WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National - Commerce and NOAA release new aquaculture policies to increase domestic seafood production, create sustainable jobs, and restore species and habitats |
| On June 9, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released new national marine aquaculture policies to meet the growing demand for healthy seafood, to create jobs in coastal communities, and restore vital ecosystems. Along with its new policy, NOAA announced additional steps in the future to support the development of the U.S. aquaculture industry through: • Developing a National Shellfish Initiative in partnership with the shellfish industry to increase commercial production of shellfish, which would create jobs, provide locally-produced food, restore shellfish populations and habitats, and improve water quality. • Implementing the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Plan for Aquaculture, which includes the regulatory infrastructure needed for offshore aquaculture development in the Gulf. Read more |
National – Department of Commerce releases Fishery Disaster Assistance Policy |
| On June 16, 2011, the Department of Commerce released a policy to provide guidance on how NOAA Fisheries will evaluate requests for fishery disaster declarations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act. The policy lays out a three-step process for evaluating fishery disasters. Read more |
National – Audit on NOAA's Asset Forfeiture Fund released |
| The independent audit of NOAA's Asset Forfeiture Fund has been completed. The fund's audited financial statements received an unqualified (clean) opinion, or the best type of audit opinion one can receive. This audit was undertaken at the direction of Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator, as part of a comprehensive action plan to ensure that monies collected from fisheries enforcement penalties are properly accounted for and used. The audit is one of a number of significant steps that NOAA has taken to improve transparency and accountability in its enforcement program. Read more |
National – NOAA seeks public comments on scientific integrity policy through August 15 |
| NOAA's draft scientific integrity policy is available for public review and comment until Aug. 15, 2011. The policy incorporates the principles of scientific integrity contained in guidance from the White House, and addresses how NOAA ensures quality science in its practices and policies and promotes a culture of transparency, integrity and ethical behavior. NOAA's draft policy: • Lays out formal guidance with a "Code of Conduct" • Creates the conditions for enabling first-rate science and guarding against attempts to undermine, discredit or change it • States the key role of science in informing policy • Encourages scientists to publish data and findings to advance science, their careers and NOAA's reputation for reliable science • Encourages NOAA scientists to be leaders in the scientific community • Provides whistle-blower protection • Applies to all NOAA employees and provides applicable policies for contractors and grantees who conduct, supervise, assess and/or interpret scientific information for the use of NOAA, the Department of Commerce and the nation • Includes a training component. NOAA also seeks comments on the accompanying handbook that outlines procedures to respond to allegations of misconduct. Both draft documents can be found online. Read more |
National - NOAA Fisheries scientist appointed U.S. Government Delegate to International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
| The U.S. Department of State has appointed Fredric Serchuk, senior science advisor and a longtime fisheries biologist at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Mass., as the U.S. government delegate to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The international group, the world's oldest intergovernmental marine science organization, coordinates and promotes marine research in the North Atlantic. As the U.S. government delegate to ICES, Serchuk will represent the United States in the General Assembly of the Council and in Delegates' meetings. He will promote the policies and objectives of the United States in the functioning of the council, and oversee U.S. participation in ICES' science and research programs. Read more |
National - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service solicits information and recommendations from public for animal and plant species the United States should consider submitting for consideration to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, due August 15 |
| The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is scheduled to be held in March 2013 in Thailand. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting information and recommendations from the public for animal and plant species the United States should consider submitting for consideration at CoP16. The Service encourages the submission of information on species that are subject to international trade that is, or may become, detrimental to the survival of the species. Comments must be received on or before August 15, 2011. Read more or submit comments and information. |
National – NOAA Fisheries releases final 2010 marine mammal stock assessment reports |
| As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA Fisheries has incorporated public comments into revisions of marine mammal stock assessment reports. The 2010 reports are final and available to the public. Read more |
Northeast – NOAA Fisheries proposes to modify Atlantic herring catch reporting for 2011, seeks public comment through June 30 |
| NOAA Fisheries is proposing to revise the reporting requirements for vessels issued Atlantic herring permits because more timely catch information is necessary to monitor herring catch against the stock-wide herring annual catch limit (ACL) and herring management area sub-ACLs, to help prevent sub-ACLs overages, and to reduce the chance of premature fishery closures. This proposal would require limited access herring vessels to report catch daily via vessel monitoring systems, open access herring vessels to report catch weekly via the interactive voice response system, and all herring-permitted vessels to submit vessel trip reports weekly. Public comments must be received by June 30, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast - NOAA Fisheries proposes protective regulations for Gulf of Maine Atlantic sturgeon, seeks public comment through August 9 |
