Council Actions

February 27, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

During a webinar meeting on Wednesday February 25, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic. The Council’s recommendations include a 300 pound (whole weight) commercial trip limit and a seven fish per-person recreational trip limit. These measures are intended to prevent depletion of the blueline tilefish stock on an interim basis while the Council develops long term management measures through the normal rulemaking process.
 
The meeting was precipitated by data indicating that commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Northeast region had increased substantially in recent years. Between 2005 and 2013, commercial landings of blueline tilefish in the Northeast averaged 10,776 pounds. In 2014, following a reduction in the commercial catch limit in the South Atlantic, commercial landings of blueline tilefish in the Northeast increased more than 20-fold to 215,272 pounds. In addition, the Council’s decision was based on the biological characteristics of the species that make it highly susceptible to overfishing as well as the uncertain status of the blueline resource off the Mid-Atlantic coast.
 
Blueline tilefish in federal waters from North Carolina to Florida are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Based on the South Atlantic Council’s Amendment 32, NMFS has proposed restrictions that include a commercial trip limit of 100 pounds (gutted weight), a recreational vessel limit of one fish per vessel per day for the months of May through August each year, and a prohibition on recreational harvest of blueline tilefish for the rest of the year. However, these regulations would only apply to vessels within the South Atlantic management area. There are currently no federal regulations for blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic region. Virginia implemented regulations to manage blueline tilefish in 2007 and Maryland adopted similar regulations. The lack of regulations in federal waters and other Mid-Atlantic states resulted in an unmanaged “loophole fishery” which could pose a threat to the sustainability of the stock.
 
“Blueline tilefish are long-lived and relatively sedentary, making them highly vulnerable to depletion,” said Rick Robins, Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Council. “The Council’s action to address the sudden increase in effort in this fishery in 2014 directly addresses the risk to the stock and the fishery in our region. Our Council has a longstanding interest in the successful conservation and management of this species and we look forward to securing a sustainable future for the resource and the fishery in the Mid-Atlantic.”
 
The Council’s request for emergency action will be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce for review and implementation by the National Marine Fisheries Service. If approved, the measures would apply for 180 days and can be extended for another 180 days.
 
Additional information and background materials for the meeting are available on the Blueline Tilefish Meeting Page.
 

 

February 25, 2015 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Scientists from throughout the United States gathered Feb. 23 to 25, 2015, in Honolulu to explore ways of incorporating climate, ecosystems and other areas of uncertainty into the sustainable  management of the nation's fisheries. The scientists included 40 representatives from the Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMCs), established by Congress in 1976 to manage fisheries operating in the US exclusive economic zone, as well as a dozen fishery experts providing keynote presentations. This week's public meeting was the fifth gathering of the National SSC. The meeting was hosted by the Western Pacific RFMC, which is based in Honolulu and whose jurisdiction includes Hawai`i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and eight remote islands in the Pacific. Findings from the meeting will be forwarded to the Councils Coordination Committee, a group of the leadership from the eight RFMCs, which is scheduled to meet June 22 to 25, 2015, in Key West, Fla.
 
The National SSC this week deliberated on several key points regarding the incorporation of ecological, environmental and climate variability in stock assessments and ecosystem-based fishery management. These points include keystone species, regime shifts or other major environmental changes, and ecosystem dynamics and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on production. The scientists noted that, in addition to incorporating ecosystem considerations into stock assessments, ecosystem considerations can be taken into account in management decisions.
 
"The past three days have shown that fisheries are dynamic and probably becoming more so with climate change," noted Charles Daxboeck, chair of the National SSC meeting. "Councils and SSCs tend to be reactive to single species issues such as stock declines, bycatch problems or protected species interaction issues. Ecosystem-based management can look at these as a series of interconnected events. In addition to climate vulnerability, it's important to look retrospectively at factors that have altered ecosystems and their impacts on fisheries."
 
The National SSC also discussed regional habitat considerations, differences in how stock assessments are determined for species and species-complexes for which there is limited data, how the requirement for the best-scientific available information should be determined, and evaluation of the control rules for acceptable biological catch, from which annual catch limits are determined.
 
The final findings of the National SSC will be posted on the RFMC website at http://fisherycouncils.org/.

 

February 26, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council seeks a qualified individual to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Candidates should have expertise in economics as it is applied to fisheries management. More detailed information is located at Request for SSC Nominations. Nominees must provide a resume or curriculum vitae by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2015. For further information please contact NEFMC Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at (978) 465-0492 ext. 112 or ckellogg@nefmc.org.

February 25, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), at the request of the New England Fishery Management Council, is convening a public meeting to conduct an external peer review of sea scallop survey methodologies currently being used to provide data for sea scallop stock assessments and related fishery management models. Detailed information about the location, accommodations (special rates available until March 6), draft agenda and review panel membership is provided at www.nefsc.noaa.gov/saw/scallop-2015/.
 
If you are interested in listening in to the meeting via webinar, that information is also available on the NEFSC site, or see below.
 
Webinar Registration: For online access to the meeting, please visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/670861886477183490

The webinar will be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST each day.

Charges for Listening: There are no charges if you access the webinar via your computer. If dialing in, your normal phone charges will apply.

Dial in number: Toll: +1 (646) 307-1717
Access Code: 587-635-354

 

February 23, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Framework 53 to the Groundfish Plan has been submitted by the New England Fishery Management Council to NOAA Fisheries for review. The submission document and information related to the development of the proposals may be may found at http://www.nefmc.org/library/framework-53-information.

