PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — January 30, 2013 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) met today to discuss the future of several fish stocks including Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod, Georges Bank (GB) cod, and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) winter flounder.
The NEFMC was given a summary of the recent Stock Assessment Workshop/Stock Assessment Review Committee (SAW/SARC 55) meetings by Dr. James Weinberg of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. The Council also heard from Jack Kritzer, the acting chair of the NEFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), regarding acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for all three stocks for fishing years (FY) 2013-2015.
The afternoon portion of the meeting examined measures proposed by the Groundfish Committee that may be adopted either through a specification package or an additional framework adjustment. These measures regarded ABCs and annual catch limits (ACL) for fishing year 2013, as well as proposals for a revised SNE/MA winter flounder rebuilding plan and alterations to the landings prohibition on this stock.
Several audio clips from today’s meeting can be found below:
Listen to Groundfish Committee member, Dave Goethel, ask the Council about whether the established reference points are too high, noting that the current levels do not appear consistent with historical data or trends.
Listen to Bill Karp, the Science and Research Director of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, discuss historic data and its use in understanding the effects of changes in the ecosystem and in the Gulf of Maine cod stock.
Listen to Jim Odlin, of Atlantic Trawlers Fishing, discuss the Transboundary Resource Assessment Committe (TRAC) assessments and natural mortality rates for cod, and the retrospective patterns present in the cod assessment.
Listen to John Bullard, NOAA's Northeast Regional Administrator, discuss the reductions in allocation and the possibility that shifts in climatic regimes may mean that fish stocks may not rebuild despite a reduction in fishing.
Listen to Jim Quigley, Deputy District Director for Congressman Bill Keating, discuss the letter written by the Congressman and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to NOAA Northeast Regional Director John Bullard requesting the extension of interim measures for the Gulf of Maine cod and haddock fisheries.
Listen to Sarah Holmes, from the office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen, read a statement from the Senator expressing concern over recent National Marine Fisheries Service actions, and support for emergency measures aimed at helping the fishing industry.
Listen to Glen Normando, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, read a statement from New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan expressing concern on upcoming quota cuts.
Listen to John Bullard respond to a letter written to him by the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. He explains why NOAA will not be extending interim catch measures to the current fishing year, his support for economic assistance for the fishing industry, and developing measures to mitigate the effect of upcoming quota cuts.
Listen to Groundfish Committee member, David Goethel, take issue with the economic analysis for gross groundfish revenues.
Listen to Bill Karp relay a message from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, in response to issues related to the economic impact analysis.
Listen to Vito Giacalone, of the Northeast Seafood Coalition, express his concern over 10 year rebuilding plans when faith in projections is so low.
Listen to Gloucester fisherman, Paul Vitale, explain that the groundfish fishery needs to either stay at status quo or get shut down completely, with no in between.
Listen to Richie Canastra, of BASE New England in New Bedford, Massachusetts, raise concerns regarding unaccounted cod bycatch and his overall concerns for the validity of fisheries management science.
Listen to fisherman Frank Mirarchi, of Scituate, Massachusetts, discuss his frustrations surrounding contentious fisheries management science, and offer suggestions for improvements for the future, including cooperative research efforts.
Listen to Bill Karp, Director of NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center, discuss his commitment to advancing ecosystem research efforts in order to improve future fisheries management.