ML072060344
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,\£ STATt-S Volume 13, Issue 1
- A S M F C January 2004 Al S Et RIES Fe fC" Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
- 1444 Eve Street, N.A Washington, D.C.
Worklng towards healthiy self-sustainingpopulationsfor all Adantic coastfish species or successful restoration well it progressby the year 2015.
Senator Owen Johnson and
- 2Jack Travelstead Honored at ASMFC Annual Meeting The Commission's 62nd Annual Meeting was a time for hard work and celebration. On the celebratorv front, the Commission had the opportunity to honor two remarkable men -- Senator Owen Johnson and Jack Travelstead -- for their contributions to Atlantic coastal fish-eries conservation.
The Honorable Owen Johnson of New York was presented the Commission's most prestigious award, the Chairman's Award for Distinguished Meritorious Service. Throughout his career of public service as a Member of the New York State Senate, Owen Johnson has maintained a Inside This Issue steadfast commitment to interstate marine fisheries conservation and manage-rnnt. For over twenty ),ears he has worked tirelessly to promote the mutual Upcomng efforts of the states in the Commission process. As Chair of the Legislative Com-
§SpeciesProfile: Atlantic Striped missioners for many years, Senator Johnson was a strong advocate of a greater
.Bass. Page 4 role for the Legislative and Governors' Appointee Commissioners on.species 2004 -2008 Strategic Plan management boards. His vision and efforts resulted in the full participation Approved page 6 that is today afforded to all Commissioners.
AtatcHerring }PID PReleasedl@*
forPubic HeComrment aD 8eas Senator Johnson's long-standing presence and support of the Commission and Lobster Addendum IV its programs provides a model for responsible stewardship of our shared coastal Page 9' resources. He sets an example of support for the Commission's work through his iactive participation and that of his staff. His public life is a testament to safe-ASFC 2004 Meeting Weeks guarding the mutual interests of both the people and marine environment he represents. Through his actions Senator Johnson has consistently demonstrated Summer Flounder, Scup and his commitment to the Commission's vision of healthy, self-sustaining popula-BlckS*a B ass 200<4 Recre a-Blacn.Bass1 et Pea- tions for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress tina u by the year 2015.
SSummier Flounder Addendum Vil* Approved Pg 10 Senator Johnson is the fourth recipient of the Chairman's Award for Distin-SpinyDogfish 2004 - 2005 . guished Meritorious Service, established by the Commission in 1996. It is Set Specifications ,Page II ! conferred to individuals that have had a unique and profound impact on the February Technical Meeting conservation of Atlantic coastal resources over the course of their career. Prior Week Agenda Page II honorees are Representative Gerry E. Studds, the late Senator John H. Chafee of
'AC*SPAnnounces2004 Funding Rhode Island, and Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.
Page 12 SEo2003 Hart Award Recipient Nm
.i>Page 1-3 Jack Travelstead, Chief of Fisheries Management for the Virginia Marine Re-sources Commission was presented the Commission's David H. Hart Award, at New 'ASMFMC \Website Launched contintied onzpage &
eC'A
-L~ A~m(:C 72b _
Upcoming Meetings 1/27 - 29:
New England Fishery Management Council, Hotel Viking, Newport, Rhode Island.
2/2 - 4:
ASMFC American Lobster Model Development Subcommit-tee, Stock Assessment Subcommittee and Technical Com-mittee, New Hampshire Fish and Game, 225 Main Street, Durham, New Hampshire.
2/2 - 6 ASMFC Technical Committee Meeting Week, The Lord Bal-timore Radisson Hotel, 20 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland; (410)539-8400 (see page I I for additional infor-mation).
2/11 & 12:
ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Alternative Bait Workshop, Com-fort Inn (BWI) Airport, 6921 Baltimore Annapolis Boule-vard, Baltimore, Maryland.
2/11 (10AM - SPM):
ASMFC Winter Flounder Technical Committee, Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel, 1850 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island.
2/24:
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Techni-cal Committee, Providence Biltmore Hotel, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island.
2/25 - 27:
ASMFC Bluefish TIchnical Committee, Providence Biltmore Ho-tel, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island; (401)421-0700.
3/1-5S:
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Sea Palms, 5445 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, Georgia; (912)638-3351.
3/14-6.
Maine Fishermen's Forum, Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine.
3/8- 11.