 

February 23, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is accepting applications from qualified individuals to serve on seven advisory panels. Advisory panels provide information and recommendations to the Council during the development of fishery management plans, amendments, specifications, and management measures. One of the chief responsibilities of advisory panels is the development of annual Fishery Performance Reports. These reports provide the Council and Scientific and Statistical Committee with information about the factors that influenced fishing effort and catch during the previous year.
 
Advisory panels are composed of individuals with diverse experience and interest in Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Members include commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, for-hire operators, 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.
 
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
– Ecosystems, Habitat, and Ocean Planning
– Dogfish (Jointly managed with New England Council)

​All current advisory panel members must reapply in order to be considered for reappointment.
 
Anyone interested in serving on an advisory panel may apply online or download an application at www.mafmc.org/forms/advisory-panel-application. Applications can also be obtained by calling the Council office at (877) 446-2362 or emailing jsaunders@mafmc.org.
 
Completed applications should be submitted using one of the following methods:

– Online using the form at the web form available HERE;
– Mail to Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901;
– Email to jsaunders@mafmc.org; or
– Fax to (302) 674-5399. Please include “ADVISORY PANEL” in the subject of your fax or email.
 
Completed applications must be received by February 27, 2015.
 
Questions?  Contact Mary Clark at (302) 526-5261 or mclark@mafmc.org.

 

 

February 20, 2015 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold an emergency meeting regarding blueline tilefish on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via webinar.
 
The purpose of the meeting is to consider requesting emergency action by the National Marine Fisheries Service under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) for deepwater snapper/grouper species, including blueline tilefish, within the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s jurisdiction.
 
Briefing materials and webinar details are available on the Council's website at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/2015/february-2014-blueline-tilefish-webinar-meeting.
 
Public Comment

There will be an opportunity for public comment during the webinar. Written comments and materials can be submitted prior to the meeting by emailing them to Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org. Please call Jason at 302-526-5254 to confirm that your email was received.
 
 
For more information, contact Jason Didden – (302) 526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org.

 

February 21, 2015 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council invites you to attend the Fishers Forum on Stock Assessments, March 17, 2015, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harbor View Center, 1129 North Nimitz Highway at Pier 38 (above Nico's).
 
This free, family friendly event will include information tables, speakers, public discussion, door prizes and more!
 
Can't attend the Fishers Forum in-person? Join us via webconference at www.wprfmc.webex.com/join/info.wpcouncilnoaa.gov.

The Fishers Forum is part of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's 162nd meeting, March 16 to 18, 2015, Laniakea YWCA, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu.

For more information and a copy of the poster, go to www.wpcouncil.org/category/upcoming-council-and-advisory-body-meetings/.

 

 

February 18, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Northeast Consortium (NEC) has published a Supplemental Request for Proposals (RFP) at www.northeastconsortium.org, that will give priority to — as emphasized in motion recently approved by the New England Fishery Management Council — groundfish spawning research projects.
 
Proposals must articulate a collaboration between commercial fishermen and scientists, and could include, among other approaches, research that enables the Council to improve groundfish spawning protection by increasing the understanding of groundfish spawning activity or aggregations of spawning groundfish. The NEC may also convene a working group(s) to discuss potential solutions to one or more of the recommendations listed above.
 
Please see the NEC’s website for further details and note the proposal submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2015.

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

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted during its meeting last week to postpone final action on its Deep Sea Corals Amendment in order to allow for further analysis of the alternatives and to provide additional opportunities for stakeholder input. In the coming months, the Council will convene a workshop with its advisory panels, coral experts, and other stakeholders to review and potentially refine the discrete protection areas being considered. The Council is scheduled to take final action on the amendment during its meeting in Virginia Beach, VA on June 9 – 11.
 
The Council initiated the Deep Sea Corals Amendment in April 2012 to address the potential impacts of fishing activity on deep sea corals. The amendment includes options to restrict the use of certain types of fishing gear in two types of deep sea coral zones. Broad zones encompass large, less heavily fished areas and are largely intended to prevent the expansion of fishing activity. Discrete zones encompass smaller areas of known coral presence. The Council could implement restrictions in one or both types of zones.
 
The amendment has received considerable attention from the public. More than 120,000 individuals and organizations submitted comments and petitions during the public comment period, underscoring the historic nature of the amendment. Although the majority of comments expressed support for deep sea coral protection, the Council received a substantial number of comments from the commercial fishing industry requesting that additional analyses be conducted prior to a final decision. Many comments from the fishing industry also urged the Council to give the advisory panels another opportunity to comment on the specific areas being considered for designation as deep sea coral zones.
 
After extensive discussion and review of public comments, the Council voted unanimously to postpone final action on the amendment and to convene a workshop that will focus on refining the boundaries of the discrete deep sea coral zones. This will be the second workshop associated with the amendment—the first was held in April 2013.
 
“The Council’s decision to delay final action is reflective of our commitment to ensuring that stakeholders are effectively engaged in all Council decisions,” said the Council’s Chairman Rick Robins. “Although there is clear and overwhelming public support for our efforts to protect deep sea corals, it became clear last week that many people felt that the workshop, additional review, and analysis would ultimately put the Council in a better position to achieve the objective of the amendment.”
 
Workshop invitees will include the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Advisory Panel, the Ecosystems Advisory Panel, members of the Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT), Council members, coral scientists, and other interested stakeholders. The workshop will be followed by additional analysis and review by the FMAT. Additional information about the workshop and future public comment opportunities will be posted on the Deep Sea Corals page of the Council’s website.