ML072060337
| ML072060337 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 12/01/2002 |
| From: | Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Davis J NRR/DLR/REBB, 415-3835 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML072060321 | List:
|
| References | |
| Download: ML072060337 (12) | |
Text
ASMFC mc)
FISHERIESr f CaiS I.0 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1444 Eve Street, Nashington, D.C.
Workl"ig rtoards healtiv, self-s usraining populations for all A dan tic coast fish species, or successfitl restoration wvell in progress, by tie year 2015.
David V.D. Borden Receives Prestigious David H. Hart Award On November 20, 2002, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission proudly recognized the enormous com -
mitment of David V.D. Borden, Assis-tant Director for Natural Resource De-velopment and Protection, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Manage-ment, to the conservation and manage-ment of Atlantic coast Fisheries.
The award was p resen ted at the Commission's 61" Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia.
important Atlantic coastal fisheries --
American lobster. He soon became Rhode Island's Principal Marine Fish-cry Biologist, administering the man-dates of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (now known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act).
In 1987, David was promoted to Deputy Chief of Marine Fisheries, co-ordinating activities between and among various programs to assure compatibil-ity with marine manage-iuenu and enforcement at both the state and federal level. He worked on the preparation and im pl eme ntation of many research and de-velopnient projects that have significantly ima-proved the economic re-turn for Rhode Island fishermen. During that IDEM (second time David was also ap-SMFC Chairs.
Susan Shlipman pointed by the Gover-toy Jo/so V nor of Rhode Island to be the state's represen-tative to the New En-gland Fishery Management Council, where he has served on numerous com-mittees and chaired the Council for an unprecedented three terms. David has been and continues to be a strong advo-cate of measures to improve the enforce-ment capabilities of federal agencies in order to provide greater incentives for compliance with fishing regulations.
From 1992 to 1994, David served as Chief of the Rhode Island Division of Fish, Wildlife and Estuarine Resources, leaving a lasting impression during his tenure. He conducted an in-depth re-view of all programs, restructured op-erations to promote efficiency, restored the chain of command, oversaw. numer-otis new initiatives, developed new grant and federal aid programs, and improved public relations.
During that time, David was appointed as Rhode Island's Administrative Commissioner to the Commission, where he served as Vice-chair and Chair. As Vice-chair, David was instrumental in the development continued on page 4 2002 tHart Award Recipient, David VD. Borden of R fijrm left) iiith the respective incoeingiandoutgoing A John L. Nelson. Jr. J'NH Fish &" Game (Par left) and of GA Coastal Resources, and ASMIFC Executive Direc O'Shea (far right)
This year's David H. Hart Award recipi-ent has been involved in marine fisher-ies management for nearly a quarter of a century and, over that time, he has left an indelible mark on the way fisheries conservation and management is con-ducted along the Atlantic coast. David began his career as a Senior Marine Fish-eries Biologist for the Rhode Island Di-vision of Fish and Wildlife. Showing in-novation and creativity, David designed and implemented a computerized catch reporting program for one of the most Inside This Issue Upcoming Meetings Page 2 ASMFC Approves Amendment 4 to the Weakfish FMP Page 4 ASMFC Approves Spiny Dogfish Plan Page 5 States Close Waters to Spiny Dogfish Harvest Page 5 Species Profile: Weakfish Page 6 ASMFC Comings & Goings Page 8 Northern Shrimp 2003 Season Set at 38 Days Page 9 Atlantic Herring Area IA Closure Page 9 ASMFC Resolution on the National Wildlife Refuge System Page 10 Rl Pioneers Web-based Reporting: Part 2 Page I I C-l1i-L ASMVL 7j0o5c
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Carotita,, georgia,, aout Florida,.
Atlantic States. Marine Fisheries, Commi.ssi.on John1 [.,Nelson, Jr. (NH), C"hair Preston Pare, Jr. (NC), Vice Cha1ir Johnl V. O'Shea, Ex~cutiveý Director 1'\\)RobertE.ý Beal, Dicrror; Inteirsiate Fisheries
.;Management Program.
Dr. LisaL. Kline, Director of4Re'each & StaristicsK.
Laurai C. facich Director of Finance & Administration.
TI" ma L:Berger, gdlto rberg r@'smfic.org (202)w289-6400 Phorne (202)289-6051 -,xx. a *..
Upcoming Meetings 1/7 - 9:
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, Washington, DC.
ASMFC American Lobster Board Workgroup on Trap Trans-ferability, Providence. Rhode Island (specific location to be determined).
ASM F(C Americani Lobster Board Arca 2 Subcomi iniitee, Provi-dence, Rhode Island (specific location to be determined).
ASMFC American Lobster Database SubconiUittee, Manchester, New Hampshire (specific location to be deter-mined).
