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FishNews May 15, 2007

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National

Proposed Legislation Would Increase Protection for Coral Reefs National

NOAA Invites Constituents to Envision the Future of Coastal Management Northwest

Puget Sound Steelhead Get Protection Under the Endangered Species Act Northwest

Researchers Study Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Salmon Recovery Pacific Coast

2007 Management Measures Set for Ocean Salmon Fisheries; Public Invited to Comment Pacific Islands

Comments on Seasonal Bottomfish Closure in the Main Hawaiian Islands to be Accepted until June 13 Pacific Islands

Captive Care and Release Project Seeks to Promote Recovery of the Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Pacific Islands

Control Date Set for Hawaii-Based Pelagic Charter Fishery Atlantic and Gulf Coasts

Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008 Northeast

Total Allowable Catches Set for Georges Bank Cod, Haddock, and Yellowtail Flounder in the U.S./Canada Management Area Northeast

Operations Plans Approved for Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector and Hook Sector Northeast

Zero Trips Proposed for Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOAA Fisheries Actions
Bill's Corner

Calendar


WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National – Proposed Legislation Would Increase Protection for Coral Reefs

The Bush Administration has delivered proposed legislation to Congress calling for greater protection for the nation's coral reefs. Nearly a quarter of the world's reefs are under imminent risk of collapse from human pressures and 20% have already been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects for recovery. Major causes of reef decline include land-based pollution, disease, habitat destruction, overfishing, climate change, vessel groundings, and coastal development. The Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Amendment Act of 2007 would reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and add greater protections for coral reefs while enhancing marine debris removal and increasing the government's ability to work through cooperative partnerships.
In order to address threats that have continued to increase since the original legislation was passed in 2000, this bill explicitly focuses on issues associated with climate change, such as coral disease and bleaching. A new emergency response account would fund stabilization and restoration following incidents that injure coral reefs. The bill also makes it unlawful to destroy or injure any coral reef and allows the government to recover response and restoration costs from responsible parties. It provides for the removal of abandoned fishing gear, marine debris, and abandoned vessels from coral reef ecosystems in federal waters and allows for assistance to states for removal of marine debris.
For more information on the proposed legislation, read the Administration's press release or visit the Coral Reef Conservation Program website.
National – NOAA Invites Constituents to Envision the Future of Coastal Management

NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in partnership with the Coastal States Organization, is leading a process to shape the future of coastal management under the Coastal Zone Management Act. A series of stakeholder meetings has been scheduled for constituents to provide their views on the following issues:

• Coastal Issues – What are the most important issues now and in the future?

• Current Policies and Programs – What is working well? What can be improved?

• Solutions – What new, innovative approaches will move coastal management forward? What tools are needed to build resilient coastal communities with healthy habitats and vibrant economies?

• Setting Goals and Measuring Success – Should goals be set? If so, what should they be? How can we ensure that management approaches are effective?

Please consider joining NOAA at one of these stakeholder meetings, which will take place in Chicago, Atlanta, Honolulu, and San Francisco during May and June. Background information, including a discussion paper and the findings of interviews with coastal managers, is available online. Constituents can also use this site to submit online comments or register for upcoming meetings.
For additional information, contact Joelle.Gore@noaa.gov.
Northwest – Puget Sound Steelhead Get Protection Under the Endangered Species Act

NOAA Fisheries has decided to list Puget Sound steelhead as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act. The listing covers naturally spawned steelhead from river basins in Puget Sound, Hood Canal and the eastern half of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, as well as two winter-run hatchery stocks: the Green River natural and the Hamma Hamma River stocks. Since NOAA last conducted a formal biological review of Puget Sound steelhead in 1996, there have been continued widespread declines in the fish's population, despite substantial reductions in the harvest of natural steelhead. Most remaining steelhead are found in northern Puget Sound where the Skagit and Snohomish Rivers support the largest populations.
Causes of the steelhead's decline likely include degraded habitat, blockages by dams and other man-made barriers, unfavorable ocean conditions and harmful hatchery practices. Steelhead recovery work is already underway in the Puget Sound region through a grassroots salmon-recovery coalition called Shared Strategy. NOAA Fisheries will continue to work with Shared Strategy, the tribes, Puget Sound Partnership, the state and others to assure that any additional effort needed to specifically benefit steelhead is included as part of a salmon recovery plan.
More information on this listing decision is available online.
Northwest - Researchers Study Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Salmon Recovery

