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FishNews June 6, 2007

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

Alaska

Proposal Would Allocate Non-Pollock Trawl Groundfish, Facilitate Harvesting Cooperatives, and Establish Limited Access Alaska

Comment Period Extended on Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Listing; NOAA to Hold Public Hearings Pacific Coast

Wandering Whales Return to the Sea Pacific Coast

New Measures Address Coastal Pelagic Fishery Interactions with Sea Otters Atlantic Coast

Retention Limit Increased for Bluefin Tuna Anglers Northeast

New Management Measures Set for 2007 Recreational Summer Flounder Fishery; Scup and Sea Bass Measures to Remain Unchanged Northeast

Scallop Fishery Management Measures Extended Through December International

Affirmative Finding Renewed for Ecuador EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOAA Fisheries Actions
Bill's Corner

Calendar


WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

Alaska – Proposal Would Allocate Non-Pollock Trawl Groundfish, Facilitate Harvesting Cooperatives, and Establish Limited Access

NOAA Fisheries has published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area. This program would allocate several BSAI non-pollock trawl groundfish fisheries among fishing sectors, and facilitate the formation of harvesting cooperatives in the non-American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processor sector. It would also establish a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl catcher/processor sector. This proposed action is designed to increase resource conservation and improve economic efficiency for harvesters who participate in the BSAI groundfish fisheries.
The extensive changes proposed by the program would affect a wide range of fishing practices and regulations (e.g., management of the non-AFA trawl catcher/processors, other BSAI trawl fishery participants, and other harvesters in the North Pacific). As such, the proposed rule includes a complex suite of measures to ensure the goals of the program are met and to minimize potential adverse impacts on affected fishery participants.
Comments may be sent to 0648-AU68PR80@noaa.gov until June 29, 2007.
For more information, contact Glenn.Merrill@noaa.gov.
Alaska – Comment Period Extended on Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Listing; NOAA to Hold Public Hearings

On April 20, 2007, NOAA proposed the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with a public comment period ending June 19, 2007. Since that time, NOAA Fisheries has received requests for an extension to the comment period and for public hearings on this issue. In response to these requests, the public comment period for the proposed listing action has been extended to August 3, 2007. Additionally, hearings will be scheduled in Homer and Anchorage, AK, to provide additional opportunities for public input. The date and location of these hearings will be announced in the Federal Register.
Written comments may be sent to CIB-ESA-Endangered@noaa.gov until the August 3 deadline.
More information is available online, or contact Brad.Smith@noaa.gov .
Pacific Coast – Wandering Whales Return to the Sea

After almost three weeks meandering through the Sacramento River Delta, the wayward mother humpback whale and her calf that have been the subject of intense concern and a dedicated rescue effort have apparently passed safely under the Golden Gate Bridge and back out to the Pacific Ocean. NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services established a unified command to monitor and assist the whales, coordinate rescue operations, and ensure their safety and of the public and rescue team members.
NOAA is extremely grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from our partners and the local communities from San Francisco to Sacramento . These strong partnerships between federal, state and local authorities and non-profit organizations also enabled the collection of scientific information that will help support the conservation and recovery of other marine mammals in California and elsewhere.
More information is available online.
Pacific Coast – New Measures Address Coastal Pelagic Fishery Interactions with Sea Otters

New reporting and conservation measures have been adopted under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. The purpose of this final rule is to monitor and prevent interactions between coastal pelagic fishermen and southern sea otters. Coastal pelagic fishermen and vessel operators must employ avoidance measures when southern sea otters are present in the area they are fishing, and report any interactions that may occur between their vessel and/or fishing gear and sea otters. The new requirement for avoidance measures takes effect June 29, 2007; the effective date of the information collection requirements will be announced in a future Federal Register notice.
Southern sea otters are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, providing them strict protection under these laws. While known interactions between coastal pelagic fishing operations and southern sea otters are extremely rare, the data gathered through these new requirements will help determine whether such interactions are as rare as believed, or whether stronger measures are necessary to ensure protection of this species.
For more information, contact Joshua Lindsay at (562) 980-4034.
Atlantic Coast – Retention Limit Increased for Bluefin Tuna Anglers

NOAA Fisheries has determined that the Atlantic tunas General and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling categories' daily bluefin tuna retention limits should be adjusted for the early part of 2007 fishing year, which begins on June 1, 2007. Therefore, NOAA has increased the daily bluefin retention limits to provide enhanced commercial and recreational fishing opportunities in all areas through July 31, 2007, without risking overharvest of the General and Angling category quotas. This adjustment will allow for maximum utilization of the General category June through August time-period subquota, and will enhance recreational bluefin fishing opportunities aboard HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat vessels in the early portion of the season. NOAA Fisheries may determine that additional actions are necessary in the future. The 2007 fishing year will end on December 31, 2007.
Click here for a summary of the measures.
For more information, refer to the Federal Register notice or contact Brad.McHale@noaa.gov .
Northeast – New Management Measures Set for 2007 Recreational Summer Flounder Fishery; Scup and Sea Bass Measures to Remain Unchanged

NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to implement recreational management measures for the 2007 summer flounder fishery and to notify the public that the recreational management measures for the scup and black sea bass fisheries remain the same as in 2006. This rule implements state-by-state conservation equivalency measures for the 2007 summer flounder fishery. NOAA Fisheries has determined that the recreational summer flounder fishing measures proposed by the States of Massachusetts through North Carolina for 2007 are the conservation equivalent of the season, minimum size, and possession limit prescribed in the regulations. These management measures will vary according to the state of landing. (Click here for a summary.)
NOAA has decided to conduct separate notice and comment rulemaking for summer flounder coastwide measures that would be less restrictive than the measures of the proposed rule while still constraining landings within the increased recreational harvest limit, as published in the emergency rule of January 19, 2007. A proposed rule containing these revised coastwide measures will be published in the Federal Register as soon as possible.
For more information, contact Michael Ruccio at (978) 281-9104.
Northeast – Scallop Fishery Management Measures Extended Through December

NOAA Fisheries has extended interim measures that were implemented on December 22, 2006, to reduce the potential for overfishing the Atlantic sea scallop resource and causing excessive scallop mortality resulting from deck loading. This rule reduced the number of limited access and general category scallop trips to the Elephant Trunk Access Area, and prohibited the retention of more than 50 U.S. bushels of in-shell scallop outside of the boundaries of the Elephant Trunk Access Area. These interim measures, which were scheduled to expire on June 20, 2007, will now be in effect through December 23, 2007 .
For more information, read the interim rule or contact Peter.Christopher@noaa.gov.
International – Affirmative Finding Renewed for Ecuador

NOAA Fisheries has renewed the affirmative finding for the Republic of Ecuador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Ecuadorian jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding was based on a review of documentary evidence submitted by the Republic of Ecuador and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State. This decision is effective through March 31, 2008 .
For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Region at (562)980-4000.
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Declares June to be "National Oceans Month"

President George W. Bush has issued a proclamation declaring June as National Oceans Month.
To learn more, read the President's statement on the White House Web site.
NOAA Denies Petition to List Global Populations of Right Whales as a Single Species

NOAA Fisheries has determined that a petition to list global populations of right whales as a single species under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted. The best available science supports distinguishing the North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific right whale, and southern right whale as three separate species.
For more information, refer to the Federal Register notice.
NOAA to Evaluate Several Estuarine Research Reserves and State Coastal Management Programs

NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management has announced its intent to evaluate the performance of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Florida, the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve in New Jersey, the Maryland Coastal Management Program, and the Florida Coastal Management Program. Each evaluation will include a site visit and consultations with interested Federal, state, and local agencies and members of the public.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice.
"Get to Know NOAA" at the Pacific Science Center; Jun 9-10 in Seattle, WA

The Pacific Science Center has planned a weekend of special events to celebrate NOAA's 200th birthday. Activities will include a demonstration of survival at sea, talks with NOAA scientists, boat races in the ponds, Sea Shanty performances and special stories and crafts for the kids.
More information is available online.
South Atlantic Council to Discuss For-Hire Control Date; June 10-15 in Key West, FL

In addition to agenda items in an earlier notice for the June 10-15, 2007 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Snapper Grouper Committee and the full Council will also consider the establishment of a control date of March 8, 2007 for all for-hire permits in the South Atlantic Council's area of authority.
For more information, contact Kim.Iverson@safmc.net.
Vacancy for State/Federal Fishery Management Specialist; Deadline Jun 23

The Office of Sustainable Fisheries is looking for candidates to fill a vacancy in the State-Federal Branch of its Partnerships and Communications Division. The incumbent is responsible for the oversight and coordination of NOAA Fisheries' management responsibilities under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act and the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act, including the development of supporting documents required to address the National Environmental Policy Act and Regulatory Flexibility Act. The incumbent also develops partnerships with other federal agencies, state agencies, commercial and recreational fishing groups, private organizations and individuals to accomplish common goals and objectives related to marine fisheries. Applications are due June 23, 2007.
For more information, go to www.usajobs.gov and search for vacancy announcement # NMFS-SF-2007-0020.
Deep-Water Grouper Closure

The commercial fishery for deep-water grouper (misty grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico is closed. This closure is effective until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2008.
For more information, contact Jason.Rueter@noaa.gov.
Pacific Cod Opening

NOAA has opened the directed fishery for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet using pot or hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Public comments on this action will be accepted until 4:30pm, Alaska local time, on June 8, 2007.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice.
FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS


For a list of only those actions open for public comment, try going 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 at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

NOAA FISHERIES ACTIONS


May 29, 2007

Rule - Gulf of Mexico reef fish


May 30, 2007

Rule - Pacific cod
Rule - Atlantic sea scallop
Rule - Coastal pelagic species
Proposed rule - Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish
Notice - Findings on right whales petition;
Notice - Incidental taking of whales and dolphins; Eglin Air Force Base, FL
Notice - Yellowfin tuna harvested in eastern tropical Pacific Ocean; Ecuador's affirmative finding renewed


May 31, 2007

Rule - Atlantic bluefin tuna
Notice - Coastal zone management programs and estuarine sanctuaries


June 1, 2007

Rule - Summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass
Notice - Cook Inlet beluga whale
Notice - Marine mammal permit applications, determinations, etc.
Notice - Meetings: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council


For more information, contact Editor.Fishnews@noaa.gov. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or search the FishNews archives using a keyword, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishnews.htm and click on the FishNews icon.


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