Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

November 14, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Correction: Date corrected in bold below.

NOAA Fisheries announces that we are implementing regulations for Amendment 6 to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. This action sets commercial and recreational management measures for the blueline tilefish fishery in the Mid-Atlantic. Blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) is also known as grey tilefish.

This rule goes into effect on December 15, 2017.

Blueline tilefish have been managed for many years under the South Atlantic Council’s Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, whose measures only apply south of the Virginia/North Carolina border. The fishery in the Mid-Atlantic was considered very small and remained unregulated until recently.

Recreational and commercial blueline tilefish catch has been increasing steadily in the Greater Atlantic Region (Virginia to Maine) since 2011. In 2014, commercial landings increased more than 20-fold from the previous several years’ average. This rapid increase in unregulated harvest represented a risk to the long-term sustainability of the stock, and triggered the Mid-Atlantic Council to request emergency management measures in 2015. Interim management measures took effect in June 2016, while the Council developed this proposed amendment.

Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan manages the federal waters blueline tilefish fishery north of the Virginia/North Carolina border, as part of the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. The rule requires fishermen to hold a valid Greater Atlantic Region open access tilefish commercial or charter/party permit to ensure adequate reporting and monitoring of blueline tilefish fishing activity.

Through this action, we are implementing a commercial possession limit of 300 pounds per trip.

The recreational season will run from May 1-October 31, and will close as of December 15, 2017, when this rule becomes effective. When the fishery re-opens in May, recreational fishermen will have limits of:

  • 7 fish per person on Coast Guard inspected for-hire vessels (party boats)
  • 5 fish per person on uninspected for-hire vessels (charter boats), and
  • 3 fish per person on private recreational vessels.

Amendment 6 also calls for new permitting and reporting requirements for private recreational vessels. These measures are not being implemented at this time. Because they require additional development and outreach, they will be implemented later through a separate rule, and will not be in effect for the 2018 fishing season that starts on May 1, 2018.

More information is available in the final rule as filed in the Federal Register notice today, and in the permit holder bulletin on our website.

To learn more about NOAA Fisheries visit their site here.

 

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comment on Proposed Rule for the Tilefish Fishery

October 23, 2017 — The Following was released by the NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on a proposed rule that would make minor modifications to improve and simplify administration of the golden tilefish fishery.

The proposed changes under Framework 2 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan include:

  • Eliminating the interactive voice response (IVR) reporting requirement;
  • Limiting the recreational golden tilefish fishery to rod and reel only, with up to 5 hooks per rod;
  • Requiring commercial golden tilefish to be landed with the head attached;
  • Limiting commercial incidental landings to the lesser of 500 lb or 50 percent of the weight of all fish onboard;
  • Prohibiting tilefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) vessels from fishing more than one IFQ allocation at a time; and
  • Adjusting how assumed discards are accounted for during the specifications process.

Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and the draft Environmental Assessment and preliminary Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR).

You may submit your comments through the online portal or via regular mail to: John Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930

The comment period is open through November 7, 2017.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-9175

Commercial Reopening for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on October 24, 2017, for Eight Days

October 20, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen for eight days on October 24, 2017. Commercial harvest will reopen 12:01 a.m. (local time) on October 24, 2017 and close 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 1, 2017. During the eight-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for blueline tilefish is 336 pounds whole weight or 300 pounds gutted weight.

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. On July 18, 2017, the commercial catch limit for the 2017 season was projected to be met, and NOAA Fisheries closed the season. However, a recent landings update indicates that the blueline tilefish catch limit was not met.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The 2018 fishing season for the commercial sector opens at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2018.
  • As a reminder, recreational harvest is closed for the remaining part of 2017. Therefore, the recreational bag and possession limit for blueline tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters is zero.

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.

Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.

Feds looking to trim golden tilefish quota for next 3 years

September 12, 2017 — PORTLAND, Maine — Federal fishing regulators are planning to cut back the fishing quota for golden tilefish for the next three years.

