Council Actions

August 22, 2014 — The following was released by the US Transboundary Management Guidance Committee:

The U.S. TMGC is hosting a public listening session to discuss the upcoming TMGC meeting and provide opportunity for input on 2015 catch guidance and other issues that will be considered by the TMGC this year. 
 
Date:  Tuesday, September 2nd
Time:  9:30 am-12:00 pm
Location: NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01938
 
Also, attached is the final agenda for this year's TMGC meeting scheduled for September 9-10th.  The meeting will be held  at the Millennium Hotel in Boston.
 
For more information, contact Sarah Heil, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office, at 978-281-9257 or Sarah.Heil@noaa.gov.

View the meeting agenda here

August 21, 2014 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The August 2014 Council Meeting Report is now available on the Council's website at http://www.mafmc.org/newsfeed/2014/august-council-meeting-report.
 
Issues Addressed:

– Deep Sea Coral Amendment
– Research Set-Aside
– Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Specifications
– Bluefish Specifications
– Comprehensive Summer Flounder Amendment
– Black Sea Bass Wave 1/May 1 Framework
– Special Management Zones
– Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines
– Listening Session: NOAA Fisheries' Fishery-Dependent Data Visioning Project

Briefing materials, presentations, and webinar recordings are available on the August 2014 Council Meeting page.

 

August 21, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

In preparation for the upcoming peer review of the 2014 Gulf of Maine cod assessment update, the Assessment Oversight Panel will meet with peer reviewers and New England Fishery Management Council staff for a planning meeting on Friday  August 22 from 10AM to noon. This will provide staff with the opportunity to ask questions about the assessment and highlight any concerns prior to the peer review. Management implications of the results will not be discussed.

The meeting is open to the public in listening mode. The peer review itself will be held on August 28 and 29 in Portsmouth NH.  Opportunities for public input and comment have been included into the agenda for that meeting.

Details on how to participate in tomorrow's meeting, along with additional information, can be found at http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/saw/cod/ under the title  "Gulf of Maine Cod 2014 Assessment Update 2014.”

Information on how to access the webinar is also provided below. The meeting will be broadcast via Adobe Connect Meeting.

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Meeting Name:  Assessment Oversight Panel–GOM cod
Summary: Planning meeting for upcoming review by NEFMC SSC of the operational assessment of Gulf of Maine cod on August 28-29.
Invited By: NEC.C Connect (nec.c.connect@noaa.gov)
When:  08/22/2014 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Time Zone:  (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US and Canada); Tijuana

To listen to the meeting: Conference Number(s):  866/802-5322 (toll free)  517/600-4898 (toll; for international callers)
Participant Code:  5050895

To join the meeting and view the presentations:
https://noaast.adobeconnect.com/r9jvnloksso/

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If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, please test your connection: https://noaast.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

Contact:
Patricia M. Fiorelli
Public Affairs Officer
New England Fishery Management Council
978.465.0492, ext. 106
pfiorelli@nefmc.org

 

ARLINGTON, Va. — August 20, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic coastal states and jurisdictions have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum IV to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled hearings follow.

Maine Department of Marine Resources
September 4, 2014; 6-9 PM
Orion Performing Arts Center
MSAD#75, Mt. Ararat Middle School
66 Republic Avenue
Topsham, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553

New Hampshire Fish and Game
August 27, 2014; 7 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
September 2, 2014; 10 AM
Nantucket Community Room
4 Fairgrounds Road
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at 617.626.1534

September 2, 2014; 6 PM
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Admiral’s Hall, 101 Academy Drive
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at 617.626.1534
* MA DMF will also be seeking public comment on Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum V at this hearing

September 3, 2014; 6 PM
MA DMF Annisquam River Station
30 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at 617.626.1534
* MA DMF will also be seeking public comment on Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum V at this hearing

September 4, 2014; 6 PM
Viking Club
410 Quincy Avenue (Route 53)
Braintree, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at 617.626.1534

Rhode Island Division of Fish & Wildlife
September 17, 2014 at 6 PM
University of Rhode Island, Corless Auditorium
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Nicole Lengyel at 401.423.1940

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
August 26, 2014; 7 PM
Marine Headquarters, Boating Education Center
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme Connecticut
Contact David Simpson at 860.434.6043

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
September 16, 2014; 7 PM
Stony Brook University Wang Center, Room 201
Stony Brook, New York
Contact: Carol Hoffman at 631.444.0476
Click here for google map to Wang Center

September 23, 2014; 7 PM
NYSDEC Region 3 Office
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, New York
Contact: Kathy Hattala at 845.256.3071

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
September 4, 2014; 7-9 PM
Galloway Twp. Branch of the Atlantic Co. Library
306 East Jimmie Leeds Road
Galloway, New Jersey
Contact: Russ Allen at 609.748.2020
* Will immediately follow the NJ Marine Fisheries Council meeting

September 15, 2014; 7-9 PM
Toms River Town Hall
L. M. Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Russ Allen at 609.748.2020