ASMFC Meeting Week, Radisson Hotel Old Town Alexan-dria, 625 First Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
3/16- 18:
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Shell Island Oceanfront Suites, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
2 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004
Our 62"' AniuaL Mseri iiig. NeYv IYortk City was ter- 2004,. drritted to providli-iga iidVCear_
ommr GIfc;,lhanks to tChCgCeirous siip1ort arid hard; work of- progress 'Ipoit This is anothexr cxample o' fdtvwoin-Ur .hdsts frFrom New York. We I/{ad the opp(or5Ituty- roFO 7derful talent and cdcdication We h aveC on Or Stiaff.
t~ti f6rtallv recogiilze' New Yo6rk StaIe SenatorF OwCen Johnsoniand ack'iTravelstead afrom Virginia for dthi:r Lookiig outside the Commissioni 2004 will be, ani imI-long, history of itivovenintitai spot for~ the'C~orrm p~ortantý,year as, the ntational dialogue oni lishdiesic man mission. O ur, covet- aricil contains additionailinfor-,* agellent for the reauthotrizatrion of tIle Magnuson-maation about theiir, awards. Followig is my Executive Stieve* i;Act xwill be framed: by the findings orf te Pew Dirccror's R6rpfor t 2003., and U.S. Oceanis Commissmiins. Several key themes ire elgIngrl Lthat: xwill likeix result in calls for policy chýangCs..
Year at TIere is conceirn- that certaint fishtcrIes manages ae voUr-a For the Comhi.
V6rint
- ially when strocks firSt ~l 0
ensu niued ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2004 3
Species Profile: Atlantic Striped Bass The Challenges of Managing a Restored Stock Introduction Striped bass have formed the basis of one of the most important fisheries on the Atlantic coast for centuries. They have been regulated since European settlement of North America.
Early written accounts recorded their great abundance. Striped bass were once so plentiful they were used to fertilize fields. Like those earlier y'ears, today's Atlantic striped bass population is thriving. In a little more than 15 years, the resource has rebuilt from an historic lowv of about 20 million pounds to an all-time high of 160 million pounds. This rebuilding did not occur without hardships. Both commercial and recreational fishermen alike have endured severe harvest restrictions and closures in some cases with the hope of seeing greater benefits in the near future. Fortunately, those sacrifices are paying off. Now the Commission focuses on the challenge of managing a restored stock.
Life History The Commission's Atlantic striped bass management program centers on the migratory population and spawning stocks from Maine through North Carolina, but the species can be found as far north as the St. Lawrence River in Canada and as far south as the St.
John's River in Florida. A long-lived species (at least up to 30 years of age), striped bass typically spends the majority of its adult life in coastal estuaries or the ocean, migrating north and south seasonally and ascending to rivers to spawn in the spring.
Mature females (age six and older) produce large quantities of eggs (see side-bar), which are fertilized by mature males (age two and older) as they are released into riverine spawning areas. While developing, the fertilized eggs drift with the downstream currents and eventually hatch into larvae. The larvae and post-larvae begin feeding on micro-scopic animals during their downstream journey. After their arrival in the nursery areas, located in river deltas and the inland portions of coastal sounds and estuaries, they mature into juveniles. They) remain in coastal sounds and estuaries for two to four years and then join the coastal migratory population in the Atlantic Ocean. In the ocean, fish tend to move north during the summer and south during the winter. Important winter-ing grounds for the mixed stocks are located from offshore New Jersey to North Carolina.
With warming water temperatures in the spring, the mature adult fish migrate to river-me spawning areas to complete their life cycle. The majority of the coastal migratory stock originate in the Chesapeake Bay spawning areas, with significant contributions from the spawning grounds of the Hudson and Delaware Rivers.
Commercial & Recreational Fisheries Commercial fishermen harvest striped bass with a variety of gears including gill nets, pound nets, haul seines, and hook-and-line. Commercial harvest peaked at almost 15 million pounds in 1973, then declined to 3.5 million pounds in 1983, a 77 percent decrease. During the early to mid-1980s, a number of states closed their striped bass fisheries in order to initiate rebuilding of the stocks. The commercial fishery grew slowly under a partial reopening of state waters in the early 1990s, with coastwide harvest rising from 825,000 pounds in 1990 to 2.01 million pounds in 1994. Most of this growth resulted from the fact that Maryland was permitted to impose flexible quotas that have risen with increasing stock size.
