Saving Seafood

State and Local

MASSACHUSETTS: A shifting wind

December 20, 2024 —  Public sentiment on offshore wind developments in southerly waters off Martha’s Vineyard is shifting, with challenges mounting against the industry and controversy hitting home for Islanders.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) have been outspoken critics of the offshore wind industry, and amplified those calls last week by supporting a lawsuit against Revolution Wind brought by a Rhode Island group.

Nantucket officials over the past several months have been dealing with the aftermath of a turbine blade fracturing and washing debris onto their shores, and town leaders have considered legal action against Vineyard Wind.

The latest to raise a concern: Martha’s Vineyard Commission Executive Director Adam Turner is calling on the state’s highest elected official to help the Island shoulder the burden from offshore wind developments, noting both visual and environmental impacts.

“There are approximately 1,000 turbines permitted currently,” reads a letter written by Turner on Dec. 12 to Gov. Maura Healey. “The vast majority are proposed to be located directly off the southern and western shores of our Island. Already, with only a small fraction constructed, they have affected the visual quality of our shores. Already we have absorbed environmental impacts.”

Turner voices a solid consensus on the Island that pursuing alternative energy sources is essential for fighting climate change, but he also told The Times in a follow-up interview he strongly felt Martha’s Vineyard should be better compensated for having to deal with projects that will power not only the rest of Massachusetts, but other states, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Read the full article at MV Times

ALASKA: ‘Mining and salmon have never gotten along’: Alaskan tribes don’t want B.C. gold mine

December 20, 2024 — Southeast Alaskan tribal groups are decrying a proposed mine in northwestern British Columbia, arguing it will have disastrous environmental repercussions for the Taku River watershed.

Vancouver-based Canagold Resources Ltd., is proposing to develop the New Polaris gold mine, an underground gold mine located 100 kilometres south of Atlin, B.C. and 60 kilometres northeast of Juneau, Alaska.

The remote, fly-in mine would produce around 1,000 tonnes of ore per day.

“The people of the Taku have subsisted, survived and stewarded the Taku River watershed for thousands of years,” said Jill Weitz, government affairs liaison for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

“It’s such a magical place that to even think about activity like that, for those of us downstream, it’s kind of mind boggling,” she said.

The Taku River, as well as the Stikine and Unuk rivers, flow from northwestern B.C. to southeastern Alaska.

The rivers are home to all five species of wild Alaska salmon, brown bears, moose and other wildlife and fish species.

Read the full article at Yahoo! News

DELAWARE: Delaware council rejects permit critical to development of wind farm off Ocean City coast

December 19, 2024 — In a dramatic move, members of Sussex County Council in Delaware rejected an application crucial to the completion of a new wind farm off the Atlantic coast. The proposal, which was rejected Tuesday in a 4-1 vote, was at the center of a monthslong debate in Sussex County.

If approved, it would have allowed Renewable Development, a subsidiary of US Wind, to connect high-voltage cables from the Indian River to a new substation adjacent to the Indian River Power Plant in Dagsboro.

US Wind, a Maryland energy company owned in part by an Italian infrastructure firm, said in a statement that it will appeal the decision.

Now with the future of the project uncertain, Sussex County taxpayers will likely be on the hook to fund the county’s opposition to US Wind’s appeal and a potential future lawsuit.

Even with the rejection, the US Wind project is not dead, but significantly hampered and likely looking at further delays. It can still find another way to bring its cables ashore if it should lose its appeal.

Read the full article at Maryland Matters

MASSACHUSETTS: Opposition stalls plans for waterfront energy center

December 19, 2024 — Three months after a state agency and New Bedford’s mayor endorsed a waterfront spot for an energy research and development center, the project is in limbo in face of City Council opposition.

A city-owned parking lot between Merrill’s on the Waterfront and the Fairfield Inn & Suites will stay as it is for the time being; the state has suspended pursuit of that location. But the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC) is still pursuing the project.

Although it’s not clear exactly where in the city, the agency is focused on  New Bedford as the site of the Ocean Renewable Energy Innovation Center, devoted to research and business development for new, ocean-based alternative energy technology, including wind power.

