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Articles:    DNR Marine Resources deputy director elected ASMFC chair (Capt_Keith)
Federal Fisheries Management Council Approves Measures to Protect Largest Deepwa (Capt_Keith)
| Most recent article: DNR Marine Resources deputy director elected ASMFC chair
by: Capt_Keith
2009-11-10 22:10:11 November 6, 2009
DNR Marine Resources deputy director elected ASMFC chair
Member states of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) elected Robert H. Boyles, Jr. of South Carolina as the new Chair of the Commission during their meeting in Newport, Rhode Island on Nov. 4.
Boyles has worked at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for over ten years, serving since 2003 as its Deputy Director for Marine Resources. Previous experience includes work with the Sea Grant program and various research positions. Commissioner Boyles holds a Master of Marine Policy from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor's in Mathematical Economics, and has authored several published papers.
In assuming the chairmanship, Commissioner Boyles spoke enthusiastically about his new position, "I am honored to be elected and look forward to working with my colleagues from the 15 Atlantic coast states, federal marine fishery management agencies, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and the District of Columbia to ensure the continued conservation and management of Atlantic coast marine fishery resources."
Boyles spoke about the legacy he intends to follow, "The Commission recently completed an extensive strategic planning effort, culminating in the development of the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. This document recommits the 15 Atlantic coast states to their shared vision of stock rebuilding and sustainable resource management. It formalizes, for the first time, Commissioner values in pursuit of the Commission's vision and mission, and reaffirms the Commission's commitment to transparency and accountability in its decision-making processes. During my two-year term, I hope to build upon these accomplishments, furthering the Commission's long-term vision for healthy, self-sustaining marine fishery resources by 2015, which in turn allows for healthy fisheries from these stocks."
DNR Agency Director John Frampton says the election is a high mark for both Boyles and the agency, "Robert's election as Chairman of this important Commission is a reflection on his national credibility, outstanding leadership qualities and his exemplary professionalism. Also, it is a reflection on the caliber of employees within our agency and the respect that other states have for Robert Boyles. Robert has rapidly gained the recognition within the entire Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission because of his leadership skills and knowledge of our ocean and fishery resources and his service to the Commission will most definitely be an asset to our agency and our commercial and recreational anglers."
The ASMFC was formed by the 15 Atlantic coast states in 1942 in recognition that fish do not adhere to political boundaries. The Commission serves as a deliberative body, coordinating the conservation and management of the states shared near shore fishery resources – marine, shell, and anadromous – for sustainable use.
South Carolina's natural resources are essential for economic development and contribute nearly $30 billion and 230,000 jobs to the state's economy. Find out why Life's Better Outdoors. read more... |
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Articles: Conservation Zones Spared (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Conservation Zones Spared
by: Dawg
2007-09-06 07:25:36 Conservation Zones Spared
National Marine Fisheries Service denies request to open key conservation areas to commercial longlines
WASHINGTON, DC - Conservationists are hailing a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to deny a request to allow longline fishing boats into conservation zones off South Carolina, Georgia and Florida that have been closed to the destructive commercial fishing gear since 2001.
The request to open these established conservation zones, known as an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), was proposed by the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association purportedly as a way to test the efficacy of circle hooks on longlines for reducing bycatch. Coastal Conservation Association actively opposed the request, citing it as a blatant attempt to allow vessels to target swordfish in conservation zones under the guise of a bycatch study. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also opposed the EFP application, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist followed by sending a letter to Dr. Bill Hogarth, director of NMFS, requesting that the agency deny the request.
“The Atlantic Ocean is a big place, and there are lots of places to test gear other than an established conservation zone that was created to prevent billfish and other highly migratory species from being subjected to longline gear in the first place,” said Fred Miller, chairman of CCA’s National Government Relations Committee. “The acceptable level of bycatch in this instance is zero, and we commend NMFS for denying this request.”
In issuing its denial, however, NMFS left open the possibility of considering a revised request in the future to study the effectiveness of circle hooks on longlines to reduce bycatch of juvenile swordfish, billfish, turtles and species of shark.
