NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska (FMP). Amendment 12 comprehensively revises and updates the FMP to reflect the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) salmon management policy and to comply with Federal law. This action is necessary to revise specific regulations and remove obsolete regulations in accordance with the modifications in Amendment 12. This action promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and other applicable laws.

Effective January 22, 2013.

By Sean Murphy
Pacific halibut fishermen have had little reason to smile over the past few years, as declines in stock coupled with corrections in estimates by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) scientists have led to a steep drop in quotas.

At IPHC’s recent meeting on 28 to 29 November, new data seems to suggest even more quota reductions for 2013, but there is some hope that the decline will level off after that.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is predicting a drop in sockeye salmon harvests for 2013 by nearly 20 percent compared to the 2012 harvest, according to its salmon forecast released earlier this week.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings in Anchorage, AK.

The meetings will be held December 3, 2012 through December 11, 2012. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Amendment for Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Program

If approved, the amendment would modify the vessel ownership requirement for this program to maintain a predominantly owner-operated fishery. Comment on the proposed rule through November 30, 2012.

Go to site below to comment;

We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on two petitions received to list the northeastern Pacific Ocean population of great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. We find that the petitions and information in our files present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. We will conduct a status review of the species to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this species from any interested party.

Information and comments on the subject action must be received by November 27, 2012.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Charter Management Implementation Committee will convene via a conference call. The meeting will be held on October 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. (AST). The call in number is: (907) 271-2896.

The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3 continuing through Tuesday October 9. Council's Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m., Tuesday, October 2 and continue through Saturday, October 6, the Scientific Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 1 and continue through Wednesday, October 3. The Enforcement Committee will meet October 2, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Birch Room. All meetings are open to the public, except executive sessions.

Effective Date 12:01 AM Friday June 15, 2012 Expiration Date 11:59 PM Saturday July 14, 2012 unless superseded by subsequent emergency order. 

EXPLANATION:

This emergency order prohibits the retention of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, but less than 55 inches in length, while sport fishing in waters of the Kenai River drainage downstream of Skilak Lake and in the Moose River from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream to the northernmost edge of the Sterling Highway bridge beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 15, through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012. 

Effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 15, retention of naturally-produced king salmon in the Kasilof River will be prohibited through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012. Naturallyproduced king salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

A naturally-produced king salmon is a king salmon with an adipose fin intact.