Fish The Island

Northeast - Groundfish Measures Modified through Final Rule to Support Rebuilding
NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that implements Framework Adjustment 42 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Framework 3 to the Monkfish FMP. Framework 42, developed by the New England Fishery Management Council, is a biennial adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP that sets forth a rebuilding program for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and modifies management measures to reduce fishing mortality rates on six other groundfish stocks. This will maintain compliance with the rebuilding programs of the FMP. Framework 42 also modifies and continues specific measures to mitigate the economic and social impacts of Amendment 13 to the FMP and to allow harvest levels to approach optimum yield. All provisions from the proposed rule are approved except one that would have allowed trip limits for six species to be raised during a fishing year.

Northeast – Results of Summer Flounder Peer Review Available Online
NOAA Fisheries' Office of Science & Technology has convened an additional review of biological reference points for summer flounder to ensure that the 2007 quota for the fishery is based on the best possible information. Six years into the rebuilding plan, the estimated stock size is at 104 million pounds, only about halfway to a fully rebuilt level. The reviewers recommended several adjustments in the assessment. As a result, a higher fishing rate than previously calculated can be allowed while still ending overfishing and rebuilding the stock by 2010. Nevertheless, the review confirmed that fishing rates must be substantially lowered in the next few years to meet rebuilding requirements.

Summer flounder are jointly managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in state waters, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in federal waters. To set the 2007 quota, NOAA Fisheries will consider the revised assessment advice and the actions of the ASMFC at its October meeting. More information about the peer review is available online. Back to top

Northeast – Groundfish Emergency Rule Extended
NOAA Fisheries has published a temporary rule, extending management measures that were set to expire on October 10, 2006 . This rule extends differential days-at-sea counting for all groundfish vessels not fishing exclusively within the U.S./Canada Management Area on Georges Bank , reduced trip limits for certain species, and recreational possession restrictions, among other provisions. This action is necessary to continue measures that reduced fishing mortality rates on six overfished groundfish stocks, while maintaining specific programs designed to help mitigate the economic and social impacts of effort reductions. More permanent management measures will be implemented through Framework Adjustment 42 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan; publication of that final rule is expected soon.Back to top

Northeast - New VMS Reimbursement Program Established
NOAA Fisheries has established a new Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) reimbursement program in the Northeast region. This program is for vessel owners and/or operators who purchased a mobile transmitter unit or enhanced-mobile transmitter unit to comply with fishery regulations requiring the use of a VMS that became effective after October 1, 2005. In addition, the Office of Law Enforcement has issued basic VMS User Instructions for the Northeast.Back to top

Mid-Atlantic – Chesapeake Bay “Living Shoreline” Exhibit Opens at Nauticus
The National Maritime Center and NOAA have dedicated a new exhibit at Nauticus, a maritime-themed science and education center in Norfolk, VA. This exhibit, called The Living Shoreline , features a cross-section of a typical creek of the lower bay, and highlights the importance of the four ecological zones found in the bay—uplands, tidal marsh, underwater grasses and oyster reefs. The centerpiece of the exhibit is an aquarium tank filled with underwater grasses and living creatures from the Chesapeake Bay, including striped bass, croaker, flounder, blue crabs and oysters. The Living Shoreline describes interactions within the bay's ecosystem, such as how human activities impact the bay.Back to top

NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office is in its second decade of providing science, service and stewardship to advance NOAA's mission in the mid-Atlantic region, and to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay through its programs in fisheries management, habitat restoration, coastal observations and education. For more information on The Living Shoreline read the NOAA press release. Back to top

Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico – Public Comments Invited on Shark Quotas and odification of Mid-Atlantic Closed Area
A new proposed rule would establish the 2007 first trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks. In addition, this rule proposes the opening and closing dates for the large coastal shark fishery based on djustments to the trimester quotas. The intended effect of these proposed actions is to provide advance notice of quotas and season dates for the Atlantic commercial shark fishery and to address overharvests and underharvests that occurred during the first rimester of 2006. The rule would also modify the existing mid-Atlantic shark closed area in 2007.Back to top

Atlantic Coast – Bluefin Tuna Retention Limit Set at 3 for October
NOAA Fisheries has determined that daily Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limits for the General category should be adjusted to allow for a reasonable opportunity to harvest the October-January subquota. Daily bluefin retention limits have been set at three bluefin (greater than 73” curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip for the month of October. This will provide enhanced commercial General category fishing opportunities in all areas while minimizing the risk of an overharvest of the General category bluefin tuna quota.Back to top

Northeast – Scallop Observer Program Reactivated
NOAA Fisheries has published a rule to implement an Observer Service Provider Program for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. This action reactivates the industry-funded observer program implemented under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, establishing a new mechanism to approve observer service providers for scallop vessels. NOAA is currently soliciting applications for service providers and will inform vessel owners upon approval of the selected finalists. Until NOAA announces the list of providers, vessels should operate under current notification procedures.

