FishNews - October 10, 2012 - Marine Mammal Month—Investigating Marine Mammal Crimes, Innovative Research, Killer Whale Tales, and More

International

New Proposal to Protect Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
Due to the high demand for oceanic whitetip shark fins, the United States and Brazil are co-sponsoring a Colombian proposal to add oceanic whitetip sharks to Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Learn how CITES ensures that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

National

Methot Named Science Advisor for Stock Assessments
NOAA Fisheries announces Dr. Rick Methot as the first NOAA Science Advisor for Stock Assessments. One of Dr. Methot's priorities will be to facilitate a national approach to stock assessments across the agency and to conduct research to improve fish stock assessments nationally and internationally. Read more.

Aerial Drones Give Scientists a New Perspective
What will help launch a whole new era of marine mammal research? Find out how aerial drones help biologist Wayne Perryman and other NOAA scientists study animals and ecosystems in a whole new way.

Getting to the Bottom of Marine Mammal Crimes
Special agents and enforcement officers with NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement investigate crimes against marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. Learn more.

Northeast/Southeast

NOAA Proposes Opening Dates and Quotas for the 2013 Season for Atlantic Commercial Shark Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries will adjust quotas based on any over- and/or underharvests from 2011 and 2012 fishing seasons. The porbeagle shark fishery will close in 2013 due to the small quota and difficulties in accurately monitoring such a small quota. Season openings are based on previously implemented adaptive management measures. Comment on the proposed measures through October 28, 2012.

Southeast

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Georgia Aquarium’s Permit Application to Import Beluga Whales for Public Display
The Georgia Aquarium submitted an application for a Marine Mammal Protection Act permit on June 15, 2012 to import 18 beluga whales from Russia to the United States for the purpose of public display. Comment on the application through October 29, 2012.

NOAA Finds Petition to List Nassau Grouper under Endangered Species Act May Be Warranted
NOAA will conduct further scientific review to determine if listing is warranted and is seeking information pertaining to this species from the public to ensure that the status review is comprehensive. Submit information through December 10, 2012.

Tips for Coastal Managers on Combating Invasive Lionfish
NOAA scientists and partners created the first ever guidelines for coastal managers to control the spread of invasive lionfish. With no natural predators, lionfish are now found in waters from North Carolina to Florida, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico and are taking food and habitat from native fish important to the local ecology and economy.  Learn more.

Northwest

Students Experience Life through the Eyes of Killer Whales
Imagine navigating the deep dark waters of Puget Sound as a young killer whale, guided by the calls of your family. Thousands of elementary students will hear this unusual request when they head back to school this fall and participate in the Killer Whale Tales program. Find out how they experience how killer whales feed, communicate with other whales, and travel the waterways they call home.

Oct-Dec: NOAA Fisheries holds free workshops on Atlantic Shark Identification and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification

Oct-Dec: NOAA Fisheries holds training workshops on Electronic Reporting System for Federal Atlantic Swordfish, Shark, and Tuna Dealers

Oct 15-18: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meets in Long Branch, NJ

Oct 17-18: Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas will hold its fall meeting in Silver Spring, MD

Oct 23-25: Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee meets in Silver Spring, Maryland

Oct 25-26: Permanent Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meets in Honolulu, Hawaii

Nov 2-7: Pacific Fishery Management Council meets in Costa Mesa, CA

Oct 1-31: NOAA Teacher At Sea program calls for applications for 2013 field season

Dec 14: Nominations for National Wetlands Awards due