Saving Seafood

US scallop fishery granted higher quota in 2024, but market remains hard to predict

January 9, 2024 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) officially granted a quota increase and established new rules for the upcoming 2024 scallop fishing season in the Northeast U.S.

The fishery – one of the most valuable in the U.S. – has experienced decreasing quotas for the past four years after a historically high harvest in 2019 saw the fishery land over 60 million pounds. This year, the council predicts the fishery will catch roughly 27.4 million pounds in the upcoming fishing season, with roughly 24.2 million pounds of that coming from the limited access component of the fishery.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Council Seeks Applicants to Fill 2024-2025 Advisory Panel Seats for Whiting, Skates, Monkfish, GAP/RAP, Herring, and Scallops

January 8, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants to fill mid-term vacancies on its advisory panels (APs). Fishermen and other individuals who are knowledgeable and interested in the fisheries managed by the Council are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is February 9, 2024.

The Council appoints AP members to three-year terms. The last round of appointments covered 2023-2025. This current mid-term solicitation is intended to fill AP seats that remain open from the last cycle. Selected applicants will serve from March 2024 through December 2025.

IMPORTANT: Since this is a mid-term solicitation, current advisory panel members who wish to continue serving do not need to reapply. The purpose of this announcement is to seek new applicants for 2024 and 2025.

The Council has vacant seats on the following APs:

• Small-Mesh Multispecies/Whiting Advisory Panel

• Skate Advisory Panel • Monkfish Advisory Panel

• Groundfish Advisory Panel • Recreational Advisory Panel

• Atlantic Herring Advisory Panel

• Scallop Advisory Panel

To the extent possible, the Council’s APs reflect a wide range of expertise and interests covering different geographic areas and home ports, different gear types, multiple user groups, and a broad range of social and economic perspectives.

Individuals may serve on more than one panel, and the Council reimburses all advisory panel members for travel expenses.

AP members provide information and guidance to the specific committees they’re appointed to and offer recommendations during the development of the Council’s fishery management actions. Advisors also may be asked to provide input about special issues or problems.

Council Signs Off on Framework 12 with Fishing Year 2024 and 2025 Specifications, Possession Limit Adjustments

January 2, 2024 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has taken final action on Framework Adjustment 12 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework includes:

• Specifications for fishing year 2024 and fishing year 2025, including total allowable landings (TALs) for the skate wing and skate bait fisheries;

• Adjustments to the skate wing possession limits; and

• Removal of the species-specific possession restrictions for barndoor skates and smooth skates.

The Council voted on Framework 12 during its December 5-7, 2023 meeting in Newport, Rhode Island. Since that meeting, the Council has sent the framework document to the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) of NOAA Fisheries for preliminary review. Following the preliminary and subsequent final review, NOAA Fisheries is expected to implement the approved measures by May 1, 2024, the start of the new skate fishing year.

Based on the formula shown in the graphic below, proposed fishing year 2024 and 2025 TALs are as follows:

SKATE WING FISHERY: (a) 10,453 metric tons (mt) in whole weight, equivalent to about 23 million pounds of total allowable landings; 4,605 mt in wing-only weight, equivalent to about 10 million pounds; and

SKATE BAIT FISHERY: 5,266 mt whole weight, equivalent to roughly 11.61 million pounds.

 

New England council makes groundfish quota recommendations for 2024, with deep cuts to haddock

December 26, 2023 — The New England Fishery Management Council has approved groundfish catch limits for the 2024 fishing year in the Northeast U.S., with deep cuts made to multiple species and few increases.

The sub-annual catch limits (sub-ACLs) for multiple species of groundfish were decided through Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan (NEFMC), which was implemented nearly forty years ago to reduce mortality of heavily fished groundfish stocks and promote rebuilding to sustainable biomass levels, and will still require approval from NOAA. In addition to setting quotas for multiple species in 2024, the new framework adjustment also includes provisions that will affect 2025 and 2026.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Groundfish: Council Takes Final Action on Framework 66 with Fishing Year 2024-2026 Specs; Halibut and Scallop AM Changes

December 11, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council selected final measures for Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan during its December 5-7, 2023 meeting in Newport, RI. The action, once approved and implemented by NOAA Fisheries, will guide the groundfish fishery for fishing year 2024.

