Recent Regulatory Actions--Fisheries 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 & Earlier
Comment Period for Gulf of Mexico Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) Rule Reopened (7/17/08)
Due to a request from the Gulf of Mexico shrimp industry, and based on new information collected through a NOAA Fisheries-funded cooperative research proposal, NOAA Fisheries is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule that would revise the list of allowable BRDs certified for use in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. Comments must be received by August 6, 2008.
Final Rule to Implement Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (6/25/08)
This rule, designed to rebuild overfished species of Atlantic sharks, should reduce bycatch through establishment of a shark research fishery, closing areas to bottom longline fishing, and a requirement for commercial vessels to maintain all fins on shark carcasses through offloading.
NOAA Fisheries Renews Permits for SeaShare for Prohibited Species Donation Program (6/25/08)
These permits authorize SeaShare to distribute Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut to economically disadvantaged individuals under the protected species donation program. Salmon and halibut are caught incidentally during directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear off Alaska.
Final Rule to Create Incidental Monkfish Catch Limits in the Northeast (6/25/08)
This rule is intended to allow small scallop dredge vessels to land monkfish that currently are being discarded, consistent with National Standard 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Request for Applications for the 2008 Atlantic Shark Research Fishery (6/25/08)
This research fishery will allow NOAA Fisheries and commercial fishermen to conduct cooperative research to meet agency shark research objectives. Research objectives include evaluating the effects of controlled gear experiments to determine the effects of potential hook changes to prohibited species interactions and fishery yields. Applications must be received by July 15, 2008.
Proposed Rule to Decertify Bycatch Reduction Devices in the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (6/3/08)
This rule would decertify the expanded mesh bycatch reduction device (BRD), the "Gulf fisheye" BRD, and the "fisheye" BRD. This rule also would certify a new specification for the fisheye device to be used in the Gulf of Mexico. Comments must be received no later than July 3, 2008.
Final Rule to Implement 2008 Specifications for Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries (4/29/08)
This rule, among other things, modifies incidental possession limits for mackerel and butterfish in order to help address the overfished status of the butterfish stock.
Proposed Rule to Approve Eliminator Trawl Gear Use (5/21/08)
This rule would approve eliminator trawl use in two special access programs of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Comments on this proposed rule must be received by June 4, 2008.
Proposed Rule to Limit Bottom Trawling off Alaska (4/29/08)
NOAA Fisheries has issued a proposed rule that would establish new habitat conservation measures as part of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. This proposal, called Amendment 89, if approved, would prohibit nonpelagic trawling in certain waters of the Bering Sea to protect bottom habitat from the potential adverse effects of nonpelagic trawling. Comments must be received by April 21, 2008.
Final Rule to Limit Weakfish Bycatch (4/09/08)
NOAA Fisheries has completed a final rule to decrease the incidental catch allowance for weakfish caught in the Exclusive Economic Zone from 300 lb to no more than 150 lb per day or trip, whichever is longer in duration. This measure was developed to respond to recent stock assessment data that suggested low weakfish biomass.
Final Rule to Implement Changes for Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in the Southeastern Shrimp Fishery (2/13/08)
This final rule makes the following changes regarding BRDs used by the shrimp fishery: (1) the BRD certification criteria is changed for the Western Gulf of Mexico, (2) the BRD Testing Manuals have been revised and consolidated, and (3) new BRDs are certified for use in the shrimp fishery.
Final Rule to Implement Bycatch Reporting Methodology for Northeast Fisheries (2/04/07)
This rule implements approved managment measures contained in the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the Northeast Region, developed by the Mid-Atlantc and New England Fishery Management Councils.
Final Rule to Shrimp and Reef Fish Plans Would Reduce Bycatch
(2/04/07)
This final rule to implement joint Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Amendment 14 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico provides for, among other things, seasonal closures of the Gulf shrimp fishery to reduce red snapper bycatch.
Final Rule Regarding Fishing Gear Performance Standards in Northeast Fisheries (1/02/07)
This rule adopts specific performance standards for fishing gear used in the Northeast Multispecies Regular B Day-At-Sea Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program. The standards seek to ensure that new gear have comparable bycatch reduction with the currently approved haddock separator trawl before the New England Fishery Management Council may recommend that the Northeast Regional Administrator include the gear in either of the above programs.
Proposed Rule to Change Regulations for Exempted Fishing Permits (1/02/07) This proposed rule could affect conservation engineering research regarding fishing gear designs to reduce bycatch. Comments on this rule must be received by March 20, 2008.
