Search Results for keywords:"fisheries management"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule to stop directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This action, effective from March 10 to June 10, 2025, is necessary to ensure the Pacific cod catch does not exceed the allowed limit for the 2025 season. The imposed closure responds to recent data indicating that the catch quota is nearing its limit. The rule was implemented without prior public notice or delay to quickly address the situation as per the guidelines of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

On February 13, 2025, a notice was published announcing the cancellation of a virtual U.S. stakeholder meeting originally scheduled for February 20, 2025, to discuss the management of North Pacific albacore. This meeting was initially announced in the Federal Register on January 3, 2025. For additional information, individuals can contact Emily Reynolds or Tyler Lawson from NOAA, via phone or email as provided. The cancellation was confirmed by Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries at the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Department of Commerce is submitting a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extending the information collection related to the Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This involves permits required for groundfish fishing activities in Alaska, including the Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP), Federal Processor Permit (FPP), and Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP). The permits are necessary for fisheries management, regulatory compliance, and to support projects that help both the fishing industry and the environment. Public comments on this proposal are invited for an additional 30 days.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has put a temporary rule in place to stop people from fishing for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Alaska due to concerns about low salmon numbers. This ban applies from May 1 to August 15, 2025, to help conserve the salmon population as recent reports show they are not abundant. The decision follows assessments by NMFS and Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game, predicting poor salmon runs in upcoming years. To address these issues quickly, NMFS made the rule effective immediately, waiving the usual 30-day wait period after publication.

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), 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 North Pacific Fishery Management Council is hosting a webinar on March 6, 2025, to engage the public and provide information about the Council's Programmatic Evaluation. This evaluation will consider updates to the management policies for the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska fisheries in light of environmental changes. The webinar aims to clarify the materials related to the Evaluation before the Council discusses it in their April 2025 meeting. Public comments can be submitted online, and the webinar will be recorded and available on the Council's website.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council and the NMFS Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers are holding an online workshop to review data for new assessments of lingcod and vermilion/sunset rockfishes. The workshop will be held on March 29, 2021, and is open to the public. Although no management decisions will be made during the workshop, the participants will develop recommendations for upcoming assessments scheduled for peer review in July 2021. These assessments will be considered in September 2021 for use in informing management decisions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has temporarily stopped fishing for Pacific cod by smaller catcher vessels (less than 60 feet) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This action is required because the Pacific cod total allowable catch for these vessels in 2021 is close to being reached. The closure is in effect from January 26, 2021, to December 31, 2021, to help manage and conserve fish populations. The decision doesn't allow for public comment due to the urgency of responding to recent data.

The New England Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting through a webinar on March 9, 2021, at 9 a.m. This meeting will involve its Habitat Joint Committee and Advisory Panel discussing various issues impacting fisheries in New England's exclusive economic zone, including potential habitat management for the Northern Edge of Georges Bank and offshore wind-related issues. Suggestions from this meeting will be reviewed for formal actions by the full Council. The meeting will be accessible to people with disabilities, and a recording will be available upon request.