Public Comment         
 
June 9: NOAA Fisheries proposes to modify recreational management measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock for the 2017 fishing year. This action proposes to prohibit recreational possession of cod, reduce the haddock bag limit, and implement a new closed season for haddock in the fall. The intended effect of this action is to reduce catch of cod and haddock. This action is necessary to ensure fishing year 2017 recreational catch limits are not exceeded. ( 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 23: The Omnibus Electronic Vessel Trip Report Framework proposes management measures to increase the timeliness, accuracy, and quality of fisheries data submitted to NMFS while also reducing the burden on the charter and party fishing fleets. The electronic vessel trip report Framework would implement a requirement for charter and party vessels that hold a permit to fish for Atlantic bluefish, black sea bass, scup, summer flounder, tilefish, squid, Atlantic mackerel, and/or butterfish, while on a trip carrying passengers for hire, to submit required VTRs by electronic means. These proposed measures are intended to improve the timeliness and accuracy of charter and party vessel trip reporting. (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.)

June 30:  NMFS are proposing to revise the Recovery Plan Preparation and Implementation Priorities and Recovery Plans contained in the 1990 Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines. NMFS proposes to revise the guidelines to better prioritize limited agency resources to advance the recovery of threatened and endangered species guided by the immediacy of the species' overall extinction risk, extent of information regarding major threats, and certainty that management or protective actions can be implemented successfully. NMFS is not proposing changes to the Listing, Reclassification, and Delisting Priorities contained in the 1990 Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines. (Find more information here.)

July 14: ASMFC seeks public comment on  
Draft Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Tautog. The Draft Amendment proposes a fundamental change in tautog management, moving away from management on a coastwide basis towards regional management. In addition, Draft Amendment 1 proposes the establishment of a commercial harvest tagging program, as well as new goals and objectives, biological reference points and fishing mortality targets, and a stock rebuilding schedule. (Find more information here).  
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Featured Stories for the Week of June 1
ASMFC Finds New Jersey Out of Compliance with Addendum XXVIII to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP
 
Arlington, VA - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has found the State of New Jersey out of compliance with the mandatory management measures contained in Addendum XXVIII to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass. The Commission will notify the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior of its finding. This action was taken pursuant to the provisions of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act of 1993. The State of New Jersey has failed to effectively implement and enforce the provisions of Addendum XXVIII to the FMP for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass. Specifically, New Jersey has not implemented the following regulations required by Addendum XXVIII:
  • Shore mode for Island Beach State Park only: 17-inch minimum size limit; 2-fish possession limit and 128-day open season.
  • Delaware Bay only (west of the COLREG line):   18-inch minimum size limit; 3-fish possession limit and 128-day open season.
  • All other marine waters (east of the COLREG line):  19-inch minimum size limit; 3-fish possession limit and 128-day open season 
The implementation of these measures is necessary to achieve the conservation goals and objectives of the FMP to end overfishing of the summer flounder stock. In order to come back into compliance the State of New Jersey must implement all of the above measures. 

Find more information  here . 
RI DEM: Expanded shellfishing opportunities announced for R.I. waters; changes take effect this weekend
 
PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced access to prime shellfishing areas has been expanded under the Department's annual shellfish harvesting reclassification. Among the changes, which take effect at sunrise on Saturday, restrictions on portions of Upper Narragansett Bay - in place for the last 70 years - will be lifted; all of Cormorant Cove on Block Island will be open to shellfishing for the first time in a decade; and the seasonal closure of Greenwich Bay will be eliminated. Annual seasonal closures will also go into effect on Saturday at sunrise.

"Through the efforts of DEM, the Narragansett Bay Commission and many partners, we have made incredible progress in cleaning up Rhode Island's waters," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Once overwhelmed by raw sewage and other pollution, today our bays, rivers, and coastal waters are cleaner and healthier. The benefits of this to our environment, economy, and families are immeasurable. As a result of strong laws and investments such as the combined sewer overflow project, fishers and families have expanded opportunities to harvest and enjoy delicious, wild shellfish. This is a momentous day for Rhode Island, a day we celebrate progress in restoring water quality, and welcome shellfishermen back to historic waters. I look forward to our continued work together to reduce pollution and address other threats to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to a healthy and productive Narragansett Bay."

Find more information  here . 
DNREC: Anglers invited to fish for free in Delaware waters June 3 and 4
 
DOVER - To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, DNREC's Division of Fish & Wildlife invites you to fish, crab and clam in any Delaware waters by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4. On these two days, anyone, out-of-staters included, may fish the state's waters without a fishing license.