Some of the Framework 66 provisions apply to fishing years 2025 and 2026 as well. Each new groundfish fishing year begins on May 1.

The framework includes:

• Fishing year 2024 and 2025 total allowable catches for three shared U.S./Canada resources – Eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder (see table on page 2);

• Fishing year 2024 and 2025 specifications for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, whitehake, and Gulf of Maine haddock;

• Fishing year 2024, 2025, and 2026 specifications for Acadian redfish, northern windowpane flounder, and southern windowpane flounder;

• A subcomponent analysis that led to adjustments in groundfish quotas for Gulf of Maine cod, Gulf of Maine haddock, white hake, northern windowpane flounder, southern windowpane flounder, and Atlantic halibut based on accounting for catches in state waters and other federal fisheries;

• Removal of the management uncertainty buffer for sectors for white hake and Gulf of Maine haddock until the next specifications cycles and assessments for these stocks in 2025 and 2024, respectively, if the at-sea monitoring target coverage rate is set at 90% or greater;

• Atlantic halibut management revisions to address the impacts of large swings in Canadian halibut catch on U.S. management actions; and

• Temporary modification of the trigger for the Atlantic sea scallop accountability measures implementation policy for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder.

 

Scallops: NEFMC Advances Framework Adjustment 38 for Fishing Year 2024; Higher VMS Ping Rates Part of the Package

December 7, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has signed off on Framework Adjustment 38 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. Next, the framework will go to NOAA Fisheries for review and implementation. The target implementation date is April 1, 2024, the start of the new scallop fishing year.

Framework 38 contains specifications and other measures for 2024 and default specifications for 2025. It also includes more frequent reporting through the vessel monitoring system (VMS). A higher 5-minute ping rate will be triggered when a scallop vessel crosses seaward of the VMS demarcation line on a scallop declaration code. Implementation of this measure may be slightly delayed beyond April 1 but is intended for 2024 to improve enforcement.

FULL-TIME ALLOCATIONS: Full- time limited access scallop vessels will be allocated three 12,000-pound access area trips with two trips into Area II and one into the New York Bight. Full-time vessels also will be allocated 20 open area days-at- sea for fishing year 2024.

PART-TIME ALLOCATIONS: Part- time limited access vessels will be allocated one 14,400-pound trip, which can be fished in either Area II or the New York Bight. These vessels will be allocated eight open area days-at-sea.

LAGC ALLOCATIONS: Limited access general category (LAGC) vessels collectively will be allocated 856 access area trips that can be fished in Area II, the New York Bight, and the central portion of Area I as shown in the map on page 1 in green. Once the 856 trips have been taken, access area fishing by LAGC vessels will end. The Council did not suballocate trips by specific area.

The northern portion of Area I, known as “the sliver,” will be closed in 2024. The Area I-Sliver contains high densities of scallops that are likely to recruit to the 4” rings in scallop dredge gear by the 2025 fishing year. These scallops are being protected in 2024 to grow and gain weight for 2025.

Read the full release from the New England Fishery Management Council

NEFMC December 5-7, 2023 Meeting – Newport, RI – Listen Live, View Documents

November 27, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, December 5 through Thursday, December 7, 2023.  This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.  Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.

LOCATION:  Hotel Viking, Newport, Rhode Island.

START TIME:  9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.  ** Note the later start-time on Tuesday.

COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH:  Join the Council on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees.  The event will be held at the Hotel Viking adjacent to the Council’s meeting room.  All are welcome.  Light snacks will be provided.

SCALLOP PTNS:  The Northeast Fisheries Science Center will have staff members available at the Hotel Viking to help scallop fishermen who attend the Council meeting learn more about the industry-funded scallop observer program’s April 1, 2024 transition to the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS).

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

  • WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Please note that written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting.
  • TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:
  1. By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and
  1. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 11:45 a.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.
    • SIGN UP:  Interested in speaking?  If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room.  To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.
WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.
  • Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.
  • We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (415) 655-0052.  The access code is 800-101-804.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.  You will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC December 5-7, 2023 meeting webpage.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

National Fisherman Highliner: Maggie Raymond

October 31, 2o23 — Maggie Raymond’s fishing career spans the trajectory of New England groundfish – from the good times of the 1980s, to helping fishermen and managers navigate brutal conflicts and challenges as the fleet moved to days-at-sea management and organizing into sectors.

