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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOAA Fisheries Actions
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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National – NOAA Fisheries Seeks Southwest Fisheries Science Center Director

The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service is advertising to fill the vacant Science and Research Director position in the agency’s Southwest Regional office in La Jolla, California. This is a senior executive position with a salary range of $114,468 to $172,200. The vacancy is now open and closes on May 1, 2008. The announcement # is NOAA #008-14.NJH and can be accessed via www.USAJOBS.opm.gov.

Please contact Gloria Thompson, Office of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, at (301) 713-2239 if you require additional information.

The Southwest Fisheries Science Center is responsible for conducting an integrated, multi-disciplinary research program in biology, mathematics, oceanography, economics and computer sciences for the purpose of developing scientific information to support the management and allocation of coastal and high seas fishery resources. These activities are designed to support the scientific, statistical and economic needs of the Regional Fishery Management Councils; International Commissions for the allocation of world-wide tuna resources; efforts directed toward the reduction of porpoise mortality; a better understanding of the biological and environmental factors affecting commercial and recreational fisheries; and the development of under-utilized fishery resources.

The incumbent's principal responsibility is to manage comprehensive research and development studies of regional, national, and international scope and impact, which are designed to provide information on which to base national and regional policies regarding

1. conservation, use, and protection of the ocean's living marine resources inhabiting waters adjacent to the United States;
2. allocation between domestic and international users of such resources;
3. conflicts of estuary and oceanic areas;
4. protection of resources from environmental degradation;
5. development of harvesting systems compatible with conservation goals of managing living marine resources;
6. programs to enhance the quality and use of fishery resources;
7. endangered species; and
8. coastal zone management.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Possible Pacific Smelt ESA Listing

NOAA Fisheries received a petition to list populations of Pacific Smelt (Thaleichthys pacificus) in Washington, Oregon, and California as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The petition has been reviewed and presents information that a listing for the species may be warranted. A formal status review of the species has been initiated and NOAA is seeking information regarding the population structure and status of Pacific smelt (eulachon) throughout their range in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. Information and comments, identified by the code 0648-XF87, must be received by May 12, 2008.

Comments may be sent via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at redirect, by FAX (503) 230-5441, or by mail to 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, Oregon, 97232.

For additional information regarding this notice contact Garth Griffin, NMFS, Northwest Region, (503) 231-2005; John Clancy, Southwest Region, (707) 825-5175; or Dwayne Meadows, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources, (301) 713-1401.

Deep Coral Research and Technology Report Sent to Congress

On March 13, NOAA released the first report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, called for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA). Prepared under the auspices of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and in consultation with the Nation's eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, the report provides information on steps taken by NOAA and its partners to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas. Sections provide a brief discussion of current knowledge and knowledge gaps about deep sea corals (also known as deep water or cold-water corals), NOAA's expertise and authorities to conserve deep sea coral communities, and summaries of management actions taken by NOAA, the Fishery Management Councils, other federal agencies, and international organizations in 2007. The final section highlights research priorities for 2009 and recommendations for addressing knowledge gaps. The report includes an initial list of areas known to contain deep sea corals that NOAA recommends the Regional Fishery Management Councils evaluate in considering zones to protect deep sea corals as allowed in discretionary provisions of the MSRA. Additional copies of the report can be downloaded at the NOAA Fisheries website: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/rtc.pdf.

If you have questions about NOAA's deep-sea coral activities, please contact Tom Hourigan, NOAA Fisheries Service Deep Coral Coordinator, at Tom.Hourigan@noaa.gov or (301) 713-0299.

Northwest - NOAA Considers Case to Protect Five Puget Sound Rockfish Species

NOAA Fisheries is assembling a team of biologists to examine the decline of five Rockfish species in the Puget Sound and determine if it should formally propose listings under the Endangered Species Act. The assessment follows the acceptance of a petition filed by a Washington citizen. There is evidence that the bocaccio, canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, greenstripe rockfish and redstripe rockfish species are much reduced from historical levels. Harvests during the 1970s and 1980s reduced stocks to very low levels. But, the fisheries agency added, there is little information regarding their present abundance. Although these rockfishes once were sought as sportfish, they are now occasionally caught only accidentally in fish harvests directed at other species. A formal proposal by NOAA's Fisheries Service – to be completed as early as fall would be followed by a year-long period of peer review, public comment and public hearings before any final decision about an official listing could be made.

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

East Coast - NOAA Fisheries to Close New Jersey Tautog Fishery on April 1, 2008

NOAA Fisheries has found that the State of New Jersey has failed to implement measures necessary to fulfill its responsibilities under the tautog interstate fishery management plan which are crucial for conservation of the salt water fish. As a result, NOAA will close New Jersey's commercial and recreational fishery for tautog on April 1. Tautog is a popular recreational species whose stock is overfished. Landings data indicate that New Jersey’s harvest is significant compared with that of other states, and that its recreational landings more than tripled in 2006. Accordingly, its failure to implement management measures will undermine the interstate conservation plan for the species.

Under the rebuilding plan, each of the Northeastern states are required to reduce tautog fishing effort by about 26 percent over 2003-2005 levels. On February 7, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission determined that New Jersey had not taken such measures as required by the fishery management plan. Under the Atlantic Coastal Act, NOAA's Fisheries Service was obliged to conduct a review and make a decision within 30 days as to whether it concurred with the Commission’s findings, and whether the mandated measures are necessary for the conservation of the tautog resource. April 1 was selected for the closure date because it provides significant conservation benefits while allowing enough time to ensure that anglers, commercial fishermen and dealers are aware of the effective closure date.

For additional information, please Bob Ross, Fishery Management Specialist, telephone (978) 281-9327.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Shrimp Advisory Panel Conference Call March 31, 2008

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to convene its Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP) via conference call held March 31, 2008, at 10 a.m. EST. The Shrimp AP will receive a report from NOAA’s Fisheries Service on the final estimates of offshore shrimping effort in 2007. If the estimate is less than 74% of the estimated average annual effort during the 2001-03 period, the Shrimp AP may make recommendations for additional time and area closures in accordance with the Reef Fish and the Shrimp Fishery Management Plans. Listening stations for the call will be set up at the following locations:

• St. Petersburg, FL 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Contact: Stephen Holiman, telephone: (727) 551-5719;
• Galveston, TX 4700 Ave U, Conference room - Bldg 305, Galveston, TX 77551, Contact: Ronnie O'Toole, telephone: (409) 766-3500;
• Miami, FL 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL, 33149 , Contact: Sophia Howard, telephone: (305) 361-4259; and
• Panama City, FL 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL 32408, Contact: Janice Hamm, telephone: (850) 234-6541.

For additional information, please contact Rick Leard, Deputy Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

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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