Final Rule to Require Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) in West Coast Fisheries (1/02/07)
This final rule requires all vessels fishing in the open access groundfish fishery, and all trawl vessels, to use VMS transcievers while fishing off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. NOAA Fisheries has closed fishing areas off these states to, among other things, minimize the bycatch of overfished groundfish protected salmon species. This action is intended to improve the monitoring of compliance with closed areas through regular VMS transmissions of vessel locations for vessels subject to closed area restrictions.
Final Rule Regarding Fishing Gear Performance Standards in Northeast Fisheries (1/02/07)
This rule adopts specific performance standards for fishing gear used in the Northeast Multispecies Regular B Day-At-Sea Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program. The standards seek to ensure that new gear have comparable bycatch reduction with the currently approved haddock separator trawl before the New England Fishery Management Council may recommend that the Northeast Regional Administrator include the gear in either of the above programs.
New Measures Adopted by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) (1/02/07)
NOAA Fisheries has published for public comment conservation and management measures and resolutions that were recently adopted by CCAMLR. Those measures pertain to fishing in the CCAMLR Convention Area and would restrict finfish, squid, krill and crab landings, impose new area closures, and restrict the use of certain fishing gear. Comments on this rule must be received by January 22, 2008.
Final Rule to Implement Management Measure Changes to the Commercial Pacific Groundfish Fishery (1/02/07)
This rule includes provisions to set the trawl Rockfish Conservation Area boundaries such that they take into account recent scientific information on constraining overfished species bycatch early in the year. Comments on the plan must be received no later than January 15, 2008.
Comments Requested on Alaska Amendments to Protect Corals and Sponges from Fishing (11/20/07)
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted four amendments to current fishery management plans to revise the boundaries of the Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area and reduce the impacts of gear that may impact sensitive habitat. Comments on the amendments are due by January 14, 2008.
NOAA Fisheries Reopens Comment Period for Amendment 2 to the HMS FMP (11/20/07)
NOAA Fisheries has reopened the comment period for the draft Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan and its associated proposed rule. This proposed rule addresses shark overfishing and bycatch. Comments are due by December 17, 2008.
Final Rule for American Lobster Fishery Will Increase Escape Vent Sizes (11/20/07)
This rule, designed to reduce catches of immature lobsters, will increase trap escape vent size to 2 1/16 inches X 5 3/4 inches rectangular (5.24 X 14.61 cm) or require two circular vents at 2 11/16 inches diameter (6.83 cm) by July 1, 2010.
Temporary Red Snapper Rule Maintains Red Snapper Bycatch Reduction Goal (12/17/07)
NOAA Fisheries has published a temporary rule to amend and extend the effective date of current management measures for red snapper in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These measures were originally implemented through a rule published on April 2, 2007. Among other things, this rule maintains the goal of reduce red snapper bycatch mortality in the shrimp fishery to 50 percent of the bycatch mortality from 2001-2003. This extension is effective through March 28, 2008.
Final Rule to Establish New Catch Accounting Requirements for Whiting Fishery (12/17/07)
This rule is intended to improve NOAA's ability to effectively monitor the Pacific whiting shoreside fishery so that catch of Pacific whiting and incidentally caught species, including overfished groundfish species, do not result in a species' optimum yield, harvest guideline, allocations, or bycatch limits being exceeded.
Proposed Rule to Extend Rule to Reduce Haddock Discards (11/20/07)
This rule would extend the effectiveness of an emergency rule set to expire on February 6, 2008, through August 10, 2008. This final rule reduces the commercial minimum haddock size to 18 inches (from the previous minimum size of 19 inches). The rule is intended to prevent excessive waste and comply with the goals of reducing discards and maintaining multispecies rebuilding programs, while helping to achieve optimum yield. Comments are due by December 14, 2008.
Proposed Rule to Implement Reef Fish and Shrimp Amendments to Reduce Bycatch (11/20/07)
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries have proposed measures to, among other things, require the use of venting tools and dehooking devices when participating in the commercial or recreational reef fish fisheries, and provide for seasonal closures of the Gulf shrimp fishery to reduce red snapper bycatch. Comments are due by December 7, 2008.
Request for Comments on Pelagic Longline Closed Area Research (11/13/07)
NOAA Fisheries has announced the availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to conduct research using pelagic longline gear in the East Florida Coast and Charleston Bump closed areas. Comments on the EA may be submitted through November 20, 2007.
Modified Standards Proposed for New Gear Types in Groundfish Fisheries (11/13/07)
This proposed rule would amend the minimum performance standards of fishing gear proposed for use in the Northeast multispecies Regular B Days-at-Sea Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program (SAP). Under current regulations, the only fishing gear allowed for use in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, and the only trawl gear allowed for use in the Regular B DAS Program, is a properly configured haddock separator trawl, which minimizes bycatch of cod. The purpose of this rule is to provide greater flexibility to fishermen participating in these programs. Comments on this rule may be submitted through November 14, 2007.
