Innovations and partnerships provide opportunities to Northeast groundfish industry

Contact:      Maggie Mooney-Seus                                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                      978-281-9175                                                                                          December 5, 2012  

     Working closely with Northeast fishermen, NOAA Fisheries is proposing new measures to help fishermen better target healthy fish stocks using selective gear, more easily report their fishing location, and allow them more consistency when fishing for some stocks through the duration of the year.

Winter flounder. Photo credit: NOAA

     “Several of the new measures were conceived by fishermen, and others are the product of collaboration between fishermen, researchers and our staff,” said John Bullard, regional administrator for the NOAA Fisheries Northeast region. “By working together and thinking creatively, we can find fishing opportunities even in these challenging times.”

     At the request of members of the Northeast groundfish industry, the agency is proposing that groundfishermen be able to fish for spiny dogfish in certain areas without having to use one of their limited groundfish fishing days. This will provide fishermen with better access to this abundant fish stock with little risk to groundfish stocks. Fishermen catch very few groundfish when fishing in these areas for dogfish.

     Another industry generated request, which NOAA Fisheries is considering, would allow groundfish fishermen to use smaller mesh size in their fishing nets in certain areas to target healthy Acadian redfish stocks. To protect vulnerable groundfish, NOAA Fisheries is limiting the amount of other fish that can be caught and requiring that fishing vessels carry an observer to monitor catches during redfish fishing trips.

     For fishing vessels that use small mesh fishing gear to catch hake, the agency has proposed adopting trip limits.The fishery is currently managed primarily through a combination of mesh size restrictions in fishing nets and limits on the number of fish they can keep. The New England Fishery Management Council recommended the use of trip limits, or a limit of catch per trip, as a way to maintain a more steady supply of fish throughout the fishing year and extend fishing opportunity for fishermen.

     NOAA Fisheries is also redesigning its most frequently visited Northeast Region webpages so fishermen and others can more quickly find the information they need. Through refinements to its electronic vessel monitoring software, the agency is working to improve the quality of data collected on the fishery by making it easier for fishermen to provide information on their fishing location. In 2013, NOAA Fisheries will also provide seafood dealers the option to receive all communications on regulatory changes and other agency news electronically rather than by U.S. mail or fax.

     “We are always looking for ways to simplify regulatory requirements and build support for our regulations, improve how we communicate, and promote innovative ways for fishermen, seafood dealers and other support businesses to make a viable living while protecting the resources they all rely on,” said Bullard.

     NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels at http://www.noaa.gov/socialmedia/.

On the web:
Spiny dogfish proposal: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/regs/frdoc/12/12efccsdogfishpr.pdf
Acadian redfish proposal: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/regs/frdoc/12/12redfishfisherymultisectorpr.pdf
Hake proposal: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/regs/frdoc/12/12mulamend19pr.pdf

 

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