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Northeast – Comment Period on Proposed Regulations for the Monkfish Fishery Closes March 10

NOAA Fisheries has proposed to establish target total allowable catch (TAC) levels for the monkfish fishery for the 2004 fishing year, and adjust trip limits and days-at-sea (DAS) for limited access monkfish vessels fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area. The proposed target TACs for 2004 are 16,968 mt for the Northern Fishery Management Area, and 6,772 mt for the Southern Area. This action would also adjust the trip limits and restrict the DAS available for monkfish limited access vessels fishing in the Southern Area to 28 DAS during the 2004 fishing year. For further information, contact Allison Ferreira at (978) 281-9103, or e-mail Allison.Ferreira@noaa.gov.

Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2004. Comments on the proposed rule should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator (RA), Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Mark the outside of the envelope "Comments on 2004 Monkfish TACs." Comments may also be submitted via fax to 978-281-9135 or via e-mail to the following address: monkfish89@noaa.gov.

New England -- NOAA Continues to Investigate Seal Deaths in New England;
Reward Offered for the Arrest and Conviction of Poachers

Special agents with NOAA’s Office for Law Enforcement continue to investigate the deaths of four seals in New England confirmed to be caused by human interaction and which showed signs of poaching for body parts. A reward of $11,400 for the arrest and conviction of those responsible has been offered by private organizations in New England.

Harming a seal is a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is also illegal to remove parts from a seal, dead or alive, or trade those parts.

Since July 2003, NOAA special agents have spotted, photographed and taken reports of a number of dead seals found along the New England coast, most of which likely died of natural causes. Investigating agents say four seal carcasses were confirmed to have human-caused wounds, such as skinning, decapitation, and other missing body parts.
These include two recovered in Hampton Beach, N.H., last summer and two recovered in Plymouth, Mass., in January and February.

A fifth seal, found headless in Wells, Maine, is being investigated as a suspicious death, although a necropsy was never performed due to the high level of decomposition of the carcass. Biologists confirmed that the seal recently found headless on a beach in Rye, N.H., died of natural causes. For the complete news release go to our Media Center at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/

Atlantic – Commercial Trip Limit for Spanish Mackerel Reduced to 1,500 Pounds Per Day

On March 1, 2004, the daily vessel trip limit for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel was reduced to 1,500 pounds in the commercial fishery in the southern zone off the east coast of Florida. NOAA Fisheries reduced the trip limit after determining that 75 percent of the adjusted quota had been reached. The 1,500-pound trip limit is a daily landing/possession limit that applies to commercial vessels fishing for Spanish mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the Florida/Georgia and Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida boundaries. Under Florida regulations, a similar 1,500-pound trip limit is effective in adjoining state waters.

The 1,500-pound trip limit will remain in effect until the adjusted quota is reached or through the end of 2003/2004 fishing year (March 31), whichever occurs first. If commercial landings for the management area (New York - Florida) reach the adjusted quota, the trip limit will be reduced to 500 pounds per day through March 31, 2004.

Vessels fishing in the EEZ under trip limits and quotas must possess a commercial federal Spanish mackerel permit. Quotas, trip limits, and permits implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP), are necessary to protect the Atlantic group Spanish mackerel resource. A complete copy of this bulletin can be viewed on-line at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

Mid-Atlantic -- Owner and Operator of North Carolina Fishing Vessel Issued Penalty for Denying Observer Permission to Board

NOAA’s General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation issued a $35,000 Notice of Violation and Assessment (NOVA) on Feb. 10, to the owner and operator of the fishing vessel Captain Cecil for refusing to allow an observer onboard the boat. Darrel L. Hargett and Captain Cecil, Inc., of N.C., were also issued 45-day operator and vessel permit sanctions for the offense. NOAA Fisheries requires that federally permitted vessels in specified fisheries allow observers to board their boat upon request. In this instance, the Captain Cecil, home ported in N.C., was fishing for summer flounder off VA. The permit sanctions accompanying the NOVA restrict the vessel and the operator from fishing for federally regulated species for the 45-day duration. Observers serve a critical role in fisheries management, and the agency treats all refusals as a serious infraction subject to enforcement action. The violation occurred on April 2, 2003 in Hampton, Virginia. For more information, contact Mark Oswell or Kelly Kirkwood with NOAA’s Enforcement Office (301) 427-2300.

Southeast - December 10, 2003 Proposed as Control Date for the Commercial Penaeid Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

On March 04, 2004, NOAA Fisheries published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to revise an established control date for the commercial penaeid shrimp fishery operating in federal waters of the South Atlantic region. By way of that notice, the public is advised that, in the future, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) may consider management measures to limit entry into the shrimp fishery, and may use this revised control date of December 10, 2003, as a qualifying criterion for participation in the fishery.

Comments on the establishment of this revised control date must be submitted by April 5, 2004. Comments should be directed to: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
One Southpark Circle, Suite 306 Charleston, South Carolina 29407-4699 telephone: 843-571-4366 fax: 843-769-4520 email: email@safmc.net.

