WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
International - Secretary Locke certifies that Iceland's whaling undermines the International Whaling Commission |
| U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke certified to President Obama that Iceland's commercial whaling and international trade in fin whale products is diminishing the effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and urged the Government of Iceland to cease permitting commercial whaling. Iceland has significantly increased its whaling activities in recent years and resumed international trade in whale products. The IWC has a global moratorium on commercial whaling in place. Secretary Lock has recommended that the President take a number of actions. Read more |
National - Buckson named NOAA Fisheries law enforcement director; brings three decades of marine law enforcement to new role |
| NOAA has announced the selection of Bruce Buckson, a nationally recognized leader in natural resource conservation law enforcement, as director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement. Buckson will join NOAA on September 4 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), where he served for 29 years. A Lieutenant Colonel, he has been a deputy director of its Division of Law Enforcement since 2007. The FWC includes one of the largest fish and wildlife law enforcement agencies in the world in a state with the nation's second longest coastline. Read more |
National - NOAA approves Rhode Island plan for offshore energy development, job creation and ocean stewardship |
| On July 22, 2011, NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco joined Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and other national and state leaders to recognize the pioneering Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP). This new, innovative ocean management plan improves state review processes and policies to facilitate the development of offshore projects that could lead to the creation of hundreds of wind energy jobs and balance energy development with transportation, fishing, recreation and environmental stewardship along the state's coast and adjacent federal waters. The Ocean SAMP area spans approximately 1,467 square miles over portions of Block Island Sound, Rhode Island Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. It was developed over the course of two years by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council with the assistance of the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Sea Grant program and Roger Williams University, along with significant input from many other state, federal, tribal and local agencies, as well as other interested parties and the public. With NOAA's approval of the state's Ocean SAMP under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, Rhode Island becomes the first state to have incorporated a comprehensive ocean special area management plan in its coastal zone management program. This approval means that enforceable policies in the Ocean SAMP for protecting existing activities such as fishing, important habitats and archaeological resources, and identifying areas suitable for energy projects, may be applied to federal actions in federal waters. Read more |
National – NOAA seeks public comment on Draft Recovery Plan for Sei Whale through September 6 |
| NOAA Fisheries has prepared a draft Recovery Plan for the sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis, to promote the conservation of this species. Because the current status of sei whales is unknown, the primary purpose of this Recovery Plan is to provide a research strategy to obtain data necessary to estimate population abundance, trends, and structure and to identify factors that may be limiting sei whale recovery. These data will also provide greater understanding of natural and anthropogenic threats to the species. NOAA Fisheries is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Plan for final approval. Comments must be received by close of business on September 6, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northeast - NOAA approves catch limit increases and other measures to provide greater flexibility to the sustainable Atlantic sea scallop fishery |
| NOAA has approved a suite of management measures which will increase fishing opportunities for fishermen in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. These measures were developed by the New England Fishery Management Council with input from the fishing industry. As a result of effective science-based management, increased catch limits for the remainder of this fishing year and in 2012 are among the measures being put into place. Other measures increase operating efficiencies and flexibility for some scallop vessels with an individual fishing quota by increasing trip limits, improve the current quota transfer program, provide the ability to carryover some unused quota into the next fishing year, protect sea turtles and yellowtail flounder, and enhance opportunities for scallop fishermen and scientists to work cooperatively and partner in research. Read more |
Northeast - NOAA announces plans to redirect funding, effective September 19, from groundfish dockside monitoring program to help fishing industry defray sector costs |
| NOAA announced that it plans to redirect roughly $1 million in federal funding for its groundfish dockside monitoring program to help sectors defray some of their costs. In the groundfish fishery, individual vessels can form groups called sectors and each sector is allocated a share of the year's allowable catch. Individual sectors then manage their respective harvests as a group, according to an annual plan. By providing funds directly to sectors, managers and members can determine how best to use the money to develop their respective operations. Sectors may use funds for approved operating costs such as sector manager salaries, office space rental and communications costs. Effective September 19 until the end of the 2011 fishing year and for the entire 2012 fishing year, there will be no centralized NOAA funded dockside monitoring program. Any sector that chooses to continue dockside monitoring, after September 19, may do so on a voluntary basis at their own cost. Read more |
Northeast - NOAA proposes increase in current haddock catch cap for the Atlantic sea herring fishery, seeks public comment through August 3 |
| NOAA Fisheries has proposed regulations to increase the haddock incidental catch cap allocated to the Atlantic midwater trawl herring fishery to 1 percent of the Georges Bank haddock Acceptable Biological Catch and to 1 percent of the Gulf of Maine haddock Acceptable Biological Catch. This action would also modify the cap accountability measures such that, if and when the cap is reached, the midwater trawl herring fleet could not catch or land herring in excess of the incidental catch limit (2,000 lb (907.2kg)) in or from the appropriate haddock stock area. This action is intended to allow the herring fishery to fully utilize available herring quota, while providing incentives for the midwater trawl fishery to minimize haddock catch. Comments must be received by August 3, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Southeast - NOAA seeks public comment on proposed rule to repeal the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico through August 19 |
| NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to repeal the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial stone crab fishery is conducted primarily in Florida coastal waters. Because the stone crab fishery management plan only covers waters adjacent to Florida state waters, and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council feels the state could adequately manage the fishery, NOAA Fisheries is considering action that would repeal the stone crab fishery management plan and allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to exclusively manage the stone crab fishery in adjacent federal waters beginning with the 2011/2012 season. The public comment period ends on August 19, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Alaska - NOAA seeks public input on sustainable management of halibut stock through September 6 |
| NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a draft rule, called a catch sharing plan, designed to sustainably manage the halibut stock in southeast Alaska and the central Gulf of Alaska. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the rule to establish a clear allocation between the commercial and charter sectors that fish in these areas. Currently, the commercial and charter halibut fisheries are managed under different programs. The commercial halibut fishery has been managed under a catch limit program since 1995. The charter halibut sector has been managed under a different harvest guideline since 2003, which gives charter fishermen a number of fish they can catch per guided angler per day, but does not ensure the overall catch stays within a definitive catch limit. The proposed catch sharing plan, which is scheduled to be in place by 2012, is designed to foster a sustainable fishery by preventing overharvesting of halibut. The plan would introduce provisions that provide flexibility for charter and commercial fishermen. Read more or submit a comment. |
Alaska – NOAA proposes to implement Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report Program to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinook salmon bycatch management measures for the Bering Sea pollock fishery; seeks public comment through August 17 |
| NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement the Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report Program to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinook salmon bycatch management measures for the Bering Sea pollock fishery that were implemented under Amendment 91 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. The data collected for this program would be submitted by members of the American Fisheries Act inshore, catcher/processor, and mothership sectors, as well as representatives for the six western Alaska Community Development Quota organizations that presently receive allocations of Bering Sea pollock. Written comments must be received no later than August 17, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Alaska – NOAA proposes to amend Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, seeks public comment through September 9 |
| NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement Amendment 83 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. If approved, Amendment 83 would allocate the Western and Central Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod total allowable catch limits among various gear and operational sectors. Sector allocations would limit the amount of Western and Central Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod that each sector is authorized to harvest. This action would reduce competition among sectors and support stability in the Pacific cod fishery. This rule would also limit access to the Federal Pacific cod Total Allowable Catch fisheries prosecuted in State waters, commonly known as the parallel fishery, adjacent to the Western and Central Gulf of Alaska. This action is intended to promote community participation and provide incentives for new entrants in the jig sector. Written comments on this amendment must be received no later than 5 p.m. Alaska local time, September 9, 2011. Read more or submit a comment. |
Northwest - NOAA researchers and others publish journal article that shows paternity testing helps fill in family tree for Puget Sound's killer whales |
| In a study published online this month in the Journal of Heredity, NOAA researchers and others, using DNA testing to fill in a missing link in the lives of killer whales that seasonally visit Washington's Puget Sound, have discovered that some of the progeny they studied were the result of matings within the same social subgroups, or pods, that are part of the overall population. One implication of this inbreeding behavior is a significant reduction in the genetic diversity of what is already a perilously small population of animals, formally known as Southern Resident killer whales. That population numbers only about 85 animals and was listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2005. Read more |
Pacific Islands - NOAA proposes a Take Reduction Plan to reduce false killer whale interactions in the Hawaii-based longline fisheries; seeks public comments through October 17 |
| NOAA Fisheries proposes to implement the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, which is based on consensus recommendations included in the Draft False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan. The plan includes some changes and modifications proposed by NOAA Fisheries. This action is necessary because current mortality and serious injury of the Hawaii Pelagic stock of false killer whales incidental to the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fisheries are above the stock's potential biological removal, and are therefore inconsistent with the short and long-term goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The plan is intended to meet the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act through both regulatory and non-regulatory measures. Proposed regulatory measures include gear requirements, longline prohibited areas, training and certification in marine mammal handling and release, captains' supervision of marine mammal handling and release, and posting of NOAA Fisheries-approved placards on longline vessels. NOAA Fisheries is also proposing non-regulatory measures, including research and data collection recommendations. Comments on the proposed plan must be received by October 17. Read more or submit a comment. |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Due August 8: Submissions to Coastal America's 2011 Awards Program
The Coastal America Awards Program, established in 1997, recognizes outstanding efforts and excellence in leadership for protecting, preserving and restoring the nation's coastal resources and ecosystems. There are three categories:1. Partnership Awards recognize outstanding Coastal America partnership efforts and/or multi-agency projects. The Partnership Award winners receive a letter of recognition which is presented at a ceremony by a Coastal America Principal.
