Tips for Night Beach Walks During Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea turtles are one of the oldest creatures on earth. They live their whole life in the sea and only come on shore to lay their eggs. We love sea turtles and are excited that they have chosen our beaches as their nesting site during May through October! Here are some simple tips for making your night beach walk fun and safe for you and the nesting and hatchling sea turtles:

• When you go out on the beach at night, let your eyes adjust to the ambient light. You will be amazed at how much you can see without man-made lights. If you take a flashlight, make sure it has red LED bulbs that emit long wavelengths (590-750nm) which are less likely to disturb the sea turtles.

• If you see a nesting female on the beach, give her plenty of room to find a place to nest. Do not shine a light at her or take photos with a flash. Remain quiet, behind her, and out of her sight. If she is disturbed, she may abandon her nest and return to the sea. Also, do not disturb her tracks. The tracks are very important because our volunteers use them to locate the nest and protected it. Our volunteers also collect data that can help us better understand the species. After the female nests, the eggs incubate around 50-65 days. The eggs typically hatch at night when it is cooler and the hatchlings have a better chance avoiding their many predators. Ghost crabs, coyotes, racoons, dogs and birds see hatchlings as a delightful meal. It’s estimated that only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood.

• Once out of the nest, sea turtle hatchlings instinctively move toward the shore. If distracted by other lights, the hatchlings can easily get disoriented and crawl toward a house or road. Sea turtles are protected under federal law and any harassment or interference with them, their hatchlings or eggs, living or dead, is subject to stiff penalty. If you are lucky enough to witness a sea turtle on land, enjoy the experience from a distance and cherish the memory for life.

Please check out our St. George Island Volunteer Turtlers Facebook page for more information and regular updates. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve also holds talks on sea turtles every Wednesday, June through August (except on the 4^th of July) at 2:00pm, at 108 Island Drive in Eastpoint. The Friends of the Reserve has Turtle Safe flashlights for sale in the Reserve gift shop. For more information on sea turtleswww.myfwc.co/wildlifehabitats/managed/sea-turtles/lighting 

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NOAA Requests Submission of Landing Locations for All Commercially Permitted Reef Fish Vessels

The following notice from NOAA Fisheries is provided as a courtesy to our subscribers.  NOAA Requests Submission of Landing Locations for All Commercially Permitted Reef Fish Vessels FB18-040                           FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: June 12, 2018 CONTACT: Catch Share Customer Support, (866) 425-7627 (option 2, 8am - 4:30pm EST), nmfs.ser.catchshare@noaa.gov    KEY MESSAGE:   In May 2017, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved new requirements to improve compliance and increase management flexibility in the Gulf of Mexico individual fishing quota (IFQ) programs. One change will require all reef fish permit holders to land at locations pre-approved by NOAA Fisheries Service's Office of Law Enforcement (OLE).   In anticipation of this requirement, NOAA Fisheries is encouraging reef fish permit holders to now submit additional landing locations now for pre-approval. Landing locations may be submitted by calling Catch Share Customer Support at (866) 425-7627 (option 2) or by mailing the attached form to 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701. Only pre-approved landing locations would be legal for landing any reef fish species.     MORE INFORMATION A list of currently approved landing locations can be found at the Southeast Regional Office Web site and a map can be found at the Catch Share Web site. If your landing location is on this list, you do not need to submit a new one. Submission of a new landing location must contain a contact name and phone number, a location name, and the location's street address, unless there is no street address on record. If a particular landing location has no street address on record, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for an identifiable geographic location must be provided in decimal degrees. Landing locations must be publicly accessible by land and water. No other condition may impede free and immediate access to the site by an authorized law enforcement officer or port agent. Examples of which include, but are not limited to: A locked gate, fence, wall, or other barrier preventing 24-hour access to the site; a gated community entry point; a guard animal; a posted sign restricting access to the site; or any other physical deterrent. Other criteria may also be used by OLE when approving locations. Any new landing location would be approved only at the end of each calendar-year quarter. To have a landing location approved by the end of the calendar-year quarter, it would have to be submitted at least 45 days before the end of the calendar-year quarter. For more information on the regulation changes, please visit the Southeast Regional Office Web site. About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Apalachicola Riverkeeper Launches RiverTrek 2018 Campaign

