FishNews February 24, 2011

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National – NOAA Begins Survey of the Economic Contributions of Saltwater Angling

NOAA is again surveying saltwater anglers across the nation to update and improve estimates of the overall economic contributions of saltwater recreational fishing to the U.S. economy. Throughout 2011, NOAA will survey a random sampling of the more than 15 million saltwater anglers in each of the 23 coastal states and Puerto Rico for the 2011 National Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey. The survey will include people who fish from shore, from docks, from party or charter boats and from privately owned boats. Field interviews have begun and will continue throughout the year. Surveying began in January in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It will begin in the remaining Atlantic states and Texas in March and April, and in Alaska, Oregon and Washington in May. This is NOAA’s second national survey focusing on how much saltwater anglers spend on their sport. The information gathered in the survey will contribute to more informed decisions on a variety of recreational fishing issues. Click here for more information.

National – NOAA Announces FY 2012 Budget

On February 14, 2011, President Obama issued the FY 2012 budget for NOAA, requesting $5.5 billion for the nation’s oceanic and atmospheric agency. The proposed budget includes key investments to strengthen NOAA’s most critical programs and initiatives while addressing the administration’s goals of ensuring long-term economic growth, promoting innovation and American competitiveness, and reducing government spending. The budget request represents a $6.8 million decrease compared to the 2011 budget. This budget focuses on program needs, identifies efficiencies, and ensures accountability across the agency. Core functions and services are sustained, increases are requested for only the most critical programs, projects, or activities necessary to meet the nation’s growing demand for NOAA’s services, and careful cuts are made throughout the budget. Click here for more information.

Southeast – NOAA Seeking Comments on Proposed Rule to Increase Red Snapper Quotas in the Gulf of Mexico

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would adjust the commercial and recreational red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico from 3.542 and 3.403 million pounds to 3.66 and 3.525 million pounds in 2011, respectively. A recent red snapper assessment update projected overfishing (rate of removal is too high) ended in 2009, and therefore, the total allowable catch can be increased from the existing 6.945 MP to 7.185 million pounds. Comments are due by March 24, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit a comment.

Southeast - Science Shows Planned Area Closure for All Snapper and Grouper Species off Georgia and North Florida Not Necessary

Updated scientific data on red snapper populations in the South Atlantic show that the planned area closure for all snapper and grouper species off southern Georgia and northern Florida is no longer needed. NOAA Fisheries is now seeking public comment on a proposal to repeal the previously approved area closure that is set to go into effect on June 1. Eliminating the planned area closure would not alter the existing prohibition on directed commercial and recreational catch and possession of red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic. Repealing the area closure would allow for the continued harvest of 72 species of fish other than red snapper in this area, in accordance with existing regulations. If it’s not repealed, the 4,827-square mile area closure would take effect June 1 and prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for snappers and groupers between the depths of 98 and 240 feet, from southern Georgia to Cape Canaveral, Fla. Use of black sea bass pots and spearfishing gear would be allowed within the closed area when fishing for species other than red snapper. Public comment on the proposed rule to eliminate the planned closure will be accepted until March 21. For more information or to submit a comment, click here.

Northeast - Negotiations with Canada Set Stage for Significant Increase in U.S. Yellowtail Flounder Quota on Georges Bank

Legislation recently signed by President Obama has paved the way for NOAA to increase the Georges Bank yellowtail flounder quota for U.S. commercial fishermen. In 2011, the quota will be increased to 2.5 million pounds, an 18 percent increase over 2010 levels and a 44 percent increase over the quota that fishermen originally expected to receive for the 2011 fishing year. Georges Bank yellowtail flounder is one of several shared groundfish stocks that are jointly managed by the United States and Canada through an international understanding. This new legislation allows NOAA to extend the rebuilding timeframe for the Georges Bank yellowtail flounder stock. With more time to rebuild, NOAA will be able to increase the amount of fish available to the fishing industry each year, and still prevent overfishing so that the stocks rebuild. Click here for more information.

Northeast/Southeast - Careful Catch and Release Guidelines for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Now Available

NOAA Fisheries has developed a brochure that provides guidelines on how to increase the survival of hook-and-line caught large pelagic species such as tuna, swordfish, and sharks. These guidelines will assist anglers in following NOAA Fisheries regulations, which require that any Atlantic highly migratory species that is caught and released, be released in a manner that maximizes its chance of survival. The survival of a released fish today will help lead to healthy stocks for future harvest. If you cannot download the brochure online, call 301-713-2347.

Alaska – NOAA Extends Comment Period on Proposed ESA Listing of Ringed and Bearded Seals to March 25, 2011; Public Hearings Also Scheduled

Interested members of the public will have an additional 45 days to comment on NOAA Fisheries’ proposal to list four subspecies of ringed seals and two distinct population segments of bearded seals as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Comments—which should be identified by "RIN 0648-XZ58" for bearded seals and “RIN 0648-XZ59” for ringed seals—should be sent to Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources, Alaska Region, NMFS, ATTN: Ellen Sebastian by March 25, 2011.      • Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal website at http://www.regulations.gov      • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668      • Fax: 907-586-7557      • Hand-deliver to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK Click here for more information. NOAA Fisheries has received requests for public hearings on this issue. In response, the agency will hold public hearings at three locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.      * Anchorage, AK: March 7, 2011; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Egan Center (Lower Level)      * Barrow, AK: March 22, 2011; 7-9:30 p.m., Iñupiat Heritage Center      * Nome, AK: Date and time to be announced Telephone access to the Barrow hearing will be available at the North Slope Borough Teleconferencing Centers in Kaktovik, Wainwright, Point Lay, Point Hope, Nuiqsut, Atqasuk, and Anaktuvuk Pass. A brief opening presentation on the proposed rules will be provided before accepting public testimony. Click here for more information.

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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

Increase in Fee for the High Seas Fishing Permit As of March 15, 2011

As of March 15, 2011, the fee for a high seas fishing permit will be $129. This amount must be included with any application for the high seas fishing permit. Failure to pay the fee will preclude issuance of the permit. Click here for the application form and instructions. High seas fishing permits continue to be valid for 5 years. Current permit holders do not need to take any immediate action. Prior to the expiration of a high seas fishing permit, NOAA Fisheries generally sends a notification to permit holders regarding renewal of their permit.

The regulations for the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act state that NOAA Fisheries will charge a fee to recover the administrative expenses of permit issuance. The amount of the fee is determined in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the administrative costs of this permit.

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.

Save the Date: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting, April 5-7, 2011

NOAA Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel on April 5-7, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Information on the venue and agenda will be provided at a later date. The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. Click here for more information.

2010 Energy Use in Fisheries Symposium Proceedings Now Available Online

Proceedings from the Energy Use in Fisheries Symposium that took place November 14-17, 2011, in Seattle, WA are now available online.

FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS

For a list of only those actions open for public comment, go 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


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