Saving Seafood

Council Actions

NEFMC: 2013 TRAC Industry Meeting

May 28, 2013 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Transboundary Resources Assessment Review Committee (TRAC) invites participation of interested industry members to a  ‘TRAC Science-Industry Meeting’ to be held June 7 in New Bedford, MA from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.  Data inputs to the upcoming TRAC assessment review of eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder will be presented and discussion will focus on industry’s observations on the water over the last year relative to the data presented.

June 7, 2013
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
VENUE to be determined (check the NEFMC website for updates)
New Bedford, Ma.

 

 

ASMFC American Lobster Board Approves Addendum XX and Releases Draft Addenda XXI for Public Comment

May 23, 2013: The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board approved Addendum XX to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Addendum formalizes measures outlined in an agreement between the offshore lobster fishery and groundfish sector trawl fishermen for bottom sharing in Closed Area II of Georges Bank in order to prevent gear conflicts and to protect large concentrations of egg bearing females.

The agreement specifies certain times of year when lobster trap gear and sector trawl fishermen may fish in (or not fish in) certain portions of Closed Area II.  The fishing industry developed this agreement in anticipation of the final approval of the New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) Groundfish Framework 48 which contains measures to help mitigate the economic impact of the dramatic reductions in groundfish annual catch limits for the 2013 fishing year which began on May 1, 2013.  NOAA Fisheries has published an interim rule allowing for groundfish sectors to request, through their operations plans, access to areas currently closed solely to reduce fishing mortality.  NEFMC explicitly considered the potential for gear conflicts and included language in the Framework that states “when considering sector requests for access to closed areas, NMFS Regional Office should include, inter alia, consideration of the potential for gear conflicts, shifts in fishing effort out of the closed areas and impacts on protected species and lobsters.”

The Board also approved Draft Addendum XXI for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes changes to the transferability program for Lobster Conservation Management Areas (LCMAs) 2 and 3. These changes are designed to allow for flexibility in the movement of traps as the consolidation program for LCMAs 2 and 3 occur to address latent effort (unfished allocation) are implemented. The proposed measures are also intended to provide a mechanism for industry to maintain a profitable fishery as trap reductions occur.

The Draft Addendum is the second in a series of addenda that respond to the depleted condition of the Southern New England (SNE) lobster resource by scaling the capacity of the SNE fishery to the size the SNE resource.  Since the scope of the SNE resource encompasses all or part of six of the seven LCMAs established by Amendment 3, additional addenda will be developed to address effort reductions in the remaining LCMAs (4, 5, and 6).

Addendum XX and Draft Addendum XXI will be available on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740. It is anticipated that the states will be conducting public hearings on Draft Addendum XXI; a subsequent press release will be released once the hearing schedule has been finalized. For more information, please contact Kate Taylor, Senior FMP Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

 

ASMFC Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Sharks Board Approves Smoothhound Shark Addendum II & Initiates Draft Addendum III

May 23, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Management Board has approved Addendum II to the Atlantic Coastal Sharks Fishery Management Plan. The Addendum allocates state shares of smoothhound sharks (also known as smooth dogfish) and changes the maximum fin-to-carcass ratio for smoothhound shark processing-at-sea.

The Addendum was developed in anticipation of NOAA Fisheries upcoming federal smoothhound shark quota, establishing state shares to prevent one region from harvesting the quota and excluding other regions (Table 1). The shares were established based on historical landings from 1998-2010. The Addendum also addresses changes to the maximum fin-to-carcass ratio for smoothhound sharks which were approved by Congress in the Shark Conservation Act of 2010.

Currently, there are no harvest restrictions for smoothhound sharks. Addendum I allows for the removal of all fins for processing-at-sea from March through June as long as the total wet weight of the fins found on board the vessel does not exceed 5% of the total dressed weight of smoothhound carcasses which are found on board the vessel. Addendum II was developed and approved to ensure consistency between the state and federal smoothhound shark plans.

