Upcoming

Meetings

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

December 13: MA DMF stakeholder meetings to address management of commerical summer floudner and horsehose crab fisheries in New Bedford, MA

January 10-12: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Falmouth, MA

January 31: NOAA Mid-Atlantic Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit 

January 31: NOAA Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Research Summit

January 31- Feb 2: ASMFC 2023 Winter Meeting

February 15: NOAA New England Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit

February 21-23: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Tampa, FL

March 21-23: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Hanover, MD

Jobs

Recreational Angler Interviewer -- Delaware, ACCSP

(Open Until Filled)

MRIP Field Technician -- VMRC 

(Open Until Filled)

Fisheries Observer, Protected Species -- VMRC

(Open Until Filled)

Ecosystem Services Senior Scientist -- Running Tide

(Open Until Filled)

Program Lead for Marine Ecosystem Regeneration -- Ocean Visions (remote)

(Due: December 5)

Marine Resources Management Specialist -- NOAA (Silver Spring, MD)

(Due: December 5)

Director of Conservation -- Jekyll Island

(Due: December 5)

Assistant Director for Fish and Aquatic Conservation -- USFWS (Washington, DC)

(Due: December 7)

Fishery Management Plan Coordinator -- ASMFC

(Due: December 9)

Biologist Program Manager - LA LDWF

(Due: December 9)

Restoration Technical Services Branch Manager -- MA DER

(Due: December 12)

Assistant Professor of Marine Affairs: Fisheries Management and Policy -- University of Rhode Island

(Due: December 15)

Coastal States Stewardship Foundation Grants Administrator -- Coastal States Organization (Remote)

(Due: December 16)

Artificial Reef and Observer Specialist -- VA Marine Resources Commission (Hampton, VA)

(Due: January 6)

2023 UNOLS-Mate At-Sea Technical Internship Program -UNOLS

(Due: January 22)

Research Scientist/ Biological Oceanographer, Zooplankton Ecologist -- Gulf of Maine Research Institute (Portland, ME)

(Due: January 31)

Information and Education (I&E) Coordinator -- MA DMF (Gloucester, MA)

(Open Until Filled)

Hatchery Manager -- FSU Coastal and Marine Lab

(Open Until Filled)

Vice President of Conservation, Justice, and Equity -- Ocean Conservancy

(Open Until Filled)

Associate Scientist/Lab Manager -- New England Aquarium

(Open Until Filled)

Illegal Fishing and Transparency Fellow -- Oceana (Washington, DC)

(Open Until Filled)

Chief Operating Officer - Florida Oceanographic Society

(Open Until Filled)

Calusa Waterkeeper

(Open Until Filled)

Vice President Biological Programs and Director of Aquarium -- Frost Science

(Open Until Filled)

Policy Analyst/Policy Support Specialist -- Cardinal Point Captains to work in NOAA ONMS

(Open Until Filled)

Director of Restoration Science -- Coral Vita

(Open Until Filled)

Fisheries Gear Research Technician, NOAA

(Open Until Filled)

Various Fisheries Observer Positions, AIS

Various NOAA Positions, Lynker Technologies

Various Ocean and Fisheries Positions, Ocean Associates Inc.

Public Comment

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)

December 10: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Proposed Regulations for the Taking of Marine Mammals Indicental to the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project. Comments may be submitted through December 10.

(Find more here)

December 14: MA DMF is seeking public comment on Proposed Increase to 2023 Summer Flounder Period I Commerical Trip Limit

(Find more here)

December 18: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Funding Aquaculture Projects. Comments may be submitted through December 18.

(Find more here)

December 31: USFWS and NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Comments may be submitted through December 31.

(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)

January 13: ASMFC is seeking public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan. Comments may be submitted through January 13.

(Find more here)

January 27: The White House is seeking public comment on the Draft 5th National Climate Assessment. Comments may be made through January 27.

(Find more here)

ASMFC: States Schedule Public Hearings on Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum I

The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which considers allowing voluntary transfers of striped bass ocean commercial quota between states that have ocean quota. Some hearings will be conducted via webinar and some hearings will be conducted in-person, or in a hybrid format. Additional details on participating in the webinars can be found later in this release.

The public hearing details for each state can be found on the attached link. Along with instructions for participating in states webinars, how to access hearing presentation recordings, and how to submit a comment on the Draft Addendum. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on January 13, 2023.

Find more information here.

SC DNR: Charleston mayor proclaims Nov. 22 Oyster Recycling Day

The Eastern oyster is one of South Carolina’s most treasured coastal species – and now it’s receiving formal recognition in Charleston. Thanks to a proclamation by Mayor Tecklenburg, Tuesday, Nov. 22 will be declared Oyster Recycling Day in the Holy City.

South Carolina has a critical shortage of the oyster shell that’s needed to replenish the state’s oyster reefs. Just a fraction of the oysters consumed in South Carolina are recycled – which means the state must purchase increasingly scarce, out-of-state shells to meet its planting quotas.

With the Oyster Recycling Day declaration, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) biologists and city of Charleston staff hope to motivate more recreational harvesters, backyard roasters and restaurants to recycle their shells. Over 30 public drop-off sites across the state and participating restaurants from Greenville to Charleston make it easy for South Carolinians to make a difference.

