NOAA FishNews - February 08, 2008

Possum · 02-08-2008, 08:24 PM

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

West Coast - NOAA’s Fisheries Service Lists Oregon Coast Coho for Federal Protection

NOAA Fisheries has listed Oregon coast coho salmon as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. A federal district court said last October the agency had erred in deciding not to list the stock in 2006 because it took into account certain information provided by the state of Oregon. The court directed NOAA Fisheries to issue a new listing decision by today, without considering the information from Oregon that the court identified as not being the best available scientific information. Oregon coast Coho have been the subject of debate and litigation almost continuously from the time the agency was first petitioned to list the stock in 1993.

This listing will put into place specific ESA protections to prohibit certain activities that harm fish, and the designation of critical habitat. The agency said there would be some impacts to state and local governments and landowners as they adjust their actions to avoid harming the newly listed coho stocks, but these effects are expected to be minor.

State restrictions on harvest and hatchery operations have been in place for some time, NOAA’s Fisheries Service said, and no new restrictions are expected.

For additional information please contact Brian Gorman, phone ( 206) 526-6613.

National - Landmark Dolphin Agreement Reaches 10-Year Mark

The international pact to save dolphins from being caught in tuna nets has reached its tenth anniversary and is considered one of the most successful agreements in the world governing the conservation and management of living marine resources. In 1998, the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program was adopted by the United States, the European Union and 11 other counties in response to concerns over the high number of dolphins killed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean tuna purse-seine fishery. Under this program, and its predecessor known as the La Jolla Agreement, dolphin deaths in the fishery have decreased more than 99 percent from historic levels. The goal of the agreement is to achieve zero dolphin deaths in the fishery.

Features that contribute to the agreement’s success include:

a requirement that all dolphins be released from nets unharmed before bringing the fish on board.
100 percent observer coverage on large purse-seine vessels.
a tuna tracking and verification program.
species- and population-specific annual dolphin mortality limits.

For more information please contact Monika Allen, phone 301-713-2370

Atlantic, Gulf, Caribbean - Critical Habitat Designation Proposed for Threatened Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals

NOAA Fisheries seeking comments on its proposal to designate critical habitat for elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals, which we listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Four specific areas are proposed for designation: the Florida unit, which comprises approximately 3,301 square miles of marine habitat; the Puerto Rico unit, which comprises approximately 1,383 square miles of marine habitat; the St. John/St. Thomas unit, which comprises approximately 121 square miles of marine habitat; and the St. Croix unit, which comprises approximately 126 square miles of marine habitat. We propose to exclude one military site, comprising approximately 47 square miles because of national security impacts. NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including our identification and consideration of the positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designation, and the areas we propose to exclude from the designation. A draft impacts report prepared pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the ESA in support of this proposal is also available for public review and comment.

Comments on this proposal identified by the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 0648-AV35, must be received by May 6, 2008 and may be submitted via the internet at: redirect, by mail to: Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or by Fax to: 727-824-5309.

For additional information please contact Jennifer Moore or Sarah Heberling, phone (727) 824-5312.

Alaska - Guideline Harvest Levels for the 2008 Guided Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery Announced

NOAA Fisheries has announced figures for the Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels for the guided sport charter vessel fishery in SE Alaska. The levels provide a benchmark harvest amount for participants in the charter fishery. The levels, which are set by area, are 931,000 lb in Area 2C, and 3,650,000 lb in Area 3A. The GHL in Area 2C has been reduced from the 2007 level of 1,432,000 lb while the level for Area 3A did not change. The guideline harvest levels are effective beginning February 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008. This period is specified as the sport fishing season in all waters of Alaska.

For additional information, please contact Julie Scheurer, phone (907) 586-7356.

Pacific - Hawaiian Bottomfish Proposed Rule Announced

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposed rule to end overfishing of bottomfish in the Hawiian Archipelago. The measures are intended for the vessel-based bottomfish fishery in the Main Hawaiian Islands, and include requirements for non-commercial (recreational and subsistence) permits and data reporting, a closed season, annual total allowable catch limits, and non-commercial bag limits. The bottomfish complex is comprised of certain deep-slope snappers, groupers, and jacks. NOAA Fisheries estimates that, based on the State boat registration program and independent surveys, 800-5,000 fishermen participate in the non-commercial bottomfish fishery. Public comments, identified by 0648-AU22, on this proposed rule must be received on or before March 7, 2008 and may be submitted via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal redirect ; or by mail to William L. Robinson, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700.

