Protecting Ocean Ecosystems
Longfin Squid Catch a Break
Several years ago, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council began thinking about making amendments to the longfin squid fishery. Longfin squid are an important forage species especially off the coasts of New England. They are a source of food for commercial, recreational, and other familiar species such as sea bass, flounder, and bluefish. Having a healthy population of forage species is crucial to maintaining food webs and a productive ecosystem. So when fishermen and scientists began reporting changes in the fishery, the Council took notice. … More Info
In the News
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, June 23
In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, Chris Oliver is appointed to lead NOAA Fisheries; NEFMC votes to protect some Atlantic corals; thousands of dead bait fish wash ashore in Maine; and NOAA Fisheries announces ASM reimbursement rate for the groundfish fishery.
New England Fisheries
John Bullard Condemns the Status Quo as NEFMC Prepares to Discuss Groundfish Monitoring
The New England Fishery Management Council completed the scoping process for Amendment 23 and will now move forward with discussions about how to change the monitoring program for New England’s groundfish fishery. Although commenters disagreed about the particulars, there is a general consensus that the current monitoring system is not working. The NOAA Regional Administrator agrees.
In the News
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, June 16
In this edition of fish talk in the news, the Secretary of the Interior visits New England; the alleged biggest eel smuggler on the east coast is arrested; NOAA recommends $1.5 million for research grants in the Gulf of Maine; and rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine are affecting fisherman.
In the News
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, June 9
In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, NOAA will begin to survey scallops in the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area; a joint USA-Canada research expedition was launched in the Gulf of Maine, and a bill to secretly put tracking devices on lobster boats was passed in the Maine Senate
