Dear NOAA Fisheries Constituents,

Everyone – commercial and recreational fishermen, NGOs, Councils, Congress and NOAA – knew it would be a heavy lift to put accountability measures and catch limits in place for all federally managed fisheries. Five years ago this week the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reauthorization was signed into law and required just that – catch limits for all federally managed fisheries. Well, 2012 is here and we are almost fully over the goal line. Yes, there are a few stragglers, but I can report that all federal fisheries will have catch limits in place in time for the 2012 fishing season.

Signed into law on January 12, 2007, the reauthorized Act called for all federal fisheries to be managed under annual catch limits and enforced through accountability measures by the end of 2011. Over the last five years, NOAA Fisheries, fishermen, the councils, our partner organizations, the science community and many others have been actively engaged and dedicated to achieving this goal.

Reaching this milestone represents a historic achievement and I want to particularly recognize the tremendous amount of effort and sacrifice on the part of our nation’s fishermen and fishing communities to get us here. Catch limits and accountability measures to rebuild stocks and ensure sustainable fisheries represent a collective investment in the future of fishing. And while these benefits will accrue for generations to come, in many cases they do require short-term cost. In addition to fishermen around the country, our eight Regional Fishery Management Councils deserve special recognition. Finally, the men and women of NOAA must also be recognized for their unflagging commitment to this effort and hard work in helping the nation turn the corner in our efforts to end overfishing and rebuild stocks.

Bold goals are difficult, and we all have weathered challenges, controversy and economic difficulties in pursuit of this one.  But even as we stand here today with so much work behind us, we know that ending overfishing is not something that is accomplished as a discrete end point. Rather, it is a step in an ongoing and evolutionary process. The science and management of federal fisheries will continue to evolve, change and strengthen to support the needs of our commercial and recreational fisheries and our coastal and ocean resources.

As we begin 2012 and a new leg of this journey, I invite you to reflect on the importance of our collective accomplishment and the strength it provides us to move forward and tackle other issues still in front of us. Some current challenges include working to further refine our management approaches to better meet the needs of fishermen and coastal communities, building on our world class science to better understand trends in fish populations and ecosystem considerations, and taking stronger steps to preserve protected resources like endangered species and marine mammals. Other challenges on the horizon include addressing habitat loss, pollution and environmental change and their effects on our living marine resources. We also must continue to deal with global challenges like pirate fishing.

We have come a long way since 1976 when our nation’s fisheries were being decimated by uncontrolled overfishing by foreign fleets. Thirty-five years later, we now stand at a point in history when the U.S. model of fisheries management has evolved to become an international guidepost for sustainable fishery practices. Still, we have much work ahead. So, on behalf of NOAA Fisheries, I’m proud to congratulate all of you who have been dedicated to achieving this goal and thank you for your involvement and dedication to helping evolve and build the science-based management that has become the signature of U.S. fisheries.

Eric C. Schwaab
Assistant Administrator for U.S. Fisheries

The Mackerel Management Committee will meet Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to review scoping documents for Amendments 19 and 20. Amendment 19 considers no sale of recreationally caught fish and various permit issues, Amendment 20 considers boundary changes and transit provisions. The Shrimp Management Committee will meet at 4:00 to review data from the 2011 Texas Shrimp Closure and determine whether to continue the closure in 2012. At 4:30 the Council will hear a brief update on the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP).

The Reef Fish Committee will meet all day Tuesday and part of Wednesday to hear a presentation on the Red Snapper IFQ Five-Year Review Survey Results. The Committee will also review and discuss:

• Final Red Snapper Regulatory Amendment – Fall Closed Season Revision & 2012 Annual Catch
• Options Paper for a Regulatory Amendment for Red Snapper Weekend/Weekday Openings
• Gray Triggerfish Update Assessment
• Final Action on Amendment 34 – Crew Size and Income Requirement
• Final Action on Amendment 35 – Greater Amberjack
• Option Paper for Vermilion Snapper ACL Framework Action
• Scoping Document for Amendment 36 – Red Snapper IFQ Transferability
• Reef Fish Amendment 33 – LAPP Program
• Reef Fish Framework Action for Red Snapper Payback Provisions for Overages
• Also on Tuesday, the Council and NOAA Fisheries will hold an informal Question and Answer session on general fishery management issues.

On Wednesday, the Joint Mackerel/Reef Fish/Red Drum Management Committee will meet to discuss starting an amendment to develop biomass-based stock status definitions, followed by the Data Collection Committee and the Artificial Reef Committee.

