U.S. Commerce Department Announces 2015 Regional Fishery Council Appointments

The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks.

Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2015

NOAA Fisheries has approved the final 2015 minimum fish size, angler possession limits, and fishing season rules for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries.

Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial Reefs

NMFS has issued final regulations to implement Special Management Zones for four Delaware artificial reefs

Emergency Action for Blueline Tilefish in Greater Atlantic Region Effective June 4

NOAA Fisheries has announced that emergency management measures for the blueline tilefish fishery in the Greater Atlantic Region will go in to effect Thursday, June 4, 2015.

Notice of Availability: Omnibus Amendment To Simplify Vessel Baselines

NMFS has announced the availability of an Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the Northeastern United States to simplify vessel baselines. Public comments on the amendment can be submitted through July 17, 2015.

Proposed Rule: Consequences for Slippage Events in the Atlantic Mackerel Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement measures to enhance catch monitoring and address slippage in the Atlantic mackerel fishery. Comments on the proposed rule are due June 18.

Proposed Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments through May 20, 2015 on proposed 2015 recreational management measures for the summer flounder, scup and black sea bass fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries Releases Transition Plan for New Recreational Fishing Effort Survey

This week, NOAA Fisheries released a comprehensive, three-year plan that will guide the transition to a new mail survey for estimating recreational fishing effort on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

NOAA Fisheries: Successful Conservation Efforts Recognized in Proposed ESA Humpback Whale Listing Revision

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposal to reclassify the humpback whale into 14 distinct population segments and to remove ten of those populations from the endangered species list. The proposed changes are expected to provide a more tailored conservation approach for U.S. fisheries managers.

NOAA Fisheries Announces $2.5 Million Available for Innovative Bycatch Solutions

NOAA Fisheries is now accepting project proposals its Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). Approximately $2.5 million is available to fishermen, academics, and other interested groups for projects that offer practical solutions to reduce bycatch. Pre-proposals are due by April 16 with full applications due by May 28, 2015.

NOAA Fisheries Reports Unprecedented Numbers of "Cold-Stunned" Sea Turtle

NOAA Fisheries staff is working feverishly with partners to arrange air transports for unprecedented numbers of “cold-stunned” sea turtles to facilities in the southeast United States.

NOAA Fisheries: Improving the MRIP Fishing Effort Survey

NOAA Fisheries has announced that it is intending to move, within the next few years, to a new MRIP-based method for surveying Atlantic and Gulf Coast saltwater recreational shore and private boat anglers about their fishing trips.

Proposed 2015 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Specifications

NOAA Fisheries has published proposed specifications for the Atlantic mackerel, squid and butterfish fisheries for fishing year 2015. The deadline to submit public comments on December 15, 2014.

Butterfish allocation transferred to the directed fishery from the butterfish mortality cap

NOAA Fisheries has announced the transfer of 1,900 metric tons of butterfish to the butterfish directed fishery from the butterfish mortality cap on the longfin squid fishery.

August 1 Control Date Established in the Commercial Summer Flounder Fishery

At the request of the Council, GARFO has published an August 1 control date for the commercial summer flounder fishery.

New Tilefish Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries has published final management measures for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 tilefish fishing years. The catch limits and total allowable landings become effective at the start of the 2015 fishing year on November 1, 2014. Click here for more information.

NOAA Announces Funding through Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program for 2014-2015

NOAA has announced the availability of approximately $18 million to support research projects under the FY2014/2015 Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program.

2015 fishing year regulations announced for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahog fisheries

NOAA Fisheries is suspending the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2015 fishing year. Quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries will remain status quo for 2015.

2015/2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside

The 2015/2016 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Federal Funding Opportunity is available. The due date for research proposals is November 12, 2014 at 5 pm.

Public Comments Sought on Proposed Specifications for the Tilefish Fishery for 2015-2017

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on proposed measures for the tilefish fishery for the 2015-2017 fishing years.

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