Gulf – Initial Referendum for the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Program (IFQ) Approved

NOAA Fisheries announced today that the initial referendum for the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program has passed by a majority vote. On February 12, 2004, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office (SERO) mailed each eligible voter a ballot specifying the number of votes (weighting) that each voter was assigned. In this first referendum, fishermen qualified to vote were asked to decide whether a plan amendment establishing the IFQ Program should be prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council).

NOAA Fisheries will present the results of the first referendum to the Council at it March 8-12, 2004, meeting in Mobile, Alabama. At that time, the Council may elect to proceed with development of an IFQ plan amendment. If the Council chooses to proceed, the proposed IFQ program would be developed through normal Council and rulemaking processes that would involve extensive opportunities for industry and public review and input at various Council meetings, public hearings, and during public comment periods on the plan amendment and regulations.

A complete copy of the announcement can be viewed on-line at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov or contact Phil Steele of our Southeast Regional Office at (727) 570-5784 or Phil.Steele@noaa.gov

Southeast-Gulf - NOAA OBTAINS $10,000 Settlement for Debris Dumped in Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary to Attract Lobsters

On Sept. 20, 2000, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers observed Steven Rodger and Jacob Perry, both of Key West, Fla., placing materials meant to attract lobsters in the Gulf of Mexico near Key West. The officers seized their global positioning unit, which contained numerous saved waypoints of latitude and longitude coordinates.

NOAA investigated 147 waypoints and found that 120 of these waypoints marked sites with illegal debris on the seafloor. The illegal material included cut-up garbage dumpsters, concrete slabs and blocks, corrugated and flat metal sheets, wood blocks, car hoods and bathtubs. This debris was predominantly placed on top of existing mixed hard bottom and seagrass habitat, crushing hard and soft corals, seagrass, sponges and invertebrates. The large amount of unnatural habitat may also disrupt the natural migratory patterns of spiny lobster from the Gulf of Mexico to the reef tract, with potential implications for spawning.

To minimize damage to natural habitat and begin allowing these sites to recover, NOAA hired a contractor to clear debris at 114 of the 120 sites, removing 65 tons of material. Funds from vessel grounding settlements paid for the cleanup.

Under the consent decree, Rodger and Perry agree to pay $5,000 each to reimburse the government for response costs and damages. They also agree not to manufacture, possess or place artificial reef materials or debris within the sanctuary and agree not to catch lobster commercially within the sanctuary for five years. For more information, contact Cheva Heck (305) 292-1311, Ext. 26.

Southwest - NOAA Extends Deadline for Applicants for Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council

NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants to fill seats on its sanctuary advisory council, including a primary and alternate member for business, and alternates for agriculture, recreation and education. The deadline for completed applications has been extended to Friday, March 12, 2004. Sanctuary advisory council member application packages are available at the sanctuary Web site, http://montereybay.noaa.gov or can be obtained by calling (831) 647-4206. Completed applications should be submitted to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 299 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940.

Western Pacific – NOAA Awards Nearly $1.8 Million to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPFMC)

As part of a cooperative agreement to support strategic planning and program development in the Western Pacific region, NOAA awarded $1.79 million to the WPFMC. The grant includes a one-time supplemental award to support the Council’s expanded tasks to assist the Pacific Islands region to coordinate and organize strategic planning and program coordination activities.

WPFMC is the policy-making organization for the management of fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (generally 3 to 200 miles offshore) around the Territory of American Samoa, Territory of Guam, State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Pacific island possessions, an area of nearly 1.5 million square miles.

Grants such as this " allow NOAA to support and enhance partnerships that protect valuable fishery resources and promote economic opportunities," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "NOAA is committed to working with local and regional partners to improve our understanding of Pacific fisheries."

Northwest - Comment Period on Proposed Changes to the Catch Sharing Plan for Pacific Halibut Sport Fisheries Closes on March 9

Just a reminder that the proposed changes to the Area 2A Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for sport fisheries closes next Tuesday, March 9th. These changes were proposed to enhance the conservation of pacific halibut and protect yelloweye rockfish and overfished species of groundfish from incidental catch in the halibut fisheries. Some of the key proposed changes include providing more flexibility for inseason management in Washington and revision of the public announcement process in Puget Sound sport fisheries. In addition, the season dates for Washington North Coast and South Coast sport fisheries are revised, the Oregon North Central and South Central sub-areas are combined; and the ”additional fishing days'' season structure for Oregon's spring and summer sport fisheries is changed. Lastly, the season closing date for Oregon/California sport fisheries in the South of Humbug Mountain sub-area is extended and the depth restriction for Oregon's nearshore sport fishery is modified. This proposed rule would also approve and implement changes to the annual domestic management measures to revise the closed area to non-treaty commercial halibut fishing in Area 2A. Electronic copies of the Plan, including proposed changes for 2004, and supporting documents are available at: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov (click on "Pacific Halibut.'')

Comments on the proposed changes must be received no later than 5 p.m., local time on March 9, 2004. Send comments to D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or fax to 206-526-6736, care of Jamie Goen; or via email to PHalibut2004.nwr@noaa.gov.

Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10 megabyte file size. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen or Yvonne deReynier (Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736 and; e-mail: jamie.goen@noaa.gov or yvonne.dereynier@noaa.gov.

March 1, 2004

March 2, 2004

March 3, 2004

March 4, 2004

March 5, 2004