FishNews November 3, 2009
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NOAA Seeks a Senior Policy Adviser for Recreational Fisheries; Applications Due November 13
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Commerce Appoints Marine Fisheries Advisors to National Committee New Members from Maine, Washington, Florida, California and the District
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Gulf of Mexico - Greater Amberjack Reaches Quota
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South Atlantic - Recreational Fishery for Vermilion Snapper Closed to Vessels Fishing Federal Waters on November 1, 2009
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South Atlantic - Public Hearings for Snapper Grouper Fishery Begin Next Week
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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Committees to Meet Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in Philadelphia
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The New England Fishery Management Council is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee on Thursday, November 12, 2009, in Newburyport, MA
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North Pacific Fishery Management Council Schedules Meetings in November
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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National - NOAA and FDA to Combine Resources on Seafood Inspection |
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NOAA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have unveiled an interagency agreement to strengthen seafood inspection and improve seafood safety and quality. The agreement formalizes the working arrangements between NOAA's Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program and the FDA to reinforce each agency's efforts through cooperation and information sharing in the inspection of fish, fishery products, and establishments.
For more information please read the press release or visit the Seafood Inspection Program web site. |
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National - NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco Opens Facebook Page |
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Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, has established a Facebook page to connect a growing online community of constituents, partners and citizens around the world to NOAA news, people, information and initiatives as they happen. On Dr. Lubchenco's Facebook page, you'll find updates, videos and photos, and a host of new features to come in the weeks and months ahead. Visit http://www.facebook.com/noaa.lubchenco  .
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Northeast - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Changes for Midwater Trawl Vessels Fishing in Groundfish Closed Area I Effective Monday, November 2, 2009 |
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Reports of groundfish bycatch in Area 1 over the past several years prompted the New England Fishery Management Council to request that NOAA Fisheries Service implement additional observer requirements for vessels that fish with midwater trawl gear, in order to obtain additional bycatch information. Access to other Northeast multispecies closed areas is not affected by these regulation changes.
For more information please read the Northeast Region's compliance guide. |
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Northeast - NMFS Northeast Region Seeks Comments on Permitting of Cooperative Research Trips |
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This proposed rule would authorize the NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator (RA) to issue a Letter of Authorization (LOA), as opposed to an exempted fish permit (EFP, to eligible researchers on board federally permitted fishing vessels that plan to temporarily possess fish in a manner not compliant with applicable fishing regulations, for the purpose of collecting scientific data on catch. This proposed rule would help facilitate timely execution of cooperative research projects.
For more information please read the Federal Register notice or call Ryan Silva, Cooperative Research Liaison at (978) 281-9326. |
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Northeast - Northeast Multispecies Amendment 16 Draft EIS Open for Comment |
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NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its associated draft Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Secretarial review and is requesting comments from the public. Comments are due by December 22, 2009.
For more information please see the Federal Register or visit the New England Fishery Management Council's Amendment 16 web page . |
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Northeast - NMFS Northeast Region Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program Seeking Comments |
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NMFS is proposing a regulatory amendment to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to allow projects funded through the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program to carryover unused monkfish RSA days-at-sea (DAS) into the following fishing year. Given the most recent information on the status of monkfish stocks, the regulation that prohibits monkfish RSA DAS to be carried over to the next fishing year is no longer necessary. In addition, this action would provide researchers with flexibility to complete research funded through the Monkfish RSA Program.
For more information please see the proposed rule in the Federal Register or call Anna Macan, Fishery Management Specialist at (978) 281-9165. |
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South Atlantic - NOAA and Partners Announce South Atlantic Alliance |
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Representatives from NOAA and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, announced the formation of a partnership to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the Coastal States Organization in Charleston, S.C.
The Governors' South Atlantic Alliance will leverage resources from each state and supporting partners to protect and maintain healthy coastal ecosystems, keep waterfronts working, enhance clean ocean and coastal waters and help make communities more resilient to natural disasters. The four states previously met with the White House Council on Environmental Quality to obtain support from NOAA and other federal agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey and EPA.