Under restored status, the striped bass commercial harvest steadily grew from 3.4 mil-lion pounds in 1995 to peak at 6.6 million pounds in 2000. Over the past two years, the commercial harvest dropped slightly to six million pounds. Beginning in 2003, the 4 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004
comnmercial quotas in- Figure 1. Atlantic Striped Bass Total Catch & Fishing Mortality, 1982-2002 Source: ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, 2003 creased Under Amendment - NOTE: Landings are shown in #s of fish, not pounds 0.6 6 allowing the states to Recreational implement coastal com- 5,000.000 Commercial Fthreshold N mercial qluotas equivalent to the average harvest during 4,000,000 -- F (ages 8-11,13+) El 1972-1979. 0 The growing popularity of i Vz 3.000,010 0.3 saltwater recreational fish- +
ing since the 1960s and -S 2.000,000 0.2 1970s, and th, lack of rec-reational harvest caps in 1,0000.00 I Co
ý20,2 a.
most states, led the sport fishing sector to land a ..
larger percentage of the to- I c (N har- " ..
tal catch. Recreational Year vest grew from 3.1 million pounds in 1990 to a record high of 19.6 million pounds in 2001. In 2002, the recreational harvest declined to about 18.6 million pounds. Figure 2 shows the breakdown of striped bass landings and discard losses by fishing sector in 2002.
The payoff for the years of restricted harvest has been big. Total biomass., or the total pounds of fish in the Figure 2. Total Atlantic Striped Bass Catch in 2002 (3,770,486 fish) fishery, has increased eightfold over the last 20 years. Source: ASIVFC Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, 2003 Recreational fishing for striped bass is at an all-time Scientific Losses Commercial Harvest high. Commercial fisheries have also benefited with 0.03% 17.35%
Recreational Discard Conmmercial Discard increases in commercial quotas, yielding greater eco- Losses Losses nomic profits. 29.67% 4.46%
Stock Status The Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, Recreational Harvest Stock Assessment Subcommittee and Tagging Sub-committee completed the latest annual assessment 48.49%
in late 2003. The assessment report included data through the 2002 fishing year and determined that striped bass are not overfished and overfishing did not occur in 2002.
Not only is the spawning stock biomass 25 times greater than the levels seen in the early 1980s, but the total biomass increased by an order of mag-Figure 3. Atlantic Striped Bass Total & Female Spawning Stock Biomass, 1982-2002 nitude during the same pe-Source: ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, 2003 niod (Figure 3). Both the to-120" ý=Total Bio.....tal striped bass population
-U- Spawning Stock iomas Amendment 100 . .A. SSBThtosho
.. biomass peaked in 2002 at 0 114 million pounds and 49 80 million pounds, respectively.
.The fishing mortality gener-Ane60 e ally trends upward since the men A &I ent moratoria in the mid-1980s.
E 40 A .. I" - The 2002 average fishing mor-tality rate for ages 8 to 11 20 F equaled 0.35, which is above the Amendment 5 and 6 04 Nt 0 0 t 0t0 Ftargets of 0.3.1 and 0.30, re-0 0 W0 0 W 1 o,
c,, 0 0 ea 0 ; on ý c o 0 U1 Co W o I o' .0 o . 0 0aY 0 Year continuedon page 7 5
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January Issue 1, 2004 January 2004 5
Senator Owen Johnson and Jack Travelstead Honored at ASMFC Annual Meeting (continued from page I) it's 62" Annual Meeting in New York As management City. board chair, he has a direct influ-Jack Travelstead epitomizes the traits for ence on the de-which the Hart Award was first created velopment and
- leadership, commitment, and integ- implementation rity. For nearly a quarter of a century; of sound fisheries Mr. Travelstead has been dedicated to conservation and the conservation and management of At- management pro-lantic coastal fisheries, not only in the grams for many of Commonwealth of Virginia, but the Commission's coastwide. He has been a consistent and managed species, valuable participant of the Commission including blueý process since the early 80s. represent- fish, tautog and ing the Commonwealth well while re- shad & river her- From left to right: ASMFC Vice-Chair Preston Pate, Jr. (NC), William specting and supporting the principles ring. Pruitt (VA), ASMFC Chair John 1. Nelson Jr., Hart Award Recipient, Jack and mission of the Commission and the Travelstead (VA) and ASMFC Executive Director John V. O'Shea Compact that unites the member states. He has also been a longtime member of the Mid-Atlan- The Commission instituted the "Cap-Mr. Travelstead has helped guide the tic Fishery Management Council on tain David H. Hart Award" in 1991 to evolution of the Commission's programs which he currently serves as Chair of its recognize individuals who have made and policies into the 21V century. His Highly Migratory and Blfefish Boards. outstanding contributions to the bet-forward thinking and continuous par- He has been instrumental in the devel- terment of marine fisheries on the At-ticipation have aided the Commission ,opment of some two dozen fishery man- lantic coast. The award is named for in making significant changes to the agement plans for the Coommonwealth. the Commission's oldest and longest Commission's Interstate Fisheries Man- A consummate fisheries manager, Jack serving member, a Governor's Appoin-agement Program, as well as the devel- Travelstead has provided effective and tee from New Jersey who was dedicated opment and implementation of a consistent leadership at the.state, inter- to the advancement and protection of coastwide data collection and manage- state and federal levels for over twenty marine fishery resources.
ment program under the Atlantic years, earning the respect of peers and Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program. fishing constituents alike.
