NOAA FISH-NEWS Highlights

Subscribe FishNews Archive NOAA Fisheries    December 18, 2013       EVENTS   January 9  Public input meeting onAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Draft Strategic Plan in New Jersey.   January 9 - March 20  Three free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops in Louisiana, Virginia, and Florida.   January 8 - March 20   Six free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops in Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas.     ANNOUNCEMENTS   January 29 Proposals Due for Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program. FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS     Click here 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.      HIGHLIGHTS 2013 Year in Review  It has been an exciting year at NOAA Fisheries. As we look forward to 2014, take a look back at our thirteen most popular stories from 2013.   Anglers Share Ideas for Improving Saltwater Fishing A recent NOAA Fisheries study found about half of saltwater anglers think management can do a better job meeting anglers' needs. Additionally, the  Recreational Fisheries Working Group of NOAA's Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee shared ideas for improving the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the way our marine resources are managed.   Scientists Report Some Gulf Dolphins Are Very Ill According to a new peer-reviewed study, bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay have lung disease and adrenal hormone abnormalities not previously seen in other dolphin populations. These significant health effects are likely to lower the dolphins' survival and reproductive success.   NOAA Announces Regulations for Navy Training  NOAA Fisheries announced final regulations requiring the U.S. Navy to implement protective measures during training and testing activities off the coasts of California and Hawaii to reduce the effects of their activities on marine mammals.   Key Findings About Marine Protected Areas  Marine protected areas can be used as management tools for achieving both fisheries and conservation objectives. A recent paper-Key Findings from Fisheries Research: Marine Protected Areas as a Fisheries Management Tool-summarizes how fishery benefits can extend beyond the boundaries of marine protected areas.   Meet New U.S. Commercial Atlantic Tuna Commissioner The U.S. delegation to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is comprised of three commissioners who represent federal, commercial, and recreational fishing interests. Check out our interview with President Obama's pick for the new commercial commissioner, Mr. Eugenio Pineiro-Soler, who would be the first U.S. Commercial Commissioner to hail from the Caribbean.   Teacher at Sea Learns the Right Kind of Lessons  As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, take a look at NOAA's research on one of the nation's most critically endangered marine species: the North Atlantic right whale. Hear from Teacher at Sea Angela Greene about what she learned by joining NOAA scientists on the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter for the North Atlantic right whale survey. Northeast Access to Portions of Nantucket Lightship Closed Area - Open for Public Comment  By January 15, submit your comments on an a rule allowing fishing access for Northeast multispecies sectors to two portions of the Southern New England Nantucket Lightship Closed Area for the remainder of the 2013 fishing year. Southeast Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Plan - Open for Public Comment  By February 10, submit your comments on proposed updates to the regulations and management plan for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Georgia.   South Atlantic Council Continues Visioning Project  At its December meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council continued its focus on developing a long-term vision for the snapper-grouper fishery, engaging stakeholders, and seeking their input on a proactive plan for the future management of the fishery.   Snapper-Grouper Scoping Meetings Postponed  In a supplemental notice of intent to prepare a draft environmental impact statement, NOAA Fisheries announced that the scoping meetings for Amendment 17 to the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan have been postponed with new dates to be determined. West Coast Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan - Open for Public Comment  By April 14, submit your comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement on California's Bay Delta Conservation Plan released jointly by NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation. The plan aims to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem and improve California's water supply. Public meetings will be held through January and February.   Historic Accord Establishes Anti-Poaching Program for Garcia River  In recent years, poaching-illegal fishing and unlawful capture of federally protected species-has increased in the Garcia River watershed in northern California. A historic agreement between NOAA Fisheries, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians will help coordinate efforts to combat poaching on both tribal and private lands.   Antarctic Killer Whale Ecology Research  For the sixth year in a row, researchers at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center have worked to investigate the food web impacts of Antarctic killer whales as the top predators in changing Antarctic marine ecosystems. Expeditions will allow researchers to collect photographs, biopsy samples, and satellite tags for long-term monitoring.   Going to New Heights to Restore Habitat  Last month, NOAA Fisheries and partners flew Douglas fir trees by helicopter into Northern California's Mattole River to serve as "large woody debris"-important in-stream habitat for threatened salmon and steelhead. Transporting the trees by helicopter, rather than by truck, saved time and money and minimized habitat disturbance.   Restoring Native Olympia Oysters The Washington Shellfish Initiative, launched in 2011, has provided a major boost for oyster restoration efforts in Puget Sound. This month, a new shellfish restoration hatchery will open at NOAA's Manchester Research Station with the initiative's support. Alaska NOAA to Implement Halibut Catch Sharing Plan  In 2014, NOAA Fisheries will implement a halibut catch sharing plan for the commercial and charter halibut fisheries in Southeast Alaska and the Central Gulf of Alaska. Under the plan, commercial and charter halibut operations will share a combined catch limit determined by the International Pacific Halibut Commission.   NOAA Releases Arctic Report Card Though the trend was not as extreme as last year, a new report by NOAA and partners finds that the Arctic continues to show evidence of a shift to a warmer, greener state. Read other major findings from the Artic Report Card 2013, an annual summary of changing conditions in the Arctic.    Pacific Islands NOAA Dedicates Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center  On Monday, NOAA dedicated its new Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center in Honolulu. The facility, named for the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, is the last phase of a campus that will house 15 NOAA offices. Senator Inouye, long a champion of NOAA, passed away last December after a nearly 50-year career in the U.S. Senate.   Science Center Program Review Reports  This year, NOAA Fisheries initiated a five-year science program review cycle to review the science conducted by the six regional centers and headquarters. This year's review focused on the data collection and management that support stock assessments. The review panel's reports are now available for download. NOAA Fisheries | laurel.bryant@noaa.gov