“It’s certainly not dead,” public information officer Jonathan Darling said in mid-December, weeks after the state agency halted its effort to win City Council approval of a proposed lease for that parking lot and a portion of the historic stone-block Bourne Counting House next to it. Mayor Jon Mitchell supported that location.

The agency planned to use a part of the counting house on MacArthur Drive for offices and meeting space. It also aimed to put up a building to accommodate startup companies and a space for building prototypes for ocean-related energy gear — chiefly, but not exclusively, wind power.

Two council members and one property owner have objected to the location, saying they feel the project is out of place on the waterfront and would interfere with existing businesses. One council member questioned whether the proposed 15-year lease is the best possible deal for that property.

Read the full article at The New Bedford Light

ALASKA: Bycatch debate heats up in Prince William Sound pollock fishery

December 19, 2024 — A long-running debate over bycatch in the pollock fishery has moved closer to urban Alaska with a new set of proposals aimed at regulating the annual harvest in Prince William Sound. This week, the state Board of Fisheries is considering four proposals that could place sharp restrictions on or even close down the small pollock trawl fishery in the waters east of Anchorage.

Supporters of the proposals point to state data showing that approximately 15 boats, mostly from Kodiak Island, unintentionally catch about 900 king salmon and 900 rockfish each year in their wide-mouth trawl nets. They argue that these fish are crucial to subsistence harvests for local communities, especially the village of Chenega. Boyd Selanoff, a member of the Chenega tribal council, expressed concern about the impact on their way of life.

“The language is disappearing. The culture is disappearing, the subsistence traditions and education are disappearing,” Selanoff reported by the Anchorage Daily News and Nathaniel Hertz. “One of the main sources of life in Prince William Sound — for all of us, not just Chenega — is a healthy fish stock.”

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

CALIFORNIA: ‘No way, not possible’: California has a plan for new water rules. Will it save salmon from extinction?

December 19, 2024 —  The Newsom administration is refining a contentious set of proposed rules, years in the making, that would reshape how farms and cities draw water from the Central Valley’s Delta and its rivers. Backed by more than $1 billion in state funds, the rules, if adopted, would require water users to help restore rivers and rebuild depleted Chinook salmon runs.

The administration touts its proposed rules as the starting point of a long-term effort to double Central Valley Chinook populations from historical levels, reaching numbers not seen in at least 75 years. But environmental groups have almost unanimously rejected it, saying it promises environmental gains that will never materialize and jeopardizes the existence of California’s iconic salmon and other fish.

“There is no way the assets they’ve put on the table, water and habitat combined, are going to achieve the doubling goal — no way, not possible,” said Jon Rosenfield, science director with San Francisco Baykeeper.

Dubbed Healthy Rivers and Landscapes but better known as “the voluntary agreements,” the proposal is one of two pathways for state officials as they update a keystone regulatory document called the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which was last overhauled in 1995.

Read the full article at Cal Matters

MASSACHUSETTS: Abandoned Fishing Gear Measures Become Law

December 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Office of Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr:

The powerful authority to remove abandoned fishing gear from the Commonwealth’s waters, long championed by State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) is now law, following the inclusion of Tarr’s language into the final version of a sweeping economic development bill (H.5100, An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership) by the legislature and the approval of that bill by Governor Maura Healey (D- Mass) when she signed it into law on November 20th, 2024. The bi-partisan, bicameral language was also co-sponsored by Senators Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth).

“Left unchecked, abandoned fishing gear poses several threats to our marine environment and ecosystems,” said Tarr. He added that, “It ‘ghost fishes,’ increasing mortality without any harvest benefit, it presents a major risk for entanglement for right whales and other species, it clutters and pollutes the ocean floor, and it presents ongoing problems for coastal communities that have to deal with this form of pollution when it washes ashore and must be collected and disposed of before it does further damage.”

Currently, because Massachusetts law treats abandoned gear as private property even when it is unclaimed and no owner can be identified, state regulators at the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) cannot effectively develop and implement regulations to facilitate the systemic removal of the gear from state waters despite the clear and multiple environmental threats it poses on a continuing basis. This amendment reframes and restructures relevant portions of state law to allow the agency to engage the public process of creating new regulatory measures to allow the gear to be responsibly removed while respecting private property considerations.

