Saving Seafood

Council Actions

Council Receives Herring Amendment 10 Scoping Summary and Provides Guidance; Approves 2024-2028 Research Priorities

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council discussed two issues related to Atlantic herring when it met in Freeport, Maine for its June 2024 meeting. It also received an update from its On-Demand Fishing Gear Conflict Working Group and approved a list of 2024-2028 research priorities and data needs.

Atlantic Herring Amendment 10: The Council conducted six scoping meetings in March and April 2024 on Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan.

This amendment proposes to (1) minimize user conflicts, contribute to optimum yield, and support rebuilding of Atlantic herring; and (2) enhance river herring and shad avoidance and catch reduction.

The Council received a comprehensive overview of the scoping process, which covered: the number of attendees at in-person and webinar scoping meetings; the number commenters at each meeting; a breakdown of commenters by affiliation or home state; the number of written comments received; general sentiments, major themes, and perceptions of current problems expressed during the meetings; desired outcomes from Amendment 10; the types of potential measures the action could contain; suggested data sources; and more.

Many of the comments focused on river herring and shad, emphasizing the role these species play in the ecosystem and their social and economic importance to many communities.

The compiled summary of all oral and written comments in available in this document.

After hearing the summary, the Council then provided additional guidance to its Herring Committee on next steps. The Council did sovia three motions to direct the Herring Plan Development Team (PDT) on where it should focus its efforts down the road. The tasking specified that the Herring PDT:

Assess data availability and analyze and develop alternatives for Amendment 10 that implement time/area closures for portions of Atlantic Herring Management Areas 2 and 3 where aggregations of river herring and shad overlap with the directed Atlantic herring fishery;

Assess data availability and analyze and develop alternatives for Amendment 10 that implement revisions to the basis of river herring and shad catch cap values that: (1) are reflective of regional river herring/shad abundance, and (2) scale with ceilings and floors to changes in Atlantic herring abundance and/or regional river herring abundance; and

Analyze and develop recommendations for implementing improvements to the accuracy and precision of river herring and shad catch estimates in the directed Atlantic herring fishery.

Council Reviews Annual Fishery Reports: Trends, Challenges and Future Plans in the Western Pacific

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Council members reviewed detailed reports on the 2023 performance of federally managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. This annual Stock Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) report consistently observed catch increases across a range of open ocean and bottomfish species, continued high fuel prices, shark depredation and increased sea surface temperature across the U.S. Pacific Islands.

This report is developed by the Council’s archipelagic and pelagic plan teams, comprised of federal, territorial, state and Council scientists.

Highlights from the region include:

  • Hawai‘i: Commercial landings for bottomfish were up at 242,170 pounds. None of the bottomfish are overfished or experiencing overfishing. There were 576 bottomfish license holders, 37 less than in 2022.
  • American Samoa: Albacore tuna catch was 1.9 million pounds from 10 boats in the longline fishery, down from 2.37 million pounds from 11 boats in 2022.
  • Guam: Total bottomfish catch for the 13-species complex was below the annual limit set at 31,000 pounds. A recent stock assessment indicates the complex is no longer considered overfished.
  • CNMI: The 2023 report of fishermen’s catch reports and commercial dealer invoices is in review.

For the 2024 annual SAFE report, key fishery and market indicators will be included, such as impacts from military activities, weather conditions, and funding and staffing issues, as well as fishery-independent data in Guam and Hawai‘i. Council advisors are working on ways to improve data collection. The Annual SAFE Report data for 2023 will soon be available at wpcouncildata.org.

For fishing years 2024-2027 for the Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish complex, the Council recommended the annual catch limit (ACL) to be 493,000 pounds. This ACL results in a 39% risk of overfishing. The fishery is healthy and total catch in recent years has been around 200,000 pounds. With this increase in quota, fishers are able to operate year-round without fear of the fishery closing. Accountability measures include in-season monitoring and a single year post-season overage adjustment. License holders are required to report their bottomfish catch within five days of their fishing trip. 

On Hawai‘i’s bottomfish ACL, Council member from Guam Manny Dueñas commented, “It’s the honest to God truth – the fisheries are healthy! More people should go fishing!”

