Saving Seafood

Striped bass harvest restrictions trigger widespread impact

February 27, 2024 — It’s going to be a lean year for those who like to catch or eat Atlantic striped bass — with still leaner times perhaps to come.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which regulates inshore fishing for migratory species, has ordered new curbs, starting May 1, on both recreational and commercial catches of the popular finfish, also known as rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Amid persistent signs of trouble with the species, the commission’s striped bass management board decided Jan. 24 to limit all anglers in the Chesapeake and its tributaries to landing one striper a day, and only if it’s between 19 inches and 24 inches long. Ocean anglers likewise can keep just one fish a day, but with a narrower legal-size window of 28 to 31 inches.

Maryland and Virginia watermen, meanwhile, face a 7% reduction in their allowed commercial harvest of the fish.

Read the full article at the Bay Journal

Emergency Striper Size Limits Made Permanent

February 8, 2024 — Federal regulators took steps to bring the striped bass population back from the brink last month when the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve restrictions on the size of fish recreational fishermen are allowed to keep.

The new regulation makes permanent the emergency actions to protect the striper stock taken by the ASMFC this summer. Recreational fishermen will be restricted to keep one fish a day between 28 and 31 inches during the season.

“We’re putting in rules to control fishing mortality, so we have a shot at keeping this stock healthy,” said Michael Armstrong, the deputy director at the state Department of Marine Fisheries who also serves on the ASMFC.

Now that the commission has approved the regulations, state level departments will be required to put them in place.

The restrictive size limits are meant to protect the class of striped bass spawned in 2015 – the last strong spawning year from the species.

Read the full article at the Vineyard Gazette

VIRGINIA: State study on menhaden in Chesapeake Bay would cost $2.6 million

October 25, 2023 — Following legislation this past session that required the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to determine how long a study on the Atlantic menhaden population in the Chesapeake Bay would take and how much it would cost, the results are in: at least three years and $2.6 million, if everything were done simultaneously.

Recreational anglers who want to limit Omega Protein – the lone reduction fishery that catches the nutrient-rich menhaden for fishmeal and oil – have called for science to show that the company’s hauls are hurting the striped bass population that feeds on menhaden.

The company, at the same time, said their Reedville-based operations provide jobs and there’s no science to show they are hurting menhaden numbers and the greater ecosystem.

The study is the closest step toward information that both sides have sought during the debate on how restrictive Chesapeake Bay menhaden fishing regulations should be.

Read the full article at Virginia Mercury

Striped Bass Survey Shows Juvenile Rockfish Numbers Are Dropping In “Disturbing Trend”

October 17, 2023 — The annual juvenile striped bass survey results are in for Maryland and Virginia, and the news keeps getting worse. This time, it’s not just Maryland where the prized Chesapeake fish appears to be in trouble. Virginia’s count also came in significantly lower this year.

Maryland’s juvenile rockfish numbers had already been sitting well below average for four years. This year, they were the second-lowest they’ve been since 1957—the index sitting at 1.0 compared to a long-term average of 11.3.

Even Virginia, where the survey has been generally much more positive in recent years, saw poor recruitment in 2023. The Commonwealth’s rockfish index was significantly lower, with a mean value of 4.25 fish, well below the average of 7.77.

The results in both states show a recruitment failure, fishery experts say. Recruitment refers to the number of surviving fish that were spawned in the spring. The group of fish hatched this spring will grow to fishable sizes in three to four years, giving a snapshot of the predicted rockfish harvest a few years down the road. The Maryland survey is conducted by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia survey by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) on behalf of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. This Chesapeake Bay Foundation video shows how the surveys work.

Maryland DNR points to ongoing climate conditions as a cause. “The warm, dry conditions in winter and spring during the past several years have not been conducive to the successful reproduction of fish that migrate to fresh water for spawning,” said DNR’s Fisheries and Boating Director Lynn Fegley.

Read the full article at Chesapeake Bay Magazine

New regulations enacted for striped bass fishing in Northeast states

May 7, 2023 — On Tuesday the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved a new emergency slot size limit for striped bass to be implemented this year of 28 inches to less than 31 inches, one fish/person/day.  Presently we have a 28-35-inch slot size.

“The emergency action was necessary because of last year’s striped bass catch rates which were found to have increased by over 1,000,000 bass from the prior year. This increase caused a significant reduction in probability of the current rebuilding plan as required by law to effectively rebuild the stock.” said Greg Vespe, executive director of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association.

