PERMITS FOR 2007 ARE NOW AVAILABLE

PERMITS FOR 2007 ARE NOW AVAILABLE This notice outlines the procedure for obtaining a 2007/2008 Atlantic Tunas Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic Bluefin, Yellowfin, Skipjack, Albacore, and Bigeye tunas; an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit, which allows you to recreationally fish for and or retain any regulated […]

NMFS Proposes Initial Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas

NMFS Proposes Initial Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a proposed rule to set initial 2007 fishing year quotas for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery and effort controls. Based on the 2006 quota recommended for the United States by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic tunas (ICCAT), […]

Assessments Scheduled for South Atlantic Amberjack and Red Snapper

Assessments Scheduled for South Atlantic Amberjack and Red Snapper NOAA Fisheries has scheduled Southeastern Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) workshops for the South Atlantic stocks of greater amberjack and red snapper. These assessments will consist of a series of three workshops: a Data Workshop, an Assessment Workshop, and a Review Workshop. For more information, read […]

NOAA Predicts Above Normal Hurricane Season in 2007

NOAA Predicts Above Normal Hurricane Season in 2007 Experts at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center are projecting a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year — showing the ongoing active hurricane era remains strong. For the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA scientists predict 13 to 17 named storms, […]

Safe Bopating Week – May 19th through May 25th

Safe Bopating Week – May 19th through May 25th In an effort to promote safe boating, National Safe Boating Week has been designated from May 19-25, 2007. During Safe Boating Week, the National Weather Service in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadron will issue Safe Boating Week […]

Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008

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 Forecast

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

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 Fishermanâ€âÃ

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 […]