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WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National – Smithsonian's Ocean Hall Opens to Broad Acclaim

On September 27, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History unveiled the Sant Ocean Hall, which offers visitors an exciting opportunity to learn about the planet's largest and most complex ecosystem. This brand new 23,000 square foot exhibit contains seven galleries, featuring 674 marine specimens and models, a salt water coral tank, giant squid, and a life-size model of a North Atlantic right whale named Phoenix. NOAA Fisheries played a significant role in developing an interactive demonstration on science-based management of sustainable fisheries, and providing content for the Ocean Today kiosk, a multi-media video library. The exhibit provides a dynamic platform to engage the public on issues such as overfishing, aquaculture, and the need for international stewardship of global ocean resources. Through unparalleled collections and state-of-the-art technology, the museum's goal is to teach visitors that the ocean is one huge ecosystem that is essential to all life -- including their own.

For more information, visit The Sant Ocean Hall or contact Laurel.Bryant@noaa.gov.

National – New Members Appointed to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the appointment of seven new members to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The agency has also reappointed four members for one additional year. MAFAC is the only federal advisory panel charged with advising the Secretary of Commerce on the Department’s living marine resource responsibilities. MAFAC members are highly qualified individuals representing commercial and recreational fisheries interests, environmental organizations, academic institutions, government, tribes, and consumer groups from a balance of U.S. geographical regions, including Puerto Rico, Western Pacific and U.S. Virgin Islands. MAFAC members evaluate and recommend priorities and needed changes in national programs, which include reauthorization and ongoing implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens, Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts. The Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere is the designated chair of the Committee. MAFAC meets twice a year with supplementary subcommittee meetings as determined necessary by the Chair.
The seven new members appointed are:

Patricia A. Doerr, Alexandria, VA
Director of Ocean Resource Policy, American Sportfishing Association.
Edwin A. Ebisui, Jr., Wahiawa, HI
Vessel Owner/Operator and private lawyer; Member, US delegation to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and Chair of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's Advisory Panels.
Erika M. Feller, Oakland, CA
Marine Project Director, Coastal Marine Program, The Nature Conservancy.
Martin Fisher, St. Petersburg, FL
Owner, Rising Sun Fisheries, Inc; member, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel for developing a Grouper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program.
John Graves, Ph.D., Gloucester Point, VA
Professor of Marine Science, School of Marine Science/Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary; Chair, US Advisory Committee to ICCAT, and Member of NMFS' Billfish Advisory and Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panels.
George C. Nardi, Portsmouth, NH
Co-Founder and Technical Officer, GreatBay Aquaculture, LLC and Chair, National Aquaculture Association Offshore Aquaculture Committee.
David H. Wallace, Cambridge, MD
Owner, Wallace & Associates (W&A), a professional organization specializing in fisheries business operations; Member, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory Committee and Chair, New England Fishery Management Council Habitat/MPA Advisory Panel and Skate Advisory Committee.

Four members have been reappointed for one additional year:

Anthony D. DiLernia, Manhattan Beach, NY
Director of the Office of Maritime Technology, Kingsborough Community College
Chris Dorsett, Austin, TX Gulf of Mexico
Fish Conservation Director, The Ocean Conservancy
Robert Fletcher, San Diego, CA
President, Sportfishing Association of California
James L. Gilmore, Washington, DC
Director of Public Affairs, At-Sea Processors Association

National – NOAA Fisheries Seeks Input on Peer Review Process

NOAA Fisheries is considering proposed rulemaking to revise guidelines regarding the use of "best scientific information available". The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 included provisions to improve the use of science in decision making, establish a stronger role for the Regional Fishery Management Councils' scientific and statistical committees, and enhance peer review processes. At this time, NOAA is considering the addition of specific language regarding peer review processes, the role of the scientific and statistical committees of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and the relationship between peer review and the Scientific and Statistical Committees. The agency is also seeking public comment on possible modifications to language describing the content and purpose of the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report or related documents.

Comments may be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov through 5 p.m., local time, on December 17, 2008.

Please refer to the Federal Register notice for more information.

National – U.S Seeks Public Proposals Regarding Regulation of International Trade in Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public proposals relating to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is an international treaty designed to regulate international trade in certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially may be threatened with extinction. These species are listed in the Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Web site. Any country that is a Party to CITES may propose amendments to Appendices I and II, resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration by all the Parties at the meeting.

The objective of U.S. participation at CITES is to maximize the effectiveness of the Convention in the conservation and sustainable use of species subject to international trade. In preparation for the next meeting of CITES, tentatively scheduled for January 2010, members of the public have an opportunity to make recommendations for amending Appendices I and II of CITES as well as recommendations for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion.

Comments may be sent to CoP15@fws.gov through November 28, 2008.
For further information, refer to the Federal Register notice.

