Coast Guard urges vessel owners to comply with passenger-for-hire laws

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for North Carolina reminds vessel owners who transport passengers for hire, or are interested in this type of business operation, about the federal laws and regulations in place to ensure the safety of passengers, crews and the marine environment. A vessel operator must have proper […]

CHRIS OLIVER SELECTED AS NOAA FISHERIES ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

New Gretna, NJ  –  Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the selection of Mr. Chris Oliver to serve as the Assistant Administrator (AA) for NOAA Fisheries on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.  The NOAA Fisheries AA position was one of President Trump’s appointments that was being most watched fishermen. Mr. Oliver takes control of the federal […]

State expands nationwide search for head of N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries

State expands nationwide search for head of N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries RALEIGH –  State environmental officials are reopening and expanding their nationwide search for a director for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The position is responsible for managing North Carolina’s marine and estuarine resources. The director manages 320 full-time, seasonal and temporary employees […]

Fishermen win big in Tagging Program drawing

 MOREHEAD CITY – Twelve lucky fishermen won $100 each in a recent N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Multi-Species Tagging Program yearly drawing.   The tagging program randomly selected tag numbers from more than 930 fish tags that were turned in by fishermen in 2016. Three tag numbers were drawn from each of the four species […]

RE: BLACK SEA BASS – COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS – ATLANTIC OCEAN – NORTH OF

 Braxton C. Davis, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Friday, April 7, 2017, the following restrictions will apply to the Atlantic Ocean commercial black sea bass fishery north of Cape Hatteras (35° 15.3’N. Latitude):   This proclamation sets the harvest periods and limits for the Atlantic Ocean commercial black […]

HELP END PILOT CATCH SHARE PROGRAM

 This week a decision will be made about whether to put our snapper-grouper fishery into the hands of private ownership or not.   The time to take action is now.   On Thursday, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will decide whether or not they will support the pilot catch share program Exempted Fishing Permit […]

January 2017 Gulf Council Update

 The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 30 – February 2, 2017, to discuss a number of fishery issues. The following is a summary of the Council’s actions: Data Collection The Council took final action on a Generic Amendment to modify the frequency and method of reporting for federally […]

Final Call for MAFAC Nominations

 NOAA Fisheries seeks nominations to fill vacancies on the   Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, which advises the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource matters. Committee members represent a wide spectrum of fisheries interests and serve up to two consecutive 3-year terms. Nominations are due February 6.  NOAA Fisheries seeks nominations to fill vacancies on […]

Building Bright Futures in Boston

 In addition to patrolling the waters in and around Boston, local Coast Guard members are bringing their nautical expertise ashore for a new, special mission in the city’s Seaport District. Walking into the Community Boat Building center is an instant escape from the city. The smell of newly sanded wood introduces the bright workspace filled […]