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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

International - ICCAT Adopts New Conservation Measures for Bluefin Tuna and Other Species

Despite a strong U.S. proposal to conserve bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT ) failed this week to heed scientific advice and adopt measures that would end overfishing and put this species on the path to recovery.

However, the commission adopted a strong measure, championed by the U.S., to rebuild the western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock, the stock harvested by U.S. fishermen. The catch level for the western Atlantic stock was reduced from 2,100 metric tons to 1,800 metric tons by the year 2010. This stock is also fished by Canada, Mexico, and Japan.

The U.S. delegation to the meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, urged the international body of 45 nations and the European Commission to cut catch levels for the much larger eastern and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock from about 29,000 metric tons to 15,000 metric tons to comply with what an international panel of scientists have recommended to end overfishing and allow the stock to recover. The much larger eastern and Mediterranean stock mixes with the western stock. Conservation of the species depends on science based management and effective compliance with the rules on both sides of the ocean.

Although the final measure for eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fails to fully achieve U.S. objectives, the plan that was adopted by the Commission will reduce mortality and improve monitoring and control of the fishery through new reporting requirements, measures that seek to reduce overcapacity and rationalize the fishery, and establishment of an ICCAT regional observer program.

For more information, visit the ICCAT website .

National - New Web Offering Documents the Human Experience of the Fisheries of the United States

NOAA's Voices from the Fisheries database is a central repository for consolidating, archiving, and disseminating oral history interviews related to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing in the Unites States and its territories. Oral history interviews are a powerful way to document the human experience with marine, coastal, and Great Lakes environments and living marine resources. Each archived story provides a unique example of this connection collected from fishermen, their spouses, processing workers, shoreside business workers and operators, recreational and subsistence fishermen, scientists, marine resources managers, and others --all among NOAA's fishery stakeholders.

Separately, each history provides an in depth view into the professional and personal lives of individual participants. Together, they have the power to illuminate common themes, issues and concerns across diverse fishing communities over time. The Voices from the Fisheries Database is a powerful resource available to the public to inform, educate, and provide primary information for researchers interested in our local, human experience with the surrounding marine environment.

Visit: Voice from the Fisheries : Home.

National -Public Invited to Comment on Peer Review Process and Use of Best Scientific Information

NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on proposed rulemaking to revise National Standard 2 guidelines regarding use of best scientific information available, in light of reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NOAA is considering modifying the language describing the content and purpose of the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report or related documents, and adding language regarding peer review processes, the role of the scientific and statistical committees (SSCs) of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and the relationship between peer reviews and SSCs. Comments must be received by 5pm on December 17, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice, or contact Bill Michaels at (301) 713-2363 x136.

National - New Requirement Supports Vessel Boarding Safety

Operators of domestic fishing vessels with a freeboard of four feet or more are required to provide a U.S. Coast Guard-approved pilot ladder for authorized personnel to board fishing vessels in carrying out their duties under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and other applicable fisheries laws and treaties. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of personnel boarding domestic fishing vessels, as current standards have proven to be inadequate. These final regulations establish a safer and more enforceable national standard for ladders used by authorized officers for boarding domestic fishing vessels subject to Federal regulation. The effective date of this requirement is January 1, 2009.

For more information, contact William Chappell at (301) 713-2337.

National - NOAA Issues Revised Plans for Several National Marine Sanctuaries

NOAA has published revised management plans and revised regulations for the Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries. New prohibitions contained in this final rule include restrictions on: the introduction of species; discharges from cruise ships and other vessels; attracting or approaching white sharks in the Gulf of the Farallones sanctuary; anchoring vessels in seagrass in Tomales Bay; deserting vessels; motorized personal watercraft use in the Monterey Bay Sanctuary; and, possessing, moving, or injuring historic resources. This final rule also codifies three dredge disposal sites that existed prior to Monterey Bay sanctuary designation in 1992, and expands the boundaries of the sanctuary to include the Davidson Seamount and surrounding area.

More information about these final management plans is available online.

