U.S. Completes First Successful Felony Prosecution for Illegal Imports of Chilean Sea Bass

This is the first successful federal felony prosecution in the United States for activities involving illegal importation and sale of toothfish. Fadilur was convicted of false labeling, importation of illegally possessed fish, and attempted sale of that fish. Eleven cargo containers of toothfish, with an approximate wholesale value of $3.5 million, were shipped on three separate vessels as part of this scheme to illegally import the fish into the United States. Government agents in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York seized all the containers.

Read the NOAA news release.

Fishery Crisis Facts

The loss of ocean biodiversity is accelerating, and 29 percent of the seafood species humans consume have already crashed. If the long-term trend continues, in 30 years there will be little or no seafood available for sustainable harvest.

GreenPeace has put together a list of amazing fishery crisis facts.

Read it Here

Ecosystems based Fisheries Management

New report from NOAA EcoCheck summarizes ongoing development of a model that describes fluctuations in the number of young menhaden within Chesapeake Bay. Using both menhaden spawning stock and striped bass predation potential, the model successfully accounts for most
(~70%) of the variability seen in Chesapeake Bay menhaden recruitment. With ongoing work suggesting that weather patterns can improve the model, this approach appears to have the potential to support ecosystem based management for the Bay’s menhaden and
striped bass fisheries.

Get the full PDF here

Groundfish Measures Modified through Final Rule to Support Rebuilding

NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that implements Framework Adjustment 42 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Framework 3 to the Monkfish FMP. Framework 42, developed by the New England Fishery Management Council, is a biennial adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP that sets forth a rebuilding program for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and modifies management measures to reduce fishing mortality rates on six other groundfish stocks. This will maintain compliance with the rebuilding programs of the FMP. Framework 42 also modifies an! d continues specific measures to mitigate the economic and social impacts of Amendment 13 to the FMP and to allow harvest levels to approach optimum yield. All provisions from the proposed rule are approved except one that would have allowed trip limits for six species to be raised during a fishing year.
A summary of the new regulations is provided in a letter to permit holders. Information on restrictions that apply to recreational fishermen, charter boats and party boats is also available online. The provisions of this final rule take effect on November 22. For more information, contact Douglas.Christel@noaa.gov.