ASMFC American Lobster Technical Committee, Connecti-Cut Department of Environmental Protection, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lynie, Connecricut.
1/2 1 - 22:
ACCSP Computer Technical Committee, Hilton Tampa
\\Xestshore, 2225 North Lois Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
1/21 - 23:
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Managmcot Council, Tro1mp Plaza, The Boardwalk & MS Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
ASMFC American Lobster Advisory Panel, Providence, Rhode Island (specific location to be determined).
1/28 - 30.
New England Fishery Management Council, Courtyard by Marriot, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
2/23 - 26:
RccFish 11 Symposium, St. Petersburg, Florida.
2/24 - 27:
ASMFC Meeting Week, Doubletree Crystal City, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia; 703/416-4100.
2/27 - 3/1:
Maine's Fishermen's Forum, Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine.
3/3 - 7:
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Jekyll Island, Georgia.
2 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002 2
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002
This year has been one of transition and growth for the Commission.
Since my arrival.1 continue to be delighted with the strehgth and talent of our staff.
They have done a superb.job of breaking in anew boss.
while not missing a beat in carrying out their imp6r-tant work at the Commission. I have also watched folks move on to bigger and better things and.I ami.thrilled for thie new opportunities, they have in store for them.
Their departure is not a loss for the Commnission but a gain fod fisheries management, since most have left to work with our partners. It has been exciting to watch os'.
ur new,people'..comiie :aboardiwith energy and en'thu-siasm. We can all,,take pride in the fact-that, the Com-,
mission continues to attract'such talented people.-
Ouir 61"' Amnual Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia
.was a terrific event. Ctommissioner Bill Prtiit and his staff did a wonderful'job hosting US th.roughout the v' Wek. I was especially pleased 1that So many spouses were bleC to join us
-There aCre.longh0ours of meetirigs*
and travel involved with the Commission process; I was glad I could ncert and say thank you to those who usually sait behind, and support our Commissioners
.inu their important work. Their presence was a grear addition to our social events where they were able to share.with usIn oui r Celbrat0 sf9feveral iunportant.
transitions.
In this spirit of celebration, we congratulated out out going Chair Susan Shipman,. Director of Georgia
'Coastal Resources Division. Over her two-year tenure as Chair, the Commission, through its member states,
,has made sigfiiffcanrt prbgress in apromoting and 'pro-tcithe valuable resources of tle Atlantic coast.
Susan has srronily fr*icred anr environment of mu'ial 0..'partnership and( c6operation.
Above all else, Susan believed in the commtnitment. that the states haverto one another to identify common challenges and seek shared solMuions throudgh clear communication and
'reasonable deliberation* The accomplishments of. the past two
,yearsc speak to the power of that comnijt ment. During her chairmanship, Susan guided..the Commission in appointing aI new executie.'directro
,111(land implementing variouis fisherieCs ianagementr deei.
. sionis to protect and reWhutlIdstocks. She oversaiwiim-provements to the Commissions peer reviewand stock assessment processes, inCIucdiri h consid aiitiin of
'N multispecies/ecosystem asesis
.. She empowered our lelsla-ors wd governors' appomtees as the pr-S ubh'nstewarusor t*heommusshon hearvisorm, panerl and p.*i iublic' tinput process.* Throug~h her wisdom, eriergy:"
and enthusiasm she has left an important and lasting mark of improvement on the.Commission.
,We all were excited to welcome our new Chair, John I. Nelson Jr.. Chief of New Hampshire Maiine Fish-eries Division. John's achievements within his'own' state speak. directly'to his leadership talents and.abili-.
ties. For the last two decades, he has brought a stead-fast coiitnu menit to the conservation and manage-ment of New Hampshire's marine resources. He streamlined the state's fisheiy regulatory process, en-hanced ecosystem moi..toring.f
- a.
r protected(!importantr'habitats, within the, state's larg-est estuary, and conducted outreach efforts, tosub--
-.stanti ally improve'. comimunication and interaction.
with commercial and recreational fishing constitu-_
ents. Those of wou-who have worked with John be-fore know the Commission will greatly benefit.from his knoiwledge and ability to work wth others. He has already indicated his first order of business will be"to lead his fellow' Cominissioners in the develop-ment of our next five-year strategic plan.
Assisting John will be Preston Pate-Jr., Director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, the
.Commissions new Vice-chair. In his home state Pres
'is responsible for regulating North Carolina's billion dollar saltwater fishing industry. A resource man-agenent. professional since 1971. Pres brings to the Conmrmission,ears of wisdom and experience, as well as dedication to sustainable fisheries managemnent.
.'He will be a great addition to our leadership team, ancla person wecnaller rll Yoiu can see from.our cover We also recognized Davidý Borden as 'this year's Hart Award recipient.
You can read:'the. details ab0ou the.,award in 'the article dedi-cared' to'that topic, 'so I will not repeat them here.
