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News Updates for the Week of October 31, 2022
Funding to support seafood businesses in RI, Public Perception Survey on Plastic Pollution in VA, and using centuries-old whaling logs to fill gaps in our climate knowledge
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Upcoming
Meetings
November 2-10: NEFMC will hold multiple in-person Public Information Workshops on Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management
November 2: NOAA Fisheries will hold a Dolphin Stakeholder Workshop in Montuak, NY
November 3: ASMFC Northern Shrimp Technical Committee Meeting
November 3: NOAA Fisheries will hold a Dolphin Stakeholder Workshop in Narragansett, RI
November 6-10: ASMFC 2022 Annual Meeting, Long Branch, NJ
November 8-10: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop
December 5-9: SAFMC Meeting
December 5-9: Bluefish and Spiny Dogfish 2022 Research Track Peer Review
December 6-8: NEFMC Meeting
December 12-15: MAFMC Meeting
January 31: NOAA Mid-Atlantic Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit
January 31- Feb 2: ASMFC 2023 Winter Meeting
February 15: NOAA New England Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit
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Public Comment
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)
November 25: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public input on Atlantic HMS Exempted Fishing and Related Permits in 2023
(Find more here)
November 30: GA DNR is seeking public comment on a proposed fishing regulation change relative to use of blueback herring as bait. Comments may be submitted through November 30.
(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)
January 3: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Plan and 2023 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications. Comments may be submitted through
January 3.
(Find more here)
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ASMFC: Supplemental Material for Upcoming Annual Meeting Now Available Online
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's annual meeting will occur next week in Long Branch, NJ. In preparation for the meeting, all supplemental materials are now available online. All additional material can be viewed on the ASMFC Annual Meeting webpage through either the website calendar or a quick link on the home page. The webpage also details how to provide public comments and how to live stream the meeting through an online webinar or by telephone.
The Commission is looking forward to this hybrid annual meeting which will allow for both in person and remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders. Refer to the linked page for additional information, the final agenda, and supplemental materials.
Find more information here.
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RI DEM: Funding Available to Support Seafood Businesses
Governor Dan McKee, leaders of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announce that $700,000 in Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) programming funding is available to help new and existing food businesses grow and flourish. Enacted in 2012 to “support and develop more robust and self-sustaining agricultural and seafood sectors,”
The 2022 programming funding priorities include:
- Supporting the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or beginning agriculture producers and fishers
- Supporting agriculture producers and fishers that are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Supporting the development of new marketing, promotion, sales, and/or distribution channels
- Supporting the development of new products, including value-added processing capacity
- Fostering new cooperatives, partnerships, and/or collaborations among Rhode Island agriculture producers and fishers and supporting organizations
- Fostering and building capacity for markets connecting local farms and fishers with Rhode Island’s food insecure communities
Eligible entities include for-profit farmers, fishers, producer groups, and non-profit organizations. Applicants must be based in Rhode Island and only small and/or beginning farmers, or producer groups of small or beginning farmers, are eligible to apply for capital grants. Aquaculture operators are considered farmers in the LASA program.
Find more information here.
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SC DNR: Upcoming Saltwater Fishing Clinics
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program is offering three upcoming saltwater fishing clinics in coastal areas across the state at. Each of the three events varies so be sure to check the calendar and choose the event that best suits you.
Here are the upcoming events:
- 11/5 - Surf Fishing Clinic at the Botany Bay Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
- 11/12 - Veterans/Military Saltwater Fishing Event (*Must have a valid DoD/Military ID to get on base) at the U.S. Navy Joint Base Charleston
- 11/19 - Saltwater Fishing 101 at Murrells Inlet
- 12/3 - Saltwater Fishing 101 at Murrells Inlet
- 12/10 - Saltwater Fishing Clinic at the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
The clinics are an introductory class to saltwater fishing. These clinics will teach skills on how to tie fishing knots, how to rig a rod and reel, casting, and the best part is everyone will get to try their hand at fishing. Kids from ages 4 to adults are welcome, so come out and play, enjoy the outdoors, and make this a Fishing Fun Day!
Find more information here.
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NYS DEC: Upcoming Free Fishing Day
Next Friday, November 11, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will host its last free fishing day of the year. On this day, anyone can fish the fresh waters of New York State and no fishing license is required. All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply so remember to check for current regulations or when in doubt, toss it out!
Find more information here.
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MD DNR: Recreational Fishing and Boating Survey
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources was granted money under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CARES II) to implement projects that will help Maryland's vital fishing industry recover from COVID impacts and become more resilient in the future. Under a Cares Act II grant, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has designed an online survey to reach anglers and fish enthusiasts in Maryland.
Under this grant, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is researching attitudes and perceptions of experienced and new anglers. This information will be used to study potential initiatives that support the for-hire and headboat fleets in Maryland and improve digital media support for this iconic Maryland industry.
Find more information here.
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NJ DEP: COVID-19 Seafood Processor Assistance Program Application Period has been Extended
The NJDEP's Marine Resources Administration is partnering with New Jersey’s Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture to provide reimbursements for eligible COVID-19 expenses incurred by NJ’s seafood processors, including processing vessels and dealers, between Jan. 27, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021, through the newly established New Jersey Seafood Processor COVID-19 Assistance Program.
