FishNews October 22, 2008
WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
Alaska - NOAA Lists Cook Inlet Beluga Whales as Endangered |
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NOAA has determined that the Cook Inlet beluga whale population near Anchorage is in danger of extinction. This listing is the result of a scientific review and public comment process. NOAA scientists estimated the Cook Inlet beluga population at 375 animals for both 2007 and 2008. Listing the Cook Inlet beluga whales as endangered means any federal agency that funds, authorizes, or carries out new projects or activities that may affect these whales must first consult with NOAA Fisheries to determine the potential effects. Federal actions must not jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species.
The recovery of the Cook Inlet whales is potentially hindered by strandings; continued development within and along upper Cook Inlet and the cumulative effects on important beluga habitat; oil and gas exploration, development, and production; industrial activities that discharge or accidentally spill pollutants; disease; and predation by killer whales. NOAA Fisheries will identify habitat essential to the conservation of Cook Inlet belugas in a separate action. For more information, visit NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Region Website.
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Arctic - Annual Report Card Shows Stronger Effects of Warming |
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Temperature increases, a near-record loss of summer sea ice, and a melting of surface ice in Greenland are among some of the evidence of continued warming in the Arctic, according to an annual review of conditions in the Arctic issued by NOAA and its university, agency, and international partners.
The Arctic Report Card, a product introduced by NOAA’s Climate Program Office in 2006, establishes a baseline of conditions in that region in the 21st century and provides a way of monitoring the often quickly changing conditions. It is updated annually in October and tracks the Arctic atmosphere, sea ice, biology, ocean, land and Greenland. For more information, read the NOAA news release.
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Atlantic - Ship Strike Reduction Rule Aims to Protect Right Whales |
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NOAA Fisheries has announced new measures to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from collisions with large ships. The new rule requires vessels <65ft to travel at ten knots or less during the seasons that whales are expected to be present, in designated areas along the East Coast. In the mid-Atlantic area, the 10-knot speed restrictions will extend out to 20 nautical miles around major ports. Researchers have found that most right whale sightings in the mid-Atlantic were within 20 nautical miles of shore.
With only 300 to 400 in existence, North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered whales in the world. These slow moving animals are highly vulnerable to ship collisions, since their migration route crosses major East Coast shipping lanes. Additional protective measures that are already in place include surveying whale migration routes by aircraft, and mandatory ship reporting systems that provide advisories and information on right whale locations to mariners. For more information, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/.
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Northeast - Temporary Gear Restrictions in Effect to Protect Right Whales |
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On October 6, 2008, an aerial survey reported an aggregation of four endangered northern right whales, approximately 40 nm southeast of Portland, ME. As a result of this confirmed sighting, temporary restrictions are in effect for lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,445 nm 2, in the area of the sighting southeast of Portland, ME. These restrictions will remain in effect until 2400 hours on November 1, 2008.
More information is available at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/whaletrp/.
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Northeast - New Regulations for the American Lobster Fishery |
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NOAA Fisheries has proposed new regulations that would to improve data collection and better protect large lobsters in New England. The proposed dealer reporting requirement would help to provide a more comprehensive and consistent coastwide accounting of lobster harvest data to facilitate stock assessment and fishery management. The V-notching and maximum carapace length measures are, for the most part, identical to those already enforced by the states. These corresponding federal regulations would reduce confusion and facilitate enforcement within and across management areas. A maximum size requirement is also proposed for lobster harvested in the Outer Cape Management Area where there is currently no maximum size limit.
Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted through www.regulations.gov until 5pm eastern time on November 20, 2008. For more information, contact Peter Burns at (978) 281-9144.
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Northeast - Cooperative Institute to Focus on Ecosystems; Applications Invited through Jan 5 |
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NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research are inviting applications for the establishment of a cooperative institute that will focus on the following themes: (1) Ecosystem Forecasting, (2) Ecosystem Monitoring, (3) Ecosystem Management, Protection and Restoration of Resources, (4) Sustained Ocean Observations and (5) Climate Research. These themes will be supported by a variety of research activities, to be conducted within New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Through this new Cooperative Institute, NOAA also seeks to augment its existing Northeast Regional climate research with an expanded fisheries forecasting capability, and to develop an integrated capability to research emerging issues from an ecosystem perspective.
The deadline for applications is January 5, 2009. For more information, refer to the announcement, or contact Philip.Hoffman@noaa.gov.
