FishNews - November 9, 2016 - 2017 Agency Priorities and Guidance, Aquaculture Grants, Federal Ocean Research Plan, and More

Subscribe FishNews Archive NOAA Fisheries    November 9, 2016       EVENTS         November 10 Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. November 10 and 18  Public hearing conference calls/webinars on Draft Amendment 10 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. November 14-17  Four public informational meetings on the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery capacity reductionloan referendum.  November 15 - 17 Three public hearings on New Jersey Special Management Zones, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.     November 15 - 17 New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Newport, Rhode Island. November 15 - 21 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Garden Grove, California. November 18  Free public presentation by national radio producer Jim Metzner titled "Journeys in Sound" at Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. December 5 - 9  South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.       ANNOUNCEMENTS      November 25 Last day to respond to Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee's survey on climate information needs of stakeholders.   November 30 Applications due for open seats on national marine sanctuary advisory councils.   November 30 Applications due for NOAA Teacher at Sea Program's 2017 season.  December 8 Nominations due for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel. December 9 Nominations due for the 2017 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards   December 9  Applications due for the 2017 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. December 19 Proposals due for 2017 Marine Debris Researchgrants. January 19 Applications due for NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office's FY 2017 Fisheries Research Program federal funding opportunity. January 30 Applications due for NOAA Climate Program Office's Climate Impacts on Fish Stocks and Fisheries federal funding opportunity.      FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS   Visit regulations.gov 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.          HIGHLIGHTS Priorities and Guidance: Agency Sets Course for 2017 In her latest leadership message, Eileen Sobeck, head of NOAA Fisheries, highlights the agency's successes in 2016 and looks forward to 2017 with our new priorities and guidance document. Fisheries Priorities and Annual Guidance for 2017 spells out our agency's plan for next year as we continue our work toward ensuring the sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities, recovering and conserving protected species, and improving organizational excellence.   Sea Grant Announces $3.4 Million for Aquaculture Research and Outreach The National Sea Grant College Program announced $3.4 million in federal funding to support aquaculture research and outreach. The funding leverages federal dollars with state matching funds to support 11 research projects and 23 projects to transfer aquaculture information to industry and communities. Read more about the projects funded in the 2016 competition.   Sanctuary Advisory Councils Seek Applicants Seven national marine sanctuaries and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve seek applicants for vacant seats on their advisory councils. These community-based advisory groups provide advice and recommendations on management, science, and stewardship to sanctuary supervisors. Applications are due November 30.   Nominations Sought for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel The Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel advises NOAA Fisheries on fishery management plans for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. The agency seeks nominations to fill 11 of the panel seats for a 3-year appointment. Nominations are due December 8.   Federal Ocean Research Plan - Open for Comment To address pressing ocean issues and pursue the most promising areas of research, the White House's National Science and Technology Council and National Ocean Council have initiated the development of an ocean research plan to lay out priorities for future marine studies. All interested parties are invited to provide input relevant to the nation's ocean science and technology enterprise by January 1.   Project Aims Restore Pelagic Fish in Gulf of Mexico Many Gulf of Mexico oceanic fish, eggs, and larvae were injured by oil and oil dispersants following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A new project, implemented by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group, will help restore pelagic fish in the Gulf by financially compensating vessel owners who participate in a temporary reduction in pelagic longline fishing. Alaska Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Referendum Notice - Open for Public Comment By December 7, please submit your comments on a notice of eligibility to vote and voting period for the fishing capacity reduction program referendum for a second loan in the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery. NOAA Fisheries will also host four public informational meetings on the program, November 14-17.   Artificially Increased Noise Impacts Gray Whale Calling In the 1980s, NOAA researchers recorded and projected natural and man-made noise in the waters of San Ignacio Lagoon (on the coast of Baja California) to test gray whales' reactions. As concerns over man-made ocean noise have increased, the scientists have returned to these recordings to analyze and publish the study's results. They found that gray whales altered their calling behavior to improve their chances of being heard by other gray whales over increased levels of noise. West Coast Eco-Forecast Systems Aid Northwest Seafood Industry A new NOAA-sponsored forecast system for harmful algal blooms will provide managers in the Pacific Northwest an early warning of when and where blooms of a toxic algal species will impact recreational razor clam digs or Dungeness crab fisheries. NOAA scientists presented this new research to the Washington Shellfish Initiative Advisory Group hosted by Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Southeast Gulf of Mexico Hogfish Measures - Open for Comment By January 3, please submit your comments on a proposed amendment and rule to establish management measures for the West Florida hogfish population in the Gulf of Mexico. The proposal revises hogfish management to be consistent with a recent stock assessment, which divided the stock into three populations. The other two populations will be managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.   Coral Restoration Underway after Hurricane Matthew When Hurricane Matthew passed south of Puerto Rico last month, it generated large waves that impacted an otherwise healthy stand of elkhorn coral. These corals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries is working with a Puerto Rico agency to stabilize and transplant at-risk corals to minimize the damage.   Texas Sea Grant Helps Shrimp Fishermen Save Turtles Dale Stevens, a specialist with NOAA Fisheries' Gear Monitoring Team, visited the Texas coast this year to train Texas Sea Grant extension agents on correct assembly, installation, and inspection of turtle excluder devices. TEDs are federally mandated metal grills in shrimp trawl nets designed to guide sea turtles and other large marine life out of the shrimp net. Greater Atlantic Report: Effects of Derelict Fishing Gear in the Chesapeake Bay A recent assessment funded by NOAA Marine Debris Program of the ecological and economic impacts of derelict fishing gear in the Chesapeake Bay estimated that abandoned crab pots catch more than 6 million blue crabs annually, killing more than half of them. The study also found that pot removal efforts are most effective when they focus on areas with intensive crab fishing activity.   Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument FAQ On September 15, President Obama designated the first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Please read our recently updated Frequently Asked Questions about fishing, research, and management in the monument. We remind youthat commercial fishing in the monument, other than for American lobster and Atlantic deep-sea red crab taken with fixed gear, will be prohibited starting November 14, 2016.   Modifications to Scup Southern Gear Restricted Area NOAA Fisheries announces a change to the southern and eastern borders of the Southern Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas while maintaining protection for juvenile scup.   Novel Projects to Improve Ocean Observing Systems Oceanographer Jim Manning at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Woods Hole Laboratory has spent 20 years finding ways to collect ocean data using low-cost sensors in unusual ways. His latest projects partner with fishermen, students, and educators to build and launch drifters, now built with more eco-friendly materials.   Miniboat Regatta to Link Students Across the Atlantic Schools from seven countries will launch 34 miniboats to participate in the first Atlantic Miniboat Regatta, an international education project to encourage students in North America and Europe to send their boats across the Atlantic using historic sailing routes. NOAA Fisheries oceanographer Jim Manning has worked with the coordinating group since 2009 to track the miniboats and other ocean surface drifters. NOAA Fisheries | laurel.bryant@noaa.gov

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