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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National - FishWatch Adds New Species and Features

American consumers seeking information about which seafood is sustainable, safe, and healthy need to look no further than the new government-run online consumer education tool called FishWatch. Visitors to the site will learn about sustainable seafood and how to distinguish science-based fact from fiction.
“The American public looks to their government for information they can rely on, and we’re proud to give them FishWatch,” said retired Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, NOAA administrator. “Consumers are rightfully confused given all the misleading and conflicting information available to them, but FishWatch will help them become better educated and prepared seafood consumers.”
FishWatch.noaa.gov features information about 50 of the most commonly harvested and farmed species that are consumed in the United States. The species-specific pages offer the most accurate information available on population size, annual landings, management goals and milestones, life history and habitat, fishing practices, photos, factoids, and nutritional content. The public also will find import/export statistics and a whole page devoted to seafood and human health. The seafood and human health page will be of particular interest since it includes facts about mercury and offers helpful hints about selecting, buying, storing, and preparing seafood to ensure quality and safety.
For additional information, please contact Chris Moore, telephone: (301) 713-2379.
West Coast - Klamath River Chinook Amendment Final

NOAA Fisheries has announced a final rule to allow restricted ocean fishing of Klamath River fall Chinook salmon (KRFC) during years that might otherwise be closed due to projected shortfalls in the objective of 35,000 naturally spawning adults. The rule will become effective on March 26, 2008 and is designed to preserve the long-term productive capacity of the stock to ensure it continues to contribute meaningfully to ocean and river fisheries in the future.
For additional information, please contact Sarah McAvinchey, telephone: (206) 526-6140.
East Coast - 2008 Bluefish Specifications Announced

NOAA Fisheries has announced final specifications for the 2008 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. These specifications are established to maintain sustainable harvests of Atlantic Bluefish and ensure adequate conservation and management of the species. The 2008 limits include a 15 fish per person bag limit and keeps the recreational harvest limit at the 2007 level, with a decrease in the transfer to the commercial fishery. Copies of the specifications document, including the Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) are available online .
For additional information, please contact Tobey Curtis, Fishery Policy Analyst; telephone: (978) 281-9273.
Gulf of Mexico - Gulf of Mexico Grouper/MPA Public Hearings Announced

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public hearings to solicit comments on Draft Amendment 30B to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 30B contains several important management measures for Gag and Red Grouper including adjustments of commercial grouper quotas and recreational grouper bag limits, establishing a new reef fish marine reserve and/or extending the duration of the existing Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves, closed seasons, and/or size limits, reducing discards and discard mortality of groupers, and requiring that federally permitted reef fish vessels comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing in state waters. Public hearings will be held in the following locations: Port Aransas and Galveston, TX; New Orleans, LA; Panama City, St. Petersburg, and Naples, FL; Gulf Shores, AL and Biloxi, MS. Please read the announcement for locations and dates.
For additional information, please contact Mr. Steven Atran, Population Dynamics Statistician; telephone: (813) 348-1630.
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

2008 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program Announced

NOAA Fisheries is requesting scallop research proposals to utilize total allowable catch (TAC) and Days-at-Sea (DAS) that have been set aside by the New England Fishery Management Council for scallop research endeavors under the 2008 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, the Scallop RSA Program funds scallop research and compensates participating vessels through the sale of scallops harvested under the RSA quota. Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on March 21, 2008.
For additional information, please contact Deirdre Boelke, New England Fishery Management Council, by phone (978) 465-0492.

Comments Requested for Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals for Power Plant Operations in Central and Southern California

NOAA Fisheries has received applications for marine mammal take authorizations from 13 power generating stations located on the coast of central and southern California. The applications are to allow harassment and mortalities incidental to routine power plant operations for the duration of five years from the date when the authorizations are issued. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries is announcing our receipt of these requests for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on these applications. Comments and information on these applications must be received no later than March 21, 2008. Copies of the applications are available online at Incidental Take Authorizations - Office of Protected Resources - NOAA Fisheries. Comments on the applications should be addressed to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225.
For additional information, please contact Daniel Lawson, 562-980-3209, or Lindsey Waller, 562-980-3230, NMFS Southwest Regional Office.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Crab Advisory Committee Meeting March 2, 2008

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Advisory Committee is meeting in Anchorage, AK on March 2, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 500 West 3rd Avenue, King Salmon Room, Anchorage, AK 99501. The Committee will have discussions on the following items: purpose and need statement; potential elements and options; crew proposal and alternatives to those proposals; data issues; community protections; possible emergency relief from regionalization; and arbitration issues. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting.
For additional information, please contact Mark Fina, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (907) 271-2809.

New England Fishery Management Council Scallop Survey Advisory Panel Meeting March 4, 2008

The New England Fishery Management Council is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Survey Advisory Panel on March 4, 2008 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The panel will review Scallop Survey Advisory Panel (SSAP) terms of reference; determine how previous SSAP work applies; and determine scope of future SSAP work to meet the terms of reference. The panel will also discuss and approve new dredge gear deployment and use for the 2008 survey. The panel will discuss expansion of state or federal surveys into the Gulf of Maine and other unsurveyed areas. The panel will also discuss future development and integration of photographic/video and acoustic technology into the standard scallop surveys. Other business will be discussed if time allows. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at 9 a.m. at the NMFS Observer Training Center, Falmouth Technology Park, 25 Bernard Saint Jean Drive, East Falmouth, MA 02536; telephone: (508) 495-2397.
For additional information, please contact Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Science and Statistical Committee Meeting March 3-6, 2008

The 97th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene Monday, March 3, 2008, through Thursday March 6, 2008 at the Council Office Conference Room, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 522-8220. Among the items discussed will be an update on the status of the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Bottomfish Management and Monitoring program and the potential listing of the Blackfooted Albatross under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
For more information, please contact Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; telephone: (808)-522-8220.

FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS


For a list of only those actions open for public comment, try going to redirect and scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal register online at: Federal Register: Main Page.

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