Golden tilefish are prized as food and they are caught by longline and hook-and-line fishermen up and down the East Coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says proposed quotas for 2018 to 2020 are 14 percent lower than the 2017 quota to prevent overfishing.

The fish are not currently experiencing overfishing, but fishery managers recommended reduction based on an evaluation of the fishery.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the San Francisco Chronicle

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 18, 2017

July 12, 2017 — 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. on July 18, 2017. 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 fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by July 18, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded. This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

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 2018 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, 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 by clicking here.

NMFS Put Councils on Notice About Overfishing or Overfished Conditions on Bigeye, Four Other Stocks

April 24, 2017 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The National Marine Fisheries Service has notified regional councils that five species are subject to overfishing and/or are overfishing or overfished, requiring measures be put in place to remedy the situations.

Bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific and South Atlantic golden tilefish are subject to overfishing, according to NMFS. South Atlantic blueline tilefish remains subject to overfishing. Pacific Bluefin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean and South Atlantic red snapper are both overfished and also subject to overfishing.

NMFS determined the bigeye tuna stock is subject to overfishing based on a 2014 stock assessment update conducted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, which was accepted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international body composed of more than 35 member countries, participating territories and cooperating non-members.

Both the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Fishery Management Council are charged with addressing the international and domestic impacts to bigeye tuna. Actions to address international recommendations must be forwarded to the Secretary of State and Congress.

NMFS acknowledged that overfishing of the bigeye stock is largely due to international fishing pressure. Regardless, Hawaii longliners are concerned that U.S. fleets will bear the brunt of the regulations.

Hawaii Longline Association President Sean Martin said any regulations likely won’t have a short-term effect on the year-round fishery. However, it seems like NMFS was premature in its decision and used an old stock assessment to make the determination, he said.

“I’m not sure why they did that, prior to the new stock assessment,” Martin said.

The SPC currently is working on an updated bigeye tuna stock assessment to present to the Commission in August. The assessment may show the stock in better shape than the 2014 assessment — or it may not.

Regardless, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is required to take into account the relative impact of the longline fleet — which is pretty small in the scope of international fishery management, Martin said. “So it complicates the issue because we are so small,” he added.

Hawaii already imports bigeye tuna from other Commission countries as demand for bigeye and poke has increased in restaurants.

Further constraints on the domestic fishery will likely be filled by other countries. The U.S. takes conservation seriously, Martin said, but at the international level, discussions frequently center more around allocation rather than conservation.

“We’re suffering the consequences of others who want access to our markets,” Martin said.

NMFS’ notice about the status of the bluefin tuna in the North Pacific also must be dealt with by both the Western Pacific and Pacific fishery management councils.

The overfishing and overfished condition of Pacific bluefin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean is due largely to excessive international fishing pressure and there are no management measures (or efficiency measures) to end overfishing under an international agreement to which the United States is a party, NMFS said in its notice.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has been notified it must take action immediately to end overfishing of golden tilefish and continue to work with NMFS to end overfishing of blueline tilefish and red snapper and rebuild the red snapper stock.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

Request for Proposals: Tilefish Surveying

July 7, 2016 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Managment Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a contractor to develop a “proof-of-concept” survey for blueline and golden tilefish.  The work would be used to implement a relative abundance survey (from Cape Hatteras through the northernmost extent of their range) and should involve both design and pilot implementation components, as well as consideration of coordination with any other relevant surveys.

Interested parties should provide a proposal including methodology, timeline, costs, qualifications, and three references by August 8, 2016. Please see the Request for Proposals linked below for complete details and submission instructions.

See the full request for proposals here

Why You Should Be Worried About Fish Fraud

June 13, 2016 –Fish has been heralded as one of the healthiest foods on the planet, loaded with those highly beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

But there is one important thing to consider before you make fish a staple in your diet – seafood fraud.

