Saving Seafood

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.

DR. RAY HILBORN: Plenty of Sustainable Seafood Options Available

December 28, 2015 — The rising trend of “trash fish,” or unusual and underutilized seafood species, on fine dining menus in New York City was discussed last week in The New York Times by Jeff Gordinier. The idea is to, “substitute salmon, tuna, shrimp and cod, much of it endangered and the product of dubious (if not destructive) fishing practices,” with less familiar species that are presumably more abundant, like “dogfish, tilefish, Acadian redfish, porgy, hake, cusk, striped black mullet.”

Changing diners’ perceptions isn’t always easy, especially about seafood, but there is certainly momentum building for more diverse seafood species. Seafood suppliers are reporting record sales of fish like porgy and hake. Chefs feel good about serving these new species because, “industrially harvested tuna, salmon and cod is destroying the environment.” A new organization, Dock-to-Dish, connects restaurants with fishermen that are catching underutilized species and these efforts are highlighted as a catalyst for this growing trash fish trend. From a culinary perspective, this trend allows chefs to sell the story of an unusual and sustainable species, which more compelling than more mainstream species like tuna, salmon or cod. From a sustainability perspective, Gordinier implies that serving a diversity of seafood species is more responsible than the mainstream few that are “industrially caught” and dominate the National Fisheries Institute list of most consumed species in America.

Comment by Ray Hilborn, University of Washington

While I applaud the desire to eat underutilized species, it seems as if the chefs interviewed don’t know much about sustainable seafood. Below are a few quotes from the article that give the impression that eating traditional species such as tuna, cod, salmon and shrimp is an environmental crime.

“Salmon, tuna, shrimp and cod, much of it endangered and the product of dubious (if not destructive) fishing practices”

“The chef Molly Mitchell, can’t imagine serving industrially harvested tuna or salmon or cod. “You can’t really eat that stuff anymore,” she said. “It’s destroying the environment.”

“Flying them halfway around the world may not count as an ecofriendly gesture, but these oceanic oddities are a far cry from being decimated the way cod has. “Hopefully they’ll try something new and not just those fishes that are overfarmed and overcaught,” said Jenni Hwang, director of marketing for the Chaya Restaurant Group.”

“A growing cadre of chefs, restaurateurs and fishmongers in New York and around the country is taking on the mission of selling wild and local fish whose populations are not threatened with extinction.”

Read the full commentary at CFOOD

 

Seafood Restaurants Cast a Wider Net for Sustainable Fish

December 22, 2015 — Michael Chernow doesn’t want people to step inside Seamore’s, his fish-fixated restaurant on the rim of Little Italy, worrying that they’re about to get a heap of science homework dumped onto the table.

“Our goal is not to say: ‘Welcome to Seamore’s School. We’re going to teach you all about sustainable fish,’” said Mr. Chernow, who is also one of the entrepreneurs behind the Meatball Shop chain.

But there is a blackboard. Labeled “Daily Landings,” it covers a wall of the restaurant, operating as a shortcut syllabus for anyone who wants to learn not only what fish are being cooked in the kitchen at Seamore’s, but also what species have been deliciously available for human consumption for centuries: dogfish, tilefish, Acadian redfish, porgy, hake, cusk, striped black mullet.

“Once they see the board, everybody gets pumped,” Mr. Chernow said. “‘Wow, look at all these fish, and I’ve never tasted them before.’”

Over the last decade or so, restaurant diners in this country have become more sophisticated about, and open to, ingredients that used to throw them for a loop: bone marrow, pork belly, sunchokes, orange wine, the ubiquitous kale.

Read the full story at The New York Times

December 7-10 MAFMC Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland

November 18, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Monday, December 7, 2015 – Thursday, December 10, 2015

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s December 2015 meeting to be held in Annapolis, Maryland on December 7 – 10, 2015. 

  • On Monday, December 7, the meeting will be held at the O’Callaghan Annapolis Hotel (174 West St., Annapolis, MD: telephone 410-263-7700). 
  • On Tuesday, December 8 through Thursday, December 10, the meeting will be held at the Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD: telephone 410-972-4300). 

