Public Comment         

Mar. 6 : NEFMC seeks public comment for a scoping document for Amendment 5 to the Northeast skate complex FMP. The purpose of this scoping document is to inform the public of the Council's intent to gather information necessary for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement that will analyze the impacts of this amendment on the affected biological, physical and human environments ( Find more information here. )

Mar. 10: NOAA Fisheries invites public comments on the information collection requirements mandated in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. Specifically, (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. (Find more information here.)

Mar. 23:  NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule to implement Framework Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 4).  Measures for Atlantic cobia in the proposed rule for Framework Amendment 4 would  increase the recreational minimum size limit,  reduce the recreational bag limit,  establish a recreational vessel limit,  establish a commercial trip limit and  modify the recreational accountability measure. 
(Find more information here.) 

Apr. 3: The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public scoping hearings from Maine to Connecticut to solicit ideas for potentially changing the region's groundfish monitoring and reporting system. The purpose of this initiative is to improve reliability and accountability of the monitoring program since successful management of the fishery depends on accurate and timely catch reporting. The changes are being considered under Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The Council is encouraging fishermen and other stakeholders to participate in this very early stage of the amendment development process. 
( Find more information here.)


Apr. 7: ASMFC seeks public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 3 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring. Draft Addendum I includes management options to ensure the seasonal quota is distributed throughout Trimester 2, are applied consistently by the states adjacent to Area 1A, and address excessive capacity. The Draft Addendum
presents six management options to improve the performance of the Area 1A fishery, ranging from restricting a vessel from landing fish caught on days out of the fishery to limiting transfers at sea a well as the amount
a vessel can land per week. The document also seeks input on a tiered weekly landing limit for future management consideration. (Find more information here). 

Apr. 7:  ASMFC seeks public comment on  Draft Addendum XXV to Amendment 3 to the Interstate FMP
for American Lobster. The Draft Addendum seeks to address the  
depleted condition of the Southern New England (SNE) stock while preserving a functional portion of the SNE lobster fishery. The document presents a suite of management measures to increase egg production and lower fishing mortality through a combination of management tools including gauge size changes, season closures, and trap reductions. (Find more information here).  















National Updates
Regional Updates
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO)
Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)
Southeast Regional Office (SERO)
Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)
USFWS - Northeast Office (Region 5)
USFWS - Southeast Office (Region 4)
New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)
Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC)
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC)
Featured Stories for the Week of February 24
ACCSP: Winter Newsletter Now Available
   
The Winter edition of Fisheries Files is packed with news you can use! Here's what you'll find inside: 
  • ACCSP Launches New Data Warehouse
  • A Letter for the Director: What is Integrated Reporting and Why is it Important?
  • ACCSP Collaborates with GulfFIN
  • ACCSP Receives Positive Reviews for First Year of APAIS Coordination
  • Recreational Program Manager Geoff White Receives Award for Meritorious Service
  • ACCSP Meeting and Funding Cycle
Find more information  here. 
ASMFC: ASMFC & MAFMC Set Black Sea Bass Specifications for 2017 and 2018

T he Atlantic States Marine Fisher ies Commission (Commission) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) approved revised specifications for the 2017 black sea bass fishing year as well as specifications for the 2018 fishing year for the northern black sea bass stock (Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to the US-Canadian border). The revised specifications are based on the results of the 2016 benchmark stock assessment, which found the stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The approved limits are consistent with the recommendations of the Council's Science and Statistical Committee.  The Commission's actions are final and apply to state waters(0-3 milesfrom shore). The Council will forward its recommendations for federal waters (3 - 200 miles from shore) to NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Administrator for final approval.

Find more information  here . 
FL FWCC: FWC Encouraged by 2017 Manatee Survey

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported a preliminary count of 6,620 manatees in Florida waters. A team of 15 observers from 10 organizations counted 3,488 manatees on Florida's east coast and 3,132 on the west coast of the state. The FWC is encouraged by a third straight year of a minimum count higher than 6,000 manatees in Florida waters.

Researchers conduct synoptic surveys annually, weather permitting, to count manatees that are visible in Florida waters at the time of the survey. These surveys are conducted after a cold front and cover all of the known winter habitats of manatees in Florida. This year's counts were aided by warm, sunny weather with low winds and good visibility.

Find more information  here . 
NC DMF: NC Marine Fisheries Commission to Pursue Petition-Requested Shrimping Regulations   
 
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission on Thursday voted to grant a petition for rulemaking and begin drafting rules to implement it. If adopted, the rules will limit shrimp trawling in most North Carolina waters.

Specific requests of the petition include:
  • Limiting shrimp trawling to three days a week in the estuaries and four days a week in the ocean;
  • Limiting trawling to the daytime only;
  • Reducing the maximum trawl head rope length to 90 feet in stuarine waters and 110 feet in ocean;
  • Limiting tow times to 45 minutes;
  • Opening shrimp season once the shrimp count in Pamlico Sound reaches 60 shrimp per pound, heads on;
  • Implementing an 8-inch size limit for spot and a 10-inch size limit for Atlantic croaker;
  • Requiring all fishermen to use two NC Division of Marine Fisheries-certified bycatch reduction devices when trawling in state waters
Find more information here.
NC DMF: Recreational Flounder Bag Limit Reduced to Four Fish
   
The recreational flounder bag limit will decrease from six fish to four fish per person, per day in North Carolina waters beginning March 1. 