Escape Vents Considered for Trap Fisheries in Caribbean (11/13/07)
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that analyzes management alternatives for an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and the FMP for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI. These alternatives will consider measures to implement escape vents in the trap sector of both fisheries. Five stocks in these fisheries are undergoing overfishing, four are overfished, and two are approaching an overfishing condition. A reduction in bycatch will help prevent those stocks experiencing overfishing from becoming overfished, and help overfished stocks to meet the goals of their rebuilding plan. Comments on the DEIS may be submitted through November 8.
Proposed Rule for Changes in Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) Regulations
(11/13/07)
This proposed rule would change the bycatch reduction certification criteria for the western Gulf of Mexico, revise and consolidate the BRD Testing Manuals, and certify new BRDs for use in the shrimp fishery. Comments on this rule may be submitted through November 13, 2007.
Emergency Final Rule to Reduce Haddock Discards (8/30/07)
NOAA Fisheries Service has taken emergency action to reduce discards of Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine haddock. This final rule reduces the commercial minimum haddock size to 18 inches (from the previous minimum size of 19 inches). The rule is intended to prevent excessive waste and comply with the goals of reducing discards and maintaining multispecies rebuilding programs, while helping to achieve optimum yield. This action is effective through February 6, 2008.
Amendments to Reduce Red Snapper Bycatch and Discard Mortality Available for Public Comment (8/30/07)
NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the joint amendments for Gulf of Mexico red snapper (Reef Fish Amendment 27) and shrimp (Amendment 14) that were recently submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Joint amendment 27/14 proposes actions to reduce the red snapper catch, bycatch, and discard mortality in the directed commercial and recreational fisheries and the shrimp fishery. Comments on the rule may be submitted through September 24, 2007.
Proposed Rule for Vessel Monitoring Systems in Open Access Groundfish Fishery (8/30/07)
NOAA Fisheries has implemented a series of large-scale geographically-defined closed areas intended to minimize the bycatch of overfished groundfish species, minimize the bycatch of protected salmon species, and protect Essential Fish Habitat from harm through contact with fishing gear. This proposal is intended to improve the monitoring of compliance with those closed areas. Comments may be submitted through September 7, 2007.
Notice of Availability of Northeast Region Bycatch Reporting Amendment (8/6/07)
NOAA Fisheries announces that the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils have submitted an omnibus amendment to the fishery management plans of the Northeast Region to establish a standardized bycatch reporting methodology, for review by the Secretary of Commerce, and is requesting comments from the public. Comments must be received by September 24, 2007.
Shrimp Fishery Reopens off Texas (7/20/07)
Federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas opened to shrimp trawling on July 15, 2007, corresponding to the time the State of Texas opened its waters to shrimp trawling. The shrimp fishery is closed annually off Texas to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest, and to prevent waste of brown shrimp that might otherwise be discarded due to their small size.
Final Rule for Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Fisheries (7/20/07)
NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule for the Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish a limited access privilege program for the Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish fisheries, developed in coordination with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. One component of the program allows holders of License Limitation Program licenses that are assigned rockfish quota share for the catcher/processor sector to opt-out of many of the aspects of the program. Participants in this opt-out fishery are subject to harvest limitations, called sideboard limits, during the month of July. Sideboard limits applicable to participants in the opt-out fishery include limits on the amount of Pacific halibut bycatch.
Temporary Closure to Reduce Impact of Haddock Discards off the Northeast United States (7/5/07)
A temporary closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is in effect for limited access Northeast multispecies days-at-sea vessels. This closure, which is in effect through April 30, 2008, is being taken to prevent the 2007 total allowable catch for Georges Bank cod in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area from being exceeded during the 2007 fishing year, and to minimize the impacts of discards of undersized haddock.
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
to Address IUU Activities and Bycatch (6/21/07)
NOAA Fisheries is developing certification procedures to address illegal,
unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected
living marine resources pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium
Protection Act (Act). Specifically, the Act requires a biennial report on
those foreign nations whose vessels are engaged in IUU fishing, or in fishing
that results in bycatch of protected living marine resources. The Act also
requires the establishment of procedures to certify whether nations identified
in the biennial report are taking appropriate corrective actions. Based upon
the outcome of the certification procedures developed in this rulemaking,
nations could be subject to import prohibitions and other measures. Written
public comments will be accepted until July 26, 2007.
Final Rule Suspends Circle
Hook Requirement for Tournaments until 2008 (5/30/07)
These regulations, which will be reinstated without change on January 1, 2008,
will require anglers fishing from Highly Migratory Species permitted vessels
to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial
lure combinations while participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. The
temporary suspension is intended to increase post-release survival rates of Atlantic
billfish in the long-term by providing an additional phase-in period during which
Atlantic billfish tournament anglers can become more proficient with the use
of circle hooks and more familiar with their ecological benefits.
