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.
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.
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
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 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
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
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
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
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Questions?
Contact Maggie Mooney-Seus (978) 281-9175
National Marine Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
