October 2014 Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the October 2014 Council Meeting held in Philadelphia, PA on October 7-9. 

August Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the Council's meeting on August 11-14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. 

Cancellation of 2015 RSA Federal Funding Opportunity

Federal Funding Opportunity Number:  NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2015-2004064 for the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside is hereby terminated.  No proposals will be accepted for fishing season 2015. Any proposals already submitted will be returned immediately.

Extended Deadline for 2015 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Federal Funding Opportunity

NOAA Fisheries is extending the deadline for the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement number NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2015-2004064 for the Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA) program from Monday, August 11, 2014 to Tuesday, September 30, 2014. 

NOAA selects two areas in the North Atlantic for targeted habitat conservation efforts

NOAA has announced the selection of two sites in NOAA’s North Atlantic Region as the next Habitat Focus Areas under NOAA’s Habitat Blueprint. In the Mid-Atlantic, the agency will focus its habitat  conservation and restoration efforts on the Choptank River complex in Maryland and Delaware.

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.

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.

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.

2014/2015 Atlantic Herring RSA Federal Funding Opportunity

The National Marine Fisheries Service, with assistance from the New England Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting proposals for 2014 and 2015 that address Atlantic Herring Research Set-Aside (RSA) research priorities. Proposals must be received by 5 p.m., July 22, 2013.