At the request of Northeast groundfish sectors, NOAA Fisheries is implementing an exempted fishery for spiny dogfish, which would exempt vessels from using a groundfish fishing day-at-sea.
NOAA Fisheries: Monkfish Emergency Action Published Today -- Public Comments Appreciated
Today NOAA Fisheries announced that it has taken Emergency action to suspend, for at least 180 days, existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued both a Federal limited access Northeast multispecies permit and a limited access monkfish Category C or D permit that are fishing under a monkfish day-at-sea in the monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area during FY 2013. Comments on this Emergency Action are being accepted through May 30.
NOAA Fisheries: Spiny Dogfish Quotas to be Increased for Commercial Fishermen
NOAA Fisheries is implementing the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s jointly-recommended increased commercial quotas for 2013-2015 for the spiny dogfish fishery. Increases from 2012 levels: 40.842 million lb in 2013 (+14%), 41.784 million lb in 2014 (+17%), and 41.578 million lb in 2015 (+16%). The commercial possession limit is also increased from 3,000 lb to 4,000 lb per trip (+33%).
NOAA Fisheries: Proposed Rule for 2013 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fisheries
Based on recommendations of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries is proposing to increase the overall catch limits for the 2013 and 2014 black sea bass fishery by approximately 1 million pounds. This results in an increase of approximately 0.41 million pounds for the recreational black sea bass fishery, and a 0.39 million pound increase for the commercial fishery. For summer flounder, the Council has recommended that states establish their own or region-specific recreational management measures (bag limit, minimum size, and season) to ensure that the 2013 harvest limit is not exceeded. For the scup recreational fishery, we are proposing a decrease in minimum fish size and increase in trip limits so that fishermen can catch more fish on each fishing trip. Click here for more information.
Marine Recreational Information Program Update- Watch Online
Earlier this month Rob Andrews from NOAA Fisheries presented an overview of recent and upcoming changes to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) at the Council's meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. His presentation focused on new catch and effort survey methods, is available to watch online. Click Here to watch it.
NMFS Solicits Proposals for MAFMC 2014 Research Set-Aside Program
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that it is accepting proposals under the Mid-Atlantic Council's Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program for research activities to be conducted in 2014. Applications must be received by NMFS on or before 5 p.m. EDT on May 6, 2013. Read more...
U.S. Spiny Dogfish Fishery Successfully Expands Scope of MSC Certification
NOAA Fisheries: Proposal To Increase Monkfish Catch
NOAA Fisheries today announced proposed measures to provide increased fishing opportunities for monkfish and groundfish fishermen to target monkfish in coastal waters from Maine to Massachusetts (i.e.,Monkfish Northern Management Area) in fishing year 2013. Monkfish are often landed while fishing for groundfish, particularly in this area. Click here for more information.
New Voluntary Speed Restriction Zone in Effect through Mar 31 to Protect Group of Right Whales
SMAST Yellowtail Flounder Bycatch Avoidance Program
Fleet Communication System Aims to Reduce Butterfish Bycatch
CFRF Offers Mid-Atlantic Fishermen Bycatch Avoidance Gear Modification Vouchers
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is currently administering a voucher program for fishing vessel owners to obtain financial assistance to install one or both promising gear modifications onboard their vessels for use in small mesh fisheries (including squid, whiting, and scup) to avoid unwanted bycatch of winter flounder.
ACCSP Seeks Fishing Industry's Input on Electronic Reporting
The Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) has brought together fishermen, dealers, and fisheries managers to evaluate electronic reporting on the Atlantic coast. The first part of this project is a survey to collect attitudes and opinions from Atlantic coast fishermen and dealers about the current state of electronic reporting.