NOAA Announces Partial Approval of Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

On November 7, 2013, NOAA Fisheries, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, partially approved Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

NOAA announces regulations to protect marine mammals during Navy training and testing in Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

NOAA Fisheries announced today final regulations requiring the United States Navy to implement protective measures during training and testing activities in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to reduce effects on marine mammals.

Federal Funding Opportunity: Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program (January 6 deadline for application)

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery management councils, is seeking research proposals to utilize 500 Monkfish Days-at-Sea that have been set-aside through the 2014 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program.

NOAA Fisheries: Federal Funds Available for Habitat Restoration in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia

NOAA Fisheries Service has announced more than $6 million in funding for habitat restoration projects in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia to restore more than 11,000 acres of habitat, and open more than 200 stream miles for fish passage.

NOAA Fisheries: All Northeast Fisheries Now Authorized for Electronic Trip Reporting

NOAA Fisheries has announced that all permitted vessels in the Northeast region are now authorized to participate in electronic trip reporting (eVTR).

October 7-10, 2013 Council Meeting Summary

During the October Council meeting in Philadelphia, PA, the Council addressed a range of issues, including specifications for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, and spiny dogfish. Check out the October Meeting Summary to learn more.

Marine Species Distribution Shifts Reflect Local Climate Conditions

Climate change has resulted in shifts in where and at what depths many marine species are found. The leading explanation for these changes has been biological differences among species, but a new study suggests that the local climatic conditions are more likely causing these shifts.

Federal Funding Opportunity: 2014-2015 Atlantic Scallop Research Set-Aside

NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, is soliciting Atlantic Sea Scallop research proposals to utilize scallop Total Allowable Catch that has been set-aside through the Atlantic Scallop Research Set-Aside Program. Click here to read the full announcement.

NOAA Fisheries: Draft Amendment to the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology available for public comment through Oct. 27

NOAA Fisheries has announced the availability for public comment of a draft amendment to the standardized bycatch reporting methodology (SBRM) used to assess the amount and type of bycatch occurring in Mid-Atlantic and New England fisheries. 

NOAA Fisheries: Proposed changes to recreational accountability measures for some Mid-Atlantic fish species

NOAA has announced that it is proposing revisions to the accountability measures for the Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic bluefish, summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Public comments will be accepted on the proposed measures until October 18, 2013.