Pacific - Federal Partners Announce Series of Open Houses on Potential Marine Conservation Areas

The Federal government has organized a series of open houses to discuss the advisability of providing additional recognition or protection to the historic and scientific qualities of three specific marine areas. The following areas are under review: in the Central Pacific, coral reefs, pinnacles, sea mounts, islands and surrounding waters of Johnston Atoll, Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island; in American Samoa, Rose Atoll and adjacent waters; and in the Western Pacific, marine waters around the northern islands of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including the Mariana Trench.

The areas under consideration are home to objects of historic and scientific interest that may be appropriate for protection and improved conservation and management under available authorities. Examples of possible authorities that could be used include: the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, or the Antiquities Act. Open houses are scheduled in Washington, DC; American Samoa; Honolulu, HI; and the Northern Marianas Islands. Public comments may also be submitted via email.

For more information, read the September 30 press release.

Pacific Coast – Critical Habitat Proposed for Green Sturgeon

NOAA Fisheries has proposed to designate critical habitat for the threatened Southern distinct population segment of North American green sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act. Specific areas proposed for designation include: coastal U.S. marine waters within 110 meters depth from Monterey Bay, CA, north to Cape Flattery, WA, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA, to its United States boundary; the Sacramento River, lower Feather River, and lower Yuba River in CA; the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun, San Pablo, and San Francisco bays in CA; the lower Columbia River estuary; and certain coastal bays and estuaries in CA (Humboldt Bay), OR (Coos Bay, Winchester Bay, and Yaquina Bay), and WA (Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor).

The following areas would be excluded from designation: coastal U.S. marine waters within 110 m depth from the California/Mexico border north to Monterey Bay, CA, and from the Alaska/Canada border northwest to the Bering Strait; and certain coastal bays and estuaries in CA (Tomales Bay, Elkhorn Slough, Noyo Harbor, and the estuaries to the head of the tide in the Eel and Klamath/Trinity rivers), OR (Tillamook Bay and the estuaries to the head of the tide in the Rogue, Siuslaw, and Alsea rivers), and WA (Puget Sound).

Comments on this proposed rule to designate critical habitat must be received by 5pm Pacific Standard Time on November 7, 2008. A public hearing will be held promptly if any person so requests by October 23, 2008.

Click here for more information on this action, or contact Melissa Neuman at (562) 980-4115.

Western Pacific – New Conservation Measures Proposed for Waters off the Northern Mariana Islands

A new proposed rule would establish Federal permitting and reporting requirements for all commercial bottomfish vessels fishing in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The proposed rule would also close certain EEZ waters around the CNMI to bottomfish fishing by vessels over 40 ft long. Vessel monitoring system units would be installed on these vessels, and the operators of these vessels would be required to submit Federal sales reports in addition to catch reports. The proposed changes are designed to improve the collection of information about the CNMI commercial bottomfish fishery, provide for sustained community participation, and maintain a consistent supply of locally-caught bottomfish to CNMI markets and seafood consumers.

Comments on this proposed rule must be received by October 23, 2008.

For more information, contact Bob Harman at (808) 944-2271.

Northwest – Protections for Threatened Steelhead to Take Effect in Puget Sound

NOAA Fisheries will apply the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protective regulations for threatened West Coast salmon and steelhead to the distinct population segment of steelhead in Puget Sound, WA, effective October 27, 2008. On March 29, 2006, NOAA Fisheries proposed to list the Puget Sound steelhead as a threatened species. On February 7, 2007, protective regulations for Puget Sound steelhead were proposed under section 4(d) of the ESA. On May 11, 2007, NOAA Fisheries issued a final determination listing the Puget Sound steelhead as threatened. In this final rule, the 4(d) regulations adopted for other Pacific salmonids, as amended in June 2005, are applied to Puget Sound steelhead. These regulatory protections apply to natural and hatchery fish with an intact adipose fin, but not to listed hatchery fish that have had their adipose fin removed prior to release into the wild.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice, or contact Steven Stone at (503) 231-2317. Reference materials are available at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.

Alaska – NOAA Fisheries Reduces Paperwork in Groundfish Fishery

NOAA Fisheries has issued regulations to exempt groundfish catcher/processors and motherships equipped with an operational vessel monitoring system transmitter from check-in/check-out requirements. This action reduces paperwork requirements for certain catcher/processors and motherships and changes the definitions for "active'' period for motherships and trawl, longline, and pot gear catcher/processors. It is expected to reduce administrative costs for both the fishing industry and NOAA Fisheries.

The new regulations take effect October 16, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Patsy Bearden at (907) 586-7008.

