WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National – NOAA Launches New Online Library for Deepwater Horizon Information |
NOAA recently launched a web archive of the maps, wildlife reports, scientific reports and other previously released public information used by emergency responders, fishermen, mariners and local officials during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The NOAA Deepwater Horizon Library can be accessed via http://www.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon. NOAA will continue to update the website with information products in the weeks and months ahead. Click here for more information. .
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National - Study Says Growing Hypoxic Zones Reduce Habitat for Billfish and Tuna |
Billfish and tuna, important commercial and recreational fish species, may be more vulnerable to fishing pressure because of shrinking habitat according to a new study published by scientists from NOAA, the Billfish Foundation, and the University of Miami. An expanding zone of low oxygen, known as a hypoxic zone, in the Atlantic Ocean is encroaching on these species' preferred oxygen-abundant habitat, forcing them into shallower waters where they are more likely to be caught. Higher catch rates from these areas may give the false appearance of more abundant fish stocks. While hypoxic zones occur naturally in many areas of the world’s tropical and equatorial oceans, scientists are concerned because these zones are expanding and occurring closer to the sea surface, and are expected to continue to grow as sea temperatures rise. Click here for more information.
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Southeast - NOAA and Partners Assist Entangled Right Whale off Florida |
A team of state and federal biologists recently assisted a severely entangled North Atlantic right whale off the coast of Daytona, Florida. The team successfully removed more than 150 feet of ropes wrapped around the whale’s head and fins, and cut portions of entangling ropes that remain on the animal. The disentanglement team, lead by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, consisted of land, sea, and air support from NOAA Fisheries, FWC, Wildlife Trust, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, and New England Aquarium. Click here for more information and to view videos of the rescue operation.
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Southeast - NOAA Establishes Annual Catch Limits for Some South Atlantic Snappers and Groupers |
On December 29, 2010, NOAA Fisheries announced a final rule establishing annual catch limits designed to prevent excessive fishing pressure on nine species of snappers and groupers. The rule becomes effective on January 31, 2011, and applies to federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida’s Atlantic coast. The rule also prohibits the harvest of six deepwater snapper and grouper species in depths beyond 240 feet, and reduces the recreational bag limit of snowy grouper to one fish per vessel per day. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended these actions to the fisheries service earlier this year. Click here for more information.
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Northeast - Commerce Secretary Determines Red Tide Disaster in Maine |
On December 22, 2010, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke determined that the economic effects of closing shellfish fisheries in Maine in 2009 due to a harmful algal bloom, also known as a ‘red tide’, caused a commercial fishery failure. Maine Governor John Baldacci requested the disaster determination, providing information detailing how the disaster affected the softshell clam, blue mussel and mahogany quahog fisheries. Closures due to red tide began in April of 2009 and resulted in closures of 97 percent of the fisheries at their peak. Click here for more information.
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Northwest/Southwest – NOAA Proposes Critical Habitat for Southern Distinct Population Segment of Pacific Smelt |
NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate critical habitat for the southern Distinct Population Segment of Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), also called smelt, which was recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency has proposed 12 specific areas for critical habitat within the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The proposed areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their associated estuaries which make up about 292 miles of habitat. NOAA Fisheries is soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including information on the economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designation, as well as the benefits to this population of eulachon from designation. Comments must be received by close of business on March 7, 2011. There will be a public meeting on January 26, 2011 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232. Requests for additional public hearings should be made in writing by February 22, 2011. The agency will consider additional information received prior to making a final designation. Click here for more information or to submit a comment.
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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS NOAA Fisheries to Host Meeting with Regional Fishery Management Councils Jan. 11-23NOAA Fisheries is hosting the annual interim meeting with the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) January 11-12, 2011 in Washington, DC. The CCC is comprised of the eight regional fishery management councils. Major agenda items include budget planning, stock assessment requirements, annual catch limits, preparation of the National Annual Catch Limit Science Workshop (mentioned below), catch share policy implementation and the annual CCC meeting planned for May 3-5, 2011 in Charleston, SC.
NOAA Fisheries to Host National Annual Catch Limit Science Workshop Feb. 15-17NOAA Fisheries will host a National Annual Catch Limit Science Workshop on February 15-17, 2011 in Silver Spring, MD. The workshop will be held in conjunction with the regional Fishery Management Councils and will include NOAA Fisheries staff, Council representatives and nationally recognized fishery experts. It will focus on the current state of scientific information needed to support implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, particularly the determination and implementation of Annual Catch Limits (ACLs). The Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended in 2007 to include a requirement to implement ACLs and accountability measures in the nation’s fisheries. Additional information on schedule and registration will be available shortly. For more information contact Richard Methot via email or by phone at (206) 860-3365.
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Director, Northwest Fisheries Science CenterThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce seeks a dynamic, innovative leader for the Director, Northwest Fisheries Science Center for the National Marine Fisheries Service. This is a Senior Executive Service position located in Seattle, Washington, with a salary range of $119,554 to $179,700, and is limited to U.S. citizens. The incumbent is responsible for the research programs carried out in the Center’s five divisions for management and conservation of the Northwest Region’s marine and anadromous resources and their habitats. The center’s research programs provide the scientific base required for reports on status of fisheries, environmental assessment and environmental impact statements for management plans and international negotiations and pursues research to answer specific management needs in habitat conservation, endangered and protected species, aquaculture and full utilization of harvested fish. The vacancy is now open through January 19, 2011, and can be accessed via http://www.usajobs.gov/, Announcement NOAA#11-04/NJH. Please contact Norma Hughes at 301-713-6307 if you have any questions. The U.S. Department of Commerce is an equal-opportunity employer.
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science AdvisorThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce seeks a dynamic, innovative leader for the Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor for the National Marine Fisheries Service. This is a Senior Executive Service position located in Silver Spring, Maryland, with a salary range of $119,554 to $179,700, and is limited to U.S. citizens. The incumbent serves as the principal spokesperson on scientific and technology issues and guides and directs the work of the agency’s six regional science centers, the Headquarters Office of Science and Technology and coordinates the ecosystem science, research and technology programs throughout the organization to ensure the compatibility and effectiveness of all NOAA’s marine ecosystem activities. The research conducted is used to support fisheries management; recovery of protected resources; conservation and enhancement of habitat; international fisheries affairs; fishery development, trade and industry assistance activities; and the scientific and technical aspects of NOAA’s marine fisheries resources programs. The vacancy is now open through March 11, 2011, and can be accessed via http://www.usajobs.gov/, Announcement NOAA#11-05/NJH. Please contact Norma Hughes at 301-713-6307 if you have any questions. The U.S. Department of Commerce is an equal-opportunity employer.
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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