2007

• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through December 31, 2008
• NOAA Fisheries Service Requests Comments on Proposed Sea Turtle Conservation Measures in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery
• NOAA Fisheries Service Requests Comments on Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
• 2007 Final Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Modifications - NOAA Fisheries Service announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that evaluates modifications to the ALWTRP and a Record of Decision that includes: 1) the decision; 2) alternatives considered; and 3) factors considered in the decision (10/03/2007).
• NOAA 200th Celebration at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center - From September 21-23, the NOAA 200th Celebration and the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center will come together to celebrate maritime heritage and NOAA products and services in Gloucester, MA.
• NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Action To Reconcile State Commercial Fishing Programs And Federal Limited Access Commercial Fishing Vessel Permit Privileges
• NOAA Fisheries Service Seeks Proposals Under the 2008 Monkfish & the 2008-2009 Atlantic Herring Research Set-Aside Programs - NOAA Fisheries Service is accepting proposals for the Monkfish RSA program through August 31, 2007, & Atlantic Herring RSA program through August 16, 2007
• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through December 31, 2007
• Northeast Region Newsletter - The April 2007 edition of NOAA Fisheries Service's Northeast Regional Office Changing Tides newsletter is posted on our website. Along with old editions of our newsletter, it can be found on our Outreach and Communications website.
• Status Review Report for Atlantic Sturgeon - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that a status review report has been completed for Atlantic sturgeon
• Initiation of a Status Review for Cusk - NOAA Fisheries Service announces the initiation of a status review for cusk (Brosme brosme) and solicits information on the status of, and threats to, the species
• Emergency Rule to Increase the Commercial Quota & Recreational Harvest Limits for Summer Flounder - NOAA Fisheries Service Increases the Commercial Quota and Recreational Harvest Limits for Summer Flounder (Fluke), Effective January 19, 2007

2006

• North Atlantic Right Whales Proposed Rule and Status Review - NOAA Fisheries Service announces the completion of a comprehensive status review of right whales in the northern hemisphere under the Endangered Species Act.  Comments must be received by 5 p.m., local time, on February 26, 2007  Click here for Supporting Document
• Commercial Fishing Survey - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces It Will Be Conducting A Commercial Fishing Survey
• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through June 30, 2007
• December 19, 2006 Scallop Permit Holder Letter - NOAA Fisheries Service has enacted an interim action for the scallop fishery that delays the opening of the Elephant Trunk Access Area (ETAA) until March 1, 2007, reduces the number of trips that a vessel can take in the area, and prohibits vessels from possessing more than 50 bushels of in-shell scallops outside the boundaries of the ETAA. This interim rule is effective from December 22, 2006, through June 20, 2007, and can be extended through December 17, 2007. A permit holder letter describing the interim action has been mailed to all scallop vessel owners. For further information, please contact the Northeast Regional Office at (978) 281-9315.
• Notice To the Public (12/18/06) - NOAA Fisheries Service Published In the Federal Register An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Federal American Lobster Management In the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery Emergency Regulation - Correction to configuration requirements for chain mats in the mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery: NMFS has issued an emergency final regulation that removes one of the options for configuring chain mats in the mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery. This regulation corrects a discrepancy between the two options for configuring the gear which were included the August 2006 regulation. This final regulation is effective November 18, 2006. - Permit Holder Letter
• Public Hearings For Draft SBRM Amendment - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Public Hearings For Draft Omnibus Amendment To The FMPs Of The Mid-Atlantic & New England Regional Fishery Management Councils On Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM).
• NE Multispecies and Monkfish Final Rulemaking - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Approval of Framework 42 to the NE Multispecies Fishery and FW 3 to the Monkfish Fishery.
• Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Reimbursement Program - NOAA Fisheries Service Establishes A New VMS Reimbursement Program