Two climate change models used by a team of scientists from NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University of Washington show how global warming could result in a 20-40% decline in Chinook salmon populations by 2050 in the Snohomish River basin. Moreover, they found that habitat deterioration associated with climate change is likely to make salmon recovery much more difficult in the Pacific Northwest, especially in relatively pristine, higher elevation river basins. Higher water temperatures, lower spawning flows and increased winter water flows are all likely to raise salmon mortality in the Snohomish Basin and in similar watersheds. The researchers' findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For more information, read the NOAA news release.
Pacific Coast - 2007 Management Measures Set for Ocean Salmon Fisheries; Public Invited to Comment

NOAA Fisheries has established fishery management measures for the 2007 ocean salmon fisheries off the Pacific Coast and the 2008 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2008. This final rule establishes fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone from 3-200 nautical miles off Washington , Oregon, and California.
These measures are intended to prevent overfishing and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among treaty Indian, non-treaty commercial, and recreational fisheries. The measures are also intended to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement and to provide for fisheries occurring in internal state waters. Although the rule became effective on May 1 at the start of the salmon season, public comments will be accepted through May 18, 2007. Comments may be sent to 2007oceansalmonregs.nwr@noaa.gov.
Inseason closures in the commercial and recreational fisheries will be announced on NOAA Fisheries' hotline: (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Pacific Islands - Comments on Seasonal Bottomfish Closure in the Main Hawaiian Islands to be Accepted until June 13

An interim rule has closed Federal waters in the main Hawaiian Islands to commercial and recreational fishing for seven deepwater bottomfish species from May 15 through September 30, 2007. This action is intended to immediately address overfishing for these species in the Hawaiian Archipelago while a long-term management program is developed for the bottomfish multi-species complex. As described in outreach materials posted on the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's website, the seasonal bottomfish closure is in effect for the main Hawaiian Islands only. Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and imported bottomfish will not be considered illegal.
Comments may be sent to AV49Bottomfish@noaa.gov through June 13, 2007.
For more information on this interim rule, read the Federal Register notice.
Pacific Islands - Captive Care and Release Project Seeks to Promote Recovery of the Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal

Despite living mostly in the now relatively protected environment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands , the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population has declined steadily and is at its lowest level in recorded history — about 1,200 seals. Unless the current trajectory of population numbers is reversed, the species' abundance is expected to fall below 1000 in the next four years.
Monk seal scientists at NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and several partner agencies and organizations are working to increase the population growth rate through a captive care and release project at Midway Atoll, in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The captive care and release initiative is part of a broader strategy of monk seal scientific research and recovery carried out by the Pacific Fisheries Science Center 's Marine Mammal Research Program.
More information about this effort is available online.
Pacific Islands – Control Date Set for Hawaii-Based Pelagic Charter Fishery

New participants entering the Hawaii-based pelagic charter fishery after the March 16, 2007 "control date'' have been put on notice that they are not guaranteed future participation in the fisheries. Participation may be limited if the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council recommends, and NOAA approves, a program that limits entry into the fishery, or other fishery management measures. The control date is intended to discourage speculative entry into fisheries. However, establishment of this control date does not commit the Council or NOAA Fisheries to any particular management regime or criteria for entry into the Hawaii-based pelagic charter fishery.
The Council is concerned about expansion of the Hawaii-based pelagic charter fishery and its potential impacts on billfish and other pelagic fish. In particular, this concern is focused on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii , where there is a planned expansion of the Honokohau Harbor . A larger harbor could provide more berths for charter fishing vessels, with a resulting increase in fishing effort for pelagic fish. Blue marlin catch per unit effort from Kona-based pelagic charter fishing has already declined significantly over the past 20 years, and similar trends are also apparent for pelagic charter fishing data from the other Hawaiian islands.
Comments on this action may be sent to AV55ControlCharter@noaa.gov until July 10, 2007.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Bob Harman at (808) 944-2234.
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts – Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008