“Derelict fishing gear has no place in our environment. Over 9% of fishing gear is lost or abandoned annually, but outdated state laws prevent efforts to recover it. This is a persistent problem—abandoned gear is a threat to endangered right whales, a safety hazard for mariners, a nuisance on our beaches, and a costly burden for municipalities to clean up,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Thank you to Senator Bruce Tarr for leading this effort to modernize state law and streamline our department’s efforts to recover derelict gear.”

The passage of this amendment follows months of research on the subject by the DMF, and collaboration with Tarr and other legislators, with a focus on prioritizing the protection of right whales while recognizing the high price currently being paid by those in the commercial lobster fishery to protect this endangered species through the extreme economic sacrifice of enduring fishery closures that last for months and prevent harvesters and others from being able to earn a living.

“This amendment will support and maintain the integrity of fishing operations in Massachusetts,” said Lovely. “By taking this important action, we are protecting the livelihoods of our fishing communities. Thank you to Senator Bruce Tarr for his leadership and partnership on this amendment.”

Preserving the health of our waterways, coastlines, and fishing grounds is vital for the well-being of our oceans and the entire marine ecosystem,” said O’Connor. “Our commercial fishing partners have stood as steadfast advocates for their industry, and this amendment offers a decisive solution to address the issue of removing debris and lost gear that often washes ashore and has been challenging to manage in the past.”

“Abandoned and lost fishing gear can persist for many years on the ocean floor, in the water column, and on our beaches,” said Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Director Daniel J. McKiernan. “We are grateful to the lobster industry leaders and conservation community leaders who came together with us to devise strategies to dispense of this marine debris and minimize the ecological impacts that it could create.”

“The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) is proud to support this Abandoned Gear amendment that will modernize the law to help local communities with their beach cleanup efforts,” said Executive Director of the MLA, Beth Casoni. “The commercial lobster industry also helps with many of these cleanup efforts to maintain clean beaches for everyone to enjoy.”

This new law establishes the legal framework for the chronic nemesis of abandoned fishing gear to be removed from the state’s waters through appropriate regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). This bi-partisan, bi-cameral amendment was originally filed as a stand-alone bill (S.2793) earlier this year garnering co-sponsorship support from Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and Representatives Ann Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) and Kathleen LaNatra (D-Kingston). It was reported favorably by the Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources on June 17th, 2024.

“Our communities depend on a clean and unobstructed ocean. Abandoned and unused fishing gear threatens navigation of vessels, as well as the travel lanes of some of our marine species,” said Ferrante. “This amendment allows for the removal of legitimately abandoned fishing gear, protects marine life, while maintaining the private property rights of our fishermen and lobstermen.”

“Abandoned fishing gear presents a clear threat to the health and safety of marine wildlife and our ocean ecosystem as a whole. Yet, current statute prevents us from cleaning up our oceans and being proper stewards of our most important and vital resource,” said LaNatra. “I am proud to co-sponsor this amendment to ensure that our oceans and waterways are not being cluttered by gear that is no longer providing any economic benefits to the Commonwealth, and only adds to the threats that our marine ecosystems face today.”

The passage of this amendment follows several other initiatives spearheaded by Tarr, with the overwhelming support of the legislature, to protect right whales and support the state’s commercial fishing industry over the past several years.

They include:

Funding for Directed Patrols by the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) of Areas Closed to Fishing Due to the Potential for Right Whale Presence

Tarr secured $250,000 in Fiscal Year 2022, and again in Fiscal Year 2024 for these targeted efforts to prevent harm to right whales during the peak times for their presence in Massachusetts waters. These efforts came at the request of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, because of the organization’s concern that injuries not related to active fishing could occur even as lobster harvesters were making the significant economic sacrifices caused by state waters being closed to lobstering.

The funding from this program has been highly effective in protecting right whales through several measures, including:

Prevention of Illegal Activities:

Increased patrols act as a deterrent to illegal activities in closed areas. These areas are designated to protect right whales during critical times, such as calving and feeding. Patrolling helps enforce regulations and prevents unauthorized fishing activities, reducing the risk of entanglement and collisions between whales and fishing gear.