Find more information here.

FL FWC: Now accepting applications for newly created Vessel Turn-In Program

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is now accepting applications for a recently approved and newly created Vessel Turn-In Program, a key component of Florida’s derelict vessel prevention program. 

VTIP is a voluntary program designed to help owners dispose of their unwanted at-risk vessels before they become derelict. Upon approval of an application, VTIP will take a surrendered vessel and dispose of it at no cost to the boat owner. Removing the vessel before it deteriorates into a derelict condition will prevent legal ramifications for the vessel owner and will protect Florida’s valuable seagrass resources, marine life, and human life, safety, and property. 

Find more information here.

FL FWC: Red Tide Status Update

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in Southwest Florida. Over the past week, K. brevis was observed in 65 samples. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 34 samples: one in Manatee County, 26 in Sarasota County, five in and offshore of Lee County, and two in and offshore of Collier County. Additional details are provided below.

Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. Reports of respiratory irritation from these counties were also received through the Fish Kill Hotline. 

Recent and current information at individual beaches and forecasts that use FWC and partner data can be found online.

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict variable transport of surface waters and southeastern movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days.

Find more information here.

RIDEM: Stakeholder Perceptions on a Sustainable Vision for the Port of Galilee

The Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries encourages stakeholders to take part in a research study to provide input to the University of Rhode Island, the Town of Narragansett, and the RI Department of Environmental Management on resilient and sustainable waterfront development in the Port of Galilee. The Port of Galilee is the State of Rhode Island's largest commercial fishing port and is located in Narragansett, RI. Please read the following before agreeing to be in the study. If you agree to be in this study, it will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete this survey. Questions will be asked about your demographics, current problems, and future development in the Port of Galilee. There are no known risks, benefits or compensation.

Responses are strictly anonymous and may be used in prioritizing future development in the Port of Galilee over the next 10 years, in doctoral dissertation research, and in peer-reviewed publications.

Find more information here.

NYS DEC: Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State's Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.

In Queens County, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) received a complaint about a group of anglers poaching striped bass. Upon finding the boat described in the complaint, the Officers confronted the anglers, discovered 16 illegal striped bass, and issued 23 tickets to five individuals for possession of over-the-limit striped bass, possession of undersized and oversized striped bass, no Marine Registry, and failure to release fish without undue harm.

In Nassau County, while checking anglers fishing for tautog (blackfish) along the Wantagh Parkway bridges in the town of Hempstead, ECO Pabes noticed one angler talking on his phone to another angler using binoculars on the opposite side of the bridge. After the phone call ended, one of the anglers retrieved a bag from his belongings and dumped three blackfish back into the water. Officer Pabes approached the fisherman, who claimed he had not caught any fish. While speaking to the subject, Officer Pabes noticed a large bulge under the angler's sweater. The ECO requested the subject untuck his sweater and two undersized blackfish fell to the ground. The Officer issued three tickets to the angler, all returnable to Nassau First District Court, for possession of undersized fish, failure to release fish without undue harm, and no Marine Registry.

Find more information here.

GA DNR: Commercial Atlantic Cobia harvest to temporarily close in Georgia’s waters

The commercial harvest of Atlantic Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) will be suspended in Georgia’s state waters from 12:01 a.m. Dec. 16, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31, 2022, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC), of which Georgia is a member, called for the closure as part of Amendment 1 of its Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Cobia.

The Atlantic coastwide annual commercial quota is 73,116 pounds for the 2022 fishing season. As of Nov. 16, the trigger the closure was met, according to landings reports from the major Atlantic Cobia fishery states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Georgia met de minimis criteria as defined by the FMP for Atlantic Cobia, meaning commercial landings in the state have a negligible impact on the overall fishery. However, as a member of the ASMFC, Georgia is obliged to uphold the fishery management plan to fully utilize but not exceed the commercial quota for the East Coast.

Find more information here.

ME DMR Receives Funds to Improve Sea-Run Fish Passage and Economic Opportunity in Downeast Maine

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has received $5 million in funds to improve the population of sea-run fish on the St. Croix River, which will enhance freshwater and marine ecosystems and job opportunities.

The funds, from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – America the Beautiful Challenge 2022, will be used to restore access for six species of native fish to over 600 miles of historic habitat. Work will begin in 2023 to remove the Milltown dam in Calais and in 2024 to construct a state-of-the-art fish lift at the Woodland dam in Baileyville and will conclude in 2026.

Both sites are located on the mainstem of the St. Croix River which forms part of the border between the US and Canada and discharges into Passamaquoddy Bay.

The rebound of sea-run fish resources will contribute to the important nearshore ocean fisheries and a coastal economy that is highly dependent on fishing. Industries that stand to benefit include the Maine lobster fishery, the elver fishery, and the river herring fishery.

The project will also help to sustain jobs in the area. The construction of a fish lift at the Woodland Dam will help Woodland Pulp and its 310 employees maintain stable employment by protecting hydro power generation the mill needs while enhancing the mill’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Find more information here.