North Carolina Asks to Re-Open Gillnet Fishery in Pamlico Sound NOAA Fisheries Service has received an application from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) to allow the shallow water flounder gillnet fishery to operate in a closed area of Pamlico Sound. Beginning in 2002, NOAA Fisheries Service had closed the area to fishing […]
NOAA and Research Partners Make Critical Discovery Related to Harmful Toxins in Shellfish Results of a new study by NOAA and other research partners have revealed the molecular basis for resistance and accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in softshell clams. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by algae that naturally produce PSTs. Shellfish feed on […]
NOAA MAKES ELECTRONIC CHARTING DATA AVAILABLE FOR NON-NAVIGATION USERS THROUGH NEW WEB PORTAL April 6, 2005  In response to high public demand, NOAA announces a more user-friendly approach to accessing and viewing NOAA electronic navigational charts for non-navigational purposes. A complement to NOAA ENCs, the NOAA ENC Direct to GIS (ENC Direct) Web portal […]
Court Decision Reverses Ballast Exemption to the Clean Water Act; Federal Court Ruling to Prevent Spread of Invasive Species by Requiring Permits for Dumping Ballast Water SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 /U.S. Newswire/ — A Federal Court ruled last week that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must repeal its ballast water exemption under the Clean Water […]
AFTER TWO LARGE ANNUAL GAINS, RATE OF ATMOSPHERIC CO2 INCREASE RETURNS TO AVERAGE, NOAA REPORTS March 31, 2005  A spike in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere between 2001 and 2003 appears to be a temporary phenomenon and apparently does not indicate a quickening build-up of the gas in the atmosphere, […]
2005 Quotas and Effort Controls Proposed for Bluefin Tuna NOAA Fisheries Service has proposed initial 2005 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery to set quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and to set General category effort controls. The proposed measures would be in effect for the 2005 fishing year […]
New Bycatch Reduction Research Proposed for Longline Fishery Six operators of pelagic longline vessels have requested Exempted Fishing Permits to conduct bycatch reduction research in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The experiments would compare bycatch of juvenile fish inside and outside existing closed areas to test the effectiveness of new techniques and gear modifications. […]
Environmental Protection Agency Requests Input on Pesticide Research The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed some updates and revisions to its data requirements for the registration of pesticide products. As part of this rulemaking, EPA is seeking input on research areas that may be necessary to effectively characterize potential risks to endangered species from pesticide […]
New Authorization Proposed for Agencies Assisting Stranded Endangered Sea Turtles A new proposed rule would allow any agent or employee of NOAA FisheriesService, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, or any other Federal land or water management agency, or any agent or employee of a state agency responsible for fish and […]
NOAA Web Page Explains Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species NOAA Fisheries Service has launched a new Web page to help prospective applicants determine what authorizations they may need under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). After users answer several yes/no questions, the Web site lists required permits/authorizations and provides […]
