Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed 2021 Recreational Rules for Summer Flounder

April 6, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on proposed 2021 summer flounder recreational fishery management measures.

We propose to continue the conservation equivalency approach for the summer flounder recreational fishery, in which states or regions develop minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that will achieve the necessary level of conservation. Both the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended continuing conservation equivalency in 2021.

The proposed rule contains additional details on conservation equivalency, including what measures would be put in place if the Commission does not ultimately recommend conservation equivalency.

More Information

Read the proposed rule  as published in the Federal Register today. The comment period is open through April 21, 2021. Submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Emily Keiley, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9116
Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

Webinar Instructions for the April 6-8 MAFMC Meeting

March 30, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet by webinar next week, Tuesday, April 6 – Thursday, April 8, 2021. A portion of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board. A detailed agenda and briefing documents are available on the April 2021 Council Meeting Page.

Webinar Connection Instructions

The Council has changed webinar platforms and will conduct this meeting via Webex. Please review the information below carefully. If you have not used Webex before, you are encouraged to connect during one of two test sessions we will hold Wednesday, March 31 (tomorrow) at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m. (scroll down to TEST SESSIONS for details). All are welcome to connect during these test sessions.

JOIN THE APRIL 2021 COUNCIL MEETING:

Before connecting to the webinar, we recommend that you review the Council Meeting Webex Participant Guide for detailed step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. each day. We will have the webinar up and running by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. We recommend connecting a few minutes early.

  1. Click Here to Join the Webinar (if prompted, enter meeting number: 129 017 5026; Meeting password: mafmc)
  2. If this is your first time using Webex you will be prompted to download and install the application (recommended), or you can choose to join the meeting in your browser. If you are joining from a mobile device you will need the Cisco Webex Meetings app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
  3. Sign In: On the sign in screen you will be asked to enter your full name.
  4. Connect your audio: On the meeting preview screen you can choose how you want to connect your audio. You will have the option to use your computer mic/speakers or phones for audio. See the Webex Participant Guide for details on selecting and changing your audio settings. If you have an unstable internet connection, we recommend using phone. To use your phone for audio, first sign into the Webex link above, then look for the “call in” option (if you don’t see this, look for the “use computer for audio” button which you can click to bring up the “call in” option). That will give you a prompt with the phone number, access code, and Attendee ID#. Please make sure to use the Attendee ID# on your screen, as that will allow us to identify you on our end.
  5. A note about video: Participant video will be disabled for this meeting. However, depending on your webcam settings you may still see your video on the meeting preview screen before you enter the webinar. This will not be displayed to other participants. You can disable the preview by clicking the “Stop Video” button.
  6. Telephone-only access: For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, dial 1-844-621-3956 (meeting number: 129 017 5026#). Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar. If you are connected by phone only you will need to enter *6 on your keypad to unmute/mute yourself and *3 to raise/lower your hand.

April 2021 Webinar Details

Meeting Link: https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=ma078a78c34dafc6403e350a30eeeeac4

Meeting Number (access code): 129 017 5026

Meeting password: mafmc

Join by phone:

TEST SESSIONS

We will hold two test sessions for participants to make sure they are set up to join the meeting next week. Drop in at any time to test your audio and get familiar with the Webex interface. Please note that there are unique links for each test session (these are not the same as the April meeting link in the previous section). Connection instructions for each session are provided at the following links:

  1. Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  2. Monday, April 5, 2021, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

As an alternative, you can use the Webex Test Meeting tool to join a test meeting at any time.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you are having trouble connecting to the webinar, please check the Webex Participant Guide and these troubleshooting steps to see if your question is addressed there. This page provides step-by-step instructions for joining a meeting from Windows and Mac computers, IOS and Android devices, and internet browsers.

NEED HELP?

If you need technical assistance prior to the meeting, contact Stephen Pearson at spearson@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5256. Check the April meeting page for staff contact info if you need help during the meeting.

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo, Communication and Outreach Coordinator, msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.

LSU study finds Southern flounder are disappearing throughout their habitat, including Louisiana

March 29, 2021 — When LSU researchers recently set out to gather data on southern flounder, they ran into a problem: they could hardly find any in Louisiana.