Reduction of Entanglement Risks:

Closed areas are often established to minimize the risk of entanglement, a significant threat to right whales. Fishing gear, such as lines and traps, can pose a danger to whales if they become entangled. Patrolling closed areas ensures that fishing activities comply with regulations, reducing the likelihood of abandoned or improperly managed gear that could entangle right whales.

Enhanced Response to Gear Debris:

Increased patrols enable authorities to respond promptly to any fishing gear debris found in closed areas. Abandoned or lost gear, known as fishing gear debris, can continue to pose risks to marine life. Patrols help identify and remove such debris, preventing potential harm to right whales and other marine species.

Protection of Critical Habitats:

Closed areas are often designated in important habitats for right whales, such as calving grounds and feeding areas. Patrolling ensures that these critical habitats remain free from disturbances that could disrupt the natural behavior of the whales. Protecting these areas contributes to the overall well-being and reproductive success of the right whale population.

Research and Monitoring Opportunities:

Patrolling closed areas provides opportunities for research and monitoring efforts. Observations made during patrols contribute valuable data on the behavior, health, and distribution of right whales. This information is essential for implementing effective conservation measures and adapting strategies to better protect the species.

Funding for Gear Designed to Protect Right Whales

In Fiscal Year 2023, Tarr authored successful legislation to create a program for grants to lobster harvesters for replacement gear required for the protection of right whales. The grant program, funded at $500,000, provided the funds needed for harvesters to be able to afford the substantial cost of such essential fishing gear as “weak rope,” constructed to break in the event of high stress due to a whale entanglement.

DMF awarded approximately $475,000 to 162 Massachusetts lobster fishers to purchase whale safe rope and gear marking supplies.  The awards ranged from $1,000 to $3,025.

Endangered Species: North Atlantic Right Whales

The North Atlantic right whale is recognized for their massive size, distinctive callosities on their heads, and broad, deeply notched tails. These marine giants once thrived in the waters along the eastern coast of North America; however, their population has dwindled to critically low numbers, making them one of the rarest large whale species on the planet.

One of the defining features of North Atlantic right whales is their annual migration in which they embark on a seasonal pilgrimage, covering vast distances from their feeding grounds in chilly northern waters to their calving areas in the warmer, southern regions. The North Atlantic right whale’s migration typically occurs in late fall and early winter when they travel southward to give birth and nurture their calves in the subtropical waters off the southeastern United States.

During the spring (March to June), North Atlantic right whales can be spotted in the waters of New England as they migrate northward. This period coincides with their return journey from their calving grounds in the warmer southern waters. As the waters in New England begin to warm up, these whales travel along the Atlantic coast, feeding on plankton-rich areas.

It is important to note that the exact timing of their arrival and departure may vary each year, influenced by factors such as oceanographic conditions and the availability of their primary food sources. Understanding the intricacies of their migration patterns and addressing the threats they encounter during these journeys are critical steps in the conservation efforts, which aim to track and protect these whales during their migrations, especially given the various threats they face in their journey, such as vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

ALASKA: Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance applauds unified effort to support Prince William Sound fisheries

December 17, 2024 — The following was released by Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance:
At last week’s Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting, an unprecedented display of unity emerged as members of diverse fishery sectors – from salmon fishermen to processors and local fishing families – came together to oppose a proposed ban on trawling in Prince William Sound (PWS). The Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance (APFA) welcomes this collaborative victory for science-based fisheries management, sustainable fishing practices, and Alaska’s coastal communities.
 
The rejection of the proposals targeting trawling reflects not only a win for sound data and science but also a profound moment of solidarity for sustainable fisheries among stakeholders who sometimes compete for resources. The realization that, during challenging economic times, the survival of the Alaska seafood industry requires collective effort, has set a precedent for cooperation that all Alaskans can take pride in.
 
“This wasn’t a victory only for the trawl fishery,” said Julie Bonney, executive director of the Alaska Groundfish Data Bank. “It was a victory for every fishing family, crew member, and processor who depends on sustainable Alaska fisheries to keep our coastal communities alive. When Alaskans stick together, we are stronger – and this meeting proved that.”
 
Community members, salmon fishermen, and processors joined forces in vocal opposition to the proposals, recognizing the significant role the PWS trawl fishery plays in supporting Alaska livelihoods. Beyond the economic contributions, testimony highlighted that many small businesses, processing workers, and fishing families rely on trawl landings for their survival.
 
