Page 12. MAINE COASTAL NEWS October 2016 Commercial Fishing News
Secretaries Pritzker, Jewell applaud President’s designation of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine Na- tional Monument
M C F N
Washington - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded Pres- ident Obama’s action to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. The monument, more than 100 miles southeast of Cape Cod in the northwest At- lantic Ocean, is home to undersea canyons and seamounts that comprise fragile and largely pristine deep marine ecosystems and rich biodiversity, including important deep sea corals, endangered whales and sea tur- tles, other marine mammals, and numerous fi sh species. “The United States is a leader in ocean
stewardship and marine conservation,” said Secretary Pritzker. “This designation follows extensive engagement with various stakeholder groups and ensures conserva- tion of important marine species and rec- ognizes the strong economic and cultural value of fi shing in the region. From sea level rise to ocean acidifi cation to warming ocean temperatures, climate change is aff ecting our nation’s fi sheries and fi shing communi- ties. Now, it is more important than ever to protect these valuable resources.” “Today’s designation will help protect
the unique geology and biodiversity of these important underwater features and wildlife species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” said Secretary Jewell. “This critical marine area, which serves as important habitat for pelagic fi sh species, corals, whales, sea turtles, sea birds and
other species, will now be protected and preserved for future generations, serving as an important natural laboratory for research and enhanced understanding of the impacts of climate change on our oceans.” The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts
Marine National Monument includes two areas: one that includes four undersea mountains - Bear, Mytilus, Physalia, and Retriever; and an area that includes three un- dersea canyons – Oceanographer, Lydonia, and Gilbert that cut deep into the continental shelf. The combined area is approximately 4,913 square miles. These areas are home to deep-sea
coral ecosystems with rich biodiversity and unique species. Additionally, these geographic features result in oceanographic conditions that concentrate pelagic species, including whales, dolphins, and turtles; and highly migratory fi sh such as tunas, bullfi sh, and sharks. A large number of birds also rely on this area for foraging. The purpose of the proposed monument designation is to protect these fragile and largely pristine deep-sea habitats, and species, and ecosys- tems. Designating the monument ensures continuing and expanded protection of the area for future generations. Both areas have been the sites of active
scientifi c exploration, investigation, and dis- covery by oceanographic researchers. The New England seamounts have been found to have many rare and native species, several of which are new to science and known to live nowhere else on Earth. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- istration’s research vessel Okeanos Explorer identifi ed 15 species of coral in the area that had not been previously reported. Commercial fi shing, with the exception
of a seven-year phase-out for existing per- mits of the red crab fi shery and the American lobster fi shery, and other resource extraction activities will be prohibited within the mon- ument boundaries. Additionally, a 60-day grace period is in eff ect to ensure an orderly transition for all fi sheries (other than red crab and American lobster) that are now pro- hibited in the monument. Non-commercial fi shing, such as recreational fi shing, will be allowed in the expansion area by permit, as will scientifi c research. Today’s announcement is made by the
President under the authority of the Antiqui- ties Act, a 1906 law that has been used by 16 presidents starting with President Theodore Roosevelt to protect national treasures such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the C & O Canal, and Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients. President Obama has used this authority granted by Congress now 27 times to protected hundreds o millions of acres of public lands and waters – more than any other President – and has preserved sites that help tell the story of signifi cant people and extraordinary events in American history.
This release revises the September 16th release by modifying the end time of Maine’s landing period and clarifying that vessels may only land once every 24-hour period.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section (Section) members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts met via con- ference call on Friday, September 16, 2016 to discuss Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) days out measures for Trimester 3 (October 1 – December 31). Section members, with input from industry, agreed to four consec- utive landing days until 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL is projected to be harvested or until further notice. Vessels may only land once every 24-hour period. Beginning on October 2, 2016: Vessels
in the State of Maine may land herring start- ing at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays up to 5:59 p.m. on Thursdays.
Beginning on October 3, 2016: Vessels
in the State of New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may land herring starting at 12:00 a.m. on Mondays up to 11:59 p.m. on Thursdays. Trimester 3 landings will be closely
monitored and the directed fi shery will close when 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL is projected to be reached. Fishermen are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A until the start of Trimester 3. For more information, please contact Ashton Harp, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0740 or
aharp@asmfc.org.
Atlantic Herring Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Closure in Eff ect Starting October 2, 2016 through October 29, 2016; Review of Spawn- ing Closure Possession and Landing Restrictions
Under Amendment 3 to the Interstate
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring, Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fi shery regulations include seasonal spawn- ing closures for portions of state and federal waters in Eastern Maine, Western Maine and Massachusetts/New Hampshire. In 2016, the Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section approved a one-year pilot of a new forecasting method that relies upon at least three samples, each containing at least 25 female herring in gonadal stages III-V, to trigger a spawning closure. Sampling in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire spawning area (Figure 1) began on August 8, 2016; nine samples totaling 654 female herring were collected to evaluate spawning condition. Based on the analysis of the samples, the Massachusetts/New Hampshire (MA/NH) spawning area will be closed starting 12:01 a.m. on October 2, 2016 extending through 11:59 p.m. on October 29, 2016. Vessels in the directed Atlantic herring
fi shery cannot take, land or possess Atlantic herring caught within the MA/NH spawning area during this time and must have all fi sh-
2016 LOBSTER BOAT RACE CD
Over 800 photographs from all ten 2016 lobster boat races. $12.50, which includes postage.
To order: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport, ME, 04496 or call (207) 223-8846 and charge to your credit card.
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