For additional information please contact Karla Gore, NMFS PIR, phone (808) 944-2273.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council Scallop Team Meeting February 21-22, 2008

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scallop Plan Team will meet in Anchorage, AK on February 21-22, 2008 at the Captain Cook Hotel, 939 W 5th Avenue, Club Room 2, 10th Floor, Anchorage, AK. The agenda will include the election of officers and discussions on additional membership needs, current and future scallop survey techniques, a review Status of Statewide Scallop Stocks and compile SAFE Report. Additionally, the agenda will include discussion of ageing techniques and documentation issues; discussion of economics of the scallop fishery; and a review and possible revision of research priorities.

For additional information, please contact Diana Stram, phone (907) 271-2809.

The Mid-Atlantic Trawl Survey Advisory Panel Meeting February 21-22, 2008

The Trawl Survey Advisory Panel, composed of representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), and several independent scientific researchers, will hold a public meeting on February 21-22, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza, Two Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 telephone: (201) 348-6900. The purpose of this meeting is to review the status of the new research vessel FSV Henry B. Bigelow and evaluate survey protocols for the new survey.

For additional information, please contact Daniel Furlong, phone (302) 674-2331, extension 19.

Commercial Gillnet Fishery for King Mackerel in the West Florida EEZ Closure

NOAA Fisheries has announced the closure of the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida west coast subzone. The closure is effective until January 20, 2009 and is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.

For additional information please contact Susan Gerhart phone: 727-824-5305

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 23, 2008

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting in Pago Pago, American Samoa to discuss potential management actions pertaining to pelagic longline and pelagic purse seine fishing in offshore waters around American Samoa. The meeting will be held on Saturday February 23, 2008 at the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Conference Room.

For additional information please contact Kitty M. Simonds, phone: (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.

For more information, contact Editor.Fishnews@noaa.gov . To subscribe, unsubscribe, or search the FishNews archives using a keyword, go to NOAA Fisheries - National Marine Fisheries Serviceand click on the FishNews icon.