But,:l will say congratulations to David and note ithat he-joins an impressive list of prior' recipien.ts,. a rteal hall of fame of East Coast fish'eries-'na'gers._
As, we close this year, I encourage you all to take pride in our Many accomplishments in advancing respon-s'ie stewardship ofifn'rarie 'fisheries isources** Your support and enthusiasm for thrework we all do is a
'Nsource of constant inspiration for me and our staff.
During this rime of transititin-and, growth,' I. look
- forward to working with you all in what I hope will be.. a pro'dlucIve and 'happy NewxyYear. Best wlshes for a safe an'd enj)oyablc holiday.
Iii a
.q~.
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002 3
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues I 1/ 12, November/December 2002 3
ASMFC Approves Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish On November 21, 2002, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved Amendment 4 to the Inter-state Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Weakfish.
Amendment 4 aims to ensure a healthy spawning stock bioma-ass, restore the age structure of the popu-lation, and expand the geographic range of weakfish.
To achieve these goals, Amendment 4 includes a new overfish-ing definition with fishing mortality targets rand thrcsholds, as well as a spawning stock biomass threshold.
"I am very pleased with the final docu-ment that we have approved and I am confident that Amendment 4 will con-tinue to build upon the stock recovery benefits that have been achieved under Amendment 3, " stated Weakfish Board Chair, Gordon Colvin of New York.
"The Amendment is the result of the collective efforts and inptut of the Man-agement Board, Technical Committee and Advisory Panel, all of whom have worked hard to develop a plan that con-ri nues to rebuild the weakfish stock while allowing for high quality commer-cial and recreational fisheries. The Weakfish Advisory Panel, led by Chair Clarence W. Lee, deserves particular rec-"
ognition. They provided invaluable as-sistance to the Management Board in the development of Amendment 4, with the Board adopting many of the Advi-sory Panel's recommendations for inclu-sion in the plan."
Amendment 4 includes minimum size/
bag limit options for the states to man-age their recreational fisheries.
States may chooSe front a range ot minimum sizes and corresponding bag limits from the following options: 12" minirnum size/7 fish bag limit, 13" minimtmU size/
8 fish bag limit, 14" minimtnUm size/9 fish bag limit, 15" and higher minimum size/10 fish bag limit. States will be determining which combina-tion is the most appropriate for their fishermen over the next couple of months.
Amendment 4 maintains the ma-jority of commercial fishery man-agement measures that have been.
successful under Amendment 3, includ-ing closed areas and seasons, and mesh size regulations. The primary changes to the commercial management pro-grain under Amendment 4 address bycatch issues. Specifically, the bycatch allowance during closed seasons was i-creased to 300 pounds with additional language indicating that this allowance is permitted provided that there is at least an equal poundage of other species on board the vessel.
Additionally, Amendment 4 encourages states to pro-vide incentives for the use of escape pan-els in commercial pound nets.
Amendment 4 also takes strides to en-sure that the necessary information is being collected for future weakfish stock assessments. States that land at least 2.5 percent of the coastwide weakfish land-ings will be required to collect age and length information from their weakfish commercial and recreational landings.
Copies of the Amendment will be avail-able by the end of the year and can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Corm mission's website at www.asmfc.org. For more information, please contact Braddock Spear, Weak-fish Fishery Management Plan Coordi-nator, at (202) 289-6400, ext. 301 or bspear@asmfc.org.
David V.D. Borden Receives Prestigious David H. Hart Award (continued from page 1) of the Commission's first five-year stra-tegic plan and presided over the imple-mentation of the first Action Plan dur-ing his chairmanship. As Chair, David made tremendous strides to increase the efficiency in the way the Commission conducts its business.
Overseeing the Commission's transition to four meeting weeks a year, he chal-lenged his fellow Commissioners to be more responsible in the way they par-ticipate in and run meetings, and pro-vided training to improve their indi-vidual and collective skills. He was also instrumental in the development of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program, with his state leading the way with a state of the art data collection and management program for commer-cial fisheries.
The Commission instituted the "Cap-tain David H. Hart Award" in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the bet-terment of marine fisheries on the At-lantic coast. The award is named for the Commission's oldest and longest-serving member, a Governor's Appoin-tee from New Jersey who was dedicated to the advancement and protection of marine fishery resources.
For more in-formation, please contact Laura Leach, Director of Finance and Administration, at (202) 289-6400..
4 ASMUC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002 4
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12,Noverriber/Decernber2002
ASMFC Approves Spiny Dogfish FMP: Plan Implementation Slated for May I, 2003 On November 21, 2002, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved the Interstate Fishery Manage-ment Plan (FMP) for Spiny Dogfish.