6 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004
Species Profile: Atlantic Striped Bass (continued from page 5) spectively, but below the overfishing declared Atlantic coastal striped *bass threshold of 0.38 under Amendment 5 stocks fully recovered in 1995.
or 0.41 under Amendment 6.
Since Amendment 4, the foundation of Overall, the Atlantic stocks of striped the striped bass management program bass appear to be abundant in number, has been to maintain harvest below a capable of producing strong incoming target fishing mortality rate (F). While year classes and are being fished at lev- Amendment 6 modifies the F targets The Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle-els within the bounds of the current fish- and thresholds, it also introduces a new Roanoke regulatory programs differ ery management plan. The population set of biological reference points to more from the coastal migratory stock because should be considered fully exploited. effectively monitor the status of the these programs are predicated on a more population (Figure 4). On an annual ba- conservative Ftarget than the coastal mi-Atlantic Coastal Management sis, the female spawning stock biomass gratory stock. The independent Ftarget Considerations will be monitored to ensure this por- allows these jurisdictions to implement Before the Interstate Fishery Manage-tion of the population remains above the separate seasons, harvest caps, and size ment Plan for Striped Bass (1981), states threshold of 30.8 million pounds to and bag limits as long as they remain independently promulgated regulations avoid an overfished status. These new under that target.
(i.e. minimum size limits) to constrain reference points, as well as new man-the fishing mortality on the Atlantic agement triggers, enable the Manage- While the NOAA Fisheries continues to coast striped bass population. Striped ment Board to be more responsive to implement a ban on the possession and bass fisheries would not be where they changes in the stock. harvest of striped bass in the exclusive are today, however, without the support of the 1984 Atlantic Striped Bass Con-servation Act. This Act, which was the Figure 4. Amendment 6 Control Rule precursor to the Atlantic Coastal Fish-eries Cooperative Management Act, pro- FISG MORTALITY RATE FEMALE SPAWNING vided Atlantic coastal states with the nec-essary tools to cooperatively and more TARGET F = 0.30* 38.6 million pounds effectively conserve and manage striped bass stocks. <THRESHOLD F = 0.41 30.9 million pounds In an effort to regenerate the scarce ma- *The target fishing mortality rate for the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle-ture adult portion of the population, Roanoke stock is F=0.27 many of the jurisdictions implemented moratoria in the mid-1980s to protect economic zone (3-200 miles offshore),
In addition to the control rule, Amend-the 1982 and subsequent year classes. Amendment 6 includes a recommenda-ment 6 phases in new regulations for As a result of Amendments 4's stringent tion to the Secretary of Commerce to both the commercial and recreational management program, the Commission consider reopening the EEZ to a con-fisheries. Beginning in 2003, the coastal trolled striped bass fishery. NOAA Fish-commercial quota for striped bass was eries has initiated the rulemaking pro-restored to the state's historical aver-cess and is considering the Commission's age landings during the 1972-1979 recommendation.
base period, a 43 percent increase from the 2002 coastal commercial Over the next year, the states will fully quotas. As of January 1, 2004, all implement Amendment 6 and begin to states are required to implement a two monitor the effects of its regulations on fish recreational bag limit with a the stock. For more information, please minimum size limit of 28 inches, ex-contact Megan Gamble, Atlantic Striped cept for the Chesapeake Bay fisheries, Bass Fishery Management Plan Coordi-Albemarle-Roanoke fisheries, and nator, at (202)289-6400 or states with approved conservation
<mgamble@asmfc.org>.
Gene Kray with a keeper. equivalency proposals.
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004 7
ASMFC Releases Atlantic Herring PID for Public Comment States Schedule Hearings for February The Commission's Atlantic Herring Section approved the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for public review and comment. Initially developed in response to increased effort in the inshore Gulf of Maine component of the stock complex, the PID has expanded to address the implementation of a limited access program for all management areas. Additionally, the PlD identifies Maxiiuulnt sustainable yield, manage-ment area boundaries, spawning area restrictions, internal waters processing, fixed gear fisheries, as well as several other issues for public comment. While many of the PID topics arc similar to the New England Fishery Management Council's (NEFMC) scoping document for Amendment I to the federal FMP, the Commission is specifically seeking input on the management of Atlantic herring in state waters.
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey have scheduled the dates and times of their public meetings. The specific details follow.
