Editor's Note: Happy Thanksgiving and think outside the bird!
Consider bringing both land and sea to the dinner table this year. Here are
some dishes featuring sustainable seafood managed in the United States.
HIGHLIGHTS
An Atlantic bluefin tuna strikes. Credit:Gilbert Van Ryckevorsel/TAG A Giant
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas –
2017 Update
The United States and other
countries from around the world tackled management challenges for tunas,
swordfish and sharks at the 2017 annual meeting of ICCAT that concluded
November 21, in Marrakech, Morocco. This
year, more than 700 delegates representing 47 members gathered to discuss a
number of important measures that advance the sustainable management of these
valuable species.
Fisheries
Scientists to Benefit from New Satellite Meteorologists are not the only
ones who rely on environmental satellites. Marine biologists, fishery managers,
and coastal habitat planners need satellites to track changes in ocean color
and temperature that provide important clues to our living marine
resources. Learn more about how NOAA Fisheries will benefit from the new Joint
Polar Satellite System that launched Saturday, November 18.
Fisheries
Finance Program Loan Applications NOAA
Fisheries’ Fisheries Finance Program (FFP) is currently accepting loan
applications. The FFP can provide long term financing for the cost of
construction or reconstruction of fishing vessels, fisheries facilities, and
aquaculture facilities, as well as individual fishing quota in the Pacific
Halibut/Sablefish and Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Crab Fisheries. Contact the Financial Services branch offices in Gloucester, St. Petersburg, or
Seattle for more information on how to apply.
Reminder: MAFAC
Nominations Due Monday NOAA Fisheries seeks to fill
current and pending vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, which
advises the Secretary of Commerce on all living marine resources matters under
the Department of Commerce. Applications are due next Monday, November 27.
NOAA
Fisheries' New Chief Information Officer NOAA Fisheries announced the
appointment of Roy Varghese as the new Chief Information Officer for Fisheries.
As CIO, Roy will continue the work of leading NOAA Fisheries and its regions
and science centers in all areas of information management and technology.
West Coast
Two Veterans
Begin Internships at NOAA Fisheries Two veterans will began
internships this month with researchers from the Northwest Fisheries Science
Center’s Watershed Program at Mukilteo Research Center. This marks the second year
of a unique program created through a partnership between NOAA, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and the Veterans Conservation Corps.
Pacific Islands
Hawaiian
Monk Seal Photo Contest Winners The
Pacific Islands Regional Office announced the winners of the first-ever Hawaiian
Monk Seal Photo Contest. Two winners were chosen from each of the following
eight categories: Coexistence with Hawaii’s Native Seal, Moms and Pups,
Seal-Seal Interaction, Strike a Pose, Monk Seals in their Settings, Surf and
Swim, Threats to Survival, and Monument Insight.
November’s
Monk Seal of the Month The Monk Seal of the Month for
November is Kaimana, the first monk seal born in Waikiki. Kaimana spent 6 weeks
with her mother, Rocky, on the crowded Waikiki beach, with lots of attention.
NOAA Fisheries decided such a populated area would be a risky place for a young
pup, so shortly after she was weaned, researchers relocated her to a new home.
Southeast
Greater
Amberjack Rule – Open for Comment By December 5, please submit your comments on a proposed
rule for commercial and recreational
management measures for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule would
modify the annual catch limits and targets for 2018 and beyond, as well as set
a new time frame for rebuilding the greater amberjack stock.
Reminder:
Paperless Fishery Bulletins Available NOAA Fisheries offers three ways
to receive your fishery bulletins, which contain fishing regulation information
and are typically referred to as “the blue sheets.” Paper bulletins are
available by mail, but paperless include electronic bulletins via email or text
message.
Greater Atlantic
Northeast Fishery Sector IX Operations Plan Withdrawn Due to Non-Compliance NOAA
Fisheries withdrew approval of the 2017 and 2018 Northeast Fishery Sector IX
operations plan. The Regional Administrator determined that the sector and its
participants have not complied with the requirements of their approved
operations plan, and that the continuation of the Sector IX operations plan
will undermine achievement of the conservation and management objectives of the
Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This action follows the guilty
plea and sentencing of Mr. Carlos Rafael, a major participant in Sector IX, who
admitted to falsely reporting catch information.
Proposed
Rulemaking for American Lobster – Open for Public Comment By December 15, please submit your comments on an advance
notice of proposed rulemaking for the
American lobster fishery. NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on the American lobster
control date, proposed changes to lobster trap gear marking requirements, and a
provision to allow substitute vessels to fish lobster traps for federally
permitted, but inoperable, vessels.
Meet GARFO’s
American Lobster Policy Analyst Meet Peter Burns, a policy
analyst in the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office who takes the lead on
lobster policy. Peter works with the fishing industry, scientists, state
agencies, and others to develop management plans for American lobster, which is
managed by the states under the Atlantic Coastal Act. NOAA Fisheries enacts
regulations in federal waters designed to complement state regulations and
support the management plan.
Ribbed
Mussels Could Help Improve Water Quality A new study found that ribbed mussels,
native to the East Coast, could help improve water quality in coastal urban
locations by removing nitrogen and other excess nutrients. The findings are
part of long-term efforts to improve water quality in New York City’s Bronx
River Estuary.
Miniboat
Launches Connect Students and Teachers Across the Atlantic Three 5-foot miniboats fitted
with sails and GPS tracking devices were launched off Portugal’s Madeira Island
on November 13 for their latest voyage westward. Built by students in New
Jersey, Maine, and Portugal, the miniboats are part of an international regatta
aiming to have boats completely circle the North Atlantic Ocean.
Milford Lab Collaborates with Korean Colleagues Since its founding almost 100
years ago, NOAA’s Milford Laboratory in Connecticut has fostered relationships between
its scientists, government and academic partners, the shellfish industry, and
international organizations. Read a spotlight on the connection between the Milford
Lab and South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science.
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