“Fishermen understand that we are all connected,” said Bonney. “From salmon to pollock, our fisheries must work together. The success of pink salmon in Prince William Sound relies in part on pollock harvests, and the local fishing community understands that more than anyone.”
While a well-known advocacy group pushed misleading information online and at the meeting in attempts to sway the Board, the Board of Fisheries and public alike saw through these efforts. Testimony underscored that well-designed conservation management measures – not blanket bans – are the appropriate response to fishery challenges.
 
Contrary to the opposition’s claims, the PWS trawl fishery is a clean fishery with minimal rockfish bycatch, when compared with incidental catch in other fisheries. Additionally, testimony revealed that rockfish conservation proposals aimed at addressing real conservation issues saw no interest from the same advocacy group calling for the ban, calling their real motivations into question.
 
Particularly impactful were hallway conversations and testimonies from Kodiak fishermen, who delivered firsthand accounts of how trawl fishing works, the economic and cultural importance of maintaining the trawl fishery in Prince William Sound. Trawl fishermen also explained their co-dependance on the PWS salmon fishery to local Cordovan fishermen since many of these same trawl vessels tender salmon for the local salmon fleet. Their words resonated across gear types, sparking conversations and building understanding among fishermen.
“It was heartening to see salmon and trawl fishermen stand shoulder-to-shoulder on this issue,” said Paddy O’Donnell, board president of the Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Association and skipper of the Kodiak-based F/V Caravelle. “We don’t always agree, but we recognize now is the time to support each other. When fishermen join forces and speak the truth, others listen.”
 
The Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance believes this outcome underscores the importance of science, data, and collaboration in fisheries management. More importantly, it highlights the resilience of Alaska’s fishing communities, who understand that a thriving fishery benefits all.
“We hope this spirit of unity continues,” O’Donnell concluded. “When times are tough and the survival of our way of life is on the line, we speak with one voice for the benefit of all.”

ALASKA: Defending Alaska’s trawl fleet: Myths, facts, and the fight

December 16, 2024 — Alaska’s trawl fisheries, vital to coastal communities and the seafood sector, are under attack by what industry leaders call “radical groups funded by out-of-state interests.” As the Alaska Beacon reported, critics seek to ban trawling, a fishing method responsible for “a substantial majority of fishery landings in the Alaska Region and nationally.”

Four fishermen from Alaska put together the piece for the Beacon: Sam Wright, a lifelong Alaska native who’s fished for 30 years for crab, flatfish, Pacific cod, and other species in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and the Gulf of Alaska; Dan Carney, an Alaskan homesteader, farmer, fisherman, and 43-year Bering Sea survivor; Jason Chandler was born in Kodiak and is a lifelong resident. He has participated in multiple fisheries for more than 30 years; Kiley Thomson, a 32-year resident of Sand Point, fishes for salmon, crab, pollock, and cod in the Gulf of Alaska.

The article states for those who enjoy wild seafood, “fish sandwiches or shrimp; fish sticks or scallops; fish tacos or rockfish,” much of it comes from trawl or dredge gears. While these methods “impact the environment,” their effects are continually monitored to ensure “long-term ecosystem health.”

The Alaska Beacon underscores that few food production systems are as sustainable as Alaska’s fisheries, supported by “a clear, science-based process” that determines where, when, and how fishing occurs. This oversight enables the harvest of “billions of seafood meals every year” while sustaining tens of thousands of jobs across Alaska.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

MAINE: Moratorium on fishing Maine shrimp to continue through 2025

December 16, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section is maintaining the current moratorium on northern shrimp fishing through the 2025 fishing year. That makes 11 years of no commercial shrimp fishing in Maine.

That action followed the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, “which indicates the northern shrimp stock has been at low levels of biomass for over the past decade despite the fishery being under a moratorium since 2014,” said the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in a Dec. 13 news relesae.

The Update found no improvement in stock status and 2023 summer survey indices of abundance, biomass, and recruitment were the lowest in the 1984-2023 time-series.

There will be a pilot industry-funded winter sampling program for 2025 with a research set-aside quota of 26.5 metric tons (or approximately 58,400 pounds).

Read the full article at the Penobscot Bay Pilot