The Spiny Lobster Management Committee will meet to take final action on Amendment 11 – which considers two actions:  1) Creating new closed areas to reduce the impacts of lobster traps on protected coral species and 2) Requiring markings for spiny lobster trap lines to allow identification of trap lines entangling protected species.

The full Council will convene Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Public comment will begin at 3:15 p.m. Testimony will be heard on the following:

• Reef Fish Amendment 34 – Crew Size and Income Requirement
• Reef Fish Amendment 35 – Greater Amberjack
• Red Snapper Regulatory Amendment – Fall Closed Season Revision & 2012 Annual Catch Limit
• Spiny Lobster Amendment 11
• Exempted Fishing Permits (if any)
• The Council will also hold an open public comment session immediately following public testimony, until 6:15 p.m.  Comment cards must be completed before the start of public testimony. Open public comment gives members of the public an opportunity to address the Council on fishery issues that may not be on the agenda.

Beginning Thursday, the Council will deliberate and take action on committee recommendations made earlier in the week. The meeting is expected to conclude Thursday by 4:45 p.m.

Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the M-SFCMA, those issues may not be the subject of formal action. Actions of the Council and Committees will be restricted to issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency.

The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to, the date established in this notice. Meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council office at least five days prior to the meeting.

About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.

Coming before the Committee: Eight bills that seek to address perceived limitations or loopholes in the MSA. In his opening statement, Chairman Hastings voiced “hope” that witnesses testimony could “help the Committee identify where the Act could be amended to resolve the major problems that are currently facing fishermen and fishing communities.”

That’s indeed a “hopeful” statement for a Committee that failed to include even one commercial fisherman in public testimony. Among the 13 witnesses who were invited:  Six members of congress, two non-industry fishery council members, one registered lobbyist, and three — count them, three — recreational fishermen. With the exception of one well informed for-hire witness, testimony was clearly stacked in favor of recreational fishing’s issues and concerns.

Despite landing more than 8 billion pounds of fish valued at $4.5 billion dollars nationwide last year, not a single commercial fisherman was called to testify. Not one.

It’s no secret even at this early stage of MSA deliberations: Catch shares is emerging as the lightning rod topic. Commercial fishermen who work in the nation’s healthiest fisheries support the resource-first principles and responsible, sustainable practices of catch share models. Calling for testimony from fishermen who understand catch shares would have provided the honest and helpful committee insights for which Chairman Hastings had originally “hoped.”

Rest assured, the Full Committee Legislative Hearing is not the final word, only the first. We vow to ensure the commercial fisherman’s voice is heard on all issues related to the MSA moving forward. And we vow to be part of public testimony henceforth, lest someone can explain to this sector why the commercial fisherman’s voice should not be heard.

Below I’ve posted links to the discussed bills. While the titles look promising at face value, it is important to note the descriptions are creatively packaged by the bill’s authors. Having read them (as I encourage you to do, too), I am not at all convinced they do what the descriptions indicate:

H.R. 594 (Pallone), To promote jobs creation, promote sustainable fisheries and fishing communities, revitalize waterfronts, and for other purposes. “Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2011″

H.R. 1013 (Keating), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide the New England Fishery Management Council additional resources to address research and monitoring priorities established by the Council. “Strengthen Fisheries Management in New England Act of 2011″

H.R. 1646 (Runyan), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to preserve jobs and coastal communities through transparency and accountability in fishery management, and for other purposes. “American Angler Preservation Act”

H.R. 2304 (Wittman), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 to provide the necessary scientific information to properly implement annual catch limits, and for other purposes. “Fishery Science Improvement Act of 2011″

H.R. 2610 (Frank), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reform procedures for the payment of funds from the asset forfeiture fund, and for other purposes. “Asset Forfeiture Fund Reform and Distribution Act of 2011″

H.R. 2753 (Jones), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide Internet access to Regional Fishery Management Council meetings and meeting records, and for other purposes. “Fishery Management Transparency and Accountability Act”

H.R. 2772 (Runyan), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to permit eligible fishermen to approve certain limited access privilege programs, and for other purposes. “Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011″

H.R. 3061 (Pallone), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to extend the authorized time period for rebuilding of certain overfished fisheries, and for other purposes. “Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011″

]]> http://shareholdersalliance.org/2011/12/hope-for-magnuson-congressional-committee-on-natural-resources/feed/ 0 http://shareholdersalliance.org/2011/11/969/ http://shareholdersalliance.org/2011/11/969/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:53:43 +0000 mark http://shareholdersalliance.org/?p=969 READ MORE]]> Food and Water Watch got it wrong again. You will remember this organization from my July blog, in which I addressed their ridiculous editorial on New England’s Catch Shares approach to correcting a regional fishery in decline.