In 2023, 359 deep-seven bottomfish license holders each caught an average of 550 pounds, totaling about 200,000 pounds. With the remaining ACL, this means that potentially up to 530 more people could enter the fishery.

Part of the mission of NOAA’s National Seafood Strategy supports productive and sustainable fisheries. NOAA should assist young people to go fishing in our region.

Council Tackles Trade Barriers to US Tuna Fisheries at Meeting

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

This week, members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council called attention to impediments to U.S. fisheries due to unfair trade practices by foreign fisheries. “Dumping” of cheaper, lower-quality fishery products into the United States undercuts the profitability of U.S. fisheries. These foreign fisheries are often heavily subsidized by other nations, including for operational costs, labor, fuel and ship building.

 The Council recommended convening a group of experts, inviting federal agencies and the fishing industry, to address these regional unfair trade issues. Regarding U.S. labeling regulations, the members requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NOAA, State of Hawai‘i, Territories of Guam and American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) agencies to enforce Country of Origin Labeling and other local requirements.

 Council Chair Taulapapa William Sword supported the need to address trade and labeling regulations, citing the precarious situation in American Samoa. “If our fishermen can’t compete, fish, sustain a profit, and provide protein for our communities, not only do we lose food security in American Samoa, our economy dies,” Sword said. Guam Council member Manny Dueñas praised the National Seafood Strategy but warned, “If we continue to let monuments and sanctuaries drive management, developing the Strategy is an exercise in futility.” 

 In addition to trade issues, the Council heard updates from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding high seas boarding and inspection (HSBI). This program monitors compliance of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) regulations. Members expressed concern over recent reports of HSBI boardings by China, including Chinese Coast Guard vessels intimidating Philippine fishing vessels. In order to increase the efficacy of HSBI and promote safety at sea, the Council recommended the U.S. government continue its efforts to elevate the WCPFC Resolution on Labor Standards as binding, to allow HSBI parties power to enforce human rights at sea.

 Regarding green sea turtles, Council members from the U.S. Pacific Territories urged the federal government to consider the cultural uses of these sea creatures. For more than 4,000 years, the CHamoru and Refaluwasch people have used green sea turtles for medicinal, subsistence and cultural practices. However, the Endangered Species Act and the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) create barriers, despite a narrow subsistence exemption in the IAC.

The Council territory members recommended utilizing nurseries and involving community members to find innovative ways to recover the green sea turtle population. “The communities have a vested interest in raising healthy turtles if they are part of the solution,” said Muña, pointing to successful examples of involving farmers to raise the endangered Ko’ko birds (Guam rail). 

 The Council requested NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide information on existing programs for green sea turtle nursery and rehabilitation to explore the potential for recovering the species. 

 Sanctuaries in the Pacific

In an “Island Voices” column published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser June 20, 2024, Council member Taotasi Archie Soliai, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, pointed out inaccuracies about the territory’s economy that were used to support closing U.S. waters in the central equatorial Pacific to commercial fishing. Contrary to claims published April 28, 2024, titled “American Samoa deserves to thrive as fishing shifts,” American Samoa’s economy relies heavily on the tuna fishing and processing industry, with StarKist Samoa providing significant employment and economic stability.

 At the Council meeting, Soliai said, “The Council’s spring newsletter included a commentary on the current situation of the Biden Adminstration’s proposed sanctuaries called ‘Justice? Or Just Us?’ The Administration continues to promote equity, but fails to extend the same considerations to its Pacific Territories. The United States can’t talk about promoting domestic industries, fishing, marketing, exporting, importing and food security but fail to act on its Strategy in the Pacific.”

American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Workshop #1 Scheduled for July 22-24 in New Bedford, MA

June 24, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will hold the American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Workshop at the UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology West building, 706 South Rodney French Boulevard, MA. The stock assessment will evaluate the health of American lobster stocks and inform management of this species. The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public, with the exception of discussions of confidential data*, when the public will be asked to leave the room.

 
The July Stock Assessment Workshop will be the first of two workshops that focus on evaluation of models developed to estimate stock status. The second Assessment Workshop, tentatively scheduled for October 2024, will focus on addressing the below stock assessment terms of reference. The final workshop will be the Peer Review Workshop in April 2025, where an independent panel of fishery scientists, will review the assessment for its appropriateness to advise future management of American lobster.
 