NOAA Fisheries has suspended the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants in Atlantic billfish fishing tournaments through December 31, 2007. The circle hook requirements will be reinstated without change on January 1, 2008. These regulations will require anglers fishing from Highly Migratory Species permitted vessels to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations while participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. The temporary suspension is intended to increase post-release survival rates of Atlantic billfish in the long-term by providing an additional phase-in period during which Atlantic billfish tournament anglers can become more proficient with the use of circle hooks and more familiar with their ecological benefits.
For more information, read the final rule or contact Russell.Dunn@noaa.gov.
Northeast – Total Allowable Catches Set for Georges Bank Cod, Haddock, and Yellowtail Flounder in the U.S./Canada Management Area

Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the U.S./Canada Management Area have been implemented for the 2007 fishing year. The 2007 Georges Bank haddock and yellowtail flounder TACs represent a decrease from 2006 TAC levels, while the 2007 cod TAC represents an increase from the 2006 TAC. This final rule is effective through April 30, 2008. The catch limits may be adjusted during the 2007 fishing year, if NOAA Fisheries determines that the harvest of these stocks during the 2006 fishing year exceeded total allowable catch levels.
For more information, contact Tobey.Curtis@NOAA.gov.
Northeast – Operations Plans Approved for Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector and Hook Sector

NOAA Fisheries has approved an Operations Plan and Sector Contract for the Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector, and an associated allocation of Georges Bank cod for the 2007 fishing year. The intent of this action is to allow regulated harvest of Northeast multispecies by the Fixed Gear Sector, consistent with the Operations Plan and objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. For more information on this decision, read the Federal Register notice or contact Mark.Grant@noaa.gov.
In addition, NOAA has published a final rule to implement the Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Operations Plan and Agreement for the 2007 fishing year.
For more information on this action, contact Thomas.Warren@noaa.gov.
Northeast - Zero Trips Proposed for Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to allocate zero trips in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program during the 2007 fishing year (i.e., May 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008). The Northeast Regional Administrator has determined that the available catch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder is insufficient to support a minimum level of fishing activity within the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program for Fishing Year 2007. The intent of this action is to help achieve optimum yield in the fishery by maximizing the utility of available total allowable catch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder throughout the 2007 fishing year.
Comments may be sent to YellowtailSAP@Noaa.gov until 5pm, local time, on May 29, 2007.
For more information, read the proposed rule or contact Mark.Grant@noaa.gov.
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Creek Cleanup and Celebration; May 19 in Anchorage, AK

The 23rd Annual Anchorage Creek Cleanup and Celebration will take place on May 19, 2007. The Creek Cleanup is an annual gathering of hundreds of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working to clean trash and debris from Anchorage area waterways.
For more information, visit http://www.anchoragecreeks.org.
North Pacific Council's Aleutian Island Ecosystem Committee to Meet; May 21 in Seattle, WA

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Aleutian Island Ecosystem Committee will meet on the afternoon of May 21, 2007, in Seattle, WA.
For more information, contact Diana.Evans@noaa.gov.
North Pacific Council's Observer Advisory Committee to Meet; May 21-22 in Seattle, WA

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Observer Advisory Committee will meet on May 21-22, 2007, in Seattle , WA . The Committee will review proposed regulatory changes to the existing North Pacific Fishery Groundfish Observer Program and provide recommendations on alternatives and options for analysis.
For more information, contact Nicole.Kimball@noaa.gov.
North Pacific Council's Crab Plan Team to Meet; May 22-23 in Seattle, WA

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Crab Plan Team will meet on May 22-23, 2007, in Seattle, WA. A detailed agenda is provided in the meeting notice. Pacific Council's Klamath Subcommittee to Meet; May 23 in Santa Rosa, CA

