PERMITS FOR 2017 ARE NOW AVAILABLE

 This notice outlines the procedure for obtaining a 2017 Atlantic Tunas Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas; a Swordfish General Commercial Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic Swordfish; an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit, which allows […]

Atlantic bluefin tuna: General category limit & transfer for January 2017

 NMFS transfers 16.3 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the 24.3-mt General category December 2017 subquota period to the January 2017 subquota period, and adjusts the Atlantic tunas General category BFT daily retention limit from the default of one to three large medium or giant BFT (measuring 73” or greater) per […]

2017 Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits

 Effective January 1, 2017, the bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit is the default limit of 1 school, large school, or small medium BFT (27 to <73"). This default limit applies to both HMS Angling category-permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat category-permitted vessels, and is effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational […]

Public hearing scheduled on proposed shellfish leases in New Hanover County

 MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in New Hanover County at 6 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Wilmington Regional Office, located at 127 Cardinal Drive Extension in Wilmington.   Thomas Cannon of Wilmington has applied for a […]

2017 Commercial Fishery Management Plan

December 29, 2016     JANUARY – APRIL Summer flounder: Initially 500 pound biweekly (per two week period) landing limit. Adjust limits periodically to maintain a steady biweekly landings rate, landing not more than 25% of the annual quota through March 31. Reduce to 50 pounds per trip once 25% of annual landings is reached […]

Coast Guard urges mariners to prepare, exercise caution during forecasted heavy

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard urges boaters and beachgoers Friday to exercise caution in and around the waters along the Northern California coast due to forecasted weather conditions through the weekend.  The National Weather Service is expecting cold temperatures, rain, high winds and heavy seas to affect the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Owners […]

Coast Guard urges mariners to prepare, exercise caution during forecasted heavy

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard urges boaters and beachgoers Friday to exercise caution in and around the waters along the Northern California coast due to forecasted weather conditions through the weekend.  The National Weather Service is expecting cold temperatures, rain, high winds and heavy seas to affect the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Owners […]

Coast Guard fully reopens Port of Virginia

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — After evaluating the port conditions following the passage of Winter Storm Helena, the Captain of the Port (COTP) has fully reopened the Port of Virginia.  “The port is back open without restrictions,” said Lt. Ian King of Sector Hampton Roads’ Prevention Department. “However, we urge mariners to be cautious of and to […]

Coast Guard, local agencies rescue fisherman off Provincetown pier

    BOSTON — A Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew along with the Provincetown Harbormaster and Provincetown Police and Fire Departments rescued a fisherman after he fell overboard Saturday night near MacMillan Pier in Provincetown.   Coast Guard watchstanders received a mayday call from the fishing vessel Resolute at around 9:30 pm Saturday stating […]

Coast Guard approves temporary bridge closure near Fort Lauderdale for repairs

 MIAMI — The Coast Guard approved the temporary closure Dec. 27 of the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge to marine traffic across the New River near Fort Lauderdale.   The temporary closure of the bridge granted to All Aboard Florida is scheduled from 12:01 a.m. Feb. 11 until no later than 12:01 a.m. Feb. 23 […]