Saving Seafood

Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee of the SSC to hold online meeting July 15-16, 2020

June 23, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold an online meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee to review model specifications regarding the Pacific sardine rebuilding plan Rebuilder tool.  This meeting is open to the public. The online meeting will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2020 through Thursday, July 16, 2020.  The meeting will run 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time each day, or until business for the day has been completed.

Please see the SSC Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee online meeting notice on the Council’s website for participation details.

For further information:

  • Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Kerry Griffin at 503-820-2409; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

SAFMC Seeks Applicants for Scientific Advisors

March 23, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting scientists interested in serving on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Membership is open to any qualified scientist, regardless of affiliation or geographic location. The Council will review applications at its June meeting. Applications received by April 27, 2020 will be submitted to the Council for consideration.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the country. Each council has an SSC responsible for reviewing the scientific basis of council management plans and actions, and developing fishing level recommendations in accordance with national fisheries management guidelines. The South Atlantic Council’s SSC meets at least twice a year to address a broad range of topics, including stock assessments, management action evaluations, social and economic analyses, habitat evaluations and ecosystem management issues. SSC members also play a key role in developing and reviewing stock assessments through participation in SEDAR, the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review stock assessment program. The Council’s SSC members serve 3-year terms and may be appointed to multiple terms.

Anyone with expertise and experience in the areas of fisheries biology, population dynamics, fisheries research and monitoring, and social and economic analyses of natural resources, especially as applied to fish species in the South Atlantic, is encouraged to apply by submitting a CV, NMFS Financial Disclosure Statement, and a cover letter. The cover letter should highlight qualifications and experience, and indicate receipt and acceptance of the Council’s SSC job description.

Application materials including the required financial disclosure form, SSC job description, and details on the application process, may be obtained by contacting Mike Errigo at Mike.Errigo@safmc.net or (843) 302-8441.

A copy of this announcement is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/council-news/.

New England Council Seeks Contractor to Develop Groundfish ABC Control Rule Alternatives

February 19, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking the services of an independent contractor to develop alternatives for Northeast multispecies (groundfish) acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules. This is a medium-term, temporary contractor role, commencing in late March 2020 and expected to be completed by November 2020. Letters of interest and supporting materials must be received by March 18, 2020.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING: Thirteen groundfish species – some with separate geographic stocks – are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) is required by law to recommend ABCs for each stock based on an ABC control rule. The Council establishes control rules in consultation with the SSC. These control rules account for scientific uncertainty in the overfishing limit (OFL) and the Council’s risk policy. The current ABC control rules are contained in Amendment 16 to the FMP, which was implemented in 2010. Given developments over the past decade, these control rules may not reflect best practices, changes in policy, lessons learned from experience, and modifications to the law. Therefore, the Council is revisiting the control rules.

WHICH STOCKS ARE INVOLVED: This contract will focus on groundfish stocks with analytic assessments as of 2019, which are: Gulf of Maine cod, Gulf of Maine haddock, Georges Bank haddock, American plaice, pollock, Georges Bank winter flounder, white hake, Acadian redfish, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. The contract is limited to stocks with analytic assessments because a research track assessment in 2020 is expected to address stocks with empirical assessments.

WHAT’S EXPECTED: The contractor will work closely with representatives of the Council’s SSC, Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT), and Groundfish Committee. Since the Council establishes ABC control rules in consultation with its SSC, the contractor will analyze and evaluate a suite of suitable control rules but not recommend a specific one. At present, standard ABC control rules are applied to groundfish stocks with analytic assessments – the rules are not tailored for each stock – and this should be the approach tested by the contractor.

  • The contractor will prepare a report that evaluates the performance of the control rules against a range of metrics that will be identified by Council representatives.
  • The contractor will be expected to identify possible ABC control rules and test their performance in a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) framework. This should be a “desktop” MSE working closely with Council representatives.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: The Council is looking for candidates that have familiarity with the U.S. federal fisheries management system, preferably in New England but this is not required. Additionally, among other skills, candidates should have: (1) extensive experience with analytic stock assessments and the use of simulation techniques to evaluate various ABC control rules and preferably be familiar with the stock assessment and projection models used for Northeast multispecies stocks; (2) a demonstrated ability to summarize complex policies and procedures in clear, easily read documents and through concise verbal discussions; (3) an advanced degree in a fisheries technical field, particularly in population dynamics, modeling, and stock assessment; and (4) a demonstrated ability to summarize conflicting information in an objective manner.