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South Atlantic - Red Drum Management Authority Transferred to the States |
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NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to repeal the Atlantic Coast Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and to transfer the management authority of Atlantic red drum in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act. This action was requested by the Councils and the Commission. The intent of this final rule is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of managing Atlantic red drum.
This final rule takes effect November 5, 2008. For more information, contact Kate Michie at 727-824-5305.
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Gulf of Mexico - Deepwater Grouper and Tilefish Fisheries to Reopen in November |
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NOAA Fisheries will reopen the commercial fishery for deepwater grouper (misty grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) and tilefishes in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico for 10 days, beginning November 1, 2008. The agency had previously determined that quotas for these commercial fisheries would be reached by May 10, 2008; however, the latest estimates for deepwater grouper and tilefish landings indicate the quotas were not reached by that date. Consequently, these fisheries will reopen effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 1, 2008, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 11, 2008. The fisheries will then be closed until January 1, 2009.
For more information, contact Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov.
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Gulf of Mexico - Limited Tow Times in Effect to Protect Turtles |
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NOAA Fisheries has issued a temporary rule for a period of 30 days that allows shrimp fishermen to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in state and Federal waters off the coast of Texas. The designated area extends from the Texas/Louisiana boundary southward to the boundary shared by Matagorda and Brazoria Counties, and offshore 20 nautical miles. This action is necessary because environmental conditions resulting from Hurricane Ike are preventing some fishermen from using TEDs effectively. The limited tow times are in effect through November 7, 2008.
For more information, contact Michael Barnette at (727) 551-5794.
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Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Southern California Coast - Navy Requests Authorization for Marine Mammal Interactions |
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NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training activities conducted off the U.S. Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico for the period of January 2009 through January 2014. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA is proposing regulations to govern that take and requesting information, suggestions, and comments from the public. Click here to see a news release about the proposed conservation measures. The Navy's proposed actions would provide mid- and high-frequency active sonar for U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet ship, submarine, and aircraft crews, and support the requirements of the Fleet Readiness Training Plan.
In addition, the U.S. Navy has requested authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training activities conducted in the Southern California Range Complex, which extends south and southwest off the southern California coast, for the period of January 2009 through January 2014. NOAA Fisheries is also requesting information, suggestions, and comments on these proposed regulations. Click here to see the news release on this proposal.
Comments and information relating to both proposals may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov until November 13, 2008. For more information, contact Jolie Harrison at (301) 713-2289, ext. 166.
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Northwest - Final Rule Codifies Essential Fish Habitat for Salmon |
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NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to implement Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) identifications and descriptions for Pacific salmon included in Amendment 14 to the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan. This final rule codifies the EFH identifications and descriptions for freshwater and marine habitats of Pacific salmon managed under the Salmon Fishery Management Plan, including Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. There were no substantive changes from the proposed rule, which published in April 2007. The designated habitat is located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.
More information is available at www.nwr.noaa.gov, or contact Steve Copps at (206) 526-6140.
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Northwest - Inseason Changes to Pacific Groundifsh Management |
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A new final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries including: trip limit adjustments; the reopening of the Pacific whiting primary seasons for the shore-based, catcher/processor, and mothership sectors; bycatch limit increases; and modifications to the trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas. These routine actions are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, and are intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov until October 29, 2008. For more information, contact Becky Renko at (206) 526-6110.
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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOAA Brings Conservation Internship Program to the Coasts
NOAA and the Student Conservation Association have signed an agreement that will pave the way for conservation interns to protect some of the most valued coastal natural resources, working with many of the nation’s premier marine scientists. For more information, read the NOAA news release.
Public Hearings on Pacific Groundfish Trawl Fishery to Begin Oct 27
The Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold public hearings on draft Amendment 20 to its groundfish fishery management plan (FMP), which addresses rationalization of the trawl fishery. These hearings will take place on October 27-29, 2008, in Newport, OR, Olympia, WA, Eureka, CA, Astoria, OR, and Santa Cruz, CA. For more information, visit www.pcouncil.org or contact Jim Seger at (503) 820-2280.
Gulf of Mexico Council to Meet; Oct 27-30 in Mobile, AL
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene on October 27-30, 2008, at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza, 64 S. Water St., in Mobile, AL. For more information, contact Richard Leard at (813) 348-1630.
