Council Actions

WASHINGTON — January 29, 2013 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) recently held two meetings which dealt with issues regarding the groundfish resource and fishery.

At the first meeting, held on January 24th, the Groundfish Oversight Committee was joined by both the Groundfish Advisory Panel (GAP) and the Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP). These groups heard from the Closed Area Technical Team (CATT) regarding modifications to areas that are closed to groundfish fishing. This issue is being developed, alongside habitat closures, as part of the Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment.

At the NEFMC’s January 25th meeting, the Groundfish Oversight Committee met to assemble either a specifications package or a framework adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan that will be submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service. This package aimes to specify Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) for fishing year 2013.

The Groundfish Committee approved a modified Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) winter flounder rebuilding plan through 2023, which enables the Council to implement catch limits consistent with the new rebuilding plan.

Several motions were also approved by the Groundfish Committee at their January 25th meeting. These motions will be reviewed by the full Council at their January 30th meeting.

The motions are as follows:

-The Committee requests the Northeast Fisheries Science Center complete calculations by the June Council meeting for the appropriate reference points for the Mramp Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod model using an Fmsy proxy of F40%MSP percent and a natural mortality (M) equal to 0.4 assumed moving forward.

-The Committee recommends the Council adopt an ABC of 1,550 mt for GOM cod for fishing year (FY) 2013. This would result in an approximate ACL of 1,000 mt for the commercial groundfish fleet.

-The Committee recommends increasing the range of GOM cod ABC’s from a low of 825 to a high of 4,330 mt.

-The Committee recommends the Council adopt an ABC of 2,506 mt for Georges Bank (GB) cod for FY 2013. This would result in an approximate ACL of 2,000 mt (United States portion).

-The Committee recommends the Council adopt an ABC of 1,676 mt for SNE/MA winter flounder for FY 2013. This would result in an approximate ACL of 1,200 mt for the commercial groundfish fleet.

Several audio clips from the NEFMC’s January 24th meeting can be found below:

Listen to Drew Minkiewicz, of the Fisheries Survival Fund, discuss the relationship between habitat closures and productivity.

Listen to Groundfish Committee member, Laura Ramsden, voice concern for the status of the habitat closures.

Listen to Maggie Raymond, of Associated Fisheries of Maine, request that the CATT analyze the efficacy of specific blocks of the rolling closure areas and discuss the role of sector managers.

Listen to Maggie Raymond discuss some of the difficulties surrounding the opening of closed areas in response to a closed area proposal for groundfish in the northeastern GOM.

 

 

JANUARY 29, 2013 — Please note the meeting schedule for February 20, 2013 of the ASMFC Winter Meeting has been changed. A meeting of the Horseshoe Crab Management Board has been added to the Wednesday’s schedule for 10 – 11 AM and meeting times for the other Boards that day have shifted slightly. The revised preliminary agenda is below.

ASMFC Winter Meeting
February 19 – 21, 2013
 
Crowne Plaza Hotel Old Town
901 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia
703.683.6000
 
Preliminary Agenda
 
PLEASE NOTE: The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of meetings. Interested parties should anticipate meetings starting earlier or later than indicated herein.
 
February 19, 2013                   
9:30 AM – Noon:                 American Lobster Management Board
                             
1:00 – 2:30 PM                   Atlantic Herring Section
              
2:45 – 4:15 PM                   Shad & River Herring Management Board
                              
4:30 – 5:30 PM                   Sturgeon Management Board

                             
February 20, 2013                        
8:30 – 9:45 AM                  Atlantic Menhaden Management Board
                             
10:00 – 11:00 AM              Horseshoe Crab Management Board
              
11:15 – Noon                     Winter Flounder Management Board
                             
1:00 – 2:30 PM                   American Eel Management Board
                             
2:45 – 5:45 PM                   Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board

                              
February 21, 2013                          
8:00 – 9:00 AM                  Executive Committee (Closed Session)
                             
9:15 – 11:15 AM                Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
                             
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM      Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Sharks Management Board
                            
1:00 – 4:00 PM                   Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program Board
                             
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM            ISFMP Policy Board (continued)
                              
1:30 – 2:00 PM                   Business Session

 

 

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) Jan. 29, 2013 — Thomas A. Nies, a member of the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) staff since 1997, has been named Executive Director of the NEFMC. Mr. Nies will succeed Captain Paul Howard who has served in that capacity for sixteen years. The transition will take place on March 1st. The executive director is selected by the 18 members of the NEFMC.

