Archive for June, 2011

Proposed List of Fisheries for 2012

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2012, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2012 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of serious injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery in the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. Please visit the NMFS LOF 2012 webpage for further details. NMFS is accepting comments and they must be received by July 28, 2011.

You may also download the Federal Register notice announcing the proposed 2012 LOF, published June 28, 2011.

Posted in Coastal Pelagic Species, Groundfish, Highly migratory species, Pacific halibut, Salmon

Notice of Availability: Amendment 13 to CPS Fishery Management Plan

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Posted in Coastal Pelagic Species, Coastal pelagic species

West Coast Strategic Action Plan Listening Sessions

Monday, June 20th, 2011

On July 19, 2010, President Obama announced his commitment to implementing the first National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes. The National Ocean Council has been developing Strategic Action Plans to achieve nine national priority objectives that address some of the most pressing challenges facing these areas (see http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/objectives).

The National Ocean Council recently released draft Strategic Action Plan outlines for the nine priority objectives, and they are accepting comments on these content outlines during a 30-day public comment period. In addition, the National Ocean Council is organizing regional public listening sessions to provide opportunities for input early on the drafting process for the nine Strategic Action Plans. The draft outlines are available here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/sap.

Three West Coast regional listening sessions are scheduled. The date, time, and locations for the three West Coast listening sessions are as follows:

Please note, that for planning purposes, you are encouraged to register online in advance. Advance registration closes June 22 for Ocean Shores and June 24 for San Francisco and Portland. Day of registration will be available at all sites.

Please pre-register by visiting: http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/registration/west_coast_sap.cfm

Posted in Habitat and communities, Habitat and communities, Marine Reserves, Other Fisheries Forums

Request for Nominations: Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel & Groundfish Allocation Committee (Nominations Due August 10, 2011)

Friday, June 17th, 2011

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is seeking qualified candidates to fill vacancies on its Groundfish Allocation Committee (non-voting) and Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel. Please visit the Council’s “Current Advisory Body Vacancies” webpage to download the announcement and view all the details. To ensure consideration, nominations should be received at the Council office no later than Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

Posted in Ecosystem-based management, Groundfish

Inseason Adjustments for 2011 Groundfish Fisheries

Friday, June 17th, 2011

At its June 6-13, 2011 meeting, the Council adopted the following inseason adjustments

  • Move the seaward boundary of the trawl rockfish conservation area from 200 fm to 150 fm for the area 45°46’ N. lat. (Cape Falcon) to 48°10’ N. lat. (Cape Alava) starting September 1 through the end of the year (i.e., Periods 5 and 6);
  • Increase shelf rockfish trip limits in the open access fixed gear fishery south of 34°27’ N. lat. from 750 lb/2 months to 1,000 lb/2 months on July 1, or as soon as possible thereafter, through the end of the year;
  • Increase black rockfish trip limits in the limited entry and open access fixed gear fishery between 42° and 40°10’ N. lat. from 7,000 lb/2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish to 8,500 lb/ 2 months, no more than 1,200 lb of which may be species other than black rockfish on July 1, or as soon as possible thereafter, through the end of the year;
  • Increase deeper nearshore rockfish trip limits in the limited entry and open access fixed gear fishery south of 40°10’ N. lat. from 700 lb/ 2 months between 40°10’ N. lat. and 34°27’ N. lat. and 600 lb/2 months south of 34°27’ N. lat. to 900 lb/2 months for the entire area south of 40°10’ N. lat. starting July 1, or as soon as possible thereafter, through the end of the year;
  • Reduce the bi-monthly trip limits for the limited entry fixed gear daily trip limit fishery for sablefish north of 36° N. lat. from 2,000 lb per week, not to exceed 6,500 lb per 2 months to 2,000 lb. per week, not to exceed 3,500 lb per 2 months, beginning on July 1 through the end of the year;
  • Reduce the trip limits for the open access daily trip limit fishery for sablefish north of 36° N. lat. from 300 lb per day, or one landing per week up to 1,200 lb, not to exceed 2,250 lb per 2 months to 300 lb per day, or one landing per week of up to 1,050 lb, not to exceed 2,100 lb per 2 months, beginning on July 1 through the end of the year.

Posted in Groundfish, Hot topics

Greenspotted Rockfish and Blackgill Rockfish Stock Assessment Review Panel Work Session

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish Stock Assessment Review Panel (STAR Panel) will hold a work session which is open to the public.

The greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish STAR Panel will meet beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, August 8, 2011 and will continue through Friday, August 12, 2011. The meeting will convene at 8 a.m. (Tuesday through Friday) and end at 5:30 p.m. each day or until business for each day is completed.