Comments will be accepted through July 17. For more information, contact Peter.Christopher@noaa.gov, or visit the Northeast Region’s Hot News website. Back To Top

Northeast – Future Access in Small Mesh Fisheries May Be Limited The New England Fishery Management Council has indicated that limited access may be necessary to control participation in the small-mesh multispecies fishery. This complex is composed of three species: silver hake (whiting); red hake (ling); and offshore hake. The fishery is currently an open access fishery, meaning that anyone may apply for and receive a permit to fish for these species commercially using small-mesh gear.

This announcement is intended to discourage speculative entry into the fishery. NOAA is reaffirming that March 25, 2003, may be used as a ``control date'' to establish eligibility criteria for determining levels of future access to the fishery. Fishermen should locate and preserve records that verify their history of participation in the small-mesh multispecies fishery in Federal waters.

All comments must be received by 5pm on July 12. Send comments to: SmallMeshControlDate@noaa.gov. For more information, contact Michael.Ruccio@noaa.gov.
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Atlantic Coast – Bluefin Tuna Measures Provide for a School-Size Fishery NOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule to set Atlantic bluefin tuna quotas and effort controls, with some changes from the proposed rule. Based on a new analysis of the methodologies used to estimate recreational harvest, the final rule includes a 40.9 metric ton increase in Angling category quota. Therefore, although the proposed rule included a prohibition on the retention of school-size bluefin (27-47” curved fork length), the final rule provides for a modest school-size fishery.

The school fishery will be open in the southern area (roughly south of Great Egg Inlet, NJ) from July 1 to 21, 2006, during which time a retention limit of one school-size bluefin per day/trip will be in effect. In the northern area, one school-size bluefin per day/trip may be retained from August 25 to September 14, 2006. In addition, Angling category vessels may retain two bluefin (47-73”) per vessel per day/trip, effective in all areas, for the entire fishing year.

Persons aboard vessels permitted in the General category may retain three bluefin > 73” per vessel per day/trip through August 31, 2006. This rule also establishes restricted fishing days to improve the distribution of fishing opportunities toward the end of the season. Please refer to the final rule for a list of time-period subquotas and restricted fishing days. For more information, read the announcement or contact Dianne.Stephan@noaa.gov. Back to top

Northeast – Right Whales Sighted East of the Great South Channel; Temporary Gear Modifications Required in Lobster and Gillnet Fisheries Effective May 19
On May 5, NOAA Fisheries Service received a reliable report of 5 right whales at approximately 41º 24' N latitude and 67º 42' W longitude. This position lies east of the Great South Channel. In response to this sighting, NOAA has established a Dynamic Area Management zone in an area east of the Great South Channel totaling approximately 1,859 square nautical miles (nm2). Effective 0001 hours May 19, 2006, through 2400 hours June 2, 2006, anchored gillnet and lobster trap/pot gear in the designated zone must comply with the required gear modifications. A portion of this area overlaps with other closures.

More information is available online, or call (978) 281-9300 x 6503 with any questions. Back to top

Northeast – New England Council to Begin Scoping on Whiting Fishery The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled scoping hearings to begin developing an amendment to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The small mesh multispecies fishery -- for silver hake and offshore hake (both known as whiting) and red hake (ling) -- is one of the few open access fisheries in New England. Under this amendment, the Council will consider four types of measures to manage the small-mesh multispecies fishery: 1) limited entry to the fishery; 2) quota or “hard” TAC management including limits or caps on the bycatch of whiting in other fisheries; 3) possible restrictions on the landing of small or juvenile whiting; and 4) dedicated access privileges (DAPs), which might include individual quotas, allocating quotas to sectors consisting of groups of fishing vessels and possible allocations between commercial and recreational fishing sectors.