Mr. Nies has served on the council staff as Assistant Technical Coordinator and Groundfish Plan Coordinator.

Mr. Nies is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. He served in the Coast Guard for 21 years, completing his career in the service as Captain of the U.S.C.G. Spencer based in Boston.

Mr. Nies and his wife, Denise live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  They are the parents of two adult daughters.
 

 

 

January 28, 2013 — The following was released by the NEFMC:

Several January meeting agenda items were cancelled as of late last week — those related to the mussel farm project and the SBRM Report. The changes affect only Tuesday and the schedule has been revised accordingly.

View the full schedule here 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOSTON, Mass. — January 23, 2013 — The New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met on Wednesday to review allowable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine cod, as well as for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder.

These ABC’s would apply to fishing years 2013 through 2015 and will be reviewed at the NEFMC’s upcoming full council meeting.

In light of uncertainties surrounding benchmark assessment and projection data, the SSC decided to pass along two alternatives to the NEFMC’s full council. One of these models recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,249 metric tons, while the other recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,550 metric tons. While both alternatives end overfishing in 2013 under a base case model and both reduce the risk of flawed projections threatening the stock, the 1,249 metric ton model would have a greater impact on fishing revenues. Both ABCs will be passed along to the NEFMC full council, however the SSC plans to recommend the 1,249 metric ton option. For Georges Bank cod, the SSC recommended an ABC of 2,506 metric tons.

During the afternoon portion of the meeting, the SSC decided on an ABC recommendation for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. Under a constant catch approach, an ABC of 1,676 metric tons will be passed along to the NEFMC’s full council in the hope that this ABC will keep winter flounder catch on track with its expected long-term yield under a scenario in which its recruitment remains consistent with recent values.

Several sound bites that are relevant to these decisions can be found below:

Listen to Groundfish Committee member, David Goethel, discuss the two Gulf of Maine cod assessment models and the uncertainty surrounding the status of the stock.

Listen to Vito Giacalone of the Northeast Seafood Coalition discuss industry participation in the management process and the role that factors such as natural mortality play in decisions regarding fisheries management.

Listen to Steven Correia of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries discuss his concerns regarding the management process and voice his support for an ABC of 1,249 metric tons for Gulf of Maine cod.

Listen to Alexei Sharov of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources voice his support for presenting both Gulf of Maine cod constant catch models to the NEFMC’s full council.

Listen to Steven Correia of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries discuss his discomfort with the status of the Gulf of Maine cod stock.

Listen to John Ours, a second-generation fisherman, discuss the role of predation on the Georges Bank cod stock.

 

 

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) January 24, 2013 – The New England Fishery Management Council's (NEFMC) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met yesterday to review allowable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine cod, as well as for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. These ABC's would apply to fishing years 2013 through 2015 and will be reviewed at the NEFMC's upcoming full council meeting.
 

In light of uncertainties surrounding benchmark assessment and projection data, the SSC decided to pass along two alternatives to the NEFMC's full council for Gulf of Maine cod. One of these models recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,249 metric tons, while the other recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,550 metric tons. While both alternatives end overfishing in 2013 under a base case model and both reduce the risk of flawed projections threatening the stock, the 1,249 metric ton model would have a greater impact on fishing revenues. Both ABCs will be passed along to the NEFMC full council, however the SSC plans to recommend the 1,249 metric ton option. 
 
For Georges Bank cod, the SSC recommended an ABC of 2,506 metric tons.

During the afternoon portion of the meeting, the SSC decided on an ABC recommendation for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. Under a constant catch approach, an ABC of 1,676 metric tons will be passed along to the NEFMC's full council in the hope that this ABC will keep winter flounder catch on track with its expected long-term yield under a scenario in which its recruitment remains consistent with recent values.

