Category: MS

Secretary Kempthorne Announces Funding for Wetlands Projects, Additions to National Wildlife Refuges At its June 14, 2006 meeting, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved important additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System through the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, as well as 54 conservation projects under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act’s Standard and Small Grants […]

AFTER FIVE YEARS OF PROTECTION, NOAA MARINE RESERVE SHOWS INCREASING NUMBERS, SIZE OF FISH As its fifth anniversary approaches, researchers find confirmation that the country’s largest marine reserve, part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is fulfilling its goal of protecting the region’s marine life. Three studies examining the Tortugas ecological reserve, protected from […]

Florida Transferring Bluefish Quota to North Carolina The State of Florida is transferring 200,000 lb of commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina from its 2006 quota. NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the quotas and announced the revised commercial quota for each state involved. For more information, contact Do***********@**aa.gov. Florida Transferring Bluefish Quota to […]

Mid-Atlantic Council’s Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Committees to Meet; Jul 18 in Philadelphia, PA The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee, Scup Monitoring Committee, Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee, and Bluefish Monitoring Committee will meet on July 18, beginning at 10 am at the Philadelphia Airport Renaissance Hotel. The […]

Final Rule Provides for the Use of Modified Pound Net Leaders; Maintains Protection for Sea Turtles A new final rule requires modifications to all offshore pound net leaders in an identified area of Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay during the May 6 – July 15 fishing season. Previous regulations prohibited the use of […]

Whaling Commission Meeting Concludes; U.S. Fisheries Chief Elected Chairman The 58th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting concluded last week in St. Kitts and Nevis. Member nations of the International Whaling Commission have elected NOAA Fisheries’ Director, William Hogarth, to be the next commission chair. Elected by consensus of the 70 commissioners, the chairman usually serves […]

NOAA PROPOSES REGULATIONS TO REDUCE RISK OF COLLISIONS BETWEEN SHIPS AND ENDANGERED NORTHERN RIGHT WHALES June 23, 2006 — The NOAA Fisheries Service today published a proposed rule describing regulations to reduce the risk of collisions between North Atlantic right whales and ocean-going vessels. Right whales are among the most endangered species in the world […]

Steps Taken for Stocks that Were Determined to be Overfished or Subject to Overfishing in 2005 IntroductionNationwide, 54 fish stocks and complexes are overfished and 45 stocks and complexes are subject to overfishing. NOAA Fisheries Service notifies the regional fishery management councils when stock assessments show species to be overfished or subject to overfishing, and […]

NOAA RELEASES REPORT ON STATUS OF U.S. MARINE FISHERIES FOR 2005 Today, NOAA released a report on the status of U.S. marine fisheries for 2005. The government report shows both progress in rebuilding overfished species and response of fisheries managers to slow fishing rates for species that were found in 2005 to have above-target harvests. […]

Chainlink takes Big Rock into OvertimeBruce Paul, Media Director June 17, 2006 – Morehead City, N.C. – Skirt Chaser captain Barry Daniels and angler Chuck Walker of Wilmington are now in a waiting game, twiddling their thumbs until 5:30 p.m. to see if the 486.5-pound blue marlin they caught Friday turns out to be the […]