Atlantic Coast Fisheries News | December 12, 2022

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 31: Nine Atlantic states are seeking public comment on Fisheries Compensatory Mitigation Related to Offshore Wind. Comments may be made through January 31.

(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: November/December Issue of Fisheries Focus Available Now

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has released its November/December issue of Fisheries Focus. The issue highlights upcoming events, updates to fishery Management Actions for Atlantic striped bass and horseshoe crab, a species profile of Atlantic Menhaden, and an inside look at state-run multispecies angler tagging programs. A recent account of the comings and goings at the commission and recognition of the Employee of the Quarter are also detailed.

Reviewing Fisheries Focus is a great way to stay up to date with what is going on at the commission and learn more about new initiatives happening across the Atlantic coast states.

Find more information here.

RI DEM: Grants up to $75,000 are Available to Improve Boat Pump-Out Facilities to Keep Coastal Waters Clean

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that up to $75,000 in grant funds are available to communities and private businesses that own and/or operate boating facilities that help boaters with properly disposing of sewage. The grants, funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act (CVA), help municipalities, marinas, and yacht clubs pay for improvements to marine and land-based pump-out facilities. Every year, DEM applies for federal funds to buy or replace CVA equipment for use by these entities to offer free pump-outs. Since 1994, DEM has awarded over $2.5 million in CVA grants.

Boat sewage can threaten water quality by introducing bacteria and other pathogens, excess nutrients, and chemicals that are harmful to humans and marine life. In 1998, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to receive a statewide “no discharge” designation from the US Environmental Protection Agency that prohibits boaters from discharging sewage into local waterways.

Marinas, yacht clubs, and municipalities are eligible to apply for funding. Projects to construct, replace, retrofit, or maintain pump-out facilities will be considered. All grant awards are subject to a 25% grantee (partner) dollar match requirement. DEM will offer a maximum grant award of $22,500 for eligible project costs of new and replacement land‐based facilities, and a maximum grant award of $75,000 for eligible project costs of new and replacement mobile pump-out boats.

Operators of mobile pump-out vessels can also apply for a maximum grant award of $7,500 for eligible Operation and Maintenance (OM) costs.

Find more information here.

FL FWC: Boaters are Encouraged to be on the Lookout during Right Whale Calving Season

If you plan to boat or fish in the Atlantic Ocean this winter, be on the lookout for North Atlantic right whales that are calving in state and federal waters off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina from November through April. These endangered species are extremely hard to spot and collisions with vessels put passengers and crew at risk and could cause injury or death to right whales. With fewer than 350, right whales are one of the world's most endangered large whale species.

Follow these boating safety tips during right whale season:

Go slow, which can give you time to react.
Post a lookout! Watch for black objects, whitewater and splashes.
Avoid boating in the dark, when visibility is poor or in rough seas.
Use the Whale Alert app to see if whales have been sighted in your area.
Check for signage at your local boat ramp or marina as a reminder of what to look for and how to identify and report right whale sightings.
If a whale is spotted, slow down, operate at a slow speed or put your engine in neutral if possible. Assess the scene and slowly leave the area while keeping watch. Never pursue or follow a whale and keep at least 500 yards from the right whales (it’s the law).
Report whale sightings and collisions immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard on marine VHF Ch. 16 or call 1-877-WHALE-HELP (942-5343).

Find more information here.

NC DEQ: Grant Application Period Opens for NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program

The Division of Coastal Management (DCM) again invites communities and service providers to apply for participation in Phases 1 and 2 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) grant cycle. An informational webinar on the Phase 1 and 2 application process will be held on Jan. 12, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

With funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the State Legislature, DCM launched the Resilient Coastal Communities Program in November 2020. RCCP aims to equip communities with additional capability to increase their resilience to coastal hazards.

DCM invites applications from county and municipal governments within the 20 CAMA counties, federal and state-recognized tribes, and any qualified owners’ association defined in G.S. 47F-1-103(3)

DCM also invites applications from qualified service providers to provide technical assistance to selected localities. Eligible providers include private planning and engineering firms, Councils of Government, Non-Governmental Organizations, and academic institutions (private and public).

Find more information here.

NHFG: Wrap Up the Season at NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Fish and Game has all the last-minute gifts outdoor enthusiasts really want this year including these customer favorites:

2023 NH Wildlife Calendar
Fish and Game Logo Hats, Shirts, Mugs, and Novelties
Gift Subscription to the New Hampshire Wildlife Journal – The full-color, bi-monthly magazine explores New Hampshire’s wildlife and outdoor recreation with no advertising
Gift Certificates for 2023 Fishing or Hunting Licenses. Order by mail or call (603) 271-3422 to order by phone
Annual Hike Safe Card – Perfect for the hiker, kayaker, climber, or skier on your list. Supports Fish and Game search and rescue and exempts the holder from certain liability for repaying search and rescue costs

Every purchase helps support the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s work managing the state’s natural resources for all to enjoy.

Many of these types of gifts are also available to purchase from other states' resource management agencies. Iteams like an annual or lifetime fishing license are a great way to support your respective state agency and encourage your loved ones to get outdoors.

Find more information here.

NHFG: Opportunities for Winter Anglers Throughout the Granite State

Winter anglers in New Hampshire had some trout stocked especially for them during 2022. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks trout during the fall to bolster the winter ice fishery, translating into some exciting fishing action this winter.

