FishNews - September 26, 2018

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NOAA Fish News

September 26, 2018


HIGHLIGHTS

 

fisheriesdisaster

Commercial Fishery Disasters for Salmon, Sardines
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross recently announced that commercial fishery failures occurred between 2015 and 2017 for salmon fisheries in Washington, Oregon, and California, and for the sardine fishery in California. The determinations now make these fisheries eligible for fishery disaster assistance.  

 

Bluefin Tuna school

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panels - Call for Nominations
NOAA Fisheries is soliciting nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops (SEDAR) Panel. Panel members may participate in the various data, assessment, and review workshops associated with shark stock assessments. Members consider the scientific information and advise NOAA Fisheries on the conservation and management of Atlantic sharks. Nominations must be received by October 26.  


Observer Conference

NOAA Represents United States at International Fisheries Observer Conference
NOAA Fisheries leadership, Observer Program staff, and fisheries observers attended the International Fisheries Observer and Monitoring Conference this past June in Vigo, Spain. The conference was critical for exploring how different countries deal with fisheries monitoring and observing, and for sharing experiences to ensure best practices worldwide.


Aquaculture statement

NOAA Fisheries Issues Statement on Recent Court Ruling on Aquaculture
Read NOAA Fisheries' statement on a recent court ruling on aquaculture.



Alaska

 

Halibut on deck

More Flexibility for Alaska Halibut Charter Operators
A new program will allow some charter fishing operators to offer their customers additional halibut fishing opportunities. NOAA Fisheries will authorize the formation of a non-profit entity that will be able to buy Alaska commercial halibut quota and hold it for use as recreational quota to augment the charter halibut fishery harvest. 



West Coast

 

restorationproject

Completed Oregon Project to Benefit Fish, Farmers
Partners representing natural resource, tribal, and agricultural stakeholders recently celebrated the completion of the Winter Lake restoration project. The project provides almost 8 miles of tidal channels and 1,700 acres of habitat for threatened Oregon Coast coho salmon while ensuring that local cattle farmers continue to thrive.

 

Community Ties

NOAA Enforcement Officer Builds Community Ties
Community and industry relations have long been a priority for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. So when NOAA Enforcement Officer Mitchel Kiyotakitsune received a special invitation to attend Oregon State University’s Salmon Bake, a longstanding Native community event, he made sure to attend.



Pacific Islands

 

marinedebris

Marine Debris Removal Team Strikes Again
Last week, NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette embarked from Honolulu for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for a mission to remove 30 to 50 metric tons of derelict fishing nets and debris from the remote islands and atolls protected by the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The team has removed 858 metric tons of debris since 1996.

 


Southeast

 

Florida Restoration Plan

Florida Trustees Release Draft Restoration Plan
The Florida Trustee Implementation Group recently released its draft plan for restoring Florida natural resources and services impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plan would fund 24 projects to help restore wetlands and coastal habitats, improve water quality, and enhance public access and recreation opportunities. Comments on the draft plan are due October 26.


Louisiana Monitoring Funding

Louisiana Trustees Release Funds for Monitoring
In July, the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment approved funding for important activities to inform restoration planning and projects in the Gulf of Mexico. These funds will support fish and shellfish monitoring and two marine mammal data collection efforts.



Greater Atlantic

 

Groundfish Climate Adaptation

Helping Fisheries Adapt to a Warming Ocean
Waters off the northeastern United States are among the fastest warming and most studied in the world’s ocean. Both abrupt and subtle changes caused by warming are evident in fishery stocks now. Northeast Fisheries Science Center researchers are working with colleagues throughout the region to help navigate this rapidly evolving future.

Events


September 27
Last day of the New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

September 27
Two public hearings for the Summer Flounder Commercial Issues Amendment in New York and via webinar, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

September 30–October 5
Rescheduled South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

October 1 and 4
Two free Protected Species Safe Handling, Identification, and Release workshops in New Jersey and Florida.

October 1–9
North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage.

October 2 and 10
Public meeting and webinar on Florida’s Draft Restoration Plan I for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment.

October 2–4
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Cape May, New Jersey.

October 4–November 9
Top NOAA leaders will conduct public conferences around the nation about the Department of Commerce 2018–2022 Strategic Plan.

October 15
Annual public meeting hosted by the Texas Trustees Implementation Group about the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment process.

October 18 
Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

October 22–25
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Mobile, Alabama.

October 23–24
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

October 26–27
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Tumon, Guam.

November 7-8
U.S. Aquaculture Innovation workshop and networking event in Baltimore.

November 13–16
United States–Japan Natural Resources Panel on Aquaculture Scientific Symposium in Mystic, Connecticut.

 

Announcements


September 28
Applications due to attend the U.S. Aquaculture Innovation workshop and networking event in Baltimore.

October 1
Proposals due for the 2019–2020 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program.

October 1
Nominations due for advisors to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

October 1
Applications due for groundfish sector at-sea monitor providers for fishing years 2019 and 2020.

October 29
Proposals due for 2019 Community-Based Marine Debris Removal grants.

October 30
Applications due for 2019 Species Recovery Grants to Tribes.

October 31
Proposals due for funding to document the distribution of surfclams in the U.S. Northwest Atlantic.

November 1
Applications due for 2019 Species Recovery Grants to States.

 

Federal Register Actions

Visit regulations.gov for a list of only those actions open for public comment. Scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal Register online.


Corrections or technical questions should be sent to the FishNews Editor at editor.fishnews@noaa.gov.