| NOAA Fisheries has proposed protective regulations on taking Gulf of Maine Atlantic sturgeon, a population currently proposed for listing as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. NOAA proposes to prohibit most takes, allowing them under very narrow circumstances for scientific research, assisting stranded fish, and salvage purposes. Other protective prohibitions allowed by the act would apply. Comments are being accepted through August 9, 2011. A decision on listing the population is expected next fall. If NOAA determines that a listing is not warranted, then no final rule containing protective regulations will be published and the proposed rule announced today will be withdrawn. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast – NOAA Fisheries proposes procedures for setting annual catch limits and accountability measures for all Mid-Atlantic fisheries, seeks public comment through July 18 |
| NOAA Fisheries has proposed procedures for setting annual catch limits and accountability measures to prevent overfishing for 10 federally managed fish stocks managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Once the procedures are final, the Mid-Atlantic Council will be on its way to establishing catch limits and accountability measures for all its required fisheries. According to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, all federally managed fisheries must be managed with those tools by the end of 2011. Already, NOAA and the eight regional Fishery Management Councils have implemented annual catch limits to prevent overfishing for 203 of the nation's 528 managed marine fish stocks. NOAA is seeking public comment on the proposed amendment and will issue a final rule after reviewing comments. Comments must be received by July 18. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast - New England Fishery Management Council seeks public comment on possible revision of Essential Fish Habitat for several species and Northeast multispecies closed areas through July 18 |
| The New England Fishery Management Council is preparing a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for an Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment to the fishery management plans for Northeast multispecies, Atlantic sea scallop, monkfish, Atlantic herring, Northeast skate complex, Atlantic salmon, and Atlantic deep-sea red crab. The Council will expand the scope of this action to include review of, and possible changes to, the Northeast multispecies closed areas. During this comment period, the Council is seeking comments on the possible revision of these management areas. Public comments must be received on or before July 18. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southeast - Major flooding on the Mississippi river predicted to cause largest Gulf of Mexico dead zone ever recorded |
| The Gulf of Mexico's hypoxic zone is predicted to be the largest ever recorded due to extreme flooding of the Mississippi River this spring, according to an annual forecast by a team of NOAA-supported scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Louisiana State University and the University of Michigan. Hypoxia is caused by excessive nutrient pollution, often from human activities such as agriculture that results in too little oxygen to support most marine life in bottom and near-bottom water. The hypoxic zone off the coast of Louisiana and Texas forms each summer and threatens valuable commercial and recreational Gulf fisheries. In 2009, the dockside value of commercial fisheries in the Gulf was $629 million. Nearly three million recreational fishers further contributed more than $1 billion to the Gulf economy taking 22 million fishing trips. Read more |
Southeast - NOAA Fisheries seeks public comment on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for grouper management measures in the Gulf of Mexico through July 25 |
| NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources in the Gulf of Mexico. A DEIS is draft analysis of potential significant impacts that proposed actions can have on the natural and social environment. The DEIS includes the following actions: 1) Rebuilding plans for the gag stock; 2) establishing or modifying recreational bag limits, size limits, and closed seasons for gag and red grouper; 3) applying commercial gag quota adjustments to account for dead discards; 4) adjusting multi-use individual fishing quota shares (allocation); 5) changing the commercial gag size limit; 6) establishing time and area closures; and 7) modifying current gag, red grouper, and shallow-water grouper accountability measures. Written comments on this DEIS must be received no later than July 25, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southeast – Updated data available on dolphin/whale unusual mortality event and sea turtle strandings in Gulf of Mexico |
| NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources has released updated data on both the dolphin/whale unusual mortality event and increased sea turtle strandings in the Gulf of Mexico. As of June 12, 2011, the dolphin/whale unusual mortality event involved 476 cetacean "strandings" in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (4% stranded alive and 96% stranded dead). Read more Since March 15, 2011, a notable increase in sea turtle strandings has occurred in the northern Gulf of Mexico, primarily in Mississippi. While turtle strandings in this region typically increase in the spring, the recent increase is cause for concern. The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network is monitoring and investigating this increase. The latest data on these strandings are available here. |
Northwest/Southwest – Pacific Fishery Management Council submits Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce, seeks public comment through August 8 |