The FMP, which complements existing federal regulations for spinsy dogfish, em-ploys a constant fishing mortality (F =
0.03) strategy and directs the Manage-inenr Board to cstablish an annual con-mercial quota. This quota is based on the status of the stock and is allocated between the same two periods in the fcd-eral fishery (May I - October 31 and November 1 - April 30).
To control the rate of harvest, trip limits are also set annually (sec the table below).
In addition to the above measures, the Board added a provision that allows states to issuIe exempted fishing permits for the purposes of supplying the bio-medical industry. States are limited to 1,000 fish per year.. Prior to the start of the fishing year, states must notify the Commission of all spiny dogfish exempted permits issued within their state.
The Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Shark Management Board first initiated devel-opnment of the FMNP in 1999, with the intent of coordinating on-going federal actions in the exclusive economic zone.
Under the federal plan, the fishery is managed through a constant fishing mortality strategy, which currently al-lows for a four million-pound quota, divided into two semiannual periods (Period I - 57.9 percent and Period 2 =
42.1 percent).
Since August 21, 2000, the states have regulated the spiny dogfislh corn eciial fishery through a series of emergency actions, closing state waters to the com-mercial harvest, possession and landing of spiny dogfish when there is a closure in federal waters. The final extension of the Spiny Dogfish Emergency Action will expire Janutary 31, 2003. Until state implementation of the plan by May 1, 2003, the FMP requires states to main-rain their current regulations and close state waters to the3 commercial harvest, possession and landing of spiny dogfish when the federal quota is harvested.
State implementation proposals are due February 1, 2003 and will be imple-mented by May 1, 2003, the start of the 2003-2004 fishing year.
Copies of the FMP can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org.
For more information, please contact Megan Gamble, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400 or
<mgamblc@asmfc.org>.
States Close Waters to Spiny Dogf ish Fishery Beginning at 12:01 AM, Noven-..
hbet 2 1,2002, the Atlatditic coastal states. closed :heir v waterscrto the harvest, possession and landing of spiny dogfish, The closuLIwhicl:
extends for the remainde f quotýaL period 2 (throu'gh April 30, 200j3), complements,similar ac-.i nion taklen by NOAA Fisheries In, federal
- aters Under the.terms.i of theC.
C onmi sslolnls Spi ny Dogfi.sh Emnergency Action iapjlroved by thSpiny...Dogfish: andtCoasa.
Slhark Managemenet
- ,(
Bdard On August 21, 2000<ian'l extendedi h
1byche Bo ard th&lrog h jan uary 1,
- 2Q031 all srar*rei c
rdju ied to closc theirtIFshees wher 1the fedC&
eIal: fisIhery is close&d.
W1hile
- implementing: theAC provisions of
.t Interstate Spiny Dogfish Plan, states aretrequired to maintain 1current ICUSrae regulaion01s for spiny dogfish.
Conltinuinfi ll
<::, through Jnay31l (tKe expira* ::
lion of the ergency action) and Until May 1, 2003 (state imple-
>:in cntacion deadline), states are required to marintain Iregulations prolulbitin,' th commenrcial hat -
vest, pos sessro and lan di ng of spipy dogfish Inl staite warers,ý TheC spiny dogfish fishery is s~ched-uled: to reopen,: oin M:vay 1, 2003.
Foi more in formnationl, please Con-tact Megan.*a mble, VFishees:
Management* Plan Coordinator, at (2022) 28 9-6400 0or
<mgambe111, 1)asm~fc org>.
Summary of Interstate Spiny Dogfish Management Measures Fsig Year
~
Period I Period IIse
>x May 1 Apt 130 May I - October 30 November I - April 30 Annual Quota To be determined annually based on stock status Coast-wide Quo0ta' 21 Quota Ovegas Deducted from Period I in the Deducted from Period IL in the following fishing year following fishing year Possession lmrits To be specified on an annual basis Exempted Permits 1,000 fish per state per year for Biomedical If requested in the state implementation plan and/or the annual state Supl compliance report Prohibition on.
Finning~
Prohibited in allstate waters at all times of the year Finning - removing the fins and returning the remainder to sea ASMFC Fisheries FocusVol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December2002 5
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/ 12, November/December 2002 5
Species Profile: Weakfish Coastwide Reductions in Fishing Mortality & Bycatch Reduction Devices Yield Big Results Introduction Under Amendment 3 to the Weakfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), weakfish have experienced significant stock growth with increases in spawning stock biomass and the number of recruits entering the fishery each year. Combined, these factors have resulted in the weakfish fishery moving from an overfished condition to a recover-ing stock. These improvements are primarily the result of significant declines in fishing Mortality rates over the. last six years and the cornitmenit o( recreational and commercial fishermen to forgo short-term benefits for the liong-term success of'thc fishery.
Amendment 4 to the FMP, which was approved in November, intends to continue to build upon these gains by establishing stock assessment benchmarks, such as thresh-old levels for fishing mortality and spawning stock biomass.
