The trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have released updated information about the first eight early restoration projects to restore the Gulf after the spill.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-4081-DR), dated August 29, 2012, and related determinations. Federal domestic assistance may be available to you. 

Effective Date: August 30, 2012.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-4080-DR), dated August 29, 2012, and related determinations. Federal domestic assistance may be available to you. 

Effective Date: August 30, 2012.

This past spring, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists tagged 136 trophy largemouth bass greater than 8 pounds in Florida’s public waters. Each trophy bass had a yellow plastic dart tag inserted into the back of the fish just below the dorsal (back) fin. Each tag has a unique number that identifies a monetary reward value and information on how to report catches.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications for seats currently available on a newly formed advisory panel. The Ad Hoc Artificial Substrate Advisory Panel will be made up of members of the petroleum industry, state artificial reef biologists, and others, who will assist the Council by providing information and advice regarding the implications of including manmade substrates and structures as essential fish habitat for federally managed fish species.

Florida veterans wishing to enter the commercial fishing industry may soon be able to do so more easily thanks to changes made today at the Sept. 5-6 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in Tampa. These changes are anticipated to take effect on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012. 

NACOs Executive Director (Bobbi Walker) as a member of the Advisory Committee to ICCAT will be attending the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCATs fall meeting. The meeting is in preparation for the 2012 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting. The meeting will be held October 17-18, 2012. There will be an open session on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, from 9 a.m. through approximately 1:30 p.m. The remainder of the meeting will be closed to the public and is expected to end by 5 p.m. on October 18. Interested members of the public may present their views during the public comment session on October 17, 2012.

The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree/Hilton Hotel, 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Written comments should be sent via email (Rachel.O'Malley@noaa.gov). Comments may also be sent via mail to Rachel O'Malley at NMFS, Office of International Affairs, Room 12622, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

NOAA Fisheries Service will hold public workshops to discuss administrative changes to the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. Topics will include modifications to landing transaction and landing notification requirements, price reporting, offloading requirements, and other administrative procedures. Price reporting problems associated with submission of ex-vessel, share, and allocation price data are hindering NOAA Fisheries from fully evaluating the economic effects of the IFQ program. NOAA Fisheries is seeking input from fishermen, dealers, and other constituents on ways to improve price reporting.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made several changes and clarifications to marine life management at its September Commission meeting in Tampa. Marine life is defined as tropical ornamental species, which are often collected and displayed in aquariums. 

The U.S. Coast Guard and state officials in Louisiana are evaluating the environmental impact on the area from Hurricane Isaac.

The wildlife management teams recovered three birds that were covered in oil and were continuing to search for any other affected wildlife, officials said. The teams have investigated about 90 reports of pollution directly linked to the hurricane.