Saving Seafood

New England-focused king mackerel and Spanish mackerel port meetings

May 6, 2024 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled three New England-focused webinar port meetings to gather stakeholder perspectives on the future of the king and Spanish mackerel fisheries given that changing environmental conditions are altering fishery dynamics.

New England: The New England-focused meetings, which all begin at 6:00 p.m., will be held:

  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024;
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2024; and
  • Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Webinar registration is required.  Visit the South Atlantic Council’s website for registration links and other information.

  • Download a copy of the New England Mackerel Port Meetings flyer.

The South Atlantic Council said, “Input gathered during these port meetings will directly affect future management efforts for king and Spanish mackerel.”

Mid-Atlantic: A Mid-Atlantic-focused in-person port meeting will be held June 4, 2024 in Riverhead, New York in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s scheduled June meeting.

QUESTIONS?  Please contact the South Atlantic Council’s Christina Wiegand at Christina.Wiegand@safmc.net.

 

Seafood: The next generation

November 11, 2021 — Over the last few decades local fish has become harder to source for coastal communities, but covid-19 has changed that. Local food systems, including fisheries, have been thriving in the lockdowns, and educators are starting to notice. Small-scale fishermen and local distributors are meeting with students from high schools and colleges all around the coasts.

In August and September, one such group from Sterling College in northern Vermont visited Downeast Maine to learn about local fisheries, seaweed gathering, and aquaculture.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

 

NOAA Fisheries Announces Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Closure

October 14, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is closing the entire Atlantic mackerel fishery in federal waters through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021.

Effective at 0001 hour on October 15, 2021, vessels are prohibited from fishing for or landing more than 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel per trip in or from federal waters through December 31, 2021. Vessels may not land Atlantic mackerel more than once per calendar day.

The most recent management track assessment from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center concluded that the species remains overfished and overfishing increased slightly. We are implementing this closure to minimize additional catch for the remainder of the current fishing year.

If you have started a trip prior to October 15, 2021, you may offload and sell more than 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel from that trip, as long as the vessel entered port before 0001 hr on October 15, 2021.

For more information, please read the notice as filed in the Federal Register, and the permit holder bulletin posted on our website.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Alyson Pitts, Regional Office, 978-281-9352

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

Seafood industry wants Northeast Atlantic coastal states to compromise on pelagic fishery catches

September 27, 2021 — Setting catch levels for Northeast Atlantic pelagic stocks above the established scientific advice year-on-year is an unacceptable threat to shared-stock fisheries, the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) has warned fisheries ministers ahead of next month’s North Atlantic Coastal States Meeting 2021.

In an open letter to coastal states ministers and their delegations, NAPA states that its collective – as a major purchaser of Northeast Atlantic pelagics – wants to see coastal states taking a leadership position and commit to science-based management of Northeast Atlantic mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring, and Northeast Atlantic blue whiting.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

 

California Current Fish Surveys Resume with 3-Month Assessment of Sardine, Anchovy, and Mackerel

July 30, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries has begun an ambitious assessment of small pelagic fish reaching from the Canadian border to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, in cooperation with Mexico, which will help determine how many fish can be caught off the West Coast.

The COVID-19 pandemic had idled surveys for sardine, anchovy, and other species of small coastal pelagic species (CPS) off the West Coast since 2019. Small pelagic species are important ecologically and provide food for larger fish, such as tunas. The new assessment resumes regular CPS  surveys by collecting data from NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker, commercial fishing vessels equipped with acoustic technology, and autonomous Saildrones.

The Lasker left San Diego on July 6, becoming the centerpiece of the 3-month survey. It will cover thousands of miles in U.S., and Mexican waters. NOAA Fisheries scientists are coordinating efforts with federal fisheries agencies in Mexico and Canada, providing a science foundation for future decisions on fishing levels and seasons.

“Organizing and coordinating this survey was a tremendous feat of collaboration,” said Kristen Koch, Director of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, which is leading the survey. “Collecting data across all three countries will provide a valuable foundation for management of these important transboundary species.”

The Lasker will survey coastal pelagic fish along transects in the California Current, quantifying the fish with echosounders. These instruments include an advanced new model that can for the first time also measure the velocities of fish as they swim relative to the ship. The measurements will help to understand whether and how fish respond to survey vessels and if those reactions affect the quality of data on the numbers and distributions of fish.

Read the full release here

MASSACHUSETTS: ‘Pathway for the future’: Sea Lab exposes students to real-life marine science applications

July 19, 2021 — Kids are getting down and dirty with hands-on activities through Sea Lab’s summer program.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Woods Hole Laboratory arrived at the school in the South End with a truck load of fish for advanced levels to dissect. Ranging from flounder to mackerel to butterfish, students learned to look at both the external and internal characteristics to determine its diet based on stomach contents.

“Based on how big the mouth is, and how sharp the teeth is, the bigger the diet,” said Mia Colangelo, a rising ninth-grader.

Simone Bourgeois, Sea Lab facilitator, was thrilled to include NOAA in the curriculum.

“To offer Sea Lab opportunities to measure, weight and analyze contents, it’s a pathway for the future, to have our students participate in the analysis of fish on Buzzards Bay,” Bourgeois said.

Two biological science technicians, Christine Kircun and Josh Dayton, were helping students identify difference between fish. Kircun said NOAA is a large part of the fishing industry, and New Bedford a large fishing port.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

SAFMC Feature: A Successful Offshore Fishing Trip Begins Before You Hit the Water

July 6, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The summer fishing season is in mid-swing. Perhaps you’re planning to head offshore this weekend to target Red Snapper during this year’s July 9-11 mini season. Whether you’re bottom fishing or trolling for Dolphin (mahi), Wahoo or maybe a mackerel or two, as a responsible angler, planning your offshore fishing trip includes knowing the rules and regulations and incorporating best fishing practices.

