Southern Red Hake Archives

NOAA Fisheries Announces Proposed Rebuilding Plan for the Southern Red Hake Fishery

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries seeks comment on a proposed rule that would establish a 10-year rebuilding plan for the overfished southern red hake stock. The New England Fishery Management Council took additional time to develop this action given a pending research track assessment that could have potentially affected the rebuilding requirements for southern red hake and took final action in June 2020.

In addition, the proposed rebuilding plan would decrease the year-round possession limit from 5,000 lb to a dual 1,000/600-lb possession limit based on the selectivity of gear-type or mesh size used. The 600-lb possession limit would apply to standard small-mesh trawls (less than 5.5 inches square or diamond mesh), which are less selective, while the 1,000-lb possession limit would apply to large-mesh trawls and other more selective gear types which includes raised footrope trawls, large mesh belly panel trawls, and rope separator trawls.

For more details, please read the rule as published in the Federal Register. You can provide comments through our online portal. Comments are due by July 27, 2021.

Read the full release here

Clarification: Southern Red Hake Commercial Possession Limit Reduction

February 5, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

On February 3, 2020, we sent an email notifying the industry that the southern red hake commercial per-trip possession is reduced to 400 lb per day for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, through April 30, 2020.

The reduced possession limit is 400 lb per trip total, not per day, for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, through April 30, 2020.

For more information read the bulletin or the notice published in the Federal Register.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Southern Red Hake Commercial Possession Limit Reduction

February 3, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The southern red hake commercial per-trip possession is reduced to 400 lb per day for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, through April 30, 2020.

This action affects federally permitted vessels fishing for southern red hake. This reduction is required by regulation because as of January 14, 2020, the southern red hake fishery was projected to reach or exceed 90 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL) on or around February 2, 2020.

For more information read the bulletin or the notice filed in the Federal Register.

Whiting Amendment 22: NEFMC Schedules Five Hearings to Consider Limited Access Program for Small-Mesh Multispecies

July 6, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled five public hearings on Draft Amendment 22 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This amendment proposes to establish a limited access program for five stocks of small-mesh species: northern silver hake, southern silver hake, and offshore hake – collectively referred to as “whiting” – as well as northern red hake and southern red hake.

The amendment contains three components: (1) limited access qualification criteria; (2) silver and offshore hake possession limit alternatives; and (3) permit “characteristics and conditions” that could apply if limited access is adopted. Although the Council voted in December 2017 to send Amendment 22 out to public hearing with “no action” as its preferred alternative, public input is highly encouraged on all options.

The Council is committed to hearing all points of view before making a final decision in September.

Public Hearing Schedule

Gloucester, MA – Thursday, July 19, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station, 30 Emerson Avenue, 4 p.m.
Tinton Falls, NJ – Monday, July 23, DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Hope Drive, 7 p.m.
Montauk, NY – Tuesday, July 24, Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation Inc., 240 Edgemere Street, 5 p.m.
Warwick, RI – Wednesday, July 25, Hampton Inn & Suites, 2100 Post Road, 7 p.m.
New Bedford, MA – Thursday, July 26, Fairfield Inn & Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive, 7 p.m.

Whiting Possession Limits by Permit Type

Amendment 22 proposes to: (1) retain or adjust whiting possession limits for vessels that qualify for a limited access permit; and (2) create an “incidental” possession limit for non-qualifiers. If the Council decides against establishing a limited access program, it still could adjust possession limits through this amendment. The new limits then would apply to any vessel with an open access Category K permit that operates in a small-mesh exemption program.

Read the full release here