Two local women to kayak entire river in October

Apalachicola Riverkeeper kicked off its annual RiverTrek campaign with a team meeting and ice cream social in Tallahassee last week. Tommy Thompson, coordinator of RiverTrek, explained the annual affair is both a fundraising and awareness-raising campaign.  “We’ve got a tremendous team of volunteer paddlers this year, hailing from Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Several have completed the ‘Trek before,” Thompson said.

Janine Gedmin and Anita Grove, both of Apalachicola, are participating in this year’s 100+ mile kayak journey.  When asked about her decision to apply for the team this year, Grove said, “The Apalachicola River is an integral part of our lives in Apalachicola. Our livelihoods and culture revolve around the health and vitality of the Apalachicola River and Bay. It is woven into every aspect of our being.”

The volunteer kayakers will travel the entirety of the Apalachicola River in mid-October, camping along the way. They will meet with expert biologists, historians and others along the route. Prior to the team launch in Chattahoochee on October 9^th, the RiverTrek volunteers host neighborhood get-togethers and related gatherings in their respective communities to increase knowledge of the ecological threats facing the Apalachicola River and Bay. RiverTrek team members also enjoy a friendly competition of garnering financial sponsorships to see who can raise the most funds. Gedmin recently enlisted the Bowery Station for support. During the month of June, tips from the pub’s open mic night benefit Gedmin’s RiverTrek campaign. All RiverTrek donations support the continued work of Apalachicola Riverkeeper. 

According to Riverkeeper, Georgia Ackerman, the organization was founded in 1998. Ackerman said, “We’re working to reverse the trend of ecological threats to Apalachicola River and its watershed, through advocacy, outreach, education, collaborative research—and sometimes, if needed, legal action.”

In 2017, Apalachicola Riverkeeper and several conservation partners legally challenged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Water Control Manual, a reservoir system operating guide. The manual was updated for the first time since 1958. The freshwater needed to maintain the health Apalachicola Bay was not considered in the revised manual. The case is currently in play. 

In other legal matters, the interstate water conflict, FL vs. GA case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 8, 2018. A ruling is anticipated by the end of this month.

To learn more, visit www.apalachicolariverkeeper.org

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Florida DEP permit activity for Gulf County

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera Lt. Governor Noah Valenstein Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: BEECH DOCK Location Id: 320470 Location Name: SR 30E [DOCK] County: Gulf Application Number: 320470-003 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: HUTCHESON BOARDWALK Location Id: 365559 Location Name: HUTCHISON BOARDWALK County: Gulf Application Number: 365559-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Domestic Wastewater Collection/Transmission System Project Name: OAK TRACE SD SEWER Location Id: 365574 Location Name: OAK TRACE SD County: Gulf Application Number: 365574-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Draft Agenda Outline for June 18th Wakulla County Commission meeting

   Draft Agenda Outline for June 18th Wakulla County Commission meeting by Michael Allen on Scribd

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FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PET OF THE WEEK

SLUGGER is a very handsome 2 year old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. He is social and smart but hasn't had much training. He should go to a home with someone willing to spend time teaching him manners and getting him the exercise he needs. If you are a Chocolate Lab fan, you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to adopt this sweetheart!

Volunteers are desperately needed to socialize all of our dogs and

cats. We are always looking for people willing to bring one of our

animals into their home to be fostered for various needs. Anytime you

can spare would be greatly appreciated.

Call Karen at 670-8417 for more details or visit the Franklin County

Humane Society at 244 State Road 65 in Eastpoint. You may logon to

the website at www.forgottenpets.org to see more of our adoptable

pets.