Know the Rules
Keep up with the latest regulations by downloading the free Fish Rules mobile app. The app provides reliable state and federal saltwater recreational regulations from Maine to Texas based on your location. Going out of cell phone range? Check for updates before you leave the dock and manually select your location offshore to see relevant regulations.

Targeting reef fish? Make sure you have a descending device on board and ready for use. There are also specific hook requirements. Regulations specific to fishing for species in the snapper grouper management complex, including Red Snapper, went into effect in July 2020 for federal waters and are intended to encourage best fishing practices. Dehookers are also required on board.

Best Practices – Plan Ahead
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Best Fishing Practices webpage provides anglers with important information to consider for each fishing trip, including an online tutorial to test your knowledge. The tips below are also outlined in detail.

Odds are you’ve marked a few spots on your GPS as you get ready for your next offshore trip. Remember to make a plan to move on once bag limits are met. Odds are also good that you’ll need to release fish due to size or trip limits. Plan ahead and have the appropriate gear on board to safely release those fish. Have rubberized gloves and nets handy to avoid removing slime. If targeting snapper grouper species, remember that a descending device is required on board along with the use of specific hooks and a dehooker.

Know how to properly handle the fish. Once on the water, have your camera or cell phone ready and minimize the time the fish is on deck. Avoid dropping the fish on deck and release the fish without removing it from the water if possible.

Best Practices for Deep Water Release – avoid “floaters”
No one wants to release a fish only to watch it float away. Fish caught in deeper water may suffer from barotrauma, the expansion of gases after rapidly being reeled up from depth. Barotrauma often makes it difficult for a fish to swim back down. Learn to recognize signs of barotrauma and assess the condition of the fish while you are reeling it in. If the fish appears sluggish, eyes are bulging, the stomach is protruding from its mouth or the mid-section appears bloated, it could be suffering from barotrauma.

Recompression by getting the fish back down to the depth it was caught as quickly as possible is key to ensuring the fish survives. It may be tempting, but do not puncture the stomach if it is protruding from the fish’s mouth. Instead, use your descending device as an easy and efficient way to return the fish to depth and release it. As a reminder, if the fish doesn’t show signs of barotrauma, the use if a descending device isn’t necessary.

Information about various types of descending devices and video instructions on how to rig them are available from the Council’s Best Fishing Practices webpage by clicking on the “Descending Device” tab. There’s even a video on how to make your own device using gear you might already have in your tackle box.

Get Involved – cooperate with Red Snapper sampling
The 2021 recreational season for Red Snapper in the South Atlantic opens this Friday, July 9th and closes on Sunday, July 11th. The daily bag limit is one fish per person with no minimum size limit. See the NOAA Fisheries Fishery Bulletin for details.

Each year, state marine resource agencies work to collect data from fishermen targeting Red Snapper. Cooperating with agency staff when you get back to the dock or the boat ramp will provide useful information. Allow samplers to collect biological samples. Assist by donating carcasses at drop off points. Data collected during the season from fishermen like you contribute to a better understanding of the Red Snapper stock and its continuing recovery.

South Atlantic Red Snapper Sampling 2021

Commercial Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Northern Zone Will Close on June 28, 2021

June 25, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

  • Commercial harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Northern Zone (depicted in map below) will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 28, 2021.
  • Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 1, 2021.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial quota for the Gulf Northern Zone is 493,200 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate that commercial harvest of king mackerel in this zone has exceeded its quota.
  • In accordance with the regulations NOAA Fisheries is required to close harvest for a species when the quota has been met or is projected to be met.

During The Closure:

  • No commercial fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Northern Zone after 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 28, 2021.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in king mackerel that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., local time, June 28, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others.

Read the full release here

Commercial Closure in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Northern Zone on June 28, 2021

June 24, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel (Atlantic Spanish mackerel) northern zone will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 28, 2021 and will re-open on March 1, 2022.  The northern zone for Atlantic Spanish mackerel includes federal waters from North Carolina through New York.  During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Atlantic Spanish mackerel in or from the northern zone is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open, but those fish may not be sold.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

  • The commercial quota for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone for the March 2021 through February 2022 fishing year is 662,670 lbs.
  • Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial quota for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the quota from being exceeded.

During the Closure:

  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a commercial closure for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, June 28, 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 permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector for Atlantic Spanish mackerel 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/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=38b00fbc079181f330b3d8428a1d8fea&mc=true&n=pt50.12.622&r=PART&ty=HTML#sp50.12.622.q.

Reminder: SAFMC Advisory Panel Seats Open for Applicants

April 27, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The deadline to apply for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels is rapidly approaching! The Council is soliciting applicants for several open seats on the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel as well as the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.

The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and plan amendments. Management issues on the table for 2021 include climate vulnerability and impacts relative to fisheries, development of the Council’s Habitat Blueprint, King Mackerel catch levels and management adjustments, and modifications to management of Snowy Grouper, Yellowtail Snapper, Red Porgy, Red Snapper and several other species in the Snapper Grouper management complex. Members of the Council’s Law Enforcement Advisory Panel will provide recommendations specific to enforcement issues affecting these and other fisheries.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) Florida Seat, (1) South Carolina Seat, (1) Georgia Seat, and (2) At-Large Seats

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(6) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
(1) North Carolina Seat and (1) Florida Seat

The Council will consider applicants during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting scheduled via webinar. Additional details, including links to the online application forms are available from the Council’s website. Questions? Contact Kim Iverson at kim.iverson@safmc.net or 843/302-8440.