APPLICATION DETAILS: Interested professionals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae, examples of similar work completed for other organizations or publications, and a budget with expected expenses no later than March 18, 2020.

  • A complete list of desired experience and demonstrated skills can be found in the solicitation announcement, along with application mailing/email addresses and other information.
  • NOTE: Candidates employed by advocacy organizations or by organizations that are parties in fishery lawsuits will not be considered.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Interested candidates may want to review:

QUESTIONS: For more information, contact Executive Director Tom Nies at (978) 465-0492 ext. 113, tnies@asmfc.org.

PFMC: STT and the SSC’s Salmon Subcommittee to Hold Joint Meeting January 22 via Webinar

January 7, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Scientific and Statistical Committee’s Salmon Subcommittee (SSCSC) will hold a joint meeting via webinar on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, which is open to the public.  The webinar will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will continue until 12 p.m., or when business for the day has been completed.

Please see the STT and SSC’s Salmon Subcommittee January 22, 2020 webinar notice on the Council’s website for participation details.

For further information:

  • Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Ms. Robin Ehlke  at 503-820-2410; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – January 10, 2020 – Groundfish Related

January 6, 2020 — 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 Friday, January 10, 2020.  The public is invited to listen live via webinar or telephone.  Here are the details.

 
START TIME:  9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020.
 
WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is 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 279-391-516.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.
 
AGENDA:  The SSC will meet to:
  • Consider the New England Fishery Management Council’s remand of the SSC’s acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for American plaice, Gulf of Maine haddock, Georges Bank haddock, and Atlantic pollock for fishing years 2020-2022;
  • Discuss any issues concerning ABC control rules for groundfish and the lack of fish stock status determination criteria; and
  • Discuss other business as necessary.
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.  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 January 10, 2020 documents.
 
QUESTIONS:  Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

MAFMC Seeks SSC Nominations

January 2, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking four qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Successful candidates will serve a three-year appointment beginning in March of 2020. Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, January 24, 2020.

The SSC serves as the Council’s primary scientific/technical advisory body and provides independent scientific advice for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for acceptable biological catch and achieving rebuilding targets. The SSC also provides science advice and information on stock status, bycatch, habitat, social and economic impacts of management measures, and research priorities. The SSC typically meets 4-5 times per year, with meetings lasting from one to three days. In-person meetings are usually held in Baltimore, MD.

Membership is comprised of state and federal employees, academia, and independent experts with scientific and technical expertise in biology, statistics, economics, social science, and other relevant disciplines. The Council recently completed a comprehensive review of SSC membership in order to align new membership expertise with the future needs of the Council. Based on that review, the Council is seeking four candidates in the following areas:

  • One additional member with quantitative stock assessment expertise
  • One fisheries biologist/ecologist with experience and expertise in ecosystem science and approaches
  • One economist/social scientist with experience and expertise in ecosystem science and approaches
  • One economist and/or social scientist to help support Council priorities and actions that will have socioeconomic implications

Individuals interested in applying for nomination to the SSC must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a brief letter describing qualifications and relevant experience in priority areas identified above. All applications received will be reviewed by the Council and will require a nomination by a Council member in order to be considered for appointment.

Applications and materials may be submitted by email to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, at cmoore@mafmc.org. All applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, January 24, 2020. If you have any questions or need further information about the process, please contact Brandon Muffley at bmuffley@mafmc.org; 302-526-5260.

