Saving Seafood

Council Actions

Scallop RSA Share Day: Tune in on May 19th to Learn More about Industry-Funded Research

May 15, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will be hosting a Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program Share Day on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 via webinar beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event will feature updates and preliminary findings from projects recently funded through the RSA program. The presentations will benefit the Scallop Plan Development Team and Scallop Advisory Panel in making recommendations to the Scallop Committee and full Council for future research priority setting for this program. In addition, all scallopers and other stakeholders may be interested in hearing about how RSA projects enhance management of the fishery and address critical resource, gear, bycatch, and survey issues.

The Council annually “sets aside” 1.25 million pounds of scallop meats that can be used to support research in the fishery. The Council then determines research priorities. NOAA Fisheries manages the RSA competition and administers the program.

Read the full release here

ASMFC Withdraws the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Atlantic Menhaden Noncompliance Finding

May 14, 2020 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission notified the Secretary of Commerce that the Commonwealth of Virginia is in compliance with Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. Specifically, the Commonwealth has promulgated regulations to implement the 51,000 metric ton (mt) Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap (cap). For the 2020 fishing season, the Commonwealth set the cap at approximately 36,000 mt, nearly 15,000 mt below Amendment 3’s cap to reflect overages that occurred in 2019. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which now has regulatory authority for menhaden management in state waters, will set the cap at 51,000 mt in 2021 as long as catch is below the cap set in 2020.

“I would like to thank my fellow Virginia Commissioners, Governor Northam, Secretary Strickler, the Virginia General Assembly, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for their attention to this issue,” stated Patrick Keliher, ASMFC Chair and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. “We are appreciative of their hard work to bring the Commonwealth back into compliance prior to the effective date of the moratorium.”

Under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, upon receiving notification that a state has come back into compliance with a mandatory management measure, the Secretary of Commerce determines whether the state is in compliance. If he concurs with the Commission’s compliance finding, the moratorium is terminated immediately.

Atlantic Herring Area 1A 2020 Effort Controls

May 13, 2020 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts set the effort control measures for the 2020 Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fishery for Season 1 (June-September).

The Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (ACL) is 2,957 metric tons (mt) after adjusting for the research set-aside, the 30 mt fixed gear set-aside, and the fact that Area 1A closes at 92% of the sub-ACL. In October 2019, the Atlantic Herring Management Board implemented seasonal allocations for the 2020 fishery which allocates the Area 1A sub-ACL between June-September (72.8%) and October-December (27.2%).

Days Out of the Fishery

  • Landing days will be set at zero from June 1 until the start of the fishery on July 19 in Maine and July 20 in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
  • Vessels with an Atlantic herring Limited Access Category A permit that have declared into the Area 1A fishery may land herring four (4) consecutive days a week. One landing per 24 hour period. Vessels are prohibited from landing or possessing herring caught from Area 1A during a day out of the fishery.
    • Landings days in Maine begin on Sunday of each week at 6:00 p.m. starting July 19.
    • Landing days in New Hampshire and Massachusetts begin on Monday of each week at 12:01 a.m. starting July 20.
  • Small mesh bottom trawl vessels with an Atlantic herring Limited Access Category C or Open Access D permit that have declared into the fishery may land herring five (5) consecutive days a week.

Weekly Landing Limit

  • Vessels with an Atlantic herring Category A permit may harvest up to 240,000 lbs. (6 trucks) per harvester vessel, per week starting July 19 in Maine and July 20 in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

At-Sea Transfer and Carrier Restrictions

The following applies to harvester vessels with an Atlantic herring Category A permit and carrier vessels landing herring caught in Area 1A to a Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts port.

  • A harvester vessel may transfer herring at-sea to another harvester vessel.
  • A harvester vessel may not make any at-sea transfers to a carrier vessel.
  • Carrier vessels may not receive at-sea transfers from a harvester vessel.

Fishermen are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A until July 19 or 20, 2020, depending on the state. Landings will be closely monitored and the fishery will be adjusted to zero landing days when the seasonal period quota is projected to be reached.

For more information, please contact Max Appelman, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at mappelman@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

The announcement, including motions from yesterday’s days out meeting, can be found here –http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5ebc0a0eAtlHerringDaysOutMeasures_May2020.pdf

June 10-19, 2020 PFMC Meeting Notice (Online Meeting) and Agenda Now Available

May 13, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC or Council) and its advisory bodies will meet June 10-19, 2020 online only, to address issues related to groundfish, salmon, highly migratory species, coastal pelagic species, and administrative matters.