The Atlantic Coastal Shark Plan and its two addenda continue to prohibit the finning of sharks.  Finning is defined as the removal of the fins of a shark while discarding the carcass at sea. Fin-to-carcass ratios are used in high volume fisheries to allow fishermen to process the catch at sea, so long as the weight of the fins corresponds to the correct ratio of carcasses on board the vessel. Processing at sea is used to prevent the meat from being contaminated with ammonia and spoiling while still at sea.

Draft Addendum III was also initiated to ensure consistency between the state and federal plans.  NOAA Fisheries’ Amendment 5a to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan changes coastal shark species groupings and the recreational size limit for hammerhead sharks. Draft Addendum III proposes changing the species groupings and recreational size limit in state waters accordingly. The Board will review the Draft Addendum and consider its approval for public comment at the Commission’s 2013 Summer Meeting.

Addendum II will be available on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740.  For more information, please contact Marin Hawk, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at mhawk@asmfc.org.

Final State Share Percentages as Approved in Addendum II

ME – 0.021%

MA – 0.433%

RI – 1.363%

CT – 0.234%

NY – 7.953%

NJ – 18.828%

DE – 0.339%

MD – 6.703%

VA -34.803%

NC – 28.583%

SC – 0.742%

 

 

ASMFC Atlantic Herring Section Approves Addendum VI for Public Comment

May 23, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section has approved Draft Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Herring for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes several changes to the management program, including (1) seasonal splitting of the annual catch limit sub-components (sub-ACLs) for Areas 1B, 2, and 3; (2) up to 10% carryover of a sub-ACL for all management areas; (3) the establishment of triggers to initiate the closing of directed fisheries, (4) a research set-aside of up to 3% of the sub-ACLs, and (5) using the annual specification process to set triggers and research set-aside.

Draft Addendum VI was initiated to establish consistent tools for all four management areas for Atlantic herring and to complement the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 2, which was submitted to NOAA Fisheries in February 2013. While the current Interstate Atlantic Herring FMP provides states the flexibility to split quota in Area 1A, it does not include provisions for seasonal splitting in Areas 1B, 2, and 3. The Draft Addendum proposes to allow for up to 10% of unused sub-ACL for all management areas to carry over from one year to the next. This provision would allow for unused quota to be rolled from one season to the next within the same fishing year. The Draft Addendum also proposes triggers that would close directed fisheries (1) in a management area when 92% of a sub-ACL is projected to be reached and (2) stock-wide when 95% of the ACL is projected to be reached. A 2,000 pound bycatch allowance would continue after directed fisheries are closed. The 10% rollover provision is intended to provide greater flexibility to herring industry, while the triggers are intended to prevent overharvesting in individual management areas and coastwide.

States may be conducting public hearings on Draft Addendum VI. Information on those hearings will be released when it is finalized. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on Draft Addendum VI, either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The Draft Addendum will be available on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under “Breaking News” by the end of May. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on July 12, 2013 and should be forwarded to Melissa Yuen, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741(fax) or via email at myuen@asmfc.org (Subject line: Atlantic Herring Draft Addendum VI).   

 

 

ASMFC Approves Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Black Drum

May 23, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has approved the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Black Drum.  The FMP requires all states to maintain current regulations for black drum and implement a maximum possession limit and minimum size limit (of no less than 12 inches) by January 1, 2014. States will be required to further increase the minimum size limit (to no less than 14 inches) by January 1, 2016. Further, the FMP establishes a management framework to address future concerns or changes in the fishery or population. This will be particularly important as the Commission works towards the finalization of the first coastwide benchmark stock assessment for black drum in 2014.

The FMP was initiated to address a number of concerns. There has been a significant increase in harvest by both recreational and commercial fishermen in recent years, with the fishery targeting very young fish in some areas and more heavily targeting the established breeding stock in other areas; both of which could undermine the stock’s ability to sustain itself. Further, the lack of consistent coastwide regulations or management goals may negatively impact the black drum population as fishing pressures shifts from other stocks.

