American Eel Board Releases Draft Addendum VI for Public Comment
Draft Addendum Considers Maine’s Glass Eel Quota for 2025 and Beyond
The Commission’s American Eel Management Board has released Draft Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel for public comment. The Board initiated the addendum to address Maine’s glass eel fishery quota, which expires at the end of 2024. Draft Addendum VI presents options to set Maine’s quota as well as the number of years the quota would remain in place once it is implemented, and whether or not an additional addendum would be required to maintain the same quota for subsequent years.
Addendum V, approved in August 2018, maintained Maine’s glass/elver eel quota of 9,688 pounds, previously established by Addendum IV, and specified that the quota be set for three years (2019-2021). The quota was extended for an additional three years (2022-2024) through Board action in 2021. Since Maine’s current glass eel quota of 9,688 pounds expires after 2024, the Board initiated Draft Addendum VI to establish a quota for the 2025 fishing season and beyond.
Submitting Comments
The Draft Addendum is available at https://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AmericanEelDraftAddVI_GlassEelQuota_PublicComment.pdf or via the Commission’s website at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on March 24, 2024 and should be sent to Caitlin Starks, Senior FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Glass Eel Draft Addendum VI).
For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board
February 14, 2024
Meeting Summary
The Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board met via webinar to consider proposals for the 2024 and 2025 recreational management measures for summer flounder and scup and 2024 recreational season adjustments for black sea bass. Background In December 2023, the Board and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) met jointly to set recreational measures for 2024 and 2025 for summer flounder and scup. The Percent Change Approach, as implemented under Addendum XXXIV to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP), was used in conjunction with the Recreation Demand Model (RDM) to determine that summer flounder and scup require a 28% and 10% reduction in harvest in 2024, respectively. For black sea bass, the Board and Council agreed to maintain status quo recreational measures in 2024 for several reasons, which are outlined in the December 2023 Council and Board Joint Meeting Summary. However, the Board allowed states to propose minor season adjustments (e.g., maintain a Saturday opening of a black sea bass season) if the projected 2024 black sea bass harvest with season adjustments did not increase from projected 2024 status quo harvest. Any season adjustments were required to be supported by the RDM and approved by the Board. For summer flounder, the Board and Council continued the regional conservation equivalency process as outlined in Addendum XXXII, which requires each region (MA, RI, CT-NY, NJ, DE-VA, NC) to implement summer flounder regulations that will achieve the cumulative required harvest reduction by weight. In December, the Board specified that each region must take a 28% reduction, but exempted North Carolina from further restricting summer flounder measures due to the state’s low levels of harvest and already restrictive measures which aim to address the objectives of the state’s Southern Flounder FMP. For scup, the Board and Council recommended removing the early season closure from January 1-April 30 in federal waters in favor of taking the full 10% reduction through the Commission’s state water regulation setting process. In January 2024, the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Technical Committee used the RDM to recommend options for 2024 and 2025 recreational measures for summer flounder and scup which achieve a 28% and 10% reduction, respectively, and evaluate minor adjustments to the 2024 black sea bass season. 2024 and 2025 Summer Flounder and Scup Recreational Measures and 2024 Black Sea Bass Season Adjustments On February 14, 2024, the Board reviewed and approved the a range of state/regional options for 2024 and 2025 summer flounder and scup measures as developed by the RDM, which can be found here. The approved options achieve the required reductions. The Board also reviewed and approved minor adjustments to Massachusetts’s and Connecticut’s 2024 black sea bass seasons. The next step is for the states, through their rule making process, to select regulations from the approved range of options and inform the Commission of their final 2024 and 2025 state waters measures for summer flounder and scup, and 2024 adjusted seasons for black sea bass. 2024 state water measures for black sea bass will remain unchanged from 2023, with the exception of Massachusetts and Connecticut, who are considering a season adjustment to start on a Saturday. 