Fishery News from S.O.F.A.

FB08-065 has arrived. It concerns the near future of gag and red grouper fishing and bears a careful reading.

You can download the complete bulletin here in pdf format.

I had a long post written about it and realized it was highly opinionated and didn’t really belong in this blog so I moved it to the other “The Way You See It” blog. It mentions some of the “highlights” (and I use that word in its most ironic sense) of the bulletin.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will meet at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort at Key West Dec. 3-4, 2008.

The agenda is a full one.  On day two, Thursday Dec. 4, they will have final public meetings on a number of items of interest both to commercial and recreational fishers in the State of Florida.

A final public hearing on proposed rule amendments for gag and red grouper in Gulf of Mexico state waters is on Thursday’s agenda. These proposals would reduce the recreational bag limit for Gulf gag grouper from five fish to two fish daily per person, prohibit the recreational harvest of Gulf gag grouper from Feb. 1 through March 31 and increase the recreational bag limit for Gulf red grouper from one fish to two fish daily per person.

Another final public hearing will take place on proposed rule amendments that would increase the recreational minimum size limit for greater amberjack from 28 to 30 inches fork length and increase the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for gray triggerfish from 12 to 14 inches fork length in Gulf state waters.

In other marine fisheries action,

Read all »

Quoted from the email we received this morning:

On September 19,2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a Notice of Availability (NOA) ofDraft Amendment 1 Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) to the Consolidated HMS FMP. The.:DraftAmendment considers alternatives to update Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) EFH, designate a new Habitat Area of ParticularConcern(HAPC)forbluefintunaspawningareas inthe Gulf ofMexico, and analyzes fishing impacts on EFH. Based on the September 19,2008 notice, the comment period was scheduled to end on November 18, 2008. NMFS is extending the comment period until’December 12, 2008. Comments received by NMFS on the Draft EFH Amendment 1 will be used in the development of Final EFH Amendment 1 to the Consolidated HMS FMP.
Due to the timing of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) meeting at the beginnipg ofDecember, NMFS is extending the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the SAFMC, and other interested parties to comment on Draft Amendment 1. These comments will assist NMFS in developing the Final Amendment, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP.
The cOnlment period for Draft EFH Amendment 1 has been extended to 5 p.m. on December 12,2008. Comments maybe submitted to Chris Rilling, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Please mark the outside of the envelope “Comments onEFH Amendment to the Consolidated HMS FMP.” Comments can also be submitted via e-mail at HMSEFH@noaa.gov, orvia FAX at (301) 713-1917.
This notice is a courtesy to Atlantic HMS fishery interests to keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such a notice with the Office ofthe Federal Register., For further information, contact Chris Rilling or Sari Kiraly at (301) 713-2347.

You can download a pdf of the Federal Register entry from here.

From an Associated Press Report by Cain Burdeau of November 8, 2008

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Bush’s proposal to create a string of marine sanctuaries in the Gulf of Mexico, known as the “Islands in the Stream,” has died at least for now after Republican senators opposed it, a sanctuary official said.

The sanctuaries would have restricted fishing and oil drilling in nine coral banks and hard-bottom areas in a large loop around the Gulf from Texas to Florida. Ecologically, the idea dovetails with research showing that the Gulf marine ecosystem relies on a ring of deep-water reefs and banks connected by the clockwise motion of ocean currents extending in a loop from Belize to the Florida Keys.

Full article is here.

A little later in the day we received another email about the 2008 Shark Research Fishery.  This one included another attachment that might be helpful.

The application itself.

Download it here (in pdf format).

Applications are due by December 3, 2008. Full information is in the links at the end of this post.

We got an email notice today about 2009 Shark Research Fishery permits. If you want to be able to catch any sandbar sharks at all in 2009, you must have one of these permits. They come with a boat-load of restrictions and added regulation, but they did allow a small number of shark boats to catch enough sandbar sharks this year (a little bit more than 2000 lbs per trip) to maybe pay a few bills.

Maybe.

NMFS announces its request for applications for the 2009 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with a directed or incidental permit. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery– dependent data for future stock assessments while also allowing NMFS and commercial fishermen to conduct cooperative research to meet the shark research objectives for the Agency. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery.

