2020 USA Seafood Landings

posted in: USA | 0

U.S. fishermen at ports in the 50 states landed 8.4 billion pounds valued at $4.7 billion in 2020, according to Fisheries of the United States, 2020. These numbers indicate decreases in landings and value compared to 2019. U.S. Seafood Landings … Continued

Rutgers University Survey: Impacts of COVID-19 on Commercial Fishing Industry

posted in: Northeast | 0

Scientists at the Rutgers University Center for Fisheries and Ocean Sustainability are conducting a study of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial fishermen and their livelihoods in the Northeast US. Study organizer, Dr. Victoria Ramenzoni says: “There are … Continued

Maine Right Whale Proposal

posted in: Northeast | 0

In response to requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has submitted a proposal for regulatory changes to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in advance … Continued

Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2020

posted in: Events | 0

45th Maine Fishermen’s ForumMarch 5-7, 2020Rockport, Mainemainefishermensforum.org The 45th Maine Fishermen’s Forum will be held March 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2020 in Rockport, Maine. The Maine Fishermen’s Forum hosts fishermen, gear suppliers, scientists, government, and other stakeholders to collaborate on … Continued

Fish Canada – Workboat Canada Expo

posted in: Maritimes | 0

Fish Canada – Workboat CanadaJanuary 24-25, 2020Moncton Coliseum377 Killam DriveMoncton, New Brunswickmonctoncoliseum.comwww.fcwc.ca Fish Canada Workboat Canada is the premier event for Atlantic Canada’s commercial marine industries. Fish Canada Workboat Canada is the country’s largest commercial marine trade show. The event … Continued

Virginia Out of Compliance with Atlantic Menhaden Amendment 3

posted in: Mid Atlantic | 0

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recently received notification that the Secretary of Commerce concurs with the Commission’s finding that the Commonwealth of Virginia is out of compliance with Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic … Continued

NOAA Sea Grant American Lobster Research

posted in: Science-Research | 0

NOAA’s National Sea Grant Office recently announced new funding for research aimed at understanding physical and chemical changes affecting American lobster (Homarus americanus) in the Gulf of Maine as well as a regional lobster extension program. Collectively, the research projects … Continued

2017 USA Seafood Landings

posted in: USA | 0

American fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2017, according to NOAA Fisheries’ Fisheries of the United States, 2016. U.S. Seafood Landings – Volume and Value The volume of landings increased by 344 million pounds (3.6 percent) … Continued

U.S. Shellfish Landings Decline Study

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Researchers studying the sharp decline between 1980 and 2010 in documented landings of eastern oysters, northern quahogs, softshell clams, and northern bay scallops have identified possible causes. Warming ocean temperatures associated with a positive shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation … Continued

2018 ICCAT Annual Meeting

posted in: Atlantic | 0

The 2018 ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) Annual Meeting netted mixed bag of progress including new management plans, current measure, rollovers, and stalled proposals. Overall 12 new Recommendations and two Resolutions were adopted covering relevant issues … Continued

Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference 2019

posted in: Aquaculture, Events | 0

24th Annual Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference February 15-16, 2019 Eau Claire, Wisconsin The Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference is for interested farmers, aquaculture beginners, and current producers. This conference is a great way to connect with the industry, learn from the experts, and … Continued

Fairlead Boatworks Newport News Expansion

posted in: Mid Atlantic | 0

Fairlead Boatworks announced a major and far reaching expansion to its current operations in Newport News’ Seafood Industrial Park (SIP). The investment being made exceeds $5 million and will result in a significant and immediate increase in the size and … Continued

Rhode Island Education and Certification Program For Commercial Shellfish Harvesters

posted in: Northeast | 0

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recently announced a new, mandatory education and certification program for everyone who commercially harvests and lands shellfish in Rhode Island. Certification may be obtained by completing a 30-minute online tutorial, available on … Continued

NIOSH Regional Commercial Fishing Fatality Summaries

posted in: USA | 0

In 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a series of updated commercial fishing fatality summaries which analyze current trends and identify hazards in four regions of the United States: Alaska, West Coast, East Coast, and … Continued

IFISH 5 International Fishing Industry Safety – Health Conference (2018)

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IFISH 5 Fifth International Fishing Industry Safety & Health Conference JUNE 10-13, 2018 St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in collaboration with the SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Research … Continued