The former executive director of the Associated Fisheries of Maine, Raymond, 70, of South Berwick, Maine, became essential to the industry and New England Fishery Management Council’s efforts to stabilize fishing communities during a traumatic era.

“Maggie helped people navigate these tumultuous changes and served as an invaluable conduit to explain the science and management implications to fishermen. She was a fierce advocate for industry interests.” said council chairman Eric Reid when Raymond was presented with the council’s 2022 Janice M. Plante Award for Excellence.

While working with the New England council over a quarter-century, Raymond also has been a longtime board member of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. As a member of the Maine Fishermen’s Wives Association, she was active in effort to promote consumers’ awareness of seafood values and Maine’s fisheries.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Council Engages in Initial Discussion on 2024 Work Priorities and Next Steps for East Coast Climate Coordination

October 30, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council began planning its work priorities for the year ahead when it met in Plymouth, Massachusetts September 25-28, 2023. It also covered a series of other important topics ranging from East Coast climate change, fishery independent surveys, whiting, skates, strategies for avoiding conflicts with on-demand fishing gear, and much more. Here’s a brief rundown of what took place.

2024 COUNCIL PRIORITIES: The Council annually goes through a detailed, two-step exercise to establish work priorities for the following year. First, the Council engages in an initial discussion on priorities, which occurs in September. Second, the Council takes final action on work priorities during its December meeting. Priorities are divided into three categories: (1) required actions for which the Council has no discretion over and must do; (2) accepted actions the Council previously approved but need continued work; and (3) new proposals. Given the limitations on staff time and Council resources, the Council needs to carefully review the list of new proposals to identify its top priorities for future actions. The Council discussed the initial list of potential 2024 priorities as outlined in this document, and it added a few additional items. Council members currently are in the process of ranking new proposals in order of importance. The Executive Committee will review the results of the rankings and develop recommendations on final 2024 priorities for full Council consideration in December. Here is the audio of the September discussion.

CLIMATE CHANGE COORDINATION: The Council has been working with its East Coast partners since 2020 on climate change scenario planning. The planning phase culminated with a February 2023 summit. The Core Team working on the project then developed a Potential Action Menu to steer the implementation of actions to help fishing communities prepare for an era of climate change. The two groups leading these next steps are:

• The East Coast Climate Coordination Group, which is a leadership-level body made up of New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic Council executive directors, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) executive director, and NOAA Fisheries leaders from the regional offices and science centers. This group will oversee implementation of climate change actions. And,

• The East Coast Climate Core Team, which is a staff-level group with representation from the East Coast fishery management councils, ASMFC, and the NOAA Fisheries regional and headquarters offices and science centers. This group will provide relevant information and suggestions to help guide the coordination group’s work.

The New England Council received a progress report on next steps during its September meeting and engaged in a productive discussion. The East Coast Climate Coordination Group will hold its first meeting on November 7, 2023 in Gloucester. The New England Council will receive a report on this meeting in December. The history of the East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative is documented here. A Scenario Planning Toolkit also is available to assist other organizations with climate change planning effort

Council Approves Monkfish RSA Working Group Final Report and Range of Monkfish/Spiny Dogfish Alternatives for Sturgeon

October 24, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

During its late September meeting in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the New England Fishery Management Council acted on two items related to monkfish.

• The Council approved the range of alternatives for a joint action that is being developed in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Council to reduce the bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish large-mesh gillnet fisheries; and

• The Council also approved the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Working Group’s final report.

MONKFISH RSA WORKING GROUP: The working group was formed early this year to review and develop measures to improve the Monkfish RSA Program’s effectiveness. As part of its charge under the Council’s 2023 priorities, the working group evaluated the findings and recommendations of the broader 2019 RSA Program Review to determine which, if any, of those recommendations should be further considered for the Monkfish RSA Program.

Fishermen, NOAA Fisheries and Council staff, Monkfish Committee members, and others served on the working group, which held three meetings. The group categorized its recommendations as follows:

High Priority: The working group recommended making these changes first;

Important: The group recommended addressing items in this category after high priority items were considered; and

Do Not Recommend: The group discussed 13 other possibilities but opted to remove them from further consideration.

The recommendations were further categorized by: (a) communication improvements; and (b) RSA allocation improvements. An at-a-glance list of these recommendations by category can be viewed in this presentation. Detailed tables can be found in the final report