Copy of email notice (in pdf format)
Shark Research Fishery Notice 73 FR 65294.pdf

FB08-061 has been released and it is one we have been waiting for.

If you read this and then don’t cast a vote or speak up about how you feel, you will have far less reason or right to complain if things don’t go the way you want them to.  Of course, considering the huge number of variables, it is hard to envision a scenario where everyone will be happy and think they are getting a fair shake, but at least you still have the right and the opportunity to cast a vote.  We wouldn’t dream of trying to tell you how to vote, but we certainly do encourage you to find out if you are eligible and vote if you are. 

(Direct links to government pages with the information mentioned are at the end of this post.)

FB08-061

NOAA Fisheries Service published a final rule informing the public of the procedures, schedule, and eligibility requirements that NOAA Fisheries Service will use in conducting a referendum for the Gulf of Mexico commercial grouper/tilefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. The rule becomes effective December 1, 2008.

Read all »

Hoo boy, here we go.

FB08-059 has arrived and it may be important to you. It is in regards to NOAA’s Amendment 30B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. You know, that resource we all used to depend upon to make a good honest living.

Purpose of the Amendment 30B
The purpose of Amendment 30B is to end overfishing of gag, revise red grouper management measures as a result of changes in the stock condition, establish annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for gag and red grouper, manage the shallow-water grouper (SWG) fishery to achieve optimum yield, and improve the effectiveness of federal management measures.

We strongly recommend that you read the entire amendment carefully and think just how all those different “new rules” would impact you. We also strongly recommend that you then exercise your right to make comment.

Full text of the Bulletin is here (in pdf format.)

Here is a direct link to the appropriate comment page. The fields with a red asterisk are required.

Say your piece. Do try to make good points and refrain from just calling them names, but at least let them know how you feel.

If for some reason that direct link to the comment page doesn’t work, go to http://www.regulations.gov and then enter “NOAA-NMFS-2008-0203″ in the key word search box, make sure the option below the box for “Select to find documents accepting comments or submissions” is checked and that should take you to the comment page.

You can also send comments by mail if you want to.

● Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.
● Fax: 727-824-5308, Attention: Peter Hood.

Finally, I get to share some (sort of, in a qualified way, kind of) good news with you.

The commercial deepwater grouper and tilefish fisheries closed in May because NOAA Fisheries Service projected landings would reach the quotas by that time.  However, an updated report shows that less fish were landed than expected.  Based on 2008 daily landings rates and the pounds remaining on each quota, NOAA Fisheries Service has determined these fisheries can reopen for 10 days.  November 1 was chosen as the opening day based on feedback from the fishing industry and weather concerns.  Many fishers felt that this was the most productive time for the reopening and NOAA Fisheries Service also chose to wait until after the peak of hurricane season to promote safety at sea (National Standard 10).

The operator of a vessel with a valid reef fish permit may not fish for or possess deepwater grouper or tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 1, 2008 and must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such deepwater grouper or tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 11, 2008.

Good luck, good fishin’, catch ‘em up, and stay safe.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF THE CURRENT MINIMUM SIZE REGULATION FOR SELECTED REEF FISH BASED ON RELEASE MORTALITY AND FISH PHYSIOLOGY

It is, as all these things are, a long and trying read.  There is a lot of information, summed up in very scientific terminology.  There are a few interesting conclusions that may be drawn from it, though.  The most intersesting seems to be the fact that this study makes it obvious that often the NMFS acts without considering or using what can easily be termed the “best available science” when they pass so many of their regulations.

The full report is here.

NMFS announces the availability of two new documents on the Atlantic HMS Management Division’s webpage.  Hard copies available upon request. Please contact Craig Cockrell at (301) 713-2347.

Apparently the “final rule” regarding shark fishing was no such thing.  It has been adjusted and corrected.

It doesn’t give back much, if anything, of value but it sure does provide an opportunity for a lot of wading, slogging, reading and boggling.  All 57 pages (at three columns per page) of it.

It is here: Corrected Final Rule (pdf)

As far as I can tell, the relevant parts of it, to any S.O.F.A. members who happen to hold directed shark permits anyway, are simply this:

Read all »

If you haven’t already seen the page, please check out our page for our new “Take The Pledge” program.   We would like to sign on as many restaurants as we can that serve fresh locally produced seafood so if you know of any in your area, either talk to them yourselves or bring them to our attention, please, so we can sign them up.