The action requires states to implement the new 31-inch maximum size as soon as possible and no later than July 2, 2023.  At press time Rhode Island nor Massachusetts had announced when the new slot size regulation would be implemented.

Read the full article at The Providence Journal 

Striped Bass Fishery Managers Deliver Cautious Good News

November 9, 2022 — The fishery managers responsible for steering the Atlantic coast’s rockfish population to safe levels announced some positive news—something we haven’t heard lately in relation to rockfish.

On Tuesday the Striped Bass Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) accepted an updated stock assessment by its Technical Committee (TC), which finds the population looks promising enough that no additional harvest cuts will needed to be made. (Different conservationists have, at times, called for a striped bass fishing moratorium).

The bad news first: The stock assessment finds that in 2021, the rockfish stock was still overfished but no longer actively experiencing overfishing.  The female spawning stock biomass was estimated to be 143 million pounds, below the 188-million-pound threshold at which fishery managers must take action. However, ASMFC’s committee notes that the female spawning stock has, at least, been trending modestly upward for the past three years.

Read the full article at Chesapeake Bay Magazine 

Striped bass spawning a mixed bag in Bay again this year, surveys show

October 25, 2022 — Striped bass, struggling to rebound from overfishing, had another year of sub-par spawning success in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay, new survey results show.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported Thursday that its annual trawl survey of juvenile striped bass yielded 3.6 little fish per net haul. That’s a slight improvement over last year’s results but far below the long-term average of 11.3 per sample.

Striped bass, also known as rockfish, are one of the most popular sport and commercial fish in the Chesapeake Bay and along the East coast.

Read the full article at the Bay Journal

ASMFC 2022 Winter Meeting Webinar Supplemental Materials Now Available

January 19, 2022 —  The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Supplemental materials for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2022 Winter Meeting Webinar are now available at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2022-winter-meeting for the following Boards/Committees (click on “Supplemental” following each relevant committee header to access the information). For ease of access, all supplemental meeting materials have been combined into one PDF – http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2022WinterMeeting/2022WinterMeetingSupplementalCombined.pdf.

Below is the list of documents included in the supplemental materials.

Revised Final Notice & Agenda

American Lobster Management Board – Draft Fishery Management Plan Review for Jonah Crab for 2020 Fishing Year

Tautog Management Board – Revised Agenda and Meeting Overview

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board – Revised Agenda and Meeting Overview; Technical Committee Memo on Summer Flounder & Black Sea Bass Methodology for Adjusting 2022 Recreational Measures; Public Comment

Spiny Dogfish Management Board – Revised Agenda and Meeting Overview

Executive Committee – Revised Agenda and DraftAppeals Process Revisions

Horseshoe Crab Management Board – Supplemental Report to the 2021 Revision to the ARM Framework; Public Comment

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board – Revised Agenda & Meeting Overview; Advisory Panel Comments on the Scope of New Options for Draft Amendment 7; Public Comment

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board – Plan Development Team Recommendations on Draft Addendum l to Amendment 3; Advisory Panel Feedback on Options to Include in Draft Addendum; Advisory Panel Nominations; Public Comment

Webinar Information

Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, January 25 at  10 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 3:15 p.m.) on Thursday, January 27. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur.  Management boards will continue to provide opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

Each day, the webinar will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter.  If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1 (415) 655-0600, access code 774-133-932. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar; see webinar instructions for details on how to receive the PIN.

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.

Public Comment Guidelines

To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board  approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings.

For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide an opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.

For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.

In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comment for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action).

1. Comments received 3 weeks prior to the start of the meeting (January 10) will be included in the briefing materials.

2. Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 18 will be included in the supplemental materials.

3. Comments received by 10:00 AM on Friday, January 21 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.

Comments should be submitted via email at comments@asmfc.org. All comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution.

 

ASMFC 2022 Winter Meeting Preliminary Agenda, Public Comment Guidelines, and Meeting Details

December 9, 2021 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Please find attached and below the preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2022 Winter Meeting, January 25-27, 2022, in Arlington, VA. The agenda is also available at www.asmfc.org/home/2022-winter-meeting. Also attached is the travel authorization form and directions to the hotel. Materials will be available on January 12, 2022 on the Commission website athttp://www.asmfc.org/home/2022-winter-meeting.