Briefing Materials: Additional details and briefing materials will be posted on the December 2015 Council Meeting page.

Webinar: For online access to the meeting, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/december2015/

Agenda

Monday, December 7

O’Callaghan Annapolis Hotel

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Executive Committee (CLOSED)

  • Ricks E Savage Award nominees and other awards

10:00 a.m.  Council Convenes

 

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Comprehensive 5-year Research Priority Plan

  • Review and approve plan

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Non-Fishing Activities that Impact Fish Habitat

  • Review and approve policies

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch

 

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Golden Tilefish Framework 2 – Meeting 1

 

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Blueline Tilefish Alternatives

  • Review public hearing document

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Spiny Dogfish Committee Meeting as a Committee of the Whole

  • Review findings from SSC meeting
  • Adjust specification recommendations as appropriate

 

Tuesday, December 8

Westin Annapolis

 

8:30 a.m.  Council Convenes

 

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  Unmanaged Forage – The Pacific Council Experience, Rich Lincoln

 

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Unmanaged Forage Species Amendment

  • Review and approve list of species for inclusion in the public hearing document
  • Review and approve management alternatives for NEPA analysis and public hearing document

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Scup GRA Framework – Meeting 1

  • Discuss and adopt alternatives

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Lunch

 

1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Summer Flounder Goals and Objectives Workshop, Fisheries Forum

  • Review feedback from Fisheries Forum project
  • Discuss priorities for revised FMP goals and objectives
  • Identify draft goals and objectives for Summer Flounder Amendment

Wednesday, December 9

Westin Annapolis

 

9:00 a.m.  Demersal Committee Meeting as a Committee of the Whole with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Boards

 

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  2016 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Commercial Management Measures

  • Review recommendations from the Monitoring and Technical Committees
  • Recommend changes to commercial management measures if appropriate

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Summer Flounder 2016 Recreational Management Measures

  • ASMFC Addendum for summer flounder (Board Action)
  • Review Monitoring Committee and Advisory Panel recommendations for 2016
  • Adopt recommendations for 2016 management measures

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch

 

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Summer Flounder Recreational Management Measures (continued)

 

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Summer Flounder Amendment

  • Discuss timeline and update on progress

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Black Sea Bass 2016 Recreational Management Measures

  • ASMFC Addendum for black sea bass (Board Action)
  • Review Monitoring Committee and Advisory Panel recommendations for 2016
  • Adopt recommendations for 2016 management measures

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Scup 2016 Recreational Management Measures

  • Review Monitoring Committee and Advisory Panel recommendations for 2016
  • Adopt recommendations for 2016 management measures

 

Thursday, December 10

Westin Annapolis

 

8:00 a.m.  Council Convenes

 

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.  GARFO Recreational Implementation Plan, Mike Pentony

 

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  NEFSC Strategic Plan, Bill Karp

 

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  2016 Implementation Plan

  • Review and approve Implementation Plan

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Business Session

  • Organization Reports
    • NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Office
    • NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center
    • NOAA Office of General Counsel
    • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
    • U.S. Coast Guard
    • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
  • Liaison Reports
    • New England Council
    • South Atlantic Council
    • Regional Planning Body
  • Executive Director’s Report, Chris Moore
    • Review and approve change to SOPPs
  • Science Report, Rich Seagraves
  • Committee Reports
    • Executive Committee
    • Collaborative Research Committee
    • River Herring/Shad Committee
  • Continuing and New Business

View a PDF of the Agenda

 

SAFMC: Proposed Commercial Trip Limit for the Atlantic Coast Dolphin Fishery

October 27, 2015 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input in November on measures affecting fishermen as far north as New England. Commercial fishermen that target dolphin (fish) in federal waters along the Atlantic coast may be operating under a new commercial trip limit if measures proposed by the Council are approved during its December 7-11, 2015 meeting in Atlantic Beach, NC. The Council is developing Regulatory Amendment 1 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan with trip limit alternatives designed to help extend the commercial season. On June 30, 2015, the commercial dolphin fishery was closed for the first time when NOAA Fisheries projected that the annual catch limit of 1,157,001 pounds would be met. Dolphin are managed from New England to the Florida Keys under the fishery management plan, and the closure impacted the commercial fishery along the entire Atlantic coast. The Council approved measures in December 2014 to modify the allocation between commercial and recreational sectors, increasing the commercial allocation to 10% and the annual catch limit by 377,484 pounds. NOAA Fisheries is currently reviewing the measures approved by the Council. As proposed, the trip limit would become effective once a designated portion of the commercial annual catch limit is reached. Fishermen and other interested members of the public are being asked to provide their comments on various alternatives by participating in public hearings being held via webinar or by submitting written comments (see details below).

