FishNews - January 9, 2013 - Innovative Underwater Technology, Improved Economic Conditions for Northeast Groundfish Fleet, Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries Re-Open, and More

Join List     FishNews Archive     NOAA Fisheries Home           Highlights - January 9, 2013 National Teachers Use High-Tech Underwater Technology NOAA Teachers at Sea work with scientists using technologies like HabCam and Cam-Trawl on research cruises, which survey the seafloor less invasively than more traditional methods. Two More Early Restoration Projects Approved for Gulf Coast Additional early restoration projects totaling about $9 million will begin along the Gulf Coast in 2013, according to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees.     Atlantic Highly Migratory Species-Public Hearings   See proposed measures that would reduce fishing mortality and effort to rebuild overfished Atlantic shark species while ensuring that a limited sustainable shark fishery can be maintained. There will be public hearings on the proposed rule and make comments by February 12, 2013. Northeast Final 2011 Report on Performance of Northeast Groundfish Fishery   Landings, gross revenues, and net revenues per vessel reached three-year highs for Northeast groundfish vessels during the fishing year ending in April 2012. These results suggest economic conditions generally improved for the groundfish fleet between 2009 and 2011 for those vessels remaining active in the fishery. Portion of Georges Bank Re-Opened for Harvest of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahogs   A portion of  Georges Bank that had been closed to the harvest of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs since 1990 will reopen for Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog harvesting effective January 1, 2013.     New Commercial Quotas and Recreational Limits for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass NOAA has set commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries for 2013. Northwest Small Research Station Provides Immense Value to Marine Exploration NOAA Fisheries scientists come together at the Point Adams Biological Research Station to study the dynamically rich ecosystem and discover new understandings about aquatic life and freshwater and ocean ecology.   Proposed Rule for Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery-Request for Comments There are revisions to several portions of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Trawl Rationalization Program regulations. Submit comments by February  1, 2013.  Southeast  Trip Limit Reduced for Commercial Vessels-Request for Comments   Commercial vessels fishing for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel in federal waters of the southern zone have a new daily vessel trip limit  of 1,500 pounds, effective January 6, 2013. Proposed Rule for Snapper-Grouper Fishery-Request for Comments   Comment on proposed regulations to implement Amendment 18B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region with intent to reduce overcapacity in the commercial golden tilefish component of the snapper-grouper fishery. Comments due by January 18, 2013. Southwest   Comments Welcome on Draft Strategic Science Plan   NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center invites the public to provide comments on our draft Strategic Science Plan to help us advance our science during the next 5 years.   Alaska Do New Estimates Show Beluga Whale Populations on the Rise?    Is it good news for Cook Inlet beluga whales? See the latest population estimate for this endangered species based on 2012 survey results-a small but not scientifically significant increase. Adjusting Catch Amounts for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands-Request for Comments  Find out about adjustments to the 2013 total allowable catch amounts for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries. We are also adjusting 2013 total allowable catch amounts for the Gulf of Alaska pollock and Pacific cod fisheries.   Protection Measures for Steller Sea Lions We will prepare an environmental impact statement on Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish fisheries in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Pacific Islands Endangered Species Act Proposed Listing of Corals-Public Hearings The schedule of Public Hearings for NOAA's proposed ESA listing determinations for 82 species of corals is now available online.     Events  Jan 23-25, 2013: Highly Migratory Species Management Team Meeting Jan: Crimes Against Marine Mammals-NOAA-Sponsored Exhibit in D.C. extended through January 2013. Upcoming: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops in January, February, and March of 2013. Announcements  Jan. 15, 2013: Nominations are due for the National Wetlands Awards.  Jan. 18, 2013: Call for Nominations is open for the Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award. May 7-9, 2013: Registration opens soon for Managing Our Nation's Fisheries-3 conference in Washington, D.C. Federal Register Actions  Click here for a list of only those actions open for public comment. Scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal Register online.

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