Maine Department of Marine Resources Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries February 9, 2004; 6'00PA1 Februaty 18, 2004; PM Samoset Resort, Penobscot Bay Room Holiday Inn - Dedham 220 Warrenton Avenue 55 Ariadne Road Rockport, Maine Dedham, Massachusetts
Contact:
Lewis Flagg at (207)624-6548
Contact:
Melanie Griffin at (617)626-1528 February 11, 2004; 6.00PMJ Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife Scarborough Town Hall February 12, 2004; 6.00 PM Council Chambers B URI Narragansett Bay Campus 259 US Route 1 Corless Auditorium Scarborough, Maine South Ferry Road
Contact:
Lewis Flagg at (207)624-6548 Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact:
Najih Lazar at (401)423-1926 February 12, 2004; 6.0OPAI
. Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection Perry Municipal Building February 11, 2004; 7.00 PM US Route I DEP Marine Headquarters Perry, Maine 333 Ferry Road
Contact:
Lewis Flagg at (207)624-6548 Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact:
David Simpson at (860)434-6043 New Hampshire Fish & Game February 17, 2004; 7-00 PMf New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Urban Forestry Center February 10, 2004; 7:00 PM 45 Elwyn Road Nacote Creek Research Station Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mile Post 51, Route 9
Contact:
John Nelson at (603)868-1095 Port Republic, New Jersey
Contact:
Bruce Freeman at (609)633-2408 In addition to approving the PID in December 2003, the Section approved a timeline that brings the Commission's process in sync with the development of the NEFMC's Amendment 1 to the federal FMP. The PID is the first step in the amendment development process. Following the public comment period, the Section will begin drafting Amendment 2.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, either through attending public_
hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Public Input. While public comment will be accepted throughout the entire process, comments on the PID will be accepted until March 5, 2004. All comments should be forwarded to Megan Gamble, Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at <mgamble@asmfc.org>. For more information, please contact Megan Gamble at (202) 289-6400.
8 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004
American Lobster Board Approves Addendum IV The Commission's American Lobster movals when permits and traps are trans-Management Board approved Adden- fetrred.
dum IV to Amendment 3 to the Inter-state Fishery Management Plan. The For offshore waters (Area 3), the Board Addendum establishes management approved a LCMT proposal for a new measures for Areas 2 and 3' and modi- trap transferability program and a 10%
fies vent sizes and the interpretation of trap reduction by 2008. This program the most restrictive rule for multi-area would allow Area 3 fishermen to trans-fishermen. In addition, the Board ap- fer traps to other Area 3 fishermen. The proved Massachusetts' request for con- Board discussed the overall trap cap for as qualifying years to identify potential servation equivalency in the Outer Cape the program and decided to initiate Ad- participants and will allocate traps based Management Area. dendum V to address the issue. on fishing performance during 2000 -
2002, with pounds as the qualifying Addendum IV was initiated to address Addendum IV includes a vent size in-parameter.
significant stock declines in lobsters of crease for circular vents associated with all sizes in Area 2 (waters off of Rhode the 3 3/8" minimum gauge size to 2 5/ The Commission will be conducting a Island and Massachusetts). The manage- 8" as well as specifying the required vent peer reviewed stock assessment for ment measures include gauge size in- sizes for minimum gauge sizes of 3 1/ American lobster in 2004. This stock creases and effort control, neither of 2". These vent size changes are based assessment will consider new modeling which will be implemented until 2005. on a vent selectivity study by the Mas- approaches and input parameters such Gauge sizes will increase incrementally sachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. as natural mortality.
from 2005 to 2008, ending at a mini-mum gauge size of 3 1/2". The Board In other business, the Board approved a Copies of the Addendum will be avail-approved a proposal by the Area 2 Lob- Massachusetts conservation equivalency able injanuary and can be obtained ster Conservation Management Team proposal for the Outer Cape Cod Man- from the Commission's website at (LCMT) designed to decrease the num- agement Area. Instead of allocating wwvw.asmfc.org on the American lobster ber of traps in Area 2 over time through traps as outlined in Addendum III, the page. For more information, please con-a trap transferability program. Reduc- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fish- tact Carrie Selberg, FMP Coordinator, tions would occur through passive re- eries will be using 1999 through 2001 at <cselberg@asmfc.org.
Fourth Long Island Sound Lobster Health Symposium Postponed The Fourth Long Island Sound Lobster Health Symposium, previously sched-uled for May 3 at SUNY Stony Brook, has been postponed to late summer (date to be announced). Anyone wishing more infoimation should contact Nancy Balcom, with the Connecticut Sea Grant Extension Program, at nancy.balcom@uconn.edu or (860) 405-9127 (phone).
ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January 2004 9
ASMFC & MAFMC Approve 2004 Recreational Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass In December, the Atlantic States Ma- The 2004 scup recreational fishery will period's total quota (5.56 million rine Fisheries Commission and the Mid- be managed under separate regulations pounds) is projected to be met. This Atlantic Fishery Management Council for state and federal waters (see above action is intended to prevent an early approved the following recreational table for federal regulations). The Board closure of the fishery, thereby, allowing management measures for the 2004 approved conservation equivalency for commercial fishermen the opportunity summer flounder, scup, and black sea scup fisheries occurring in state waters; to land scup throughout the entire bass recreational fisheries. These mea- management measures will be developed quota period. Industry members have sures are intended to restrict catch to in early 2004. The Council approved voiced concern that this trip limit may meet recreational harvest limits. the development of a framework to not address the potential discard prob-lem if the fishery
- *1.... ... I, A , ... .
c oses ear ty. suc ,RI Species Recreational Harvest Minimum Fish Size Possession Limit Open Season the Commission LimitI will begin develop-Summer Flounder 11.21 million lbs state-specific state-specific state-specific ing an addendum in 2004 to address Scup 3.99 million lbs 10" (EEZ)* 50 fish (EEZ)* Jan 1 - Feb 29 1 1 Aug 15 - Nov 30* 2005 Scup Winter 12" 25 fish Jan 1 - Sept 7 I Period trip limits.
Black Sea Bass 4.01 million lbs 1__ Sept 22 - Nov 30
- For state waters, the Board will develop a conservation equivalency system for scup in 2004. The Council will be forwarding its The Commission and Council adopted implement conservation equivalency for recommendations to NOAA Fisheries for conservation equivalency for the 2004 scup, allowing for consistent state/fed- final approval. The Commission's ac-summer flounder fishery, requiring the eral management. tions are final. For more information, states to develop state-specific manage- please contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries mcnt measures (i.e., possession limits. '['he Commission established a 15,000- Management Plan Coordinator, at size limits, and seasons). The states will pound weekly trip limit for the 2004 (202)289-6400 or <rkerns@asmfc.org>.
develop management proposals and sub- Scup Winter I Period (January 1-April mit them to the Commission for ap- 30). Trip limits will drop to 1,000 proval in early 2004. pounds per week once 80 percent of the ASMFC Summer Flounder Board Approves Addendum VIii RecreationalRepayments Omitted from Addendum On December 15, the Commission's on a future amendment to address the While the Atlantic States Marine Fish-Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea issue. eries Commission and the Mid-Atlan-Bass Management Board decided to not tic Fishery Management Council man-implement the payback provision of The Board approved one provision of age summer flounder jointly, the Board's Addendum VIII. This provision would Addendum VIII, establishing 1998 as actions regarding Addendum VIII are have required states that exceeded their the base year for calculating the propor- taken exclusively uinder the states' man-annual summer flounder recreational tion of state-specific recreational alloca- agement authority. Addendum VIII will harvest limit to deduct overages from the tions. This action was based on the rec- be available on the Commission's web following year's quota. While the Board ommendation of the Technical Commit- site in January.
did not take action to address the prob- tee that 1998 is the most appropriate lem of recreational overages at this time, base year, since it was the last year regu- For more information please contact, it committed to working with the Mid- lations among the various states were Toni Kerns, Fisheries Management Plan Atlantic Fishery Management Council consistent. Coordinator, at <tkerns@asmfc.org>.
10 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2004
ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Board Approves 4 Million Pound Quota for 2004 - 2005 February Technical Fishing Year Commttee Week~
The Commission's Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Shark Management Board ap- February 6,040 0:
proved specifications for the 2004-2005 fishing year, setting a 4 million pound Lord ~Baltinre bRadisson Hot~el annual quota with trip limits of 600 pounds in quota period one (May 1 to 20 West Balim'o~re Strre October 31) and 300 pounds in quota period two (November I to April 30). ~Baltimore, Marylaffd These actions were taken in response to the results and recommendations of (4 10) 539-8~400~
the 3 7 "hStock Assessment Review Committee and the Commission's Spiny Dogfish 'Ikchnical Committee.
The 2003 peer reviewed stock assessment report indicates a seventh year of the lowest pup biomass in the time series, a truncated size range (i.e., low pup and reproductive female biomass), and no progress towards rebuilding the population to the female spawning stock biomass target. Using the constant fishing mortality rate of 0.03 and ignoring the low recruitment over the last seven years, the projections indicate the stock will recover in 23 years. While discard mortality is projected to be 10.5 million pounds, the Board did not have enough scientific evidence that a higher quota would change discards into landings without increasing the mortality on the stock.
The federal specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery are still to be determined. The Mid-Atlan-tic and New England Fishery Management Councils recom-mended to the Secretary of Com-merce a 1,500 pound trip limit and quotas for the 2004-2005 fishing year of 4 million pounds and 4.4 million pounds, respec-tively. The Secretary will set the federal specifications prior to the start of the fishing year on May 1, 2004.
