Atlantic Coast Fisheries News

October 31: NOAA Fisheries announced a proposed rule to modify North Atlantic right whale vessel speed regulations. The Federal Register Notice for this action is available at the Federal Register webpage. Comments may be submitted through October 31.

(Find more here).

October 31: MD DNR announced a scoping period to identify issues, potential impacts, and reasonable alternatives associated with the blue crabs, oysters, gear, and penalties so that management actions can be developed. Comments may be submitted through October 31.

(Find more here).

November 7: NOAA Fisheries announced a proposed rule to list the queen conch as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is requesting public comment. Comments may be submitted through November 7.

(Find more here).

November 25: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public input on the Incidental Take Regulations and related Letter of Authorization for the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project offshore of New Jersey. Comments may be submitted through November 25.

(Find more here).

December 4: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Draft North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy which seeks to minimize the effects of offshore wind development on right whales and their habitat. Comments may be submitted through December 4.

(Find more here).

ASMFC: Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery Moves to Four Landing Days Per Week Starting November 6

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announces updated days out measures for the 2022 Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) Atlantic herring fishery for Season 2 (October 1 – December 31).

The reallocation of 1,000 metric tons (mt) to the Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is now effective based on catch information from the Canadian New Brunswick weir fishery. As a result, the Area 1A fishery will move to four (4) consecutive landing days per week starting Sunday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. Landings will be closely monitored and the directed fishery will close when 92% of Area 1A sub-ACL is projected to be reached.

Find more information here.

MD DNR and VIMS Announce 2022 Juvenile Striped Bass Young-of-Year Survey Results

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of the iconic fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2022 young-of-year index is 3.6, which is slightly higher than last year’s result, but remains below the long-term average of 11.3.

The Atlantic coastal striped bass population has decreased in size, but is still capable of strong reproduction with the right environmental conditions. Variable spawning success is a well-known characteristic of the species. Biologists continue to examine factors that might limit spawning success.

Similarly, the results for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) juvenile striped bass seine survey have been announced. Preliminary results from the ongoing long-term survey conducted by researchers at VIMS suggest another average year class of young-of-year striped bass was produced in Virginia tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in 2022. The 2022 year class represents the group of fish hatched this spring that will grow to fishable sizes in three to four years.

The VIMS Juvenile Striped Bass Seine Survey recorded a mean value of 7.95 fish per seine haul in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay; this value is called a recruitment index by scientists. The 2022 value is similar to the historic average of 7.77 fish per seine haul and represents the 10th consecutive year of average or above-average recruitment in Virginia waters. Although there can be considerable variation in striped bass recruitment among years, the indices observed in recent years suggest that abundance of juvenile striped bass in Virginia has been relatively stable.

Find more information here (MD DNR) and here (VIMS).

NJFW: One Week Left to Apply for the 2022 Striped Bass Bonus Program

New Jersey is allocated a commercial harvest quota of striped bass under the Striped Bass Interstate Fisheries Management Plan as administered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Since New Jersey does not allow netting or sale of striped bass, this quota was transferred to the recreational fishing sector resulting in the origin of the SBBP.

NJFW initiated the program in 1990 to allow the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey recreational anglers. Although the program has been modified throughout the years, the main goal of the SBBP is to allow anglers to participate in the management process while enjoying their favorite recreational pastime. It is a popular program and provides valuable data for assessing stock status and fishing trends, making it an integral part of New Jersey’s striped bass management.

Find more information here.

PFBC: Accepting Applications for the Clean Vessel Act Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is excited to announce the availability of funding through the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program. This is a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that funds the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout stations and reception facilities for recreational boats. The PFBC has received funding under the CVA Grant Program and is looking for interested partners to utilize these funds.

The program was created to help reduce pollution from boat sewage discharges into U.S. waters. CVA grant funds are available to qualified applicants within both the public and private sectors, including all local governmental entities and private businesses that own and operate boating facilities and are willing to keep pumpout stations open to the general boating public.

Find more information here.

NC DEQ: Awards $20 million to Coastal Communities for Storm Damage Repairs

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) is awarding nearly $20.1 million in grants to eight communities in coastal North Carolina for projects related to storm damage. The awards from the Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund support beach nourishment, dune restoration, and other remediation projects.

Applications were scored on six criteria, including environmental benefits, social benefits, economic benefits, life of the project, financial resources and project efficiency. All eight project applications received were awarded funding. Funded projects cover beach nourishment, artificial dunes, and other projects to mitigate or remediate coastal storm damage to the ocean beaches and dune systems of the state.

Find more information here.