Atlantic - Swordfish Quotas Proposed

A new proposed rule would adjust the 2008 North and South Atlantic swordfish quotas to account for underharvests, and to transfer 18.8 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) in accordance with a recommendation from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In addition, NOAA proposes to modify the vessel chartering regulations to potentially allow Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) limited access permit holders to charter foreign vessels under a chartering arrangement where catches taken would count against U.S. Atlantic HMS quotas or entitlements. Comments on this proposed rule will be accepted through December 18, 2008. Public hearings are scheduled for December 8 in Silver Spring, MD, and December 16 in Gloucester, MA.

For more information, contact LeAnn Southward Hogan at (301) 713-2347.

Northeast - Gear Restrictions in Effect to Protect Right Whales

NOAA Fisheries Service has announced temporary fishing gear restrictions consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,575 nm 2, east of Portland, ME. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of 7 northern right whales that were sighted on November 4, 2008. Gear restrictions are also in place for lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,650 nm 2, east of Gloucester, MA and Portsmouth, NH, to protect 4 right whales sighted in that area. These conservation measures are in place until 2400 hours on December 3, 2008.

For more information, visit http://www.nero.noaa.gov/whaletrp/.
Northeast - Management Measures Proposed for Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish

NOAA Fisheries Service has proposed 2009 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish. This action would maintain quotas for mackerel, Illex squid, and butterfish at the same levels as 2008, while increasing the quota for Loligo squid. Additionally, NOAA proposes to increase the incidental possession limit for mackerel and requests public comment concerning the possibility of an inseason adjustment to increase the mackerel quota, if landings approach proposed harvest limits. Public comments will be accepted until 5pm, Eastern Time, on December 17, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Carrie Nordeen at (978) 281-9272.

Chesapeake Bay - Net Inspection Program to Protect Sea Turtles

NOAA Fisheries Service has established an inspection program for modified pound net leaders in the Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay. Current regulations require modified pound net leaders, as defined in the regulations, in a portion of the Virginia Chesapeake Bay while also allowing them to be used in a different part of the Chesapeake Bay. This action would help ensure that leaders used in those areas do in fact meet the definition of a modified pound net leader. This action is designed to help protect threatened and endangered sea turtles. This final rule is effective December 18, 2008.

For more information, contact Carrie Upite at (978) 281-9300 x 6525.

Gulf of Mexico - Change in Certification of Bycatch Reduction Devices

NOAA Fisheries Service has issued a final rule to decertify the expanded mesh bycatch reduction device (BRD), the ``Gulf fisheye'' BRD, and the ``fisheye'' BRD, as currently specified, for use in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. At the same time, NOAA is certifying a new specification for the fisheye device to be used in the Gulf. This final rule is effective May 18, 2009. The intended effect is to improve bycatch reduction in the shrimp fishery and better meet the requirements of National Standard 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Steve Branstetter at (727) 824-5305.

Gulf of Mexico - NOAA Proposes to Designate Critical Habitat for Sawfish

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule that would designate critical habitat for the smalltooth sawfish, an endangered species. The proposed critical habitat consists of two units: the Charlotte Harbor Estuary Unit, which comprises approximately 221,459 acres of coastal habitat; and the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades Unit, which comprises approximately 619,013 acres of coastal habitat. The two units are located along the southwestern coast of Florida between Charlotte Harbor and Florida Bay. Comments on this proposal will be accepted until January 20, 2009.

For more information, contact Shelley Norton at (727) 824-5312.

Gulf of Mexico - New Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures Proposed for Grouper Fishery

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 30B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. This rule would establish annual catch limits and accountability measures for commercial and recreational gag, red grouper, and shallow-water grouper; establish a commercial quota for gag; adjust the commercial quotas for red grouper and shallow-water grouper; establish an incidental bycatch allowance trip limit for commercial gag and red grouper; reduce the commercial minimum size limit for red grouper; reduce the gag bag limit and the aggregate grouper bag limit; increase the red grouper bag limit; extend the closed season for recreational shallow-water grouper; establish a new reef fish seasonal-area closure; eliminate the end date for the Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves; and require that federally permitted reef fish vessels comply with the more restrictive of Federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing in state waters. In addition, Amendment 30B would establish management targets and thresholds for gag; set the gag and red grouper total allowable catch; and establish interim allocations for the commercial and recreational gag and red grouper fisheries. This proposed rule is intended to end overfishing of gag and maintain catch levels of red grouper consistent with achieving optimum yield. Comments will be accepted until January 2, 2009. For more information, contact Peter Hood at (727) 824-5305.

