NOAA Fisheries FishNews — September 1

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 NOAA Celebrates Seal Week 2022 Seal Week 2022 Join us for a week-long celebration of seals and other pinnipeds and get the scoop on NOAA’s seal conservation efforts. Celebrating Pinniped Science and Conservation During Seal Week, NOAA Fisheries highlights seals and sea lions through science, conservation, and management. Conserving Hawaiian Monk Seals Through Protections and Vaccinations We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act by highlighting conservation and research efforts to protect Hawaiian monk seals. Toxic Algal Bloom Spreads Along California Coast, Poisoning Sea Lions Stranding teams ask the public to report sea lions in distress and stay clear. Science Blog: Monk Seal Behavior Spotlight–Male Dominance Displays Male Hawaiian monk seals sometimes “cruise” beaches and get into scuffles with one another—and it all has to do with mating. Highlights NOAA Fisheries Extends Comment Deadline on Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy This spring, NOAA Fisheries released its draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. The purpose of this strategy is to guide us as we focus on serving all communities more equitably and effectively. The comment period has been extended 30 days to Friday, September 30. NOAA Enforcement Finds Seafood Importers Guilty of Illegal Smuggling On July 15, a federal judge found four seafood importers guilty in a conspiracy to illegally smuggle prohibited catfish into the United States. This case is part of an effort to reduce illegal fishing. Nominations for Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointments to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas We are soliciting nominations (which may include self-nominations) to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas . NOAA Fisheries is also soliciting nominations for Technical Advisors to the Advisory Committee's species working groups. Nominations are due by September 30. Alaska Learning About Elusive, Mysterious Alaska Sharks Through Partnerships and Electronic Monitoring Technology Fishermen are collecting key biological data from incidentally caught sharks in cooperative NOAA Fisheries research. West Coast Science Blog: Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholar Wrap Up Notes from our 2022 Oregon Sea Grant Scholar, Alex Wang. This post is part of the blog series The Newportal. Pacific Islands Guam Eyes Food-Secure Future with Giant Clam Aquaculture A NOAA-funded project is creating community-run aquaculture for giant clams, providing food and jobs and supporting cultural practices. Southeast Meet Jeff Gearhart, Gear and Vessel Support Branch Chief As part of the Faces of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center series, meet Jeff Gearhart. New England/Mid-Atlantic Streams Rich in Baseflow Are Important for Atlantic Salmon Study helps to identify important stream reaches for Atlantic salmon habitat. Upcoming Deadlines September 6: Proposals due for Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants September 12: Comments due for 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for the North Pacific Right Whale September 24: Applications due for American Fisheries Advisory Committee membership September 30: Deadline extended–online comments due for the Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy September 30: Comments due for Rule to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Regulations September 30: Nominations due for the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas  October 5: Proposals due for Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities View more news and announcements Upcoming Events September 7–8: September 2022 HMS Advisory Panel Meeting September 7–14: Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting September 12–16: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 17: 2022 Belugas Count! September 22: Public Presentations: Recreational Fisheries Policy Update (6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. EST) September 26–29: New England Fishery Management Council Meeting View more events Federal Register Actions Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations web page to learn more about recently proposed and finalized regulations in your region.  Questions? Visit our website for national and regional contact information

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