Saving Seafood

Births among endangered right whales highest since 2015

April 5, 2021 — North Atlantic right whales gave birth over the winter in greater numbers than scientists have seen since 2015, an encouraging sign for researchers who became alarmed three years ago when the critically endangered species produced no known offspring at all.

Survey teams spotted 17 newborn right whale calves swimming with their mothers offshore between Florida and North Carolina from December through March. One of those calves soon died after being hit a boat, a reminder of the high death rate for right whales that experts fear is outpacing births.

The overall calf count equals the combined total for the previous three years. That includes the dismal 2018 calving season, when scientists saw zero right whale births for the first time in three decades. Still, researchers say greater numbers are needed in the coming years for North Atlantic right whales to rebound from an estimated population that’s dwindled to about 360.

“What we are seeing is what we hope will be the beginning of an upward climb in calving that’s going to continue for the next few years,” said Clay George, a wildlife biologist who oversees right whale surveys for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “They need to be producing about two dozen calves per year for the population to stabilize and continue to grow again.”

Read the full story at the Associated Press

UGA, fishing industry expand market, protect whales

March 4, 2021 — The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant are working with commercial fishermen to test advanced gear that could expand their catch and protect endangered North Atlantic right whales, like the one found dead off the coast of South Carolina recently.

Ropeless fishing gear would allow boats easier access to black sea bass, which are caught using pots that are lowered to the ocean floor with vertical fishing lines connected to floats that sit on top of the water. Fishermen set those pots for a period of time, and black sea bass swim into them and can’t get out. The pots and lines are retrieved at the end of each trip.

Currently, during colder months off the southeast Atlantic coast, fishing boats have to go about 30 miles offshore to set their pots so that they won’t ensnare the right whales that migrate south during the winter to calve. That makes the trip more expensive and more dangerous for the fishers.

But setting pots closer to shore is a critical hazard to the right whales. The whale that was found dead off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Sunday had been spotted near Nantucket, Massachusetts, in October with fishing line extended from its mouth. Nicknamed Cottontail, the whale was spotted in February near Florida where disentanglement experts tried unsuccessfully to free him from the ropes.

Since 2017, 34 right whales have died from entanglement in fishing gear or being struck by a boat.

Read the full story at UGA Today

Reminder: SAFMC Seeks Input on Proposed Red Porgy Management Measures; Shrimp Fishery Access in Deepwater Coral Habitat Area

February 2, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Public scoping meetings begin this week via webinar as members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council solicit comment on measures proposed for the Red Porgy fishery in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the east coast of Florida. The Council is also soliciting public input on an action to establish a rock shrimp fishery access area in the Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern, a deepwater coral area located off the east coast of Florida.

Provide your comments on proposed management measures directly to Council members via webinar during the scoping meetings or review the scoping materials and provide written comment using online comment forms. Details are available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Red Porgy (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50)

A recent stock assessment determined the Red Porgy stock is experiencing overfishingand the stock continues to be overfished despite a rebuilding plan being in place. Significant reductions in harvest are proposed in Amendment 50 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The amendment also includes measures to adjust catch levels and allocations based on revisions to recreational estimates from NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP).

Red Porgy Public Scoping Webinars:

Learn more and access the online comment form at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Rock Shrimp Fishery Access

(Coral Amendment 10)

The amendment contains a single action to establish a rock shrimp fishery access area along the eastern edge of the northern extension of the Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern. The action would provide limited access to traditional fishing grounds.

Shrimp Fishery Access Scoping Webinars:

Learn more and access the online comment form at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Commercial Closure in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Southern Zone on February 3, 2021

January 29, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone will close at 6:00 a.m., local time, on February 3, 2021, and will open on March 1, 2021, for the March 2021 through February 2022 fishing season. The Atlantic southern zone includes federal waters off the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida.
  • During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in or from the Atlantic southern zone is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.
  • NOAA Fisheries was unable to implement any trip limit reductions prior to the commercial quota being harvested.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The March 2020 through February 2021 commercial quota for the Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel southern zone is 2,667,330 pounds.
  • Information provided to the Southeast Regional Office indicate that commercial landings for Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone are projected to reach the commercial quota. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the quota from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 6:00 a.m., local time, February 3, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain, but not sell or purchase, Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector is open.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=4a1c3805e95097423c9a607a31c4c9f8&rgn=div5&view=text&node=50:12.0.1.1.2&idno=50#sp50.12.622.q.

Reminder: New Year Brings Changes to Federal Fishing Regulations

December 28, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Fishermen are reminded that several changes to federal fishing regulations occur beginning January 1st as we ring in 2021 (and gladly bid 2020 farewell). The first day of January begins a new fishing year for some species in the snapper grouper management complex.

The South Atlantic regulation changes apply to federal waters ranging from 3 to 200 nautical miles offshore of NC, SC, GA, and the east coast of Florida.