Their latest misinformation campaign, to discredit a successful catch shares program in the Gulf of Mexico, is neither accurate nor credible.  Among Food and Water Watch’s many fatal errors:

• failing to reference even once NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico 2010 Red Snapper IFQ annual report — the most comprehensive and current body of research on the topic. NOAA released the report nearly a month ago;
• Failing to disclose that the majority of “lost” fishing jobs they claim is caused by catch shares were actually permits that hadn’t been used (fished on) in for years;
• Falsely doubling the percentage of red snapper permit reductions from its actual 22 percent;
• Falsely stating fish prices increased only 3% when the median real ex-vessel price has actually increased 15% since 2006 (NOAA 2010 p20);
• Misrepresenting changes in the total allowable catch under catch shares; the net change in commercial quota from 2007-2010 is a 6.8% increase, not a decrease as FWW writers say.

Food and Water Watch claims its mission is to promote safe and sustainable seafood but its propaganda shows even they don’t take their claims seriously. Their latest white paper actually targets the very hardworking, responsible fishermen who are diligently advocating year-round access to fresh and sustainable seafood. In fact, Food and Water Watch dedicates an entire page to assaulting Alliance fishermen with an ill-informed description our organization.

Our members, responsible fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico consider our work successful when the anti-catch share lobby calls our mission into question.  In the pursuit of a sustainable Gulf of Mexico fishery, our position is leadership, our mission is stewardship. Our lobby is simple: truth.

This is a significant achievement and the direct result of commercial fishermen and others in the Gulf of Mexico, Washington, D.C., and beyond who have put their time and energy fighting for common sense management of our fisheries.

In the Gulf of Mexico, catch shares have enabled fishermen to deliver fresh gulf red snapper and grouper to consumers year round while rebuilding and sustaining our fisheries. Simply stated, our fishermen know the goodness a smart “share” program can bring.

It has been a pleasure to work with all of you to influence wise decisions in Washington and we appreciate that the voices of the Gulf fishermen have been heard.

The next steps include a vote by the House and Senate, both expected to pass the bill – the House as early as this week. Amendments will not be allowed. Incredible congratulations and a tremendous thank you to all involved!

One of those fishermen wrote a powerful perspective piece for the Wall Street Journal, which published today. Captain Scott Campbell, yields his real life testimony on how the Alaskan crabbing catch share program likely saved his life just as much as the crustaceans it was designed to protect.

Some of you may recognize Campbell’s name from the popular television series “Deadliest Catch.” He is captain of the Seabrooke, which harvests king crab and snow crab from sometimes 20-foot waves in icy conditions. In his piece, Campbell describes how old regulations forced fishermen to race against the clock, and risk their lives with reckless abandon. He argues that today’s catch shares have saved lives.

Once again, commercial fishing topped the list in 2010 for deadliest jobs in the U.S.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fishermen faced a fatality rate 33 times the average U.S. worker, Campbell wrote.

While some legislators have jumped the bandwagon to misrepresent catch shares with a persistent “jobs” claim, isn’t it time someone in Washington understands this:

When a fisherman loses his life while fishing, that fisherman also loses his job. Read Captain Campbell’s article here to learn how catch shares are sustaining American fishermen, and their jobs, in the fisheries wise enough to implement.

Here is the article: http://tinyurl.com/7sxlq2c

By SCOTT CAMPBELL JR.

Many people think I’m crazy for making a living by catching crabs in Alaska. Battling 20-foot waves in icy conditions and hauling heavy equipment is part of the job description. My dad, a lifelong fisherman, tried to get me to pick a safer career. A fireman once came up to me and told me he wouldn’t want my job, which was hard for me to believe.

But I can understand where my dad and that fireman were coming from. In 2010, commercial fishing once again topped the list of deadliest jobs in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fishermen faced a fatality rate 33 times the average U.S. worker.