The Council is beginning to determine the scope of alternatives to be addressed in the amendment. All interested members of the public are invited to participate in this process. Scoping meetings are scheduled in Gloucester, MA; Portland, ME; Narragansett, RI; Stonington, CT; Riverhead, NY; and Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, beginning on May 24. Written comments may also be submitted to the Council until 5pm EST on June 16. For more information, visit www.nefmc.org and click on “Hot Topics, News and Events”. Back to top

Northeast – Spiny Dogfish Management Measures Proposed
NOAA Fisheries has proposed management measures for the 2006-2008 spiny dogfish fishery. These measures, including commercial quotas and possession limits, are intended to continue rebuilding the spiny dogfish resource. This proposed rule would maintain the annual dogfish quota at 4 million lb, with a possession limit of 600 lb, for both quota periods, for a period of 3 years.

Updated stock status information indicates that mature female biomass did not increase in 2005 compared to 2003 estimates. The possession limits are intended to allow for the retention of small amounts of incidentally captured spiny dogfish, but discourage directed fishing for mature female spiny dogfish (the stock component that is most in need of protection). The proposed measures would also be consistent with the 2006 measures being implemented under the Interstate Fishery Management Plan in state waters.

Public comments must be received by 5pm ET on May 23. Send comments to DogfishSpecs2006@noaa.gov. For more information, contact Eric.Dolin@noaa.gov. Back to top

National – NRC Endorses Proposal for Saltwater Angler Registration The National Research Council (NRC), part of the National Academy of Sciences, has presented NOAA with the preliminary findings of a study to improve the agency’s scientific program for recreational marine fisheries. NOAA commissioned the NRC study in 2004 to gain unbiased scientific insight into ways the agency can strengthen its recreational fishing data collection program to meet the modern needs of fishery managers. Back to top

Northeast – 2006 Recreational Management Measures Proposed for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2006 NOAA Fisheries Service has proposed recreational management measures for the 2006 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. Comments on this proposed rule must be received by 5pm, local time, on April 11. Comments may be sent to: FSBREC2006@noaa.gov. For more information, contact Sarah.McLaughlin@noaa.gov. Back to top

Northeast – New Amendment to Affect Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries Service, has announced its intention to assess alternative measures for managing the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. This notice announces a public process for determining the scope of issues to be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Issues identified by the Council for discussion in Amendment 15 to the FMP would affect recreational and commercial fishermen. The scoping document is available online.

Written comments on the intent to prepare an EIS must be received on or before 5pm, local time, on June 30. Comments may be sent to: FSB-NOI@noaa.gov. In addition, public meetings will be held in April and May 2006. Specific dates and times are provided in the official notice. Back to top

Northeast – Seasonal Closure Proposed for the Sea Scallop Fishery to Reduce Bycatch NOAA Fisheries Service is proposing to implement Framework Adjustment 18 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council. Framework 18 proposes the following management measures: open area days-at-sea and Scallop Access Area trip allocations for 2006 and 2007; scallop Area Rotation Program adjustments; and revisions to management measures that would improve administration of the FMP. In addition, a seasonal closure of a proposed Scallop Access Area is proposed to reduce potential interactions between the scallop fishery and sea turtles, and to reduce finfish and scallop bycatch mortality.

All comments on the proposed rule must be received by 5pm, local time, on April 14. Comments may be sent to: ScallopAT25@noaa.gov. For more information, contact Peter.Christopher@noaa.gov. Back to top

Northeast – Notice of a Control Date for the Northeast Multispecies Charter Fishery NOAA Fisheries Service has established March 30, 2006, as a control date that could be used to determine future access to the charter and party boat fishery in the Northeast (NE) multispecies fishery. This sector of the fishery includes vessels with open access charter/party permits, as well as limited access NE multispecies permits while not on a NE multispecies day-at-sea. This announcement is intended to promote awareness of potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage speculative entry into the fishery while the New England Fishery Management Council considers whether and how access to the charter/party fishery should be controlled. Interested participants should locate and preserve records that substantiate and verify their participation in the NE multispecies charter/party fishery in Federal waters.

Written comments must be received on or before 5pm, local time, May 1, 2006. More information on how to submit comments is provided in the announcement, or contact: Moira.Kelly@noaa.gov with questions. Back to top

Northeast - Notice of Proposed Hook Sector Plan for Georges Bank Cod Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan authorized allocation of up to 20 percent of the annual Georges Bank (GB) cod total allowable catch to the GB Cod Hook Sector. The Hook Sector has submitted an Operations Plan and Sector Contract, and has requested an allocation of GB cod. This notice provides interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed agreement. Written comments on this proposal must be received by April 14.