The Board will next meet in the fall of 2004 to set the annual specifications for the 2005-2006 fishing year, as required by the Interstate Fishery Manage-ment Plan. For more information, please contact Megan Gamble, Spiny Dog-fish Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or
<mgamble@asmfc.org>.
2004 Technical Committee Meeting Weeks Scheduled In 2003, the Commission piloted two The schedule for these meetings fol- To help members improve the efficiency of Technical Committee Meeting Weeks low: their meetings, meeting management train-with the hope of reducing the number ing seminars will be periodically conducted of travel days for members of the tech- February 2 - 6, Baltimore MD throughout 2004. All members are encour-nical support groups, as well as travel April 12 - 16, location to be aged to attend these seminars.
costs for the Commission. Given the fa- determined (TBD) vorable review of the 2003 pilot, the June 21 - 25, location TBD For more information, please contact Dr. Lisa Commission has decided to implement September 20 - 24, location TBD Kline or Robert Beal at (202)289-6400.
four Technical Committee Meeting Weeks in 2004.
11 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol.
Fisheries Focus, 13, Issue Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2004 1,January 2004 I1I
The ACCSP Announces 2004 Funding IncreasedProposalsand Stagnant Budget Make ACCL;S P tQood Datq Quad Decisions FundingDecisionsDifficult The Coordinating Council of the Atlan- veloping an integrated state-federal sys- biological samples. important for stock tic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Pro- cem that eliminates duplicative report- assessments and management of ground-gram (ACCSP), a state and federal part- ing, provides better real-time access to fish, spiny dogfish and other Northeast nership for marine fisheries statistics, has information, provides an extremely fisheries.
allocated $3.5 million to its state and cost-effective data collection and data federal partners for new and ongoing entry application for multiple partners, The ACCSP awarded a total of $663,924 projects to improve fisheries-dependent and allows the fishing industry access to NOAA Fisheries for continuing im-data in 2004. to its own data while protecting confi- provements of recreational and for-hire dentiality. fisheries data collection on the Atlantic For the first time, the ACCSP's partner coast. These funds will support increased agencies requested more than twice the Some ACCSP partners that are already sampling of private boat and shore fish-Program's total annual budget. Given collecting commercial data to the ing from Maine to Virginia through the the increased readiness to implement Program's standards requested funds to Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics commercial trip reporting in the North- upgrade and maintain infrastructure. Survey and increased sampling of char-east and the relatively stignant ACCSP Funding was provided to NERO and ter and head boats on the Atlantic coast budget, the Coordinating Council was NEFSC for travel costs to ACCSP and through the new for-hire survey, which unable to fund several quality proposals SAFIS implementation meetings with began on the Atlantic coast in 2003.
for dockside biological sampling and at- various state partners. Georgia DNR sea bycatch sampling. will receive funds for implementing elec- Remnaining funds were allocated to the tronic reporting using a commercial soft- administrative grant, which supports
$1,176,828 was allotted for improving ware product and for a onetime redevel- travel for partners participating in con-commercial catch and effort data collec- opment of their commercial fishing li- tinued develo'pment of program stan-tion and vessel/fisherman/dealer regis- cense and boat registration system. dards, ACCSP administration and per-tration systems. This sum will support sonnel, and operation of the ACCSP data ACCSP-standard trip-level reporting Partners will receive a total of $329,929 warehouse and SAFIS. Actual project and electronic reporting by dealers for biological sampling projects, pro- proposals and specific funding amounts through the Standard Atlantic Fisheries viding critical management informa- will soon be available at www.accsp.org.
Information System (SAFIS) by Maine tion on important Atlantic coast fish-Department of Marine Resources eries. A cooperative project to sample (DMR), New Hampshire Fish and the snapper-grouper complex and Game Department, Massachusetts Di-. coastal pelagic fish by North Carolina vision of Marine Fisheries (DMF), DMF, South Carolina DNR, Georgia Rhode Island Department of Environ- DNR, and NOAA Fisheries Southeast mental Management, Maryland De- Fisheries Science Center expands on partment of Natural Resources (DNR), similar work conducted by Noith and Virginia Marine Resources Coin- Carolina with a 2003 ACCSP grant.
mission. The ACCSP Coordinating Council ap-proved continuation of work conducted New England and Mid-Atlantic state by the Maine DMR that samples At-partners will continue their implemen- lantic herring and other Northeast fish-tation of SAFIS, a web-based system to eries from Maine through New Jersey.