Temporary Rule to Close Deep-Water
Fishery in Gulf of Alaska (6/5/07)
Directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water fishery is prohibited
for vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska. This closure is necessary
because the seasonal apportionment of the 2007 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
for this fishery has been reached. The closure is in effect through 1200 hrs,
Alaska local time on July 1, 2007.
Proposed Rule to Decrease Incidental
Catch Allowance for Weakfish (7/5/07)
NOAA Fisheries is proposing to decrease the incidental catch allowance
for weakfish caught in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from 300 lb
to no more than 150 lb per day or trip, whichever is longer in duration. This reduction is in
response to a significant decline in stock abundance and increasing total mortality.
Although natural mortality, rather than fishing mortality, has been indicated
as the lead cause for stock decline, action is needed to help rebuild spawning
stock biomass. Public comments may be submitted until July 16, 2007.
Scoping for Skate Fishery
Management Plan (5/14/07)
The New England Fishery Management Council has announced its intent
to prepare an amendment to the Skate Fishery Management Plan and to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement to analyze the impacts of any proposed
management measures, which may include measures to reduce bycatch and
discard mortality to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks. Public
meetings begin on May 22, 2007.
Comments Requested
for Alaska Groundfish Management Measures (5/14/07)
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment
80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area for review. This proposed amendment
would, among other things, reduce the amount of halibut and crab bycatch
through specific economic incentives provided by a limited access privilege
program. Comments on Amendment 80
may be submitted through June 29, 2007.
New Fishing Restrictions
to Address Overfishing of Red Snapper
This new final rule implements interim measures to reduce overfishing of Gulf
red snapper and establishes a target level of reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch
mortality of red snapper.
Proposed Rule to Reduce Salmon
Bycatch off Alaska
NOAA Fisheries has published a proposed rule to amend regulations
that address salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area. This
action would enhance the effectiveness of salmon bycatch measures by exempting
pollock vessels from Chinook and chum salmon savings area closures if they participate
in an inter-cooperative agreement to reduce salmon bycatch. Comments may
be submitted regarding this proposed rule through June 4, 2007.
Final Rule to Implement
Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan Measures
NOAA Fisheries is implementing approved measures contained in Amendment 1 to
the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, developed by the New England Fishery
Management Council, which establishes a limited access program and includes measures
to address bycatch.
2007 Management Measures Announced
for Pacific Halibut
NOAA Fisheries, on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission, has
published annual management measures governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The
substantive changes that affect U.S. fishermen include an allowance to temporarily
possess sublegal sized halibut caught in commercial fisheries to determine whether
their size meets the minimum legal size limit before returning the fish to the
sea with a minimum of injury.
Public Invited to Comment on
Amendment 13 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP
The goal of Amendment 13 is to implement an observer service provider mechanism
for the scallop fishery that would re-activate the industry-funded observer program
and the scallop total allowable catch and days-at-sea set-aside program to help
defray the cost of carrying observers. Observer coverage in the scallop fishery
is necessary to monitor the bycatch of finfish and interactions with threatened
and endangered species.
New Conservation Measures Adopted
for Antarctic Waters
The United States has accepted conservation and management measures
and resolutions pertaining to fishing in Antarctic waters managed by
the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. These measures include research
on catch and bycatch of certain species of fish, krill and crab and restrictions
on fishing in certain areas and with certain gear types.
Final Rule to Set Gulf
of Alaska Groundfish Measures for 2007 and 2008
NOAA Fisheries has announced 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications,
prohibited species catch limits, and associated management measures for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska.
Final Rule to Set Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Measures for 2007 and 2008
NOAA Fisheries has announced 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications,
prohibited species catch limits, and associated management measures for
the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
Proposed Rule to Re-activate
Industry-Funded Observers in the Scallop Fishery
This rule would permanently re-activate the industry-funded observer
program in the Scallop Fishery Management Plan through a scallop total
allowable catch and days-at-sea set-aside program that helps vessel
owners defray the cost of carrying observers. Observer coverage in
the scallop fishery is necessary to monitor the bycatch of finfish
and interactions with threatened and endangered species. Public
comments must be received no later than 5pm on May 7, 2007.
Proposed Rule to Approve and Implement Changes to the Pacific Halibut Sharing Plan
NOAA Fisheries has proposed to approve and implement changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. The measures are designed to, among other things, protect yelloweye rockfish and other overfished groundfish species from incidental catch in the halibut fisheries. Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted through February 2, 2007.
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