Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008 NOAA Fisheries has suspended the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants in Atlantic billfish fishing tournaments through December 31, 2007. The circle hook requirements will be reinstated without change on January 1, 2008. These regulations will require anglers fishing from Highly Migratory Species permitted vessels to use […]
U.S. Coast Guard Considering Changes to the Broadcast of Marine Weather Forecasts and Warnings The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting public comment on the need to continue providing high frequency radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and warnings. These comments will help the Coast Guard to assess the demand for the high frequency radio broadcasts of […]
Commercial Shark Quotas Set for Remainder of 2007 Season A new final rule establishes the 2007 second and third trimester seasons’ commercial quotas for large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks. Adjustments are based on overharvests or underharvests from the 2006 second and third trimester seasons. In addition, this rule finalizes the opening […]
4th Annual Fisherman’s Post Newspaper Spring Inshore Challenge The 4th annual Fisherman’s Post Newspaper Spring Inshore Challenge is expecting over 100 boats to participate this year in search of prize-winning flounder and trout, but the big winner at the tournament’s end may be the health of the local fishery. The tournament offers big […]
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AWARDS $13.2 MILLION IN CLEAN VESSEL ACT GRANTSU.S. Fish and Service Director H. Dale Hall today announced that 28 stateswill receive more than $13.2 million in Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grants, madeavailable to state agencies and partners to construct and operatefacilities for sewage disposal for recreational boaters.“As an avid outdoorsman, […]
South Atlantic Council’s Rock Shrimp and Golden Crab Advisory Panels to Meet; May 1-3 in Charleston, SC The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Rock Shrimp Advisory Panel and Golden Crab Advisory Panel, at the Town and Country Inn in Charleston, SC, on May 1-3, 2007. A detailed agenda is […]
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AWARDS NINE STATE BOATING INFRASTRUCTUREGRANTSInterior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced today that more than $9.5million has been awarded to nine states through the competitive BoatingInfrastructure Grants (BIG) program. The grants are made available tostate agencies and partners to build and maintain facilities forrecreational boaters.“The BIG program works with partners to improve […]
STATE WILDLIFE AGENCIES TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $600 MILLION FOR SPORT FISHAND WILDLIFE RESTORATIONInterior Department Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced today that morethan $600 million will be distributed to 56 state and territorial wildlifeagencies to fund conservation efforts, shooting ranges and huntereducation. This funding results from an excise tax paid by firearm,ammunition, archery and angling equipment […]
South Atlantic Council Moves Closer to Creating New Marine Protected Areas Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan was approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its March meeting. This Amendment would create a series of 8 marine protected areas in the South Atlantic to protect deep water snapper grouper species […]
Bluefin Tuna Limits Adjusted for Angling Category The daily Angling category retention limits for Atlantic bluefin tuna have been adjusted to maximize the usefulness of the information obtained from catches for biological sampling. Vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat categories are eligible to land bluefin tuna under the HMS […]
