The Mid-Atlantic Council has unanimously approved a guidance document to facilitate the transition to an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) in the Mid-Atlantic.
Publication: A Framework for Incorporating Species, Fleet, Habitat, and Climate Interactions into Fishery Management
The following article was published in Frontiers in Marine Science, section Marine Ecosystem Ecology.
A Framework for Incorporating Species, Fleet, Habitat, and Climate Interactions into Fishery Management
Sarah K. Gaichas, Richard J. Seagraves, Jessica M. Coakley, Geret S. DePiper, Vincent G. Guida, Jonathan A. Hare, Paul J. Rago, and Michael J. Wilberg.
Abstract
Marine ecosystems are characterized by many complex interactions. Fisheries managers face the challenge of maintaining or restoring sustainability for individual living resources which are affected by both ecological and economic interactions with other species, through processes like predation and fishing fleet interactions. These species interactions are further complicated by interactions with habitats that are changing due to both human activities and climate change. Often, fishery management systems designed to promote sustainability of individual resources have few tools or processes that also address interactions between species, fleets, habitat, and climate. Here, we review existing and potential fishery assessment and management information and tools, and we develop a potential framework for addressing interactions in management at the request of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The structured framework can be used to first prioritize interactions, second specify key questions regarding high priority interactions, and third tailor appropriate analyses to address them. The primary tools for the initial steps in the framework are risk assessment and Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE). Finally, implemented management would be evaluated to ensure that objectives are being met, or to adjust measures as conditions change. In the final section, we outline an example to illustrate how a structured decision making process within the framework could work.
Full Article:
Proposed Specifications for 2016-2018 Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fisheries
October 2015 Council Meeting Summary
NEFSC Seeks Candidates for Stock Assessment Workshop Working Groups
June 2015 Council Meeting Summary
Mid-Atlantic Council Approves Deep Sea Corals Amendment
April 2015 Council Meeting Summary
Proposed Rule: Consequences for Slippage Events in the Atlantic Mackerel Fishery
Reminder: Scoping Comments for Squid Capacity Amendment Due May 11
April 15 Listening Session: Squid Capacity Amendment
Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Squid Capacity Amendment: April 6 - 21, 2015
The Council has scheduled six scoping hearings between April 6 and April 21, 2015 to gather input for a potential amendment that would address capacity of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. Written scoping comments can also be submitted HERE.
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on Deep Sea Corals Amendment
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold six public hearings in January to gather public comments on the Deep Sea Corals Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Hearings will be held January 12 – 20, 2015, and written comments will be accepted until January 28, 2015.
Mid-Atlantic Council Initiates Action to Protect Unmanaged Forage Species
December 10 Listening Session: Deep Sea Corals in the Mid-Atlantic
Proposed 2015 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Specifications
Butterfish allocation transferred to the directed fishery from the butterfish mortality cap
October 2014 Council Meeting Report
The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the October 2014 Council Meeting held in Philadelphia, PA on October 7-9.
Longfin Squid Fishery Trimester 2 Closure
NOAA Fisheries has announced the closure of the longfin squid fishery for the remainder of Trimester 2. Vessels issued Federal moratorium longfin squid permits, with some exemptions, may not fish for, catch, possess or land more than 2,500 lb of longfin per trip or calendar day until Trimester 3 begins on September 1, 2014.