WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National - NOAA Fisheries Highlights Agency Activities Online for Earth Week |
| Every day is Earth Day at NOAA, and NOAA Fisheries recently highlighted a few of the agency's activities online in our Earth Week series: • Our Earth, Our Communities: A unique partnership among NOAA scientists and fishermen using new tools to survey, research, and better understand depleted and commercially important groundfish in California. • Our Earth, Our Teachers: A feature on dynamic NOAA Teacher at Sea alum, Jason Moeller who proves that the ocean can be part of every lesson whether you are on the coast or in Tennessee. • Our Earth, Our Animals: A first-hand look at the 12,000-mile journey of the migrating Gray whaleas they venture north to south and back again. • Our Earth, Our Habitat: An update on NOAA's ongoing efforts to assess the potential impacts to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem from the oil spill two years ago. • Our Earth, Our Seafood: Taking a bite out of invasive species...how a Maryland-based chef and a DC-based seafood company are creating a new market for snakeheads. |
National – NOAA Intends to Update a Recovery Plan for the Blue Whale and Prepare a Recovery Plan for the North Pacific Right Whale; Seeks Public Comment through May 17 |
| NOAA Fisheries announces its intent to update a recovery plan for the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and prepare a recovery plan for the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) and requests information from the public. NOAA Fisheries is required by the Endangered Species Act to develop plans for the conservation and survival of federally listed species, i.e., recovery plans. To allow NOAA Fisheries adequate time to conduct the reviews, all information must be received no later than May 17, 2012. Read more or submit a comment. |
National - MPA Center External Review Report Now Available |
| The National Marine Protected Areas Center is pleased to share the findings of its External Review. This unprecedented review was conducted by four expert marine protected area (MPA) scientists and managers from academic, non-profit and state government institutions in January 2012. The panel was asked to review the MPA Center's activities in order to maximize its effectiveness and transparency and to provide an external assessment of both past accomplishments and future directions. This review will serve as a guide as the Center works with its partners, the MPA Federal Advisory Committee and stakeholders in coastal communities to craft a vision for our future in the context of current opportunities and threats to our shared ocean resources. For additional information, contactLauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov. |
Northeast - NOAA Proposes to Establish a Skate Bait Fishery; Comments due May 14 |
| NOAA Fisheries proposes to modify the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to allow vessels issued a Federal skate permit and a Skate Bait Letter of Authorization to fish for skates in a portion of southern New England from July through October of each year, outside of the Northeast multispecies days-at-sea program. This action would allow vessels to harvest skates in a manner that is consistent with the bycatch reduction objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Comments are due May 14, 2012. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast/Southeast – NOAA to Hold Public Scoping Meetings on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Requests Comments through July 15 |
| NOAA Fisheries will hold public scoping meetings to determine the scope and significance of issues to be analyzed in a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on management measures for Atlantic bluefin tuna and a potential proposed amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan based on that process. The public process will help NOAA Fisheries determine if existing measures are the best means of achieving certain management objectives for Atlantic bluefin tuna and providing flexibility for future management, consistent with the management plan, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and other relevant Federal laws.Click here for a schedule of scoping meetings. NOAA Fisheries is also announcing the availability of a scoping document describing measures for potential inclusion in a proposed Amendment. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on this notice, and the management of bluefin tuna, including, but not limited to, those described in the scoping document. Comments must be received by July 15, 2012. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southeast - Rise in Asian Tiger Shrimp Sightings Prompts Scientific Look at Invasion Concerns |
| The recent rise in sightings of non-native Asian tiger shrimp off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts has government scientists working to determine the cause of the increase and the possible consequences for native fish and seafood in those waters. Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working with state agencies from North Carolina to Texas to look into how this transplanted species from Indo-Pacific, Asian and Australian waters reached U.S. waters, and what the increase in sightings means for native species. NOAA scientists are launching a research effort to understand more about the biology of these shrimp and how they may affect the ecology of native fisheries and coastal ecosystems. As with all non-native species, there are concerns over the potential for novel avenues of disease transmission and competition with native shrimp stocks, especially given the high growth rates and spawning rates compared with other species. Read more |
Alaska - NOAA Proposes Removing Eastern Steller Sea Lions from Endangered Species List; Seeks Public Comment through June 18 |
| NOAA is proposing to remove the eastern Steller sea lion, currently deemed "threatened," from the list of endangered wildlife, after a status review by its biologists found the species is recovering sufficiently. NOAA Fisheries began a draft status review of the eastern population, which ranges from Alaska's Cape Suckling to California's Channel Islands, in June 2010, and opened a 60-day public comment period. Within a few days, NOAA received two petitions, one from the states of Washington and Oregon, and the other from the state of Alaska, asking that the eastern Steller sea lion be removed from threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. The draft status review, which was completed in March 2012, shows the eastern Steller sea lion population has met the recovery criteria outlined in the recovery plan, which was developed by NOAA Fisheries in 1992 and revised in 2008. There were approximately 34,000 eastern Steller sea lions in 1997, when the eastern and western stocks were found to be genetically different from each other. Estimates in 2010 put the eastern population at about 70,000. The western stock, which ranges from Alaska as far as the Russian Pacific coast, will retain its endangered status. Comments must be submitted to NOAA Fisheries by June 18, 2012. Requests for public hearing must be made in writing and received by June 4, 2012. Read more |
Alaska - NOAA Seeks Public Input on a New Observer Program Structure for Alaska Fisheries through June 18 |
| NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the agency's new proposal to change the observer program for federal groundfish and halibut fisheries off Alaska. Observers are trained biologists who collect information while aboard vessels and at shore-side plants during commercial fisheries. Fisheries managers, scientists and policymakers, use the collected information, which is critical to sustainable management of Alaska's multi-million dollar fisheries industry. NOAA put the current observer program in place in 1991. The industry-funded program has worked well, but there are some elements that need improvement. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has proposed changes to more equitably distribute industry's costs, to improve data quality, and to include halibut vessels. NOAA hopes to deploy observers under the restructured program by January 1, 2013. Written comments on the proposed changes must be received by June 18, 2012.Read more or submit a comment. |