The FMP will be available on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or can be obtained by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740. For more information, please contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at krootes-murdy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

 

 

ASMFC Presents Annual Awards of Excellence

May 22, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Alexandria, VA – Mr. William J. Goldsborough, Mr. Thomas W. McCloy, Dr. Malcolm M. Rhodes, Mr. Robert E. Ross, Jr., Mr. Wayne Hettenbach Mr. Patrick Duggan, and Captain Dorothy Thumm were presented the Commission’s Annual Awards of Excellence in Alexandria, Virginia for their contributions to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. McCloy, Dr. Rhodes and Mr. Ross received their awards in the management and policy category, while Mr. Hettenbach, Mr. Duggan, and Captain Thumm received awards in law enforcement category.

“Every year a great many people contribute to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast.  The Commission’s Annual Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding efforts by professionals who have made a difference in the way we manage and conserve our fisheries,” said ASMFC Chair, Paul J. Diodati of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “This evening, we honor several individuals for their contributions to the management and conservation of Atlantic coast fisheries.”

Management & Policy Contributions

William J. Goldsborough, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
For 30 years, Mr. William J. Goldsborough has been on the front lines of fisheries management, advocating for science-based decision-making and the integration of ecological services into the Commission’s species management programs. As senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Mr. Goldsborough has  been a steadfast voice supporting the conservation of Chesapeake Bay fisheries, effectively opposing legislation and other actions that might harm the Bay’s resources. He played a central role in striped bass recovery beginning with the implementation of Maryland’s moratorium in 1985 and through to the development of a conservation-based approach to reopening the fishery in 1990.

Passionate about the significance of healthy habitat on healthy fisheries, he advanced the importance of habitat as a critical common concern among fishermen. At the regional level, he brought together a diverse group of commercial and recreational fishermen, representing 16 fishing organizations, to adopt codes for protecting the Chesapeake Bay.  Coastwide, he has left an indelible mark on the Commission’s Habitat Program as one of the earliest members of the Habitat Committee and its longest serving chair, having served in that position for 10 years. Under his leadership and participation, the Committee has developed habitat sections for many of our FMPs and released numerous publications – all of which have elevated our understanding of habitat and its critical link to supporting abundant fisheries.

He has been a tireless and articulate advocate for the need to address Atlantic menhaden’s ecological role in the Commission’s management process. He was instrumental in the development and adoption of Amendment 1 in 2001, which formally recognized menhaden as an important forage species. He helped plan and conduct a 2004 menhaden workshop, which highlighted the various ecological services menhaden provide and the need for ecological reference points in managing the resource. He was instrumental in developing the Chesapeake Bay reduction cap, beginning in 2006, and prompting a five-year Chesapeake Bay population research program. Over the past few years, Mr. Goldsborough vigorously campaigned for the development of ecological reference points. The recent adoption of interim reference points and a new management program for Atlantic menhaden are, in part, due to his efforts.

Mr. Thomas W. McCloy, New Jersey Marine Fisheries Administration
Mr. Thomas W. McCloy has spent his entire career, now extending into its 40th year, working for the betterment of New Jersey’s marine resources and the fisheries they support. He began his career in the early 1970s as a biologist, conducting some of the first comprehensive population and habitat assessments for the state’s various shellfish resources. He was promoted to Bureau Chief for New Jersey Marine Fisheries in 1990 and Administrator for New Jersey Marine Fisheries Administration in 2001.

In the 1990s, Mr. McCloy became engaged in broader coastal resources issues, serving as his state’s administrative proxy to both the Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. At the Commission, he played a key role in developing many of the Commission’s initial FMPs in response to the requirements of the newly enacted Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act. These documents serve as the foundation for much of the Commission’s management policies today.

For the past 12 years as Marine Fisheries Administrator, Mr. McCloy has been a key link between upper management within the state’s resource agency and its diverse fisheries constituency. His expertise and experience has guided these groups in ensuring that the appropriate and prudent actions are taken to the benefit of the resource first and the fisheries that rely on them second.