collect real-time landings data. NOAA NOAA Fisheries NERO and NEFSC Fisheries Northeast Regional Office roving sampler project will continue (NERO) and Fisheries Science Center and further improve sampling of fish-(NEFSC), and the ACCSP staff are de- eries with traditionally low levels of ASMUC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue ijanuary 2004 12 12 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Issue .1,January 2004
Megan Gamble Awarded ASMFC Employee of the Quarter Megan Gamble is truly an exceptional cluding the coordination of striped bass employee. Since joining the Commis- while in the middlc of Amendment 6 sion two and a half years ago, she has development. Her work products are or-become a vital part of its interstate fish- ganized and complete, clearly framing eries management program, coordinat- issues and serving to optimize ing the development of fishery manage- Commissioner's valuable time.
ment programs for several contentious Atlantic coast fisheries. Her exacting eye In less than three years, her efforts have for derail and thoroughness, her ability resulted in an updated striped bass man-to be proactive and to anticipate poten-" agement program, a new spiny dogfish tial problems, and her dedication to a management program, and a cbmpre-job well done have all contributed to hensive plan for the next update of At- versity of Rhode Island: Her masters the-her success at the Commission and to lantic Herring. All of this was accom- sis was on "An assessment of social im-the betterment of Atlantic coast fisher- plished with a cheerful, optimistic, and pacts analyses in US regional fishery ies.. It is these traits for which Megan energetic attitude. Her outstanding management plans."
was recently named the Commission's teamwork and exceptional professional newest Employee of the Quarter (Janu- competence have increased the overall As Employee of the Quarter, Megan re-ary - March 2004). productivity and quality of work of the ceived a $500 cash award, an engraved ISFM P, and promoted the Commission's pewter pencil cup, and a letter of ap-Megan personifies the qualities for vision of "health)y, self-sustaining popu- preciation for her personnel record. In which the award was developed -- team- lations for all Atlantic coast fish species, addition, Megan's name will be enr work, initiative, responsibility, quality or successful restoration well in progress, graved on the Employee of Quarter of work, positive attitude and results. by the year 2015." Plaque displayed in the Commission's She willingly assists members as they lobby, alongside those of Edith Carr, tackle difficult projects. During staff Megan received a Bachelor of Arts in Carrie Selberg, Geoffrey White and transitions, she has provided guidance Biology and Environmenta'l Science Kristina Ballard. Congratulations, Meg!
and support to the new coordinators and from Boston University and a Masters taken on additional responsibilities, in- of Arts in Marine Affairs from the Uni-The Commission extends a special thanks to New York Commissioners, Senator Owen Johnson (and his proxy Brian Culhane), Gordon Colvin and Pat Augustine for a wonderful Annual Meeting!
ASMFC Chair John 1. Nelson Jr. congratulates Senator Owen Johnson of New York on his award for Duistinguished Meritorius Serrvice.
13 ASMFC Fisheries Focus, Vol. 13, Focus, Vol. 13, Issue 1,January2004 Issue 1, January 2004 13
ASMFC Launches New Website www.asmfc.org The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries sure the Commission's progress in meet- to species-specific habitat fact Commission announces the launch of ing our stewardship responsibilities. The sheets and fishery management its new website at www.asmfc.org. Come new discussion forums offer additional plan information; visit our new species, fisheries research opportunities to learn more about the > Contact information and com-and habitat pages; participate in discus- Commission, while exchanging views in mittee lists for all relevant boards, sion forums on fisheries management, an open and constructive way." committees and advisory panels; law enfircement and protected species; and provide your input on proposed man- New websitc features include: > Discussion forums providing an agement measures; or just learn more informal way for stakeholders and Species-specificpages, with links to about the Commission. constituents to dialogue with fishery management plans and ad-Commission staff, ASMFC Com-
"We are excited about our new site, de- denda, stock assessment reports, missioners and other interested signed to be user friendly, informative and meeting summaries and pro-parties on issues related to Atlan-and accessible to all our stakeholders," ceedings; tic coastal fisheries conservation states John V. O'Shea, ASMFC Execu- Expanded pages on the and management.
tive Director. "The new website reflects Commission'sscience, researchand a commitment by the Commission in statistics.activities, including To access the web site go to our new Strategic Plan to empower Multispecies assessments, www.asmfc.org. If the site is already stakeholders to become active partici- socioeconomics, power plants, bookmarked on your computer, press pants in the Commission's programs. It aquaculture and fisheries inde- control/refresh to load the new version.
provides the public greater access to our pendent data collection and man- For more information, please contact management process and activities. It agement; Tina Berger, Public Affairs Specialist, at also provides the public tools to mnea- Revised habitat pages with links (202)289-6400.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1444 Eye Street, N.W, 6th Floor Washington D.C. 20005 Return Service Requested