This type of fraud includes any illegal activity that misrepresents seafood being sold, which is shockingly easy. More than 90 percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, and the government inspects less than 1 percent of that specifically for fraud, according to Oceana, one of the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organizations.

Using DNA testing, Oceana conducted a two-year investigation of seafood fraud from 2010 to 2012 and found that one-third of seafood is mislabeled, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Additionally, 44 percent of all the grocery stores, restaurants and sushi venues the organization investigated sold mislabeled seafood. It’s difficult to pinpoint, however, at what stage in the supply chain these fraudulent activities occur, as the Oceana study notes.

Read the full story at attn.com

U.S. fisheries continue to rebuild; number of overfished stocks remains near all-time low

April 22, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

Total number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish stocks since 2000 rises to 39

The number of domestic fish stocks listed as overfished or subject to overfishing remain near all-time lows, according to the 2015 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress.

The 2015 report highlights the United States’ continued progress towards managing fish stocks sustainably. This is a result of the combined efforts of NOAA Fisheries, commercial and recreational fishermen, the regional fishery management councils, states, and other partners.

“It’s fitting that this report aligns with the 40th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,” said Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries. “Magnuson-Stevens provided the dynamic, science-based management process that is proving successful year after year at keeping U.S. fisheries among the world’s most sustainable and resilient. This year’s report highlights the act’s continued success.”

In 2015, eight stocks came off the overfishing list:

  • greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico
  • gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico;
  • hogfish in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico;
  • thorny skate in the Gulf of Maine;
  • winter skate in Georges Bank/Southern New England;
  • windowpane flounder in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank;
  • Puerto Rico scups and porgies complex (similar species that occur in the same area)
  • Puerto Rico wrasses complex.

In addition, two stocks are no longer listed as overfished—blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic and canary rockfish along the Pacific Coast.

A stock is on the overfishing list when the annual catch rate is too high. A stock is on the overfished listwhen the population size of a stock is too low, whether because of fishing or other causes, such as environmental changes.

The report also found that two fish stocks—canary rockfish and petrale sole, both on the Pacific Coast—were rebuilt to target levels in 2015. That brings the total number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish stocks to 39 since 2000.

“This rebuilding success demonstrates the importance of the scientific monitoring and responsive management approach Congress built in to the Magnuson-Stevens Act,” said Sobeck. “It also shows that managing fisheries to sustainable levels in an ever-changing environment is an ongoing process of science informing management.”

See the release at NOAA

 

 

NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations for Snapper-Grouper and Golden Crab in the South Atlantic, and Dolphin and Wahoo in the Atlantic Region

January 25, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

The final rule for the Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment including: Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab of the South Atlantic Region, and Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic published in the Federal Registrar on January 22, 2016 (81 FR 3731). Regulations will be effective on February 22, 2016.

The final rule:

Revises commercial and recreational sector allocations, and annual catch limits for dolphin in the South Atlantic. The commercial sector allocation for dolphin will increase from 7.54% to 10%, and the commercial annual catch limit will increase from 1,157,001 to 1,534,485 pounds whole weight. The recreational sector allocation for dolphin will change from 92.46% to 90%, and the annual catch limit will change from 14,187,845 to 13,810,361 pounds whole weight.

Revises the accountability measures for black grouper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, greater amberjack, red porgy, gag, golden tilefish, red grouper, snowy grouper, gray triggerfish, hogfish, scamp, Atlantic spadefish, bar jack, the other snappers complex, the other jacks complex, the other shallow-water grouper complex, the other porgies complex; wreckfish (recreational), and golden crab (commercial).

Accountability measures are ways fishery managers prevent annual catch limits from being exceeded and to correct overages of the catch limits if they do occur. These measures can include in-season closures, and post-season paybacks, such as reducing the length of the next fishing season or reducing the annual catch limit in the next fishing season. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more detailed information on accountability measures for the commercial and recreational sectors.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

For more information on the final rule for the Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment, please follow this link to the Frequently Asked Questions.