“In general, we are supportive of any effort by the commercial longline industry to reduce the indiscriminate destruction of non-targeted and threatened species which is inherent in its operations,” said David Cummins, CCA president. “Efforts like this to reduce bycatch are a long time coming for the longline industry, but they lose all credibility when the industry uses it as a pretense to fish in a conservation zone. Circle hooks can be studied in the areas they currently fish. To say they need to try them in protected areas is laughable. We will oppose any effort to allow longliners into those conservation zones under any circumstances.” read more... |
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 | NOAA News · Total News: 20 · Total Reads: 8847 |
Articles: Red Snapper Ban extended to December 5, 2010 (Capt_Keith)
NOAA admits skate 'concern' was off base (Capt_Keith)
UPDATE Turtle release equipment is mandatory! for charter boats (Capt_Keith)
Final Rule for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Amendment 15B (Capt_Keith)
Fisheries panel grills new NMFS chief over catch shares (Capt_Keith)
NOAA Fisheries Service Requests Comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Stateme (Capt_Keith)
Tell the White House That the New National Policy for the Ocean, Coasts and Grea (Capt_Keith)
Catch Share Drafted policy for Public review and comment (Capt_Keith)
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News (Capt_Keith)
NOAA Fisheries Publishes a Final Rule for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Amendme (Capt_Keith)
· More --> | Most recent article: Red Snapper Ban extended to December 5, 2010
by: Capt_Keith
2010-05-20 00:05:00 Red Snapper Ban extended
Link to forums: Red Snapper Ban extended to December 5, 2010
NOAA Fisheries Service published an extension to the
interim rule which continues the current prohibition on
commercial and recreational harvest of red snapper in
the South Atlantic. The interim rule became effective on
January 4, 2010, and remains effective through June 2,
2010. The extension to the interim rule which published
in the Federal Register on May 18, 2010, will be
effective on June 3, 2010, through December 5, 2010.
The extension to the interim rule will continue the
current prohibition on recreational and commercial
harvest of red snapper for 186 days off Florida, South
Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. However,
provisions specified in the interim rule would also apply
to a person on board a vessel for which a federal
commercial or charter/headboat permit for the South
Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has been issued,
regardless of whether the fish are harvested or possessed
in state or federal waters.
The extension to the interim rule is needed to reduce
overfishing of red snapper while longer-term measures
to end overfishing of this species can be developed in
Amendment 17A to the Fishery Management Plan for
the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region.
Addresses
Electronic copies of the interim rule or the
Environmental Assessment may be obtained from the e-
Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, the
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Web site
at http://www.safmc.net, or:
NOAA Fisheries Service
Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Federal e-Rulemaking
Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments
received are part of the public record and will
generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (for example, name, address, etc.)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be
publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential
business information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information. NOAA Fisheries Service will
accept anonymous comments. Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft
Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file
formats only. Comments received through means
not specified in this bulletin or the proposed rule
may not be considered.
Mail: Karla Gore
NOAA Fisheries Service
Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Fax: 727-824-5308, Attention: Karla Gore
How Can We Improve These Fishery Bulletins?
If you have any suggestions on how we may improve the
contents of future fishery bulletins, please contact:
Kim Amendola, Communications Specialist
Phone: 727-551-5707, FAX: 727-824-5320
If you would like to receive these fishery bulletins via e-mail
as soon as they are published, please e-mail:
sero.communications.comments@noaa.gov read more... |
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Articles: Tell EPA to Deny Waiver Petition to Allow E15 (Capt_Keith)
| Most recent article: Tell EPA to Deny Waiver Petition to Allow E15
by: Capt_Keith
2009-04-29 21:13:41
Tell EPA to Deny Waiver Petition to Allow E15
EPA Should Not Allow Increased Ethanol Blends |
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NMMA needs your help.
Ethanol Advocates are mobilizing their forces to submit 20,000 favorable comments to EPA requesting that the Agency grant a waiver for E15.
Let's beat them at their own game. There are 18 million boats currently in operation in the U.S., and none of them has been designed, certified or warrantied to run on anything above E10, the current maximum legal blend level. Boaters know very well that increased ethanol blends will cause performance problems with their boats and engines, increase maintenance costs, potentially pose safety risks and increase air pollution. E15 will also void manufacturer warranties.
And yet, neither EPA nor any other federal agency has done a single test on the impacts of E15 on marine engines, fuel systems, or components. We ask you to support a science first approach and urge EPA to deny the ethanol industry's E15 waiver request unless and until independent and comprehensive scientific testing is completed on a full range of marine engines and other products.
Scroll down to quickly and easily submit Comments to EPA. The deadline for comments is May 21, 2009.
Click here to read EPA's Federal Register Notice for Public Comment.
Click here to read NMMA's Policy Brief on Ethanol.
For more information contact Mat Dunn, NMMA Legislative Director, at mdunn@nmma.org; (202) 737-9760.
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211
I am writing to strongly urge EPA to deny the petition submitted on March 6, 2009 by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers requesting a waiver under Clean Air Act Sec. 211(f)(4) to allow ethanol-gasoline blends containing up to 15 percent ethanol by volume (E15). There is insufficient data to justify approving any increase in the ethanol blend limit, particularly for marine engines and recreational vessels for which there has been literally no testing done by EPA or the Department of Energy regarding durability, performance concerns, or emissions concerns associated with higher ethanol blends.
