Feds Propose New Management Measures for Gulf of Maine Cod Recreational Fishery
Recreational fishing is a favorite pastime for many New Englanders. Unfortunately, due to low population levels and concerns about catch limit overages, the recreational possession of New England’s most iconic fish – Atlantic cod – has been prohibited in the Gulf of Maine (federal waters) in recent years. For now, this prohibition is still in place, but NOAA Fisheries has proposed reopening the Gulf of Maine cod recreational fishery for the 2019 fishing year. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, April 19
In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, Maine bill considers establishing a task force to settle debate between lobstermen and aquaculture industry; a federal judge upholds changes to fish habitat protections in Gulf of Maine; a federal appellate court upholds NOAA Fisheries definition of bycatch; Massachusetts captain offers classes for aspiring fishermen; and the NEFMC approves a wide range of alternatives for the groundfish monitoring amendment. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, March 29
In this Week’s Fish Talk in the News, NOAA Fisheries announces FY19 target monitoring coverage levels; NOAA, BOEM, and fishing industry sign memorandum of understanding; New England sees huge spike in beached sea turtles; and Maine lobstermen petition state to tighten aquaculture rules. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, March 8
In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, NOAA Fisheries proposes approval of 20 groundfish sectors; Maine lobster value increases but scallop landings decrease; Rep. Moulton reintroduces right whale legislation; NOAA Fisheries announces closure of Herring Management Area 2; and NOAA looks to unjam fishing permit backlog. … More Info
NOAA Fisheries Reverses Course On Herring Catch In 2019
In a pleasant surprise, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule today that lowers the catch limits of Atlantic herring in 2019, specifically to account for its role in the ecosystem. Catch limits were expected to be reduced to prevent overfishing, but the size of this reduction was a surprise because the agency had originally proposed limits back in November that were almost 30 percent higher than recommendations from the New England Fishery Management Council and its scientific advisors. … More Info
Environmental Groups Call on Fishery Managers to Fix New England’s Failing Monitoring Program
Conservation Law Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund have challenged NOAA Fisheries, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the New England Fishery Management Council to properly manage the region’s ailing groundfish stocks. In a letter sent to the leaders of these agencies, CLF and EDF call for improvements to monitoring practices so that managers can make informed decisions. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, Jan. 6, 2017
In this edition of Fish Talk in the News: South Shore charter fishermen oppose new shark regulations; 2016 was a tough year for the fishing industry; Rhode Island bans shark finning; Maine seeks more authority in investigations of suspected lobstering violations; Seafood being added to Massachusetts Farm to School project; and NOAA expands ways to get fishing information. … More Info
With New Fish Rule, NOAA Lets the Big One Get Away
In October the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees our nation’s fisheries, passed up a chance to take a major step toward EBFM. … More Info
Two New Developments Could Boost Health of Fisheries and Our Ocean
Those of us who care about healthy oceans and fish populations are pleased to see two strong spotlights shine last week on ecosystem-based fishery management, or EBFM. As a reminder, the goal of EBFM is to better inform management decisions with a big-picture approach to fisheries management that uses existing data about where fish live, what they eat, what eats them, and what threats they face in order to ensure that ocean ecosystems and the fisheries they support are healthy and productive. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, November 11
In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, NOAA reminds fishermen that most commercial fishing in the new Atlantic monument is prohibited as of November 14; sound technology helps scientists assess Maine’s shrimp population; Maine’s shrimp fishery will remain closed for fourth consecutive year; mislabeled seafood may be more sustainable; Eat These Fish! guides consumers on sustainable seafood choices; a lost Maine lobster tag is found in the United Kingdom; why do seabirds eat plastic?; and NOAA announces the closure of the Trimester TAC Area for witch flounder. … More Info