Relevant American Lobster Stock Assessment Terms of Reference:
 
·       Evaluate new information on life history such as growth rates, size at maturation, natural mortality rate, and migrations


·       Identify, describe, and, if possible, quantify the effect of environmental/climatic drivers on stock abundance considering annual to decadal scales
·       Use length-based model(s) to estimate population parameters (e.g., effective exploitation rate, abundance) for each stock unit and analyze model performance
 
For more information about the assessment or attending the July workshop (space will be limited), please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
 


* Each state and federal agency is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of its data and deciding who has access to its confidential data.  In the case of our stock assessments and peer reviews, all analysts and, if necessary, reviewers, have been granted permission by the appropriate agency to use and view confidential data. When the assessment team needs to show and discuss these data, observers to our stock assessment process are asked to leave the room to preserve confidentiality.

Equitable Fishing Access and Sustainable Practices to be Addressed at Upcoming Council Meeting in Honolulu

June 21, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

As the U.S. exclusive economic zone available to fishing continues to shrink due to federal regulations, foreign fishing presence increases and Pacific Islands bear the brunt of American conservation efforts, justice has seemingly turned into “just us.” Ninety percent of the Biden Administration’s mandate to conserve 30% of the ocean by 2030 is supported by closures in the U.S. Pacific.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will address equitable access, fair treatment of fishing communities and preservation of sustainable fishing at its meeting June 24-26, 2024, in Honolulu.

 The Council will receive updates on the proposed national marine sanctuaries in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and the Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA). NOAA held public hearings on the NWHI sanctuary draft Environmental Impact Statement throughout the State of Hawai‘i in April. Council representatives attended to answer questions on its recommendations for fishing regulations, and submitted written comments to NOAA in May. For the PRIA sanctuary, after a flurry of activity at the end of 2023, including the Council’s recommendation that no additional fishing regulations were needed, there has not been much movement beyond potential renaming.

 The Council will also discuss seafood trade and strategies to level the playing field between foreign and domestic fisheries in the marketplace. Earlier this week, Council staff, the Hawaii Longline Association and Hawai‘i market representatives met with the NOAA International Affairs, Trade and Commerce Division and also with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. These meetings were to strategize ways to improve seafood import monitoring and reduce the flow of foreign products undercutting U.S. fishery products, specifically for tuna, into local and nationwide markets. Pacific Island tuna fishery representatives are concerned with heavily subsidized foreign fisheries ‘dumping’ cheaper products into the U.S. market.

 Action Items

The Council will consider annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures for the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish complex for 2024-2027. Members will take into account reports on the uncertainties and risk of overfishing, and advice from its Scientific and Statistical Committee. The fishery is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing, with 2023 landings reaching less than half of the current ACL of 492,000 pounds. 

The Council will also review and comment on the American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for implementation in August 2024. Key updates include developing a tuna policy to address declining albacore catch rates and restrictive federal regulations impacting U.S.-flagged vessels. The MCP also proposes creating a fishermen registry to track fishing efforts and assist with economic or disaster relief. According to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Council must validate that the projects are consistent with its Fishery Ecosystem Plans and will not affect the sustainability of fisheries in the area.

Other Agenda Items

The Council will also discuss how fisheries in the Western Pacific region performed in 2023 relative to previous years. The Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Reports will be presented to the Council with highlights of catch and effort trends, economic indicators and climate considerations. For example, despite decreases in commercial licenses and trips, the Hawai‘i bottomfish fishery had its highest catch since 2018. In American Samoa, longline sets continued a decreasing trend to an all-time low, but had an increase in trolling.

Fishers Forum

As part of its 199th meeting, the Council will host a free, family friendly Fishers Forum June 24, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. with the theme “Where are the fish going?” Attendees will learn how climate change is affecting the ocean and fish populations across the Pacific and closer to Hawai‘i, and what that means for fishermen. Fishing community leaders like Roy Morioka and Carl Jellings will share important observations on weather, seas, markets and operations.

The Council meeting and Fishers Forum will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, 410 Atkinson Drive in Honolulu. For more information, visit www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting. Remote participation for the Council meeting is available via Webex at https://tinyurl.com/199CouncilMtg.

