Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee The Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee reviewed the draft alternatives and FMP development schedule proposed by the Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) for Amendment 10. Amendment 10 is being developed to address the need to develop a stock rebuilding plan for butterfish which was designated as overfished by NMFS in 2005. The Committee agreed by consensus to include three alternative rebuilding schedules in Amendment 10. These alternatives include a ten year schedule, a five year schedule, and no action. Public hearings on Amendment 10 are expected to be held later this year. Dr. Jay Hermsen of NMFS’ Northeast Regional Office gave a presentation to the committee on how NMFS monitors landings of Loligo squid and how the Service uses those data to project closures in the fishery. The Executive Committee reviewed the Council’s 2006 budget status and the President’s 2007 budget request. The committee also reviewed and discussed the timing of and proposed nomination criteria for the newly established Ricks E Savage Award. The Council took advantage of its meeting location and visited the United States Coast Guard Station Cape May. The station is the home of the Coast Guard’s enlisted corps, as it is the only Coast Guard enlisted accession point and recruit training center in the United States. It is here that young men and women learn their basic skills to serve the American public in the U.S. Coast Guard. While at the Cape May Station, the Council received a briefing from Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, regarding the capabilities of the Coast Guard to meet its mission to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in the nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, and in any maritime region as required to support national security. He also highlighted current efforts the Coast Guard is initiating to address its fishery enforcement responsibilities. The Council also received a briefing from Captain Kelley Baragar, Deputy Director of Fleet Forces Training, US Fleet Command, Norfolk, Virginia regarding the US Navy’s proposal to establish a 500 square mile undersea warfare sonar training range. Captain Baragar provided the Navy’s rationale and need for such a training range, and reviewed highlights of the accompanying draft environmental impact statement supporting the Navy’s proposed site selection. Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee The Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee reviewed the draft alternatives and FMP development schedule proposed by the Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) for Amendment 10. Amendment 10 is being developed to address the need to develop a stock rebuilding plan for butterfish which was designated as overfished by NMFS in 2005. The Committee agreed by consensus to include three alternative rebuilding schedules in Amendment 10. These alternatives include a ten year schedule, a five year schedule, and no action. Public hearings on Amendment 10 are expected to be held later this year. Dr. Jay Hermsen of NMFS’ Northeast Regional Office gave a presentation to the committee on how NMFS monitors landings of Loligo squid and how the Service uses those data to project closures in the fishery. The Executive Committee reviewed the Council’s 2006 budget status and the President’s 2007 budget request. The committee also reviewed and discussed the timing of and proposed nomination criteria for the newly established Ricks E Savage Award. The Council took advantage of its meeting location and visited the United States Coast Guard Station Cape May. The station is the home of the Coast Guard’s enlisted corps, as it is the only Coast Guard enlisted accession point and recruit training center in the United States. It is here that young men and women learn their basic skills to serve the American public in the U.S. Coast Guard. While at the Cape May Station, the Council received a briefing from Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, regarding the capabilities of the Coast Guard to meet its mission to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in the nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, and in any maritime region as required to support national security. He also highlighted current efforts the Coast Guard is initiating to address its fishery enforcement responsibilities. The Council also received a briefing from Captain Kelley Baragar, Deputy Director of Fleet Forces Training, US Fleet Command, Norfolk, Virginia regarding the US Navy’s proposal to establish a 500 square mile undersea warfare sonar training range. Captain Baragar provided the Navy’s rationale and need for such a training range, and reviewed highlights of the accompanying draft environmental impact statement supporting the Navy’s proposed site selection.