However, Mr. McCloy’s greatest and most enduring success has been the mentorship of his staff.  He demands the best of them, expecting excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to safeguard fisheries resources for their sustainable use. In turn, he invests significant time in training staff on how to fairly evaluate the issues before them, listen carefully to all affected parties, understand the full scope of the problem, and use the best scientific information to make an informed decision. Due to this mentorship, a good number of his staff has served in important leadership roles, from chairing the majority of the Commission management boards to serving as vital contributors on species technical and stock assessment committees as well as the Management & Science Committee.

Dr. Malcolm Rhodes, South Carolina Governor Appointee to the Commission
A passionate steward of Atlantic coast fisheries and their habitats, Dr. Malcolm Rhodes has served as South Carolina’s Governor Appointee to the Commission for eight years.  From the outset, he has brought his leadership and expertise to bear, chairing both the Shad & River Herring Management Board and the Governors’ Appointees.  He has also been a longstanding and active participant on the Administrative Oversight Committee and Executive Committee – two primary committees which set Commission administrative policies and provide guidance to the Executive Director on personnel, fiscal, and organizational matters.

As Chair of the Shad and River Herring Management Board, Dr. Rhodes led the states through the complex process of developing American shad sustainable fisheries plans for specific river systems. In doing so, he ushered in a new model and standard of fisheries conservation by turning the traditional, "Fish until you see there is a problem, " management approach to a more precautionary and enlightened "Don’t fish unless you can prove there won’t be a problem " mindset.

A true gentleman conservationist, Dr. Rhodes’ calm and kind demeanor have enabled him to provide sound leadership to the Commission as it works to sustain and rebuild Atlantic coast fish stocks.

Robert J. Ross, Jr., NOAA Fisheries Northeast
Mr. Robert J. Ross, Jr., began his career in fisheries management 40 years ago as a student working in a NOAA Fisheries lab testing fish samples for heavy metals and contaminants. From there, he became a well-known port agent collecting important fisheries landings and biological data throughout New England. His outstanding work ethic and affable manner led to steady promotions within NOAA Fisheries from including a stint with the State/Federal and Constituent Office and later working in the Northeast Regional Office.

Mr. Ross has been an active and engaged participant in the Commission’s fisheries management process for the last 15 years. His leadership and collaborative efforts have been critical to the continued success of several cooperatively managed species, including spiny dogfish, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and winter flounder. But, by far, his greatest contributions have been in the management of American lobster.  As a member of the American Lobster Plan Development Team and Management Board, Mr. Ross has played a vital role in ensuring the sustainable management of this valuable species coastwide. He worked closely with the lobster industry, scientists, and state partners to craft a unique and cutting-edge approach to sustainable lobster management which involves the implementation of area-based eligibility and trap transferability. His analytical abilities yielded important analyses of federal actions in support of Commission management goals and he drafted and published countless federal actions to complement state management measures for the American lobster fishery. Despite this program’s increasing complexity, he has remained committed to its success and health and vibrancy of the resource and industry it supports.

Law Enforcement Contributions

Mr. Wayne Hettenbach and Mr. Patrick Duggan, U.S. Department of Justice
Mr. Wayne Hettenbach and Patrick Duggan are two members of a joint NOAA Fisheries/New Jersey Law Enforcement Team, who recently capped off a five-year investigation, ending with the conviction of seven defendants on 37 individual counts for trafficking in illegal oysters.  The defendants, all from New Jersey, were overharvesting oysters from the Delaware Bay and then falsely recording their harvest on state and federal records. Further, the Delaware dealer who sold the illegal oysters helped cover up the overharvest by filing false state and federal health documentation. It is estimated that in some years the overharvest exceeded the fishermen’s quota by more than 60%. All told, the defendants illegally obtained nearly 15,000 bushels of oysters from the Delaware Bay at a fair market value in excess of $1.2 million.