September 9, 2014; 7-9 PM
Ridgefield Park Elks Lodge #1506
Corner of Spruce Avenue and Cedar Street
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Contact: Russ Allen at 609.748.2020
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
September 17, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Silver Lake Nature Center (http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org/)
1306 Bath Road
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Contact: Eric Levis at 717.705.7806

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
September 11, 2014; 6 – 8 PM
DNREC Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: John Clark at 302.739.9914

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service
September 25, 2014; 6-9 PM
Cadby Theater, Kent Humanities Building
Chesapeake College
1000 College Circle
Wye Mills, Maryland
Contact: Michael Luisi at 410.260.8341

Virginia Marine Resources Commission
September 22, 2014 at 6 PM
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Rob O'Reilly at 757.247.2248

Potomac River Fisheries Commission
September 23, 2014; 6 PM
222 Taylor Street
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Contact: Martin Gary at 804.224-7148

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
September 29, 2014; 6 PM
Dare County Government Complex
954 Marshall C. Collins Drive
Manteo North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at 252.808.8011

The Draft Addendum proposes new fishing mortality (F) reference points, as recommended by the 2013 benchmark stock assessment, and associated management measures to reduce F to a level at or below the proposed target within one or three years.  It responds to results of the 2013 Atlantic striped bass benchmark assessment indicating  F in 2012 was above the proposed F target, and female spawning stock biomass (SSB) has been steadily declining below the target since 2006. This means even though the stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, SSB is approaching its overfished threshold and stock projections show SSB will likely fall below the threshold in the coming years. In addition, a similar decline has been observed in total harvest.  In response to these factors, the Draft Addendum proposes management options to reduce fishing mortality to the target level.

The Draft Addendum includes a suite of management options to reduce recreational and commercial harvest along the coast and in the Chesapeake Bay under three reduction timeframes. The timeframes include (1) reducing F to its target in one year with a 25% reduction in 2013 harvest in 2015 (2) reducing F to its target within three years with a 17% reduction in 2013 harvest in 2015, and (3) reducing F to its target within three years with a 7% sequential reduction in harvest for three consecutive years starting in 2015.  Specific options to be considered include bag, size, slot and trophy size limits for the recreational fishery and quota reductions for the commercial fishery.

Given the Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River (A/R) stock of striped bass contributes minimally to the coastwide complex when compared to the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware, and Hudson stocks, Draft Addendum IV proposes it be managed by the State of North Carolina using stock-specific biological reference points.  These stock-specific reference points, which have been approved by the Board, would result in a separate quota that is set to maintain F for the A/R stock at its target level.  The Board tasked the Technical Committee with the continued development of Chesapeake Bay-specific reference points for future use.

The Draft Addendum is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/StripedBassDraftAddendumIV_PublicComment.pdf and can also be found on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Public Input. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on September 30, 2014 and should be forwarded to Mike Waine, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at mwaine@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Addendum IV). For more information, please contact Mike Waine, at mwaine@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

 

August 20, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Meeting: The public is invited to attend the August 25-26, 2014 meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) which begins at 9:30 a.m. on Monday  and 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It will be held at the Courtyard Marriott Boston Logan Airport Hotel, 225 McClellan Highway, Boston, MA 02128. Click here
for information about the hotel: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosla-courtyard-boston-logan-airport/ .

Webinar Registration: For online access to the meeting, join by clicking on https://www3.gotomeeting.com/join/951049950.The webinar will be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST each day, unless the meeting adjourns earlier on Tuesday.

Charges for Listening: There are no charges for accessing the webinar via your computer. If you would like to listen to the meeting on your telephone, please be aware that your regular phone charges will apply.

Dial in number: +1 (312) 757-3111
Access Code: 951-049-950

Meeting Materials: Click on the Council’s website to view the meeting documents, including the agenda and other materials to be considered by the SSC.

Questions: If you have questions prior to or during the meeting, feel free to call Patricia Fiorelli at the Council office (978) 465-0492 ext. 106, or otherwise send her an email at pfiorelli@nefmc.org.

 

ARLINGTON, Va. — August 20, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Lobster Management Board is seeking public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for the Draft Fishery Management Plan for Cancer Crab. As the first step in the development of a FMP, the PID seeks public input on information concerning Cancer crab fisheries, including the identification of major issues and options relative to the management of these species. It is anticipated some states will be conducting public hearings on the PID; a subsequent press release will announce the details of those hearings once they become finalized.
 
The PID was initiated in response to concern about increasing targeted fishing pressure for Jonah crab and rock crab (collectively referred to as Cancer crab). Both species have long been considered a bycatch in the lobster fishery, however, growing market demand has doubled landings in the past seven years. Landings of both species in 2012 was over 12 million pounds and estimated to be worth over $9 million. Given the absence of state and federal management programs and stock assessments for Cancer crab, there is concern the current harvest may compromise the sustainability of the resource.
 
