WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National – Commerce, NOAA Release Draft National Aquaculture Policies, Invite Public Comment |
| On February 9, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released complementary draft national aquaculture policies that support sustainable marine aquaculture to increase the U.S. supply of healthy seafood, create jobs in coastal and other communities, spur innovation in technology, and help restore depleted species and marine habitats. Marine aquaculture is the farming of marine organisms such as shellfish, finfish, and algae for food, habitat restoration, and rebuilding of wild fish stocks. The public is invited to comment on both draft policies through April 11. Click here for more information. |
National - NOAA Investigations into Mislabeling Seafood Protect Consumers and Fishermen |
| Seafood consumers and the law-abiding fishermen who catch that seafood gained a big victory last week when a complex NOAA Office of Law Enforcement investigation into conspiracy, misbranding and smuggling resulted in two guilty pleas in federal court. This case is the latest of three Lacey Act investigations in NOAA Office of Law Enforcement’s southeast division that resulted in guilty pleas in January. The defendants, who were co-owners of Consolidated Seafood Enterprises Inc., in Phoenix and Reel Fish and Seafood Inc., in Pensacola, Fla., pleaded guilty to one conspiracy count, nine violations of the Lacey Act, two counts of receiving smuggled goods and one misbranding count. A third defendant charged in the case pleaded guilty to similar offenses in August. He managed and co-owned Reel Fish with the other two defendants. Both businesses are now closed. Click here for more information. |
National – NOAA Releases 2010 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Report to Congress |
| NOAA Fisheries Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) has released its 2010 Report to Congress, which details projects funded through the BREP during FY2010. The report describes the significant progress made in 2010 to develop technological devices and other conservation engineering designed to minimize bycatch, seabird interactions, bycatch mortality, and post-release mortality in federally managed fisheries. The BREP funded projects in 2010 to reduce bycatch in Gulf of Mexico shrimp and longline fisheries, Atlantic gillnet and trawl fisheries, Alaska and Northwest trawl fisheries, California recreational fisheries, and Hawaii-based fisheries longline fisheries, as well as to enhance documentation and monitoring of seabird bycatch around the country. The results of these projects will help NOAA Fisheries meet its obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the U.S. National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. In addition, 2010 BREP collaborative research, including investments in underwater video camera systems that will be loaned to the fishing industry, strengthens relations between NOAA Fisheries and the fishing industry by supporting the creation of additional fishing opportunities through more-selective fishing gear. The 2010 BREP Report to Congress is available on the NOAA Fisheries bycatch website. |
Northeast - First Federal Fishery Management Sites Join the National System of Marine Protected Areas |
| Four existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - Lydonia, Norfolk, Oceanographer, and Veatch canyons, which are gear restricted areas established under the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan - are now part of the National System of MPAs. These four existing MPAs were nominated by NOAA Fisheries in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Under the revised Tilefish Fishery Management Plan, these areas are closed to bottom trawling gear to protect clay outcroppings, which can provide shelter to tilefish. The membership of these four canyon areas in the National System does not add to or take away from the regulations under the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan but provides additional opportunities for partnerships with other federal and state marine protected areas to advance common conservation objectives. These are the first Federal fishery management sites to be listed in the National System of MPAs. Click here for more information. |
Northeast – NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Monkfish Amendment 5 |
| NOAA Fisheries announces that the New England Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 5 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments from the public on Amendment 5, which was developed by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils to bring the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan into compliance with the annual catch limit and accountability measure requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Public comments must be received on or before April 4, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit a comment. |
Southeast - NOAA Reopens More Than 4,000 Square Miles of Gulf Waters to Royal Red Shrimping |
| On February 2, 2011, NOAA reopened 4,213 square miles of Gulf of Mexico federal waters off Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to royal red shrimping. The area was closed to this type of deep water fishing on Nov. 24 as a precautionary measure after a commercial shrimper discovered tar balls in his net. The "fingerprint" analysis to determine whether the source of the tar balls was the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil was inconclusive. Further fish and shrimp sampling and testing from the area showed no oil or dispersant contamination. This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All commercial and recreational fishing is now allowed within this area. Click here for more information. |