Pacific - Annual Harvest Guideline Set for Mackerel

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule establishing an allowable harvest of 40,000 metric tons for mackerel in the exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast. If this total is reached, Pacific mackerel fishing will be closed to directed harvest and only incidental harvest will be allowed at a 45 percent by weight incidental catch rate when landed with other coastal pelagic species, except that up to one metric ton of Pacific mackerel can be landed without landing any other coastal pelagic species. This rule is effective December 18, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Joshua Lindsay at (562) 980-4034.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOAA Introduces New Online Education Tools

NOAA Ocean Service is offering a new set of environmental science resources for teachers of grades 5-12. These modules, created in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association, focus on estuaries, coral ecosystems and the ocean's role in weather and climate. The Website provides resource links, background information, sample student work, and case studies.

Draft Research Plan for Gulf of Mexico ; Comments Accepted Through December 7

A draft research plan for the Gulf of Mexico, partially funded by NOAA SeaGrant, is now available online. Research priorities were identified with the help of extensive public input. More than 1,200 people have provided input via an online survey, and 300 individuals participated in five workshops that were held across the Gulf of Mexico. Public comments on this draft document will be accepted through December 7, 2008.

For more information, visit: Gulf of Mexico Research Plan: Internal Review.

Deadline Extended for Channel Islands Sanctuary Advisory Council; Applications Due December 8

NOAA has extended the deadline for applications for the following seats on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial Fishing alternate, and Business alternate. Applications are due December 8, 2008.

More information is available online.

Caribbean Council to Meet; Dec 9-10 in St. Thomas, USVI

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council and its Administrative Committee will hold meetings at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Hotel, in St. Thomas, USVI. A detailed agenda is provided in the Federal Register notice.

For more information, contact the Council at (787) 766-5926.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Meet; Dec 9-11 in Montauk, NY

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and its committees (Omnibus Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Committee; Research Set-Aside Committee; Ecosystems and Ocean Planning Committee; Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee; Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Committee; and Executive Committee) will meet December 9-11, 2008, in Montauk, NY. A detailed agenda is provided in the Federal Register notice.

For more information, contact Daniel Furlong at (302) 674-2331 x19.

North Pacific Council to Meet; Dec 10-16 in Anchorage, AK

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory committees will hold public meetings on December 10-16, 2008, in Anchorage, AK. A detailed agenda is provided in the Federal Register notice.

For more information, contact David Witherell at (907) 271-2809.

Pacific Council Seeks Representative for Groundfish Allocation Committee and Groundfish Advisory Subpanel; Nominations Due February 11

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is seeking a qualified candidate to serve in a nonvoting position on its Groundfish Allocation Committee to represent the processing sector for West Coast fisheries. The Council is also seeking a qualified candidate to serve on its Groundfish Advisory Subpanel to represent the processing sector for West Coast Fisheries. The deadline for applications is February 11, 2009.

More information is available online.

Atlantic Herring Fishery Closure

Federally permitted vessels may not fish for, catch, possess, transfer, or land more than 2,000 lb of Atlantic herring in or from Management Area 1A per trip or calendar day until January 1, 2009, except for transiting purposes.

For more information, contact Christopher Biegel at (978) 281-9112.

Atlantic Shark Fishery Closures

The commercial fishery for porbeagle sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico is closed until NOAA announces that additional quota is available.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Karyl Brewster-Geisz at (301) 713-2347.

Halibut Reallocation; Groundfish Opening in Gulf of Alaska

NOAA Fisheries Service is reallocating the projected unused amount of halibut prohibited species catch from rockfish cooperatives in the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program to vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska. In addition, NOAA has opened directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska.

For more information, contact Steve Whitney at (907) 586-7269.

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: Federal Register: Main Page.

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