Comments may be sent to: codsector@NOAA.gov. For more information, contact Thomas.Warren@NOAA.gov. Back to top

Northeast - Acoustic Buoys Listen for Whales on Stellwagen Bank; Reward For Return of Lost Buoys
NOAA marine mammal scientists have deployed an array of buoys that are equipped to track large whales throughout NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off Massachusetts by listening for their vocal sounds. The buoys are moored to the ocean bottom -- remaining fully submerged -- and “pop-up” to the ocean surface so that data can be downloaded and batteries refreshed. Although programmed to pop-up automatically after three months, a release can also be triggered by a retrieval team using a hand-held transponder.

The buoys record a whale’s vocalization, and the date and time it was made. By comparing the times when the sound was recorded by different buoys, researchers can also calculate the location of the whale when it made the sound. The effort is the first to attempt year-long comprehensive acoustic coverage of a national marine sanctuary and will focus on tracking Northern right whales, a highly endangered species. Scientists hope to create a portrait of localized right whale migrations throughout the year.

Large whales, particularly Northern right whales, can be seriously injured or killed in collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear. This year’s work in the sanctuary is part of a larger project that researchers believe may lead to a practical way of keeping track of large ships and whales in real-time. “If we can do that,” said Dr. Richard Merrick of NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, one of the project partners, “then we have a better chance of substantially reducing the risk of collisions with whales.”

Buoy data is critical to the success of the study. If a buoy is lost, then so are the data it has collected. There are a number of ways that a buoy could slip its mooring, such as storms, equipment failure, or snagging during fishing operations. The buoys are round, and encased in bright yellow “hard-hat” plastic measuring about 20 inches in diameter and weighing about 45 pounds. They are marked with a red and white placard that provides contact information for the return the buoy. There is a $250 reward for their return. Back to top

Northeast - Right Whale Research Program Seeks Proposals for Reducing Entanglements in Fishing Gear
The Right Whale Research Program, a partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the NOAA Fisheries Service Northeast Regional Office, is accepting proposals through April 5, 2006 for projects that have a strong likelihood of reducing death and/or serious injury to right whales due to entanglements in fishing gear. Specifically, the program is seeking proposals that include research related to reducing risk associated with vertical lines. Proposals that address some right whale biological needs in support of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan will also be accepted. Any U.S. citizen is eligible to apply.

NOAA Fisheries Service and NFWF are also accepting proposals through the Atlantic Coast States Cooperative Program for projects that have a strong likelihood of reducing the death and/or serious injury of right whales through the development or implementation of state recovery plan programs. Any Atlantic coast state government agency is eligible for funding, regardless of whether or not the state has an active agreement with NOAA Fisheries Service.
For more information, visit the Northeast Region’s Hot News website or contact Amanda Johnson, Protected Resources Division, at 978-281-9300, ext. 6513. Back to top

Northeast – New Vessel Safety Requirements to Take Effect May 1; Free Dockside Safety Inspections Offered
Beginning May 1, 2006, there are new vessel safety examination requirements for vessels holding a Northeast Federal Fishing Permit or which participate in a Category I or Category II fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. All vessels required to carry an observer must meet U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements and display a current Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination Decal that was issued within the last two years. Vessels that are required to carry an observer, but are inadequate or unsafe for purposes of carrying an observer, are prohibited from fishing. Enforcement action may result.

The vessel owner or operator must allow the observer to visually inspect for any safety or accommodation requirement. Observers must complete a pre-trip safety check of the emergency equipment and are encouraged to review emergency instructions and drills with the captain prior to the vessel leaving port. The vessel must correct noted safety deficiencies before departing to fish with the observer.

Vessels may obtain a waiver of the Safety Examination Decal requirement from NOAA Fisheries Service. Vessels that meet and maintain all the safety examination requirements to obtain a Safety Examination Decal except for the requirement for Marine Sanitation Devices will qualify for the waiver. They will be eligible to take observers without a current Safety Examination Decal. The waiver will be valid for the same two year period as the Safety Examination Decal.

