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The South Atlantic Bite โ€“ Newsworthy Notes โ€“ July 7, 2021

July 7, 2021 โ€” The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAFMC Seminar Series
Release Mortality Estimation of South Atlantic Reef Fishes
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
1 p.m. โ€“ 2:30 p.m. via webinar

Release mortality, or the number of fish that die when released by anglers, is one of the most pervasive threats to fisheries sustainability, according to Dr. Brendan Runde with NC State University. For many reef fishes in the southeast, discards now exceed harvests as a result of increasingly strict regulations. As a result, the mortality of released fish has become a crucial component of assessing stocks. Interest in techniques to help mitigate release mortality, such as the use of descending devices, has subsequently increased.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Councilโ€™s seminar series continues in July with the Council hosting a presentation from NC State University scientists on Release Mortality Estimation of the South Atlantic Reef Fishes. Join Council members and others as they learn more about research conducted to better estimate release mortality and how this information may help guide future management.

This seminar series features informational presentations on scientific studies relevant to fisheries in federal waters off the South Atlantic. The presentation is for informational purposes only and no management actions will be taken. The seminars are open to the public and include the opportunity for registrants to participate in discussions. Register now for the webinar and receive email reminders as the date approaches!

Recreational Fishing Community Leads Effort to Promote Conservation Through Use of Descending Devices
FishSmart project demonstrates continued angler support for improving fish survival in the South Atlantic

A recent news release from the American Sportfishing Association highlights the FishSmart South Atlantic Red Snapper and Red Drum Conservation Effort programs and the 2,600 anglers that participated by taking action to increase fish survival rates through the use of descending devices for Red Snapper, and short leader circle hooks for Red Drum. According to the release, the three-year FishSmart project provided an opportunity for researchers to determine the true capability of anglers to adopt the use of descending devices.

For the Red Snapper component, survey results show that two-thirds of anglers had little knowledge of descending devices prior to enrolling in the programs. Nearly 75 percent of the anglers surveyed believe that descending devices will help reduce discard mortality and plan to use the devices in the future. A fact sheet about the project provides additional details.

โ€œThe FishSmart survey results, and those from an earlier effort in the Gulf of Mexico, reaffirm that anglers are a tremendous force for conservation when provided with information and tools proven to improve the survival of released fish,โ€ remarked Mike Leonard, ASAโ€™s vice president of Government Affairs. โ€œWeโ€™re encouraged by the strong support behind descending devices, which reinforces the importance of their use, and we ask that fishery managers take this support into account as they develop fishing regulations.โ€

Department of Commerce Announces 2021 Appointments to Regional Fishery Management Councils

On June 28, 2021 the Secretary of Commerce announced the appointment of 31 new and returning members of the the eight regional fishery management councils. Established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, councils are responsible for developing region-specific fishery management plans that safeguard and enhance the nationโ€™s fisheries resources. Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental organizations, and academia.

Each year, the Secretary of Commerce appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. The members are nominated by the governors of fishing states, territories, and tribal governments. Council members are appointed to both state-specific and regional seats โ€“ also known as obligatory and at-large seats, respectively. Council members serve a three-year term and may be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.

The following appointments were made to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Obligatory Seats
Laurilee Thompson (Florida)
Judy Helmey (Georgia)

At-large Seats
Arnold G. โ€˜Spudโ€™ Woodward* (Georgia)
Thomas Roller (North Carolina)

Asterisk indicates reappointment. The appointments are effective August 11, 2021.

Congress sends Driftnet Modernization Act to President

December 16, 2020 โ€” The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act (S. 906) to phase out large-scale driftnet fishing in federal waters off California.

Authored in the Senate by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and in the House by Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), the bill passed the U.S. Senate in July and now heads to President Donald Trumpโ€™s desk for his signature.

The Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act will align commercial swordfish fishing in California with other U.S. and international swordfish fisheries by ending the use of mile-long large-mesh drift gillnets.