New England Council to Hold Public Hearings on Skate Fishery Management; Oct 27-30
The New England Fishery Management Council will hold four public hearings to solicit comments on proposals to be included in the Draft Amendment 3 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. The public hearings will be held October 27-30, 2008, in Hyannis and New Bedford, MA, Narragansett, RI and Portsmouth, NH.
Written comments may be sent to SkateAmendment3@noaa.gov until 5 p.m. EST, on November 10, 2008. For more information, read the announcement or contact Paul Howard at (978) 465-0492.
Golden Tilefish Workgroup to Meet; Oct 28-30 in North Charleston, SC
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Golden Tilefish Limited Access Privilege Exploratory Workgroup on October 28-30, 2008. The meeting will be held at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Office, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, in North Charleston, SC. For more information, contact kim.iverson@safmc.net.
New England Groundfish Oversight Committee to Meet; Oct 30 in Portsmouth, NH
The New England Fishery Management Council's Groundfish Oversight Committee will meet on October 30, 2008 at 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel, 250 Market Street, in Portsmouth, NH. The Committee will continue development of Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which will adjust commercial and recreational management measures as necessary to continue stock rebuilding. For more information, contact Paul Howard at (978) 465-0492.
Pacific Salmon Advisory SubPanel to Hold Work Session on Oct 30
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Salmon Advisory Subpanel will hold a work session by telephone conference to develop recommendations for the November 2008 Council meeting. The conference call will be held on October 30, from 9-11am; it is accessible to the public. For more information, contact Chuck Tracy at (503) 820-2280.
Pacific Council to Meet; Nov 1-7 in San Diego, CA
The Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory entities will meet on November 1-7, 2008, at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, in San Diego, CA. A detailed agenda is provided in the meeting notice
South Atlantic Ecosystem Workshop Rescheduled; Nov 6-7 in St. Petersburg, FL
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has rescheduled its South Atlantic Habitat and Ecosystem IMS Refinement Workshop for November 6-7, 2008. The workshop will be held at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue, S.E., in St. Petersburg, FL. For more information, contact kim.iverson@safmc.net.
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee to Meet; Nov 12-14 in New Orleans, LA
The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) will meet November 12-14, 2008, from 8:30am to 5pm at the Hotel Chateau LeMoyne, 301 Rue Dauphine, in New Orleans, LA. All full Committee sessions will be open to the public. Please read the meeting notice for a description of agenda items.
NOAA/American Rivers Seek Proposals for Funding; Deadline Dec 3
American Rivers is seeking proposals for river restoration project grants as part of its partnership with NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program. Funding is provided through NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative, which supports environmental and economic renewal in local communities through the removal of stream barriers. Projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, and California are eligible to apply through December 3, 2008. More information is available online.
Suspension of Minimum Size Limit for Atlantic Surf Clams
NOAA Fisheries has suspended the minimum size limit of 4.75 inches for Atlantic surfclams for the 2009 fishing year. The intended effect is to relieve the industry from a regulatory burden that is not necessary, as the majority of surfclams harvested are larger than the minimum size limit. For more information, read the Federal Register notice.
Atka Mackerel Closure
The directed fishery for Atka mackerel is closed in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area for vessels participating in the trawl limited access fishery. For more information, contact Jennifer Hogan at (907) 586-7228.
Northern Rockfish Closure
Directed fishing for northern rockfish is prohibited in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. For more information, contact Steve Whitney at (907) 586-7269.
Pollock Closure
Directed fishing for pollock is prohibited in Statistical Area 610 and Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska. For more information, contact Obren Davis at (907) 586-7228.
Pacific Cod Closures
NOAA Fisheries has closed the directed fishery to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. Directed fishing for Pacific cod is also prohibited for non-American Fisheries Act crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, as well as for Amendment 80 vessels subject to sideboard limits in this area. For more information, contact Obren Davis at (907) 586-7228.
Scallop Fishery Closure
The Limited Access General Category Scallop Fishery is closed to individual fishing quota (IFQ) scallop vessels through November 30, 2008. For more information, contact Christopher Biegel at (978) 281-9112.
Tilefish Quota Adjusted
The quota for the tilefish Full-time Tier 2 permit category has been exceeded for the 2008 fishing year, requiring an adjustment of the Full-time Tier 2 permit category quota for the 2009 fishing year. This action is intended to support the rebuilding program for tilefish. For more information, contact Timothy Cardiasmenos at (978) 281-9204.
FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS
For a list of only those actions open for public comment, try going to http://www.regulations.gov and scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal register online at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
NOAA FISHERIES ACTIONS
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