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Renovation work on the Indian Creek Boat Ramp in Eastpoint is expected to be finished by the end of the month

Renovation work on the Indian Creek Boat Ramp in Eastpoint is expected to be finished by the end of the month.

The boat ramp is in Indian Creek Park on North Bayshore Drive – it is mostly used by commercial fishermen including crabbers and oystermen.

Work on the nearly 530 thousand dollar project began in January – the ramp has been closed since then.

The project includes demolishing the existing ramp and constructing a new pre-stressed concrete approach and boat ramp.

It also includes adding an access gangway, floating dock and sidewalk. 

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Coast Guard seeks public input on navigation requirements study

The Coast Guard is asking for public input for a study of navigation requirements for the entire Western Rivers System which includes a portion of the Apalachicola River.

The Coast Guard Waterways Analysis and Management System study will review the Western Rivers Aids to Navigation System.

The Coast Guard operates the system on the Mississippi River and on its tributaries.

The system includes the Flint River, the Chattahoochee River and the Apalachicola River above its confluence with the Jackson River.
The Western Rivers study is the third of a series of U.S. Coast Guard navigation systems reviews.
The first study identified requirements for the Atlantic and Gulf Seacoast and the second study is reviewing navigation requirements for the Pacific Seacoast and Islands.

The Coast Guard says the studies will promote the safety of future maritime transportation and commerce on U.S. navigable waters.

Public input will be accepted until July 1^st.

Interested mariners and maritime stakeholders can provide input on-line.

We've posted the link for the survey on this story at Oysterradio.com.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRWAMS. 

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Florida DEP permit activity for Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla Counties

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera Lt. Governor Noah Valenstein Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: WILLIAMS DOCK AND BOAT LIFT Location Id: 364134 Location Name: 881 WEST BAYSHORE DR County: Franklin Application Number: 364134-002 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: BEECH DOCK ADDIDTION Location Id: 320470 Location Name: SR 30E [DOCK] County: Gulf Application Number: 320470-002 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: 49 BONE BLUFF CIRCLE FLOATING Location Id: 364764 Location Name: 49 BONE BLUFF CIRCLE FLOATING DOCK County: Wakulla Application Number: 364764-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Individual With No Conceptual Approval Permit Project Name: CAPE VIEW ESTATES Location Id: 357087 Location Name: CAPE VIEW ESTATES County: Gulf Application Number: 357087-003 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: FSU EE SEAGRASS RESEARCH Location Id: 365124 Location Name: FSU EE SEAGRASS RESEARCH / ST. JOESPH BAY County: Gulf Application Number: 365124-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Stormwater - Small Construction (1-5 AC) Project Name: CITY OF CARREABELLE CITY HALL Location Id: FLR10RX52 Location Name: Carrabelle City Hall County: Franklin Application Number: FLR10RX52-001 For further information, please contact the Tallahassee Npdes Stormwater permitting office in Tallahassee at (850) 245-7522 Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: SAPP BORROW PIT Location Id: 364942 Location Name: Sapp Borrow Pit County: Franklin Application Number: 364942-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Individual With No Conceptual Approval Permit Project Name: CARRABELLE ROCK Location Id: 224961 Location Name: GFP TIMBERLANDS, LLLP - CARRABELLE ROCK MINE County: Franklin Application Number: 224961-001 For further information, please contact the Mining And Mitigation / Oil And Gas Program permitting office in Tallahassee at (850) 245-8336 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: KADEL ROOF Location Id: 349444 Location Name: KADEL - 339 BRUCE ST County: Franklin Application Number: 349444-002 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: HUNNICUTT Location Id: 365214 Location Name: HUNNICUTT County: Franklin Application Number: 365214-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: DOCK Location Id: 365383 Location Name: MCMILLAN - 1569 ALLIGATOR DRIVE County: Franklin Application Number: 365383-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Drinking Water Distribution System Permit Project Name: WAKULLA WATER SYSTEM Location Id: 217003 Location Name: RIVERSINK BAPTIST CHURCH County: Wakulla Application Number: 217003-004 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Individual With No Conceptual Approval Permit Project Name: MCNALLY SF RESIDENCE Location Id: 358151 Location Name: MCNALLY SF RESIDENCE County: Gulf Application Number: 358151-002 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - Individual With No Conceptual Approval Permit Project Name: TAYLOR WHITE CITY DITCH Location Id: 364893 Location Name: TAYLOR WHITE CITY DITCH County: Gulf Application Number: 364893-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: FSU EE SEAGRASS RESEARCH Location Id: 365126 Location Name: FSU EE SEAGRASS RESEARCH / APALACHICOLA BAY County: Franklin Application Number: 365126-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: 316 GIBSON STREET [BOAT LIFT] Location Id: 365084 Location Name: 316 GIBSON STREET [BOAT LIFT] County: Franklin Application Number: 365084-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Triumph Gulf Coast to fund technical training in Wakulla County schools