This article will provide a brief overview of weakfish - its stock status, commercial and recreational fisheries, and management considerations.
-Stock Status The weakfish stock assess-mcnt was updated in 2002 with data through 2000.
Current estimates of spawning stock biomass are well above the thresh-old recently approved in Amendment 4 (Figure 1).
-~
Since 1992, recrtuitment has been above 30 million fish, with peak years over 60 million (Figtrre 2).
Large year classes were pro-duced in 1984, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 1999. Fishing mortality rates have also been below the Amendment 4 target of 0.31 (approximately 27 percent exploitation rate).
However, estimates of spawning stock biomass, recruitment and fishing mortality for the most recent year of the assessment should be viewed with caution given the uncertainty of these estimates. As new data is added to the assessment, fishing mortality is ex-pected to rise and spawning stock biomass is expected to de-crease.
There also appears to be an increase in the age and size structure of the weakfish fishery. In 1982, the estimate of the proportion of age six plus fish was one percent of the total. This proportion has been increasing in recent years to 6.8 percent of the total in 2001; this trend is expected to continue under Amendment 4.
Figure 1 Weakfish Spawning Stock Biomass Source: Kahn 2002 120 100 80 E
2 60 0
fn 40 20 0
YEAR Figure 2 Weakfish Recruitment at Age 1 Source: Kahn 2002 Year 6
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12,November/December2002
Recreational & Commercial Fisheries Weakfish have supported fisheries along the Atlantic coast since at least the
[800s, and are highly sought after by both commercial and recreational fish-ermen. From 1950 to the late 60s, com-mercial landings fluctuated without trend, ranging from three to nine mil-lion pounds (Figure 3). The early 70s began a period of tremendous growth in the commercial fishery, widh landings peaking at 36 million pounds in 1980.
The commercial fishery declined steadily throughout the I 980s, drop-ping to a low of six million pounds in 1994. Since then, the fishery has main-tained itself at around seven to eight mil-lion pounds, largely in response to har-vest restrictions under the Commission plan. The primary commercial gear for weakfish are trawls and gilinets, although weakfish are also landed using pound nets and haul seines.
Recreational landings have followed a similar trend to that of commercial landings, with harvest peaking at 16 million pounds in 1980 and steadily decreasing over the next 10 years to a low of one million pounds. In the early 1990s, recreational landings fluctuated between one and two million pounds.
Since 1996, landings have ranged be-tween three and four million pounds.
Atlantic Coast Management Considerations In 1985, as a result of population de-clines and limited biological informa-tion, the Atlantic States Marine Fisher-ies Commission initiated the develop-ment of its first FMP for Weakfish. The Plan prescribed only two specific man-a(gement measures: (1) promote the use of trawl efficiency devices in the south-crn shrimp. fisherv; and (2) reduce catches of weakfish one vear or less in age.
While the goals of the plan, as well as its two subsequent amendments, were well intentioned, the states were unable to stop the continued decline of weak-fish stocks. It was not until 1996 that the states, armed with the compliance mandates of the Atlantic Coastal Fish-eries Cooperative Management Act, were able, to develop and implement a plan (Amendment 3) to recover overfished weakfish stocks. Under this plan, stocks began to rebound as a result of conser-vative fishing mortality targets. Other measures that have contributed to the stock's continuing recovery are the use of gear modifications to reduce bycarch of juivenile weakfish in the southern shrimp fisheries and closure of the flynet fishery south of Cape Hatteras.
Weakfish Life History Weakfish occur along, the Atlantic coast of North America from Nova Scotia, Canada to the east coast of Florida. but are most common from New Y6rk to North Carolina.
Warming of coastal waxters in the spring prompts an inshore and northerly migration of adults from their offshore wintering grounds to nearshore sounds, bays and estuar-ies. Spawniing qccurs sh;¢irly after the inshore migration, peaking from late April to June,, with some geographic variation in"timring. In thle fall, an offshore and southierly, migration of aduilt' coincdes with
.dechinig WaLC" tA11p'eratMeS. The continental shelf from Chesapeake Bay to Cape Lookouit, North Caro-lina'a,appears..to be the,maj or'vI win tering grouncd for weakfish.
Growth in weakfish is particularly rapid in the first year'aind 'ihey mature at a young age. Most fish are spawning at the end of their first year and all fish aire mature by 'their second year. The size of a weakfish.
is. not a particularly good indicator.
oif agýc as1 a.1-inch wfeakF1s dican
- ranc in ge U1m.on tosiyer Old. Size at age one is.wvriable but most fish are ten to eleven
- inches*
long.