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Salmon Technical Team Klamath Subcommittee will hold a meeting with members of the Yurok and Hoopa Tribes and additional agency personnel from NOAA Fisheries and the California Department of Fish and Game to initiate planning and assignments for developing an overfishing review for Klamath River fall Chinook. The meeting will take place on May 23, 2007, in Santa Rosa, CA .
For more information, contact Chuck.Tracy@noaa.gov.
New England Council's Groundfish Advisory Panel to Meet; May 29 in Mansfield, MA

The New England Fishery Management Council's Groundfish Advisory Panel will meet on May 29, 2007, at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA . A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice.
Squid, Mackerel and Butterfish Monitoring Committee to Meet; May 30 in Dover, DE

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Squid, Mackerel and Butterfish Monitoring Committee will meet on May 30, 2007, at the Council's office in Dover, DE. The purpose of this meeting is to examine the biology, fisheries, and current stock status of Atlantic mackerel, Loligo and Illex squid and butterfish; and to make recommendations to the Council relative to the 2008 quotas specifications and other management measures for this species complex.
For more information, contact the Council at (302) 674-2331.
Gulf Council's Aquaculture Panel to Meet; May 30-31 in Tampa, FL

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 's Ad Hoc Aquaculture Advisory Panel will convene May 30-31, 2007, at the Wyndham Westshore in Tampa, FL. The panel will review an options paper for a Generic Amendment to Provide for Regulation of Offshore Marine Aquaculture. The options paper provides alternatives and conditions for permitting offshore facilities to conduct aquaculture of species of fish endemic to the Gulf of Mexico.
For more information, read the meeting notice.
New England Council's Multispecies Committee to Meet; May 31 in Providence, RI

The New England Fishery Management Council's Multispecies Committee will meet on May 31, 2007, at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, RI. A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice. New England Council's Skate Advisory Groups to Meet; May 31-Jun 1 in Providence, RI

The New England Fishery Management Council's Skate Advisory Panel and Plan Development Team, as well as its Skate Committee, will meet May 31-June 1, 2007, at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, RI. A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice.
Alaska Oceans Festival; Jun 2 in Anchorage, AK

The 2007 Alaska Oceans Festival is scheduled for June 2 in Anchorage, AK . The primary focus of this annual festival is to raise awareness about the importance of healthy oceans and to celebrate the bounty of Alaska 's many marine resources.
More information is available online.
Western Pacific Council's Precious Corals Plan Team to Meet; Jun 4 in Honolulu, HI

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's Precious Corals Plan Team will meet on June 4, 2007, at the Council's office in Honolulu, HI . A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice. Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee to Meet; June 4-5 in New Orleans, LA

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a public meeting of the Standing Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Special Reef Fish SSC on June 4-5, 2007. The meeting will take place at the W New Orleans, 333 Poydras St., in New Orleans, LA. A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice. North Pacific Council and Advisory Committees to Meet; Jun 4-12 in Sitka, AK

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory committees will meet June 4-12, 2007, in Sitka, AK. A detailed description of the agenda is provided in the meeting notice. Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2007; Jun 5-7 in Washington, DC

This year's Capitol Hill Ocean Week will take place on June 5, 6, and 7. Now in its seventh year, this event will continue its tradition of bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss ocean and coastal issues. Panel speakers will include Members of Congress, as well as representatives of federal and state governments, industry, academia, and nonprofits.
More information about Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2007 is available online.
New England Council's Scallop Committee to Meet; Jun 6 in Plymouth, MA

The New England Fishery Management Council's Scallop Committee will meet on June 6, 2007, at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth , MA . The committee will review public comments received on the Amendment 11 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and make recommendations to the Council. Amendment 11 includes alternatives to control capacity and mortality in the general category scallop fishery, as well as other measures.
For more information, contact the Council at (978) 465-0492.
Funding Available for Education Programs; Deadline Jun 7

NOAA's Office of Education is requesting applications to establish an institutional award for the purpose of supporting a professional development program for educators that is designed to improve their knowledge of atmospheric and ocean sciences. For more information, read the funding announcement.
In addition, NOAA is inviting applications for a technology-based science experiential learning program for 4th through 9th grade students and teachers. Additional details are provided in the funding announcement.
The deadline for both proposals is 5pm EDT on June 7, 2007.
For more information, contact Sarah.Schoedinger@noaa.gov or Alyssa.Gundersen@noaa.gov.
Economic Data Reports for Alaska Crab Fishery Due Jun 28

An Economic Data Report is required from any owner or leaseholder of a vessel or processing plant that harvested or processed crab in specified Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries during the prior calendar year. The 2007 deadline for submissions is June 28. Packages were mailed out in April to vessel owners and Registered Crab Receivers of record. Anyone who did not receive a package may download an electronic copy.
For more information, contact alaska_crab@psmfc.org.
Correction re: Meeting Time for Mackerel/Squid/Butterfish Hearings

On April 30, 2007, a Federal Register notice announcing public hearings on Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery incorrectly listed the meeting times for the hearings. At the hearings taking place in Warwick , RI , Riverhead, NY, Cape May, NJ, and Virginia Beach, VA, the meeting will begin at 7pm.
For more information, contact the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council at (302) 674-2331.
Presentations from Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Science Symposium Available Online

On April 10-11, 2007, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office convened the tenth annual Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Science Symposium. This year's agenda featured discussions on current research including: trophic-interactions and multi-species management; fisheries monitoring; economic studies; health of the striped bass population/the impact of mycobacteriosis; the status of blue crab; an integrated research program to evaluate targeted blue crab stock enhancement, and a special focus on the Bay's menhaden population. Symposium presentations can be viewed online.
For more information, contact Deker.Ortner@noaa.gov.
New Chesapeake Bay Water Temperature Map Available Online

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office has released a new web-based product through the Coastal Prediction Center , using NOAA CoastWatch satellite data. This interactive Chesapeake Bay water temperature map provides the most recent sea surface temperature data from NOAA's Polar Operational Environmental Satellites as 1-day, 3-day or 7-day composites. Users can query several points to get an average, or click a single point to get the temperature at that latitude/longitude. This new product is accessible online. Northeast Fishermen Can Report Tagged Fish Online

NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center currently has 4 fish tagging programs: the Apex Predator Tagging Program, the Cooperative Black Sea Bass Tagging Project, the Cooperative Scup Tagging Program, and the Cooperative Yellowtail Flounder Tagging Project. Recaptured tags can be reported toll-free over the phone (877) 826-2612 or through NOAA's Online Fish Tag Reporting webpage. Report on Seabirds and the Hawaii Longline Fishery

The 2006 Annual Report on Seabird Interactions and Mitigation Efforts in the Hawaii Longline Fishery is now available online. Scoping Summary Available for Spinner Dolphin EIS

NOAA Fisheries' Pacific Islands Region has posted a Public Scoping Summary Report for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Spinner Dolphin/Human Interactions. This document is available online. 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 3, 2007

Rule - West Coast salmon
Notice - Scientific research permit applications, determinations, etc.


May 4, 2007

Notice - Meetings; North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Notice - Meetings; Pacific Fishery Management Council


May 7, 2007

Rule - Northeast multispecies
Notice - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council hearings; correction
Notice - Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals
Notice - Exempted fishing permit applications, determinations, etc.
Notice - Marine mammals: Incidental taking; authorization letters, etc.— California Transportation Department; San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span construction; sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, and gray whales


May 8, 2007

Notice - Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.: Professional Development of Educators in Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences Program
Notice - Technology-Based Experiential Learning in Science for Grades 4-9 Students and Teachers Program


May 9, 2007

Rule - Northeast multispecies
Notice - Meeting; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
Notice - Meeting; Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Notice - Meeting; New England Fishery Management Council


May 10, 2007

Rule - Northeast multispecies
Notice - Exempted fishing permit applications, determinations, etc.
Notice - Meetings; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
Notice - Meeting; New England Fishery Management Council
Notice - North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Notice - Western Pacific Fishery Management Council


May 11, 2007

Rule - Endangered and threatened species: Puget Sound steelhead; final listing determinations
Rule - Atlantic billfish; tournament management measures
Proposed rule - Yellowtail flounder
Proposed rule - Hawaii-based pelagic charter fishery
Notice - Environmental statements; availability, etc.: Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, AK; seismic surveys


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 and click on the FishNews icon.