FishNews July 6, 2011

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National – New phone numbers effective July 8th for NOAA Fisheries headquarters

Effective July 8, 2011, the phone numbers for offices located at NOAA Fisheries Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland are changing:      • Office of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries – 301-427-8000      • Office of EEO/Diversity – 301-427-8001      • Office of Communications and External Affairs – 301-427-8002      • Office of Public Affairs – 301-427-8003      • Office of Policy – 301-427-8004      • Office of Fisheries Education – 301-427-8050      • Office of Aquaculture – 301-427-8325      • Office of International Affairs – 301-427-8350      • Office of Science and Technology – 301-427-8100      • Office of Seafood Inspection – 301-427-8300      • Office of Protected Resources – 301-427-8400      • Office of Sustainable Fisheries – 301-427-8500      • Office of Habitat Conservation - 301-427-8600      • Office of Management and Budget – 301-427-8720      • Office of the CIO – 301-427-8800 Please note that the Office of Law Enforcement will maintain their current number - 301-427-2300.

National - NOAA Fisheries sets fishing quotas for bluefin tuna

On June 30, 2011, NOAA Fisheries announced quotas and other measures for bluefin tuna that underscore the nation's commitment to sustainable science-based management of this vital fish stock. The allocations divide the available 2011 U.S. bluefin tuna quota of 957 metric tons among commercial and recreational fishing sectors for the fishing season that began on June 1. The total U.S. quota was set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas in November, the international body made up of 47 nations and the European Union that manages this highly migratory species. Each of the member nations divides its national quota among its domestic users. The U.S. has been a leader at ICCAT in promoting quotas based on science and in urging the adoption of strong measures to help with the recovery of bluefin tuna and other fisheries. In addition, NOAA Fisheries announced it would begin a review of domestic bluefin tuna management to address allocation issues, discards of dead bluefin tuna and the best ways to reduce unintended catch of bluefin tuna. Read more

National - Testimony by Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries: How is NOAA managing funds to protect domestic fishing?

On June 20, 2011, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Eric Schwaab, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, on the NOAA's actions to improve its enforcement program and how NOAA is managing funds to support the domestic fishing industry. Read the testimony.

National – Teachers return from NOAA Fisheries research missions at sea

Two participants in NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program recently returned from their respective research missions. Now in its 21st year, the program has provided over 600 teachers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience participating in science at sea. This year, NOAA received applications from more than 250 teachers, and chose 33 to participate in research cruises. The educators chosen are able to enrich their curricula with the depth of understanding they gain by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with scientists studying the marine environment. Kathleen Brown, a 7th grade science teacher at Freeport Middle School in Freeport, Maine, recently returned home after 11 days assisting scientists undertaking an annual NOAA research survey about scallops in northeastern waters. Sue Zupko, a science teacher from Weatherly Heights Elementary School in Huntsville, Ala., returned home after a 15-day voyage aboard NOAA Ship Pisces, during which she assisted scientists studying deep water coral off the east coast of Florida. Read Brown and Zupko's blogs about their missions on NOAA's Teacher at Sea website.

National – NOAA and Marinette Marine Corporation hold keel-laying ceremony for new NOAA Survey Vessel Reuben Lasker

NOAA and Marinette Marine Corporation recently held a keel-laying ceremony at the MMC shipyard in Marinette, Wis., for NOAA's newest fisheries survey vessel, Reuben Lasker. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Reuben Lasker is the fifth in a series of Oscar Dyson-class ships built for the agency. The 208-ft. ship will be equipped with a full suite of modern instrumentation for fisheries and oceanographic research, including advanced navigation systems, acoustic sensors, scientific sampling gear and extensive laboratories. The high-tech ship will also produce much less noise than other survey vessels, allowing scientists to study fish populations and collect oceanographic data with fewer effects on fish and marine mammal behavior. The new vessel is named after the late Dr. Reuben Lasker, a pioneering fisheries biologist who served as the director of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center's coastal fisheries division and as adjunct professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. Reuben Lasker will primarily support NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center and will dramatically improve NOAA's ability to conduct surveys for fish, marine mammals and turtles off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The construction of the vessel is a vital part of NOAA's effort to revitalize and operate its fleet of research vessels for fisheries management, climate studies and hydrographic surveying. Read more

National – NOAA Fisheries publishes proposed 2012 List of Fisheries, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act

NOAA Fisheries has published its proposed List of Fisheries for 2012, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The proposed List of Fisheries for 2012 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries must classify each commercial fishery on the List of Fisheries into one of three categories under the Marine Mammal Protection Act based upon the level of serious injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. Read more

Northeast - New England Fishery Management Council submits Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan for review, seeks public comment through August 22

The New England Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments from the public on Amendment 3, which was developed by the Council to bring the management plan into compliance with the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Public comments must be received on or before August 22, 2011. Read more or submit a comment.