Eligible activities for reimbursement include:
- Workplace safety measures
- Retrofit of facilities for worker and consumer safety
- Market pivots
- Medical costs associated with providing or purchasing COVID-19 testing
Applicants eligible for reimbursement must have held all required valid licenses and permits to operate as a seafood processor and/or dealer within the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service required timeframe. Neither cost sharing nor matching funds are required. The application period will close on December 19, 2022 at 5 pm EST.
Find more information here.
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PFBC: Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear During Winter Months
Beginning in 2012, the following regulation was established: a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Cold water shock is a major factor in boating fatalities when water temperatures are less than 70 degrees F. Cold water shock causes an involuntary gasp (often resulting in aspiration of water), hyperventilation, breathlessness and a reduced ability to control breathing and swim. A life jacket greatly increases your chance for survival in cold water. It also increases the amount of time for you to be rescued.
Find more information here.
| MD DNR: State Record Smooth Dogfish Caught in Atlantic Ocean | |
Fay Ganster of Reading, Pennsylvania has been officially recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the new state record holder for the Atlantic Division with an 18-pound smooth dogfish she caught off the coast of Ocean City on October 22.
Find more information here.
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MA DMF: Recreational Lobster and Crab Trap Fishery Closed on November 1
This advisory serves as a reminder to recreational lobster and crab fishers that buoyed trap gear must be removed from the water by November 1, 2022 and may not be reset until no sooner than May 16, 2023. This closure was implemented last year to ensure recreational trap gear is removed prior to the onset of poor winter weather when it is likely to become lost and abandoned. Moreover, it provides DMF and the Massachusetts Environmental Police with a seasonal opportunity to remove any remaining gear before the winter period when it may present an entanglement risk to endangered right whales or become fishing gear debris. This closure does not apply to unbuoyed trap gear fished and retrieved from the shoreline, which is a common technique in certain areas like the Cape Cod Canal.
Find more information here.
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MA DMF: Commercial Tautog Fishery Closed on October 31, 2022
Massachusetts’ 2022 commercial tautog quota of 60,986 pounds is projected to be taken on Sunday, October 30, 2022. Accordingly, the Massachusetts commercial tautog fishery will be closed effective Monday, October 31, 2022 (Closure Notice). The commercial fishery will remain closed through August 31, 2023. During the closed period, it is unlawful for fishermen to possess and land tautog for commercial purposes, and for seafood dealers to purchase or receive tautog from fishermen.
Find more information here.
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Clean Virginia Waterways: 2022 Public Perception Survey on Plastic Pollution shows that Virgina's Voters Support Action
Virginia voters are concerned about plastic getting into our rivers, bays and ocean, and they support action to decrease littered plastic bags, bottles, cups, food containers and other plastic items according to a new statewide survey by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM), Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University (CVW), and OpinionWorks.
The survey explored the perceptions and attitudes of Virginia’s voters about several problems, and measured voters’ support for policies that have been adopted in other states:
• Deposits on beverage bottles and cans
• Requirements to decrease plastic packaging
• Shifting the costs of recycling from taxpayers to the producers of the plastic waste
• Laws to reduce the use of polystyrene, plastic bags, and other commonly littered items.
This survey reveals that Virginia voters are deeply concerned about plastic pollution and are ready to support policies to decrease plastic pollution, especially the plastic that ends up in the ocean. Data from this survey will assist in crafting successful behavior change campaigns as well as public policies.
Find more information here.
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NOAA Fisheries: Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Areas in Effect for Right Whale Migratory Route and Calving Grounds
NOAA Fisheries announces the annual opening of Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs) in the Mid-Atlantic to protect North Atlantic right whales starting tomorrow, November 1, 2022. All vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in this area to reduce the threat of vessel collisions with these endangered whales. The Mid-Atlantic SMA is in effect through April 30, 2023.
Because vessels of all sizes can strike and injure a right whale, NOAA Fisheries also encourages vessels less than 65 feet in length to slow down to 10 knots or less within active SMAs. Since the boundary zone changes throughout the year, refer to the complete list of the coordinates for SMA boundaries found online. Additionally, iPhone users can download the Whale Alert App for real-time updates.
Find more information here.
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NOAA Fisheries: 5-Year Strategic Plan for the Growth of Sustainable U.S. Aquaculture
NOAA published its first-ever 5-Year Strategic Plan for Aquaculture to guide the agency’s work from 2023-2028. The plan lays out a framework to support a thriving, resilient, and inclusive U.S. aquaculture industry as part of a resilient seafood sector.
Completed by the NOAA Aquaculture Program after receiving and considering public input, the plan identifies four strategic objectives:
- Manage sustainably and efficiently
- Lead science for sustainability
- Educate and exchange information
- Support economic viability and growth
The Strategic Plan was developed by the NOAA Aquaculture Program, which includes the NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s National Sea Grant Program, and the National Ocean Service’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
Find more information here.
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