Phasing out this indiscriminate gear and replacing it with a more sustainable fishing practice will result in increased economic benefits and less bycatch, including marine mammals, sea turtles and many recreationally important fish species.

Read the full story at Boating Industry 

Secretary Ross appoints Regional Fishery Management Councils for 2019

July 1, 2019 โ€” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the 2019 Regional Fishery Management Council appointments on Thursday, a move that was applauded by the recreational boating and fishing communities.

The appointments include Scott Lenox, Tim Griner, Dr. Tom Frazer, Troy Williamson, Peter Hassemer, Marc Gorelnik, Cora Campbell and Nicole Kimball.

A coalition of recreational and fishing groups said the new appointees have a โ€œproven ability to balance all factors in complicated fishery management decisions.โ€

โ€œThese appointments are an important step forward for Americaโ€™s recreational fishing and boating community, and weโ€™re grateful that the Department of Commerce continues to move in the right direction on this issue,โ€ said Center for Sportfishing Policy president Jeff Angers in a statement.

The Regional Fishery Councils are โ€œwhere the rubber meets the roadโ€ in terms of federal marine fisheries management, said American Sportfishing Association government affairs vice president Mike Leonard.

โ€œWhile the overall balance of the councils still skews toward commercial fishing despite the two sectors being on par with each other economically, we appreciate Secretary Ross making continued progress in addressing this historic inequity,โ€ said Leonard.

Read the full story at Trade Only Today

Council Receives Red Snapper Update; Will Consider Flexibility for Seasonal Dates Beginning in 2020

March 8, 2019 โ€” The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

A presentation by NOAA Fisheries on the 2019 red snapper season evoked questions and much discussion from members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during their week-long meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The meeting week began with a notification on Monday by NOAA Fisheries that there would be a 2019 season for red snapper. The Council received a presentation on how the 2019 red snapper season was determined and the rationale for the 5-day recreational season. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for determining if a red snapper season can be held each year and the number of days the season will last. The Council has the authority to determine when the season would occur, if harvest is allowed.

In 2013, the Council established protocol that, if a red snapper season were allowed, it would open during the same time period each year โ€“ the second weekend in July for the recreational sector (not to open for less than 3 days) and the second Monday in July for the commercial fishery. This year, the recreational red snapper season will open July 12-14, 2019, with an additional two days the following Friday and Saturday, July 19-20. The recreational bag limit is one per/person day with no minimum size limit. The commercial fishery will open Monday, July 8th and close once the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) is met or on January 1, 2020. The sector allocation for red snapper is 71.93% recreational and 28.07% commercial. Currently, the total ACL is 42,510 fish. A new stock assessment for red snapper will begin in 2020.

โ€œWe recognize that fishermen want a longer season for red snapper as the stock rebuilds, and we will continue to work toward that goal,โ€ said Council Chair Jessica McCawley. โ€œWe appreciate NOAA Fisheries announcing this season early enough for fishermen to plan for the July opening and encourage anglers to exercise best fishing practices during the 2019 season โ€“ and throughout the year.โ€

The Council discussed the need for additional flexibility when determining what days (weekends/weekdays) and the time of the year the red snapper season would occur if an opening is allowed. โ€œWhen these dates were originally established, I donโ€™t think that fishermen believed this would be the new norm for red snapper fishing,โ€ said Council member Spud Woodward. โ€œConsidering the input we received during recent recreational workshops, we need to reexamine when these limited number of red snapper fishing days should occur.โ€ The Council will begin work on a framework amendment to allow modification of the seasonal dates and continue to address this at its June 2019 meeting. Public comments will be taken at the June meeting.

Best Practices

For red snapper, and many other species in the Snapper Grouper Management Complex, the use of best fishing practices can help fishermen avoid non-targeted species and increase the survivability of fish that are released. Fishermen can now take advantage of a new Best Fishing Practices online tutorial specifically designed for fishermen that bottom fish for snapper grouper species. Developed by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation with guidance from Council staff, the tutorial is easy to use and addresses issues of hook injury, handing, predation after release, and barotrauma. Fishermen completing the tutorial are eligible to receive a free SeaQualizer descending device. Learn more at: http://safmc.net/electronic-reporting-projects/myfishcount/.