3 Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions The Board also initiated an addendum to address potential changes to two summer flounder commercial mesh exemptions – the Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP) and the flynet exemption. The draft addendum will be developed jointly with the Council, who initiated a complementary Framework, and will consider moving the boundary of the SMEP area westward and changing the definition of a flynet. The draft addendum will be considered for public comment at a joint meeting with the Council in April. For more information on black sea bass, please contact Tracey Bauer, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at tbauer@asmfc.org, and for more information on scup and summer flounder, contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at ctuohy@asmfc.org. Motions Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemption Addendum Move to initiate an Addendum to address summer flounder commercial mesh exemptions including clarifying the definition of a flynet and moving the western boundary of the small-mesh exemption area. Motion made by Mr. Reid and seconded by Mr. Luisi. Motion carries by unanimous consent. 2024 Black Sea Bass Season Adjustments Move to approve the black sea bass season adjustments for Massachusetts and Connecticut for the 2024 fishing year as presented today. Motion made by Dr. McNamee and seconded Mr. Hasbrouck. Motion carries without objection and one abstention from NOAA Fisheries. Scup 2024 and 2025 Recreational Management Measures Move to approve the range of state/regional options for 2024 and 2025 scup recreational management measures developed using the Recreation Demand Model as presented today for the states from Massachusetts through New Jersey. Recreational management measures for the states from Delaware through North Carolina will consist of a 30 fish bag limit, year-round open season, and 9-inch minimum size limit for 2024 and 2025. Motion made by Dr. McNamee and seconded by Mr. Hasbrouck. Motion carries 8 in favor (CT, NY, RI, NJ, NC, VA, MA, MD), 1 null (DE), 3 abstentions (NH, PRFC, NOAA Fisheries). Summer Flounder 2024 and 2025 Recreational Management Measures Move to approve the range of state/regional options for 2024 and 2025 summer flounder recreational management measures developed using the Recreation Demand Model as presented today including maintenance of Connecticut’s enhanced shore sites for summer flounder which includes a 17” minimum size limit. Motion made by Dr. McNamee and seconded by Mr. Grist. Motion passes without objection and one abstention from NOAA Fisheries.
The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board will be meeting via webinar on March 14 from 2 – 2:30 PM to review and consider approval for public comment Draft Addendum XXX to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. Draft Addendum XXX was initiated in January 2024 to clarify that Addendum XXVII shall include compliance with the Mitchell provision, and the smallest minimum gauge size in effect among all of the Lobster Conservation Management Areas should apply to foreign imports. The final agenda and meeting materials are available at https://asmfc.org/files/AmLobsterBoard_March2024/AmLobsterBoardAgenda_Materials_March2024.pdf.
Webinar Information
To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6182839093747378008 (Webinar ID: 457-463-995). If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voiceover internet protocol (VoIP), you may also call in at +1 (562) 247-8422, access code 351-936-155. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
Public Comment Guidelines
With the intent of developing policies in the Commission’s procedures for public participation that result in a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board has approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings:
For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. The Board Chair will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the Board Chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, the Board Chair will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. The Board Chair has the flexibility to decide how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.
For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, the Board Chair has the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.
In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comment for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action)
- Comments received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 4 will be included in supplemental materials.
- Comments received by 10 a.m. on Friday, March 8 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.
The submitted comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution. As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.
For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior FMP Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org.
ASMFC Releases Fish Habitat of Concern Designations for Commission-managed Fish and Shellfish Species
In recognition of the importance of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish habitats along the Atlantic coast for the sustainability of fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announces the release of its newest habitat document: Fish Habitat of Concern Designations for Fish and Shellfish Species. This document focuses on identifying Fish Habitat of Concern (FHOC) for fish and shellfish species managed solely by the Commission, aiming to concentrate conservation efforts on specific habitats that are ecologically invaluable and necessary to support each life stage of these species. It offers a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and policy framework for habitat descriptions in Commission fishery management plans and will serve as the primary habitat guidance document for Commission-managed species.