New Jersey officers initiated the investigation, with NOAA Fisheries joining soon after. The agencies worked hand-in-hand to covertly record the offloading and transfer of illegal oysters over state lines to Delaware. This surveillance, combined with information gained from coordinated surprise inspections and simultaneous search warrants, yielded tens of thousands of documents. For well over a year, state and federal agents and prosecutors worked to assemble the necessary evidence, prepare their case, and conduct hearings and testimony. Ultimately, their tireless work, exemplary interagency coordination, and dedication to preserving our natural resources, led to the successful conviction of an extensive criminal ring that had been depleting a vital, keystone species in the Delaware Bay.

With this investigation and further conviction, the Team sent a clear message that state and federal law enforcement officers stand ready to uphold our collective stewardship responsibilities and ensure that all harvest is carried out in accordance to the laws protecting those resources.

The remaining members of the NOAA/New Jersey Law Enforcement Team, who were unable to attend last night’s event, will be presented their awards later this year. They are Special Agent James Cassin Jr., Special Agent Jeffrey Ray, Captain Mark Canale, Conservation Officer Craig James, Conservation Officer Jeremy Trembley, and Lieutenant Karl Yunghans.

Captain Dorothy Thumm (retired), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Captain Dorothy Thumm has dedicated her 40-year career to the protection and sustainable management of Atlantic coast fishery resources. A trailblazer in her field, she was the fourth woman to be hired as an environmental conservation officer by New York in 1980 and the first woman to be promoted to Lieutenant and then later Captain after completing her FBI Academy training. She served as Commanding Officer of New York’s Marine Enforcement Unit from 2005 to 2013. An outstanding officer with an impeccable record, she worked collaboratively with the Bureau Marine Resources to target priority fishery enforcement needs, networking with a myriad of local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that fishery laws and regulations were properly enforced.

For the past seven years, Captain Thumm has been an active member of the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee (LEC), providing valuable input at both the state and regional level on issues affecting high visibility species such as American lobster, Atlantic sturgeon, striped bass and tautog. Her strong leadership skills combined with her knowledge and understanding of fisheries and habitat issues were valuable assets to the Committee. A true team player, Captain Thumm represented the LEC on the Atlantic Sturgeon Board where she provided input, comments, and feedback on law enforcement issues. She also assisted in producing the Law Enforcement Committee’s document “Guidelines for Resource Managers on the Enforceability of Fishery Management Measures.”

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Photo Caption (from left): ASMFC Awards Chair Jack Travelstead, Thomas McCloy, Wayne Hettenbach, Robert Ross, Malcolm Rhodes, Captain Dorothy Thumm, Patrick Duggan, ASMFC Chair Paul Diodati, and William Goldsborough

 

Mid-Atlantic Council June Meeting Agenda

May 21, 2013 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

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

Council Meeting

Tinton Falls-Eatontown, NJ
June 10-13, 2013

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's June 2013 meeting

Double Tree by Hilton Tinton Falls-Eatontown
700 Hope Road
Eatontown, NJ 07724
(732) 544-9300

For online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/council2013/

Agenda

Monday, June 10

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Research Set-Aside Committee with NMFS (Closed Session)
Technical/Management reviews of 2014 proposals

Tuesday, June 11

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   
Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish (MSB) Committee
Review and develop recommendations for annual MSB specifications and related management measures, including but not limited to:
Butterfish Allowable Biological Catch for 2014
River Herring/Shad cap for mackerel fishery
Gear stowage requirements
Longfin roll-over and reserve options
Longfin mesh requirements
Longfin possession limits for Illex fishery
Consider Illex control date
Amendment 15 update
Squid port meeting results

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog (SC/OQ) Committee
Review and develop recommendations for 2014-2016 specifications for surfclams and ocean quahogs
Review and advise on Data Collection Protocol document prepared by the Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.- Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.     
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee (Cont'd)

3:00 p.m.            
Council Convenes

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.     
Council Strategic Plan
Review and approve draft plan
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Listening Session – John Bullard (NERO)
Review of NMFS Listening Sessions