New England Council Seeks Scientific and Statistical Committee Nominees

October 15, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).  The three-year appointments begin January 1, 2020 and run through December 31, 2022.  Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.  All application materials must be received by 8 a.m. on December 20, 2019.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:  The Council is seeking to fill several upcoming vacancies on the committee.  In general, 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 RESPONSIBILITIES:  SSC members are expected to provide independent, scientific advice to the Council.  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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  More information about SSC responsibilities, current committee composition, and upcoming/past meetings can be found at SSC activities.  The notice requesting nominations, which contains application details, is available on that page under “Related News” or at announcement.  Members with expiring terms who wish to continue serving on the SSC are encouraged to resubmit their curriculum vitae (CV) or resume with a letter expressing continued interest in remaining on the committee.

QUESTIONS:  For more information contact Council Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at (978) 465-0492, ext. 112; ckellogg@nefmc.org.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – October 17-18, 2019 – Groundfish and Scallops

October 10, 2019 — 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 Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18, 2019.  The public is invited to attend in person or listen live via webinar or telephone.  Here are the details.

LOCATION:  Hilton Garden Inn – Boston Logan Airport.

START TIME:  10:00 a.m. on Thursday and 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

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 (415) 655-0060.  The access code is 335-319-803.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA:  The SSC will meet to:

  • Review recent information from the 2019 Groundfish Management Track Assessments, as well as information from the Council’s Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT), and provide overfishing limit (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for the 2020-2022 groundfish fishing years for the following stocks: Georges Bank (GB) cod; Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod; GB haddock; GOM haddock; Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder; Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder; GB winter flounder; American plaice; witch flounder; pollock; white hake; Atlantic halibut; northern windowpane flounder; and southern windowpane flounder;
  • Review information provided by the Council’s Scallop PDT and recommend OFLs and ABCs for Atlantic sea scallops for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years with 2021 being default specifications; and
  • Discuss other business as necessary.
COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.  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 October 17-18, 2019 documents.
 
QUESTIONS:  Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817,jplante@nefmc.org.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – April 24-25, 2019, Groundfish Monitoring

April 19, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

A sub-panel of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25, 2019 to discuss groundfish monitoring issues. The public is invited to 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: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24 and 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 25.

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

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 655-0060. The access code is 376-622-502. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC sub-panel will review the scientific validity of information and analyses concerning groundfish monitoring issues. The sub-panel’s report will be considered by the Council in evaluating management alternatives for improving monitoring of catch under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.

  • Wednesday, April 24, 2019 – The sub-panel will: (1) receive documents and presentations containing information and analyses concerning groundfish monitoring issues and evaluate the scientific validity of the information, along with any recommendations provided; and (2) listen to public comments.
  • Thursday, April 25, 2019 – The sub-panel will develop a written report for the Council. During this day of the meeting, which is a sub-panel work session, the public will not have an opportunity to comment unless requested by the chair.

COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019. 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 via the U.S. Postal Service 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 April 24-25, 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.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeks Scientific Advisors

April 2, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting scientists interested in serving on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Membership is open to any qualified scientist, regardless of affiliation or geographic location. The Council will review applications during its June 10-14, 2019 meeting in Hutchinson Island, Florida. Applications received by April 29, 2019 will be submitted to the Council for consideration in June.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the country. Each council has an SSC responsible for reviewing the scientific basis of council management plans and actions, and developing fishing level recommendations in accordance with national fisheries management guidelines. The South Atlantic Council’s SSC meets at least twice a year to address a broad range of topics, including stock assessments, management action evaluations, social and economic analyses, habitat evaluations, and ecosystem management issues. SSC members also play a key role in developing and reviewing stock assessments through participation in SEDAR, the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review program. South Atlantic Council SSC members serve 3-year terms and may be appointed to multiple terms.

Anyone with expertise and experience in the areas of fisheries biology, population dynamics, fisheries research and monitoring, and social and economic analyses of natural resources, especially as applied to fish species in the South Atlantic, is encouraged to apply by submitting a CV, NOAA Fisheries Financial Disclosure Statement, and a cover letter. The cover letter should highlight qualifications and experience, and indicate receipt and acceptance of the Council’s SSC job description.

Application materials, including the required financial disclosure form and SSC job description, and details on the application process, are available from the Council’s website or by contacting Dr. Mike Errigo at mike.errigo@safmc.net or (843) 302-8441.