National

Atlantic

Atlantic

Atlantic

Gulf

Department of Commerce Imposes Tariffs on Imported Shrimp

Gulf

Gulf

Gulf

Western Pacific

Western Pacific

Western Pacific

National – International Marine Turtle Conservation Efforts Get a Boost

On Friday, July 2, 2004, President Bush signed the Marine Turtle Conservation Act into law. Under the new law, sea turtles will be added to the list of species eligible for funding under the Multinational Species Conservation Fund. That fund supports on-the-ground protection, research and education efforts. It provides a funding source for comprehensive, global coordination and collaboration for individual efforts in developing countries where resources and capacity are limited. NOAA and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife share jurisdiction for the conservation of marine turtles, with Fish & Wildlife focusing on protecting nesting beaches while NOAA Fisheries works to conserve and recover turtles in their marine environments. Although these funds will not be targeted for marine conservation efforts, the added protection afforded by the Multinational Species Conservation Fund will enhance NOAA’s conservation efforts both domestically and internationally. For further information visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife web page at: http://www.fws.gov

Atlantic – NOAA Fisheries Bans “J” Hooks in Atlantic Longline Fisheries in a Move to Protect Sea Turtles; New Gear and Techniques Allow Agency to Re-open Atlantic Grand Banks Fishing Grounds to U.S. Longline Fleet

Scientific advancements have led to the development of fishing techniques that allow longline vessels to avoid sea turtles and protect them from becoming hooked on gear.

Based on these advancements, the agency has re-opened the Northeast Distant fishing area, known as the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, to the American pelagic longline fleet. The area had been closed to fishermen from the United States for three years because of high concentrations of sea turtles in the area. During this 3-year closure, the agency worked cooperatively with the longline industry to develop technology and fishing methods that reduce sea turtle “interactions” in this fishery. Vessels with pelagic longline gear onboard may now fish in the Grand Banks, but are limited at all times to possessing and/or using 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 10 degrees. In addition, only whole finfish and squid baits may be possessed and/or used.

Effective August 5, 2004, “J” hooks will be banned in all Atlantic longline fisheries (including the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Caribbean). This step will provide tremendous conservation benefits for sea turtles since the majority of sea turtle mortalities in longline fisheries are caused by ingestion of “J” hooks. Waters outside the Grand Banks may only possess and/or use 16/0 or larger non-offset circle hooks and 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 10 degrees. Only whole finfish and squid baits may be possessed and/or used.

The new regulation also requires pelagic longline vessels to possess and use sea turtle handling and release gear consistent with NOAA Fisheries’ careful release protocols. The required gear is described in “NOAA Fisheries - Approved Models For Equipment Needed For The Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught In Hook And Line Fisheries.” The initial list of approved models is available on the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Management Division’s Web site at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms and upon request at (727) 570- 5447.

Click here to retrive the Technical Memorandum (NMFS-SEFSC-524) containing the careful release protocols. A training video on release and disentanglement techniques is also available. For further information, Rick Pearson, Russell Dunn or Greg Fairclough (727) 570-5447.

Atlantic – Petition for Sea Turtle Protection in Sea Scallop Fishery

On July 7, 2004, NOAA Fisheries published a notice of receipt of a petition for rulemaking from the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) and the Garden State Seafood Association to develop and implement an emergency rule pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require specific modifications to the fishing gear used by Atlantic sea scallop vessels fishing sough of Long Island and north of Cape Hatteras, from May 1 through October 15. The gear measures requested are the installation of a chain mesh configuration “turtle chains” in dredge gear and the installation of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in trawl gear. Comments will be accepted through August 6, 2004.

Atlantic – NOAA Fisheries Announces the Receipt of a Request for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) for Atlantic Tuna Purse Seine Vessels

Several operators of permitted Atlantic tuna purse seine vessels, a transfer vessel, and a holding vessel have requested EFPs to transfer purse seine caught bluefin tuna to a towed cage for the purpose of gathering information on how delaying landings would impact market prices. Specifically, the applicants propose to transfer purse seine caught BFT to a towed cage, harvest fish from the cage using a speargun, and bring harvested fish to port via a transfer vessel other than the permitted purse seine vessel. Delayed landing of the harvested fish could enhance marketing opportunities and prices by coordinating landings with strong market activity. If authorized, these operations may benefit all U.S. commercial BFT fishing categories by avoiding the market gluts experienced in recent years.