FL FWC: Wildlife Alert now using Tip411 System for Better Communication

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert System is now using a safe and effective new system for submitting anonymous tips. The public can contact FWC Law Enforcement by downloading an easy-to-use iPhone or Android app: “FWC Wildlife Alert.”

The new Tip411 system will enable the public to anonymously communicate with members of FWC law enforcement via text, which will allow officers to receive the information they need to address violations more quickly and efficiently. The new system replaces the Tip@MyFWC.com text and email functions, which have been phased out of operation.

Find more information here.

MA DFG: Environmental Agencies Urge Caution When Operating Vessels and Personal Watercrafts Near Humpback Whales Within Plymouth Harbor

The Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) and the Department of Fish and Games’ (DFG) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) are advising all mariners operating vessels or personal watercrafts, such as kayaks and paddle boards, to use extreme caution near Plymouth, Massachusetts, where an aggregation of three juvenile humpback whales have been feeding for at least a week. These young whales are engaged in physically active feeding behavior that is very unpredictable, while feeding in a shallow area on menhaden (or “pogies”), a rich and highly abundant schooling forage fish that also attracts striped bass. This creates a safety hazard for both whales and humans.

Mariners are also reminded it is illegal to harass marine mammals under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Harassment includes any act of pursuit, torment or annoyance that can injure or disrupt the feeding behavior of the animal. The National Marine Fisheries Service recommends that mariners stay at least 100 feet from whales and take a precautionary approach, given the unpredictable behavior of whales and the potential safety hazards involved.

Find more information here.

NOAA Fisheries: Announces Implementation of Amendment 32 to Revise the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, and Size Limits

NOAA Fisheries announces implementation of the final rule for Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. The rule will take effect on November 21.

What This Means:

Amendment 32:

Modifies the units used to monitor Gulf of Mexico migratory group cobia (Gulf group cobia) landings from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the MRIP Fishing Effort Survey
Modifies the Gulf group cobia population annual catch limit apportionment to 63% Gulf of Mexico Zone and 37% Florida East Coast Zone (Figure 1)
Reduces the Florida East Coast Zone recreational annual catch target buffer to 10%
Specifies new overfishing limits and acceptable biological catch
Modifies the Framework Procedure to clarify the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council responsibilities for Gulf of Mexico group cobia and make some clarifying edits to language regarding the acceptable biological catch control rule

The rule:

Increases the minimum size limit to 36 inches fork length for both sectors in the Florida East Coast Zone
Creates a recreational bag limit in both zones of 1 fish per person per day, regardless of the number or duration of trips
Creates a recreational vessel limit in both zones of 2 fish per trip, not to exceed the per person bag limit
Creates a commercial trip limit in both zones of 1 fish per person per day, regardless of the number or duration of trips, and a vessel limit of 2 fish per trip, not to exceed the per person limit
Clarifies Coastal Migratory Pelagic permitting requirements for sale and purchase provisions,
Modifies the zone and sector annual catch limits and annual catch targets as indicated in Table 1 below

Find more information here.

NOAA Fisheries: Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Ocean Lovers

Get ahead of the carve this fall and wow your neighbors with these jack-o’-lantern stencils inspired by the ocean, our research, and NOAA Fisheries celebrations. NOAA's free stencils range from beginner to advanced so there’s something for everyone. You can find the difficulty level noted on each stencil as well as background information regarding each stencil design.

Find more information here.

What We're Reading

The Mythical Golden Nautilus, Too Rare for Its Own Good A slimy coat helps it avoid oceanic predators, but not shell collectors on eBay (Sierra)

Illegal fishing spurs billions in losses for developing countries, study says Analysis finds global practice is a major driver of marine ecosystems’ destruction and is estimated to run up to $50bn (The Guardian)

The state of stripers and their fall migration An official look into targeting fall striper and overall striper numbers and conservation efforts (Fish Brain)

We Need 50 More Years of the Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that has fundamentally changed water pollution in the U.S., is under attack when it should be strengthened instead (Scientific American)

Climate Activists Are Waging a New Kind of Legal Fight In the face of bigger wildfires, deadlier floods, and more extreme weather, plaintiffs around the world are taking up a new tactic: suing for the damage climate change has already wrought (Hakai Magazine)

Podcast - Seafood for Everyone: A Conversation with Janet Coit NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit talks about the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. seafood industry, and getting Americans to eat more local seafood (NOAA Fisheries)

The Climate Injustices—and Solutions—Shared by Puerto Rico and Jackson, Mississippi (Yes Magazine)

Emperor penguins will receive endangered species protections The emperor penguin population of Antarctica is in significant danger due to diminishing sea ice levels and is being granted endangered species protections, U.S. wildlife authorities announced Tuesday (NPR)

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