Don’t lose valuable fishing time! Call today to schedule a free dockside safety examination:

Portland, ME 207-780-3256
Boston, MA 617-223-3045
Providence RI / Cape Cod 508-999-0072
New York / Connecticut 203-468-4437
Baltimore, MD 410-576-2526
Hampton Roads, VA 757-668-5535
Philadelphia, PA 215-271-4852
Wilmington, NC 910-772-2231
Atlantic Beach, NC 252-247-4562

For more information, contact David.Potter@noaa.gov. Back to top

Atlantic – NOAA Reopens Scoping on Striped Bass Fishing in the EEZ; Public Invited to Comment
NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking additional public comments on a preliminary draft analysis document containing Federal management options to open the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to striped bass fishing, as recommended by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The stock of Atlantic striped bass, once overfished, was declared fully rebuilt in 1995. New regulations were later established to allow limited fishing in state waters. Under the current closure of the EEZ-- the zone of federal waters that extends from 3 to 200 miles offshore-- any striped bass caught there must be discarded. The fish are often dead when thrown back. Reopening the EEZ could reduce waste by allowing some of the discarded catches of striped bass to be landed and counted toward quotas. Back to top

NOAA first announced that it was considering proposed rulemaking to reopen striped bass harvest in the EEZ during 2003. After reviewing comments from the public, NOAA decided to further evaluate the potential impacts of this proposal. Public scoping meetings were held in nine Atlantic coast states. In 2004, the ASMFC Striped Bass Technical Committee prepared a new stock assessment. However, members of the Technical Committee did not feel the assessment was an accurate representation of stock status. Given the uncertainty, NOAA decided to delay the analysis of new management options until the 2005 stock assessment became available.

Due to the significant time that has passed since the initial scoping hearings in 2003, together with widespread public interest in this matter, NOAA Fisheries is now seeking additional public comments on management options that could open the EEZ to the harvest of Atlantic striped bass. Comments may be sent to: Striped-Bass.Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the following in the subject line: Striped Bass Scoping. The deadline for public comments is May 24, 2006.

The preliminary draft analysis document and other background materials are available online. Please contact Tom.Meyer@noaa.gov with any questions.

Mid-Atlantic - NOAA and Partners Complete Oil Spill Restoration Project on Staten Island, NY Last week, NOAA officials joined local leaders in celebrating the completion of the Bridge Creek wetland restoration project at a dedication on Staten Island. The Bridge Creek project has restored 18 acres of wetlands, creating habitat for nearshore and inshore finfish, crabs, ocean bottom invertebrates and various waterfowl. The wetland restoration is part of a larger rehabilitation effort aimed at restoring coastal habitat in the New York Harbor complex.

In January 1990, Exxon spilled approximately 567,000 gallons of fuel oil after a faulty pipeline ruptured beneath the Arthur Kill. Personnel from NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration worked with the U.S. Coast Guard identifying resources at risk, providing overflights, mapping and shoreline surveys, and recommending appropriate cleanup techniques. NOAA staff also worked closely with the project lead, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, through the design and contracting phases of the Bridge Creek restoration.

For more information, read the NOAA press release. Back to top

Northeast - New Target TAC Levels Set for the 2006 Monkfish Fishery; DAS and Trip Limits Adjusted in the Southern Area NOAA Fisheries Service has implemented the 2006 target total allowable catch (TAC) in the monkfish fishery, along with adjustments to days-at-sea (DAS) and trip limits for limited access monkfish vessels fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area. The 2006 fishing year opens May 1, 2006.

All federally permitted monkfish vessels fishing for monkfish exclusively in the Northern Fishery Management Area under the less restrictive measures must first obtain an exemption certificate from NOAA. A vessel that has obtained this certificate may transit the Southern Fishery Management Area, provided the vessel does not harvest or possess fish from the Southern Fishery Management Area, and the vessel’s fishing gear is properly stowed. A vessel that does not have a current monkfish exemption certificate is subject to the more restrictive possession limits and DAS of the Southern Area, regardless of where the fish are caught or landed.Back to top



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2008 event calendar... We have completed our festival schedule for 2007. Please check back in 2008 for a festival event near you! June Port Washington Harborfest July Long Beach Boardwalk Festival July 11th annual Deepwell Farms arts & crafts festival August Sayville Summerfest August Montauk Second House Fair August Sayville Maritime Seafood Festival September Babylon Argyle Country Fair September West Islip Country Fair September Long Island Festival at Old Bethpage October Long Island Fall Festival at Hecksher park in Huntington October Oyster Bay Oysterfest

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