Triumph Gulf Coast is working on a contract with Wakulla County to provide career and technical training to younger students.

Triumph Gulf Coast approved a funding request earlier this year to help Wakulla County bring technical training to elementary and middle schools in Wakulla County that will mesh with advanced training at the high school level. 
It’s expected to result in more than 400 students earning national industry certifications in information technology, HVAC and automotive maintenance in the first five years of the program. 
The funding for the program is part of nearly one and half billion dollars that will be distributed by Triumph Gulf Coast over the next 12 years to the eight Gulf coast counties disproportionately affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Franklin County is currently seeking funding for similar programs including additional Science, technology, engineering and math education for K through 8^th graders.

Franklin County would also like to partner with Lively Technical Center to expand vocational training in the county's high school.

It would involve the construction of a new vocational training building which could then offer welding classes first and then other courses including HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

The applications for the funding is due at Triumph Gulf Coast by August the 1^st. 

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Lombardi's seafood park in Apalachicola will remain closed to the public for a while longer

Lombardi's seafood park in Apalachicola will remain closed to the public for a while longer.

The park is closed while an old shucking house there is converted into an interactive museum of the history of the local seafood industry.

There are other improvements too, including new restrooms and a pavilion overlooking the Bay, the boat ramp,and the fishing pier.

The project is being funded through money collected from BP after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

County coordinator Michael Moron said there have been numerous delays to the project including structural issues, septic issues and even the discovery of old fuel tanks near the work site.

Moron said the project completion date is now the end of August.

County commissioners, however, said the ramp there needs to be opened to the public sooner than that.

Commissioners said the project has been going on way too long and people becoming upset that they can't get to the public boat ramp there.

Commission chairman Smokey Parrish said its ironic that the project was selected for funding because the park was off-limits to the public during the oil spill and now the park is off-limits to the public while oil spill money is being spent there.

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Local oystermen cited for harvesting undersized oysters

 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is having a problem with some local oystermen harvesting undersized oysters.

In Florida, oysters have to be at least 3 inches before they can be legally harvested.

Earlier this month FWC Officers conducted inspections of commercial shellfish harvesters in the Eastpoint area. 

The officers boarded several vessels and wound up issuing a number of citations for possession of undersized oysters. 

Officers say in one case at least 72 percent of the oysters were undersized.

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Watch out for nesting shorebirds or you could get a ticket!

Be careful if you are boating around bird nesting sites in Franklin County as FWC officers are ticketing people who are speeding through bird nesting zones.

Earlier this month FWC officers targeted speeding violations in the bird nesting zone of St. George Island State Park.

The officers issued five citations and 11 written warnings for subjects speeding through shorebird nesting zone.

A variety of protected birds are currently nesting on Franklin County’s beaches, including terns, black skimmers, snowy plovers and Wilson’s plovers. 

Most of these species nest in the open and lay well-camouflaged eggs directly on the sand, making them nearly invisible to predators and to the untrained human eye. 

You can help protect the birds by moving parties, picnics and fireworks away from nesting areas.

Just approaching a bird is enough to flush birds away from their nest. 

When birds are forced to fly off their eggs, it exposes the chicks to predators and to the impacts of the Sun.

Many beach nesting areas are marked to keep people away.

In Franklin County many birds also nest on the old St. George Island bridge causeway, and on the island near the big hump of the Apalachicola bridge.

Those area are only accessible by boat and are off limits to humans through August.

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Local inmate facing more charges after threatening sheriff and his family

A Carrabelle man already being held at the Franklin County jail in connection with a armed standoff last month is now facing additional charges for threatening the life of Sheriff AJ Smith and his family.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has charged 31 year old Daniel Gray with corruption against a public servant after review of a recorded phone call made by Gray using another inmates PIN number.

Gray was already facing three counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and criminal mischief after the standoff in Carrabelle last month.

Gray was one of the six inmates to ingest synthetic marijuana this week; he had be taken to the hospital for treatment.

The phone call was discovered on Monday while officials were conducting an investigation for contraband inside of the detention center.

The sheriff's office said Gray made threats to murder Sheriff Smith as well as to murder and rape family members of his.

The Sheriff’s Office says it takes this matter seriously and will continue to do so for all such threats against any public servant in our community.

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"Stumpy" Goes Home to the Gulf

Gulf Specimen Comes to the Aid of Cold Stunned Sea Turtles

Dear friend of the aquarium, Stumpy is a juvenile green sea turtle who came to us on January 14th, 2018 during a cold stun event that occurred in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Sea turtles are reptiles making them cold blooded and unable to regulate their own body temperature. When the water temperature gets below 50 degrees, turtles may freeze up in order to retain body heat. This caused many turtles to wash ashore, in need of a place to warm up! Stumpy was found with its front left flipp "Stumpy" goes home to the gulf er entangled in fishing line. Stumpy's flipper was so badly entangled that the flipper was necrotic, dead, due to loss of blood flow. Our vet opted to amputate the limb to provide a better life for Stumpy. Stumpy has been healing wonderfully and adapting well to life with a missing limb. She was released at Dog Island Friday June 8th, on a nice sunny afternoon. We want to give a big thank you to Terri from Dog Island, Michael from FWC, and all of our interns and employees for helping facilitate in Stumpy's Rehabilitation. Congratulations Stumpy, have a wonderful journey across the ocean for many years to come. Sincerely, Cypress Rudloe Executive Director

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NOAA Fisheries FishNews – June 13, 2018