The recreational size limit will remain at 15 inches.

The bag limit reduction is necessary to comply with requirements of Addendum XXVIII to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. 

Find more information here . 
RI DFW: 2nd Annual Quahog Week Kicks Off March 20th 
RIFW

Quahog Week, which made its debut last year, returns March 20 - March 25, 2017. The week-long celebration highlights the importance of Rhode Island's wild harvest shellfish to the state's history, traditions and economy. As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals, and Quahog Week partners will hold special events.

"Whenever I go out to eat, I look for Rhode Island shellfish," sad DEM Director Janet Coit. "I know I'm not alone. Our flavorful clams and oysters are enjoyed all over the world. And going out on the water with our local fishermen has made me appreciate all the more the hard work and dedication at the heart of our fishing industry. Quahog Week is our opportunity to step back and celebrate our wild harvest shellfish - as well as our state's amazing array of eateries. I look forward to sampling the many tasty dishes that will be featured by our partner restaurants as well as preparing some of my own at home. I hope everybody joins in the fun during Quahog Week - and beyond."  
 
Find more information  here . 

US FWS: Beyond the Dam, A New Vision for Resilient Communities

Credit: USFWS
There was a time w hen small dams throughout the Northeast were the cores of their communities. Often the next major structure to be built after the church, the dam harnessed waterpower to process corn for sustenance and lumber for shelter. Later, dams produced energy to make textiles to be shipped far and wide, providing jobs and pumping dollars into local economies. Still others offered chances for recreation like swimming and fishing.
These days, many small dams have not only outlived their usefulness, they are liabilities for wildlife and local communities. Thousands in the Northeast are obsolete and not maintained. More than 25 percent are high-hazard, posing a big risk of failure that could flood nearby areas. Once central to community life, many dams are now barriers to progress, impeding economic growth, recreation, and tourism, while also blocking wildlife migration.

Find more information here.
GARFO: NOAA Fisheries Announces 2017-2019 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Quotas

NOAA Fisheries announces that the final quotas for the 2017-2019 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery filed in the
Federal Register today.

The approved 2017 the projected 2018-2019 quotas are the same as levels in effect since 2011. There has not been an update to the red crab stock assessment, but recent landings and other data suggest there has been no change in the size of the red crab stock since Amendment 3 was implemented in 2011.

Find more information  here . 
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: 2017 Photo Contest 
 
What photo will you take tomorrow? Or what did you take last week? As CBF celebrates our 50th year, we want to see how you see the Bay and all its rivers and streams.
Our 2017 Photo Contest is now open to both amateur and professional photographers. Show us your vision of the Chesapeake watershed-from Pennsylvania to Virginia, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Eastern Shore. All photos must include water from the Chesapeake Bay or a river or stream within the Bay watershed. 
Find more information  here .
American Sportfishing Association: Industry Releases Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing by US Congressional Districts

Recreational fishing brings a myriad
of economic benefits to communities throughout the U.S.  The  American Sportfishing Association  (ASA) and  Southwick Associates  have released the 2017 update of  Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts , along with a new  series of one-page infographics , which depict recreational fishing's economic impact on all 435 Congressional districts and the 50 states.

The information in the report and infographics use data from the most recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services'  National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation , conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau, as presented in ASA's  Sportfishing in America  report. The study used mapping and population software to hone in on smaller geographic areas in a way that is particularly relevant to members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Find more information  here . 
 
Upcoming Meetings and Events 
 
Feb. 27: NEFMC Skate Amendment 5 scoping hearing (Narragansett, RI)
 
Feb. 28- Mar. 1: Council Coordination Committee (Arlington, VA)
 
Mar. 2-4: Maine Fishermen's Forum (Rockport, ME)

Mar. 2-5: World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition (Suffern, NY)

Mar. 3: Lionfish "Ask Us Anything" (Reddit)

Mar. 6-10: SAFMC (Jekyll Island, GA)

Mar. 7: Protected Species Workshop (Largo, FL)
 
Mar. 8: Feeding the Future: An Ocean of Opportunity  (Washington, D.C.)

Mar. 9: Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop (Fort Pierce, FL)
 

Mar. 10-12: New England Saltwater Fishing Show (Providence, RI)


Mar. 15-16: Commercial Marine Expo (Providence, RI)

Mar. 19-21: Boston Seafood Show (Boston, MA) 

Mar. 20-25: Quahog Week (RI)

Apr. 5-7: Northern Shrimp Data Workshop (Portland, ME)
 
Apr. 11-13: MAFMC (Avalon, NJ)
 
Apr. 9-11: Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference (Norfolk, VA)
 
Apr. 18-20: NEFMC (Mystic, CT)

Apr. 19-25: International Pectinid Workshop (Portland, ME)
Coastwide Updates
State Updates
Maine Department of Marine Fisheries (ME DMR)
New Hampshire Fish & Game Department (NH FGD)
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF)
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife (RI DFW)
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJ DFW)
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DE DFW)
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)
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District Department of the Environment  (DC DOEE)
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Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)
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North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NC DMF)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division (GA CRD)
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC)