National

National

Atlantic

Mid-Atlantic

Gulf

Southwest Coast

Northwest

Alaska

National – ‘Ocean Researchers Take Fish Farming Off-Shore’ – Story on National Public Radio

This week, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered featured offshore marine aquaculture research and its prospects for both overcoming the ecological concerns of pollution and depleted fisheries. Rich Langan, Director of the University of New Hampshire’s Cooperative Institute for New England Mariculture & Fisheries, is interviewed about their in-water research. Mr. Langan will be speaking at the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting next week in Juneau (details below). To hear an audio track and read the transcript go to:
http://www.npr.org/display_pages/features/feature_3620330.html

National - Affirmative Finding for the Government of México under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

On July 30, 2004, the United States renewed its affirmative finding for Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act as amended by the International Dolphin Conservation Program. The affirmative renewal allows for continued importation of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested under conservation requirements in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean by Mexican purse seine vessels. The renewal had been delayed because México had not submitted a letter to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Secretariat allowing the U.S. to have access to the tuna tracking forms necessary to make the affirmative finding. This finding will be valid until March 31, 2005. For more information contact Jeremy Rusin at Jeremy.Rusin@noaa.gov.

Atlantic - New Permit Conservation Requirements for Atlantic Dolphin-Wahoo Fishermen

NOAA Fisheries is reminding participants in the Atlantic dolphin-wahoo fishery, including commercial vessel owners, charter and headboat owners and operators, and dealers, that new federal conservation permit requirements for this fishery go into effect on September 24, 2004. Commercial vessel, charter vessel and headboat operator permit card requirements go into effect on November 23, 2004. Participants in these fisheries are encouraged to begin updating their information and obtaining their permits now.

For a complete listing of requirements, deadlines and procedures go to http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pubann/paindex.htm or contact Robert Sadler at Robert.Sadler@noaa.gov (727) 570-5326.

Mid-Atlantic – New York Found In Compliance with Summer Flounder Conservation Provisions

On August 4, 2004, NOAA Fisheries concurred with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) determination that the State of New York had taken sufficient action to come back into compliance with the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan. On July 30, 2004, New York notified the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission that it has implemented, effective immediately, additional conservation measures to bring the State back into compliance.

In June, the ASMFC determined that New York was not in compliance with the Commission’s Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder. NOAA Fisheries subsequently concurred with the Commission’s finding. A moratorium on fishing for the summer flounder fishery within the waters of the State of New York was to go into effect on September 3, 2004, if New York had not taken steps to come back into compliance by requiring a 48.5% reduction in summer flounder recreational catch.

For more information visit the ASMFC online http://www.asmfc.org

Gulf – Construction Begins on Two Coastal Louisiana Wetland Projects

Construction has begun on two coastal Louisiana wetland restoration projects -- the Delta Wide Crevasses project located in Plaquemines Parish southeast of New Orleans, and the “The Jaws” project, located in St. Mary Parish. Both projects were funded by the NOAA Restoration Center through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA better known as the Breaux Act). The Delta Wide Crevasses project will re-establish 5 old crevasses and create two new ones by dredging over 310,000 cubic yards of sediment. Crevasses are breaks in the levees that allow the river to deposit sediments into adjacent shallow bays and create new wetlands. The Mississippi River Delta is one of the hallmark symbols of Louisiana’s rich natural heritage. Unfortunately, natural and man-made alterations to the Mississippi River have changed the hydrology of the river and impeded the natural wetland building processes in the delta. The construction of levees to protect commercial shipping lanes has reduced natural sedimentation and freshwater flow, causing deterioration of wetlands and saltwater intrusion. By dredging new crevasses through the levees and allowing nature to takes its course, this restoration project mimics the natural process of crevasse formation that was responsible for building much of the Mississippi River Delta. Expected benefits after 20 years are 2,400 acres of new wetlands. Construction will be completed by November 2004.

The sediment trapping at "The Jaws" project is designed to reduce wave-induced shoreline erosion and promote sediment deposition by creating vegetated wetland terraces and reducing wave fetch, or the distance waves can travel unimpeded. Distributary channels will be dredged to deliver water and sediment to the project area. Dredging 610,000 cubic yards of sediment will construct 40,100 linear feet of terraces initially creating 82 acres of new wetlands. Terraces will be planted with 19,500 giant cut grass plants and 22,000 California bulrush plants to kick-start vegetative growth. Over 20 years of sediment accretion is expected to yield 2,000 acres of new wetlands. Construction will be completed by November 2004. (Erik Zobrist, 301-713-0174)

Southwest Coast – Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Seeks Recreational Fishing Representative For Sanctuary Advisory Council - Applications Due August 20

NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary recently added primary and alternate recreational fishing seats to the Sanctuary’s Advisory council and is seeking applicants to fill the positions. The candidates selected should expect to serve until February 2007. Applicants should be active recreational fishermen familiar with fishing issues within the sanctuary region and should be able to effectively communicate and conduct outreach within the broader recreational fishing community consistent with the role of the Sanctuary Advisory Council. Those selected will have an understanding of the links between the recreational fishing community and the sanctuary, and have a demonstrated interest in helping the sanctuary achieve its environmental stewardship goals.

Sanctuary Advisory Council member application packages are available at the sanctuary Web site, http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov , or can be obtained at (831) 647-4206. Completed applications must be submitted to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 299 Foam Street, Monterey, Calif. 93940, by close of business August 20, 2004.

Northwest - NOAA Fisheries Accepts ESA Petition to List Herring in Puget Sound

NOAA Fisheries has accepted an Endangered Species Act petition from a group of conservationists to list a population of herring in Washington's Puget Sound. While accepting a petition doesn’t guarantee that a species will eventually be listed under the ESA, it is the first step in that process. A January 2004 petition from the same group to list Cherry Point herring was about to be rejected because it didn't contain enough information on which the agency could make a judgment. The new petition, received by the agency in mid-May, has additional information that the agency found sufficient to initiate a new status review on these herring. For more information, visit our
Northwest Regional Office at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/marfish.htm

Alaska – Deep Sea Research of Aleutian Islands Continues

Scientists from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Lab are part of a joint research team which is the first to use the deep-diving, remotely operated vehicle Jason II to study corals near Alaska's Aleutian Islands. On board the research vessel Roger Revelle, the team of scientists along with science reporter Sonya Senkosky departed Dutch Harbor July 24. These studies are critical in the investigation of essential fish habitat and the effects of fishing gear. Alaska Center's Auke Bay Lab provides information on the cruise with frequent updates at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/abl/MarFish/coralscruise.htm

August 3, 2004

Notice - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Rebuilding Plan.
Notice - Caribbean FMC; Public meeting
Notice - Marine mammals; File No. 369-1757
Rule - Pacific Whiting; Closure Authority

August 4, 2004

Notice - Application for Scientific Research Permit
Notice - New Eng. FMC; Meetings
Notice - Gulf of Mexico FMC; Meeting
Notice - South Atlantic FMC; Meeting

August 5, 2004

Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re: South Pacific Tuna Act).
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re: Southwest Region Permit Family of Forms).
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re: Coast Pilot Report).
Notice - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request (re: Vessel Monitoring System Requirements in the Western Pacific Pelagic Longline Fishery).

August 6, 2004

Notice - Taking Marine Mammals; (Mexican Gov't)
Notice - Marine Mammals; File No. 1054-1731
Notice - Draft NOAA Shrimp Issues; Public Meetings
Notice - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Tilefish Reporting in the Gulf of Mexico
Rule - Atlantic Bluefish; Final 2004 Specs

August 9, 2004

Notice - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) (re: the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association)