Winter anglers chasing trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of trout year-round on the Fish and Game website:

For lakes and ponds, visit www.fishnh.com/fishing/trout-year-round.html.
For rivers and streams, see www.fishnh.com/fishing/trout-streams.html.

Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website at www.fishnh.com/fishing/publications.html.

Find more information here.

NFWF: Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2023 Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will award grants to improve the health of coral reef systems. Grants will be awarded to reduce land-based sources of pollution, advance coral reef fisheries management, increase capacity for reef-scale restoration and to support management in their efforts to increase the natural recovery and resiliency of coral reef systems.

The Coral Reef Conservation Fund is a partnership with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and receives additional funding support from the USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Aramco Corporation. The Coral Reef Conservation Fund expects to have approximately $1,000,000 available for funding for this grants cycle.

Most of the projects funded under this program will benefit from coordinating with a management partner in the project development and implementation. Therefore, engaging reef managers in proposal development is strongly encouraged to understand their priorities in these categories and will likely increase proposal competitiveness. A list of curated US jurisdictional priorities that have a nexus to the program priorities in this RFP has been developed by NOAA for reference as a starting point. While it is not required to address one of the listed jurisdictional priorities, it may increase your competitiveness.

Find more information here.

NOAA Marine Debris Program: Mapping, Marking, and Mobilizing to Remove Derelict Fishing Gear from Delaware’s Inland Bays

The shallow protected habitats of Delaware’s Inland Bays make for one of the most popular areas in the state for residents and tourists to try their hands at catching blue crabs. In boats or on the shore, recreational crabbers use all kinds of gear, from hand lines, to trot lines, to small traps with collapsible sides, and the Chesapeake style crab pot. Unfortunately, thousands of derelict crab pots have been left behind or lost and are littered beneath the surface of the Inland Bays, continually trapping blue crabs, diamondback terrapins, and other local species.

The University of Delaware and Delaware Sea Grant, with funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, worked to address the issue by teaming up with recreational crabbers to remove derelict pots. The team organized “round-up” days that would take place during the closed blue crab winter season and recruited a dedicated group of volunteers who could bring and crew their own boats, were willing to get it incredibly dirty, and were willing to work in the middle of winter.

Although this project accomplished a great deal, more work remains to remove derelict gear from Delaware’s Inland Bays. The hope is to continue volunteer removal efforts moving forward, while working with communities to prevent future gear loss.

Find more information here.

NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries: Shark Resource Collection

Learn about one of the ocean’s top predators—sharks—and their critical role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. This collection features NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries resources for everyone to explore NOAA’s efforts to research and conserve shark populations, how sharks support the sanctuary system, and more.

The shark collection contains posters, coloring pages, education materials for elementary school students, shark-curated webinars, videos, a 360° virtual reality video, web stories and more. Utilize these resources is a great way to learn and gain a better understanding of sharks, the impacts sharks face, and the role we have in protecting them.

Find more information here.

NOAA Fisheries: Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Group Cobia (GA-NY) Will Close in Federal Waters on Dec. 16, 2022

Commercial harvest of Atlantic group cobia (Georgia through New York) will close in federal waters at 12:01 a.m., local time, December 16, 2022. Commercial harvest will reopen in federal waters at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2023.

The 2022 commercial quota is 73,116 pounds whole or gutted weight. Projections by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission indicate the 2022 Atlantic group cobia quota for the commercial sector will be reached by December 16, 2022.

This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource by preventing the commercial quota from being exceeded.

Find more information here.

NOAA Fisheries: Extension of Right Whale Slow Zone Southeast of Portsmouth, NH - Effective Through Dec. 28

On December 13, 2022, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales southeast of Portsmouth, NH. The Slow Zone is in effect through December 28, 2022.

As a reminder, three additional Slow Zones are also currently in effect. Locations and effective dates are listed on the attached article.

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside tall Dynamic Management Areas (DMA) and Acoustic Slow Zones where right whales have been detected.

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. If seen, remember that approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.

Find more information here.

What We're Reading

Discovered in the deep: the extraordinary sawshark with a weapon-like snout With the help of fishers in Madagascar and Tanzania, scientists named two new species of rare sixgill sawsharks (The Guardian)

Tech companies work to make fishing, aquaculture more sustainable (Mongabay)

6 Weird and Wild Animal Behaviors Revealed in 2022 (Scientific American)

Podcast: Why Most Plastic Ends Up as Trash in a Landfill Only a small fraction of plastic is ultimately recycled (NPR)

Moon the humpback whale completes 5,000km journey – with a broken back This severe injury, likely the result of a boat strike, is a reminder of growing dangers for whales along Canada’s west coast (Guardian)

At COP15, Indigenous leaders warn against 'biggest land grab in history' At the UN biodiversity conference, Indigenous leaders fight to be included in 30x30 talks (Grist)

Arctic Report Card 2022: The Arctic is getting rainier and seasons are shifting, with broad disturbances for people, ecosystems and wildlife (The Conversation)

Unearthing the Original Mediterranean Diet Archaeologist Dimitra Mylona’s odyssey to reveal the Mediterranean Sea’s lost bounty (Hakai Magazine)

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