Wednesday, June 12

9:00 a.m.
Council Convenes

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.                               
Omnibus Recreational Amendment

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                     
Update on Atlantic Sturgeon Biological Opinion – Kim Damon-Randall (NERO)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch                              

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.                                 
Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Convened as a Committee of the Whole
Review Committee actions
Approve annual specifications and related management measures (see above list for MSB Committee)
Approve Illex control date
Amendment 15 update
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.                                 
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
Review Committee actions
Approve 2014-2016 specifications for surfclams and ocean quahogs
Approve the Data Collection Protocol document prepared by the FMAT

Thursday, June 13

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.                   
Executive Committee

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Business Session
​December 2012 and April 2013 Minutes
​Organizational Reports
NMFS Regional Administrator
Review and Approve Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Alternatives
NMFS NEFSC Director
NOAA Office of General Counsel
Federal Enforcement Officials (NMFS and USCG)
ASMFC Executive Director
Liaison Reports
New England Council
South Atlantic Council
Executive Director's Report – Chris Moore

Science Report – Rich Seagraves

Committee Reports

Continuing and New Business

The above agenda items may not be taken in the order in which they appear and are subject to change as necessary. Other items may be added, but the Council cannot take action on such items even if the item requires emergency action without additional public notice.  Non-emergency matters not contained in this agenda may come before the Council and / or its Committees for discussion, but these matters may not be the subject of formal Council or Committee action during this meeting.  Council and Committee actions will be restricted to the issues specifically listed in this agenda.  Any issues requiring emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that arise after publication of the Federal Register Notice for this meeting may be acted upon provided that the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency.  The meeting may be closed to discuss employment or other internal administrative matters.

Click here to download the meeting agenda as a PDF

 

Regulators vote on rules for Maine’s eel fishery

PORTLAND, Maine — May 21, 2013 — Regulators are deciding how best to regulate Maine’s lucrative American eel fishery.

The eel management board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is voting Tuesday on proposed new regulations. The three options are to keep the status quo, close the fishery or set a catch quota.

The vote is being held at the commission’s spring meeting in Alexandria, Va.

Read the full story by the Associated Press at The Boston Globe    

Revised Smooth Dogfish Draft Addendum II

May 16, 2013 —  The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

A revised Smooth Dogfish Draft Addendum II, which includes a corrected Table 2 on page 6 of the document. The document has been updated to the Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Board materials on the ASMFC website and on the CD that will be available at the meeting. 

See the revised addendum 

Successful Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries Conference Brings Together Diverse Voices

May 9, 2013 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries 3 conference wrapped up today on a successful note, with conference participants developing 128 recommendations for improving fishery sustainability. The draft recommendations are online here and will be further elaborated in the conference proceedings.

The conference was coordinated by the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries, and was sponsored by both fishing industry and environmental groups. The conference aimed to identify both legislative and non-legislative measures to advance fishery sustainability in light of the coming reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, which governs Federal fishery management in the United States. Most participants seemed to agree that the Magnuson-Stevens Act has been successful in managing U.S. fisheries, and that large-scale revisions would not be needed. For example, under the Act, 32 fish stocks that were previously labeled “overfished” have been rebuilt. However, there was also agreement that some changes are needed to keep the Act relevant, flexible, and responsive.

“These recommendations will be considered carefully as we move forward with Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization,” said Dave Whaley, Legislative staff for the House Natural Resources Subcommittee. “We do need to act carefully; we do not want to solve problems in one area of the country while creating new problems in other areas.”

The conference, held at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., began on May 6 with keynotes by Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA); NOAA Assistant Administrator Eric Schwaab; chef, author and television host Barton Seaver; and Deadliest Catch skipper Keith Colburn. The conference continued May 8 and 9 with sessions on improving fishery management essentials, advancing ecosystem-based decision making, and providing for fishing community stability. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) addressed the conference attendees on May 8. More than 600 people attended the conference.

Read the full release here