Alaska - NOAA Fisheries Begins Western Steller Sea Lion Environmental Impact Statement Process; Seeks Public Comment through Oct 15 |
| NOAA Fisheries is asking for public input as it begins to prepare an environmental impact statement, or EIS, on Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish fisheries. The western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). By law, NOAA Fisheries must ensure that the groundfish fisheries are not likely to result in "jeopardy of continued existence, or adverse modification or destruction of designated critical habitat," or JAM, for these Steller sea lions. Steller sea lion protection measures have been used to manage the groundfish fisheries since 1999. The current protection measures were put into effect in January 2011, after a biological opinion concluded that primarily Pacific cod and Atka mackerel commercial fishing in part of the Aleutian Islands may be preventing the recovery of the endangered Steller sea lions, and might result in JAM. Atka mackerel and Pacific cod are important prey species for Steller sea lions. The analysis in the EIS will determine the impacts to the human environment resulting from the proposed action and alternatives to restrict groundfish fishing in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to ensure the fishing would not likely result in JAM. NOAA Fisheries intends to work with stakeholders to develop fisheries restrictions that are not likely to result in JAM and minimize the potential economic impact on the fishing industry to the extent practicable while meeting the requirements of the ESA. In scoping for the EIS, the agency will accept written comments from the public to determine the issues of concern; the appropriate range of management alternatives; and the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts. Instructions for submitting written comments and more detail can be found online. The formal public scoping period will close October 15, 2012. Read more |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOAA Fisheries Announces Workshops on Atlantic Shark Identification and Protected Species Release, Disentanglement, and Identification in May and June of 2012
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in May and June of 2012. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically, 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 2012 and will be announced in a future notice. Click here for dates, times, and locations.Fishing for Energy Fund Request for Proposals; Pre-proposals Due May 1
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with Covanta Energy Corporation and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, announces the availability of grant funding to provide capacity and incentives to address old, abandoned or derelict fishing gear. The Fishing for Energy Small Grants Fund will entertain a wide variety of proposal topics for the prevention and removal of unwanted derelict fishing gear from the marine environment. Priorities for funding for the 2012 call include:• At sea derelict fishing gear removal;
• Gear density assessment; and/or,
• Economic and resource impact assessment.
The Fishing for Energy partners have roughly $500,000 in funds available for projects in 2012 and anticipate awarding approximately five projects. Proposals requesting less than $10,000 or over $250,000 will not be considered. Most awarded projects will complete activities within 1-2 years. Projects submitted for funding must directly engage the fishing community in project activities. Priority will be given to: projects that work directly through an existing Fishing for Energy location. Interested applicants should submit a pre-proposal using National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's online Easygrants system. Pre-proposals must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 1, 2012. Read more
NOAA Fisheries and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Seek Proposals for Habitat Protection Projects; Pre-proposals Due May 1
NOAA Fisheries and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation request proposals for projects that support the protection of coastal and marine fish habitats through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). Protection under NFHP consists of voluntary and non-regulatory actions to maintain or prevent the decline of aquatic habitat and the aquatic resources that depend on those habitats. The deadline for pre-proposals is May 1, 2012. Click here for more information or to apply.May 1-2: U.S. Advisory Committee to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Holds Annual Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, MD
The Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) announces its annual spring meeting on May 1-2, 2012. The Committee will meet with its Technical Advisors to discuss matters relating to ICCAT, including the 2011 Commission meeting results; research and management activities; global and domestic initiatives related to ICCAT; the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act-required report on any identification of countries that are diminishing the effectiveness of ICCAT; the results of meetings of the Committee's Species Working Groups; and other matters relating to the international management of ICCAT species. The open sessions of the Committee meeting will be held on May 1, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and May 2, 2012, 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Closed sessions will be held on May 1, 2012, 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on May 2, 2012, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 8727 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Read moreDue May 4: Letters of Intent for Bycatch Reduction Engineering Grant Program; Full Applications due May 25
NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries announces the availability of funds for projects supporting the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). A Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) document is associated with this competition is available at www.grants.gov (FFO# - NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2012-2003362), along with the full application for download. The FFO provides important information for grant applicants, including program priorities, eligibility requirements, amount of available funding, instructions for submitting proposals, review criteria and review process, and more. Letters of Intent for the FY2012 BREP competition are due by May 4, 2012 to Derek Orner (derek.orner@noaa.gov). Full applications for the FY 2012 BREP competition are due May 25, 2012.Due May 7: Nominations for U.S. Delegation to the July 2012 International Whaling Commission Annual Meeting
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is holding its 64th annual meeting from July 2-6, 2012, at the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama. NOAA is seeking nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the July 2012 IWC annual meeting. The non-federal representative(s) selected as a result of this nomination process is(are) responsible for providing input and recommendations to the U.S. IWC Commissioner representing the positions of non-governmental organizations. Generally, only one non-governmental position is selected for the U.S. Delegation. All written nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the IWC annual meeting must be received by May 7, 2012. Read moreFEDERAL 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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