Search Results for keywords:"National Marine Fisheries Service"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced decisions regarding 17 hatchery and genetic management plans for salmon and steelhead in specific river basins in Washington and Idaho. These plans aim to conserve threatened and endangered fish species while allowing harvest opportunities when possible. They ensure that hatchery operations do not hinder the survival and recovery of natural fish populations and adhere to the Endangered Species Act. The plans have undergone public review, and NMFS has selected preferred alternatives for implementation, emphasizing environmental conservation and protection.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a permit renewal application from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to continue their efforts in rescuing and caring for the endangered steelhead fish in the Carmel River, California. The permit is sought under the Endangered Species Act and would allow certain activities to help restore the fish population affected by water withdrawal impacts. The public can review and comment on this application until April 28, 2025. The plan involves capturing, relocating, and temporarily rearing the fish to improve their survival rates, without breeding them in captivity.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a new rule under the Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico, which focuses on changing the annual catch limits (ACLs) for the triggerfish stock complex in Puerto Rico's federal waters. This is part of efforts to prevent overfishing and achieve the best use and conservation of these fish resources. The proposed rule intends to decrease the total ACL from 90,552 pounds to 87,220 pounds, affecting both commercial and recreational fishing limits. Public comments on this proposal are invited until January 16, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has received applications from four researchers requesting permits to study marine mammals. These studies involve research on 58 different species, including endangered or threatened whales and seals, under the authority of laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. The research activities include surveys, tagging, photo-identification, and biological sampling to understand the animals' behavior, health, and ecological roles. Public comments on these applications can be submitted until March 29, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA and the Commerce Department, announced a SEDAR 80 webinar to assess the stock of U.S. Caribbean queen triggerfish. This meeting, scheduled for March 10, 2021, is part of a multi-step evaluation process involving data collection, assessment, and review to understand the status of fish stocks. Public members can attend the webinar by requesting an invitation at least 24 hours in advance. During the webinar, participants will discuss the life history data that should be included in the assessment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced a public meeting to review the Eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock stock assessment. This meeting will be held from May 20 to May 23, 2025, at the Alaska Fishery Science Center in Seattle, Washington. Anyone interested in attending must notify Jim Ianelli at least two days before the meeting and bring a valid U.S. Identification Card. The meeting agenda and materials will be available online before the meeting.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has initiated a 5-year review of several coral species, including staghorn, elkhorn, pillar, rough cactus, lobed star, mountainous star, and boulder star corals, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They are seeking new scientific and commercial information from the public and other stakeholders that could help assess whether these species should remain on the threatened species list or be reclassified. Information categories include the species' biology, habitat conditions, conservation measures, threats, and any other relevant data since their initial listing or last status review. Comments and information must be submitted by March 8, 2021, although new information will be accepted at any time.

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary final rule adjusting the annual commercial quotas for Atlantic sharks for 2025. These changes are based on shark underharvests from the 2024 fishing year, allowing additional fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen. The rule specifies that certain shark species, such as Gulf of America blacktip and smoothhound sharks, can have unharvested quotas carried over because they are not overfished. However, other shark groups like Hammerhead and Blacknose, which are either overfished or overfishing is occurring, won't have quota carryovers. The rule is effective from April 16, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is closing the Atlantic southern zone for commercial Spanish mackerel fishing starting February 3, 2021, as the fishing quota is expected to be reached by then. This closure aims to protect the Spanish mackerel resources, and it will last until February 28, 2021. During this period, those with permits can still keep Spanish mackerel under recreational limits, but selling or purchasing these fish from the southern zone is prohibited unless they were already harvested and stored before the closure. The commercial fishing for Spanish mackerel will reopen on March 1, 2021.