Saving Seafood

NEFMC Seeks Contractor to Support Scallop Survey Working Group

February 9, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is looking for an independent contractor to support and document the work of the Council’s new Scallop Survey Working Group (SSWG).  Letters of interest and supporting materials must be received no later than 8:00 a.m. on March 1, 2021.

WHAT IS THE SSWG:  The Council currently is in the process of forming the Scallop Survey Working Group.  The group will be composed of government and non-government experts with experience in Atlantic sea scallop surveys and related fields.  These experts will be tasked with addressing terms of reference (TORs) set for the group and providing recommendations in response to the TORs.  The SSWG will report directly to the Council, and the group’s recommendations will be forwarded by the Council to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

WHY IS THE COUNCIL DOING THIS:  The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States.  A central component of scallop management has been reliance on scallop surveys.  Previous survey reviews and stock assessments included recommendations for improving scallop surveys.  The Council agreed to form the Scallop Survey Working Group to address issues related to those recommendations.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:  The selected contractor will work with a representative of the Council and the Scallop Survey Working Group co-chairs on an array of issues from on or about March 22, 2021 through July 1, 2022.  A few of the contractor’s responsibilities include:

  • Supporting the development of draft TORs in advance of the working group’s first meeting;
  • Supporting working group meetings by developing detailed agendas, providing experienced meeting facilitators, and preparing written meeting summaries;
  • Creating a work plan to guide and assist the group in addressing the TORs; and
  • Preparing a final written report summarizing the working group’s recommendations.

MORE INFORMATION:  Complete details about the contractor’s full range of responsibilities, desired experience, and application submission instructions can be found in the request for proposals.

QUESTIONS:  Contact New England Council Executive Director Tom Nies at tnies@nefmc.org.

NEFMC Seeks Candidates for Scallop Survey Working Group

February 3, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is looking for qualified candidates to serve on its new Scallop Survey Working Group (SSWG). The application deadline is Monday, February 22, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.

The Council manages the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. It relies on scallop surveys to detect and monitor recruitment events and track resource trends to support its rotational area management program.

Previous stock assessments and survey reviews identified issues that could help improve both the federal scallop survey and surveys supported through the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. As part of its 2021 scallop priorities, the Council agreed to establish a working group to develop recommendations to address these issues. The Scallop Survey Working Group will first provide input on clear terms of reference (TORs) before the TORs are approved by the Council’s executive director in consultation with the director of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (Science Center).

Read the full release here