June 2015 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions and issues considered at the Council's June 8-11 meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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.

Mid-Atlantic Council Approves Deep Sea Corals Amendment

This week the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment to protect deep sea corals from the impacts of bottom-tending fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic.

Vessel Opportunity for Trawl Research Charter with the NEFSC Survey Branch - Deadline June 17, 2015

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking a charter vessel partner to participate in a cooperative research study to estimate trawl gear capture efficiency in order to improve assessments of commercially important fish populations in the Northwest Atlantic. The deadline for quotes is June 13.

Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial Reefs

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

Listening Session: Proposed Rule to Revise Listing Status of Humpback Whales

Members of the public are invited to attend the Council’s next listening session at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 to learn about – and provide comments on – a proposed rule to revise the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of humpback whales.

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.

April 2015 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the April 14-16, 2015 Council Meeting held in Long Branch, New Jersey.

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.

Council Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA: June 8-11, 2015

The public is invited to attend the Council's next meeting to be held June 8-11, 2015 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 3001 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451.

Request for Proposals: Cost Estimates for Herring and Mackerel Monitoring Programs (Due May 29)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking proposals from fishery monitoring service providers to develop detailed cost analyses for proposed portside and at-sea monitoring programs. Download the RFP.

Blueline Tilefish Scoping Hearings: June 1–18, 2015

The Council will hold five scoping hearings in June 2015 to gather public input related to blueline tilefish management.

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.

2015 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Awards Announced

NOAA Fisheries Service, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, has announced that 10 new sea scallop research projects will be funded in 2015 through the Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) program.

Reminder: Scoping Comments for Squid Capacity Amendment Due May 11

The Council is collecting scoping comments for a potential amendment that would consider options for reducing the capacities of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. The deadline to submit written comments is May 11.

Request for Proposals: Development of a Quantitative Stock Assessment for Black Sea Bass

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a highly qualified contractor to facilitate the development of a quantitative stock assessment for the northern black sea bass stock to support management of the black sea bass fishery.

Proposals are due by May 29, 2015.

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.

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