FHOCs constitute a subset of fish habitat, such as submerged aquatic vegetation, spawning grounds, or types of nearshore estuarine habitat, that are of high ecological importance, rare, sensitive, or vulnerable to development threats. These areas are defined based on criteria similar to federally-designated Habitat Areas of Particular Concern under the purview of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). However, since species solely managed by the Commission do not fall under the MSA, their habitats currently lack federal legal protection, and consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service is not required.
This document addresses this gap in protection by emphasizing the critical role habitats play in fisheries production and ecosystem function. FHOC descriptions will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. The Commission believes that by highlighting the importance of these habitats for the species under its management, stakeholders and policymakers will better understand the need for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Atlantic coast fisheries.
The document is available at http://asmfc.org/files/Habitat/FHOC_Designations_January2024.pdf. For more information, please contact Simen Kaalstad, Habitat Coordinator, at skaalstad@asmfc.org.
White House National Science and Technology Council Unveils New Aquaculture Plan, First in 40 Years
Public invited to comment on the National Aquaculture Development Plan through April 5, 2024.
February 15, 2024
For the first time since 1983, the United States is releasing an updated National Aquaculture Development Plan. It will strengthen U.S. commitment to food security, climate resilience, and the protection of threatened and endangered marine and freshwater species.
In a changing climate, aquaculture is becoming increasingly important as a climate-smart and healthy means of food production. Seafood farming, if done responsibly—as it is in the United States—is one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce healthy food.
In addition to providing a sustainable source of American-raised seafood, aquaculture plays an important role in fisheries restoration. Hatchery-reared fish (seedstock and fingerlings) are released into the wild to help bolster populations of wild marine species. Aquaculture has helped more than 70 endangered or threatened species, including Pacific Salmon, white abalone, and queen conch. In addition, it’s helped restore habitats and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
How to Submit a Public Comment
The National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Aquaculture, is soliciting comments on the draft Overview of the National Aquaculture Development Plan. It includes three strategic plans.
Two of them, the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research, were completed and published in 2022. The third plan, the draft Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development, is now out for public comment.
Once finalized, together these four documents will comprise an updated National Aquaculture Development Plan that provides a holistic framework describing how federal agencies are advancing the contributions of aquaculture to support public health and nutrition, resilient communities, a strong economy, and a healthy planet.
The 45-day comment period for the draft Aquaculture Development Plan, including the draft Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development, is open through April 5, 2024.
Comments can be submitted to AquacultureEcoDev@usda.gov.
Working Across Agencies on the Subcommittee for Aquaculture
The Subcommittee on Aquaculture serves as the federal interagency coordinating group to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, regulation, technology transfer, and assistance programs.
The Subcommittee on Aquaculture’s Economic Development task force includes partner agencies from: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Department of Commerce; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Food and Drug Administration; and Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn more about the Subcommittee on Aquaculture and NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture.
Celebrating 25 Years of the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo
More than 600 industry professionals, scientists, managers, and students gathered in Providence, Rhode Island, for the 2024 Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo and Milford Aquaculture Seminar.
February 29, 2024
The joint 25th Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo and 43rd Milford Aquaculture Seminar was held in Providence, Rhode Island, January 10-12, 2024. This year’s conference had its largest ever showing with 634 attendees and 236 presenters during 42 sessions over 3 days. In addition, 59 students received support to attend and present their work.
NOAA Engaging the Aquaculture Community
Keynote speaker Danielle Blacklock, the Director of the NOAA Office of Aquaculture, shared her personal experiences with seafood and stories of aquaculture businesses. She also talked about the importance of domestic aquaculture to the American economy and national food security. This was followed by industry updates from states from Maine to Virginia, as well as the Canadian Maritime provinces.