The applicants also request an exemption to allow permitted Atlantic tuna purse seine vessels to exceed the 15-percent tolerance level for incidental catch of bluefin tuna between 73 and 81 inches (185 to 206 cm). In their request, the applicants state that the current 15 percent tolerance for fish below 81 inches (206 cm) could be a restrictive factor limiting the success of the experiment.

NMFS invites written comments from interested parties on potential concerns should these EFPs be issued. Comments must be received on or before July 12, 2004, and should be submitted to Christopher Rogers, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments also may be sent via facsimile (FAX) to 301-713-1917 or by email at ID061604D@noaa.gov. Please include in the subject line of the email the following identifier: I.D. 061604D.

For further information or a copy of the proposed rule, contact Heather Stirratt, 301-713-2347.

Gulf – Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) Make’s Preliminary Decision on Antidumping Investigation on Imported Shrimp

On July 6, The Department announced it’s preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty investigations on imports of certain frozen and canned warm water shrimp from China and Vietnam. With one exception, Chinese and Vietnamese producers and exporters have sold these products in the U.S. market at less than fair value with margins ranging as much as 7.67 percent to 112.81 percent. This has seriously undermined the economic stability of the U.S. shrimp trading industry prompting petitions by the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee in December 2003, requesting the ITA investigate. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the Department’s preliminary determinations.

For further information visit the Department’s ITA at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/FactSheet/0704/shrimp_070604.html

Gulf – New Cooperative Study to Explore Effort in the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is pleased to announce that a new cooperative study will be conducted with the shrimping industry to better understand and measure shrimp fishing effort. Effort is a term that describes the number of hours or days fishers actually spend harvesting seafood.

This multi-year study will entail the use of Electronic Logbook (ELB) technology developed by LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. of Bryan, Texas, during a pilot program funded under contract from the Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. The study is anticipated to develop and provide new and more efficient ways to measure effort in the shrimping industry. The study’s primary objective is to enhance NOAA Fisheries’ ability to measure bycatch in the shrimping industry and better estimate its impact on other fisheries. Bycatch is the harvesting or incidental catch of fish or other organisms other than the species targeted in a fishery.

“From NOAA Fisheries’ perspective, cooperative studies like this are critical to building consensus and identifying ways to keep America’s fisheries sustainable,” said Dr. James Nance, Chief of NOAA Fisheries’ Galveston Laboratory Fishery Management Branch. “We commend all members of the shrimping Industry for their willingness to tackle the issue of bycatch head-on and look forward to doing everything possible to contribute to the success of this study.”

Dr. Benny J. Gallaway of LGL Ecological Research Associates will coordinate the industry’s involvement in this study. “We will soon announce a series of port meetings to describe the new program and its importance,” said Gallaway. “We urge everyone who can to attend and also urge everyone who is asked to carry an ELB to do so. This is industry’s chance to be a part of the solution to effort estimation problems, a chance we can’t afford to miss. The ball is in our court.”

To view a complete copy of the press release and other fishery bulletins visit the Southeast Regional Fisheries Office on-line at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/

Gulf – Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15, 2004

Federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will be open to shrimping 30 minutes after sunset on July 15, 2004. The federal opening corresponds to when Texas opens its waters to shrimp trawling. The shrimp fishery is closed annually off Texas to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest, and to prevent waste of brown shrimp that would otherwise be discarded due to their small size.

Current regulations establish a federal closure from May 15 to July 15, each year, but provide an allowance for annual adjustments by the Regional Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries). The opening date is determined based on a biological sampling program conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). NOAA Fisheries opens federal waters off Texas when the state of Texas opens its territorial waters. Texas opens state waters based on projections of when the mean size of shrimp leaving the estuaries is 112 mm total length, during a period of maximum duration ebb tides. TPWD has projected that the criteria to end the Texas closure will be met on July 15, 2004.

Fishery violations may be reported during business hours (M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) to NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region Law Enforcement Division at 727-570-5344, or after hours by calling the hotline at 1-800-853-1964.

This and other news bulletins are available on our homepage at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/ . NOAA Fisheries is an agency of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

8 Gulf – Deep-Water Commercial Fishery in Gulf of Mexico Will Close at 12:01 A.M., July, 15, 2004

NOAA Fisheries announces that the commercial fishery for deep-water grouper (misty, snowy, yellowedge, Warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) in Gulf of Mexico federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 15, 2004, when the 2004 deep-water grouper quota of 1.02 million pounds is projected to be reached. The commercial fishery will remain closed until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2005. The operator of a vessel with a valid reef fish permit having deep-water grouper aboard must have landed and sold such deep-water grouper prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 15, 2004. For further information contact Phil Steele (727) 570-5305 or Phil.Steele@noaa.gov.

