Public Comment
May 1:
NOAA Fisheries proposes revised black sea bass quotas for the 2017 fishing year and projected specifications for 2018. Based on updated information on the status of the stock, we are proposing a 53 percent increase in the 2017 commercial quota established in 2015.
We also propose to remove the accountability measure in the commercial sector that was initially implemented at the start of the fishing year to account for perceived 2015 overages. Updated scientific information regarding the black sea bass stock indicates that higher catch limits should be implemented to obtain optimum yield, and that the accountability measure is no longer necessary or appropriate. (Find more information here.)
May 4:
NOAA Fisheries proposes
management measures for the 2017 summer flounder and scup recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to constrain recreational catch to established limits and prevent overfishing of the summer flounder and scup resources. We are proposing the 2017 management measures and revised specifications for the recreational black sea bass fishery in separate actions.
(Find more information here.)
May 31: The MAFMC is considering measures to manage Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) as a stock in the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP with catch limits, accountability measures, and other conservation and management measures required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Council is developing this action in response to the recent development of a directed chub mackerel commercial fishery in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England. (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 requesting input on its 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.)
|
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 April 20
|
|
|
|
SC DNR: New Oyster Shell Recycling Site in Beaufort
Recycling oyster shells just got easier for
 |
|
|
Photo Credit_ Ben Dyar
|
resident of Beaufort County.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR) staff and partners recently constructed a new oyster shell drop-off bin at the Edgar Glenn Boat Landing in the shadow of the Chechessee River Bridge, the sixth such site in Beaufort County.
"With this new public oyster drop-off located directly between Beaufort and Bluffton, we're thrilled to provide an opportunity for the public to recycle their oyster shells in this area, which before was a difficult task," said Ben Dyar, who oversees the agency's oyster recycling and planting program.
Find more information here.
|
|
DNREC: New Online Tool Available to Help Delaware Landowners Locate Wetlands on their Property
DNREC's Wetland Monitoring & Assessment
Program today announced the launch of the
Delaware Freshwater Wetland Toolbox,
a new online tool that aids Delaware landowners in locating wetlands that may exist on their property.
"Delaware is rich in wetlands - no matter where you stand in the state you're probably no more than a mile away from a wetland," said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. "Identifying and conserving these natural wetland resources is key to protecting the important functions wetlands provide, and technology such as the new online tool can make such information more readily available to us."
Find more information
here
.
|
|
NYS DEC: Encourages Homeowners to Practice Sustainable Lawn Care to Protect State Waterbodies
To protect water quality this spring, the NYS DEC is urging New Yorkers to practice sustainable lawn care by going phosphorus free, using
native plants and grasses, and reducing fertilizer use. DEC has launched the "Look for the Zero" campaign to encourage New Yorkers to purchase phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer, as more than 100 water bodies in New York State cannot be used or enjoyed as a result of too much phosphorus.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
NYS DEC: Groundfish Disaster Relief Program Application Period Ends April 28, 2017
On September 12, 2012, the US DOC determined that a fishing resource disaster would cause a commercial fishery failure in the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery for the 2013 fishing year. This determination was made recognizing that, despite fishermen's adherence to strict catch limits, several key groundfish stocks were not rebuilding as expected, resulting in the need for severe quota cuts for the 2013 fishing year.
NOAA allocated $584,333 to New York State in the first Bin (Bin 1) of Groundfish Disaster Assistance funding. The money was distributed to New York State federal vessel permit holders who met the landings threshold of 5,000 pounds of groundfish (cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, American plaice, witch flounder, winter flounder, redfish, white hake, and pollock) in any year from 2010-2013, on designated groundfishing trips.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
CT DEEP: Bonus Striped Bass Fishing Program
CT DEEP is again conducting the Bonus Striped Bass Fishing Program, which will run from May 1 through December 31 in 2017. DEEP will be distributing TWO Harvest Tags and harvest Report Cards per license holder this year. The tag must be securely affixed to the jaw of the fish immediately upon harvest and must remain on the fish until you arrive home. The ha
rvest report card must also be completed upon harvesting a qualifying fish. The report card must be returned to DEEP within two days of harvest. The cards are pre-addressed to Marine Fisheries and are also postage pre-paid. You simply n eed to drop the completed card in any mail box.
Tags will be available beginning Thursday, April 20th at the DEEP Offices and Facilities listed in the link below.
Find more information
here.
|
RI DEM: Rhode Islanders Invited to Explore the Outdoors, get Active in Celebration of Earth Day
RI DEM is hosting several events in celebration of Earth Day to encourage families to get outdoors and explore Rhode Island. Opportunities including birdwatching, a visit to a trout hatchery and cleanups at state beaches in South County - among others.
"Earth Day is a time to reflect on how precious our environment is and the little things we can do in our daily lives to protect and enjoy our natural resources," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "From carving out time for a restorative hike to introducing children to the wonders of the outdoors to joining neighbors for a community cleanup, there are plentiful ways to connect with nature and help limit our impact on the environment."