Alaska – Proposal Would Modify Individual Processing Quota Regulations in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Fishery

NOAA Fisheries has proposed to implement Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. These proposed regulations would implement section 122(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, which directs NOAA to modify how individual processing quota (IPQ) use caps apply to a person who is custom processing opilio crab in the North Region. They would also clarify that for other crab fisheries, IPQ crab that is processed at a facility through contractual arrangements with the facility owners would not be applied against the IPQ use cap of the facility owners provided specific conditions are met. Finally, the proposed amendment would modify IPQ use caps that limit the amount of IPQ that may be used at a facility by persons processing Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab and Western Aleutian Islands red king crab.
Comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov until November 3, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice, or contact Glenn Merrill at (907) 586-7228.

Alaska – NOAA Fisheries Clarifies Proposed Changes to Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

NOAA has published a supplemental proposed rule which provides specific information and further explanation related to a June 29, 2007, proposed rule. The proposal involves new recordkeeping and reporting requirements in Alaska; a new electronic groundfish catch reporting system, and its data entry component, eLandings; the integration of eLandings with existing logbook requirements and future electronic logbooks; a variety of fisheries permit provisions and revisions to regulations governing the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area Crab Rationalization Program, including fee calculations; a revision to a Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve closure provision; and a revision to a groundfish observer provision regarding at-sea vessel-to-vessel transfers.

Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted through www.regulations.gov until October 24, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Patsy Bearden at 907-586-7008.

Alaska – NOAA Initiates Review of Ice Seal Population Status

NOAA Fisheries has announced its finding on a petition to list three ice seal species, (ringed, bearded, and spotted seals) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information; therefore, NOAA Fisheries has initiated status reviews of the ice seals to determine if listing under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. To ensure these status reviews are comprehensive, NOAA is soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding the ringed seal, bearded seal, and spotted seal. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the ice seal petition from NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Region website.

Information and comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov until November 3, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice, or contact James Wilder at (907) 271-6620.

Atlantic - NOAA Fisheries Considering Changes Related to Habitat Designations for Highly Migratory Species

NOAA Fisheries is examining alternatives to revise the existing designations of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; considering additional Habitat Areas of Particular Concern; and analyzing fishing and non-fishing impacts on EFH consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other relevant Federal laws. Atlantic highly migratory species include tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish.

Interested members of the public are invited to participate in hearings on this draft document. In addition, written comments may be emailed to HMSEFH@noaa.gov through 5 p.m., local time, on November 18, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice, or contact Chris Rilling or Sari Kiraly at (301) 713-2347.

Gulf of Mexico – Public Invited to Comment on Analysis of Proposed Aquaculture Regulations

NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments from the public on a draft programmatic Environmental Impact Statement developed to analyze the impacts of proposed offshore marine aquaculture regulations in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This document was developed by NOAA Fisheries, in cooperation with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. It evaluates the effect of a range of alternatives for regulating offshore marine aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. The Council initiated this action to provide a programmatic approach to evaluating the impacts of aquaculture proposals in the Gulf of Mexico and a comprehensive framework for regulating such activities.

The actions considered in this analysis include:

1) aquaculture permit requirements, eligibility, and transferability;
2) aquaculture permit application requirements, operational requirements, and restrictions;
3) duration an aquaculture permit is effective;
4) species allowed for offshore marine aquaculture;
5) allowable systems for growing cultured organisms;
6) marine aquaculture siting requirements and conditions;
7) restricted access zones surrounding marine aquaculture facilities;
8) recordkeeping and reporting requirements;
9) status determination criteria and biological reference points; and
10) framework procedures for reviewing the aquaculture program and modifying regulations.

Comments may be submitted through www.regulations.gov until 5pm, Eastern time, on October 27, 2008.

For more information, visit www.gulfcouncil.org.

Northeast – New Finding on Atlantic Salmon Populations in the Gulf of Maine; NOAA to Designate Critical Habitat

NOAA Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have determined that naturally spawned and conservation hatchery populations of Atlantic salmon within the range of the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment, including those that were already listed in November 2000, constitute a "species'' for listing as endangered or threatened consideration under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This also constitutes a 12-month finding on a petition to list Atlantic salmon in the Kennebec River as endangered. Comments on this finding may be submitted through December 2, 2008. Public hearing requests must be received by November 17, 2008.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice.

In addition, NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate critical habitat that includes approximately 203,781 km of perennial river, stream, and estuary habitat and 868 square km of lake habitat within the range of the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment that have physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species. Comments on the proposal for critical habitat must be received by November 4, 2008.
For more information, read the Federal Register notice of this action, or contact Dan Kircheis at (207) 866-7320.

Northeast - Haddock Rope Trawl Renamed "Ruhle Trawl" in Honor of Fisherman

NOAA Fisheries has changed the name of a type of trawl gear previously referred to as the "Haddock Rope trawl'' to the "Ruhle Trawl.'' The intent of this action is to recognize the effort of Captain Phil Ruhle, Sr., who was instrumental in the development of this innovative gear. On July 23, 2008, Captain Phil Ruhle, Sr., perished when his fishing vessel, the F/V SEA BREEZE, capsized and sank in heavy seas off New Jersey.
For more information, read the news release issued by NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Region.