Private recreational anglers are also encouraged to participate in MyFishCount, a voluntary reporting program that allows anglers to report their fishing activity, including fish landed and released, using a mobile application. Learn more at: http://safmc.net/electronic-reporting-projects/myfishcount/.

The Council is currently developing Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to address best fishing practices for snapper grouper species, including requirements for the use of descending devices and/or venting devices, modifying current requirements for non-stainless-steel circle hooks, and adjusting the prohibition on the use of powerhead gear by divers. Public hearings on the amendment will be scheduled prior to the Councilโ€™s June 2019 meeting.

Other Business

The Council continued work on management options to include in the Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 10, narrowing down the number of options for the amendment. Options currently include: allowing bag limit sale of dolphin for dually-permitted for-hire and commercial federal permit holders, removal of the Operator Card requirement in the dolphin wahoo fishery, reducing the recreational vessel limit for dolphin, gear modifications and training requirements for the commercial longline fishery, allowing adaptive management of sector ACLs for dolphin, revising accountability measures for dolphin, allowing properly permitted vessels with gear onboard that are not authorized for use in the dolphin wahoo fishery to possess dolphin or wahoo, and modifications to biological parameters for dolphin. The Council will continue to develop the amendment at its June 2019 meeting.

The Council also received a report from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), and Yamaha Marine Group on Exploring Approaches for Innovated Management of the Private Recreational Sector of the South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery. ASA, in conjunction with the CCA and Yamaha Marine Group recently launched a project to explore new ideas for management of the private recreational sector targeting snapper grouper species. A workshop with Council members was held in 2018, and subsequent regional meetings were held from November 2018 until January 2019 to get input from local representatives in the recreational community. The report includes input from the workshops on angler preferences, harvest rate management, harvest tags for certain species, use of a recreational stamp, electronic reporting, and reducing release mortality. The Council reviewed the report and will consider the recommendations in future management decisions.

Additional information for this weekโ€™s meeting, including an interactive Story Map and meeting report is available from the Councilโ€™s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for June 10-14, 2019 at the Hutchinson Island Marriott in Stuart, Florida. Additional information for the meeting will be posted at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Recreational Fishing and Boating Community and NOAA Sign Memorandum of Agreement

February 19, 2019 โ€” The following was released by the American Sportfishing Association:

This morning representatives from the recreational fishing and boating community, NOAA Fisheries and NOAAโ€™s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to develop and expand a framework of cooperation for planning and implementing mutually beneficial projects and activities to promote sustainable recreational fishing and boating conducted within federal marine waters, including national marine sanctuaries.

John Armor, Director of National Marine Sanctuaries for NOAA; Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs for NOAA; and Frank Peterson, President and CEO of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) signed the MOA at a ceremony during the Miami International Boat Show.

They were joined on stage by Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

โ€œRecreational fishermen are some of our nationโ€™s most important conservationists. NOAA is excited about our continued collaboration with the recreational sector and the growing support for outdoor recreation as a driver of our Nationโ€™s Blue Economy,โ€ said RDML Timothy Gallaudet, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting NOAA Administrator. โ€œThis agreement will strengthen the partnership with NOAA, ensuring that sustainable recreational fishing and boating continue to benefit coastal communities and enrich the lives of millions of Americans.โ€

โ€œWe are thrilled to enter this MOA with NOAA and the fishing and boating industry to increase angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts that will allow recreation opportunities for children, youth and families,โ€ said RBFF President Frank Peterson. โ€œThis partnership will not only help improve fishing and boating experiences overall, but also support the conservation of our marine aquatic resources. It will also help us meet our 60 in 60 goal to grow participation, which benefits the entire industry.โ€

โ€œThe combined efforts of the sportfishing industry, the boating industry and our federal partners working together to promote our sport is beneficial to our economy, the health and well-being of our society and the conservation of our public waters,โ€ said ASA President Glenn Hughes. โ€œI thank NOAA for its willingness to work together with us to responsibly grow recreational fishing in saltwater.โ€

Read the full release here

NOAA Signs Memorandum of Agreement with Recreational Fishing and Boating Interests

February 15, 2019 โ€” The following was release by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries and NOAAโ€™s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to cooperate on communications, messaging, and education with regard to sustainable fishing and boating in federal waters, including national marine sanctuaries.