Find more information
here
.
|
|
NH FGD: NH Coastal Lobster Trap Cleanup Set for Saturday, April 29
 If you're out for a walk on New Hampshire's beaches on Saturday, April 29, 2017, you may see more activity than usual. Commercial fishermen and others will be out that day collecting lobster traps and other fishing gear that winter storms have washed up on the beaches and shoreline.
All individuals with a lobster trap license of any kind are invited to participate in the trap cleanup. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. on April 29 in both Rye Harbor and the Hampton Harbor State Marina.
Find more information
here.
|
ASMFC: SEAMAP Releases 5-Year M
anagement Plan
SEAMAP has released its 2016-2020 Management Plan. Prepared by the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean components of SEAMAP, the Management Plan serves as a reference for official SEAMAP policies and procedures through 2020. The Plan also includes detailed information on SEAMAP activities and highlights how SEAMAP data meet critical needs for recent stock assessments and management decisions. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, the Plan details how SEAMAP's core surveys have been impacted by level/declining funding. It identifies how expansions in funding could be used to refine existing assessments and advance the movement towards ecosystem-based management; ultimately, leading to more comprehensive fisheries management in the Southeast region.
Find more information
here
.
|
MAMFC: Final Call for Training Workshop Registration on on Electronic Vessel Trip Reports for the For-Hire Community
MAFMC approved a measure last year that will phase out the current paper-based reports over the coming year. For-hire vessel operators/owners who must report VTRs for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Council will need to report using their mobile device or personal computer in order to be in compliance. Such options are already available on a voluntary basis.
While all options for electronic reporting will be briefly discussed, the workshops will focus on hands-on training for the eTrips/mobile and eTrips/PC system, a free program developed by ACCSP. Instruction and guidance will be led by Rick Bellavance, Owner/Operator of Priority Fishing Charters in Point Judith, Rhode Island, and ACCSP staff.
Find more information here.
|
|
Recent NEFMC Actions
Council Initiates Scallop Framework 29 to Address Northern Gulf of Maine, 2018-2019 Specs, Flatfish AMs
NEFMC initiated Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The framework will address four "2017 scallop management priorities" identified last fall. These include:
* Fishery specifications for the 2018 scallop fishing year and default specifications for 2019;
* Flatfish accountability measures for scallopers;
* Scallop access area modifications to be consistent with pending habitat area revisions; and
* Measures for the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Area.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
Council Considers Adjusting Skate Bait Trigger, Possession Limit
NEFMC has initiated a framework adjustment to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider alternatives for adjusting the skate bait threshold trigger and possession limit. The NEFMC's Skate Committee recommended the action, and the NMFS GARFO will provide assistance in developing the document. The framework will be narrowly focused, addressing only the trigger/possession limit issues. The Council anticipates taking final action at its June meeting and, if all stays on schedule, NMFS is aiming to implement the new measures in December.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
Whiting Limited Access Options Advance; Council Approves Amendment 22 Range of Alternatives for Further Analysis
NEFMC approved a wide range of alternatives for further analysis in Whiting Amendment 22, which is being developed to potentially limit access to the small-mesh multispecies fishery. Five stocks are part of this fishery. The first three - northern silver hake, southern silver hake, and offshore hake - are collectively referred to as "whiting," and the other two stocks are northern red hake and southern red hake.
The amendment contains three major components:
* Limited access qualification criteria (see table at right);
* Possession limits by permit type; and
* Permit "characteristics and conditions" that could apply if limited access is adopted.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
Council Selects Coral Amendment Preferred Alternatives for GOM, Continental Slope and Canyons
In preparation for a round of public hearings in May, NEFMC on April 18 selected "preferred alternatives" for its Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment, which contains proposals for protecting corals in the Gulf of Maine and on the Continental Slope south of Georges Bank.
The amendment covers:
* The inshore Gulf of Maine - Outer Schoodic Ridge and Mt. Desert Rock;
* The offshore Gulf of Maine - Jordan Basin and Lindenkohl Knoll on the edge of Georges Basin; and
* South of Georges Bank - Continental Slope and canyons region.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
NOAA: Ever Dream of Becoming a Scientist? Dream No More.
Embrace your passion for data and love of planet Earth: Become a NOAA citizen scientist!
We're always looking for volunteers to help our scientists and researchers observe the world around us.
Find more information here.
|
|
NOAA: Native Fish in Massachusetts Return After 200 Years
For the first time in at least 183 years native alewife and blueback
 herring are swimming upstream beyond the former Tack Factory dam. Removing this dam in Norwell, Massachusetts, restored several miles of their ideal spawning habitat. These forage fish supported the once-abundant commercial and recreational Atlantic fisheries. River herring populations reached historical lows due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and severely reduced access to spawning habitat.