Anglers are reminded that even though they don't need a license to fish on June 3 or 4, they are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number. A F.I.N. number can be obtained online at  www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware's fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.

National Fishing and Boating Week festivities will also include the Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police's 31st Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3. The event will take place at a pond in each county: Ingrams Pond near Millsboro, Akridge Scout Reservation near Camden and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park near Bear. Participants are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. to register for the tournament.

Find more information  here . 
VMRC: Recreational Cobia Fishing
 
The 2017 recreational cobia season will be open from June 1st through September 15th. The minimum size is 40 inches, total length (tip to tail). The possession limit is one per person, but there will be a 3-fish vessel limit when three or more anglers are on board, and only one of those may be over 50 inches, total length. Gaffing remains prohibited for recreational cobia fishing.

Anyone fishing recreationally for cobia in Virg inia's waters must be properly permitted. When fishing from a private or for-hire vessel, only the captain needs to have the permit, and everyone on board will be covered under that permit. For those fishing from shore, a pier, or a single-person kayak, each angler must be individually permitted.

All cobia caught recreationally, whether kept or released, must be reported through the Virginia Saltwater Journal website ( vasaltwaterjournal.com), or using paper forms provided by the VMRC. Captains of private or for-hire vessels will report for everyone on board. If cobia are caught on a trip (kept or released), that trip must be reported within 7 days of the trip occurring. If no cobia are caught on a trip, that trip must be reported by 15 after the season's closing. If a permitted angler does not take any cobia trips in 2017, a report of "no activity" must be submitted to the VMRC by 15 days after the season's closing.

Permits are free and can be obtained online at  mrc.virginia.gov by clicking the "Online No-Cost Permits" link under the "Recreational Fishing" picture. They can also be obtained in-person at any MRC Licensing Agent. Please visit  mrc.virginia.gov/mrcagents.shtm to see a list of agents and their locations.

Find more information  here . 

MD DNR: Protected Aquatic Wildlife Among Maryland's Summer Visitors
 
As warm weather settles in and the days grow longer, Maryland's waters become a destination not for just humans, but also marine animals.

In the past century, 23 different species of marine mammals and sea turtles have been documented in and around state waters. Visitors include  bottlenose dolphins,  loggerhead turtles,  humpback whales, harp seals and manatees.

"While these marine animals are an awesome sight, sometimes they can be disoriented and lost, leading to a marine mammal or sea turtle stranding,"  Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Fish and Wildlife Veterinarian Cindy Driscoll said. "It is important that the publicunderstand that some of these animals are protected by law and should be treated with care and compassion."

In fact, it is estimated that more than a dozen aquatic animals find themselves stranded on Maryland's inland and ocean coasts every year. Maryland's  Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program staff respond to these stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in state waters including the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

Find more information  here . 

dmf logo

MA DMF: Free Saltwater Fishing Days: June 17 & 18

The weather is warming, the sun is shining, and the striped bass are plentiful! Fishing season is upon us! To get into the swing of it, Massachusetts is hosting its free saltwater fishing days on Father's Day weekend, June 17 and 18. So grab your rod, gather up the family, and head to the shoreline for some great fishing action. No need for a saltwater fishing permit in state marine waters, out to 3 miles, until the weekend is over.
Find more information here. 

SAFMC: Commercial Closure for Yellowtail Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 3

WHAT/WHEN:
  • The commercial harvest of yellowtail snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 3, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational fishery is
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
  • The August 2016 - July 2017 commercial catch limit is 1,596,510 pounds whole Commercial landings are approaching the commercial catch limit and harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:
  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The August 2017 - July 2018 yellowtail snapper season in the South Atlantic will open  on  August 1, 2017, with a 1,596,510 pounds whole weight catch
Find more information here. 
NOAA Fisheries: Fisheries Information Systems Stakeholder Update

NOAA Fisheries' Fisheries Information System (FIS) Program has released the 2017 Stakeholder Update document. The document provides a snapshot of the programs, initiatives, and activities underway to support our core mission of improving fisheries-dependent data collection systems. Included is a list of FIS-funded projects for 2017.
View the document  here . 
 
Upcoming Meetings and Events 

June 3: C&O Canal Stop The Snakehead Derby (Potomac, MD)

June 5-9: United Nations Ocean Conference (New York, NY)

June 6-8: MAFMC June Council Meeting (Norfolk, VA)


June 12-16: SAFMC June Council Meeting (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)


June 20-22: NEFMC June Council Meeting (Portland, ME)

July 11-14: ICAST 2017 (Orlando, FL)

August 1-3: ASMFC Summer Meeting (Alexandria, VA)

August 8-10: MAFMC (Philadelphia, PA)
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