Saving Seafood

Reminder: Tilefish Recreational Reporting Webinar Tonight @ 5:30 p.m.

April 28, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/pr_private_tf/

Audio connection instructions will pop up automatically when you connect. For telephone-only access, dial 1-800-832-0736 and enter room number: 5068609#.

Recreational tilefish anglers may soon be subject to new permitting and reporting requirements. Under proposed regulations published by NOAA Fisheries, private recreational vessels (including for-hire operators using their vessels for non-charter, recreational trips) would be required to obtain a federal vessel permit to target or retain golden or blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. These vessel operators would also be required to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically within 24 hours of returning to port for trips where tilefish were targeted or retained. For more information about the proposed requirements, check out our Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting FAQs.

NOAA Fisheries is encouraging anglers not already using another electronic VTR system to utilize NOAA Fish Online, which is available through a mobile app or a web-based portal. Other systems that may be suitable for recreational anglers include SAFIS eTrips/mobile and SAFIS eTrips Online. You can access information about approved applications and other aspects of electronic reporting on the NOAA Fisheries website.

Read the full release here

Recreational Tilefish Anglers: Learn How to Obtain a Permit and Report Your Catch

April 14, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Recreational tilefish anglers may soon be subject to new permitting and reporting requirements. Under proposed regulations published by NOAA Fisheries, private recreational vessels (including for-hire operators using their vessels for non-charter, recreational trips) would be required to obtain a federal vessel permit to target or retain golden or blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. These vessel operators would also be required to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically within 24 hours of returning to port for trips where tilefish were targeted or retained. For more information about the proposed requirements, check out our Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting FAQs.

NOAA Fisheries is encouraging anglers not already using another electronic VTR system to utilize NOAA Fish Online, which is available through a mobile app or a web-based portal. Other systems that may be suitable for recreational anglers include SAFIS eTrips/mobile and SAFIS eTrips Online. You can access information about approved applications and other aspects of electronic reporting on the NOAA Fisheries website.

Read the full release here

Reopening of the Commercial Golden Tilefish Longline Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on March 14, 2020, for 9 Days

March 11, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial longline component for golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen for 9 days on March 14, 2020. Commercial harvest for the longline component will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 14, 2020, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 23, 2020. During the 9-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for the commercial longline component for golden tilefish is 4,000 pounds gutted weight or 4,480 pounds whole weight.

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

The 2020 golden tilefish commercial catch limit for the longline component is 248,805 pounds gutted weight. On February 18, 2020, the catch limit for the commercial longline component for the 2020 season was projected to be met, and NOAA Fisheries closed the season. However, a recent landings update indicates that the golden tilefish longline component catch limit has not been met, and reopening will allow the commercial longline component to reach its catch limit.

AFTER THE REOPENING AND SUBSEQUENT CLOSURE:

  • Only golden tilefish longline endorsement holders are allowed to harvest golden tilefish with longline fishing gear.
  • Golden tilefish harvested with longline fishing gear may not be sold or purchased after the closure. The prohibition on sale or purchase during the subsequent closure does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 23, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • During the longline closure, a vessel with a golden tilefish longline endorsement may not commercially harvest golden tilefish using hook-and-line fishing gear, and is limited to the golden tilefish recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open, without regard to where the golden tilefish was harvested (i.e. in state or federal waters).
  • A vessel that does not have a longline endorsement, but has a commercial South Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited permit, may commercially harvest golden tilefish with hook-and-line fishing gear until the hook-and-line catch limit is reached.
  • The 2021 fishing season for the golden tilefish commercial sector opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2021.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register
or at:
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#_top.

MAFMC Meeting April 7-9 in Galloway, NJ

March 10, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its next meeting April 7-9, 2020 at Seaview, a Dolce Hotel (401 S. New York Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205, Telephone: 609-652-1800).

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

  • Golden Tilefish 2021 – 2022 Specifications
  • Blueline Tilefish 2021 Specifications Review
  • Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment
  • 2020 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report
  • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Updates
  • Climate Change Scenario Planning
  • South Atlantic Electronic Reporting
  • Ocean Data Portals Commercial Fisheries Data Project
  • Offshore Wind Updates
  • SAFMC Citizen Science Program
  • GARFO/NEFSC Joint Strategic Plan

Meeting Materials: Briefing documents will be posted at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/april-2020 as they become available.

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). Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2020 to be included in the briefing book. Comments received after this date but before 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2020 will be posted as supplemental materials on the Council meeting web page. After that date, all comments must be submitted using the online comment form linked below.

Webinar: For online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/april2020.

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

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Measures for Private Recreational Tilefish Vessels

January 29, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on proposed measures for private recreational tilefish vessels that were approved in Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. Proposed measures include requiring private recreational vessels that intend to target golden or blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/North Carolina border, to obtain a federal private recreational tilefish vessel permit through an online application on the Greater Atlantic Regional Office website. Proposed measures also include a requirement for private recreational tilefish vessels to fill out and submit an electronic vessel trip report within 24 hours of returning to port for trips where tilefish were targeted and/or retained.

Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal. You may also submit comments through regular mail to: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930

The comments due date is 02-28-2020.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Changes to Commercial Regulations for Snapper-Grouper Species in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic Region

January 28, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGES:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Vision Blueprint Commercial Regulatory Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The final rule will:

  • Modify commercial regulations for blueline tilefish, snowy grouper, greater amberjack, red porgy, vermilion snapper, almaco jack, Other Jacks Complex (lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish), queen snapper, silk snapper, blackfin snapper, and gray triggerfish.
  • Modify commercial fishing seasons, trip limits, and minimum size limits.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective February 26, 2020.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR COMMERCIAL SNAPPER-GROUPER SPECIES:

Blueline Tilefish

  • The final rule reduces the commercial trip limit from 300 to 100 pounds gutted weight from January 1 through April 30; and
    Retains the commercial trip limit of 300 pound gutted weight from May 1 through December 31.

Snowy Grouper

  • The final rule establishes two commercial fishing seasons of January 1 through June 30 (Season 1) and July 1 through December 31 (Season 2); and
  • Allocates 70% of the commercial catch limit to Season 1 and 30% to Season 2, and transfer any remaining quota from Season 1 to Season 2.

Greater Amberjack

  • The final rule establishes two commercial fishing seasons of March 1 through August 31 (Season 1) and September 1 through the end of February (Season 2);
  • Allocates 60% of the commercial catch limit to Season 1 and 40% to Season 2, and transfer any remaining quota from Season 1 to Season 2;
  • Retains the commercial trip limit of 1,200 pounds whole weight or gutted weight for Season 1;
  • Retains the commercial sale and purchase prohibition during April, and the harvest and possession limit is one per person per day or one per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive; and
  • Reduces the commercial trip limit from 1,200 to 1,000 pounds whole weight or gutted weight for Season 2.

Red Porgy

  • The final rule establishes two commercial fishing seasons of January 1 through April 30 (Season 1) and May 1 through December 31 (Season 2);
  • Allocates 30% of the commercial catch limit to Season 1 and 70% to Season 2, and transfer any remaining quota from Season 1 to Season 2;
  • Removes the sale and purchase prohibition and the possession limit of three fish per person per day or three fish per person per trip during January 1 through April 30 each year;
  • Establishes a commercial trip limit of 60 fish in Season 1; and
  • Retains the 120 fish commercial trip limit in Season 2.

Vermilion Snapper

  • The final rule retains the 50% split quotas of the commercial catch limits between January 1 through June 30 (Season 1) and July 1 through December 31 (Season 2);
  • Retains the commercial trip limit of 1,000 pound gutted weight; and
  • Removes the 500 pound gutted weight commercial trip limit when 75% of the seasonal quotas are met or projected to be met.

Other Jacks Complex (lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish)

  • The final rule establishes a commercial trip limit of 500 pounds gutted weight.

Almaco Jack

  • The final rule establishes a commercial minimum size limit of 20 inches fork length.

Deep-water Species (queen snapper, silk snapper, and blackfin snapper)

  • The final rule removes the 12-inch total length commercial minimum size limit for queen snapper, silk snapper, and blackfin snapper.

Gray Triggerfish

  • The final rule reduces the commercial minimum size limit in the exclusive economic zone off the east coast of Florida from 14 inches to 12 inches fork length; and
  • Retains the commercial minimum size limit of 12 inches fork length off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 4588, January 27, 2020.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final 2020 Golden Tilefish Commercial Fishery Specifications

October 10, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is implementing golden tilefish quotas for the 2020 fishing year that we previously announced as projected on November 7, 2017. There have been no overages in 2019, and there is no new biological information, so we are now finalizing the 2020 quotas. The quotas are the same as in 2019.

Approved measures include acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limit (ACL), and total allowable landings (TAL) for the individual fishing quota (IFQ) and incidental components of the commercial fishery.

All other requirements remain the same.

 For more details, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today and the permit holder bulletin posted on our website.

Read the full release here

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 30, 2019

July 25, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on July 30, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2020 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 23, 2019

July 19, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2019 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure prohibitions for the commercial hook-and-line component apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
  • The South Atlantic golden tilefish commercial longline component closed on March 14, 2019, and the recreational sector closed on June 17, 2019, for the remainder of the fishing year. Therefore, because the commercial longline component and the recreational sector are already closed, and the commercial hook-and-line component will close on July 23, 2019, all harvest and possession of South Atlantic golden tilefish will be prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 23, 2019.
  • The prohibitions on harvest or possession and sale or purchase during the closure do not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2020 fishing season for golden tilefish commercial hook-and-line component in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a commercial catch limit of 82,935 pounds gutted weight.
  • This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. The complete list of regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at:
    https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6.

NEFMC Joins MAFMC in Commercial eVTR action

July 16, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is taking steps to bring all commercial fishermen who hold federal permits for Council-managed species into the digital age by requiring vessel trip reports (VTRs) to be submitted electronically instead of on paper. These electronic reports are known as eVTRs, and this proposed action will apply to all of the Council’s fishery management plans.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has been working since December of 2018 on a Commercial eVTR Omnibus Framework Action that would apply to all vessels with federal commercial permits for MAFMC-managed species, which include summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, surfclams, ocean quahogs, bluefish, and tilefish.

Read the full release here