Times and priorities change 
The first known dam on this site was built in 1677, and provided power for grinding grain and sawing lumber in a thriving ship-building town. In 1834, the dam was rebuilt by two brothers who founded a tack factory to serve the shoe industry. That business continued operations until the mid-20th century. The excavations revealed several major rebuilds and improvements during that time.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
SERO: Changes to the King Mackerel Fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Regions
KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule implementing Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic regions (Amendment 26). Amendment 26 contains actions related to king mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region following review of the most recent population assessment.
WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:
- The rule will take effect on May 11, 2017.
WHAT THIS RULE DOES:
- Modifies the management boundary for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic migratory groups of king mackerel to create a year-round boundary at the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be responsible for management measures in the mixing zone, which includes federal waters off the Florida Keys.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
GARFO: Looking Forward to Looking Back: Electronic Monitoring in New England Groundfish
Electronic monitoring (EM) is being used for catch
monitoring and reporting compliance in fisheries worldwide, but use in the Northeast has been somewhat limited. There are always challenges with ensuring the accuracy of self-reported fisheries catch data, but EM represents a new suite of tools to improve reporting accuracy and increase catch monitoring. If we want to provide scientists with the best information possible and manage our fisheries sustainably, then we need to consider all of the tools in the toolbox.
Here in the Greater Atlantic Region's groundfish fishery, fishermen are considering EM to replace human at-sea monitors. Naturally, people want to compare costs. This is understandable; the cost of at-sea monitors is significant and has been the subject of much discussion, particularly because a portion of the costs are now borne by the industry. However, comparing only the costs of EM and at-sea monitors, as the programs exist today, without any context to what the programs offer, is unfair, difficult, and a bit premature.
Find the rest of the article
here
.
|
GARFO: 2016 Year in Review Released
GARFO is proud to announce the release of its second annual Year in Review report.
In 2016, GARFO continued to work toward its goals of sustainable use of living marine resources, conservation of the habitats upon which these resources depend, and the protection of endangered species and marine mammals.
Find more information
here
.
|
|
NEFSC: Northeast Cooperative Research Program Review
NEFSC initiated an independent review of its
 Northeast Cooperative Research Program in 2016. The final reviewer report, NEFSC response, and action plan are now available and posted below.
The review found that the NCRP has demonstrated success working with fishing industry partners on research that can improve fishery science and management. Examples include long-term efforts like the NEFSC study fleet, development of electronic reporting tools for catch and environmental data, enhanced sampling opportunities of fishery resources, and specialized industry-based survey collaborations.
Find more information
here
.
|
NEFSC: Status and Trends for Gray Seals, Right Whales in Northeast Focus of Marine Mammal Commission Meeting
|
|
|
Photo credit (c) Meghann Murray, NOAA Fisheries |
Human Interactions with the increasing gray seal population in the Northeast,
concern for the future of the endangered North Atlantic right whale population, updates on highly endangered vaquitas (a small porpoise in the Gulf of California), and Arctic activities drew a large crowd to the Marine Mammal Commission's 2017 annual meeting April 5-7 in North Falmouth, MA.
Find more information
here.
|
|
NEFSC: Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology and Sea Day Schedule
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires all FMPs to "establish a standardized reporting methodology to assess the amount and type of bycatch occurring in the fishery." In 2007, the NEFMC and MAFMC, in coordination with NOAA Fisheries, developed a standardized bycatch reporting methodology (SBRM) for all FMPs in the Northeast Region through an overarching amendment to these FMPs, known as the SBRM Omnibus Amendment. After this amendment was implemented, a legal challenge was filed (
Oceana
v
Locke
) in Federal court. The U.S. District Court initially found in favor of the government on all counts. However, that ruling was appealed by the plaintiffs, and the U.S. Court of Appeals issued an opinion that found fault with one element of the amendment-called the prioritization process- and ordered that the amendment be vacated and remanded to the agency for further proceedings. This meant that the amendment was no longer in effect, and would need to be revised and re-adopted by the Councils.
In response to the Court's order, the Councils formed a new fishery management action team (FMAT) consisting of staff from NEFMC, MAFMC, ASMFC, GARFO and NEFSC to develop alternatives that would address the deficiencies identified by the Court. The FMAT developed new alternatives for the prioritization process, and incorporated some of the suggested improvements that were identified in a 2011 review of the SBRM process.
Find more information
here
.
|
Please feel free to forward to fishery friends & colleagues! If you have a suggestion for a feature, please email
info@accsp.org.
|
|
|
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Apr. 18-20: NEFMC (Mystic, CT)
|
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)
Facebook |
Twitter
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)
News Room
|
Calendar of Events
Facebook |
Twitter
District Department of the Environment (DC DOEE)
News Room |
Calendar of Events |
Twitter
Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)
News Room |
Calendar of Events
Facebook |
Twitter
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)
|
|
|
|
