Tag Archives: National Marine Fisheries Service
California – Largest dam in state history torn down – Video
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — Monterey County supervisors gave their OK for the largest dam removal project in state history. The San Clemente Dam is eighteen miles from the coast in the Carmel Valley. Joyce Ambrosius with the National Marine Fisheries Service said the steelhead numbers have been dwindling over the last couple of years. “It’s been down to 91 in the last couple of years, where in the 1960’s it was in the thousands of fish. So we are right on the edge of them blinking out here,” she said. continued
Salmon management suit moved to Alaska
Alaska Journal of Commerce – The lawsuit over salmon management was recently moved to Alaska district court. Judge Reggie B. Walton granted the request to move the lawsuit to U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska May 3. The National Marine Fisheries Service, or NMFS, and other defendants in that suit had asked for the location change in February. continued
NOAA Fisheries – National Marine Fisheries Service Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries
About the Report This annual report provides a ‘snapshot’ in time of the status of U.S. fisheries at the end of 2012. Status of Stocks 2012 Report Additional details on managed stocks and past annual reports Read the report here
‘Take the ‘no’ out of NOAA,’ rally speakers urge
It was Attorney General Martha Coakley, a leading advocate for the fishing industry along with Gov. Deval Patrick who put it directly to NOAA’s Gloucester-based Northeast regional administrator while addressing the roughly 300 fishermen present as well.
“I hope, Mr. Bullard,” she said, speaking beneath a big canvas tent, “that you can take the ‘no’ out of NOAA.” continued
NMFS Proposed rule to amend hired master regulations IFQ program fixed-gear commercial Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries in the BSAI.
Proposed rule to amend the hired master regulations of the IFQ program for the fixed-gear commercial Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries in the BSAI. Comment period through May 28, 2013. View pdf
Editorial: Feds need to press Brown to look at all options for a Bay-Delta fix
The Sacramento Bee – If Gov. Jerry Brown had his way, the tunneling machines would be boring right now under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, carving out space for a pair of 40-foot-wide tunnels to ship Sacramento River water to cities and irrigation districts south of the Delta. But things aren’t going well for Brown’s tunnel project, continued
La. and Texas Fisheries Agencies File Joint Lawsuit challenging National Marine Fisheries Service Red Snapper Emergency Rule
As published in the federal register on March 25, the emergency rule would authorize the National Marine Fisheries Service southeast regional administrator to reduce the red snapper season in federal exclusive economic zone (EEZ) water
s off Louisiana and Texas. continued
Swordfish Caught in Driftnets is California’s Deadliest Catch
indybay.org – The California drift gillnet fishery for swordfish and shark is the most dangerous fishery for whales and other marine mammals along the U.S. West Coast from California to Alaska. A new federal review of marine mammal bycatch in commercial fisheries found that the drift gillnet fleet is causing more harm to whales than ever. The 25 vessels operating in the drift gillnet fishery now accidentally capture and kill more whales and marine mammals than any other fishery along the U.S. West Coast. continued
Brown administration official claims “BDCP is not about, and has never been about saving the Delta. The Delta cannot be saved.”
Recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, Indian tribal leaders, family farmers, environmentalists, Delta residents and many elected officials strongly oppose the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build the peripheral tunnels because they say it will lead to the extinction of Central Valley salmon, steelhead and other fish species. Natural Resources Secretary John Laird and Governor Jerry Brown have constantly portrayed the BDCP as a visionary effort based on “science” to accomplish the “co-equal goals” of “ecosystem restoration” and “water supply reliability.” continued
From the Moderator : NOAA Fisheries Service? No such agency! It’s still the National Marine Fisheries Service
First off, I’m a cranky old person.I wasn’t always like this, but time and events have taken their toll. I’m not ready for the dirt sandwich, although, ya never know! For quite a while now, something has been bugging me, and it has nothing to do with my crotchetiness. NOAA, and the National Marine Fishery Service have pulled an MMS. continued
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Gloucester fishing community seeks relief from catch limits – Gloucester’s historic industry. Uncertain future
A few weeks ago, second-generation commercial fisherman B.G. Brown almost gave up. He had learned how much fish he can legally catch in the coming year. The numbers were shockingly low. “I was ready to throw in the towel,” Brown told a crowd of about 40 local business people, political leaders, concerned community members, and fellow fishermen that gathered last week to discuss the uncertain future of Gloucester’s historic industry. continued
Fish agencies still have concerns about Bay Delta Conservation Plan tunnels
Federal wildlife agencies still have serious concerns about how two giant water diversion tunnels proposed in the Delta may harm imperiled species such as salmon and Delta smelt. In comment letters made public Thursday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service praised Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration for making progress on many concerns they raised in so-called “red flag letters” released last year. But the agencies also said the Bay Delta Conservation Plan still presents a number of major concerns, some of which they labeled “critical.” continued
As grim fishing year approaches, New England’s fishing fleet tries to deal with new catch limits – “What are people doing to help the industry?”