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The PID is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/Crab_PID_forPublicComment_Aug2014.pdf and can also be accessed on the Commission website, www.asmfc.org, under Public Input. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 3, 2014 and should be forwarded to Kate Taylor, Senior FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at ktaylor@asmfc.org (Subject line: Cancer Crabs). For more information, please contact Kate Taylor, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

 

August 15, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Following on information that the 2014 draft update of the Gulf of Maine cod stock assessment has been released to the public, the New England Fishery Management Council provides information about the peer review scheduled to evaluate the report.

Hosted by the Council and open to the public, the two-day meeting will be held at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel, 250 Market Street, in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday and Friday, August 28 and 29, 2014. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday and 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

The meeting also will be broadcast live via a public webinar. The details concerning access will be posted on the Council’s website in the near future.

Six members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee and one external reviewer will serve as the panel of experts. The reviewers will evaluate whether the assessment successfully met the Terms of Reference – a set of specific tasks the assessment was directed to address. The assessment document, Terms of Reference, or ToRs, a list of the peer reviewers, and additional information is available at http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/saw/cod.

As discussed by NOAA Fisheries, the assessment update adds catch and survey data collected since 2012 to the existing benchmark assessment, and updates the status of Gulf of Maine cod through 2013. It is posted here, along with the terms of reference for the late August meeting.

For directions to the hotel and any additional information about the venue, please click www.sheratonportsmouth.com/.

The New England Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional organizations that were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, initially enacted in 1976.

It develops rules for both commercial and recreational fisheries that operate between three and 200 miles off the region’s coastline. The Council’s management authority extends to fishing grounds in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank and southern New England and overlaps with the Mid-Atlantic Council for some species.

Read the release here

Read the meeting notice here

 

August 17, 2014 — Officials are considering closing fishing areas from the Florida Keys to North Carolina and are seeking fishermen's comments.

Representatives from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council held meetings last week in Key West and other areas of the state to obtain input on setting aside fishery areas as a way to protect critical spawning habitat.

Certain habitat areas are important for a number of species, especially snappers and groupers, as that is where they aggregate to spawn, said Gregg Waugh, management council deputy executive director. Protecting these habitats will produce more eggs and larvae and the subsequent recruitment of juvenile fish.

The goal of the proposal is to identify important spawning habitats for snapper and grouper species, while minimizing the social and economic impacts to snapper and grouper fishermen.

Read the full story at the Key West Citizen

August 16, 2014 — A scientific and statistical peer review panel is set to evaluate the dire Gulf of Maine cod stock update results released two weeks ago by NOAA to the consternation of fishermen and other stakeholders.

The seven-member panel, compiled by the New England Fisheries Management Council, will review the methodology and conclusions of the 96-page, unscheduled cod assessment update that shows the state of the species to be worsening despite wide-scale fishery management actions, including huge reductions in allowable catch and the closing of traditional fishing grounds.

“The Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod stock is overfished and overfishing is continuing,” according to the full report that was released Friday, two weeks after NOAA released the conclusions.

The report goes on to paint an increasingly grim portrait of the health and future of the stock, saying “spawning biomass levels are the lowest ever estimated” and “fishing mortality is at all-time highs despite the fact that fishery catches are at the lowest levels” since 1982.

Read the full story from the Gloucester Daily Times

 

August 15, 2014 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted during its meeting this week in Washington, D.C. to suspend the Research Set-Aside (RSA) program in 2015 to allow for a thorough review. The Council’s decision followed an extensive discussion of the program’s costs, benefits, and enforcement concerns, and consideration of public comments.
 
The Mid-Atlantic’s RSA program was established in 2001 as a mechanism to generate funds for fisheries research through the sale of a portion of each species’ total allowable landings. Successful RSA applicants were given grants in the form of fish, which were typically sold at auction to fund the proposed research. Since its inception, the program has funded 41 research projects at a total cost of $16.3 million.
 
One of the chief concerns about the RSA program is that its current design makes it vulnerable to abuse through under-reporting and non-reporting of catch. Two recent investigations in New York by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement revealed that significant quantities of summer flounder were being taken illegally under the cover of quota acquired through the RSA program (1, 2). In fact, the known illegal harvest of summer flounder exceeded 50% of the quota allocation for the State of New York.
 
The Council also discussed whether the science produced through RSA-funded projects justifies the costs of the program. While some projects, such as the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Trawl survey conducted by the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP), have provided data that were successfully incorporated into the management process, a number of other projects have failed scientific review after completion, raising concerns about the process for vetting proposals and overseeing project implementation.
 
"The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has a longstanding tradition of supporting cooperative fisheries research in the region," stated Council Chairman Rick Robins.  “The Council will use the one-year suspension of the RSA program to continue its ongoing review and reform of enforceability, monitoring, and other aspects of the program in an effort to improve the program for future success."
 
The Council will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program over the next year to determine how the program should be restructured.

Press Contact:
Mary Clark
(302) 674-2331 (ext. 261)