, fishing communities, and calamari lovers everywhere.”

“The certification of the North Atlantic Illex fishery is very exciting for us and for sustainability-minded consumers,” said Ryan Clark, CEO of The Town Dock. “It has always been important for us to sustainably manage our squid fisheries, so a second MSC certification is welcome news. And now, we can offer our customers around the globe two certified sustainable USA squid species in Loligo and Illex.”

Larger in size and with a slightly different flavor profile than Loligo, Illex has emerged in US markets as another domestically-caught seafood option. Illex spawn year-round and migrate long-distances between inshore and offshore waters. With a lifespan of less than one year, water temperature plays a significant role in migration timing, distribution, growth and spawning. Recently, east coast squid species have reportedly been migrating further north up the coast than in previous years. They are a species that is likely to benefit from climate change, rather than be negatively impacted by it, according to current research by US fishery scientists.

The fishery is certified until 2024 and will undergo annual audits within that timeframe to ensure the MSC standard continues to be met.

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Squid and Butterfish Quotas for the 2019 Fishing Year

May 1, 2019 — The following was published by NOAA Fisheries:

Based on updated information, we are proposing an 8-percent increase in the 2019 commercial Illex squid quota. The previously approved 2019 annual quotas for longfin squid and butterfish would be maintained and would not be changed by this action.

The increased 2019 Illex quota is based on an evaluation that similar historic catch has not harmed the stock. As new information becomes available, we may revise the proposed quotas for future fishing years.

Read the proposed rule as published today in the Federal Register.

Comments on this rule must be received by 5 pm on May 31, 2019.

To submit comments, please use the Federal e-rulemaking portal, or send comments by regular mail 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 2019 Squid and Butterfish Specifications.”

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Alyson Pitts, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9352
Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

2019 River Herring and Shad Catch Cap Harvested for Atlantic Mackerel Vessels

March 11, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As of March 8, Atlantic mackerel vessels are projected to have harvested 95 percent of the 2019 river herring and shad catch cap.

Under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, once 95 percent of the river herring and shad catch cap is projected to be harvested, federal limited access Atlantic mackerel vessels are prohibited from fishing for or landing more than 20,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel per trip or landing more than once per calendar day for the remainder of the calendar year.

As of 00:01 local time on March 12, 2019, vessels issued federal Atlantic mackerel permits may not fish for, possess, transfer, receive, land, or sell more than 20,000 lb of mackerel per trip or calendar day through December 31, 2019.

Vessels that have entered port before 00:01 local time on March 12, 2019 may land and sell more than 20,000 lb of mackerel from that trip.

Read the rule as filed this afternoon in the Federal Register and the permit holder bulletin on our website.

SFP credits squid supply chain roundtable for improvements to global sustainability

January 30, 2019 — The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is crediting work performed at its global squid supply chain roundtable for the rapid improvement in the sustainability of squid fisheries globally.

According to SFP, nearly one-fifth of all squid produced globally can now be classified as either sustainable or improving toward sustainability. That’s in stark contrast to just a year ago, when SFP estimated that less than one percent of squid production was sustainable or improving.

SFP has been monitoring the sustainability of squid – and many other fisheries – as part of its Target 75 Initiative, which back in 2017 set a goal to have 75 percent or more of seafood volume produced globally either reach sustainability or be improving toward sustainability.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

 

SFP praises improvement in global squid sustainability

January 29, 2019 — The following was released by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership:

There has been a significant jump in the volume of squid produced globally—nearly one fifth—that can now be classified as sustainable or improving toward sustainability, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is crediting work done in its Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable as playing a part.

SFP is monitoring the state of global squid production as part of its ongoing Target 75 initiative, which has set the goal to see 75 percent or more of global seafood volume produced in a manner that is either sustainable or improving toward sustainability, all by the end of 2020. SFP has maintained that Supply Chain Roundtables (SRs), while not exclusively required, are a valuable tool in driving positive change.

The Global Squid SR, which allows for squid buyers, suppliers, and other key industry stakeholders to work together in a pre-competitive fashion toward improving sustainable squid production worldwide, officially merged into a single entity in March 2017.

At the time, there was no squid production anywhere in the world that met the Target 75 criteria. Now, however, SFP analysts say 18 percent of global squid volume qualifies. In addition, work is proceeding to establish several new fishery improvement projects (FIPs) that could add as much as 19 percent more global volume, totaling 37 percent.

