Granite State Stuff : Durham

Northern Shrimp 2009-2010 Fishing Season Set at 180 Days

AskLisa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

DURHAM, N.H. -- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section has approved a 180-day fishing season for the 2009-2010 northern shrimp fishery, the same length as last year’s season. The season was based on favorable stock conditions -- with the resource not overfished and not experiencing overfishing -- and a recommendation of the advisory panel.

The fishing season, which is the same for mobile and trap gear, will be open seven days a week from December 1, 2009, through May 29, 2010.

"Our efforts to reduce fishing mortality in the early 2000s continue to result in a high abundance of shrimp," said Section Chair Pat White from Maine. "We hope the markets open up for this plentiful wild-caught species."

The 2005 year-class (shrimp born that year) showed good strength in this summer's annual survey and will be available as a quality product of the fishery this season. The 2006 year-class continues to be very weak (less plentiful) and will likely be unavailable in significant numbers as five-year olds for the 2011 season. However, the 2007 and 2008 year-classes exhibited average strength when compared to past years of the survey.

"The Section is pleased that current stock abundance allows us to set another six-month fishing season," continued White. "The longer season gives dealers increased flexibility to identify new markets or expand existing ones."

The Section also elected Douglas Grout of New Hampshire -- New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Marine Division Chief -- and George D. Lapointe of Maine as its new Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.

The northern shrimp fishery is jointly regulated by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section. The cooperative management program has been in place since 1972 and is currently managed under Amendment 1 to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. For more information, contact Braddock Spear, Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400 or bspear@asmfc.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. For more information about N.H. Fish and Game’s Marine Division, visit http://www.FishNH.com/marine.

Stripers, Tidepools, Great Bay Adventures in new NH Wildlife Journal

AskLisa — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:13:00 GMT

If you haven't headed for New Hampshire's seacoast yet this summer, you'll be yearning for the salt air after reading the July-August 2009 issue of New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine -- Fish and Game's annual look at coastal New Hampshire's wildlife and wild places.

You'll meet self-styled "Bayman" David O'Hearn, whose leisure time revolves around the life of our beautiful Great Bay Estuary. Whether he's lobstering, clamming or live-lining pogies, this modern-day adventurer is happiest when he harvesting the bounty of Great Bay.

Saltwater anglers will hit the jackpot with marine biologist Kevin Sullivan's profile of one of New Hampshire's most prized sportfish, the striped bass. Find out what brings this predatory fish to New Hampshire waters this time of year (hint - it's not to spawn), get some striper-fishing basics from the pros, and learn why the rebound of the striped bass population is considered one of the most successful fisheries management programs in recent history.

Then, get an "otherworldly" coastal education in "Pools of Discovery" -- a look at the colorful inhabitants of the ever-changing environment of the tidepool.

Also in this issue of the Journal, the state's only magazine dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation and recreation, be inspired to visit Fort Stark State Historic Site on Newcastle Island; check out a "green paving" demonstration site at Great Bay Discovery Center; and learn about a multi-state effort to conserve rainbow smelt.

Naturalist's Notebook profiles the Atlantic rock crab. Other regular columns include Warden's Watch and a special Kids Corner for young readers. Wild Ways showcases the small but mighty oyster - did you know an oyster quietly filters 5 liters of water per HOUR?

Not a subscriber to New Hampshire Wildlife Journal? The magazine is published 6 times a year by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Subscriptions are just $12 for one year -- that's 40% off the newsstand price -- or $20 for two years.

To read sample articles, subscribe or purchase gift subscriptions for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life, visit http://www.WildNH.com/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_mag.htm. Subscribe before July 31, and we'll send you the current seacoast-themed issue absolutely free! Single issues are available for $2.95 each from N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine contains no advertising, and subscription revenue helps N.H. Fish and Game conserve, manage and protect the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats; promote conservation education; and create opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Granite State. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

Spiny Dogfish Season and Trip Limits Set

AskLisa — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Commercial landing restrictions for spiny dogfish harvested in New Hampshire waters were announced today by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Marine Fisheries Division. Spiny dogfish may be harvested in state waters from July 1 through April 30 or until the northern region quota has been taken; there is a 3,000-pound trip limit for spiny dogfish. The restrictions are in accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, one of the provisions of which addresses the need to control harvest in the fishery via regional quotas and daily trip limits.

The 2008 stock assessment for spiny dogfish showed that the resource was no longer overfished and overfishing was not occurring. With increased levels of abundance, the coast-wide quota for spiny dogfish is higher this year than in the recent past. Specifications set by the ASMFC for the 2009 fishing year increased the coast-wide quota from 8 million pounds to 12 million pounds and set the 3,000-pound trip limit. The northern region portion of the 2009 quota, which is shared by the states of Maine through Connecticut, has been set at 6,910,381 pounds.

"After several years of strict conservation measures, dogfish abundance levels have increased and the population is no longer overfished," said Douglas Grout, chief of Marine Fisheries for N.H. Fish and Game. "With the corresponding increase in the quota available to commercial fishermen, we felt it would be reasonable to increase the season by one month while maintaining the 3,000-pound trip limit."

For more information, call N.H. Fish and Game's Region 3 office at (603) 868-1095.

Established in 1942, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission coordinates the conservation and management of the 15 Atlantic coast states' shared near-shore fishery resources for sustainable use. N.H. Fish and Game is a central voice for New Hampshire's interests on this regional board. Visit http://www.asmfc.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department's Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit http://www.WildNH.com/marine.

Atlantic Herring Landing Days

AskLisa — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Beginning June 1, 2009, commercial fishermen will be allowed to land Atlantic herring taken from Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Management Area 1A (located in the western half of the Gulf of Maine) on Mondays and Tuesdays. Harvesters will be prohibited from landing Atlantic herring taken from Management Area 1A from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesdays, to midnight on Sundays. The restriction will remain in effect until 95% of the Total Allowable Catch for the period June through September in Area 1A is projected to be exceeded, or until further amended by the ASMFC Atlantic Herring Section.

"To make sure that some of the quota is left for the fall harvesting season, this year in addition to having an annual quota, a portion of the allowable harvest is allocated for each of two seasons -- June to September, and October to December," said Doug Grout, Chief of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Marine Division.

The landing restriction is in accordance with the ASMFC Atlantic Herring Management Plan, which addresses the need to control "effort" (fishing days) in the fishery to prevent harvesters from exceeding the Total Allowable Catch for each management area, which can trigger early closure. Management Area 1A is of particular concern because in recent years the Total Allowable Catch has been harvested before peak market demands abate in the autumn. States involved in the herring fishery are allowed to extend the fishery by controlling fishing effort through landing restrictions. The goal is to provide a consistent supply of herring to the market by controlling landings, particularly early in the season when herring may be localized in Area 1A.

An exception to the rule is that any vessel may land herring taken as an incidental catch in ASMFC Management Area 1A, up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds.

For more information about the restriction, call N.H. Fish and Game's Marine Fisheries Division, located in Fish and Game's Region 3 Office in Durham, at (603) 868-1095.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission serves as a deliberative body coordinating the conservation and management of the 15 Atlantic coast states' shared near-shore fishery resources for sustainable use. Visit http://www.asmfc.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.

Farmers' Market Opens in Portsmouth, May 2

AskLisa — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:29:00 GMT

The start of May brings the start of the farmers’ market season. Seacoast Growers’ Association’s weekly Portsmouth Farmers’ Market opens Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Five additional markets open the first week of June in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton and Kingston.

Rain or shine, over 50 local vendors can be found every Saturday in the City Hall lot on Junkins Avenue. Local produce, flowers and garden plants, meats and dairy, breads and pastries, prepared foods, fine crafts and more are fresh for the taking, sold directly by the people who grow and make each item.

What You’ll Find:
Year-round provisions such as fresh greens, maple syrup, wine, meats and baked goods are plentiful in the market’s early weeks, while other vegetables and fruits are yet growing and ripening to be picked.

Spring is also an especially good time to walk the aisles in search of the perfect plants for your own gardens—or to give as Mothers’ Day gifts. Vegetable and herb starts, bedding plants, perennials and hanging flower baskets abound. Not sure the difference between a Brandywine or a Jet Star tomato? Curious if a snapdragon will grow on your shaded porch? Ask the grower, and get some advice on pest control while you’re at it. Farmers’ markets are an excellent opportunity to learn.

In honor of the region’s rich agricultural traditions, almost 20 fine crafts businesses attend the farmers’ markets, too. Whether hand-spun yarn, landscape photography or all-natural health and beauty products, Seacoast Growers’ Association guarantees that everything sold at market is made locally.

Special Events:
As always, the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market presents a different entertainer every week. Opening Day’s live music will feature “folk songs and sing-alongs” by Random Acts of Harmony, a trio from Exeter. The rest of May brings: High Range, May 9; Taylor River Band, May 16; special guest TBA, May 23; and Rock Spring, May 30.

Market Tours will also be available on Saturday, May 9, in conjunction with the Sustainability Fair at the Middle School. Volunteer “food ambassadors” will meet tour-goers at the fairgrounds and lead them up the hill to the market, where they’ll receive a personalized tour, introductions to the vendors, and tips on how to choose and purchase items at a farmers’ market. There is no charge, and tours are expected to last 45 minutes. They will be conducted every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

What’s a Food Ambassador? Find out at the first training and information session! Learn about the implications of local food choices and how to be represent the local food movement in the Seacoast. The first training will be held on Opening Day, Saturday, May 2. Meet at the Market Information Booth; there is no charge to attend. This program is a joint project of Seacoast Growers’ Association, Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoat Eat Local and Seacoast Local. For more information or to RSVP (requested, but not necessary), contact Michelle Moon at (603) 422-7507 or slowfoodseacoast@gmail.com.

About Us:
Seacoast Growers’ Association is a state-registered nonprofit organization representing 57 local small businesses. SGA works closely with Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoast Eat Local, and Seacoast Local, all of whom can be found every Saturday at the market information booth.

Keep an eye out for additional special events, including special demonstrations at our weekday markets. To sign up for a monthly e-newsletter or for more information about our vendors or directions to market, visit http://www.seacoastgrowers.org.