Northeast/Southeast - Releasing mako sharks: "there's an app for that"

NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division just released a new app for Android phones that allows anglers to report live releases of shortfin mako sharks in real-time simply by using their Android mobile devices. The "Release Mako" app uses GPS to fill in location coordinates on shortfin mako live releases and submits information via email, allowing fishermen to put their mako on the Shortfin Mako Shark Live Release Interactive Web Map. By submitting this live release information through the app and putting their mako on the map, fishermen will be able to see how they are making a difference in the conservation of shortfin mako sharks and encourage others to do the same The application was designed using Google App Inventor. It's the very first federal government tool of its kind. To download the application, visit the Android Market or visit the NOAA Fisheries Release Mako website.

Northeast/Southeast – NOAA Fisheries proposes to adjust North and South Atlantic swordfish quota for 2011 to comply with ICCAT recommendations; seeks public comment through July 25

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to adjust the North and South Atlantic swordfish quotas for the 2011 fishing year to account for 2010 underharvests and landings. This proposed rule incorporates International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommendations which extend the previously established baseline quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish through the 2011 fishing year. Without this rule, the United States would be out of compliance with ICCAT recommendations. Comments on this proposed rule may be submitted by July 25, 2011. Read more or submit a comment.

Northeast/Southeast – NOAA Fisheries proposes to update Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements in Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries; seeks public comment through August 1

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to update Vessel Monitoring System requirements in Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries. Updates include:      • Replacing currently required Mobile Transmitting Unit (MTU) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units with Enhanced Mobile Transmitting Unit (E-MTU) VMS units;      • Implement a declaration system that requires vessels to declare target fishery and gear type(s) possessed on board; and      • Requiring that a qualified marine electrician install all E-MTU VMS units. This proposed rule would remove dated MTU VMS units from service in Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries, make Atlantic highly migratory species VMS requirements consistent with other VMS-monitored Atlantic fisheries, provide the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement with enhanced communication with highly migratory species vessels at sea. This rule would affect all highly migratory species pelagic longline, bottom longline, and shark gillnet fishermen who are currently required to have VMS onboard their vessels. Comments on this proposed rule must be submitted by August 1, 2011. NOAA Fisheries will hold three public hearings for this proposed rule in July 2011:      • July 7, 2011 – 6:00-8:00 pm, NOAA/NMFS Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701;      • July 11, 2011 – 5:00-8:00 p.m, Manteo Town Hall, 407 Budleigh St., Manteo, NC 27954;      • July 13, 2011 – 2:00-5:00 pm, Hilton New Orleans Airport, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062;      • July 26, 2011 – 1:00-4:00 p.m., Peabody Institute - West Branch, 603 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960;      • July 28, 2011 – 3:30-6:30 pm, Atlantic County Library System, Brigantine Branch, 201 15th St. South, Brigantine, NJ 08203. Read more or submit a comment.

Northeast/Southeast – NOAA Fisheries proposes electronic dealer reporting requirements for Atlantic highly migratory species, seeks public comment through August 12

NOAA Fisheries has proposed several electronic dealer reporting requirements for Atlantic sharks, swordfish, and bigeye, albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas to ensure timely and accurate reporting, which is critical for quota monitoring and management of these species. The proposed requirements include: • Federal Atlantic swordfish, shark, and tuna dealers must report commercially-harvested Atlantic sharks, swordfish, and bigeye, albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas to NOAA Fisheries through an electronic reporting system. (At this time, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species dealers would not be required to report bluefin tuna through this electronic reporting system, as a separate reporting system is currently in place for this species.) • A dealer would only be authorized to receive commercially-harvested Atlantic sharks, swordfish, and bigeye, albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas if the dealer's previous reports have been submitted by the dealer and received by NOAA Fisheries in a timely manner. Any delinquent reports would need to be submitted by the dealer and received by NOAA Fisheries before a dealer could receive commercially-harvested Atlantic sharks, swordfish, and bigeye, albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas from a federally-permitted U.S. vessel. • All first receivers of commercially-harvested Atlantic sharks, swordfish, and bigeye, albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas by federally-permitted U.S. vessels must obtain a corresponding Federal Atlantic swordfish, shark, and/or tuna dealer permit. First receivers must report the associated catch to NOAA Fisheries through the electronic reporting system. Written comments must be received on or before August 12, 2011. NOAA Fisheries will also hold eight public hearings on this proposed rule in July 2011. Read more for specific dates and times or for information on submitting comments.

