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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National - Summary of 2007 Aquaculture Summit Posted

The NOAA Aquaculture Program recently released a Summary of the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit, which is now available in hard copy or on the program website at: NOAA Aquaculture Program. The summary highlights the recommendations from each of the 8 panel discussions, including the opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture.

For more information, contact Kate.Naughten@noaa.gov.
National – Reminder: Time Running Out to Submit Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Award Nominations, Closes February 11, 2008

Less than 2 weeks remain for nominations of industries, organizations, and individuals who have made significant contributions to conserve living marine resource and who have fostered change and inspired a stewardship ethic within their community. The six award categories for 2008 are:

1. Special Recognition Award;
2. Stewardship & Sustainability Award;
3. Conservation Partnership Award:
4. Science, Research & Technology Award;
5. Coastal Habitat Restoration Award; and
6. Public Education, Community Service & Media Award. Nomination forms and required supporting materials must be received on or before February 11, 2008.

Please help spread the word, as well as consider nominating a deserving group or individual. For more information, please contact Michele Shea by email: Michele.Shea@fish4thefuturefoundation.org or phone: (703) 379-6101.

Further information on the award program can be found at: Fish for the Future Foundation

National - The Angler in the Environment Call for Abstracts

The 5 th World Recreational Fishing Conference will be held for the first time in the U.S. this year, and will take place November 10-13, 2008 in Dania Beach, Florida. NOAA is a partner in this international meeting, and welcomes submissions for oral and poster presentations, as well as suggestions for films, videos, and roundtable discussions from a truly multidisciplinary audience on the areas of interest listed below. Individuals and institutions wanting to take responsibility for chairingand organizing sessions are asked to express their interest by February 1, 2008.

The following specific areas of interest have been identified:

• Climate Change: Direct Implications For Recreational Fishing, Sportfishing Industry, And Fisheries Managers
• Inland and Marine Protected Areas: Successes, Failures, Processes and Impacts on Recreational Fisheries
• Sustainable Development of Recreational Fisheries
• Community Expectations and Perceptions: Recreational Fishing’s Role In Society
• Global Partnerships In Recreational Fisheries
• Ecosystem Based Approach to Recreational Fisheries Management
• Economic Contribution of Recreational Fisheries to Society

Additional information on the meeting and submission guidelines can be found at 5th World Recreational Fishing Conference/November 10-13, 2008/Hosted by IGFA. National - International Whaling Commission Nominations Request

NOAA Fisheries has announced a call for nominees for one non-federal position to the U.S. Delegation to the Intersessional Meeting on the Future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) that will be held in March, 2008, in London, England. The non-federal representative selected as a result of this nomination process is responsible for providing input and recommendations to the Commissioner regarding the positions of non-governmental organizations. All written nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the IWC annual meeting must be received by February 8, 2008. Nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the IWC annual meeting must be addressed to Bill Hogarth, U.S. Commissioner to the IWC, and sent via post to: Cheri McCarty, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of International Affairs, 1315 East-West Highway,SSMC3 Room 12603, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

For additional information please contact Cheri.McCarty@noaa.gov, phone (301) 713-9090, ext. 183.

South Atlantic - Public Comments on King Mackerel Plan Sought

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council intends to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to assess impacts on the natural and human environment of management measures proposed for King Mackerel, and seeks public comments. The mackerel fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic region in the exclusive economic zone is managed under a plan prepared by the Council and implemented by NOAA Fisheries. Amendment 18 to the plan would allocate the Atlantic migratory king mackerel commercial quota by region to prevent early closure in one state from negatively impacting fishing in another state. Given the level of commercial catch and the potential change in the commercial quota after the 2008 Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) assessment, it is possible the commercial quota would be harvested before the end of the fishing year. If the quota is reached by October or November, 2008, and a closure is necessary, this could have large, negative impacts to fishermen in North Carolina. Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727-824-5305; fax: 727-824-5308; e-mail: 0648-XE89@noaa.gov. Scoping documents are available from the Council's Web site at SAFMC New Site > Home . Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m..

For additional information, please contact Kim.Iverson@safmc.net, phone (843) 571-4366, toll free 1-866-SAFMC-10;fax: 843-769-4520.

Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean - Public Comments Sought on Comprehensive Fisheries Allocation in South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council intends to prepare a DEIS to assess impacts on the natural and human environment of management measures proposed in its draft Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region; and the Snapper-Grouper Fishery, Shrimp Fishery, Sargassum, Dolphin/Wahoo, Spiny Lobster, Golden Crab, and Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitat in the South Atlantic Region to address allocations. Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m. and may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727-824-5305; fax: 727-824-5308; e-mail: 0648-XE88@noaa.gov. Scoping documents are available from the Council's Web site at SAFMC New Site > Home .

For additional information, please contact Kim.Iverson@safmc.net, phone (843) 571-4366, toll free 1-866-SAFMC-10;fax: 843-769-4520.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Application Extension

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) is still seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Chumash Community member and alternate, and Tourism alternate. Applicants are chosen based upon: Their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, views regarding the protection and management of marine resources, and the length of residence in the communities located near the Sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve in a volunteer capacity for 2-year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter. The application period has been extended and applications are now due by February 10, 2008

Application kits may be obtained from Dani Lipski, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, 113 Harbor Way, Suite 150, Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2315. Completed applications should be sent to the same address. Application materials are also available online.

For additional information, please contact Michael.Murray@noaa.gov, phone, (805) 966-7107 extension 464.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Seeks Applicants for Sanctuary Advisory Council

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council): Higher Education, Recreation, Fishing (recreational, charter, and/or commercial), Business/Economic Development alternate, and Citizen-at-Large. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter. Applications are due by March 31, 2008. Application kits may be obtained from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena, Michigan 49707. Completed applications should be sent to the same address.

For additional information please contact Jean.Prevo@noaa.gov, phone (989) 356-8805 ext. 13.

Pacific Cod Pot Gear Closure in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

NOAA Fisheries is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2008 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for pot catcher processors in the BSAI. The closure is effective until June 10, 2008. The A season directed fishing allowance of the 2008 Pacific cod TAC allocated to pot catcher processors in the BSAI is 862 metric tons and NOAA has determined that allowance has been reached.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer.Hogan@noaa.gov , phone (907)586-7228.

New England Fishery Management Council Research Committee Meeting February 1, 2008

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled a public meeting of its Research Steering Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries. The Council's Research Steering Committee will address a range of issues including, a briefing on funding available for research projects supported through the Northeast Region's Cooperative Research Program, the development of comments related to a National Marine Fisheries proposed rule concerning the experimental fishery permit application process; strategic planning for research to support New England Fishery Management Council fishery management plans and research priority setting for 2008. The agenda also may include the review of final cooperative research reports relative to their utility in fisheries management. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. The meeting will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the Home Suites Inn, 455 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA 02451; telephone: (781) 890-3000.

For additional information please contact Paul.J.Howard@noaa.gov, phone (978) 465-0492.

New England Fishery Management Council Habitat/MPA/Ecosystem Committee Meeting February 4, 2008

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting of its Habitat/MPA/Ecosystem Committee to consider actions affecting New England. The Committee will review proposed habitat areas of particular concerns (HAPCs) that include areas with depths greater than designated essential fish habitat (EFH). The Committee will also review risk assessment strategy for minimizing adverse impacts to the EFH to the extent practicable in Phase II of the omnibus habitat. The Committee will also consider other topics at their discretion. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. This meeting will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the Holiday Inn, 30 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA 02048; telephone: (508) 339-2200.

For additional information please contact Paul.J.Howard@noaa.gov, phone (978) 465-0492.

North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 4-12, 2008

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory committees will hold public meetings in Seattle on February 4-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, WA. The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6 continuing through Tuesday February 12, 2008. The Council's Advisory Panel will begin at 8 a.m., Monday, February 4 and continue through Friday February 8. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 4 and continue through Wednesday February 6, 2008. The Data Collection Committee will meet Monday, February 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Northwest Room. The Ecosystem Committee will meet Wednesday, February 6, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Madison Room. The Enforcement Committee will meet Tuesday, February 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the James Room. All meetings are open to the public, except executive sessions.

For additional information, please contact David.Witherell@noaa.gov, phone: (907) 271-2809.

28th Annual Milford Aquaculture Seminar February 25-27, 2008

The 28 th annual Milford Aquaculture Seminar will be held in Meridian, CT, Feb. 25-27, 2008.
For more information or to register go to: Milford Lab Meetings.

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.

NOAA FISHERIES ACTIONS

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.

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