NOAA Fisheries FishNews – May 14, 2021

MAY 13, 2021

FishWatch Offers Tips on Buying and Handling Seafood Have questions about buying fresh or frozen seafood, but don't know where to turn? Head over to FishWatch for some helpful tips for choosing high quality seafood products and storing them once you're home.

Highlights Celebrating 50 Years of Internationally Important Wetlands May is American Wetlands Month and this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. This intergovernmental treaty is focused on the conservation and wise use of important wetlands and their resources. More than 2,400 wetlands around the world have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance, or Ramsar sites. Of the 41 Ramsar sites in the United States, three are co-managed by NOAA. NOAA’s Draft Mitigation Policy for Trust Resources Available for Public Comment NOAA has released its draft Mitigation Policy for Trust Resources (PDF, 170KB) [FP1] for public comment. The purpose of the draft policy is to improve conservation of NOAA’s trust resources through more effective mitigation of adverse impacts to them. Virtual Council Coordination Committee Meeting From May 18 through 20, NOAA Fisheries will hold a virtual CCC meeting. The CCC meets twice each year and the host council rotates annually among all eight regional fishery management councils. This meeting is being hosted by NOAA Fisheries with the Pacific Fishery Management Council as CCC chair, and held via webinar. Agenda topics will include discussions on post-pandemic council operations, legislative outlook, recent executive orders under the Biden Administration, offshore wind energy development, seafood competitiveness and marketing, and various policies, procedures, and guidance. Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting MAFAC will be holding a virtual meeting, May 25–27, 2021. MAFAC members will hear presentations and discuss Administration priorities; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and relief funding; Executive Orders and implications for NOAA; FY 2022 budget; offshore wind and science; marine mammal deterrents; recreational fisheries engagement; and ongoing work of their Recreational Electronic Reporting Task Force. A major focus of this meeting and MAFAC discussion will be on building a resilient seafood and fishing sector, seafood marketing and supply chains, workforce development, aquaculture, and social indicators of fishing com

Alaska Is That Steller Sea Lion in Distress? Waving? Or Is It ... Thermoregulation? Imagine you see something strange in the water during a day on the Alaska shore. Is that an orca? You look through your binoculars and realize it is a Steller sea lion. You see its flipper in the air, and it only surfaces its head to breathe once in a while. Is it sick or injured? Or is this normal behavior? A Seal’s Whiskers Record a History of Foraging, Motherhood, and Stress Northern fur seals and Steller sea lions are iconic marine mammals that play important roles in healthy Alaska and North Pacific marine ecosystems. Both species have shown widespread, unexplained population declines in recent decades. The Pribilof Islands population of northern fur seals is considered depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The western population of Steller sea lions is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

West Coast & Pacific Islands From Bagoong of the Philippines to Korean Jogaetang, Seafood Connects NOAA Fisheries Staff We asked NOAA Fisheries staff who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander and who work in the West Coast region to share stories of their favorite seafood—from how it is harvested, prepared, or shared, to how it connects to their heritage. Read their personal recollections and consider supporting AANHPI-owned businesses when you shop for seafood or order your next meal!

Southeast Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Fishing, Offers New Boat as Restitution On May 6, 2021, Henry J. Danzig of Tavernier, Florida, was sentenced to one year probation and a substantial payment of restitution to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Upcoming Deadlines View more news and announcements.

Upcoming Events May 18-20 Virtual Council Coordination Committee meeting (of the regional fishery management councils)  May 25-27 Virtual Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee 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.

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