2017 Annual ICCAT Meeting

posted in: Atlantic | 0

Members from around the world tackled management challenges for tunas, swordfish, and sharks at the 2017 annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), held in Marrakech, Morocco. This year more than 700 delegates representing 47 … Continued

Atlantic Menhaden FMP Amendment 3

posted in: USA | 0

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recently approved Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Menhaden. The Amendment maintains the management program’s current single-species biological reference points until the review and adoption of menhaden-specific ecological … Continued

Florida – Texas Fishing Communities Hurricane Impacts Assessments

posted in: Gulf of Mexico | 0

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), with the assistance from NOAA Fisheries, are conducting rapid appraisals of impacts to fishing communities from hurricanes Irma and Harvey, respectively. The goals of … Continued

Newfoundland and Labrador Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Plan

posted in: Maritimes | 0

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recently announced 28 actions to promote sustainable aquaculture development. At the announcement, Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by members of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA); Ministers of the … Continued

September 2017 Hurricanes

posted in: Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, News | 0

In September 2017, North American commercial fishermen faced multiple hurricanes, tropical storms, and other weather systems. In early September, Hurricane Irma (Category 5) moved across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean before making landfall in Florida. An extremely powerful storm, … Continued

2017 NAFO Regulatory Area Fishing Opportunities (USA)

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NOAA Fisheries is soliciting interest in fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area for 2017. The announcement published in the Federal Register contains information on the available quotas for U.S. fishermen and outlines the process and … Continued

North Carolina Sea Grant Shellfish Aquaculture Workshop

posted in: Aquaculture, Mid Atlantic | 0

Shellfish farmers and other stakeholders are invited to join North Carolina Sea Grant at a free shellfish aquaculture workshop on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Morehead City. The session, held in conjunction with the N.C. … Continued

Canada Commercial Fishing Safety Report: 2015 Fatal Accident

posted in: Maritimes | 0

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) recently released its investigation report (M15A0348) into the November 2015 person overboard fatality near Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia. The report draws attention to an array of safety risks associated with the Canadian fishing … Continued

2017 NOAA Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Grants

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NOAA fisheries is accepting applications for its 2017 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program. High-priority areas for 2017 projects include: Developing innovative and effective technologies, gear modifications, avoidance programs, and/or improved fishing practices in commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce bycatch impacts. … Continued

Wisconsin Lake Michigan Whitefish Fishery Meeting

posted in: Great Lakes | 0

In January, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) will host a second round of meetings on the commercial and recreational management of Lake Michigan whitefish. The meetings will address concerns expressed by stakeholders during initial meetings. David Boyarski, DNR … Continued

Alaska Aquaculture Resources Website

posted in: Alaska | 0

Alaska Aquaculture Resources (http://aquaculture.seagrant.uaf.edu/) is a new Alaska Sea Grant website with information for Alaska shellfish farmers and other stakeholders. The resource includes more than 160 publications, presentations, websites, spreadsheets, and videos to educate and train Alaskans working in aquaculture … Continued

2016 Annual ICCAT Meeting

posted in: Atlantic | 0

The 20th annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was held recently in Vilamoura, Portugal. This year more than 600 delegates representing 51 governments gathered to discuss a number of important measures that advance the … Continued

2016-17 Apalachicola Bay Oyster Season

posted in: Gulf of Mexico | 0

The commercial bag limit for oysters in Apalachicola Bay will be lowered to three bags per harvester during the winter season, Sept. 1 through May 31, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Several other oyster conservation measures implemented … Continued

WPRFMC Marine Monument Resolution

posted in: Western Pacific | 0

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has agreed to a resolution that asks the U.S. government to address a suite of concerns before acting on the proposed expansion on the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) in the Northwestern … Continued

Nova Scotia Small Craft Harbours Infrastructure Projects

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This year, the Government of Canada will invest approximately $47 million in small craft harbour improvement projects across Nova Scotia. At Hall’s Harbour, a project is being undertaken to replace a deteriorated wharf with a new structure. This will provide … Continued

Atlantic Longline Aquaculture Workshop Summary

posted in: Aquaculture | 0

The summary report from NOAA’s 2015 Longline Aquaculture Workshop is now available. In September 2015, 44 experts in aquaculture, commercial fishing gear technology, marine sciences, and protected species met to discuss the potential for interactions, including entanglements of sea turtles … Continued