It has been well-documented that their population has dropped steeply in recent years, but they were first to report the problem extended beyond the state’s waters. A study they published this month reported that the declines in the flat, football-shaped fish’s population were happening throughout their range, which spans from the Carolina to Texas.

“To see similar declines happening throughout their range was surprising and a concerning aspect,” said Kenneth Erickson, the first author on the LSU-led study. He added that it could be a potential warning sign for other aquatic life similar to southern flounder.

In recent years, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has logged some of the lowest numbers of adult female flounder in the past four decades.

Read the full story at The Advocate

MAFMC: Register for Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) Virtual Workshops

March 23, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

As a reminder, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled three virtual regional public workshops to solicit input on future management of the recreational summer flounder fishery. The dates and times of the workshops are listed below. You are encouraged to participate in the workshop for your region; however, all workshops are open to all individuals. Registration is required, and participants are encouraged to register at least 24 hours prior to a scheduled workshop.

  1. Massachusetts through Connecticut: Monday, March 29, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the MA-CT Workshop
  2. New York through Delaware: Wednesday, March 31, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the NY-DE Workshop
  3. Maryland through North Carolina: Monday, April 5, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the MD-NC Workshop

Workshops will be held via Webex, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Participants can also join and participate in the workshop with a phone-only connection; however, you will not be able to see any presentations or other materials shared on the webinar. Once registered, you will receive an email from Webex with the webinar information including the webinar link, telephone number and access code, and a calendar invite.

Background

These workshops are part of the Council’s development of a management strategy evaluation (MSE) which will evaluate different management strategies designed to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. Input provided during the workshops will build on the 800+ comments and suggestions that were submitted through a public comment form earlier this year. More information about this project can be found on the Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation page.

During the workshops, participants will listen to a series of short background presentations and then provide input and feedback regarding summer flounder discard concerns, potential management objectives to address these concerns, and performance metrics and strategies to achieve these objectives. An agenda and additional briefing materials are available on the workshop web page.

Questions? Contact Brandon Muffley, bmuffley@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5260

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Applicants for Advisory Panels

March 22, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on nine advisory panels. Advisory panels provide information and recommendations to the Council during the development of fishery management plans, amendments, specifications, and other initiatives. One of the chief responsibilities of advisory panels is the development of annual Fishery Performance Reports. These reports provide the Council and SSC with information about the factors that influenced fishing effort and catch within each fishery during the previous year. Learn more about advisory panels here.

Advisory panels are composed of individuals with diverse experience and interest in Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Members include commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, for-hire operators, commercial dealers, scientists, environmentalists, and other members of the interested public. Most advisory panels meet 1-2 times per year. Members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Individuals who are appointed to advisory panels serve for three-year terms. All current advisory panel members must reapply in order to be considered for reappointment.

The Council is accepting applications for the following advisory panels:

  • Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
  • Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
  • Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
  • Tilefish
  • Bluefish
  • Ecosystem and Ocean Planning
  • River Herring and Shad
  • Dogfish (jointly managed with New England Council)
  • Communication and Outreach (NEW – see below for details)

How to Apply

Anyone interested in serving on an advisory panel may apply online or download an application at www.mafmc.org/advisory-panel-application. Applications can also be obtained by calling (302) 518-1143 or emailing msabo@mafmc.org.

Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mary Sabo at (302) 518-1143, msabo@mafmc.org.

Information About the New Communication and Outreach Advisory Panel

The Council is soliciting applicants for a new Communication and Outreach (C/O) Advisory Panel. Formation of this advisory panel was identified as a priority in the Council’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and 2021 Implementation Plan. The C/O Advisory Panel’s primary purpose will be to provide advice and recommendations on effective strategies for achieving the Council’s communication objectives. Specific tasks may include:

  • Helping to identify effective communication tools and approaches for reaching Council stakeholders;
  • Providing feedback on the content and delivery of Council communication and outreach products;
  • Identifying opportunities to increase public understanding and awareness of the Council and its managed fisheries;
  • Informing the Council about topics of stakeholder interest or high priority communication needs; and
  • Reviewing and providing feedback on draft communication products (e.g. web pages or fact sheets), as needed.