“Beginning at the point where we first formed the combined SR, a lot has been accomplished in a pretty short time,” said Sam Grimley, who leads the Global Squid SR for SFP. “Based on that, it’s pretty safe to say we’ll be making more announcements about progress with squid down the road.”

A significant stakeholder driving this jump in improvement is the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Southern Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid (CALAMASUR). The new industry group has accomplished a great deal already to improve Peruvian jumbo flying squid at the critical regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) level, and its work with the newly launched Peruvian Jumbo Flying Squid FIP accounts for a great deal of the recorded improvements. SFP also notes that many other groups and stakeholders were involved, including the China Blue Sustainability Institute, which facilitated an important squid FIP that SFP announced last year. Another major player has been Ocean Outcomes, the NGO that announced the establishment of another FIP late last year, this time focusing on East China Sea and Yellow Sea squid.

SFP is also planning to release an updated version of the 2018 T75 Sector Report, with data that will reflect these and other trends in sustainable squid production worldwide.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Amendment

January 18, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold four scoping hearings in February 2019 to solicit public input on an amendment to review and consider modifications to both the permitting system for Illex squid and the goals and objectives of the entire Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). There will also be a separate written comment period for this action which will be announced at a later date.

In June 2017, the Council considered, but did not adopt, revisions to Illex squid permits as part of Amendment 20 to the FMP. Since then, effort and landings have increased and the fishery closed early in both 2017 and 2018 after fully harvesting the available Illex squid quota. Given recent fishery performance, the Council is evaluating if permitted access to the Illex fishery should be modified based on recent and historical participation, and/or other considerations. In addition, existing FMP goals and objectives have not been revised since they were originally established. The Council is seeking input whether these goals and objectives are still appropriate for managing the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries or if they should be modified.

The scoping period is an important opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns related to the scope of issues that will be considered in the amendment and the general focus of the action. Public comments during scoping will help the Council address issues of public concern in a thorough and appropriate manner.

Hearing Schedule

1.Monday, February 4, 2019, 6:00 pm, Corless Auditorium, University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, 401-874-6440

2. Tuesday, February 5, 2019, 5:30 pm, Gurney’s Inn, 290 Old Montauk Road, Montauk, NY 11954, 631-668-2345

3. Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 5:30 pm, Congress Hall Hotel, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204, 609-884-8421

4. Thursday, February 7, 2019, 6:00 pm, Internet webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/msb-scoping-2019/. A listening station will be available at the new Virginia Marine Resources Commission (380 Fenwick Road, Ft. Monroe, VA 23651, 757-247-2200). For assistance with the webinar, please call 302-397-1131.
Additional information and updates on this action will be posted on the Council’s website at: http://www.mafmc.org/actions/illex-permitting-msb-goals-amendment.

Please direct any questions about the amendment to Jason Didden (jdidden@mafmc.org, 302- 526-5254).

Last Call for Public Comments on Chub Mackerel Amendment

January 15, 2019 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is soliciting public input on an amendment to consider adding Atlantic chub mackerel to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. The amendment considers potential catch limits, accountability measures, and other conservation and management measures required for stocks “in the fishery.” The deadline to submit written comments is January 18, 2019. Comments may be submitted online here or by email, mail, or fax (scroll down for addresses).

Learn More

Additional information about the amendment and the management alternatives being considered can be found at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/chub-mackerel-amendment.

Contact

Julia Beaty, Fishery Management Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, jbeaty@mafmc.org, 302.526.5250

Written Comments

Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on Friday, January 18, 2019:

Email to Julia Beaty, Fishery Management Specialist, at jbeaty@mafmc.org

Online at: http://www.mafmc.org/comments/chub-mackerel-amendment

Mail to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE, 19901

Fax to 302-674-5399

Please include “Chub Mackerel Comments” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments by mail.

Regional Regulators Vote For 3-Year Closure Of Maine Shrimp Fishery

November 19, 2018 — A panel of regulators from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts voted Friday to put a three-year moratorium on the commercial fishery for Northern Shrimp, also known as Maine shrimp. Maine’s representatives at the meeting in Portland wanted some type of season preserved, but they were outnumbered.