We’ll provide them with artwork for menus or advertising, window stickers, some promotion and a banner ad on our site in return for their pledge to only serve fresh wild caught grouper or snapper when their menu says “grouper” or “snapper”.

We’d appreciate all the help we can get to sign up as many restaurants as possible.  Surely there are a few out there that still serve what they advertise and charge for?

We’d like to print up some bumper stickers like the example below as well, (you should be able to click that image to see a much bigger one) but budget is always a consideration.  We’ll see how that goes.  Maybe a nice person with a print shop will step up to the plate.

I got an email from NOAA today reminding me that these applications are due on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008.  Consider the notice duly passed along.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requests applications for participation in the 2008 shark research fishery. The shark research pennits would authorize participation in the shark research fishery and the collection of sandbar and non-sandbar large coastal sharks (LCS) from Federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea for the purposes of scientific data collection subject to 100 percent observer coverage. Generally, these pennits will be valid through December 31,2008, unless otherwise specified, subject to the tenns and conditions of individual pemi.its.

Download Application (pdf) Here.

NMFS announces the availability of an issues and options presentation and scoping meetings for management of Atlantic shark fisheries,

NMFS announcement.

Blacknose sharks?  They gotta be kidding.  How much tax money per year do you think the person who spent time putting the following PowerPoint presentation together draws?  No wonder Bush has asked Congress to up the NMFS budget by almost 30%.  What a joke.

The, (drumroll please) Presention.

Yaaawwwnn.  More new rules.

NMFS announces changes to the regulations governing the renewal of Atlantic tunas longline permits, and Atlantic shark identification workshop attendance requirements.
NMFS announcement

Federal Register Notice

Regulatory Impact Review

Fishery Bulletin FB08-040 has been released. So much for all those amberjack numbers…

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE ANNOUNCES THE PUBLICATION OF A NEW RULE TO END OVERFISHING AND REBUILD GREATER AMBERJACK AND GRAY TRIGGERFISH STOCKS

Dunno about anyone else but I’m fed up with new rules.  It’s like playing Calvinball with Calvin and Hobbes.  The rules change quicker than the ball flies.

Anyway, here it is.  All the triggerfish and amberjack can rest more peacefully now.

I’ll be hopping on one foot with my left ear plugged and my hat on backwards for the next few minutes.

FB08-038 has been released and deserves your attention.  In part…

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) is seeking public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The DEIS evaluates the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s (Council) proposal to establish a regulatory program to reduce overcapacity and effort in the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries. The Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of the DEIS on July 3, 2008 (73 FR 38204).”

The EPA?

Yes, the EPA did indeed make that announcement.  It is so far buried that the government site that indexes the Federal Register failed to make mention of it but it is indeed buried posted on page 38,204 of the Federal Register…

EIS No. 20080256, Draft EIS, NOA, 00,
Amendment 29 Reef Fish Fishery
Management Plan, Effort Management
in the Commercial Grouper and
Tilefish Fisheries, Reducing
Overcapacity, Gulf of Mexico,
Comment Period Ends: 08/18/2008,
Contact: Roy E. Crabtree 727–824–
5301.

Read full text of the Fisheries Bulletin FB08-038 here.

Read full text (pdf) of the proposed Amendment 29 and the DEIS, outlining their preferred plans and other options  here.

From the program director of the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, we received:

Attached please find the federal register notice of public hearings to be held with regard to the NMFS proposed revisions to National Standard 1 concerning the setting of Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures.  The Public Hearing for the Southeast will be held in St. Petersburg on July 15.[...]

Michael Jepson, Ph.D.
Program Director
Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation
5401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 740
Tampa, Florida  33609-2447
813-286-8390

The attached pdf is here.

Murkowski bill could help fuel-socked fishermen

ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF
editor@alaskanewspapers.com

June 26, 2008 at 9:06AM AKST

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Thursday introduced legislation that would provide commercial fishermen a temporary income tax credit to help them offset the high cost of fuel.

“The Fisheries Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2008, which I introduced today along with Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, as an original co-sponsor, would go a long way toward helping our fishermen out in these dire economic times,” Murkowski said.

read full article online here.