The MOA commits all parties to a series of actions intended to improve communication and engagement around sustainable recreational fishing and boating activities. Commitments include, among others, establishing points of contact, meeting on a regular basis, information sharing, collaborative educational and promotional activities, and working to address barriers to sustainable boating and fishing. The purpose and objectives of the MOA are consistent with the purposes of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to โ€œpromote domestic commercial and recreational fishing under sound conservation and managementโ€ฆโ€ The MOA is also consistent with the principle tenets of NOAA Fisheries National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy and planned Agency work to more actively engage the recreational fishing community in 2019-2020. Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, stated, โ€ I am proud of the work NOAA Fisheries does to provide opportunities and memorable experiences for saltwater anglers everywhere.โ€

The MOA is in alignment with ONMS strategic goals, which recognize that public support through partnerships is critical to effective protection, sustainable use and enjoyment of sanctuaries, so they may continue to serve as the basis for thriving recreation, tourism and commercial activities.

We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the MOA and how to best engage with NOAA Fisheries and NOAAโ€™s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Please feel free to contact Russell Dunn, National Policy Advisor on Recreational Fisheries or Grace Bottitta-Williamson, National Recreation and Tourism Coordinator/ONMS, for questions regarding NOAA Fisheries or NOAAโ€™s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, respectively.

You can also contact GARFOโ€™s Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, Moira Kelly, at 978-281-9218.

Read the full release here

Congressmen Van Drew and Rutherford Introduce ACEPA

February 11, 2019 โ€” The following was released by the office of Congressman Jefferson Van Drew:

In response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issuing five Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) which would advance permit applications for seismic air gun blasting off the Atlantic Coast, Congressmen Jeff Van Drew and John Rutherford have introduced the bipartisan Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act to prohibit or stop seismic air gun testing in the Atlantic Ocean. Seismic air gun testing is the first step towards offshore oil and gas exploration and a direct threat to the coastal fishing and tourism economies dependent on healthy ocean ecosystems.

Congressman Jeff Van Drew has a history of working to protect the coastal economy and environment. In 2018 during his time in the New Jersey state legislature, he introduced and passed Senate Bill No. 258 which prohibited offshore oil or natural gas exploration, development, and production in state waters. โ€œOur local economy is dependent on fishing, tourism and wildlife watching โ€“ the bottom line is offshore oil and gas drilling isnโ€™t worth the risk,โ€ said Van Drew.

โ€œThe waters off the East Coast are home to vulnerable mammal populations, military operations, tourist destinations, and a vibrant maritime economy. Allowing seismic testing in the Atlantic is unnecessary and potentially hazardous to the coastal communities that rely on a healthy ecosystem. The U.S. should not jeopardize our coastal economy by expanding seismic testing and offshore drilling, particularly when our energy needs continue to be met,โ€ said Congressman John Rutherford.

Van Drew and Rutherford were joined in the effort by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ), Joe Cunningham (D-SC), Brian Mast (R-FL), and Donna Shalala (D-FL). The bill was also endorsed by a variety of stakeholders ranging from local chambers of commerce and fisheries organizations to conservation and environmental groups.

Endorsements: Oceana, League of Conservation Voters, Surfrider Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Environment America, Earthjustice, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Hands Across the Sand, American Littoral Society, Ocean Conservation Research, Recreational Fishing Alliance, American Sportfishing Association, International Game Fish Association, Center for Sportfishing Policy

Read the release here

Alaska management untouched under revised Modern Fish Act

January 24, 2019 โ€” Though a landmark piece of fisheries legislation will affect how many Lower 48 federal sportfisheries are managed, there wonโ€™t be many changes for Alaska.