Similar to the Council’s other advisory panels, membership on the C/O Advisory Panel should reflect the diverse interests of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s stakeholders. Members may include commercial and recreational fishermen, for-hire operators, representatives from non-governmental organizations, scientists/academics, members of the general public, fishery managers, and communication/outreach professionals.

Reminder: Public Comment Deadline for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment is March 16

March 12, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

As a reminder, the deadline to submit public comments on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment is Tuesday, March 16, 2021. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are developing this joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The amendment also considers options that would allow a portion of the allowable landings to be transferred between the commercial and recreational sectors each year.

Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

1. ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment

2. EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org

3. MAIL or FAX to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director

    Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

    800 North State Street, Suite 201

    Dover, DE 19901

    FAX: 302.674.5399

Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Learn More

Complete details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available in the Public Hearing Document. The Alternatives Quick Reference Guide provides a brief overview of the alternatives. This guide should be used in conjunction with the Public Hearing Document and is intended to help members of the public provide comments on specific alternatives. You can also view a recording of the Public Hearing Presentation that was provided at the public hearings. Additional background information and related documents are available on the action page for this amendment.

Tips for Providing Public Comment

We value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:

  • Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?
  • Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?
  • Is there any additional information you think should be considered?

Contacts

For additional information and updates, please visit: https://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment. If you have any questions, please contact:

  • Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257
  • Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714

MAFMC to Hold Virtual Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) Workshops

March 10, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold three virtual regional public workshops to solicit input on future management of the recreational summer flounder fishery. These workshops are part of the Council’s development of a management strategy evaluation (MSE) which will evaluate different management strategies designed to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. Input provided during the workshops will build on the 800+ comments and suggestions that were submitted through a public comment form earlier this year. More information about this project can be found on the Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation page.

During the workshops, participants will listen to a series of short background presentations and then provide input and feedback regarding summer flounder discard concerns, potential management objectives to address these concerns, and performance metrics and strategies to achieve these objectives.

The dates and times of the three virtual workshops are listed below. Individuals are encouraged to participate in the workshop for their region; however, all workshops are open to all individuals. Participants will first need to register for the workshop(s) in which they plan to attend. To help plan and organize the workshops, interested participants are encouraged to register at least 24 hours prior to a scheduled workshop.

  1. Massachusetts through Connecticut: Monday, March 29, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the MA-CT Workshop
  2. New York through Delaware: Wednesday, March 31, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the NY-DE Workshop
  3. Maryland through North Carolina: Monday, April 5, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Register for the MD-NC Workshop

Workshops will be held via Webex, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Participants can also join and participate in the workshop with a phone-only connection; however, you will not be able to see any presentations or other materials shared on the webinar. Once registered, you will receive an email from Webex with the webinar information including the webinar link, telephone number and access code, and a calendar invite.

Questions? Contact Brandon Muffley, bmuffley@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5260

MAFMC Webinar Meeting: April 6-8, 2021

March 8, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet by webinar Tuesday, April 6 – Thursday, April 8, 2021. A portion of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board. Briefing documents and presentations will be posted on the April 2021 Council Meeting Page as they become available.

Agenda: A detailed agenda is available here. Topics to be addressed at this meeting include:

  • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Updates
  • Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment – Final Action
  • Blueline Tilefish Specifications
  • Golden Tilefish Multi-Year Specifications Framework – Meeting 1
  • Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad – Listening Session
  • 2021 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report and EAFM Risk Assessment
  • East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative
  • Climate Change Science Efforts Underway at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center – Presentation

Public Comments: Written comments may be submitted using the online comment form linked below or via email, mail, or fax (see this page for details). Written comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to be included in the briefing book. Comments submitted after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2021 will be posted as supplemental materials. After that date, comments may only be submitted using the form below.

Webinar: The Council is transitioning from Adobe Connect to Webex as its primary webinar platform. In the coming weeks we will post detailed webinar connection instructions, an updated webinar guide, and information about training sessions on the meeting page. Please stay tuned for a future email with webinar connection information.

