NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2013, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and based on preliminary 2013 landings data. The adjusted limit for HMS Charter/Headboat vessels is one school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip when fishing recreationally for BFT (i.e., one BFT measuring 27 to less than 47 inches, and one BFT measuring 47 to less than 73 inches). This retention limit is effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits targeted fishing for BFT. NMFS also closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'') BFT. These actions are being taken consistent with the BFT fishery management objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (Consolidated HMS FMP) and to prevent overharvest of the 2013 Angling category quota.

Effective April 4, 2013, through December 31, 2013.

A new NOAA Fisheries Service study on the for-hire marine recreational fishing business in the Northeast provides the most comprehensive picture to date of its economic value and importance in the region. 

In 2010, Northeast for-hire vessels made $140.3 million in gross revenues, provided $50.4 million in income to vessel owners, hired captains, crew/mates, and office staff, and directly employed more than 3,200 individuals. When multiplier effects of supporting businesses are included, these operations generated $334.0 million in sales, $116.9 million in income, and supported 4,500 jobs in the Northeast regional economy.

NOAA Fisheries announces that it is considering issuing regulations to implement the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 (BCA).  The BCA prohibits any person from offering billfish or billfish products for sale, selling them, or having custody, control, or possession of them for purposes of offering them for sale.  

NOAA’s Fisheries Service, in response to a petition submitted by the WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals is proposing to list four populations of scalloped hammerhead sharks under the Endangered Species Act, two as threatened and two as endangered.  U.S. fisheries are not likely to be impacted by the proposed listings, because current regulatory mechanisms in the United States are sufficient for us to find that listing the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and Central Pacific Distinct Population Segments under the ESA are not warranted.  

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day meeting on to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 23-25, 2013 starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, and at 8:30 a.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday.

The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Recreational Advisory Panel will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The two-day meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 beginning at 12 p.m. and Wednesday, April 17, 2013 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

On February 22, 2013, NMFS published a proposed rule for Draft Amendment 8 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to address several new proposed North Atlantic swordfish commercial fishery management measures, including a new open access permit that would allow the retention and sale of swordfish caught with certain handgears. We announced the date and location for six public hearings and a comment period ending on April 23, 2013. In this notice, NMFS announces the dates and logistics for two additional public hearings, and an extension of the comment period from April 23, 2013, to May 8, 2013, to provide additional opportunities for the five Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions, and other interested parties to comment on the swordfish management measures proposed in Draft Amendment 8.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a two-day workshop to discuss issues that relate to establishing a risk policy for Council-managed species.

The workshop will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 20-21, 2013, starting at 8:30 a.m. on each day.

State fisheries chief cites lack of controls under NOAA system
 By Richard Gaines Staff Writer

The 2010 catch share commodification of the Northeast groundfishery, hailed by advocates including NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco as a sure path to restoring overfished stocks and profitability for the fleet, has had the opposite effect on Gulf of Maine cod, according to the state’s director of marine fisheries.

NMFS proposes specifications for the 2013 and 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including an annual catch limit, total allowable landings, a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, and a recreational possession limit. The intent of this action is to establish the allowable 2013 and 2014 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan.

Comments must be received on or before March 7, 2013.