NMFS Northeast Regional Office Changes Name to Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

NOAA Fisheries has changed the name of the Northeast Regional Office to the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in order to better reflect the broad extent of its region, which spans from Maine to North Carolina and includes the Great Lakes.

Public Hearings/Scoping Meetings and Q&A Webinars Scheduled in January for Proposed Federal Fisheries Management Measures

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on proposed management measures affecting the fishery management plans for snapper grouper and coastal migratory pelagics (includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia).

NOAA Fisheries: Proposed Rule for 2014 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Specifications

NOAA Fisheries has announced the 2014 specifications for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish. Proposed measures include a 24% increase in the butterfish landings quota and a 236-metric ton cap on river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery.

NOAA Fisheries: 2014 State Summer Flounder Quotas Adjusted for Overages

NOAA Fisheries has announced the 2014 commercial summer flounder state quotas for fishing year 2014.

NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Measures for the 2014 Fishing Year

NOAA Fisheries today announced the 2014 fishing year measures for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries which will be effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Click here for details.

NOAA Fisheries: 2014-2016 Quotas Announced for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced that it has approved final commercial quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for fishing years 2014, 2015, and 2016.

NOAA Fisheries: Final ESA Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion Now Available

NOAA Fisheries announces that the Final biological opinion to assess the impact of seven Northeast fisheries on various species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act as either threatened or endangered is now available.

NOAA Fisheries: New Way to Address Catch Overages in Some Mid-Atlantic Recreational Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries approves some new recreational fishery management measures for three Mid-Atlantic fisheries to address catch overages.

BOEM Releases Fishing/Offshore Wind Mitigation Measures Development Workshops

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a Draft Report on Fishing Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures for public review.

NOAA Fisheries: Comments Sought on Draft SBRM Omnibus Amendment

The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils are seeking public comment on a draft Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment. Deadline: December 19, 2013.

ASMFC Seeks Input on Draft Strategic Plan for 2014-2018

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has released its Draft Strategic Plan for 2014 – 2018 for public review and comment. Comments will be accepted until January 10, 2014.

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.

NOAA Fisheries: Proposed Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Quotas for 2014-16

NMFS has proposed commercial quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2014, 2015, and 2016. The deadline for submitting comments is November 22, 2013.

NMFS Requests Nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel

Nominations for the NMFS Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel will be accepted through December 6, 2013.

2014 Quotas for Tilefish Fishery go into effect on November 1

For fishing year 2014 (November 1, 2013–October 31, 2014), the quota will remain at 1.995 million lb. The incidental trip limit will also remain unchanged from the 2013 fishing year at 458 lb.

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).

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.

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