Council Actions

October 17, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The public is invited to listen in to the New England Fishery Management Council’s SSC Meeting on Monday, October 20, 2014
 
Time:  8:30 a.m. The webinar will be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA
 
Webinar Registration: For online access to the meeting, please join by clicking on https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/592341487
or use your phone, but note your regular charges will apply.
 
Dial in number: +1 (646) 307-1708
Access Code: 851-024-476
 
Meeting Materials: Please consult the Council’s website – Oct. 20 SSC Meeting Materials
 
Questions: If you have questions prior to or during the meeting, please call Lou Goodreau the Council office at (978) 465-0492 ext. 115, or otherwise send him an email at lgoodreau@nefmc.org.

 

October 15, 2014 — The North Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously agreed to initiate an analysis of a program that could change how the charter halibut industry purchases quota from the commercial fleet.

Currently, charter operators must buy the quota individually. The analysis will look at how the charter sector might buy it as a pool through a regional quota entity, and use the purchased quota to adjust the regulations for guided halibut anglers in an entire region.

Council member Ed Dersham, considered the sport representative on the council, made the motion for action.

The council’s advisory panel had recommended forming a committee to discuss the issue further, but the council’s action will instead direct staff to do an analysis of a regional quota entity structure that could purchase and hold quota on behalf of the industry. That’s the first step toward possible action, although the analysis will come back for review several times before the council votes to authorize the pooled purchases — or opts not to do so.

Read the full story from the Alaska Journal of Commerce

 

October 14, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The notice announcing the EBFM Committee's Plan Development Team meeting, Oct. 15 EBFM Plan Development Team Meeting, has been revised to accommodate the details about live-streaming for anyone interested. Please note, this is a listen-in only opportunity. The agenda is posted on the NEFMC’s website.

 

HONOLULU, Hi. — 10 October 2014 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC)

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 to 16, 2014, at the Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, to review management measures for US Pacific Island fisheries and make recommendations for Council consideration the following week. Management recommendations made by the Council are transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for final approval and then implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the US Coast Guard.

The Hawai'i longline fishery targets bigeye tuna for the sashimi- and fresh-fish domestic markets.
A major agenda item is the management of highly migratory Pacific bigeye tuna, the species targeted by the Hawai'i longline fishery for sashimi-and fresh-fish domestic markets. According to the most recent stock assessments, bigeye overfishing is occurring in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), where the stock is approaching an overfished condition. Management measures for the species in the WCPO are developed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and then adopted by member countries. The United States is a member of this international regional fishery management organization, which is scheduled to convene Dec. 1 to 5, 2014, in Apia, Samoa. The SSC will review the status of bigeye and may make a recommendation to the Council. The Council will consider the SSC recommendation as it deliberates recommendations to be made to NMFS, which leads the US Delegation to the WCPFC. The Council's jurisdiction is domestic fisheries operating seaward of state waters (0 to 3 nautical miles from shore) of Hawai`i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the Pacific remote island areas. American Samoa, Guam and CNMI are Participating Territories in the WCPFC and considered to be small island developing states.

Other major agenda items to be addressed by the SSC include the following:

WCPO North Pacific striped marlin: The stock has been subject to overfishing, and NMFS recently announced it is in an overfished condition.

US Pacific Territory bottomfish: The SSC will review the status of the American Samoa, Guam and CNMI bottomfish fisheries and specify their acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for fishing year 2015. The Council uses the ABCs to develop the 2015 annual catch limits (ACLs) for the fisheries.

Hawai'i yellowfin and bigeye tuna: While the Pacific yellowfin tuna stock is considered biologically healthy, research has indicated that locally spawned yellowfin tend to stay around the Hawaiian Islands and that, after about 24 inches in length (about 10 pounds), their natural mortality rate drops to its lowest levels. After this size, the species grows quickly to reproductive size. Currently the commercial minimum size limit for Hawai`i yellowfin is 3 pounds. The SSC will consider options for minimum size of yellowfin and bigeye tuna for commercial fisheries operating in federal waters around Hawai`i. 

Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) bottomfish and Western Pacific crustacean and coral reef fish: The SSC will review the ABCs specified at its last meeting for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish, based on a 2011 stock assessment, as well as for MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish and for Western Pacific crustacean and coral reef fish, based on a biomass augmented catch-maximum sustainable yield model.  