The Office of Aquaculture also held an interactive public listening session. Aquaculture growers, seafood industry workers, researchers, coastal community members, and the public shared their views on the future of aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries. This included which aspects of NOAA’s science and services are of most value to the public.
“Engaging with the public, fostering open and collaborative conversation, is critical as we chart the course for the future of aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries,” said Danielle Blacklock, director Office of Aquaculture. “The energy and ideas brought to this conference will help inspire and shape our vision moving forward.”
Aquaculturists Unite
While the aquaculture community is growing, many have attended this meeting for years. “Information about what we do can be hard to come by, and this is the place to find it. Everyone is here—shellfish growers, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and many more,” shared Thomas Henninger, owner of Madeleine Point Oyster Farms in Yarmouth, Maine, and former commercial fisherman. “It’s a chance to see people you don’t see very often—like my version of a school reunion, and it’s a blast. Everyone who I asked questions to when I was first starting to grow shellfish is here. How can you miss that?”
The conference is jointly organized by NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory, which conducts science to inform management for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, and the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, an organization dedicated to developing socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable aquaculture opportunities in Maine.
Before the conference officially kicked off, 189 participants got hands-on experience with aquaculture through field trips and workshops. They toured some of the area’s preeminent aquaculture research and production facilities, including: American Mussel Harvesters’ shellfish processing facility; Matunuck Oyster Farm; University of Rhode Island’s marine research aquarium and aquaculture laboratory.
A group ventured to southeastern Massachusetts and visited Blue Stream Shellfish, Ketcham Supply Co.’s manufacturing facility. Others toured the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s new seawater facility. Another group got a behind-the-scenes tour at the Mystic Aquarium.
Workshops focused on: Learning to cook with locally sourced, farmed seafood with chefs at Johnson & Wales University; Connecting Northeast aquaculture extension professionals and expanding regional collaboration; Learning the fundamentals of seaweed farming; Sharing strategies to expand oyster aquaculture opportunities for a diverse workforce and applying genomics to oyster conservation, management, and aquaculture.
Aquaculture vendors demonstrate their innovative new products and services and connect with shellfish growers and researchers at the trade show. This year 34 exhibitors participated, including BlueTrace, OysterGro, and the USDA Farm Service Agency.
“Connecting with people is what it’s all about as a vendor. I’m also a shellfish farmer, which is helpful because farmers want to talk to someone with firsthand experience using the gear,” explained Keith Butterfield, Northeast Distributor for FlipFarm USA. “Cool crossover conversations happen when I talk with a farmer who uses our system, and other farmers start listening to that farmer’s experiences. There’s immense value in getting together as a business sector. It can be solitary when you’re out on the farm. You learn so many pearls of wisdom from other farmers.” He also runs Butterfield Shellfish in Yarmouth, Maine.
“We always look forward to catching up with people across different disciplines at this meeting. It’s the perfect blend of industry, academic and government folks,” explained Heather Ketcham of Ketcham Supply Co.
Many sessions featured interactive components, including those focused on aquaculture education and building social license to farm. In an education workshop hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, participants constructed their own mini-aquaponics systems. They also took a virtual tour of an aquaculture research lab using virtual reality goggles. They left with hands-on curricula to teach youth about aquaculture.
Several sessions also focused on innovative ways to promote sustainability in aquaculture. Those included sessions devoted to harnessing solar power, reducing plastic use in aquaculture gear, and the growing partnership between the shellfish aquaculture and restoration communities.
“This conference was born in 1998 out of a need to connect aquaculturists in the Northeast with researchers, government officials, nonprofits, and industry vendors in an informal, fun and experiential environment,” said Chris Davis, executive director of Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center and co-founder of the meeting. “It’s rewarding to see growing interest in this biennial gathering.”
The Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo first joined up with the Milford Aquaculture Seminar in 2012. The next Milford Aquaculture Seminar will be held in Shelton, Connecticut, in January 2025, and the next joint conference will be held in January 2026.