BOSTON – Deep cuts in catch limits will hit New England’s fishing fleet in less than three weeks, and there’s little hint any real relief is coming. But regulators and fishermen are still seeking ways to lessen a blow fishermen warn will finish them off. As time grows short, Gloucester’s Al Cottone said he and his fellow fishermen seem to be facing the future in a sort of “state of shock.” “Everyone’s in denial. They still think, you know, someone’s going to come in on their white horse and save us,” he said. “No one knows what they’re going to do,” he said. “Nobody.” continued
Gulf oil spill’s effects still has seafood industry nervous
Three years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the Gulf of Mexico seafood industry is still holding its breath and expecting the worst. After all, sick fish are still turning up off Louisiana. Scientists are still probing potential problems with crabs and shrimp. “There’s still a lot of nervousness,” said Bob Jones of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, a commercial fishing trade group based in Tallahassee. continued
Tendering report sought after possible electronic monitoring ‘gaming’ exposed
The North Pacific Fishery Management program heard about the status of the new marine observer program at its Anchorage meeting. continued
Federal fisheries administrative merger could cost California
Federal budget cutters are merging the two West Coast administrative regions of the National Marine Fisheries Service, a move that could leave California at a disadvantage. continued
National Marine Fisheries Service expanding dolphin-safe tuna certification requirements
When the World Trade Organization found last year that U.S. labeling requirements for dolphin-safe tuna put Mexican tuna fishermen at a trade disadvantage, marine advocates worried that the federal government would weaken its dolph
in-safe standards. Instead, a proposed rule published Friday by the National Marine Fisheries Service would expand the certification requirements. continued
A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 04/05/2013
The Directed Virginia Offshore Summer flounder fishery closes Friday
The Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close at 6 p.m. Friday. Vessels that have entered Virginia waters and are secured to an offloading site prior to that time may possess and offload no greater than 12,500 pounds of
summer flounder during the April 3-5 landing period, said spokesman John Bull. continued
Warren hears from local fishermen about industry ‘under attack’
Wicked Local -“They want to get rid of the little guys, the people that know how to nurture the resource, the people who do not care about getting rich,” Welch, a Scituate fisherman, said. “We just want to provide for our families, and we want to work, and we want to employ people.” continued
Massachusetts Lawmakers press NOAA to ‘suspend’ May 1 quota cuts
Citing widespread evidence of an abundance of important commercial in shore fish stocks and a scientific study that found flaws in the modeling methods used by the government to set catch limits, a contingent of state lawmakers led by Senate President Therese Murray are urging NOAA’s top fisheries official to allow the fleet reasonable access to stocks while new studies are conducted into the vitality of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. continued
Is Fukushima Radiation Causing the Epidemic of Dead and Starving Sea Lions In California?
At island rookeries off the Southern California coast, 45 percent of the pups born in June have died, said Sharon Melin, a wildlife biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service based in Seattle. Normally, less than one-third of the pups would die. It’s gotten so bad in the past two weeks that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared an “unusual mortality event.” That will allow more scientists to join the search for the cause, Melin said. Lots of interesting comments here! continued
RFA ASKS SENATE TO HOLD NOAA ACCOUNTABLE – Letter Spotlights Government Failure To Meet Federal Data Deadline
In their letter to Chairman Begich, RFA cited recent testimony given before the House Natural Resources Committee by Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) at the U.S. Department of Commerce when he revealed that legal requirements to improve recreational fishing data have not been implemented. “It is correct that we have a 2009 deadline that we did not entirely meet,” admitted Sam Rauch, III on March 13, explaining that angler registry requirements have not yet been implemented despite a 2006 congressional mandate. continue reading
Written Testimony by Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service on Developments and Opportunities in U.S….
Written Testimony by Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service on Developments and Opportunities in U.S. Fisheries Management WASHINGTON, March 19 — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a copy of the following congressional testimony by Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator: Introduction Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today about interjurisdictional fisheries management. My name is Eric Schwaab continue reading
Forecast for Cape seals: Lots of gray
CHATHAM — On a recent fishing trip around Monomoy Island, Orleans fisherman Bill Amaru and his crew counted 4,000 gray seals that had hauled out on the island’s sandy beaches. While the experts still don’t know
the exact number of gray seals in our waters, the latest stock assessment from the National Marine Fisheries Service estimated gray seals on the Cape and Islands at 15,756 in 2011 as compared with 5,611 in 1999. On one day in April 2011, researchers counted more than 10,000 seals hauled out on Monomoy alone. continue reading
Return to Swordfishing? Lost Fishing Tradition May Be Restored – public hearing in Gloucester on Thursday, March 28.
With the healthy restoration of swordfish along the eastern seaboard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries service said it is now considering an open-access permit that could return swordfishing to Island waters by opening access to all fishermen, and small-boat fishermen in particular. The National Marine Fisheries Service will host a public hearing in Gloucester seeking comment on the proposed permit on Thursday, March 28. continue
National Marine Fisheries Service seeks to protect parrotfish, reefs in USVI – does not affect Earthjustice Endangered Species Act lawsuit
Andrea Treece, an attorney with San Francisco-based Earthjustice, said she was pleased with the proposal. But she said it does not affect a lawsuit the organization filed in January 2012 against the National Marine Fisheries Service, alleging that federal regulators violated the Endangered Species Act by allowing the harvesting of parrotfish at high rates. Earthjustice is representing environmental groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity. continue
Ed Killer: Red snapper may come home again for anglers
Is there a new tide turning for fisheries management? The National Marine Fisheries Service, the arm of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration that oversees fishing regulations in federal waters, announced this week it is receiving public comment on the possible opening of an annual red snapper fishing season in South Atlantic waters. For recreational and a small number of commercial fishermen, this is good news, isn’t it? continue
Gulf Coast senators ask for investigation of National Marine Fisheries Service
Eight senators from coastal states asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate the way the National Marine Fisheries estimates the size of fish populations in U.S. waters. Called stock assessments by the fisheries service, those estimates are used to set annual catch limits for recreational and commercial fisheries. Read more here
Federal fisheries official tells shrimpers that new turtle rules are coming
“I’m just being straightforward with you guys, candid, these new TED requirements are coming,” Michael Barnett, a fisheries biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, told the suddenly raucous crowd. “At this point, I think it’s safe to say it’s not a matter of if, it’s when.” Read more here
Two panel seats for the International Pacific Halibut Commision open
A call for nominations was originally put out early last year. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service decided to reissue the call for nominations in February. Read more here