02-08-2008, 08:24 PM	#1
Possum User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CT / Summer in RI Posts: 2,697	NOAA FishNews - February 08, 2008 WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS West Coast - NOAA’s Fisheries Service Lists Oregon Coast Coho for Federal Protection NOAA Fisheries has listed Oregon coast coho salmon as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. A federal district court said last October the agency had erred in deciding not to list the stock in 2006 because it took into account certain information provided by the state of Oregon. The court directed NOAA Fisheries to issue a new listing decision by today, without considering the information from Oregon that the court identified as not being the best available scientific information. Oregon coast Coho have been the subject of debate and litigation almost continuously from the time the agency was first petitioned to list the stock in 1993. This listing will put into place specific ESA protections to prohibit certain activities that harm fish, and the designation of critical habitat. The agency said there would be some impacts to state and local governments and landowners as they adjust their actions to avoid harming the newly listed coho stocks, but these effects are expected to be minor. State restrictions on harvest and hatchery operations have been in place for some time, NOAA’s Fisheries Service said, and no new restrictions are expected. For additional information please contact Brian Gorman, phone ( 206) 526-6613. National - Landmark Dolphin Agreement Reaches 10-Year Mark The international pact to save dolphins from being caught in tuna nets has reached its tenth anniversary and is considered one of the most successful agreements in the world governing the conservation and management of living marine resources. In 1998, the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program was adopted by the United States, the European Union and 11 other counties in response to concerns over the high number of dolphins killed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean tuna purse-seine fishery. Under this program, and its predecessor known as the La Jolla Agreement, dolphin deaths in the fishery have decreased more than 99 percent from historic levels. The goal of the agreement is to achieve zero dolphin deaths in the fishery. Features that contribute to the agreement’s success include: a requirement that all dolphins be released from nets unharmed before bringing the fish on board. 100 percent observer coverage on large purse-seine vessels. a tuna tracking and verification program. species- and population-specific annual dolphin mortality limits. For more information please contact Monika Allen, phone 301-713-2370 Atlantic, Gulf, Caribbean - Critical Habitat Designation Proposed for Threatened Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals NOAA Fisheries seeking comments on its proposal to designate critical habitat for elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals, which we listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Four specific areas are proposed for designation: the Florida unit, which comprises approximately 3,301 square miles of marine habitat; the Puerto Rico unit, which comprises approximately 1,383 square miles of marine habitat; the St. John/St. Thomas unit, which comprises approximately 121 square miles of marine habitat; and the St. Croix unit, which comprises approximately 126 square miles of marine habitat. We propose to exclude one military site, comprising approximately 47 square miles because of national security impacts. NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including our identification and consideration of the positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designation, and the areas we propose to exclude from the designation. A draft impacts report prepared pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the ESA in support of this proposal is also available for public review and comment. Comments on this proposal identified by the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 0648-AV35, must be received by May 6, 2008 and may be submitted via the internet at: redirect, by mail to: Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or by Fax to: 727-824-5309. For additional information please contact Jennifer Moore or Sarah Heberling, phone (727) 824-5312. Alaska - Guideline Harvest Levels for the 2008 Guided Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery Announced NOAA Fisheries has announced figures for the Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels for the guided sport charter vessel fishery in SE Alaska. The levels provide a benchmark harvest amount for participants in the charter fishery. The levels, which are set by area, are 931,000 lb in Area 2C, and 3,650,000 lb in Area 3A. The GHL in Area 2C has been reduced from the 2007 level of 1,432,000 lb while the level for Area 3A did not change. The guideline harvest levels are effective beginning February 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008. This period is specified as the sport fishing season in all waters of Alaska. For additional information, please contact Julie Scheurer, phone (907) 586-7356. Pacific - Hawaiian Bottomfish Proposed Rule Announced NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposed rule to end overfishing of bottomfish in the Hawiian Archipelago. The measures are intended for the vessel-based bottomfish fishery in the Main Hawaiian Islands, and include requirements for non-commercial (recreational and subsistence) permits and data reporting, a closed season, annual total allowable catch limits, and non-commercial bag limits. The bottomfish complex is comprised of certain deep-slope snappers, groupers, and jacks. NOAA Fisheries estimates that, based on the State boat registration program and independent surveys, 800-5,000 fishermen participate in the non-commercial bottomfish fishery. Public comments, identified by 0648-AU22, on this proposed rule must be received on or before March 7, 2008 and may be submitted via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal redirect ; or by mail to William L. Robinson, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700. For additional information please contact Karla Gore, NMFS PIR, phone (808) 944-2273. EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The North Pacific Fishery Management Council Scallop Team Meeting February 21-22, 2008 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scallop Plan Team will meet in Anchorage, AK on February 21-22, 2008 at the Captain Cook Hotel, 939 W 5th Avenue, Club Room 2, 10th Floor, Anchorage, AK. The agenda will include the election of officers and discussions on additional membership needs, current and future scallop survey techniques, a review Status of Statewide Scallop Stocks and compile SAFE Report. Additionally, the agenda will include discussion of ageing techniques and documentation issues; discussion of economics of the scallop fishery; and a review and possible revision of research priorities. For additional information, please contact Diana Stram, phone (907) 271-2809. The Mid-Atlantic Trawl Survey Advisory Panel Meeting February 21-22, 2008 The Trawl Survey Advisory Panel, composed of representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), and several independent scientific researchers, will hold a public meeting on February 21-22, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza, Two Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 telephone: (201) 348-6900. The purpose of this meeting is to review the status of the new research vessel FSV Henry B. Bigelow and evaluate survey protocols for the new survey. For additional information, please contact Daniel Furlong, phone (302) 674-2331, extension 19. Commercial Gillnet Fishery for King Mackerel in the West Florida EEZ Closure NOAA Fisheries has announced the closure of the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida west coast subzone. The closure is effective until January 20, 2009 and is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource. For additional information please contact Susan Gerhart phone: 727-824-5305 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 23, 2008 The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting in Pago Pago, American Samoa to discuss potential management actions pertaining to pelagic longline and pelagic purse seine fishing in offshore waters around American Samoa. The meeting will be held on Saturday February 23, 2008 at the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Conference Room. For additional information please contact Kitty M. Simonds, phone: (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. For more information, contact Editor.Fishnews@noaa.gov . To subscribe, unsubscribe, or search the FishNews archives using a keyword, go to NOAA Fisheries - National Marine Fisheries Serviceand click on the FishNews icon. __________________ ________________________ NBS Sportfishing Affiliates

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