• NE Multispecies Fishery Emergency Secretarial Action Extension - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces That The Emergency Regulations Implemented On May 1, 2006, Will Remain In Effect Until April 4, 2007, Or Until Such Time As Measures Under Framework Adjustment (FW) 42 To The NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) And FW 3 To The Monkfish FMP, If Approved, Can Be Implemented
• VMS User Instructions for the Northeast Region - NOAA Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement Issues Basic Vessel Monitoring System User Instructions for the Northeast Region
• 2006 Status Review of Atlantic Salmon - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that the 2006 biological status review for Atlantic salmon populations in the U.S. is now available.
• Closed Area II Scallop Access Area Closed - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that the Closed Area II Scallop Access Area is closed to scallop vessels effective September 6, 2006
• A Guide for Commercial Maritime Industries - Munitions At Sea - NOAA Fisheries Service advises about the potential hazards associated with finding munitions at sea and the actions that should be taken to help ensure safety.
• Scallop Dredge Gear Change To Prevent Sea Turtles From Entering Dredges - NOAA Fisheries Service announces a required change for sea scallop dredge gear that will prevent sea turtles from entering dredges where they can be injured or killed during fishing operations.
• Technical Peer Review of the Cooperative Research Partners Initiative Industry Based Survey Program - NOAA Fisheries Service Invites All Interested Parties to a three day meeting on the peer review of Industry Based Survey (IBS) pilot projects and exploring potential integration of the IBS model with the many survey like research activities underway in the region.
• New Bycatch Regulations in the Atlantic Herring Fishery Effective August 15, 2006 - NOAA Fisheries Service Implements Framework Adjustment 43 To The NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, Which Addresses The Incidental Catch Of NE Multispecies By Vessels Fishing For Atlantic Herring By Establishing A Herring Exempted Fishery
• New Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Reimbursement Program - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces a New VMS Reimbursement Program
• NE Multispecies & Monkfish Proposed Rulemaking - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Proposed Framework Adjustment 42 to the NE Multispecies FMP Plan
• Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area Closure - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces That the Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area Is Closed to All Scallop Vessels Effective 0001 Hours on July 20, 2006
• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through December 31, 2006
• NOAA Fisheries Service Seeks Proposals Under the 2007 Atlantic Sea Scallop & Monkfish Research Set-Aside Programs - NOAA Fisheries Service is accepting proposals through August 11, 2006, for the 2007 Scallop & Monkfish RSA programs.
• NOAA Fisheries Service Implements Sea Scallop Emergency Action - NOAA Fisheries Service implements an observer service provider program for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery including criteria for becoming an approved observer service provider, observer certification criteria, decertification criteria, and observer deployment logistics.
• NOAA Fisheries Service Amends Sea Scallop Regulations - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that regulations implementing Framework 18 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan will be effective on June 15, 2006.
• Emergency Action to Immediately Reduce Fishing Mortality in the NE Multispecies Fishery - NOAA Fisheries Service implements an emergency interim final rule on May 1, 2006, to immediately reduce fishing mortality on specific groundfish stocks until such time as more permanent management measures can be implemented by the New England Fishery Management Council. (04/10/06)
• NOAA Fisheries Service Announces New Vessel Safety Inspection Requirements - This Measure is Effective May 1, 2006.
• New American Lobster Broodstock Management Measures - NOAA Fisheries Service announces new Federal American lobster regulations in response to recommendations by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and to clarify existing regulations (03/14/06)
• Reduction in the Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder Trip Limit - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces a Reduction in the Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder Trip Limit to 1,500 lb per Day, up to a Maximum of 15,000 lb per Trip, for Limited Access NE Multispecies DAS Vessels Fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area (02/07/06)
• Right Whale Grant Programs Seek Proposals - NOAA Fisheries Service is Accepting Grant Proposals Through April 5, 2006 (01/23/06)