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo, msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.

Reminder: Public Hearing Webinars for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment to Begin This Week

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

The first two public hearing webinars for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment will be held this week, on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18. Additional hearings will be held on February 24, March 1, and March 2. All hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m. Written comments may also be submitted through March 16, 2021.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are developing this joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The amendment also considers options that would allow a portion of the allowable landings to be transferred between the commercial and recreational sectors each year.

Learn More

Complete details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available in the Public Hearing Document. We have also developed a new Alternatives Quick Reference Guide which provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment. This guide should be used in conjunction with the Public Hearing Document and is intended to help members of the public provide comments on specific alternatives.

Finally, we have posted a recording of the Public Hearing Presentation. If you are not planning to attend a public hearing, we encourage you to watch this video before submitting written comments.

Additional background information and related documents are available on the action page for this amendment.

Public Hearing Schedule

You are encouraged to attend any of the following five virtual public hearings and to provide oral or written comments at these hearings. While we encourage you to attend the hearing that is targeted toward your state, anyone is welcome to participate in any hearing.

  1. Wednesday, February 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
  2. Thursday, February 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: New Jersey
  3. Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Delaware and Maryland
  4. Monday, March 1, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Virginia and North Carolina
  5. Tuesday, March 2, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Connecticut and New York

To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-877-309-2074 and enter access code 128-060-916. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Savannah Lewis at 703-842-0715.

If you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted through March 16, 2021 by any of the following methods:

1. ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment

2. EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org

3. MAIL or FAX to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

800 North State Street, Suite 201

Dover, DE 19901

FAX: 302.674.5399

Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Tips for Providing Public Comment

We value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:

  • Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?
  • Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?
  • Is there any additional information you think should be considered?

Contacts

For additional information and updates, please visit: https://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment. If you have any questions, please contact:

  • Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257
  • Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714

ASMFC and MAFMC Approve Changes to State Allocations of Commercial Black Sea Bass Quota

February 4, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) jointly approved several changes to the management program for black sea bass commercial fisheries. These changes include modifying the state allocations of the commercial black sea bass quota, adding the state allocations to the Council’s Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and modifying the regulations for federal in-season closures. The Board adopted the new allocations through Addendum XXXIII to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass FMP, while the Council recommended these changes through an amendment to its FMP. These actions address significant changes in the distribution of black sea bass that have occurred since the original allocations were implemented under Amendment 13 in 2003 and also account for the historical dependence of the states on the black sea bass fishery.

Under the approved changes, Connecticut’s baseline allocation will increase from 1% to 3% of the coastwide quota to address its disproportionally low allocation compared to the increased availability of black sea bass in state waters. The state allocations will then be calculated by allocating 75% of the coastwide quota according to the new baseline allocations (historical allocations modified to account for Connecticut’s increase to 3%) and 25% to three regions based on the most recent regional biomass distribution information from the stock assessment (see Table 1). The three regions are: 1) Maine-New York, 2) New Jersey, and 3) Delaware-North Carolina. The regional allocations will be distributed among states within a region in proportion to their baseline allocations, except Maine and New Hampshire will each receive 1% of the northern region quota. Because the allocations are based in part on the regional biomass distribution from the stock assessment, they will be adjusted if a new assessment indicates a change to the biomass distribution. The Board and Council committed to reevaluating the approved state allocation system within 5 years.

The Council and Board agreed to add the state allocations to the Council’s FMP. As a result, future modifications to the allocations will require a joint action of the Board and Council. Additionally, they approved a change to the federal regulations such that the entire black sea bass commercial fishery will close in-season for all federally permitted vessels and dealers once landings are projected to exceed the coastwide quota plus an additional buffer of up to 5%. The buffer aims to minimize negative economic impacts of a coastwide closures on states that have not fully harvested their quotas. The Council and Board considered, but did not adopt, changes to the regulations for paybacks of state quota overages; states will only be required to pay back overages of their state quota if the coastwide quota is exceeded.

Read the full release here