Please see the June 10-19, 2020 Council meeting notice on the Council’s website for further updates and details regarding webinar participation; schedule of advisory body meetings, our E-Portal for submitting public comments, and public comment deadlines. There will be no meetings schedule during the weekend of June 13‐14, however, the meeting will continue daily on Monday, June 15 at 8 a.m. through Friday, June 19, 2020.

Key agenda items for the meeting include Council considerations to:

  • Provide Recommendations to Upcoming International Forums Including U.S. Positions on Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch Limits to the Inter‐American Tropical Tuna Commission and Receive an Update on the U.S./Canada Albacore Tuna Treaty
  • Adopt Terms of Reference for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Endangered Species Act Consultation Update
  • Adopt Final Risk Assessment, Review Draft Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup Management Measure Recommendations, and Provide Guidance
  • Final Action to Adopt Management Measures and Exempted Fishing Permits for 2021‐2022 Groundfish Fisheries
  • Adopt Final List and Schedule of Groundfish Stocks for Assessment in 2021, the Stock Assessment and Methodology Review Terms of Reference (TOR) for Groundfish and Coastal Pelagic Species, and the Rebuilding TOR for Overfished Groundfish Stocks; Refine the Preliminary List of Stocks for 2023 Assessments
  • Review Draft Sardine Rebuilding Plan, Adopt a Range of Alternatives, and Consider a Preliminary Preferred Alternative, As Appropriate
  • Adopt Final Recommendations for Electronic Monitoring Program Regulatory Changes, Program Implementation, and Exempted Fishing Permits
  • Adopt Final Inseason Adjustments for 2020, Including Shorebased Carryover, as Necessary to Achieve but Not Exceed Annual Catch Limits and Other Management Objectives

Meetings of advisory bodies will also be conducted by online meetings based on the schedules in the agenda. There will be one opportunity for public comment daily in each of the online meetings.

Instructions for how to connect to the online meetings will be posted on the Council’s June 2020 Meeting webpage prior to the first day of the meeting.

Please note that the evolving public health situation regarding COVID‐19 may further affect the conduct of the June Council and advisory body meetings. Pacific Council staff will monitor COVID‐19 developments and will determine if there is a need for additional measures. If such measures are deemed necessary, Council staff will post notice of them prominently on our website (www.pcouncil.org). Potential meeting participants are encouraged to check the Pacific Council’s website frequently for such information and updates.

For further information:

Salmon Advisory Subpanel to hold online meeting June 8, 2020

May 12, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council)  Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) will host an online meeting which is open to the public. The meeting will be held Monday, June 8, 2020, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, or until business is complete.

Please see the SAS online meeting notice on the Council’s website for details.

For further information:

  • Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Robin Ehlke at 503-820-2410; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting June 8-11, 2020

May 12, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its quarterly meeting Jun 8-11, 2020 via webinar. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Key West, Florida was rescheduled via webinar due to the coronavirus and concerns for public safety.

“This was a tough decision and a first for our Council,” said John Carmichael, the Council’s Executive Director. “We always look forward to quarterly in-person meetings and seeing constituents in each state in the region but given the circumstances, this approach was our best option,” explained Carmichael. “Council members and staff are experienced with meetings via webinar and we will work with members of the public to ensure access to the meetings as they occur each day. We welcome public participation and comment.” The meeting week begins on Monday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday, June 11.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 10th beginning at 4:00 PM. Meeting materials and an online comment form will be available for written comments beginning May 22, 2020. The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance for each meeting day.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Best Fishing Practices – The Information and Education Committee will receive updates on the Council’s Best Fishing Practices campaign including input from its I&E Advisory Panel.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, and other revisions to the dolphin and wahoo fisheries. The Committee will also provide recommendations on management options to add bullet and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as Ecosystem Component Species.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Council is scheduled to approve measures to designate existing artificial reefs in federal waters off NC and SC as Special Management Zones at the request of the state marine resource agencies. In addition, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review results of stock assessments for Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will review the results of a recent stock assessment for King Mackerel and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Citizen Science – The Citizen Science Committee will provide feedback on Program goals and objectives, evaluation plan options, and receive updates on current CitSci projects including FISHstory and SAFMC Release.