Southeast - NOAA steps up effort to address sea turtle mortality, seeks public input

As part of stepped-up efforts to address an increase in sea turtle strandings in the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA recently announced it will explore new rules to reduce unintended catch and mortality of sea turtles in the southeastern shrimp fishery. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), required in most shrimp fisheries, are effective at reducing sea turtle drowning when properly installed and maintained. One type of gear, shrimp skimmer trawls, is currently allowed to operate without TEDs, and is instead regulated using tow time limits. NOAA has scheduled a series of public scoping meetings in mid-July in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and North Carolina, to solicit public comments to assist the agency in identifying issues and options for evaluation in a draft Environmental Impact Statement assessing the environmental impacts of potential regulatory approaches reduce sea turtle mortality. The meeting schedule is online. In other efforts to increase compliance, NOAA Fisheries' gear experts and enforcement personnel have hosted several TED workshops throughout the Gulf states to provide information and assistance to fishermen on federal requirements and proper installation of the devices. These experts have conducted numerous courtesy inspections on the docks and at-sea to improve compliance within the Gulf shrimp fishery. NOAA is also actively working to improve compliance by conducting numerous enforcement patrols throughout the Gulf. The shrimp industry has also directly reached out to its members to provide information about turtle excluder device compliance. The Southern Shrimp Alliance scheduled more than a dozen meetings to inform their members that turtle excluder device compliance is a serious issue, stressing the importance of proper installation and maintenance. Read more

Alaska – NOAA Fisheries scientists use sound to see the ocean

Scientists at NOAA's Seattle-based Alaska Fisheries Science Center are making waves—sound waves, that is. Researchers in the Center's Fisheries Acoustics Program left Kodiak, Alaska, on Monday, June 13 for a 2-month acoustic survey in the Gulf of Alaska. NOAA Fisheries scientists have been conducting large-scale acoustic-trawl surveys in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska for over three decades to assess distribution and abundance for walleye pollock and other species of fish. The estimates are used with other information to set annual catch limits to ensure sustainable management of Alaska's fisheries. Read more

Northwest – NOAA Fisheries announces it is retaining the threatened Endangered Species Act listing status of Oregon coast coho salmon

NOAA Fisheries recently announced that it is retaining the threatened Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing status of Oregon coast coho salmon. The critical habitat designation and 4(d) regulations for Oregon coast coho done in February 2008 remain in effect. The agency listed this population in February 2008. That listing was done quickly to meet a court-ordered deadline. In April 2009, NOAA Fisheries announced that it was initiating an ESA status review for Oregon coast coho. The new review provided time to be more deliberative, and resulted in a May 2010 proposal to retain the threatened listing. A biological review team examined the best information available to determine Oregon coast coho's extinction risk, and concluded that the fish are at moderate risk of extinction. After considering the team's report, ESA listing factors, and efforts being made to protect the coho, NOAA Fisheries concluded that this population is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future and should retain its classification as threatened. In the status review, the agency noted that significant improvements in hatchery and harvest practices have been made for Oregon coast coho. Read more

Northwest/Southwest – NOAA Fisheries proposes to implement Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan; seeks public comment through July 28

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement parts of Amendment 13 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 13 revises the framework process currently in place to set and adjust fishery specifications and management measures and modifies this framework to include the specification of new reference points such as annual catch limits. Comments must be received by July 28, 2011. Read more or submit a comment.