Surveys along the'Atlantic coast indicate t&at estuaries provide feed-ing areas and spawning grounds~for adult weakfish and 'are eqriallin-.
portant as nursery areas for 'jive-,,,,
.niles. Adult weakfish are often
,found near the periphery of eelgrass b'eds perhaps because weaklsh priI mrarily fced on shrnimp other crus-taceans, and smiall fi1sh that are fou~nd~near the beds Measures required Figure. 3 Annual Coastal Weakfish Commercial &
Recreational Landings 40 35
'30
- a 25 0 20
.0 15
_10 5
O
, i0, l i
i,
l l
i l
...........~i 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year under Amendment 4, which will be implemented by July 2003, will allow for further stock expansion to historical size and age struc-tures and geo-graphic ranges, with the ultimate goal of providing greater benefits to commercial and recreational fishermen along the Atlantic coast.
I -
Commercial
. Recreational I ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11 / 12, November/December 2002 7
ASMFC Comings & Goings Jeffrey Brust -- For the past six years, Jeff has worked for the Commission as a Research Specialist in the Research and Statistics Program. During that time, Jeff was instrumental in developing the Commission's Stock Assessment Train-ing Workshops and User Manual, both of which are geared at providing the nec-essary training and knowledge to stare technical staff so that they may become more proficient at stock assessment analyses.
He assisted in the Commission's external peer reviews of American shad, Atlantic sturgeon and horseshoe crab, as well as serving on many other ASM FC species stock assess-ment subcommittees. Over the last couple of years, Jeff took the lead in de-veloping the Commission's Aquaculture Guidance document and coordinating the Northeast Area Monitoring and As-sessment Program.
Jeff left the Commission at the end of November to. begin his new job with Entrix, a private consulting firm based out of Dover, Delaware. Jeff has been a great asset to the Commission staff and we will miss his enthusiasm and hard work. Con-gratulations and much success, Je.ffl.
Joseph Desfosse -- When Joe first came to the Commission in April 1995 it was as the original coordinator for the At-lantic Coast Cooperative Statistics Pro-gram.
And as such, he helped to lay the foundation for the premier fisheries data collection and management pro-gram that it is today. After a year or so, Joe moved into the position of Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) Coordinator.
Over his six years as FMP Coordinator, Joe provided primary oversight and co-ordination responsibilities for a great many Atlantic Coaistal species, includ-ing Atlantic croaker, Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic herring, red drum, Spanish mackerel, spiny dogfish, spot, spotted seatrout, and winter flounder.
In this capacity. Joewas also the primary author of rhree interstare, fisheryr management plans, namely, Atlantic Herring Amend-ment 1, Atlantic Menhaden Amendment I and Red Drun Amendment 2.
In late November, Joe began his new job as Fisheries Management Specialist with NOAA Fisheries' Highly Migratory Spe-cies Division, where lie will be working on species such as tuna, billfish and sharks. Joe's hard work and attention to detail has left a lasting impression on the work he has accomplished at the Commission, and he will be missed. We wish you the very best!
Laura Huggins -- For overa year and a half, Laura (also known as Lil' L) pro-vided administrative support to the Commission's Research & Statistics and Interstate Fisheries Management Pro-grams. In November, she left the Con-Mission to begin her career as an Emer-gency Services Specialist for Chemtrec.
Good luck, Laura, and much success!
Braddock Spear -- On October 21, 2002, Brad joined the Commission as an FMP Coordinator. Since then, he has begun to assume the coordination re-sponsibilities for Atlantic sturgeon, horseshoe crab ahd weakfish.
Brad brings to his work a B.S. in Marine Bi-ology from the University of Maryland (College Park) and an M.A. in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Is-land.
His master's thesis was on ana-lyzing past federal fisheries litigation.
More recently, Brad worked for the Na-tional Academy of Public Administration, as part of a research team which reviewed the management of the National Marine Fisheries Service. \\Welcome aboard, Brad!
Heather Stirratt -- For more than three years, Heather provided primary over-sight and coordination of the interstate fisheries management programs for American eel, American lobster, Atlan-tic sturgeon, shad & river herring and tautog. Most notably, she assumed the coordination responsibilities for Ameri-can lobster from Amy Schick without skipping a beat, and thereby allowing all those invoived in the lobster man-agement program to move steadily for-ward in the development and imple-mentation of Addenda II and Ill of the plan. Other significant contributions in-cluded facilitation of workshops onl American Lobster Transferable Traps and American Eel Sexing and Aging. In ev-erything that she did, Heather brought her keen sense of order and detail, en-thusiasm and commitment to doing a job well done.
In mid-October, Heather joined the staff at NOAA Fisheries' Highly Migra-tory Species Division as Fisheries Man-agement Specialist, where she will be working on species such as tuna, bill-fish and sharks.
We will miss you Heather and wish you much success!