| The Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. Amendment 13 is intended to ensure the management plan meets the objectives of National Standard 1 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. National Standard 1 states "Conservation and management measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery for the U.S. fishing industry." Specifically, Amendment 13 revises the framework process currently in place to set and adjust fishery specifications and management measures and establishes a framework for specifying new reference points such as overfishing level, acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits, where necessary. Amendment 13 also adds Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii pallasii) and jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) to the management plan as ecosystem component species. Comments on Amendment 13 must be received by August 8, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southwest – NOAA Fisheries scientists tags two more basking sharks in the Pacific Ocean |
| Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) have shown up once again off the coast of Southern California. Sportfishermen and private boaters are reporting sightings from Carlsbad to the U.S./Mexico border. On May 15, 2011, Dr. John Hyde and Owyn Snodgrass, of NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center, successfully tagged a 20-foot long basking shark four miles off Torrey Pines State beach. The tag is designed to record depth, temperature, and location data. This was the second basking shark tagged in the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately the tag popped off prematurely and was found on the beach by a surfer in Mission Bay. Regardless of the premature release, the tag still recorded lots of valuable data giving scientists an opportunity to learn more about these mysterious sharks and why they are being seen off the coast of San Diego. Sightings have continued into the month of June and a third tag was deployed by John Hyde and Owyn Snodgrass on June 7th, 2011, five miles off Point Loma. NOAA biologists hope this third tag will stay on the shark for up to 8 months recording its movements and habits. Watch a video of the second tagging effort and learn more. |
Pacific Islands - NOAA Fisheries proposes critical habitat revision for the Hawaiian monk seal, seeks public comment through August 31 |
| NOAA Fisheries has proposed designating 16 areas as critical habitat for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal under the Endangered Species Act and is inviting public comment. The proposed revision includes expanding the 1988 critical habitat designation in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and adding new areas throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on the proposed revision through August 31, 2011. Dates, times and venues for public hearings will be available on NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office site. NOAA Fisheries will review comments and issue a final rule, expected by June 2, 2012. Read more or submit a comment. |
Pacific Islands – NOAA Fisheries proposes American Samoa longline gear modifications to reduce sea turtle interactions, seeks public comment through July 22 |
| This proposed rule would require specific gear configuration for pelagic longline fishing for vessels based in American Samoa, as well as other U.S. longline vessels longer than 40 ft (12.2 m), while fishing south of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean. The requirements include minimum float line and branch line lengths, number of hooks between floats, and distances between floats and adjacent hooks. The rule would also limit the number of swordfish taken. The proposed action is intended to ensure that longline hooks are set at depths of 100 meters or deeper to reduce interactions between longline fishing and Pacific green sea turtles. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by July 22, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 27: NOAA to Hold Public Meeting Prior to the International Whaling Commission's 63rd Annual Meeting
NOAA will hold a public meeting prior to the annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting to discuss the tentative U.S. positions for the upcoming IWC meeting. Because the meeting discusses U.S. positions, the substance of the meeting must be kept confidential. Any U.S. citizen with an identifiable interest in U.S. whale conservation policy may participate, but NOAA reserves the authority to inquire about the interests of any person who appears at a meeting and to determine the appropriateness of that person's participation. Persons who represent foreign interests may not attend. These stringent measures are necessary to protect the confidentiality of U.S. negotiating positions and are a necessary basis for the relatively open process of preparing for IWC meetings. The public meeting will be held on June 27 at noon in the NOAA Auditorium, 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Read moreNOAA Fisheries to Hold Several Public Meetings on Revising National Standard 10 Guidelines in June and July
On April 21, 2011, NOAA Fisheries published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to request public comment on potential revisions to the National Standard 10 Guidelines. In June and July, NOAA Fisheries will hold several meetings where presentations will be given on National Standard 10. The public will be allowed to comment at the meetings. Dates and locations of upcoming meetings are below:• June 21, 2011: afternoon session, Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine
• July 19, 2011: 10 am – noon, Swedish Cultural Center, Seattle, Washington
Read more
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panel and Joint Management Committee on Pacific Whiting; Due June 30
NOAA Fisheries is soliciting nominations for the Advisory Panel and the Joint Management Committee on Pacific Whiting called for in the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting. NOAA seeks nominations for at least 6, but not more than 12, individuals on the Advisory Panel and 1 individual on the Joint Management Committee to serve as United States representatives. Nominations must be received by June 30. You may submit nominations via:• E-mail: whiting.nominations.nwr@noaa.
• Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Frank Lockhart.
• Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070.
Read more
NOAA Fisheries Now Accepting 2011 Nominations for Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award; Due July 1, 2011
NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation is soliciting nominations for the 2011 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award, honoring excellence in habitat conservation in the marine environment. Established in May 1997, this annual award honors a commitment of excellence in service to habitat conservation in the marine environment. The first award was presented to Dr. Nancy Foster in 1997 for her outstanding long-term contributions and organizational efforts to protect, conserve, and restore coastal and marine habitats. Nominations for the 2011 award are due July 1, 2011. Visit www.habitat.noaa.gov for details.Call for Nominations for the 2011 David H. Hart Award; Deadline for Submitting Nominations is Friday, July 29
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking nominations for the 21st annual Captain David H. Hart Award. This annual award will be presented at the Commission's 70th Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, November 7-10, 2011. Anyone associated with the Commission's activities is encouraged to nominate worthy candidates – individual(s) who contribute to the betterment of the fisheries of the Atlantic Coast through significant biological, legislative, enforcement, or management activities. A nomination should include a description of the candidate's achievements and effects on the fisheries of the Atlantic coast. Please note that candidates nominated but not selected the previous year will now be carried over and therefore do not need to be re-nominated. Nominations should be sent as soon as possible to Laura C. Leach via email: lleach@asmfc.org; fax at (703)842-0741; or U.S. mail at 1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201. Please indicate on your nomination that it is a confidential document. All nominations must be received no later than Friday, July 29, 2011.NOAA Fisheries Holding Several Public Meetings in July and August on Reducing Risk of Serious Injury or Mortality of Large Whales Due to Entanglements in Vertical Lines
NOAA Fisheries is holding 15 public scoping meetings during July and August to solicit public comments on ways to reduce the risk of serious injury or mortality of North Atlantic right, humpback and fin whales as a result of vertical lines (buoy lines) in commercial trap/pot and gillnet fisheries. NOAA Fisheries is committed to publishing a final rule to address vertical line entanglement by 2014. Read moreNOAA Fisheries Announces Workshops on Protected Species Release, Disentanglement, and Identification and Atlantic Shark Identification in July, August, and September
NOAA Fisheries will hold free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops in July, August, and September of 2011. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2011. Click here for more information, dates, and locations.WWF Announces 2011 International Smart Gear Design Competition to Reduce Fisheries Bycatch; Open March 1 – August 31
The World Wildlife Fund recently launched the 2011 International Smart Gear Competition, to find innovative ways to reduce the amount of fisheries bycatch. NOAA, Fondation Segré, ISSF, and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans are supporting the 2011 competition. Open to anyone from fishermen, backyard inventors and students, the competition will be open from March 1 to August 31, 2011. The 2011 International Smart Gear Competition is offering a grand prize of $30,000 and two $10,000 runner-up prizes. Additionally, in partnership with the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), the competition is offering a $7,500 special tuna prize that will be awarded to the idea that will reduce the amount of bycatch found in tuna fisheries. Tuna sustainability is the top WWF global fisheries conservation priority.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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