President Donald Trump signed the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Act โ€” known as the Modern Fish Act โ€” into law on Dec. 31, 2018. The law revises the management framework for recreational fisheries in federal waters, heralded by supporters as a way of differentiating sportfishing from commercial fishing and providing more fishing opportunity in the recreational sector.

In Alaska, though, the act wonโ€™t have much direct impact. Mike Leonard, the vice president of government affairs for the American Sportfishing Association, said itโ€™s fair to say the provisions in the bill donโ€™t herald many changes in the Pacific Northwest saltwater sportfisheries.

The final version of the bill itself removed some of the particular provisions directly changing management strategies, but the essential purpose of the bill remains, Leonard said.

โ€œThe passage of a bill itself that is focused on saltwater recreational fishing โ€ฆ I donโ€™t know that Congress has ever done that,โ€ he said. โ€œThe motivations behind this were to get a recognition within the (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) that recreational fishing is important but that (commercial and sport) are fundamentally different activities.โ€

Read the full story at the Alaska Journal of Commerce

Congress Reauthorizes National Harmful Algal Bloom Program

January 7, 2019 โ€” The following was released by the American Sportfishing Association:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) of 2018 before the holiday break. The vote was the final step toward sending the bipartisan legislation to the Presidentโ€™s desk.

โ€œThis legislation is critically important to advancing the scientific understanding and ability to monitor and assess harmful algal blooms,โ€ said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Policy Director Clay Crabtree. โ€œWith the ongoing frequency of harmful algal blooms and their devastating impacts on fisheries, we are grateful that Congress moved this bill across the finish line.โ€

In August, the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard held a hearing on harmful algal blooms and discussed this legislation. ASA Member Patrick Neu, President of the Future Anglers Foundation and Executive Director of the National Professional Anglers Association testified before the subcommittee about the impact harmful algal blooms have on anglers and fisheries habitats, and highlighted the risks posed to businesses, like local fishing tackle shops.

โ€œGiven what weโ€™ve witnessed this year in South Florida, the Great Lakes, and in many other parts of the country, this legislation is crucial in providing federal resources to communities as more local businesses that depend on access to healthy aquatic systems are negatively impacted,โ€ said Kellie Ralston, ASAโ€™s Southeast Fisheries Policy Director. โ€œWe applaud Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and the other bill authors for championing this important legislation and securing its passage through Congress.โ€

Read the full release here

Sportfishing interests making late push for agenda in US Senate

November 21, 2018 โ€” With possibly just three weeks remaining in the 2018 U.S. Congressional calendar, recreational fishing supporters are making a last-minute push in hopes of getting at least part of their agenda passed before the end of the year.

Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group, wrote a guest op-ed for The Hill earlier this week urging Congress to pass legislation that he said would modernize fishing regulations and open opportunities for anglers in federal waters.

โ€œBecause federal law has never considered the fundamental differences between recreational and commercial fishing practices, federal fisheries management problems facing anglers have been snowballing for decades,โ€ Deal wrote. โ€œThose problems are impediments to participation in sportfishing. How can we engage the next generation of anglers when the federal rules unnecessarily stand in the way?โ€

Much of what Deal and others sought was included in H.R. 200, which the House passed in July. However, that bill has languished in the Senate as it has remained in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation since then.

While recreational industry leaders, like most others, admit that chances of a Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization getting through the 115th Congress are next-to-none, the American Sportfishing Association and other groups have set their sights on a new bill, where they hope some provisions can be included by amendments.

โ€œWeโ€™re optimistic that the recreational fishing communityโ€™s priorities for improving federal fisheries management, which are contained in the Modern Fish Act, could be included in a public lands bill or another package that gets signed into law before the Congress adjourns,โ€ Mike Leonard, the ASAโ€™s vice president of government affairs, told SeafoodSource. โ€œWe know that our legislative champions like U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker are working hard at making that happen.โ€

Read the full story at Seafood Source

 

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