2. Special Recognition Awards recognize non-federal organizations for their demonstrated leadership in establishing partnerships.
3. Spirit Awards recognize outstanding partnership efforts that demonstrate the "spirit" of Coastal America. The Spirit Award winners receive a letter of recognition from the Chairman of Coastal America, which is generally presented at a ceremony by a Coastal America Regional Principal.
For additional information about Coastal America, the awards program, and nomination forms please visit http://www.coastalamerica.gov. Nominations and supporting materials must be received August 8, 2011.
Due August 26: Nominations for Open Positions on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Nominations are being sought for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce to serve on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) beginning in January 2012. MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary to assist in the development and implementation of Departmental regulations, policies and programs critical to the mission and goals of NOAA Fisheries. MAFAC members represent a wide spectrum of fisheries interests, environmental, academic, state, tribal, consumer and other related national interests. Members draw on their expertise, experience and other appropriate sources to conduct their work.Nominations are encouraged from all interested parties involved with or representing interests affected by NOAA Fisheries actions in managing living marine resources. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in a field related to the management of living marine resources and be able to fulfill the time commitments required for two annual meetings. Individuals serve for a term of three years for no more than two consecutive terms if re-appointed. NOAA Fisheries is seeking qualified nominees to fill upcoming vacancies being created by term limits.
Full nomination instructions and guidelines are detailed in the Federal Register notice. For more information please contact: Executive Director, MAFAC
NOAA Fisheries Holding Several Public Meetings in 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 August, and September
NOAA Fisheries will hold free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops in 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.NOAA Fisheries to Hold Six Public Hearings in August on Proposed Revisions to Critical Habitat for the Hawaiian Monk Seal; Written Comments Due by August 31
NOAA Fisheries will hold six public hearings for the proposed rule to revise critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, which was published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2011. Meetings will be held:• August 8, 2011 - Mitchell Pauole Center, 90 Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai, Molokai 96748 - 5:30-8 p.m.
• August 9, 2011 - Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa Street, Kihei, Maui 96753 - 5:30-8 p.m.
• August 10, 2011 - Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy Street, Lihue, Kauai 96766 - 5:30-8 p.m.
• August 11, 2011 - McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Oahu 96814 - 5:30-8 p.m.
• August 15, 2011 - Mokupapapa Discovery Center, 308 Kamehameha Avenue, Suite 109, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 - 5:30-8 p.m.
• August 16, 2011 - Kahakai Elementary School, 76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive, Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740 - 6:30-9 p.m.
Read more
As noted in the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries will also consider written comments received on or before August 31, 2011. Submit a written comment
Deadline for Smart Gear Design Competition is August 31; $30K in Prize Money Available
The deadline for the 2011 International Smart Gear Competition is August 31. The competition is designed to find and highlight innovative ways to reduce fisheries bycatch. Along with the organizer the World Wildlife Fund, NOAA, Fondation Segré, ISSF, and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans are supporting the 2011 competition which is open to anyone from fishermen to backyard inventors and students. The 2011 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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