2005

• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through June 30, 2006
• Final Recovery Plan Issued for Atlantic Salmon in Maine Rivers - NOAA Fisheries Announces that the final recovery plan for endangered Atlantic salmon in Maine rivers is available
• Georges Bank Yellowtail Trip Limit Activated - NOAA Fisheries Service announces limits on the amount of yellowtail flounder that groundfish boats on Georges Bank may retain per trip
• American Lobster Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that it is considering, and seeking public comment on the implementation of further minimum carapace length (gauge) increases and escape vent size increases in the Federal lobster fishery.
• NOAA Fisheries Announces Proposed 2006 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Specifications & 2006 Research Set-Aside Projects
• NOAA Fisheries Announces Withdrawal of the Petition to List Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act
• NOAA Fisheries Service Amends Sea Scallop Regulations - This measure amends regulations for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery that would adjust the boundaries of the essential fish habitat closures.
• NOAA Fisheries Service Announces New Vessel Safety Inspection Requirements - This Measure is Effective May 1, 2006.
• NOAA Fisheries Service Is Prohibiting The Use Of Regular B DAS Under The Regular B DAS Pilot Program - This Measure is Effective 0001 Hours, October 6, 2005, Through The End Of The Current Calendar Quarter On October 31, 2005.
• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Update - NOAA Fisheries Extends the Emergency Action to Address Red Tide Through December 31, 2005
• Information on Low Profile Groundline Workshops - NOAA Fisheries Service will conduct a series of fact finding/scoping workshops from Maine to North Carolina during the last two weeks of September 2005 to help assess the feasibility of requiring low profile groundline for fisheries regulated by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
• Effective September 9, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service is Reopening to Shellfish Harvest the Southern Portion of the Area Closed on June 14, 2005. 
• American Lobster Proposed Broodstock Management Measures - NOAA Fisheries Service announces its intent to consider revisions to the Federal American lobster regulations in response to recommendations by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and to clarify existing regulations.
• U.S./Canada Management Area Closure - NOAA Fisheries Service announces that the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is closed to all limited access NE multispecies days-at-sea vessels, effective August 26, 2005.
• Red Tide/Shellfish Fishery Failure Determination - On June 16, 2005, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez yesterday announced a formal determination that the Massachusetts shellfish fishery is in a commercial failure triggered by a massive red tide bloom in the New England region. The determination came in response to a June 10, 2005, letter from Governor Mitt Romney requesting disaster assistance for the hard hit Massachusetts shellfish industry. On June 14, 2005, the State of Maine submitted a similar request that is currently under consideration.
• 2005 Proposed Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Modifications - NOAA Fisheries Service published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register to amend the regulations implementing the
  ALWTRP.  Comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST on July 21, 2005.  (June 21, 2005)
• NOAA Fisheries Service Takes Emergency Action to Address Red Tide - On June 14, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service issued an emergency action to close a portion of Federal waters off the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts to the harvest of all species of shellfish (bivalves), with the exception of scallop meats, due to the spread of toxic algal blooms (red tide). This is the largest bloom on record in New England history warranting a public health emergency.
• CRPP Broad Agency Announcement - On June 14, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service issued a Broad Agency Announcement to solicit proposals addressing a number of research topics related to Northeast fisheries. These include ecological relationships as they relate to rebuilding stocks, commercial and recreational bycatch and discard issues, and socioeconomic data on the recreational fisheries. Research projects that develop and implement strategies for enhancing safety at sea and industry-led training for public sector employees on commercial fishery practices will also be considered.
• Haddock Incidental Catch Allowance for the 2005 Atlantic Herring Fishery - On June 13, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service issued emergency regulations to establish an incidental haddock catch allowance for the 2005 Atlantic herring fishery. Comments the emergency action must be received by July 13, 2005.
• Proposed Rule for the Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery - On May 27, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service published a proposed rule which would require that sea scallop dredge vessels fishing in the mid-Atlantic from May through November modify the dredge(s) with a chain mat configuration. This action is necessary to help reduce the take of threatened sea turtles in sea scallop dredge gear. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by 5 p.m. EST on June 27, 2005.
• Eastern Oyster 90 Day Finding - On May 18, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service announced that it will review the status of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to determine if the species warrants protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries Service is asking for documented information for use in the status review, such as descriptions of current or past distribution, abundance, population condition, information on the existence of subspecies, and details on restoration and protection efforts. The deadline for submitting information is July 17, 2005.
• Monkfish Amendment 2 Webpage - NOAA Fisheries Service Announces That New Regulations Implementing Recently Approved Amendment 2 To The Monkfish FMP Have Been Approved & Take Effect On May 1, 2005.
• Clarification of Offloading of Multispecies Fish Requirements - NOAA Fisheries Clarifies Requirements for a Fishing Vessel That Comes into Port with Fish on Board and That Intends to Resume the Fishing Trip Without Offloading Fish. This Clarification Is in Response to Questions about Whether a Fishing Vessel Could Layover in a Port for Weather Reasons Without Offloading its Catch and Then Continue Fishing, Including Going Back into the U.S./Canada Management Area, to Catch the Remainder of its Trip Limit (January 13, 2005) (Eastern U.S./Canada Management Area).
• U.S./Canada Management Area - NOAA Fisheries Announces Re-Opening of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area to Limited Access NE Multispecies DAS Vessels & Removes the Prohibition on the Harvest, Possession, & Landing of Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder by NE Multispecies Vessels Within the Entire U.S./Canada Management Area, as of 12:00 AM on January 14, 2005 (Eastern U.S./Canada Management Area)

2004

• Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Biological Opinion - NOAA Fisheries announces that northeast commercial sea scalloping does not jeopardize continued existence of sea turtles (December 16, 2004).
• Framework 40-A - NOAA Fisheries announces that regulations implementing Framework 40-A to the Northeast Multispecies FMP were filed with the Federal Register and took effect on November 19, 2004.
• Frameworks 16 & 39 - NOAA Fisheries announces that regulations implementing Framework 16 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP and Framework 39 to the NE Multispecies FMP were filed with the Federal Register and will take effect on November 2, 2004.
• Control Date for General Category Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery - NOAA Fisheries announces a control date (November 1, 2004) for the general category Atlantic sea scallop Fishery.
• Northeast Region Current Bycatch Priorities & Implementation Plan - Draft Update of Regional Bycatch Implementation Plan and Priorities (September 27, 2004)
• Bycatch in Northeast Fisheries: Moving Forward - Workshop Proceedings Document from June 29, 2004 - July 1, 2004, Northeast Regional Bycatch Workshop.
• Atlantic Sea Scallops Amendment 10 Webpage - NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations Implementing Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Sea Scallops Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
• Ship Strikes and North Atlantic Right Whale Avoidance - NOAA Fisheries proposes a comprehensive strategy for reducing collisions between ocean-going vessels and highly endangered North Atlantic right whales along the East Coast.
• Dealer Electronic Reporting Webpage - NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations Regarding Seafood Dealer Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.
• NE Multispecies Amendment 13 Webpage - NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations Implementing Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.