Western Pacific – Melon Head Whales Coaxed Out of Bay

Melon-headed whales, are pelagic (deepwater) cetaceans and it is unusual for them to gather so near to shore. The Navy suspended sonar activities in the area upon notification of the whales’ presence by NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries continues to monitor the situation. We encourage the public to stay at least 150 yards from whales in the wild. If someone sees a stranded marine mammal or one in trouble, they should call NOAA’s marine mammal hotline at (888) 256-9840.

For further information contact Wende Goo with our Pacific Islands Office at (808) 973-2937 or Wende.Goo@noaa.gov.

Western Pacific - Hawaiian Monk Seal Released After Life Saving Surgery

As part of a NOAA Fisheries’ on-going monk seal study in the main Hawaiian Islands, before releasing him researchers attached a new satellite transmitter to the 20 year old, 450 pound seal enabling them to track his whereabouts. The monk seal study is designed to provide managers with a better understanding of Hawaiian monk seal health, exposure to endemic diseases, foraging ecology, and habitat use. “The more we learn about their natural habitat, where they sleep, where they forage and what they eat, the better NOAA Fisheries will be able to make informed management decisions that will aid in the recovery of the species,” said Bud Antonelis of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. “In addition, the transmitter will allow us to monitor TT40’s progress.”

Hawaiian monk seals are rare and are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Formerly numbering in the thousands, they were hunted during the 1800’s and their numbers dwindled. Today they number approximately 1300. In 1976, the Hawaiian monk seal was listed as an endangered species and is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Human interaction with endangered monk seals is against state and federal laws, and officials suggest remaining 150 feet away when observing the marine mammals.

For further information, contact Wende Goo, Pacific Islands Region, (808) 721-4098 or visit our web site at: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/pifsc_hot.html

Western Pacific - Sea Turtles Celebrate Independence Day!

Prior to their release the turtles undergo a thorough veterinary check. A few of the strongest and healthiest turtles are selected to participate in a satellite tracking project conducted by Balazs. The transmitters relay information such as the turtles’ location and other data to NOAA Fisheries. The primary scientific purpose of putting satellite transmitters on the turtles is to study and understand their pelagic ecology – where they travel and how they live with relation to ocean currents and other features such as temperature and winds.

For further information, contact Wende Goo, Pacific Islands Region at (808) 721-4098 or visit our web site at http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov

July 2, 2004

Notice – South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper SEDAR Workshop documents.
Notice – Pacific FMC; Meeting, Marine Reserves Subcommittee.
Notice – Pacific FMC; Meeting, Salmon Technical Team.

July 6, 2004

Notice – South Atlantic FMC; Public Meetings documents.
Notice – Pacific FMC; Public meeting documents.
Notice – Issuance of Permits 1400, 1407, 1414, 1431.
Rule – Pelagic Longline Fishery, Sea Turtle Bycatch and Bycatch Mortality Mitigation Measures.

July 7, 2004

Notice - Pacific FMC; Public Hearings for Dedicated Access Privileges.
Notice - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Local Fisheries Knowledge Schools Pilot Project.
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re: Interim Capital Construction Fund).
Notice - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southwest Region Gear Identification Requirements.
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re:Marine Mammal Stranding Report/Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Disposition Report).
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re:NOAA Space-Based Data Collection System (DCS) Agreements).
Notice - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coastal Zone Management Program Administration.
Notice - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska License Limitation Program for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops.
Proposed Rule - Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Amendment 16-3.
Proposed Rule - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Petition for Rulemaking; Request for Comments.
Rule - Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #4 – Adjustment of the Commercial Salmon Fishery from Humbug Mountain, OR to the OR/CA Border.
Rule - Amendment 13. OFR correction. The OFR made an error to two N. Lat. coordinates in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area Chart.
Rule - Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management Measures; In-season Adjustments.

July 9, 2004

Notice - Endangered Species; File Nos. 1346 and 1368 (re: Thomas B. McCormick, Channel Islands Marine Resource Institute (CIMRI), & John Butler, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service)
Notice - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting (re: July 26, 2004, meeting of the Council’s Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee, Scup Monitoring Committee, Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee, and Bluefish Monitoring Committee).
Notice - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting (re: July 27, 2004, meeting of the Joint Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Industry Advisors).
Proposed Rule - Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Subsistence Fishing.