Additional Information:

The impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries will be discussed during each species-specific committee meeting and during Full Council, including updates from individual states, updates on COVID-19 relief funds, and staff operational updates. The Council will discuss these impacts and consider any necessary response.

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available by May 22, 2020.

Reminder: Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment Webinars – Today @ 2:00 p.m. and Thursday @ 6:00 p.m

May 11, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold two scoping webinars to gather public input on a management action to consider potential modifications to the allocations of the black sea bass commercial quota among the states of Maine through North Carolina. Learn more about this action in the scoping announcement or at the links below.

Webinar Schedule

Both scoping hearings will be conducted by webinar.

  1. Monday May 11, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EDT
  2. Thursday May 14, 2020, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm EDT

To join the webinar, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/bsb-com-allocation-scoping/. Audio connection instructions appear upon connecting, or you can call 800-832-0736 and enter room number 5068871#.

Written Comments

In addition to providing comments at either of the scoping hearing webinars, you may submit written comments by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday May 31, 2020. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:

1. ONLINE: http://www.mafmc.org/comments/bsb-com-allocation-amendment

2. EMAIL: jbeaty@mafmc.org

3. MAIL: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director

    Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

    800 North State Street, Suite 201

    Dover, DE 19901

4. FAX: 302.674.5399

Please include “Black Sea Bass Commercial Allocation Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments. All comments, regardless of submission method, will be shared with the Commission and Council and will be made publicly available on their respective websites. It is not necessary to submit the same comments to both the Council and Commission or through multiple channels.

Read the full release here

Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Peer Review Meeting, May 18-20, 2020 – Join the Webinar

May 11, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

An ad hoc sub-panel of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and outside scientists will meet May 18-20, 2020 via webinar to conduct a peer review of the Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Working Group’s report titled:  An Interdisciplinary Review of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Stock Structure in the Western North Atlantic Ocean.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. daily.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Register for the webinar HERE.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 655-0052. The access code is 805-785-106.

PEER REVIEW PANEL:  The panel is made up of the following reviewers.

  • Jake Kritzer – chair
  • Yong Chen (SSC member)
  • Jeremy Collie (SSC member)
  • Richard Merrick (SSC member)
  • Ike Wirgin

WORKING GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE:  The Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Working Group was asked to inventory, summarize, and synthesize all relevant information to inform the most scientifically supported biological structure of Atlantic cod in U.S. waters using the following terms of reference (TORs).

  1. Inventory and summarize all relevant peer-review information about stock structure of Atlantic cod in NAFO Divisions 5 and 6 and interactions with 4X. Evaluate the relative importance of the information with respect to developing a holistic understanding of Atlantic cod stock structure.
  2. Identify and evaluate any new or existing data or information about the stock structure of Atlantic cod in NAFO Divisions 5 and 6 and interactions with 4X, and subject to a peer review by the working group. Integrate any additional information into the inventory developed in TOR 1.
  3. Using a holistic approach, synthesize all available information (TOR 1 and 2) and develop sets of possible biological stock structures and consider scientific support for each alternative. In developing alternative stock structures, consider the temporal stability of stock structure and how the available information can inform the knowledge of stock structure over time.
  4. Identify any major information gaps in data collection and the existing research with respect to cod stock structure. Develop a prioritized list of recommendations to address these gaps. Comment on the feasibility and time horizon (e.g., short-term, long-term) of the proposed research recommendations.

COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020.  Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.  The address for mailing comments is:  New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill #2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

 

MATERIALS:  Meeting materials are posted on the Council’s website at May 18-20, 2020 Atlantic Cod Stock Structure Peer Review.  Here is the primary Technical Memo.

QUESTIONS:  Contact Council Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at (978) 465-0492 ext. 112; ckellogg@nefmc.org, Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org, or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

ASMFC 2020 Spring Meeting Webinar Summaries, Motions and Presentations Now Available

May 8, 2020 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Meeting summaries and motions from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2020 Spring Meeting Webinar are now available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2020SpringMeeting/2020SpringMeetingSummary.pdf.  The document can also be obtained on the Commission website on the Meeting Archives page at http://www.asmfc.org/home/meeting-archive.  Presentations are also available on the Spring Meeting Webinar webpage at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2020-spring-meeting-webinar under the Board/Committee header (click onto presentations link).

Audio files from this week’s meetings will be posted at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2020-spring-meeting-webinar early next week.