For example, a spawning season closure for shallow-water grouper goes into place each year to help protect species such as Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp, Red Hind, Yellowmouth Grouper, and others. The shallow-water grouper season will reopen May 1, 2021 with the exception of Red Grouper off the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina, which reopens June 1st. Some other snapper grouper species will reopen for harvest January 1st.

See the Regulations Summary (click the image) available from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for changes effective January 1, 2021. To keep up with federal regulations and changes throughout the year (recreational and commercial), download the free FishRules mobile app.

Additional regulation information and other helpful resources are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/regulations/.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population gets a boost: 2 newborns spotted off US coast

December 8, 2020 — Biologists from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida knew immediately what they were seeing: It was a North Atlantic right whale calf.

They couldn’t help but be ecstatic.

“Soon enough, the team knew the mother would surface for a breath of air and the calving season would have the first live mother-calf right whale pair,” said Melanie White, a research biologist who serves as the aquarium’s North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Project Manager.

The calf, found swimming on Dec. 4 with a first-time mom known as Chiminea off the coast of Cumberland Island in Georgia, was the first of two live calves found over the past week, the National Marine Fisheries Service tweeted Monday.

The second, born to 16 year-old Millepede, was spotted Monday while swimming with bottlenose dolphins off Vilano Beach in Florida.

Read the full story at USA Today

ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Board Approves TAC for 2021-2022

October 21, 2020 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (Board) approved a total allowable catch (TAC) of 194,400 metric tons (mt) for the 2021 and 2022 fishing seasons, which represents a 10% reduction from the 2018-2020 TAC level. The 2021-2022 TAC was set based on the ecological reference points (ERPs) approved by the Board in August, and reaffirms the Board’s commitment to manage the fishery in a way that accounts for the species role as a forage fish.

“This TAC represents a measured and deliberate way for this Board to move into the realm of ecosystem-based management,” said Board Chair Spud Woodward of Georgia. “The TAC strikes a balance between stakeholder interests to maintain harvest on menhaden at recent levels, while also allowing the ERP models to do what they are intended to do.”

Based on projections, the TAC is estimated to have a 58.5% and 52.5% probability of exceeding the ERP fishing mortality (F) target in the first and second year, respectively. The TAC will be made available to the states based on the state-by-state allocation established by Amendment 3 (see accompanying table for 2021 and 2022 based on a TAC of 194,400 mt).

In determining which level to set the TAC, the Board also considered recent updates to the fecundity (FEC) reference points, and current stock condition. According to the latest assessment results, the 2017 estimate of fecundity, a measure of reproductive potential, was above both the ERP FEC target and threshold, indicating the stock was not overfished. A stock assessment update is scheduled for 2022 which will inform the TAC for 2023 and beyond.

For more information, please contact Max Appelman, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, or Toni Kerns, ISFMP Director, at mappelman@asmfc.org or tkerns@asmfc.org, respectively.

GEORGIA: COVID relief deadline nearing for marine fisheries industry

October 13, 2020 — Marine fishery businesses have until Thursday to apply for federal COVID-19 relief.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act passed by Congress in March 2020, the federal government set aside $2 million in funds to be distributed to commercial fishermen, wholesale dealers, processors of saltwater species, aquaculturists with a Georgia commercial fishing license and for-hire guides, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Of that, a total of $1.87 million is expected to be awarded to successful applicants.

Participants in Georgia’s marine commercial and for-hire industry who experienced a greater than 35 percent loss in revenue between March and May 2020 due to COVID-19 as compared to the same months in the prior five-year period may qualify for federal aid.

Read the full story at The Brunswick News

Fishermen, charters nearing deadline to apply for COVID relief funds

October 9, 2020 — Participants in Georgia’s marine fisheries industry have until Thursday to apply for federal COVID-relief aid.

Congress in March appropriated nearly $2 million to supplement Georgia’s marine industry’s’ pandemic-related revenue losses and applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15, 2020, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources reminded the public Friday.

Eligible industry members must have experienced a revenue loss of greater than 35 percent between March and May compared to the same period for the past five years. Other eligibility requirements and more information can be found at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/CARES or by calling 912-264-7218.

Read the full story at the Savannah Morning News

Trump’s SC offshore drilling moratorium doesn’t stop seismic testing, feds say in lawsuit

September 23, 2020 — The federal government said in a court filing Monday that a new Trump administration ban on oil drilling off the south Atlantic coast doesn’t stop companies from requesting to search for oil in those waters.

The case involves two consolidated lawsuits challenging permits issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service that allow seismic testing companies to disturb marine life.

The testing involves shooting air gun blasts at the ocean floor to map whether fossil fuels lie underneath. It has been shown to harm sea life such as whales.

The litigation fell into question briefly when President Donald Trump announced earlier this month he was ordering a 10-year ban on drilling off the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Read the full story at The Post and Courier