Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts
Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts were first offered by BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the Interior) off the East Coast in February 2022, which resulted in the sale of 6 leases in the New York Bite region for $4.37 billion. In May a lease sale notice was issued for federal waters off California in what is identified as the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) and the Morro Bay WEA. According to BOEM, the leases are projected to generate 4.5 gigawatts of wind energy, enough estimated to power 1.5 million
Fight Against Illegal Fishing by Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)
Countries are robbed of an estimated $26-50 billion annually due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). IUU fishing is defined as any fishing operations outside of current regulations and quotas. It is responsible for disrupting fish stocks, reducing biodiversity, and limiting resources for coastal communities. Billfish are just one of many bycatch species that are directly affected by this type of illegal practice. Our angling community, specifically those within the United States and surrounding countries that value a regulated and transparent fishery are directly impacted from IUU. In general, IUU has a destructive impact on the marine
Effects of Circle Hooks on Sharks and Rays – IATTC Review
In March of this year, the 1st Circle Hook Workshop of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) commenced. The goal was to analyze “scientific information regarding different circle hooks sizes and their effectiveness at mitigating bycatch and target species with the specific goal of defining the characteristics of an adequate hook for the purpose of mitigating bycatch of sea turtles in accordance with Resolution C-19-04.” In other words, which hook type and size is the most effective at reducing the catch of unwanted species for pelagic longline. Various experts were invited to present their findings on the impacts
Domestic Updates – June 2022
Closed Zones Currently in Government Crosshairs The 20-year plus Closed Zones off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico that greatly improved recreational fishing in the regions, now face immediate NMFS threats as the agency, once again, ponders authorizing “pelagic longline research”. The research will collect data based on commercially hooked, landed and sold fish to assess the 20 years of accrued conservation benefits. TBF believes that authorizing pelagic longline gear to wipe out the conservation gains for billfish, sea turtles, marine mammals and a plethora of additional marine species in these areas is a poor management
Laughable Government Options for Shark Depredation
The current National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) attempts to address the Atlantic shark depredation problem offers no realistic solution for reducing occurrences. The agency offered suggestions to mitigate the problem by lowering engine noise, changing baits, or moving the boat to another location when sharks are spotted, all of which are typically seen as useless by any seasoned captain or angler. NMFS did issue a grant to two universities to study this dire problem, focusing on Florida. The grant looks to quantify the number of depredation events and identify the shark species involved. The goal will be to produce
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Input on Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Environmental Impact
To identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA), NOAA uses science-based guidance, economic assessments, and social support. Key Message: Why Is This Happening? On May 7, 2020, the White House issued an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (E.O. 13921), which requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify suitable areas for commercial aquaculture and assess the impacts. Essentially, the proposed action is needed to address the increasing demand for seafood, assist with long-term planning for marine aquaculture development, and address interests and concerns regarding offshore marine aquaculture siting. NOAA Fisheries selected the federal waters in the
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Gulf of Mexico Fishery Update
After 11:30 p.m., May 17, 2022, fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico (i.e. those measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater). The Angling category fishery for trophy bluefin tuna will close effective 11:30 p.m., May 17, 2022, through December 31, 2022. Based on the best available landings information, the 1.8-mt Angling category Gulf of Mexico incidental “trophy” bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater) subquota has been reached and exceeded. This action could
Amendment 13 – Atlantic Bluefin Individual Tuna Quota update
Amendment 13 to the HMS Fishery Management Plan – Bluefin Tuna Earlier in May 2022, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued its Final Environmental Impact Review (FEIR) of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) program that began in 2015, and other changes in the bluefin fisheries. The purse seine fishery has been essentially inactive since 2015 due to size limits that generated a lot of regulatory discards. The FEIR includes options for the Pelagic Longline Fishery, the Purse Seine, Harpoon, and Angling Category, which includes a division of the North Trophy area into two separate designated
Changes to the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna For the Angling Category Fishery
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced increases to all Fishing Categories and has now defined what those limitations are for the Angling Category. Several months prior, TBF requested the NMFS increase the allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna to all segments within the Recreational Fishing Category and encouraged with this announcement. The adjusted limits go into effect on May 6, 2022, and extend through December 31, 2022, unless modified by later action. The Gulf of Mexico Incidental Trophy Size Bluefin Category for anglers remains open at this time. The trophy bluefin fishery for the southern area is closed
Recent Mahi Mahi News
New Florida Mahi Mahi (Dolphinfish) Regulations Create Inconsistencies with Federal Regulations Currently, the federal South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) Amendment 10 for Dolphin-Wahoo allows 10 fish per person per day, with a vessel daily limit of 54. Despite being approved by NOAA, the state of Florida felt this action was insufficient and approved additional proactive conservation measures put forth by the Save the Mahi Mahi Campaign. FWC’s new regulations reduce the daily bag limit of Mahi-mahi from 10 fish per person to 5 and reduce the recreational daily vessel limit from 60 Mahi-mahi to 30. The 20-inch minimum