The STAR Panel for greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish will meet at the following location:

National Marine Fisheries Service
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Santa Cruz Laboratory
110 Shaffer Road
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Telephone: 831-420-3900
STAR Panel Contact: Ms. Stacey Miller, 206-437-5670

The purpose of the greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish STAR Panel is to review draft 2011 stock assessment documents and any other pertinent information for greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish; work with the Stock Assessment Teams to make necessary revisions; and produce STAR Panel reports for use by the Council family and other interested persons for developing management recommendations for 2013-2014 fisheries. No management actions will be decided by the STAR Panels. The STAR Panels’ role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the Council at its September meeting in San Mateo, California.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-820-2280, at least five days prior to the meeting date.

If you have further questions regarding the STAR panel meeting for Greenspotted Rockfish and Blackgill Dogfish, please contact Mr. John DeVore at 503-820-2280, ext. 413; toll free 1-866-806-7204.

Posted in Groundfish, Groundfish

Sablefish and Dover Sole Stock Assessment Review Panel Work Session

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The sablefish and dover sole Stock Assessment Review Panel (STAR Panel) will hold a work session which is open to the public.

The sablefish and Dover sole STAR Panel will meet beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2011 and will continue through Friday, July 29, 2011.  The meeting will convene at 8 a.m. (Tuesday through Friday) and end at 5:30 p.m. each day or until business for each day is completed.

The STAR Panel for sablefish and Dover sole will meet at the following location:

National Marine Fisheries Service
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Newport Research Station
2032 SE OSU Drive
Newport, Oregon  97365
Telephone:  541-867-0500

The purpose of the STAR Panel is to review draft 2011 stock assessment documents and any other pertinent information for sablefish, and Dover sole; work with the Stock Assessment Teams to make necessary revisions; and produce STAR Panel reports for use by the Council family and other interested persons for developing management recommendations for 2013-2014 fisheries.  No management actions will be decided by the STAR Panels.  The STAR Panels’ role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the Council at its September meeting in San Mateo, California.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-820-2280, at least five days prior to the meeting date.

If you have further questions regarding the STAR panel meeting for Sablefish and Dover Sole, please contact Mr. John DeVore at 503-820-2280, ext. 413; toll free 1-866-806-7204.

Posted in Groundfish, Groundfish

Widow Rockfish and Spiny Dogfish Stock Assessment Review Panel Work Session

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The widow rockfish and spiny dogfish Stock Assessment Review Panel (STAR Panel) will hold a work session which is open to the public.

The widow rockfish and spiny dogfish STAR Panel will meet beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2011 and will continue through Friday, July 15, 2011.  The meeting will convene at 8 a.m. (Tuesday through Friday) and end at 5:30 p.m. each day or until business for each day is completed.

The STAR Panel for widow rockfish and spiny dogfish will meet at the following location:

Hotel Deca
4507 Brooklyn Avenue NE
Seattle, Washington  98105
Telephone:  1-800-899-0251
STAR Panel Contact: Ms. Stacey Miller, 206-437-5670

The purpose of the STAR Panels are to review draft 2011 stock assessment documents and any other pertinent information for widow rockfish and spiny dogfish; work with the Stock Assessment Teams to make necessary revisions; and produce STAR Panel reports for use by the Council family and other interested persons for developing management recommendations for 2013-2014 fisheries.  No management actions will be decided by the STAR Panels.  The STAR Panels’ role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the Council at its September meeting in San Mateo, California.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-820-2280, at least five days prior to the meeting date.

If you have further questions regarding the STAR panel meeting for Widow Rockfish and Spiny Dogfish, please contact Mr. John DeVore at 503-820-2280, ext. 413; toll free 1-866-806-7204.

Posted in Groundfish, Groundfish

Salmon Model Evaluation Workgroup Session

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Salmon Model Evaluation Workgroup (MEW) will hold a work session, which is open to the public.  The purpose of the work session is to review work products associated with the Council’s 2011 salmon methodology review process, including possible bias in the Fishery Regulation Assessment Model (FRAM) associated with multiple encounters during mark selective fisheries.  The work session will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The work session will be held at the following location:

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Conference Room
6730 Martin Way East
Olympia, WA  98516
Telephone:  360-438-1180
NWIFC Website (Directions)

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-820-2280, at least five days prior to the meeting date.

If you have additional questions regarding the MEW work session, please contact Mr. Chuck Tracy at 503-820-2280 ext. 415; 1-866-806-7204.

Posted in Salmon, Salmon

Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee Meeting

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee (EFHRC), which is open to the public.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss data needs, informational products, and to discuss next steps and future meetings.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or as necessary to complete business for the day.

The EFHRC will meet at the following location:

Pacific Fishery Management Council
Large Conference Room
7700 NE Ambassador Place
Portland, OR 97220-1384
Telephone: 503-820-2280
Driving Directions

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-820-2280, at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Posted in Groundfish, Groundfish, Habitat and communities

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