National

Pacific

Pacific

Pacific

Atlantic

Atlantic

Mid-Atlantic

Northwest

Southwest

Southwest

Gulf

NOAA Fisheries and United States Coast Guard Sign Memorandum of Agreement on Observer Safety

Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meets January 11-14 in Honolulu, Hawaii

Estimates of Atlantic Swordfish Landings Posted

Deadline Extended for National Wetlands Awards; Nominations Due January 15

NOAA Offers New Educational Resources Featuring the Lionfish

History Channel Features Commercial Fishing

National – White House Issues Executive Order on Ocean Policy

On Friday, President Bush announced the establishment of a national Ocean Policy and a Committee on Ocean Policy to coordinate ocean-related activities across government and international jurisdictions. The Executive Order on Ocean Policy was issued in response to the Oceans Commission report, which evaluated the current system of managing the nation’s ocean-related activities and their impacts on the marine environment. Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, celebrated the move as marking the beginning of a new era in ocean stewardship and sustainability. To view the Executive Order and statements, see Hot Topics on NOAA Fisheries' Media Center.

Pacific - Three Years of Preparations Conclude for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Inaugural Meeting of the Commission is Held

The seventh and final session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Preparatory Conference convened in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia on December 6-7, 2004 followed by the Inaugural Meeting of the WCPFC on December 9-10, 2004. The WCPFC will conserve and manage the last unmanaged tuna fisheries in the world. These are also the world’s largest tuna fisheries, with an annual total ex-vessel value of up to $2 billion, of which roughly $250 million can be attributed to U.S. fisheries.

The key products of the Preparatory Conference include measures implementing authorization for fishing vessels, Cooperating Non-Member status and responsibilities, vessel and gear marking systems, rules of procedure, financial regulations, budget and budget allocations. Other measures adopted include a structure for the Secretariat and its provision of scientific services and advice, as well a recommendation on the Philippine/Indonesia data collection project as a priority item.

The WCPFC elected its new leadership and adopted a U.S.-proposed resolution calling for a plan of action for analysis of conservation and management measures. This resolution will be considered by the WCPFC, hopefully at its next meeting, which will be within the timeframe of December 5-16, 2005 in Pohnpei.

For additional information on the WCPFC, please visit: http://www.ocean-affairs.com/.

Pacific – New Regulations for Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Stocks

NOAA Fisheries has implemented a final rule to prevent overfishing of eastern tropical Pacific Ocean tuna stocks, consistent with recommendations by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) that have been approved by the Department of State under the Tuna Conventions Act. The purse seine fishery for tuna in the Convention Area will be closed from December 13, 2004 through (or until) December 31, 2004.

This final rule will also close the U.S. longline fishery in the Convention Area for the remainder of 2004 if the bigeye tuna catch in the Convention Area reaches the reported level of catch made in 2001 (150 metric tons). These actions will limit fishing mortality and contribute to the long-term conservation of tuna stocks at levels that support healthy fisheries.

For further information, contact Allison.Routt@noaa.gov.

Pacific – Public Comments Requested on Marine Mammal Stock Assessments

Stock assessment reports for marine mammals in the Pacific region have been revised, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These reports include information on the distribution and abundance of the stock, population growth rates and trends, estimates of annual human-caused mortality and serious injury, and descriptions of the fisheries with which the stock interacts. The draft reports contain new or revised stock assessments for 30 Pacific marine mammal stocks. NOAA Fisheries is also proposing changes to the guidelines for preparing stock assessment reports. These proposed revisions focus primarily on stock structure and estimating potential biological removal.

The draft stock assessment reports and proposed revisions to the guidelines are available for public review and comment.

To view them go to:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/sars.html.

Comments may be sent via email to mmsar.2004@noaa.gov.

All comments must be received by February 16, 2005.

For further information, contact Tom.Eagle@noaa.gov.

Atlantic – Fourth Endangered Right Whale Found Dead; Agencies Move to Avoid Ship Strikes

Last weekend, trained whale observers on U.S. Coast Guard flights located the carcass of a North Atlantic right whale southeast of Nantucket, MA. This is the fourth confirmed North Atlantic right whale death in 2004. Earlier this year, a calf beached and died of unknown causes and two pregnant females were killed by ship strikes. In addition to these mortalities, two right whales have recently been sighted off the coast of North Carolina. These animals are among the world's most endangered large whales.

In response, NOAA is organizing a summit among federal agencies to seek immediate voluntary actions that will make waters safer for migrating and calving North Atlantic right whales. The summit will be convened as a meeting of the NOAA-hosted Interagency Ship Strike Reduction Working Group. NOAA's draft ship strike reduction strategy covers the entire East Coast. In the Mid-Atlantic, nine ports were identified where right whales are likely to be present seasonally, and the strategy recommends speed restrictions within 20 to 30 nautical miles of each port during those times.

For more on NOAA's ship strike reduction effort please visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/.