Southwest - Public asked to report basking shark sightings

It is hard to believe that scientists need help finding one of the largest fish in the ocean, but so few basking sharks remain in the waters off California that researchers are hoping the general public can assist by reporting any sightings to scientists who are interested in electronically tagging and then tracking these animals to learn more about their behavior and distribution. NOAA Fisheries recently listed the basking shark as a "Species of Concern", a category indicating concerns scientists have about the population's future viability. It is estimated that basking sharks once numbered in the thousands off the coasts of the U.S. and Canada before their numbers plummeted in the mid-1900s due to human exploitation. Today these sharks are rarely seen. If you see a basking shark while you are on the water and can call from your vessel please call: (760) 408-7726 or (619) 743-9004. If you wish to report a sighting after you have returned to land please provide the date, time and location of the sighting at either: (858) 334-2884 (Southern California) or (831) 771-4438 (Central California, North of Morro Bay). You can also email us at baskingshark@mlml.calstate.edu. Photos or video are appreciated. Read more

Southwest - NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center scientists publish results from the Census of Marine Life's Tagging of Pacific Predators in Nature

A team of researchers, including scientists from the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, has published results from the Census of Marine Life's Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) project in the online version of the journal Nature. The paper, "Tracking apex marine predator movements in a dynamic ocean", is the culmination of a 10-year electronic tagging study carried out under the TOPP program. Read more

Pacific Islands – NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center releases report on the center's research progress and accomplishments in 2010

NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center recently released a brief overview of research progress and accomplishments at the center during 2010. Working with partners in government, academia and the private sector, the center's diverse staff addressed many scientific issues and made important strides forward to support NOAA Fisheries' goals. Some highlights include:      • extensive survey of cetaceans in the western Pacific and the Mariana Archipelago;      • survey of coral reef habitats and ecosystems in American Samoa and remote islands of the central Pacific;      • development of an Integrated Ecosystem Assessment project on the Kona coast of Hawaii;      • comprehensive scientific assessments of resources to inform key management decisions;      • research on reducing reduce fishery interactions with protected species;      • improved biological models underpinning critical fish stock assessments; and      • climate models to envision ecological changes in the North Pacific. Read the report online.

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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

July 7: NOAA Fisheries Sponsors Free Lecture on Striped Bass Stock Status and Management, Gloucester, MA

Please join NOAA Fisheries staff for a presentation by Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, on the stock status and management history of striped bass in the Northeast region. Mr. Beal will also discuss emerging issues with this species.
WHEN: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: NOAA Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA

For more information, contact Olivia Rugo at olivia.rugo@noaa.gov or 978-675-2167

July 19: NOAA Fisheries to Hold Public Meeting on Revising National Standard 10 Guidelines

On April 21, 2011, NOAA Fisheries published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to request public comment on potential revisions to the National Standard 10 Guidelines. NOAA Fisheries is holding several meetings where presentations are given on National Standard 10. The public is allowed to comment at the meetings. The next meeting will be held July 19, 2011 from 10 am – noon at the Swedish Cultural Center in Seattle, Washington. Read more

Due July 29: Call for Nominations for the 2011 David H. Hart Award

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking nominations for the 21st annual Captain David H. Hart Award. This annual award will be presented at the Commission's 70th Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, November 7-10, 2011. Anyone associated with the Commission's activities is encouraged to nominate worthy candidates – individual(s) who contribute to the betterment of the fisheries of the Atlantic Coast through significant biological, legislative, enforcement, or management activities. A nomination should include a description of the candidate's achievements and effects on the fisheries of the Atlantic coast. Please note that candidates nominated but not selected the previous year will now be carried over and therefore do not need to be re-nominated. Nominations should be sent as soon as possible to Laura C. Leach via email: lleach@asmfc.org; fax at (703)842-0741; or U.S. mail at 1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201. Please indicate on your nomination that it is a confidential document. All nominations must be received no later than Friday, July 29, 2011.

NOAA Fisheries Holding Several Public Meetings in July and 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 more

NOAA Fisheries Announces Workshops on Protected Species Release, Disentanglement, and Identification and Atlantic Shark Identification in July, August, and September

NOAA Fisheries will hold free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops in July, 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.

WWF Announces 2011 International Smart Gear Design Competition to Reduce Fisheries Bycatch; Open March 1 – August 31

The World Wildlife Fund recently launched the 2011 International Smart Gear Competition, to find innovative ways to reduce the amount of fisheries bycatch. NOAA, Fondation Segré, ISSF, and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans are supporting the 2011 competition. Open to anyone from fishermen, backyard inventors and students, the competition will be open from March 1 to August 31, 2011. The 2011 International Smart Gear 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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