Sta7ff S4p"S.ecies Coor'diniationl Res sIb....
ph I"<
-,I Robert Beat ISFA4P'Director Atlantic herring, Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic striped bass and South Atlantic species (Atlantic croaker, red drum, Spanish mackerel, spot, spotted seatrout)
- Megan Gamble, FMP'A1Coordinator Spiny dogfish & coastal sharks, and Atlantic striped bass (as of January 2003)
Michael Lewi s, FMTP Gooritata {or i Northern shrimp, bluefish, summer flounder, scup and black sea bass dLydia MungeirI MP1 CoorIilato.r <
American eel, shad & river herring, tautog and winter Hounder Carrie Se 5berg, FMP Coor1inator C; American lobster, horseshoe crab and weakfish, as well as habitat issues Haia 2eils 1"raddock SpearFMP-Co/rdiin/ilot Horseshoe crab and weakfish (as of January 2003), and Atlantic sturgeon 8
ASMUC Fisheries FocusVol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002 8
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12,Noverriber/Decernber2002
Northern Shrimp 2003 Fishing Season Set at 38 Days On November 13, 2002, the Atlantic States M'larine Fisheries Commission's Northern Shrimp Section approved a 38-day fishing season for the 2003 northern shrimp fishery, a 14-day in-crease from last year's season. The longer season was based on a modest improve-ment in stock status and an attempt to prcscrv'c the northern shrinip com mer-cial fishery. The Coin mission's North-ern Shrimp Advisory Panel advocated a 47-day fishing season during January, February, and March, while the North-ern Shrimp Technical Committee rec-omimended that there be no fishing sea-son in 2003.
"The most recent stock assessment in-dicates that while stock biomass is still low, the 2001 year-class is among the largest ever seen," stated Section Chair, Pau1 Diodati from. Massachusetts. "T'he season, though short, is longer than last year in recognition of the improved stock status and contintcid economic hardship experienced by the New En-gland shrimp industry. I am pleased that the Section was able to work with industry to craft a season that has a good chance of protecting both the egg-bear-ing females and the smaller shrimp that represent the future of the fishery. We hope rhar it will providc fishcrmen and processors with enough shrimp to inahn-rain the commercial fishery. infrastruc-ture. The Section is encouraged by the strong 2001 year-class which, if left to grow, may provide an excellent oppor-tunity for stock recovery."
The fishing season will be in one pe-riod, January 15, 2002 through Febru-ary 27, 2002, with Fridays off. The sea-son is the same for mobile and trap gear.
In other business, the Section anticipates meeting this winter to review and pos-sibly approve Amendment I to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. (FMIP). The primary, goal of the amendment will be to provide addi-tional management options to regulate and promote the recovery of this spe-cies, while also taking into consideration the historical participation and impor-tance of the fishery.
The northern shrimp fishery is Jointly regulated by the States of Maine and New Hampshire, and the Common-wealth of Massachusetts through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Northern Shrimp Section.
The cooperative management program has been in place since 1972 and is cur-rently managed under the 1986 FMP..
For more information, please contact:
Michael Lewis, Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at (202)289-6400, ext. 330.
Atlantic Herring Management Area I A Closed to Fishing On November 22, 2002, NOAA Fisheries announced that as of 0001 hours1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br />, December 1, 2002, vessels issued federal Map of Atlantic Herring Management Areas permits for Atlantic herring may not retain or land more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring from Area IA per trip or calendar day for the remainder of the 2002 fishery. This
-:Al announcement was made based on projections that 95 per-cent of the Atlantic herring total allowable catch (TAC) alIlo-cated to Management Area IA for the 2002 fishing year (Janu-ary-December) would be harvested by December 1, 2002...
The federal catch limit restriction will cease at 0001 hours1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br />, January 1, 2003.
Under the Commission's Amendment I to the Interstate Fish-LE /
_-_1 cry Management Plan for Atlantic Herring, states must pro-hibit the landing of herring from a closed area and prohibit r directed fishing for Atlantic herring in state waters of a closed z'
area once a closure has been announced by the Regional Ad-ministrator/NOAA Fisheries.
During a closure, vessels par-ticipating in other fisheries may retain and land an inciden-tal catch of herring from a closed area that does not exceed Z
2,000 pounds per trip. For more information, please contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Pro-gram, at (202) 289-6400.
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11 / 12, November/December 2002 9
ASMFC RESOLUTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission resolves as follows:
Whereas, the states along the Atlantic coast, from Maine through Florida, work togcthcr in close partnership to promote and protect the valuable marine fishery resources that they share; and Whereas, these states share public trust responsibilities for these resources with each other, and also with the federal government; and Whereas, tie National Wildlife Refuge System, under careful management by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior, provides important habitat for our nation's fish and wildlife species, including the marine fishery resources of the Atlantic coast; and Whereas, there are more than 60 national wildlife refuges located along the Atlantic coast that providc nearly 700,000 acres of habitat for fish and wildlife species; and Whereas, national wildlife refuges along the Atlantic coast provide essential habitat for coastal and marine fisheries that support a inrulti-billion dollar industry of commercial and recreational fislicrics; and.