Atlantic – New Dynamic Area Management Action in Effect East of Portland, ME to Protect Right Whales

On December 6, 2004, seven right whales were sighted in the proximity of 43°22.3' N latitude and 68°01.1' W longitude. As a result, lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen must comply with required gear modifications in an area east of Portland, Maine, effective 0001 hours December 22, 2004, through 2400 hours January 5, 2005. The regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,889 square nautical miles. In addition, NOAA Fisheries requires that no additional gear be set in the DAM zone during the 15-day period unless that gear has been modified accordingly. For additional details, please go to: http://www.nero.nmfs.gov/whaletrp under "What's New."

If you have any questions regarding these regulations, please call 978-281-9328 x6505.

Mid-Atlantic – Biological Opinion for the Scallop Fishery Available on the Web

NOAA Fisheries has issued a biological opinion that evaluates the effects of the sea scallop fishery on species that are listed under the ESA. The opinion concludes that the Atlantic sea scallop fishery is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles. Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as threatened, and leatherbacks as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Download the opinion here:
http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/ScallopDec04BO.pdf.

Northwest - Proposal to List Puget Sound Killer Whales Under the ESA

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposal to list a population of killer whales as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These whales, known as the Southern Resident population, spend several months each year in Washington State's Puget Sound. NOAA Fisheries designated them depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in May 2003 and has consulted with experts on development of a conservation plan. A draft of the conservation plan is expected to be available for public review by February.

The proposed listing determination will be open for public comment for 90 days. Two public meetings are scheduled to allow interested parties to present their views: in Seattle, WA on February 17, 2005 and at Friday Harbor, WA on February 28, 2005.

For more information on this listing proposal, go to: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/mmammals/whales/srkwd.htm.

Southwest – NOAA Fisheries Working with Anglers to Protect Access to California Coastal National Monument

NOAA Fisheries is working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and members of angling organizations to protect recreational fishing access to the California Coastal National Monument. The Monument includes approximately 20,000 rocks and islets that are considered a prime marine fishing location to many local anglers. Above water, the rocks provide important habitat for marine mammals and sea birds. The BLM is currently preparing a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to change protections for the monument. NOAA Fisheries is working with the BLM in developing programs to protect the valuable resources on the rocks, while preserving recreational fishing access.

For more information, visit http://www.ca.blm.gov/pa/coastal_monument/Scoping_Report.htm or contact NOAA's Regional Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, Marty.Golden@noaa.gov.

Southwest – NOAA Fisheries Offers $2,500 Reward for Information Leading to Persons Responsible for Sea Lion Death in California

NOAA Fisheries' Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of a sea lion in the waters off Redondo Beach, California. Concerned citizens called NOAA law enforcement agents on December 8, 2004 to investigate a large dead male sea lion near the waters of the Redondo Beach Harbor Department. Investigators found the animal with a weight tied around it, which had possibly caused it to drown. Sea lions, like all marine mammals, cannot breathe underwater.

"It's a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to harass or kill sea lions or any marine mammal," said Special Agent in Charge Michael Gonzales, NOAA Fisheries OLE - Southwest Division. "The person or persons who committed this act can face a civil penalty of up to $12,000 or a criminal fine of up to $20,000 and jail time."

Anyone with information concerning this incident should call the Office for Law Enforcement hotline toll-free, at 1-800-853-1964.

Gulf – Lavaca Bay Settlement to Provide For Area Restoration Projects

On Friday, December 10, 2004, NOAA and co-trustees announced a settlement agreement with Alcoa Inc. and Alcoa World Alumina L.L.C. to address mercury pollution in Lavaca Bay, Texas. The NOAA Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (http://www.darp.noaa.gov/about/index.html) served as the Lead Administrative Trustee for the case coordinating the development of the Restoration Plans and other key aspects of the injury assessment.

Under the agreement, Alcoa will undertake restoration actions to compensate for natural resource losses resulting from discharges from its chlorine-alkali processing plant. These restoration actions will offset both ecological injuries and impacts to recreational fishing in the bay. Alcoa will transfer of 729 acres of land to be preserved as part of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, create 70 acres of inter-tidal salt marsh within the refuge, and create 11 acres of new oyster reef habitat in Lavaca Bay. Alcoa will also construct new fishing piers at Six Mile Park, Point Comfort Park, and the Bayfront Peninsula in Point Comfort; replace an existing auxiliary boat ramp at Six Mile Park; modify an existing jetty at Magnolia Beach; and construct new timber docks at Six Mile Park and Lighthouse Beach.

The restoration actions included in this settlement were identified through a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) process that was undertaken cooperatively with Alcoa. That cooperative assessment process permitted comprehensive coverage of all NRDA issues associated with the site and led to good working relationships between the trustees, Alcoa, and the local community.

For additional information, contact Tom.Moore@noaa.gov.

December 13, 2004

Notice - Endangered Species; File No. 1375

Notice - Small Takes of Marine mammals off Central America

December 14, 2004

December 15, 2004

December 16, 2004

August 10, 2004