NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Rule for Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that establishes a five-year rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel, sets 2019-2021 specifications, modifies closure triggers to slow the commercial fishery when harvest approaches the annual quota, and updates the river herring and shad catch cap in the Atlantic mackerel fishery. This rule, effective November 29, approves Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

Read the full announcement for more details.

SAFMC to Hold Scoping Webinars on Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled scoping webinars and is soliciting public comments on potential designation of special management zones (SMZs) in federal waters off North Carolina and South Carolina (Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34). The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:

  • Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off North Carolina as SMZs

    • Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs

    • Restrict harvest of snapper grouper species with spear on those reefs to the recreational bag limit

  • Designate 4 artificial reefs in federal waters off South Carolina as SMZs

    • Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs

    • All harvest of snapper grouper species on those reefs would be limited to the recreational bag limit

Three scoping webinars will be held on October 28, 29, and 30 at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required:

Individuals can also participate in the webinars in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available here.

The Scoping Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are now available from the Council's website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.  

October 2019 Council Meeting Report

This summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s October 2019 meeting in Durham, NC.

Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Transitions to New Website

September 30, 2019 - The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office:

We are very pleased to announce that as of today, we are formally launching a new website for the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and our old website is offline.

What about my bookmarks to your website?

Everyone will be automatically redirected to our new homepage or associated topic page. We looked at our website analytics and created automatic redirects from frequently visited pages on our old website to the corresponding pages of our new website. For example, if you have our Atlantic spiny dogfish page bookmarked, you will automatically be sent to the Atlantic spiny dogfish species profile on our new site. However, be sure to update your bookmarks and links as you navigate through the new site.

Why are we making this transition?

NOAA Fisheries launched a new and improved website two years ago that was developed based upon feedback from our customers and taking a hard look at our website analytics. The goals of the new site are to captivate our visitors, make it easier for users to search for information and navigate through our website, make our website mobile friendly, and improve the quality of our content.

Not sure where to start? Check out this video tutorial.

Although the bulk of the work is done, we are still transitioning some lesser viewed pages. So please be patient with us! We appreciate continued feedback, and want to know if you have suggestions for improvement, find broken links, or simply can’t find something you’re looking for.

Comments or questions?

Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program Seeks Research Proposals

August 1, 2019 - The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Competition for monkfish research support has opened under the Monkfish Research Set Aside Program. Projects selected through the competition are awarded fishing days rather than dollars, and the proceeds generated from those days are used to fund the research.

This year’s priorities include monkfish life history; stock structure; relative abundance; surveys; bycatch and discard mortality; interactions with other species; gear studies; ecological studies; and trophic research.

Monkfish are one of the highest valued finfish in the Northeast. This federal fishery is managed primarily by limiting the number of days and trips that the fleet can use to target this species. Under the monkfish management plan, 500 of the allowable days-at-sea are “set aside” annually by the councils and then awarded through this federal grant competition.

NOAA Fisheries and the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils have managed the Monkfish Research Set Aside Program since 2006. Since then, 27 projects have been conducted under this program.

In addition to the monkfish, there are active RSA programs for Atlantic sea scallop and Atlantic herring.  RSA programs support applied research that responds to priorities established by the fishery management councils, and are designed to inform resource management decisions and improve stock assessments.

To learn more and apply, visit grants.gov

Questions?

Media: Contact Cheryl Corbett, Cooperative Programs Specialist

NOAA Fisheries Implements Squid and Butterfish Quotas for the 2019 Fishing Year

The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Based on updated information, we increased the commercial Illex squid quota by 8-percent for 2019. We also maintained the previously approved 2019 annual quotas for longfin squid and butterfish by continuing the existing longfin squid quota, and increasing the butterfish commercial quota by 66 percent.

The increased 2019 Illex quota is based on an evaluation that similar historic catch has not harmed the stock. As new information becomes available, we may revise the proposed quotas for future fishing years.

Read the final rule that filed today in the Federal Register and the bulletin posted on our website. Supporting documents for this rule are available on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s website.

Questions?

Supporting Documents:

August 2019 Council Meeting Agenda

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet August 13-15, 2019 at the Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown (21 N. Juniper St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, Telephone 215-496-3200).