Releases – April 26, 2012
The sportfishing industry applauds the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote interagency collaboration on the implementation of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP), a science-based partnership that seeks to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitat on a range-wide scale. The agreement will streamline agency efforts and ensure that federal resources are employed in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
The NFHAP was established in 2006 in response to the declining condition of waterways and fish habitat across the country. Through 18 Fish Habitat Partnerships, federal, state, tribal, local, and private interests collaborate to conserve and restore fish habitat. This non-regulatory initiative is the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to voluntarily conserve freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats nationwide.
“The recreational fishing community is committed to the conservation and improvement of our waterways and it is gratifying to see the Administration strengthen its commitment to the NFHAP as well,” said Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Association vice president. “Our aquatic resources play a large role in the quality of our lives. Healthy waterways and robust fish populations are vital to the well-being of our society and sustainable fisheries, providing recreation, clean water, food, and more.”
“This is a big step for our federal partners, who see the value of our strategic approach to conserving fish habitat,” said Kelly Hepler, chair of the National Fish Habitat Board who is also with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “Our coordination and involvement with federal agencies has really grown since 2006, and I think today marks a significant day in recognizing that.”
“The NFHAP not only conserves our waterways and fishery resources, it fuels a great economic engine,” said Robertson. “Recreational fishing has a $125 billion impact on our nation’s economy. The economic, social, and conservation benefits of recreational fishing would not be possible without the commitment made by programs like NFHAP to ensure our nation’s waterways are clean, healthy, and abundant with fish. Over the years, NFHAP has proven that a small federal investment will benefit all Americans and the resources that we depend on for livelihood and leisure.”
Between 2006 and 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided $12 million to support 257 on-the-ground conservation projects in 42 states, leveraging $30 million in partner match, to address the priorities of the Fish Habitat Partnerships. This investment in turn creates jobs and provides economic benefits as results of healthier waterways and increased recreational fishing activity. Investment in the NFHAP since 2006 has generated nearly $1 billion in value and supported over 20,000 jobs. That is a return of over $20 for every dollar spent and one job supported by every $2,400 invested.
“Our next step is to have Members of Congress get on board with this important initiative,” said Robertson. “The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S.1201), introduced by Sen. Lieberman (I-Conn.), will formally authorize and establish a funding source for the NFHAP, providing much needed support for aquatic habitat restoration and conservation across the U.S. Together with the support of the Administration and Congress, we can expand upon the tremendous strides already made by NFHAP in restoring our nation’s waterways.”
The Mid Atlantic Fishery management Council is soliciting nominations from qualified individuals to serve on its Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel including individuals with expertise in sturgeon biology and life history, sturgeon population assessment, and those familiar with sturgeon interactions with fisheries and gear types in the Mid-Atlantic. Advisors will assist in the development of management measures to reduce impacts on Atlantic sturgeon by helping the Council better understand the issues surrounding sturgeon and their interactions with Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Applicants who are appointed to the Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel will serve a term of three years.
Anyone interested in serving as a member on the Council’s Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel can submit an application to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, email the form to info1@mafmc.org, or fax it to (302) 674-5399. Please note as the subject on your email or fax: ATLANTIC STURGEON ADVISORY PANEL. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.mafmc.org, or by contacting the Council office at (302) 674-2331 (ext.253).
Applications must be received by May 11, 2012.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has extended the deadline for applying to sit on various advisory committees. The commission is seeking commercial fishermen from the Pamlico and Core sounds areas or other individuals interested in sea turtle protection to fill three vacancies on a Sea Turtle Advisory Committee.
The commission is also seeking a recreational fisherman to fill one vacant seat on a Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee and a charter and/or for hire fisherman to fill one vacancy on a Northeast Regional Advisory Committee.