The Council is also requesting public input on proposed management measures for blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper and black sea bass in Regulatory Amendment 25 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. New annual catch limits for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic and other management parameters are being considered based on a new Acceptable Biological Catch of 224,100 pounds. Changes to commercial trip limits and recreational bag limits for blueline tilefish are also being considered. For yellowtail snapper, a species commonly targeted off the southeastern coast of Florida, the amendment includes alternatives to change the fishing year and modify accountability measures. The change in the current fishing year is being requested by fishermen in order to allow harvest during the winter season and have any closures that may occur due to meeting the annual catch limit coincide with the spring/summer spawning season. The final action in Regulatory Amendment 25 would allow an increase in the current recreational bag limit for black sea bass of 5 fish per person per day. Alternatives range from increasing the bag limit to 6 fish up to a total of 10 fish per person per day. Once overfished, the stock was deemed rebuilt based on the 2013 stock assessment and the annual catch limit more than doubled. The Council is scheduled to approve measures in Regulatory Amendment 25 during its December meeting in Atlantic Beach, NC.

The public is encouraged to provide written comment and participate in upcoming public hearings scheduled via webinar with concurrent comment stations at various locations. A public hearing scheduled for Monday, November 9th will address actions proposed in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25. A public hearing scheduled for Thursday, November 12th will address commercial trip limits for dolphin through Dolphin Wahoo Regulatory Amendment 1 and measures proposed in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25. The public hearings begin at 6:00 PM.

Learn More – Q&A Webinar

Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:00 PM – Question and Answer Webinar for Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25. Registration for the webinar is required and information is available from the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net. Public Hearing Summary documents for each amendment and other materials will be posted on the same page by October 30, 2015.

Submit Written Comment

Written comments for both amendments can be submitted via mail, fax, and email and will be accepted until 5:00 PM on November 16, 2015. Instructions for submitting comments are available from the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the website or by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

Public Hearing Webinars and Comment Stations

Public hearings will be held via webinar in conjunction with comment stations throughout the region beginning at 6:00 PM. Stakeholders have two options for participating in the public hearings: Option1) Participate via webinar on the scheduled dates listed below; and Option 2) Participate in person at one of the designated comment stations in NC, SC, GA and FL on the scheduled dates listed below. Registration is required for each webinar. Webinar registration links are available from the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net. Council staff will be available one hour prior to each webinar to assist with setup if needed. Call 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10 for assistance. Council staff will review the amendments via webinar beginning at 6:00 PM and local Council members will be on hand at each comment station and tuned into the webinar. Members of the public on the webinar and at comment stations will then have an opportunity to go on record to provide comments for consideration by the Council.

 

SAFMC November 2015 Public Hearings Webinar and Comment Station Dates 6:00 PM

 

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25 

 

Monday, November 9th

 

Public Hearing via Webinar

Register at www.safmc.net

 

Comment Stations:

GA Department of Natural Resources

Coastal Resources Division

One Conservation Way

Brunswick, GA 31520-8687

Phone: 912/264-7218

 

Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport

5265 International Boulevard

North Charleston, SC 29418

Phone: 843/308-9330

 

Dolphin Wahoo Regulatory Amendment 1 and Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25 

 

Thursday, November 12th

 

Public Hearing via Webinar

Register at www.safmc.net.

 

Comment Stations:

Dare County Government Complex

Room 168, 1st Floor

954 Marshall C. Collins Drive

Manteo, NC 27954

Phone: 252/475-5000

 

Wingate by Wyndham (Hotel)

2465 State Route 16

St. Augustine, FL 32092

Phone: 904/824-9229

 

View a PDF of the release here