HIGHLIGHTS
 NOAA Fisheries
Releases Fisheries of the United States
2016
The Fisheries of the United States, 2016 report is now available. A yearbook of
fisheries statistics for the nation, the report continues to underscore the
sustainability and economic strength of our nation’s fisheries and ports and
the integral role they play in the vibrancy and resiliency of our coastal
communities. The report also underscores
the opportunities for the U.S. to expand domestic seafood production through
environmentally responsible aquaculture.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species—Proposed Rules
NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule for an Atlantic
Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat Permit Commercial Sales Provision
NOAA Fisheries is considering creating a separate provision
for the commercial sale of Atlantic highly migratory species by HMS
Charter/Headboat permit holders. The proposed rule would create a “commercial
sale” endorsement for the HMS Charter/Headboat permit, meaning those vessels
would be prohibited from selling any catch of HMS unless they obtain a
“commercial sale” endorsement as part of the permit. Submit
comments by November 13, 2017.
NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule to Modify
Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota (IBQ) Program Regulations for Accounting for
Bluefin Tuna
NOAA Fisheries proposes to modify the Atlantic highly
migratory species (HMS) regulations to require vessels in the pelagic longline
fishery to account for bycatch of bluefin tuna using Individual Bluefin Quota
(IBQ) on a quarterly basis instead of before commencing any fishing trip with
less than the minimum required IBQ balance or with quota debt. This
proposed regulatory change would maintain vessel accountability for bluefin
tuna catch while providing some additional flexibility in vessel
operations. Submit
comments by November 24, 2017.
NOAA Fisheries
Requests Comments on the Issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits and Related
Permits for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species During 2018
NOAA Fisheries intends to issue exempted fishing permits,
scientific research permits, display permits, letters of acknowledgement, and
shark research fishery permits for the research and collection of Atlantic
highly migratory species in 2018. In general, these permits would
authorize collection of a limited number of tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and
sharks from federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of
Mexico for the purposes of scientific data collection, bycatch research, and to
evaluate the efficacy of environmental clean-up efforts. Submit
comments by November 27, 2017.
 NOAA Awards $9.3 Million to Support Aquaculture Research
NOAA has announced 32 research grants totaling $9.3 million for projects
around the country to further develop the nation’s marine and coastal
aquaculture industry. The grants were awarded through two competitions to help
spur the development and growth of shellfish, finfish, and seaweed aquaculture
businesses. The projects include basic and applied research to improve efficient
production of seafood, permitting of new businesses, management of
environmental health issues, and economic success of aquaculture businesses.
Join NOAA and Chris
Oliver at the Pacific Marine Expo, November 16-18—Booth #715
Each year, NOAA Fisheries (Alaska and West Coast Coast regions and
science centers), Weather, Charting, and Enforcement, join together at the Pacific Marine Expo
to engage with our stakeholders and update them on the science and services
they depend on. This year's Expo features NOAA Fisheries Administrator Chris
Oliver, as the keynote speaker. There will also be a panel called "Fisheries Get Ready for a
Close Up," discussing major technology advancements in stock assessments in the
North Pacific. Please come by the booth and visit Chris on the afternoon of Thursday,
November 16.
West Coast
 Proposed Rule for a
Federal Limited Entry Permit – California/Oregon Large-Mesh Drift Gillnet
Fishery
NOAA Fisheries is considering a proposed rule to create a federal
limited entry permit for the California/Oregon large-mesh drift gillnet fishery
that will streamline the current process. Transitioning from a state permit to
a federal permit will streamline service and fishery compliance among fishery
participants. It also means that participants will no longer need to research
both state and federal regulations when reviewing applicable management
measures. This action is not expected to lead to an increase in, or a
restriction of, fishing effort or capacity. Submit
comments by December 15, 2017.
Southeast
 NOAA Fisheries
Proposes Temporary Rule for Golden Tilefish Interim Measures in the South
Atlantic Region
The results of the 2016 scientific population assessment update
revealed that the golden tilefish population in the South Atlantic is
undergoing overfishing (rate of removal is too high) but is not overfished
(population abundance is too low). On October 27, NOAA Fisheries proposed interim
measures to temporarily reduce the golden tilefish annual catch limits (total,
commercial, and recreational) in 2018. The total ACL of 558,036 pounds gutted
weight will be reduced to 323,000 pounds gutted weight. Submit
comments by November 14, 2017.
 NOAA Fisheries Announcing
the Limited Harvest of South Atlantic Red Snapper in 2017
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has requested that
the Secretary of Commerce allow limited
harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in 2017. Recent data support that
limited harvest in 2017 will not cause overfishing or prevent continued
rebuilding of the stock. During the limited 2017 season, there will be no established
minimum size limit for either the commercial or the recreational sector; the
commercial trip limit will be 75 pounds gutted weight, and the recreational bag
limit will be one fish per person per day. The Council also established annual
catch limits for red snapper.
Greater Atlantic
 First Shortnose
Sturgeon Documented Above Dam in Connecticut River
This August, an angler casting on the Connecticut River had
quite a surprise when he reeled in not a walleye or bass, but instead a relic
from the age of dinosaurs: an adult-sized
shortnose sturgeon! This is the first documented report of a shortnose
sturgeon in the Connecticut River upstream of the Turners Falls Dam in Turners
Falls, Massachusetts. Sturgeon have been listed as endangered since 1967.
 Restoring Great Lakes
Habitat Benefits People and Fish
A new storymap from NOAA Habitat Conservation tells the story of
NOAA’s involvement with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, showcasing two
of the more than 200 NOAA efforts in the region. The initiative identifies
key priorities including cleanup of toxic sites, reducing causes of harmful
algal blooms, and controlling and preventing invasive species. To date 225
GLRI-funded NOAA projects have addressed these priorities around the region,
successfully restoring habitat for native species and improving water
quality.
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