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Materials from Offshore Aquaculture Forum Available Online

A forum on offshore aquaculture was recently held at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR. This meeting included speakers from NOAA Fisheries, state agency scientists, environmental groups, academics, and industry. Additional information about the forum can be found online.

NOAA Seeks Coordinators for Regional Collaboration Teams; Deadline Oct 16

NOAA is seeking to hire management-level individuals to act as coordinators in NOAA's Regional Collaboration program. These Regional Teams handle issues such as climate change and the impact of natural disasters that cross traditional political boundaries, and work to increase the value and consistency of NOAA’s services to our customers by improving intra-agency service integration and regional coordination among federal agencies, states, and other stakeholders. One coordinator will be hired to serve on each of NOAA’s eight Regional Collaboration Teams: Alaska, Central, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, Pacific, Southeast & Caribbean, and Western. The deadline for applications is midnight E.S.T. on October 16, 2008.

To learn more, visit: NOAA's Workforce Management Office - Recruitment, and click on NOAA Regional Coordinator Positions.

Vacancy for Endangered Species Biologist in Silver Spring, MD; Deadline Oct 20

NOAA Fisheries is seeking an Endangered Species Recovery Biologist for its Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, MD.
The deadline for applications is October 20, 2008.

For more information about this position, visit USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site, and search for "PR-2008-0029-Fishery Biologist".

Channel Islands Sanctuary Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panel; Deadline Oct 24

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial Fishing member and alternate, Conservation member and alternate, Tourism member, Non-consumptive Recreational member and alternate, Research member and alternate, Business member and alternate, and two Public-at-large members.

Applications should be sent to Danielle.Lipski@noaa.gov by October 24, 2008.

More information is available online, or contact Michael.Murray@noaa.gov.

ICCAT Advisory Committee to Hold Public Hearing; Oct 26 in Silver Spring, MD

The Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will convene its second and final fall meeting on October 26-28, 2008. There will be an open session on Sunday, October 26, from 2-6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, in Silver Spring, MD. The remainder of the meeting will be closed to the public.

Written comments received prior to October 17 will be made available to the Advisory Committee for consideration.

For more information, contact Terra.Lederhouse@noaa.gov.

Nominations Invited for the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary Advisory Council; Deadline Oct 27

NOAA is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Conservation Primary; Conservation Alternate, and Community-at-Large Marin/Sonoma Alternate. Applications are due by October 27, 2008.
For more information, contact Kelley.Higgason@noaa.gov.

Gray's Reef Sanctuary Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panel; Deadline Nov 1

The Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council: sport fishing, sport diving and regional conservation. All applications must be received by November 1, 2008.

For more information, contact Becky.Shortland@noaa.gov.

NOAA Extends Deadline for Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program; Now Nov 3

NOAA has extended the deadline for proposals under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program to 5pm Eastern Time on November 3, 2008. Research priorities for 2009 include the following areas of study: entanglement of North Atlantic right whales in fishing gear; development of marine aquaculture; limitations on the use of harvested resources due to disease, human health hazard or other quality problems; the socioeconomics of fishing; and conservation engineering projects to reduce or eliminate bycatch or harmful interactions between fishing operations and protected species.

More information about this funding opportunity is available online.

NOAA Fisheries Seeking New Deputy Director for Southeast Fisheries Science Center; Deadline for Applications Nov 7

NOAA Fisheries is seeking applications for the position of Deputy Director at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, FL. The incumbent advises the Center Director and Headquarter managements, directs the performance management program for the Center, and performs annual budget preparation and strategic planning. He/she manages research programs that carry out extensive fishery, biological and environmental data collection activities; promotes the wide application of scientific results through publications, presentations and authoritative reports and analysis; and presents technical scientific results in a public forum. The incumbent also coordinates relevant scientific and information exchange activities with fishery management councils, international organizations, foreign nations, other NOAA offices, state, territorial and Federal agencies and constituent groups. In addition, the incumbent manages safety and environment compliance activities at the Center and its component laboratories; oversees hurricane preparation and response activities; and oversees various grant processes.

For more information, visit http://help.usajobs.opm.gov and search for announcement # NMFS-SEFSC-2008-0041.

Nominations Invited for the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Deadline November 30

The Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for membership on the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee. The Committee was established to provide advice on strategies and priorities for developing the national system of marine protected areas (MPAs) and on practical approaches to further enhance and expand protection of new and existing MPAs. Nominations are sought for highly qualified non-Federal scientists, resource managers, and people representing other interests or organizations involved with or affected by marine conservation including in the Great Lakes. All nominations must be received by November 30, 2008.

Click here to read the announcement, or contact Lauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov for more information.

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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