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section Meeting Summary and Motions Now Available

June 22, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Northern Shrimp Section approved the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 4 for Northern Shrimp for public comment. Given the stock’s continued depleted status, the draft amendment was initiated to consider extending the specifications setting timeline to allow for ongoing or multiyear harvest moratoria and adding management triggers to the management program. A management trigger, defined by a set of biological indicators, would inform when a harvest moratorium could be reevaluated to allow for a potential fishery in future years.

As the first step in the Commission’s amendment process, the PID is intended to gather information concerning northern shrimp and provide an opportunity for the public to identify and comment on major issues relative to the management of the species. Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Section will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop Draft Amendment 4 for public review. After the next round of public comment, the Section will identify the management measures to be included in Amendment 4. A tentative schedule for the completion of Amendment 4 is included in the PID.

The PID will be available on the Commission’s website under Public Input at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input in late June. A press release announcing the availability of the PID and state public hearing schedule will be released upon the PID’s posting and finalization of the hearing schedule.

For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at ctuohy@asmfc.org.

Motions

Move to approve the Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 4 to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for public comment as amended today.

Motion made by Cheri Patterson seconded by Dr. Mike Armstrong. Motion approved by unanimous consent

NEFMC June 24-27, 2024 Meeting – Freeport, ME – Listen Live, View Documents

June 17, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a four-day meeting from Monday, June 24 through Thursday, June 27, 2024.  This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.  Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.

LOCATION:  Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, Maine.

START TIME:  1:00 p.m. on Monday and 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH:  Join the Council on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees.  The event will be held in the lobby area of the Hilton Garden Inn, right down the hall from the Council’s meeting room.  All are welcome.  Light snacks will be provided.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

  • WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Please note that written comments mustaddress items listed on the agenda for this meeting.
  • TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:
  1. By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and
  2. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 1:45 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.
    • SIGN UP:  Interested in speaking?  If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room.  To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

  • Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.
  • We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (213) 929-4212.  The access code is 794-178-483.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.  You will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC June 24-27, 2024 meeting webpage.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

Scientists Highlight Critical Discussions on Observer Coverage, Fishery Management and Future Planning

June 17, 2024 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its meeting yesterday, spotlighting negative impacts of reduced observer coverage in the Hawai‘i longline fisheries and engaging in strategic discussions on improving fishery management in the region.

A primary discussion centered on the necessity of robust observer coverage for effective monitoring and management of longline fisheries. The SSC emphasized the critical role observers have in evaluating existing management measures, such as the swordfish shallow-set longline trip interaction limits for sea turtles. Enhancing observer coverage is vital for improving the precision of interaction estimates with species rarely encountered, ensuring the accuracy of data that influences management decisions for protected species like the insular false killer whale.

The SSC heard a report from the Electronic Technologies Steering Committee on electronic monitoring, a system being used in other U.S. and international fisheries to complement human observer coverage. The SSC recommended its members work with Council advisors on integrating electronic monitoring systems through robust sampling strategies. This initiative will bolster data collection efforts, streamline processes and enhance overall fishery management.

“The implementation of electronic monitoring is expected to provide comprehensive insights into fishing activities, contributing to more sustainable and informed decision-making,” said SSC member Shelton Harley.

Regarding nearshore fishery issues, the SSC discussed the P* (P-star) process for quantifying the risk of overfishing. They emphasized the benefits for fishermen to participate in the Council’s process and help quantify uncertainties. The SSC said the benefits should be balanced with the need to streamline the process if the risk of exceeding the annual catch limit (ACL) is low. 

Members recommended setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) with a P* reduction for the Hawai‘i deep-seven bottomfish fishery in 2024-2027, and reviewing the P* process and ACL specification framework. ABC control rules will be an agenda item at the biennial meeting of the SSCs of the eight regional fishery management councils in August, where Western Pacific participants will call attention to these regional contexts.