Catching crab in the Bering Sea can be treacherous. But most people don’t realize that it’s become a lot less deadly since 2005, when fishing regulations for Bering Sea crab changed dramatically. The old regulations forced fishermen to race against the clock. To control overfishing, the government set a cap on how much crab fishermen could collectively catch, and we all had to stop when that limit was reached. Some years that meant we had seasons as short as three days. As in a car race, boats used to line up for the minute the season began.

This intense competition was thrilling but it was also incredibly dangerous. Crabbers worked around the clock, sometimes in terrible weather. There was no time to go back and forth to the docks, so some boats would be overloaded with too many crab pots, making them unstable. The result was that from 1990 to 2005 an average of five crabbers died a year.

Part of my finger was cut off during a violent storm when I got knocked off of my feet and landed on an air compressor. I decided against going to the hospital to have it stitched back on because I knew the fishing season could end any day and my crew had mortgages to pay. I nearly lost my hand after developing a nasty infection.

If that accident happened today, there wouldn’t be nearly as much pressure to keep fishing. Since August 2005, we fish under a much better system called “catch shares,” which are also in place in some other fisheries. Now regulators divide up how much crab the fleet can catch among individual fishermen, as opposed to collectively, so we can fish at our own pace during significantly longer seasons. Tighter Coast Guard requirements have also improved safety.

I believe catch shares have saved lives in Alaska because crabbing deaths are much less common now.

Since we switched to catch shares, one commercial crabber has died in the fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. He was a good friend of mine who worked on my boat. His tragic death happened on a very calm day at sea, which is a reminder that fishing is still a very risky job even with longer seasons. But fishing shouldn’t be made any more dangerous than it has to be.

Alaska crab isn’t the only seafood that is safer to fish under catch shares. I’ve heard halibut fishermen say their jobs aren’t nearly as dangerous compared to when the halibut season was limited to a couple of 24-hour windows in a year.

Catch shares have brought other benefits. Now we have a stake in protecting crab populations for the future. Because we aren’t in such a race against the clock, we’re able to get more young and female crabs we don’t keep back into the ocean unharmed. When we find an area has too many juvenile crabs, there’s time to go somewhere else instead.

Fishermen are earning more and the jobs now are more stable because we have much more time to catch crab. We can plan better because we know in advance how much crab we’re allowed to catch.

Crabbing before and after catch shares is like night and day. There’s no way I’d choose to go back to the old derby days.

WSJ’s original posting can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/bpb87q8

Glen Brooks, Cortez, FL
Bubba Cochran, Galveston, TX
Jason DeLaCruz, Seminole, FL
Buddy Guindon, Galveston, TX
David Krebs, Destin, FL
Steve Tomeny, Baton Rouge, LA
Bill Tucker, Dunedin, FL

Executive committee elections will be held at the first of the year. This is an impressive group of fishermen, each with keen interests in sustaining our Gulf fishery. We want to acknowledge each of their generosity of time and talents, including outgoing board member Ben Fairey who served exceptionally well since 2009. Thanks to you all, for all you do.

The panel will consider potential head boat pilot programs in the Gulf of Mexico. Issues to be discussed include the design, implementation,  monitoring, review, and evaluation of head boat pilot programs. We continue to support a process that lets fishermen design, vote and approve fishery management systems that work for both the fishery and the fishermen.

Undoubtedly there will be challenges and management issues in the head boat sector. But speaking from the perspective of someone who’s been down a similar road, if the same Gulf of Mexico fishery can unify its commercial fleet — to design, vote on, pass and implement a sector wide management program — surely the head boat sector can find success, too.

The answers won’t come overnight, nor will they come from a single source. This is why we’re encouraged by the Advisory Panel system that seeks the best answers from some of the most informed professionals around.

We’ll be watching, and updating you soon.

The August/September cover of Florida Restaurant & Lodging magazine features a color photograph of Gulf Wild™ tagged American Red Snapper, a fishery managed by a catch share system. The full page article, “Protect and Serve: Florida Restaurants Aided by Trackable Seafood, tells how Gulf Wild™ provides certainty for restauranteurs and it’s important to note it’s an indirect compliment to the success of catch shares in the Gulf, too.

Protect and Serve: FRLA

In fact, the only two current catch share programs in the Gulf are currently also the only programs that are trackable – Gulf grouper and Gulf-caught American Red Snapper. Both have been piloted in Gulf Wild’s™ trackable seafood program since January and will launch into full production mode early October.  Gulf grouper and American Red Snapper fishermen are proving that success is possible for their businesses and their fisheries, with well designed catch share management programs.

To download the FRLA story, simply click on the cover photo to the left.