Currently, the meeting is scheduled to be held both in-person and virtually; more details will be provided in mid-January. Please note the public will be limited to virtual participation (no audience in attendance in the meeting room). A block of rooms is being held at The Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA  22202. Cindy Robertson will make Commissioner/Proxy reservations and will contact you regarding the details of your accommodations. Please notify Cindy of any changes to your travel plans that will impact your hotel reservations, otherwise you will incur no-show penalties. We greatly appreciate your cooperation. 
 
For all other attendees, please reserve online via Star Group Website at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ or call The Westin Crystal City at 703.486.1111 as soon as possible and mention the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to obtain the group room rate of $188.00 plus tax single/dbl. Please be aware you must guarantee your room reservation with a major credit card or one night’s advance payment. Hotel reservations must be made by Thursday, December 30, 2021.  Room availability will not be guaranteed beyond this date.  If you are being reimbursed by ASMFC for your travel, please make your reservation directly with the hotel. Reservations made through travel websites do not apply toward our minimum number of required reservations with the hotel. Please note, cancellations at The Westin must be made by 4:00 p.m. two days prior to arrival to avoid penalty and an early departure fee of $100 will apply when checking out prior to the confirmed date. If you have any problems at all regarding accommodations please contact Cindy at 703.842.0710 or at crobertson@asmfc.org.
 
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
 
Winter Meeting
January 25 – 27, 2022
 
The Westin Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia
 
Preliminary Agenda
 
The agenda is subject to change. Bulleted items represent the anticipated major issues to be discussed or acted upon during the webinar. The final agenda will include additional items and may revise the bulleted items provided below. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein.
 
Tuesday, January 25
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.                 American Lobster Management Board

·       Consider Draft Addendum XXVII for Public Comment: Electronic Vessel Tracking for Federal Permit Holders

·       Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for 2020 Fishing Year

·       Consider Terms of Reference for Jonah Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.          Lunch Break
 
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.                     Tautog Management Board 

·       Review and Discuss Hypothetical Scenarios for Risk and Uncertainty Decision Tool

·       Review Feedback from Law Enforcement Committee on Commercial Tagging Program

2:45 – 4:15 p.m.                     Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
·       Consider 2022 Recreational Specifications (if necessary)
 
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.                     Spiny Dogfish Management Board 
·       Consider Postponed Motions from October 2021 Board Meeting to Adjust Commercial Trip Limit for Northern Region
·       Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership
 
Wednesday, January 26
8:00 – 10:00 a.m.                   Executive Committee
·       Discuss the Commission’s Role in Coordinating the Member States’ Efforts in Offshore Wind Energy Development

·       Discuss Appeals Process

10:15 – 11:45 a.m.                 Horseshoe Crab Management Board
·       Consider Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework Revision and Peer Review Report
o   Consider Management Response to ARM Revision and Peer Review Report
 
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.        Lunch Break 
 
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.                   NOAA Presentation on Sea Turtle Bycatch in Trawl Fisheries
 
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.                     Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board
·       Consider Draft Amendment 7 for Public Comment
·       Elect Vice-Chair
 
Thursday, January 27
8:30 a.m. – Noon                   Atlantic Menhaden Management Board
·       Consider Approval of Draft Addendum I for Public Comment: Commercial Allocations, Incidental Catch, and Episodic Event Set Aside Program
·       Update on Menhaden Mortality Events in 2021
Noon – 1:00 p.m.                   Lunch Break 
 
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.                     Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board
·       Review Results of the 2022 Commissioner Survey 
·       Consider Standards for De Miminis Programs
·       Consider Policy on Information Requests
·       Committee Reports
o   Law Enforcement
o   Habitat
o   Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership 
·       Update on East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning
·       Review Noncompliance Findings (if necessary)
 
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.                     Business Session 

·       Consider Noncompliance Recommendations (if necessary)

Public Comment Guidelines
 
To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board  approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings.
 
For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide an opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
 
For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.
 
For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.
 
In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comment for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action). 
 
1.    Comments received 3 weeks prior to the start of the meeting (Monday, January 10) will be included in the briefing materials.
2.    Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 18 will be included in the supplemental materials.
3.    Comments received by 10:00 AM on Friday, January 21 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.
 
Comments should be submitted via email at comments@asmfc.org. All comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution.