Latest News

New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association Newsletter

November 2024

Hello NHCFA members,

It’s hard to believe we are now halfway through the month of November. Quite a few guys are starting to bring gear home, and some have even finished bringing up their gear. Although it hasn’t been the most plentiful year, the price has held nicely which has been a blessing.

This month’s newsletter will be a little shorter than last month’s as there aren’t as many updates to provide.

• NHCFAo The New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association has joined the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, Downeast Lobstermen's Association, and the New England Young Fishermen's Association. This will strengthen our legitimacy and our relationship with other New England Fishing organizations.• FISH AND GAMEo The New Hampshire Fish and Game and DMV will be holding their yearly one stop shop permitting at the Dover Point DMV. They are currently still trying to figure out an exact date and will notify fishermen when they do. We will also send the info along as a reminder.• NEFMC ​o New England Fishery Management Council has met several times through late October and into November to discuss the ground fisherman management plan for cod quotas. They've determined the 4 different cod stocks and areas. They will be finalizing quota on each area/stock separately. NEFMC will be meeting in Newport, Road Island on December 3-5 to take final action on amendment 25, framework 69. This will determine catch limits for ground fishing year begining May 1.o https://www.nefmc.org/news/groundfish-council-signs-off-on-amendment-25-prepares-for-december-final-action-on-framework-69-under-cod-phase-1

• Windmills and BOEM

o BOEM- The sale/auction of lease areas in the Gulf of Maine for offshore wind were approved on October 29, 2024. Nearly 440,000 acres were sold to two different companies at the lowest approved bid of around $50 an acre.• https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-holds-first-offshore-wind-lease-sale-gulf-maine

• Portsmouth Fish Pier Project

o November 14th, the Pease Development Authority (PDA) approved unanimously a motion put forth to start the construction of the new building at the Portsmouth Fish Pier. The contract was awarded to Bonette Page &Stone Corporation. The conversation was that they were looking to get moving mid to late December. The Port will keep the users of the facility informed as things start to proceed. Stand by for more information as it comes forth. 

I wanted to mention that many of us have attended the PDA's public hearings. At our last association meeting concerns were brought forth about the possibilities of some mooring restructuring. I watched the last PDA meeting minutes from October and there were discussions brought forth from the PDA about moorings and how they are structured. At the end of the meeting, they certainly have moorings on their radar and want to do some studies into the new year into the moorings. Ritchie White came to our last meeting and gave us the heads up about this topic, Thanks Ritchie. With this being said, you can go to the Pease website and watch meetings online or get past meetings as well. Good to keep informed from the PDA itself.

• Closing

We hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving with family and friends.  We will continue to monitor important events and happenings and report back to you as we get updates. We hope you can attend our next Association meeting. It will be at the New Castle Recreation Center on Monday, December 4th, from 5-7. The recreation center is located in the same building as the New Caste Public Library at the entrance to the common’s.