Nontraditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Shad & River Herri

Nontraditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Shad & River Herring Advisory Panel   Washington, DC – The Commission’s Shad and River Herring Management Board is in process of re-configuring its Shad & River Herring Advisory Panel. As part of that process, the Board is seeking nominations from nontraditional stakeholders to fill two seats on […]

Navy Sonar Testing Application Comments Sought

Navy Sonar Testing Application Comments Sought NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy for authorization for the take of marine mammals incidental to Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training (AFAST) activities conducted off the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico for the period beginning January 2009 and ending January 2014. Pursuant […]

2008 Bluefish Specifications Announced

2008 Bluefish Specifications Announced NOAA Fisheries has announced final specifications for the 2008 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. These specifications are established to maintain sustainable harvests of Atlantic Bluefish and ensure adequate conservation and […]

NMFS announces Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops

NMFS announces Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops NMFS announces Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops to be held in April, May, and June of 2008.  Please see the attached announcements for additional details.  For further information regarding workshop requirements, please visit the following webpage: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/workshops or contact Greg Fairclough, […]

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel The National Marine Fisheries Service will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel on April 15-17, 2008, in Silver Spring, MD.  Please see the attached notices for further details or visit the HMS Advisory Panel webpage at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Advisory%20Panels/Advisory_Panel.htm Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) […]

NOAA Fisheries Announces White Marlin ESA Biological Review Results

NOAA Fisheries Announces White Marlin ESA Biological Review Results An assessment of the health of white marlin populations indicate that the species is not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, nor is it likely to become so in the foreseeable future. NOAA Fisheries’ White Marlin Biological Review Team […]

CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP

CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP ************************************************************         The National Transportation Safety Board today determined that the probable cause of an accident involving the cruise ship Crown Princess was the second officer’s incorrect wheel commands, executed first to counter an unanticipated high rate of turn and then to counter the vessel’s heeling. […]

Atlantic white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)

Atlantic white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) NMFS announces their finding that listing the Atlantic white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is not warranted.  Documents associated with this finding are attached including the Federal Register Notice, NOAA press release, and Frequently Asked Questions.  The 2007 Atlantic white […]

ASMFC Releases Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sha

ASMFC Releases Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks for Public Comment   The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Shark Management Board has approved the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Coastal Sharks for public review and comment. Public hearings will be held between February 7 and March […]

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Limits Announced

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Limits Announced NOAA Fisheries has issued rebuilding harvest limits for the 2008 commercial and recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. These fisheries are currently overfished, and this final rule imposes strict measures to ensure sustainable management. Additionally, these measures will end overfishing in the summer […]