September 27, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The New England Fishery Management Council voted on new specifications for the Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery. The total allowable catch landings will increase by 12.7 percent for the next four fishing years.
The typically stable fishery also saw a 225 metric ton increase, jumping to a TAL of 2,000 mt. Previously, the cap sat at 1,775 mt for the last three spec cycles.
The decision was supported due to recommendations from its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), which provided the best possible information for a stock that is considered, “data-poor.”
The SSC cited that the fishery, even under the previous catch limit was operating under quota and it has not hurt the population. It also found that economic performance of the fishery wouldn’t be impact and the increase should be accompanied by “precautionary monitoring for a negative response.”
Now, NOAA must review and approve the new specs before the landings limit can be implemented.
The red crab fishing season begins on March 1.
The council’s spec package said: “While the proposed 12.7% increase in the TAL is likely to increase landings, a review of recent fishery information and long-term trends point to a stable fishery. Further, this is a small, cooperative fishery with four active vessels … (that have) supported industry-funded research to improve data available for this fishery.”
This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.