Duties of the Sea Turtle Committee include reviewing sea turtle observer reports, assisting with fishermen education; determining measures to reduce the incidental take of sea turtles; monitoring observer program issues; and reviewing Incidental Take Permit applications to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The Coastal Recreational Fishing License Committee reviews applications for Coastal Recreational Fishing License grants related to public outreach and education, and improving public fishing access and fishing opportunities. The Northeast Committee reviews and advises the commission on fisheries issues pertaining to the northern coastal area of the state. These issues may be referred to them by the commission, such as draft fishery management plans, or brought to the commission’s attention by the committee.
Individuals interested in serving as advisers should be willing to attend meetings at least once every two months and actively participate in the committee process. Advisers will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties. Adviser applications are available online at www.ncfisheries.net/mfc/advisorforms.html, at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ offices, or by calling (252) 808-8023 or (800) 682-2632.
Applications should be returned by May 4 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, Attention: Lauren Morris.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations on the Haven’s Garden Boating Access Area, and it is now open to the public.
The site, located at the intersection of N.C. 32 and Runyon Creek, will be maintained by the city of Washington. The Commission replaced its two-lane ramp, and installed a floating dock to replace an old fixed dock. In addition, an auxiliary dock was replaced with a sturdier dock.
The Commission also replaced off-road grass parking with a new, 17-space paved lot with an ADA-accessible site and a paved walkway. The renovations were paid for through revenue from motorboat registration receipts.
Runyon Creek feeds into the Pamlico River.
“This site is very popular with boaters,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “This partnership with the city of Washington will allow us to operate the site free to the public for the next 50 years.”
For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of more than 200 free, 24-hour boating access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on “boating.”
Step Up For Soldiers will hold its seventh annual children’s fishing tournament on June 9, 2012, at the Kure Beach fishing pier in Kure Beach, North Carolina. The tournament will begin at 7:00 am and run until 12:00 noon.
As in past years, everything is free. Fishing equipment, bait, breakfast, lunch, snacks, prizes and gifts are all provided by Step Up and their sponsors. There will be music, VIP’s, military displays, clowns, and many more treats as well.
This tournament is open to children of active duty, reserves, and veterans of all five branches of the military.
To register, go to www.stepupforsoldiers.org, click on the fishing tournament icon located on the home page, fill out the form, and click submit. You can also contact Jim Verdon, event coordinator, at (570) 971-0553. This event is always a great time for children and parents alike, so get registered and come out to catch some fish.
NOAA Fisheries Service published a final rule implementing the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment in the Federal Register on March 16, 2012 (77 FR 15916). Regulations will be effective on April 16, 2012. NOAA Fisheries Service approved the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment on January 18, 2012.
The Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment addresses species in four Fishery Management Plans: Snapper-Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, Golden Crab, and Sargassum habitat. Actions in the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment fulfill new requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as well as other management changes.
The final rule makes the following changes: Removes 13 species, designates six ecosystem component species, and establishes six species groups within the snapper-grouper fishery management unit. Specifies an acceptable biological catch control rule and annual catch limits for species in the Fishery Management Plans for Snapper-Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, Golden Crab, and Sargassum habitat. Allocates annual catch limits between the recreational and commercial sectors for species in the Snapper-Grouper, and Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plans. Allocates annual catch limits for three snapper-grouper species (black grouper, yellowtail snapper, and mutton snapper) across the jurisdictional boundaries of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils. Establishes annual catch targets for the recreational sector (Snapper-Grouper, and Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plans); and accountability measures for recreational (Snapper-Grouper and Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plans), and commercial (Snapper-Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, Golden Crab, and Sargassum Fishery Management Plans) sectors.
In addition, the final rule specifies the following management measures: Recreational sector for wreckfish (Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan): (1) one wreckfish per vessel daily recreational bag limit; (2) a closed season of January 1 through June 30, and September 1 through December 31 each year.
Dolphin (Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan): (1) prohibit recreational bag limit sales of dolphin from for-hire vessels; (2) establish a minimum size limit for dolphin of 20 inches (50.8 cm) fork length for South Carolina.
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
Electronic copies of the amendment and final rule may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Service Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SAACLAmend.htm. For more information on the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the NOAA Fisheries Service website.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the information regarding the existing regulations. Any discrepancies between this bulletin and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.