For more information please read the NOAA press release. |
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Gulf of Mexico - NOAA Fisheries Service Implements Rules to Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Gulf of Mexico |
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This rule implements an area closure and associated gear restrictions applicable to the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico to reduce incidental take and mortality of sea turtles.
For more information please see the Southeast Region bulletin. |
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Pacific Islands - NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Authorization for Navy Sonar Operations off the Coast of the Mariana Islands |
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NOAA's Fisheries Service is seeking comments now through November 19th on its proposed rule to authorize impacts to marine mammals during Navy training exercises around the Mariana Islands.
For more information please see the NMFS press release. |
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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOAA Seeks a Senior Policy Adviser for Recreational Fisheries; Applications Due November 13
Last month NOAA Administrator Dr. Lubchenco promised to take a fresh look at the agency's relationship with the recreational fishing community. As part of that commitment, she vowed to hire a new Senior Policy Adviser for Recreational Fisheries. This position announcement is now available at USAJobs.gov. Applications will be accepted through November 13, 2009. While the nationwide search for a permanent policy adviser is underway, NOAA Fisheries' Gordon Colvin will fill that position temporarily through the end of the year. Currently, Colvin is in charge of implementing the National Saltwater Angler Registry, duties that he will continue to fulfill while helping define the role of the senior policy adviser. Colvin can be reached at gordon.colvin@noaa.gov.
Commerce Appoints Marine Fisheries Advisors to National Committee New Members from Maine, Washington, Florida, California and the District
The Department of Commerce has appointed six new federal advisors charged with counseling the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on policies and laws that govern national saltwater fishing regulations and protect habitat, marine mammals, and other ocean life. The six new members, and one reappointed member, are part of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, or MAFAC. The new members include: Terry Alexander ( Maine ), Anthony Chatwin (DC), Paul Clampitt ( Washington ), Pamela Dana ( Florida ), Ken Franke ( California ), and Keith Rizzardi ( Florida ). John (Randy) Cates of Hawaii was reappointed for a second term. For more information, read the full press release.
Gulf of Mexico - Greater Amberjack Reaches Quota
Effective October 24, 2009, the recreational fishery for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico is closed due to the quota being caught. The recreational fishery for greater amberjack will reopen on January 1, 2010, the beginning of the 2010 recreational fishing year. For more information please read the Southeast Regional Office bulletin.
South Atlantic - Recreational Fishery for Vermilion Snapper Closed to Vessels Fishing Federal Waters on November 1, 2009
In July 2009, NOAA Fisheries Service implemented measures to establish a November-March recreational closure for the vermilion snapper fishery. The recreational fishery for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic ( North Carolina to the Florida Keys ) federal waters is closed, effective 12:01 a.m. (local time) November 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010. For more information please read the Southeast Regional Office bulletin.
South Atlantic - Public Hearings for Snapper Grouper Fishery Begin Next Week
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearings regarding federal fisheries management measures proposed for 73 species in the snapper grouper management complex within the South Atlantic region. The measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen and include a proposed closure of the red snapper fishery to help end overfishing. Visit the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's web site for more information.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Committees to Meet Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in Philadelphia
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee, Scup Monitoring Committee, Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Council's and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisors will hold public meetings on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 beginning at 9 a.m. with the Monitoring Committees. The Advisory Panels will begin meeting at 1 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport Hotel, 4509 Island Ave. , Philadelphia , PA 19153; telephone: (215) 365-4150). For more information please see the notice in the Federal Register.
The New England Fishery Management Council is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee on Thursday, November 12, 2009, in Newburyport, MA
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee on Thursday, November 12, 2009 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. This meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12 p.m. at the New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465-0492; fax: (978) 465-3116. For more information please see the notice in the Federal Register.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Schedules Meetings in November
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands groundfish plan teams will meet in Seattle , WA. The meetings will be held November 16-20, 2009 beginning at 9am at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E. , Building 4, Observer Training Room (GOA Plan Team) and Traynor Room (BS/AI Plan Team), Seattle , WA. For more information please see the notice in the Federal Register.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has also scheduled a teleconference for the Council's Rural Community Outreach Committee. The teleconference will be held on November 20, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information please see the notice in the Federal Register.
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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