Massachusetts Surf Clam Aquaculture Research

posted in: Aquaculture, Northeast | 0

A project underway at Woods Hole Sea Grant is evaluating surf clams (Spisula solidissima) as a potential shellfish aquaculture species. An early phase involved distributing local hatchery-produced surf clam seed to southeast Massachusetts growers and establishing a seed clam planting … Continued

Greenland Halibut MSC Assessment

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Royal Greenland recently announced that Sustainable Fisheries Greenland has made arrangements with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to begin the assessment of the fishery for off shore Greenland Halibut on Western Greenland with the goal to obtain an MSC certification. The … Continued

Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers Meeting

posted in: Aquaculture, Canada | 0

In June, the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) met to discuss a broad range of common priorities including marine conservation, a process to review the Fisheries Act, market access for Canadian fish and seafood, responsible aquaculture development, … Continued

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Grants

posted in: Science-Research, USA | 0

In June, NOAA Fisheries announced a federal funding opportunity for Atlantic bluefin tuna research. The Bluefin Tuna Research Program (BTRP) is a competitive Federal assistance program that funds projects seeking to increase and improve the working relationship between fisheries researchers … Continued

Newfoundland Atlantic Cod MSC Certification

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The 3Ps cod fishery located off Newfoundland’s south coast recently became Canada’s first Atlantic cod fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture spoke recently on the issue of seafood sustainability, … Continued

ASMFC Socioeconomic Study on Atlantic Menhaden Commercial Fisheries

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The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has awarded funding to a research team headed by Dr. John Whitehead of Appalachian State University and Dr. Jane Harrison from North Carolina Sea Grant to conduct a socioeconomic study of Atlantic menhaden commercial … Continued

SAFMC Approves Spawning Special Management Zones

posted in: South Atlantic | 0

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has approved the designation of five offshore areas as Spawning Special Management Zones (SMZs) to help protect spawning fish and unique habitat associated with spawning activities in the South Atlantic, including portions of an … Continued

Caribbean – Western Central Atlantic Sustainable Fisheries MOU

posted in: Caribbean | 0

In January, three Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs): the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM); the Organization of the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA); and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations – Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission … Continued

2016 NAFO Fishing Opportunities

posted in: Atlantic | 0

The NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office recently announced 2016 fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area for U.S. fishing vessels. U.S. fishing interests (e.g., vessel owners, processors, agents, others) can apply for these fishing opportunities. … Continued

NOAA Fishing Industry Communications Survey (Greater Atlantic Region)

posted in: Atlantic | 0

NOAA Fisheries is conducting a survey of commercial and recreational fishing industry stakeholders in the Greater Atlantic Region. The survey will be open from March 1-31. The online survey is located at: https://survey.max.gov/152539 For more information, visit: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2016/march/01_take_our_communications_survey.html

2016 Salmon Ocean Ecology Meeting

posted in: Alaska | 0

17th Annual Salmon Ocean Ecology Meeting 2016 March 29-31, 2016 Baranof Westmark Hotel & Conference Center, Juneau, AK phone: 1-800-544-0970 www.westmarkhotels.com/destinations/juneau-hotel/ The Salmon Ocean Ecology Meeting brings together salmon researchers from the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and … Continued

Federal Shrimp Permit Requirement (South Atlantic)

posted in: South Atlantic | 0

NOAA Fisheries recently issued a reminder to shrimpers harvesting penaeid shrimp (white, pink, and brown shrimp) in federal waters of the South Atlantic Region, that for a person aboard a trawler to fish for penaeid shrimp or possess penaeid shrimp … Continued

Rhode Island Abandoned Vessel Grants

posted in: Northeast | 0

In December, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) awarded grants totaling $29,678 to two Rhode Island communities to fund removal of abandoned vessels from local waters. The grants, awarded to the Town of Portsmouth and the Watch Hill … Continued

2016 North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference

posted in: Aquaculture | 0

  2016 North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference February 12-13, 2016 DoubleTree by Hilton – New Bern Riverfront 100 Middle Street New Bern, NC 28560 (252) 638-3585 The 2016 North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference will bring together the general public, current … Continued