Public Comment
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).
June 21:
ASMFC seeks public comment on Draft Amendment 3 to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. Proposed options in the Draft Amendment include state-by-state allocations and accountability measures to better manage effort in the fishery. The Draft Amendment also explores the mandatory use of size sorting grate systems to minimize harvest of small (presumably male) shrimp, as well as reporting measures to ensure all harvested shrimp are being reported.
(Find more information here.)
June 30:
MRIP is req
uesting input on it
s
draft five-year Strategic Plan
from partners and stakeholders.
The Plan lays out a clear, well-defined strategy for continuing to improve survey methods while providing a sound basis for implementing new and expanded surveys through a system of regional partnerships.
MRIP is particularly interested in whether the outlined goals, strategies, and tactics are likely to meet partner and stakeholder needs, as well as achieve the mission and vision stated in the Plan. (Find more information here.)
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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)
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Featured Stories for the Week of April 6
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Deepwater Wind Developing Second Offshore Wind Farm in Nation
America is moving toward a renewable energy future, and Long Island is helping to lead the way. The South Fork Wind Farm will be among the first offshore wind farms ever constructed in the United States, and will be the largest by far.
When completed, the South Fork Wind Farm will consist of 15 advanced offshore wind turbines able to generate 90 megawatts of the world's cleanest and most efficient energy, and a state-of-the-art electric transmission system buried beneath the ocean floor will deliver that energy directly to East Hampton.
The South Fork Wind Farm was proposed in response to the New York State's Reforming the Energy Vision initiative and designed around the premise that renewable energy can be a reliable and cost-effective solution to modern electricity challenges.
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Photo Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/AllislandAerial
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Find more information
here.
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MAFMC: Squid Public Hearings from Maine to Virginia
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled nine public hearings in April and May 2017 to solicit input on a proposed Squid Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Four of those hearings will be held in New England.
The amendment contains measures that may r
educe latent permits for longfin and
Illex
squid and m
odify management provisions during the May-August Trimester 2 period for longfin squid.
Latent permits are defined as "unused or minimally used permits." The Mid-Atlantic Council stated, "Currently, a relatively small portion of vessels with limited access ("moratorium") squid permits account for the majority of landings in most years. The Council is concerned that activation of latent permits in the squid fisheries could lead to excessive fishing effort, potentially resulting in shortened seasons and increased catch of non-target species."
Find more information
here.
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The CFRF, in partnership with the University of Rhode Island and with support from RIDEM, has undertaken a project which seeks to assess the economic impact of the fishing industry in the state of Rhode Island, with the ultimate goal of expanding policymaker and stakeholder awareness of RI's valuable natural resources. Your participation is needed to complete this economic impact assessment of the fishing industry in Rhode Island. Only aggregated information is used in reporting, your privacy is taken seriously.
Find more information
here.
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NH FGD: North Woods Law: New Hampshire -- First Season Wraps Up Sunday
The season finale of Animal Planet's popular new television show featuring the conservation officers and wildlife biologists of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Departm
ent will air at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2017.
"The feedback we've gotten from the public about the show has been very positive," said Colonel Kevin Jordan, Chief of NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement. "Many people have told us that they had no idea how far-ranging and diverse the responsibilities of the Department are."
Leading up to the exciting final installment, the first five episodes will air starting at 4:00 p.m. So break out the popcorn and make it a North Woods Law: New Hampshire evening!
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| North Woods Law: New Hampshire. Animal Planet Television Series. |
Find more information
here.
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RI DEM and Arbor Day Foundation Offer Free Trees to Homeowners
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Arbor Day Foundation are teaming up once again to give away 1,000 trees as part of the State's Energy-Saving Trees Program. The Program helps homeowners conserve energy and reduce utility costs while beautifying their neighborhood.
Trees play an important role in cooling streets and homes, filtering air, and reducing stormwater pollution.
"We're happy to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation again this spring to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "I hope homeowners will take advantage of this opportunity to plant a tree with their families and watch it grow. It's a great way to reduce monthly expenses, create lasting memories, and promote a healthier and more beautiful environment."
Find more information
here.
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ASMFC: Menhaden Board to Meet November 14 to Consider Approval of Amendment 3
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet on November 14, 2017 (all day) to consider approval of Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The Commission's Business Session will meet immediately following the conclusion of the Atlantic Menhaden Board meeting to consider final approval of Amendment 3. The meeting will take place in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD area. Additional details will be released well in advance of the meeting.
Find more information
here.
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DE DFW: $1.45 Million to Delaware for Environmental Purpose from VW Emissions Investigation
 Delaware will receive $1.45 million for environmental projects as a result of an additional settlement between 10 states and Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi over the company's use of "defeat devices" on the emissions controls of diesel vehicles.
The settlement filed Thursday is in addition to a federal and
multi-state settlement last year that obtained payments and remediation for vehicle owners as well as penalties, and also in addition to a
federal environmental trust established with payments from Volkswagen to fund air-quality related initiatives.
"This latest settlement continues to hold Volkswagen accountable for its egregious violation of the public trust and the harm to our state's and country's air quality as a result of manipulating diesel vehicles to falsify emissions test results and pollute more than allowed," Attorney General Matt Denn said.
The others states involved in the settlement are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Find more information
here.
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Grants Available to Marinas for Pumpout Operations 
Maryland marinas can now apply for Pumpout Operations and Maintenance grants thro
ugh the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These grants reimburse marinas for the expense of operating and maintaining pumpout stations for boats to safely dispose of sewage, keeping Maryland waters clean.
"Maryland was the first state to offer grants to ensure that pumpout stations are well dispersed and maintained across the state," Center for Marine and Coastal Stewardship Program Manager Donna Morrow said. "These stations benefit the robust boating community in the state as well as the health of the Chesapeake Bay."
Find more information
here.
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ASMFC Releases Report on Sciaenid Fish Habitat
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Photo credit :Florida Sea Grant |
Arlington, VA - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has released the 14th report in its Habitat Management Series entitled,
Atlantic Sciaenid Habitats: A Review of Utilization, Threats and Recommendations for Conservation, Management and Research.
Prepared by ASMFC staff, sciaenid experts, and a subset of the Commission's Habitat Committee, the report is the most comprehensive compilation of habitat information to date on Commission-managed and other common sciaenid species found throughout the Western Atlantic. These species include Atlantic croaker, black drum, red drum, spot, spotted seatrout, weakfish, northern kingfish, southern kingfish and Gulf kingfish.
The report provides a habitat description for all stages of each species' life cycle, their associated Essential Fish Habitats and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (when applicable), threats and uncertainties to their habitats, and recommendations for habitat management and research. It was developed to serve as a resource for fisheries managers to use when amending existing fishery management plan (FMPs).
Find more information
here
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Please feel free to forward to fishery friends & colleagues! If you have a suggestion for a feature, please email
info@accsp.org.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
Apr. 11-13:
MAFMC (Avalon, NJ)
Apr. 18-20: NEFMC (Mystic, CT)
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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)
News Room
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Calendar of Events
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District Department of the Environment (DC DOEE)
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Calendar of Events |
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Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)
News Room |
Calendar of Events
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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)
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