Southeast - NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Revised Control Dates for Atlantic King and Spanish Mackerel and the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic |
| NOAA Fisheries will be establishing a new control dates to control future access to the king and Spanish mackerel components of the coastal migratory pelagics fishery and the snapper-grouper fishery operating in the exclusive economic zone of the South Atlantic. If changes to the management regime are developed and implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, a control date could be used to further limit the number of participants in the fishery. This announcement is intended, in part, to promote awareness of the potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage speculative entry into these fisheries while the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries consider whether and how access to these fisheries should be controlled. Comments on these proposed regulations are due by March 2, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit a comment on king and Spanish mackerel. Click here for more information or to submit a comment on the snapper-grouper fishery. |
Southwest - ATTENTION ANGLERS: Green Sturgeon Must Be Released due to Threatened Status |
| Green sturgeon must be released due to its threatened status. Green sturgeon can be distinguished from white sturgeon by its color, stripes, barbells, vent, and scutes. Click here for more information. |
Southwest - NOAA Proposes to Extend Southern Range of Central California Coast Coho Salmon as a Result of Updated Scientific Information |
| NOAA Fisheries is proposing to extend the southern range of federally protected Central California Coast Coho salmon from San Lorenzo River to Aptos Creek. New information supporting an expansion of the range was found while reviewing a public petition to reduce the animal’s southern boundary. The current boundary for the evolutionary significant unit of Central California Coast Coho salmon extends from Punta Gorda in northern California south to and including the San Lorenzo River near Santa Cruz, California. This unit was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act on October 31, 1996, and reclassified as an endangered species on June 28, 2005. NOAA Fisheries is requesting public comment for the proposed range extension. Specific information on Soquel and Aptos Creeks would be especially helpful, including: recent or historical knowledge, including photographs, illustrating the presence and run size of coho; information on the current suitability of habitat to support salmon spawning, rearing and migration; biological or other relevant information concerning any current or planned activities that may threaten coho; current efforts being made to protect coho; and potential economic costs or other impacts of designating critical habitat in these streams. Written comments, data and information relevant to the proposed range extension must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on April 5, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit a comment. |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOAA Fisheries to Host National Annual Catch Limit Science Workshop Feb. 15-17
NOAA Fisheries will host a National Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Science Workshop on February 15-17, 2011, in Silver Spring, MD. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the Regional Fishery Management Councils and will involve NOAA Fisheries staff, Council representatives and nationally recognized fishery science experts.The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) was amended in 2007 to include a requirement to implement ACLs and accountability measures in the nation’s fisheries. This mandate and the subsequent update of National Standard 1 Guidelines substantially changed the nature and amount of data needed to manage the nation’s fisheries. The workshop will focus on scoping potential improvements in the state of scientific information needed to support implementation of the MSA, particularly in determining and implementing ACLs. The scope of the science issues associated with ACLs is quite broad, and not all topics can be fully covered. The proposed topics to be addressed include:
• Identifying data needs and related costs of conducting additional stock assessments.
• Calculating and communicating uncertainty in stock assessments.
• Considering socio-economic and ecosystem considerations in the definition of optimum yield.
• Developing cost-effective approaches to developing ACLs and AMs for data-poor stocks.
• How to best use cooperative research programs to augment needed data.
• Coordinating the roles of Science Centers, SSCs, and peer review systems in providing the best scientific information available.
• Identifying improvements to commercial and recreational fishery monitoring programs to provide scientists and managers with the data they need.
For further information please contact Richard Methot, Office of Science and Technology, NMFS at richard.methot@noaa.gov, or at (206) 860-3365. The meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mark Nelson at (301) 713 2341 at least five working days prior to the meeting.