June 13, 2013 HIGHLIGHTS Swim into Sea Turtle Week 2018 Join us in celebrating Sea Turtle Week 2018 by learning more about these marvelous marine creatures! Check out the following turtle features, with more on our site: Welcome to Sea Turtle Week In a new leadership message, Donna Wieting, head of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources, reflects on the challenges facing sea turtles and the positive signs of progress toward their conservation. New Leatherback Sea Turtle VideoPacific leatherback sea turtles are one of NOAA Fisheries’ Species in the Spotlight. This new video explores what we know about this population. Faces of Sea Turtle ConservationMeet three NOAA scientists developing a new technique to gain new insights on sea turtle populations. Necropsies Reveal Sea Turtle Secrets – Researchers at NOAA partner institutions necropsy the sea turtles that do not survive cold water stranding in New England, and they uncover valuable life history data. Share the Shore with Turtles in Hawaii – Watch a video to learn about safe viewing guidelines for sea turtles (and dolphins and monk seals) in Hawaii. Learn How to Help Learn what to do if you see a sea turtle in distress . Story Map: NOAA’s Work in Our Ocean June is National Ocean Month, and a new story map, Our Ocean, shares a glimpse of NOAA’s activities in the global ocean. From the sound of singing whales (turn up your audio!) to NOAA’s new 72-hour ocean forecasts, 3D-printed coral polyps, and game-changing saildrones, Our Ocean delivers a dynamic look at the remarkable range of NOAA’s work. NOAA Teams Up with India for Ocean Observation This month, a team of 20 NOAA scientists will journey to Goa, India, to meet with 200 of India’s leading ocean, atmosphere, and fisheries scientists to mark a decade of productive collaboration on ocean and atmospheric observations. A vitally important system of observational buoys in the Indian Ocean serves as a key tool for early detection of monsoons in India as well as ocean patterns that inform U.S. weather prediction. West Coast Released Balloons Turn into Deadly Ocean Trash Every balloon released during well-meaning celebrations returns to earth as trash, with grave potential to injure or kill wildlife. Balloons can travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles before landing, and those that land in the ocean resemble jellyfish—sea turtles’ favorite food. Pacific Islands Fisheries Management in Overlapping Jurisdictions – Open for Public Comment NOAA Fisheries published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public input on management of U.S. fishing vessels in the area of overlapping jurisdiction between the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Please submit your comments by July 12. Southeast Join NOAA in Exploring the Southeastern U.S. Continental Margin Through July 2, NOAA and partners are conducting a two-part ocean exploration expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to collect critical baseline information about poorly understood deepwater areas of the southern United States. You can watch live video feeds of the divesdaily, or chat with scientists in a Reddit “Ask Us Anything”on June 14. Mississippi Trustees Seek Project Ideas The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment has started the restoration planning process for 2018–2019, and they would like your input. Please submit ideas for restoration projects in Mississippi by August 10 for consideration in Restoration Plan II. Greater Atlantic Residents’ Rain Gardens Help the Choptank Rain gardens are areas designed to collect and filter rainwater runoff. The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, one of NOAA’s partners supporting the Choptank Habitat Focus Area, helps local landowners learn how to install rain gardens to manage stormwater on their properties. Update on Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoys Currently, Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System(CBIBS) buoys report real-time weather, wave, current, and water-quality data at six stations around the Chesapeake Bay. Buoys at several additional stations were damaged during an ice storm in January. NOAA is working to replace those buoys with new, smaller, easier-to-maintain versions as development and testing allow. Future Lobster Reporting Requirements – Open for Public Comment NOAA Fisheries published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to notify fishermen who hold federal permits for American lobster that, in the future, the agency may implement mandatory lobster harvest reporting requirements. Please submit comments by  July 16. Scoping for Bluefish Allocation Amendment The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Bluefish Allocation Amendment. Hearings will be held June 20 to July 16 in nine coastal states, Massachusetts to Florida. Events June 14 Last day of New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Portland, Maine. June 14 Reddit “Ask Us Anything” chat with scientists on board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. June 14–15 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. June 14 and July 23Informational webinars on federal for-hire permit holders, hosted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. June 18–21 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Key West, Florida. June 18–27 Four public webinars about the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program, including reporting and recordkeeping requirements and software testing updates. June 19 Woods Hole Juneteenth Celebration in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. June 20–July 16 Twelve public scoping hearings in nine Atlantic coastal states on the bluefish allocation amendment. June 26 Webinar on NOAA Fisheries’ notice to collect information on IUU fishing, bycatch, and shark catch by foreign vessels. June 26 Public meeting of the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group in New Orleans. June 29 Public meeting on the definition of fish aggregating devices in La Jolla, California; please RSVP by June 22. June 29 Public meeting, via teleconference, of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee. July 3 and 23 Two free Protected Species Safe Handling, Identification, and Release workshops in Florida and Maryland. July 15 Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Wilmington, North Carolina. Announcements June 15 Applications due for position of Deputy Director of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. June 22 Nominations due for the 2018 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award. July 23 Pre-proposals due for FY 2019 Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants. Federal Register Actions Visit regulations.gov for a list of only those actions open for public comment. Scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal Register online. Corrections or technical questions should be sent to the FishNews Editor at editor.fishnews@noaa.gov. www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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