The SSC also heard comprehensive reports on the 2023 performance of Council-managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. Highlights include:

  • Hawai‘i: Deep-seven bottomfish landings reached approximately 200,000 pounds, the highest since 2018, despite a decrease in commercial marine licenses and fishing trips. This was less than half of the ACL of 492,000 pounds. This echoes the observation that bottomfish were only available at the Honolulu live auction for 71 out of 271 days last year.
  • American Samoa: Longline sets hit an all-time low, yet estimated troll trips saw a significant increase from 49 to 277 after years of decline. Open ocean catches showed a decline in both tuna and non-tuna species (approximately 2.7 million pounds).
  • Mariana Archipelago (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands): Fishing and data collection faced challenges due to weather conditions, military activities, and funding and staffing issues.

The SSC underscored the importance of fisher observations, gathered through the Council’s Advisory Panels and annual summits. These observations provide invaluable context, helping to explain anomalies in fishery catch data and ensuring fishers feel engaged and valued in the management process.

The SSC noted the need for a renewed focus on maximizing the potential of fishery resources, as showcased in the SAFE (Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation) reports. Notably, while Hawai‘i’s longline fisheries experienced a slight increase in catch from 2022 to 2023, there was a significant decrease in ex-vessel revenue due to lower average fish prices.

Looking ahead, the Council’s Plan Teams are coordinating to revise the structure and content of the annual SAFE reports. This includes integrating oceanic and climate variables as fishery indicators and better utilizing separate data streams to forecast fishery responses to environmental changes.

Hawai‘i Longline Fishery Sees Revenue Decline in 2023 Due to Drop in Fish Prices at Honolulu Fish Auction

June 10, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

A report prepared for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council highlights a nearly 8% decline in revenue for the Hawai‘i longline fishery due to a drop in average fish prices at the first point of landing in Honolulu Harbor. The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report, which monitors fish catch and revenue, will be presented to scientists and advisors of the Council’s 152nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting from June 11-13, 2024, for advice on shaping the future of fisheries management in the Western Pacific Region.

The report indicates that while the Hawai‘i longline fishery landed slightly more fish in 2023, greater yields did not lead to higher revenue. Industry representatives confirmed better catch rates towards the end of 2023, but overall it was a very tough year for the fleet. It was further noted that the volume and price of subsidized foreign imports, coupled with all-time high operational costs, are causing severe economic impacts on the fleet, which is the State’s largest food producer. The Hawai‘i longline fleet consists of 150 U.S.-flagged vessels operating out of Honolulu Harbor. The SSC will discuss this information to provide scientific advice on management of this fishery.

Electronic monitoring is in the planning stages for tracking protected species interactions with the Hawai‘i longline fisheries. SSC discussions will address delays due to funding shortfalls, the reduction in human observer coverage and potential pathways for phasing in electronic monitoring to meet regulatory obligations.

The SSC will also advise the Council on catch limits for the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish fishery. The 2023 report showed recent bottomfish catch has been well-below current limits, and the fishery is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. A new stock assessment will help the SSC quantify the risk of overfishing and uncertainty.

A recent national focus on climate change and environmental justice requires the Council to look at ways to manage fisheries for resiliency. To support this effort, the SSC will review revisions and suggestions from various advisory groups on research priorities that promote climate change resiliency, equity and environmental justice, and regulatory efficiency in fisheries management.

The SSC meeting is open for both in-person and remote participation via web conference. Attendees can access the full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments at www.wpcouncil.org/event/152ssc-meeting.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets June 24-26 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting.

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section Virtual Meeting Scheduled for June 20 to Consider Approval of Draft Amendment 4 PID for Public Comment

June 2, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section will meet via webinar on June 20 from 1 – 3 PM to consider the approval of the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp. Due to the continued depleted status of northern shrimp, Draft Amendment 4 will explore a new management approach that would allow for the setting of a multiyear moratorium that could be modified when a set of biological indicators shows the northern shrimp stock is at a population level that could to support a sustainable fishery. As the first step in the amendment process, the PID seeks input from stakeholders and those interested in northern shrimp about changes observed in the fishery/resource and potential management measures and processes.

The webinar details follow:

Webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5692220515082807125

Webinar ID: 892-762-579

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1 (213) 929-4212, access code 617-874-883. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.

The draft agenda can be found at https://asmfc.org/calendar/6/2024/Northern-Shrimp-Section/2341. Meeting materials will be available the week before the meeting. Public comment may be submitted tocomments@asmfc.org until 10 AM on June 12th. For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at ctuoy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.