REMINDER: MPA Federal Advisory Committee Seeks Nominations, Due by February 15
The Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee is seeking new members to fill six vacancies for October 2011. The Committee advises the Departments of Commerce and the Interior on the development and implementation of a national system of marine protected areas. In particular, nominations for representatives of ocean industry (e.g. oil and gas), commercial fishing, non-consumptive use, Tribal and/or Pacific Islanders, and conservation interests are sought by February 15, 2011. Each nomination submission should include the proposed member’s name and organizational affiliation, a cover letter describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Advisory Committee, and a curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee. Letters of support are encouraged but not required. Self-nominations are acceptable. Nominations should be sent by mail to Kara Yeager, National Marine Protected Areas Center, NOAA, 1305 East West Highway, Rm. 9136, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or by email to Kara.Yeager@noaa.gov. Email nominations are preferred. See http://www.mpa.gov/fac/ for more details.Save the Date: President's FY12 Budget Request for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Feb.16, 1-3 p.m.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Department of Commerce Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere/NOAA Administrator, will lead a briefing and discussion on the President’s FY12 Budget Request at the Department of Commerce Auditorium, located at 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C. NOAA senior leaders will join Dr. Lubchenco to answer questions and respond to comments. For those who will need to phone in, dial (toll-free): 1-888-324-7537. The verbal passcode to provide to the operator is "NOAA Budget." If you plan to phone in, please send a note to External.Affairs@noaa.gov so that we can be sure to supply an adequate number of open lines. If you will attend in person, please click this link to RSVP.Presidential Migratory Bird Stewardship Award Nominations; Due February 22, 2011
The Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds is seeking nominations for the 2011 Presidential Migratory Bird Stewardship Award. Nominees can be a single Federal agency, a Federal agency and public or private partners, or multiple Federal agencies. Nominations must be related to an action or project initiated no earlier than January 2001.The award annually recognizes a single project or action conducted by or in partnership with a Federal agency that meets the intent and spirit of Executive Order 13186 (Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds) by focusing on migratory bird conservation. Actions may involve reducing existing or potential adverse impacts to migratory birds and their habitats, restoring or enhancing migratory bird habitat, and incorporating conservation of migratory birds and their habitat into agency plans, guidance, or other activities. The action should demonstrate leadership in inspiring others to further migratory bird conservation. This could include developing and implementing best-management practices, a policy action, or research. The award was established by Executive Order 13186.
NOAA Fisheries Nomination Procedure – All NOAA Fisheries nominations must be submitted to Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov. NOAA Fisheries may submit only one nomination. Each Federal agency should filter nominations within their agency to submit their best nomination. NOAA Fisheries must receive nominations from its offices by February 22, 2011 for a March 1, 2011 submission. The award will be presented in May 2011.
Click here for the award announcement, nomination applications, and instructions. For more information, please email Kim Rivera, NOAA Fisheries' National Seabird Coordinator.
NOAA Fisheries/Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeking Proposals for 2012 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program, Due March 7
NOAA Fisheries, in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, is soliciting proposals under the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program that address research priorities for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid, Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, and bluefish, and tilefish fisheries. Applications must be received by March 7, 2011. Click here for more information.Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity: FY 2011 Species Recovery Grants to Tribes; Applications due March 7
NOAA Fisheries recognizes the unique importance of many protected species to tribes and values ongoing efforts by tribal nations to conserve and protect species under the agency’s jurisdiction. NOAA Fisheries is authorized to provide Federal assistance to tribes to support conservation programs for marine and anadromous species under its jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of grants, can be used to support conservation of endangered, threatened, and candidate or proposed species, as well as post-delisting monitoring of recovered species. Funded activities may include development and implementation of management plans, scientific research, and public education and outreach; proposals should address priority actions identified in an Endangered Species Act Recovery Plan or address a NOAA Fisheries-identified regional priority or need. Only federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply. Proposals focusing on listed Pacific salmon or steelhead will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be supported through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. In addition to this opportunity, the NOAA Restoration Center may provide additional funding for habitat restoration projects selected through the Species Recovery Grants to Tribes program. Applications must be postmarked, provided to a delivery service, or received by http://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 7, 2011. Click here for more information.NOAA Fisheries Seeks Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor, Applications due April 5
The 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 April 5, 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/
NOAA FISHERIES ACTIONS
http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments
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