The Council will consider the recommendations of the SSC and its other advisory bodies on the above issues as well as management of fisheries in the expanded Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, management of the American Samoa longline fishery for South Pacific albacore and establishment of a market delay for the sale of MHI Deep 7 bottomfish should the fishery close after reaching its ACL. The Council will meet 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 to 23, 2014, at the YWCA-Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu.

The Hawai'i bigeye and North Pacific striped marlin management issues will also be addressed at the Fishers Forum 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21, 2014. This free public event will be held at the Harbor View Center at Pier 38, 1129 North Nimitz Highway, Honolulu (above Nico's restaurant) and will feature a sneak preview of the short documentary 'Ahi – The Hawai'i Yellowfin Tuna. The event includes presentations, panel and public discussions, informational booths, door prizes and more.

For the full agendas of the SSC and Council meetings and the Fishers Forum and details on public comment opportunities, go to www.wpcouncil.org/category/council-and-advisory-body-meetings/.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: Dr. Charles Daxboeck, chair, (BioDax Consulting Tahiti); Dr. Judith Amesbury (Micronesian Archeological Research Services); Dr. Paul Callaghan (University of Guam retired); Dr. Frank A. Camacho (University of Guam); Dr. Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Dr. Richard Deriso (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission); Dr. Erik Franklin (Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology); Dr. John Hampton (Secretariat of the Pacific Community); David Itano (consultant); Dr. Pierre Kleiber (NMFS PIFSC, retired); Dr. Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Dr. Molly Lutcavage (University of New Hampshire); James Lynch (K&L Gates); Dr. Todd Miller (CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife); Alton Miyaska (Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources); Dr. Domingo Ochivallo (American Samoa DMWR); Dr. Minling Pan (NMFS PIFSC); Dr. Craig Severance (University of Hawai`i of Hilo retired); Dr. John Sibert (Pelagic Fisheries Research Program retired); and Dr. Robert Skillman (NMFS PIFSC retired).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Appointees by the Secretary of Commerce from nominees selected by American Samoa, CNMI, Guam and Hawai`i governors: Michael Duenas, Guam Fishermen's Cooperative Association (Guam) (vice chair) ; Edwin Ebisui (Hawai`i) (vice chair); Jack Gourley, Micronesian Environmental Services (CNMI) (vice chair); William Sword, recreational fisherman (American Samoa) (vice chair); Michael Goto, United Fishing Agency Ltd. (Hawai`i); Julie Leialoha, biologist (Hawai`i); Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, Port Administration (American Samoa); and McGrew Rice, commercial and charter fisherman (Hawai`i). Designated state officials: Manny Pangelinan, CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources (chair); William Aila, Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources; Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources; and Mariquita Taitague, Guam Department of Agriculture. Designated federal officials: Michael Tosatto, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office; David Hogan, US Department of State; RAdm Cari B. Thomas, US Coast Guard 14th District; and Susan White, USFWS Pacific Reefs National Wildlife Refuges Complex.

 

October 3, 2014 —  Changes coming next spring in the management of cod and other groundfish were the topic of Thursday's meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council in Hyannis.

Much of the discussion was similar to Wednesday's contentious debate over what a possible emergency action by NOAA fisheries over cod stocks would involve.

No final votes were scheduled Thursday; the discussion centered on what the council wants NOAA Fisheries staff to research in advance of what's called Framework 53, annual modifications to the fishing regulations, according to council member John Quinn of Dartmouth.

Framework 53 is expected to be completed by late November and takes effect on May 1, the start of fishing year 2015.

Read the full story from the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

October 2, 2014 — The council wrestled all day with what has become a regulatory tightrope: How to save cod without irreparably damaging an already hurting New England fishing fleet.

Fishery regulators requested emergency action by the federal government Wednesday to deal with the rapid decline of Gulf of Maine cod stocks.

As many as 80 percent of legal-size Gulf of Maine cod die each year from fishing and natural causes.

The stock, however, is not being adequately replaced because there are fewer spawning fish. In the most recent population analysis, National Marine Fishery Service scientists determined that spawning size Gulf of Maine cod is just 3 percent of what is considered healthy and sustainable. Since 2008, the spawning stock of these cod has declined sharply to record lows, just one-fifth of what they were six years ago.

