Search Results for keywords:"fisheries management"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced the opening of the fishing season for sablefish with fixed gear under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. This season will run from March 20, 2025, to December 7, 2025, aligning with the Pacific halibut season, although the exact opening and closing hours differ. The actions are taken to promote conservation and management of fishery resources as per federal laws and regulations. This rule was issued quickly without public comment to ensure the simultaneous opening of the sablefish and halibut fisheries, which is essential for effective management and reducing bycatch.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on their information collection activities related to the Cooperative Game Fish Tagging Program. This program helps study the migration and biology of fish like billfish, tunas, and swordfish through tagged releases. Fishermen participate by attaching tags provided by NOAA to the fish they catch and release, then sending a report card with details back to NOAA. The information gathered assists in developing management plans for fisheries, and the program is seeking public feedback to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a public meeting for the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process concerning U.S. Caribbean queen triggerfish. This meeting is part of a series of data webinars taking place on February 10, 2021, to assess fish stock status. Discussions will focus on what life history data can be used for this assessment. The meeting is open to the public, and participants should contact Julie A. Neer for access details.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a temporary rule to stop fishing for Pacific cod using pot gear by large catcher vessels (60 feet or longer) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This decision is to ensure the fishing limits for the 2021 A season aren't exceeded. This rule went into effect on January 21, 2021, and will last until September 1, 2021. NMFS made this decision quickly based on the latest fishing data to protect the fish population and ensure sustainable fishing practices.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has announced two public hearings about their trawl catch share program review. These hearings provide an opportunity for public feedback on the program's performance since the last review in 2017. The first hearing will be online on April 24, 2025, and the second will take place in Astoria, Oregon, on April 28, 2025. Those interested in attending can visit the Pacific Council's website for more details and should contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt if they require special accommodations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA, is reopening the public comment period for feedback on their Work Plan, which is part of the efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The original comment deadline was January 15, 2021, but has been extended to allow more input until February 24, 2021. This effort is in line with the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act, which aims to boost data sharing, improve global fisheries management, and address maritime security threats. NMFS encourages input from the seafood industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders regarding potential collaborations and strategic priorities within the Work Plan.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a temporary closure of the commercial longline fishing for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic's exclusive economic zone. This closure, effective from February 10, 2021, to January 1, 2022, is due to projections showing the quota for longline-caught golden tilefish will be reached. During this period, golden tilefish can still be caught using hook-and-line methods, but vessels with longline endorsements cannot catch them this way. This measure aims to protect the golden tilefish population by preventing quotas from being exceeded.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking nominations for its Permanent Advisory Committee. This committee is involved with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which focuses on managing fish stocks in the Pacific Ocean. The advisory committee will have 15-20 members from various groups concerned with these fisheries and will provide input to U.S. Commissioners. Nominations are open until February 18, 2021, and members will serve a two-year term starting August 3, 2021, without pay but will receive travel expenses.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is granting an experimental fishing permit to the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA). This permit allows them to use tori lines, which are bird scaring devices, in their deep-set longline fishing operations in Hawaii to see if these can help with conservation and management without using other bird-deterrent methods usually required. The permit is valid from January 27, 2021, to January 26, 2022, unless changed or canceled sooner. This experiment is part of a broader effort to understand better how these particular fishing practices affect seabirds.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule to implement measures for minimizing salmon bycatch in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These measures aim to reduce the incidental catch of Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook and coho salmon. The rule introduces new management tools, including specific area closures and gear requirements, and establishes conditions under which fishery participants can access a Chinook salmon bycatch reserve. The rule also allows for the creation of Salmon Mitigation Plans (SMPs) by groups of fishing vessels to help manage bycatch while providing certain flexibilities to the industry.