Saving Seafood will post audio highlights of the meeting in the near future.

 

  

January 23, 2013 — The NEFMC Groundfish Oversight Committee will meet (one day joint with Advisory Panels) on January 24-25, 2013 at the Marriott Portland at Sable Oaks, 200 Sable Oaks Drive, So. Portland, Maine 04106.  Discussion documents are now available at the NEFMC website.  Meeting agendas are listed below.

Thursday, January 24, 2013 Agenda:

The Committee will hold a joint meeting with the Groundfish Advisory Panel (GAP) and the Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP).  The Committee and Panels will:

• Receive an update from the Closed Area Technical Team (CATT) on possible modifications to groundfish fishing closed areas that will be considered in conjunction with the establishment of habitat closed areas. The modifications are being developed as part of the Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat amendment (see 76 Federal Register 35408). The CATT will provide an overview of ongoing analyses and may provide suggested closure options for the Committee to consider;

• Other business may be discussed.

The Committee, after considering the advice of the GAP and RAP, may develop recommendations for possible modifications to year-round and seasonal groundfish closed areas for the Council’s consideration. Alternatively, the Committee may provide additional guidance to the CATT for further development. 

Friday, January 25, 2013 Agenda:

• Develop a specifications package that will specify Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) for fishing year 2013. These specifications may be submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service as either a specifications package or a framework adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP;

• May develop recommendations for an interim action designed to reduce overfishing on Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock in 2013;

• Other business may be discussed.

 

Read the meeting documents here

 

 

January 22, 2013 — The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's February 2013 meeting to be held at Embassy Suites Hampton Roads, 1700 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666, phone 757-827-8200.

View the meeting agenda here

Register for online access to the meeting here 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 22, 2013 — The following was released by the New England Fisheries Management Council.

Based on recent reports developed by fisheries scientists and peer reviewed by independent experts, there is little good news about the health of cod stocks in the Northeast. The reports, developed during two separate stock assessments held in December and released last week provide an update to the information received a year ago by fishery managers and fishermen alike about the poor condition of Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank cod.

A four-person panel was tasked by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center to determine whether the work completed during the week-long assessment meetings on the two cod stocks provided a scientifically credible basis for developing fishery management advice. In its Summary Report, the panel agreed “the information presented in both the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod assessments represents the best available science,” while also recognizing the obvious challenges for both scientists and stakeholders.

Some excerpts from the 55th Stock Assessment Summary Report on Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod may help in understanding some of the issues at play. “The NEFSC 2011 fall and 2012 spring survey abundance indices were the 4th lowest and the lowest in their respective time series. The MADMF 2012 spring survey index was also the lowest in its times series. As the 2012 observations were not incorporated into the assessment formulations, the projections are likely to be optimistic.”

The information in the report about Georges Bank cod was similarly negative. “The last above average year class was 1991. Until spawning stock biomass gets above about 50,000 [metric tons], recruitment is likely to remain low and rebuilding will be slow.”

The Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank cod stock assessment documents are available on the Council website by clicking SAW/SARC document here. The details of these reports will be reviewed by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), which will in turn set acceptable biological catches (ABCs) at its Wednesday, January 23, 2013 meeting in Boston, MA. Click the SSC Meeting Notice for details about that meeting.

Additionally, the SSC will review the Groundfish Plan Development Team’s candidate ABCs. They are listed below in metric tons, along with the approved 2012 ABCs for comparison. The SSC’s recommendations and rationale, including any alternative ABCs they may develop, will be presented to the full Council on January 30, 2013 during the NEFMC’s four-day meeting in Portsmouth, NH. Council Meeting Agenda.

2013 Candidate ABCs:

2013-2015: Gulf of Maine cod 1,249 – 1,550
2013 only: Georges Bank cod 2,002 (U.S. Share)

2012 ABCs:

2012: 6,700
2012: 5,616 (U.S. Share 5,103) 

Read the NEFMC release here

Read the report from the Plan Development Team here

 

 

January 16, 2013 — The New England Fishery Management Council Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW 55) Assessment Summary and SAW 55 panelist reports are available.

 The Assessment Report (long version, with all details)  is not yet posted.

Read the reports here