Georges Bank cod may not be in much better shape, with estimates that it has just 8 percent of what is considered a healthy amount of spawners.

"I wouldn't throw in the speculative towel on the future ability of this stock to recover, but it is at a very low level," NMFS fishery scientist Paul Rago warned the New England Fishery Management Council meeting at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis on Wednesday.

Read the full story from The Cape Cod Times

 

October 2, 2014 — Some scientists are also concerned by how the latest stock assessment was conducted. "Procedurally, this is highly unusual," says Steve Cadrin, a marine science professor at UMass Dartmouth, and a member of the New England council's scientific and statistical committee. He says the August assessment was unscheduled and carried out without the usual oversight and transparency, and this has led to mistrust.

Next month, federal fishery regulators are expected to implement emergency restrictions on the Gulf of Maine cod fishery. This follows a recommendation yesterday by the New England Fishery Management Council that action be taken as soon as possible to reduce cod mortality. But the plan was short on detail.

After lengthy debate, and much impassioned testimony, the New England Fishery Management Council opted to send a simple to federal regulators: "To reduce fishing mortality on Gulf of Maine cod for fishing year 2014, and that was it," says council spokesperson Pat Fiorelli.

Fiorelli says the emergency measures will apply for the next six months, and that more permanent rules for the fishing year starting next spring will likely be crafted at the council's November meeting.

The brevity of the request reflects the inability of council members to agree on more detailed plans – plans such as those recommended last month by a panel of groundfish experts, which urged a number of changes, including the closure of more inshore spawning areas.

Read the full story from Maine NPR

 

October 2, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):

Yesterday the Council voted to ask NOAA Fisheries to take emergency action to address the poor condition of Gulf of Maine cod. The NEFMC will work on more permanent measures to replace the emergency rules this morning at its meeting in Hyannis, MA. The discussion today will not result in a final vote. That will occur at the Council’s November 18-20 meeting in Newport, RI

View a PDF of the NEFMC's full press release

 

October 2, 2014 — But to the dismay of Maine fishermen, the specifics of a plan to boost declining stocks are months away.

Maine fishermen are going to have to wait until next month to find out how new cod-fishing regulations will affect them.

In light of reports of sharply diminished cod stocks, the New England Fishery Management Council, an 18-member group of scientists, conservationists, regulators and fishing industry representatives, recommended Wednesday that federal fishing regulators take emergency measures to help slow further declines.

But after hearing from fishermen concerned about the effects of stricter regulations, council members could not agree on exactly what those emergency measures should be. Instead, the council voted simply to “request that (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries take emergency action to help minimize the further decline of this stock this year and in 2015.”

Next, month, NOAA officials will meet to discuss and propose new regulations, and to hold public hearings on them.

Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, said his group was disappointed to come out of the meetings without any specifics on what will change.

Read the full story from the Portland Press Herald

 

HYANNIS, Mass. — October 2, 2014 — NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator John Bullard has the Gulf of Maine cod crisis all to himself after the New England Regional Fisheries Council found no consensus and simply voted to ask him to just do something.

The council spent most of Wednesday morning hearing mostly criticism of the council's plan to sharply restrict cod fishing from Cape Cod Bay to Eastport, Maine, which would have the side effect of putting charter fishing boats out of business.

The council then spent three hours in the afternoon debating a motion to ask Bullard to take some specific actions, but eventually the motion failed in an 8-9 vote, with member John Quinn of Dartmouth voting 'no.'

Member Thomas Dempsey of Chatham scolded the council, saying that the failure to pass the motion was an "enormous mistake."

He said the council was abdicating, "handing control over to the agency."

When member Doug Grout of Durham, N.H., then made a motion simply asking Bullard to do something, without being specific, Bullard called it the worst of three proposals, but better than nothing. Grout and others argued that at least Bullard was in the room for the whole episode and now knows what the council wants, even if the council couldn't agree on the specifics.

Those who opposed the motion warned that it would do a lot of damage for very little return. The cod stocks would not be affected, they said, and meanwhile more permanent conservation measures would be written into the impending Framework 53 amendments to the management system.

Read the full story from the New Bedford Standard-Times