Whereas, the national wildlife refuges have made and are continuing to make substantial contributions to the management, restoration, recovery and sustainability of coastal fisheries resources; and Whereas, national wildlife refuges provide numerous opportunities for recreational anglers, with over 1. 1 million visitor use-days for salt water fishing; and Whereas, the National Wildlife Refuge System will celebrate its centennial on March 14, 2003, marking 100( years since President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island, Florida.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission congratulates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System on 100 years of conservation success through careftilly applied fishery and wildlife managed principles; and That the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission commends the United States Congress on passage of the National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act of 2000, and encourages increased funding and support of the National Wildlife Refuge System by the Congress to support management assistance for coastal fisheries, cooperative conservation programs for anadromous species, conservation and enhancement of valuable coastal fisheries habitat, and research to provide information for state and federal agencies to secure the public trust in coastal fishery resources; and That the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recognizes the National Wildlife Refuge System's key role in the conservation and management of the valuable coastal fisheries resources of this nation.
Done this 21 st day of November, 2002, in Williamsburg, Virginia.
10 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/12, November/December 2002
RI Pioneers Web-based Reporting Part Two: Building an Application for a Specialized Industry*
As a partner in the Atlantic Coastal Co-operative Statistics Program (ACCSP),
the Rhode Island Department of Envi-ronmental Management (DEM) is working with ACCSP staff to develop and manage an online trip-level report-ing system that meets data collection standards and utilizes cost-effective state-of-the-art tech nology.
Rhode Island has been collecting trip-level catch and effort data from its state-licensed lobstermen since June of 2001.
The state will take the next step soon to bring all fisheries up to the ACCSP's standards with mandatory dealer report-ing of trip-level data. Partner and ACCSP staff began developing an online appli-cation to serve this function during the summer of 2002.
"We've been listening carefully to the dealers who have assisted us in building this application," said Barry Brasseaux, Information Systems Programmer for the ACCSP. "They stressed from the beginning that their time to perform data entry is limited, and that it should be designed to minimize typing. I think we've found several ways to do that."
When users log-on to the Rhode Island Fisheries Information System (RIFIS),
they will need to enter a username and password assigned to them by the ad-ministrator for protection of their sen-sitive information. Once logged-in, deal-ers will see daily communications from DEM on pertinent information, such as quota status and fisheries closures. The advance warning of fisheries closures will make transitioning less troublesome for fishermen and dealers.
Within RIFIS, dealers and other indus-try mcnibers will enter trip data using online forms similar to the common paper forms. Users may also select data, such as names, addresses and permit numbers, to automatically populate fields when beginning a new logbook entry. The application will also create receipts and run reports for transactions, recalling the dealers' data of record. The report function will provide the indus-try with a process to confirm that its data are being accurately transmitted and stored.
The web-based software is written in Oracle Fornms, using Oracle Jlnitiator to download the application, which ser-vices directly with Netscape Navigator or lntern.et Explorer on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT4.0, and Windows XP platforms. No CDs will be necessary forr users who are already online. The application does require rela-tively high monitor resolution to accom-modate the application's detailed on-screen logbook images. DEM expects to make the application available to its dealers in January of 2003, making catch and effort reporting for finfish, shellfish and crustaceans simpler, more complete and relatively inexpensive.
"This system will be much more effi-cient for resource managers and mem-bers of the industry who use it," says Maury Osborn, ACCSP Director.
"Rhode Island dealers will soon begin doing much of the data entry that part-ners have traditionally employed staff to do. It will streamline the data, collec-tion process and save much needed state and federal funds."
'ha view an online demonstration of the RIFIS, visit http://llxww.accsp.org/
mainnews.html.
About the ACCSP The ACCSP is a cooperative state-fed-eral program to design, implement, and conduct marine fisheries statistics data collection programs and to ini tegrate those data into a single data manage-ment system that will meet the needs of fishery managers, scientists, and fish-ernmen. It is composed of representatives from natural resource management agencies coastxvide, including the Com-mission, the three Atlantic Fishery Man-agement Councils, the 15 Atlantic states, the Potomac River Fisheries Com-mission, the DC Fisheries and Wildlife Division. NOAA Fisheries and the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service.
For more information please contact, Abbey Compton, ACCSP Outreach Co-ordinator,'
at 202-289-6400 or abbey.conmpto n@accsp.org.
- "Part One: Surveying the Issues" ap-peared in Fisheries Focus, Volume 11, Issue 7/8 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 11, Issues 11/1 2, November/December 2002 I1I
The Staff of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission joins in wishing you the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1444 Eye Street, N.W, 6th Floor Washington D.C. 20005 Return Service Requested