The decision came after Katie Drew, a scientist with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, told the panel there was virtually no chance the shrimp would bounce back from depleted levels before 2022 and, in fact, might never recover. Above all, she says, the Gulf of Maine, has warmed to the limits of the shrimp’s reproductive capacity.

“The warmer the waters the less baby shrimp you have the next year,” says Drew. “And so we’ve had a lot of warm waters, and we’re just not getting a enough baby shrimp into the population. And in addition a lot of things like to eat northern shrimp.”

Predators such as red hake, spiny dogfish and squid, which are growing more abundant in some parts of the Gulf. The pressure they are putting on shrimp is a growing problem, even though one top predator, humans, haven’t been in the picture since 2014.

Historically, the commercial shrimp fishery, which traditionally started in December, has been dominated by boats from Maine. But it’s been closed for four consecutive years.

Panel member Mike Armstrong, assistant director in the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, says the regulators should bow to reality and proposed the three-year closure.

Read the full story at Maine Public

 

Industry launch large-scale squid project at China Fisheries Expo

November 7, 2018 — The following was released by Ocean Outcomes:

Four leading seafood buyers, Chinese seafood industry groups, retailers, fishermen, and sustainable seafood enterprises came together today at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo to celebrate the much anticipated launch of the East China Sea and Yellow Sea Squid FIP.

The fisheries improvement project—or FIP for short—is a precompetitive project aimed to improve the management and fishing practices of Chinese trawl, purse seine, and gillnet vessels targeting Japanese flying squid. JFS are one of the most commercially lucrative species of squid, and in the Chinese side of East China Sea and Yellow Sea alone, annual production can approach 30,000 metric tons.

“Squids are one of the most loved seafoods, but compared with many species, squid sustainability efforts are lagging,” said Songlin Wang who is leading the project. “Given squid account for about 5% of global fishery landings, it’s encouraging to see that change.”

In the East China and Yellow Seas, China has important domestic fisheries which target migratory JFS stocks. These supply both a booming domestic market and are exported to the Europe Union, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and South Korea, among many others, by global seafood companies such as those involved in the project.

However, JFS fishing practices and management need improvement in a number of ways to ensure a continued supply of squid products. For example, China lacks a JFS-specific harvest strategy outside of a summer fishing moratorium banning the use of motorized fishing vessels, and it’s difficult to verify the exact catch locations for some squid products from the region.

“Around a third to half of all squid passes through a Chinese seafood supply chain, whether caught, processed, traded, or consumed,” said Dr. He Cui, who heads CAPPMA, a Chinese national seafood industry group with thousands of members. “Given CAPPMA’s commitment to both domestic and global seafood sustainability, it’s in our interest to ensure a future where all squid stocks are healthy. This project will help us explore a path forward.”

The FIP will work to address areas of concern through implementation of a five year improvement work plan designed, in part, to establish science-based stock assessments and bycatch monitoring protocols, harvest rules fit to JFS 1-year lifecycles, and traceability systems to verify and track locations of harvest.

Since its inception, the FIP has grown beyond founding members Ocean Outcomes, Sea Farms, and PanaPesca to include support from a number of industry stakeholders, including, Quirch Foods, Seachill, China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA), Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and local Chinese suppliers Genho, IG and the Zhejiang Industry Group.

The success and growth of the project were due, in part, to the collaborative forum of the Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable, facilitated by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, which heavily featured the East China Sea and Yellow Sea Squid FIP in recent meetings at the North America Seafood Expo in Boston, MA.

“We couldn’t have envisioned the enthusiasm and support for this work when this project began three years ago,” said Dick Jones, who has been working to improve seafood industry practices for decades. “Precompetitive industry collaboration is key to ensuring durable and positive change. This project demonstrates that message is catching on.”

US mid-Atlantic fishery votes to increase Illex squid catch

October 5, 2018 — The US’s Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted on Oct. 3 to increase the acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Illex squid to 26,000 metric tons in 2019 and 2020, an increase of 8% over the 24,000t per year limit previously set for 2018-2020.

The council said it made the decision to raise the ABC after reviewing recommendations from its Scientific and Statistical Committee, which reviewed recent catch and survey information. It noted the recent “rapid pace of landings”, which forced the fishery to be closed on August 15, 2018 — a month earlier than the year before — due to 95% of the annual catch limit being landed.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News