It is well-known that for marine and other small gasoline-powered engines that are designed, calibrated, and certified to run on not more than E10, higher concentrations of ethanol in fuel pose serious problems, including (1) Performance issues, such as drivability (i.e. starting, stalling, fuel vapor lock); (2) increased water absorption and phase separation of gasoline and water while in tank; (3) fuel tank corrosion, leading to oil/fuel leaks; (4) increased emissions, because the ignition of E15 creates a higher temperature than straight gasoline or E10; (5) damage to valves, push rods, rubber fuel lines and gaskets. All of these concerns raise significant safety issues with any increased ethanol blend, particularly for boaters who operate in harsh marine environments, often miles from shore.
EPA must thoroughly and comprehensively test recreational marine engines, fuel systems and components and demonstrate that E15 will not defeat marine engine air emissions devices, poses safety risks to boating consumers, bring engines out of warranty, or otherwise damage the more than 18 million recreational boats currently in operation in the United States prior to approving E15. To date, such testing has not been conducted, nor will it be conducted prior to the waiver deadline of December 31, 2009.
Additionally, EPA should not approve a “partial” or “conditional” waiver allowing E15 or other increased ethanol blends for only certain vehicles. This will cause enormous consumer confusion, misfueling, and put consumers and their products at risk. There is clearly insufficient scientific and technical data to justify granting the Growth Energy petition at this time. Again, EPA should deny this waiver petition unless and until sufficient testing is completed, and until it is affirmatively demonstrated that higher ethanol blends will not damage marine engines, their air emissions devices, or pose safety risks to consumers.
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Articles: Changes to striped bass size, possession limits effective July 1 (Capt_Keith)
SCDNR conducts online survey to track winter's effect on spotted seatrout (Capt_Keith)
Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic set for March 26-28 in Columbia (Capt_Keith)
Marine recreational fisheries on-line survey needs public (Capt_Keith)
Governor's Cup Billfishing Series sets 2010 tournament schedule (Capt_Keith)
SC DNR Fishing and Hunting License Survey (Capt_Keith)
For South Carolina's recreational anglers, weakfish could very well go from havi (Capt_Keith)
MYRTLE BEACH PUBLIC HEARING SET OCT. 14 ON WEAKFISH REDUCED CATCH (Dawg)
KEEP LIGHT'S OUT ON BEACHES FOR LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (Dawg)
Venomous lionfish should be avoided by divers, anglers (Capt_Keith)
· More --> | Most recent article: Changes to striped bass size, possession limits effective July 1
by: Capt_Keith
2010-07-10 18:38:11 Changes to striped bass size, possession limits effective July 1
Regulations effecting striped bass angling were signed into law by the Governor on May 28, 2010. Under the new regulations, the size and possession limits have changed for the inshore waters and territorial sea.
Regulation changes affecting coastal river and estuaries striped bass (inshore and territorial sea) include a new size and possession limit that applies from October 1st through May 31st and makes it unlawful to:
- Take or possess more than three striped bass per day;
- Take any striped bass less than 26 inches in length; or
- Land any striped bass without the head and tail fin intact.
Between June 1st and September 30th in the inshore waters and territorial sea it is unlawful to take or possess any striped bass.
The inshore waters and territorial sea are defined as those waters seaward of the saltwater-freshwater dividing line out to 3 miles offshore.
Regulations effecting striped bass angling were signed into law by the Governor on May 28, 2010. Under the new regulations, the size and possession limits have changed for Lake Russell, the inshore waters and territorial sea, and the Santee and Cooper River systems.
Beginning July 1, 2010 it is unlawful to take or possess more than two striped bass per day on Lake Russell. Of the two taken striped bass, only one may exceed 34 inches in length. These regulations seek to promote and enhance the existing trophy striped bass fishery in Lake Russell including all waters from the Lake Russell Dam upstream to the Lake Hartwell Dam and Lake Secession Dam. This includes all tributaries and the Hartwell Tailwater. In recent years Lake Russell has consistently produced trophy class striped bass, including the current state record 63 pound fish caught just last year. The regulation does not extend to the striped bass x white bass hybrid.
Regulation changes affecting coastal river and estuaries striped bass (inshore and territorial sea) include a new size and possession limit that applies from October 1st through May 31st and makes it unlawful to:
•Take or possess more than three striped bass per day;
•Take any striped bass less than 26 inches in length; or
•Land any striped bass without the head and tail fin intact.
Between June 1st and September 30th in the inshore waters and territorial sea it is unlawful to take or possess any striped bass.
Between June 1st and September 30th it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess any striped bass in certain coastal rivers.
The new limits apply to the following coastal rivers: the Ashepoo River, Ashley River, Back River in Jasper and Berkeley counties, Black River, Black Mingo Creek, Bull Creek, Little Bull Creek, Combahee River, Cooper River system, Cossawhatchie River, Cuckholds Creek, Edisto River, Horseshoe Creek, Lumber River, Lynches River, Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee rivers, Pocotaligo River (Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties), Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie rivers, Sampit River, Lower Santee River system, Tullifinny, Thoroughfare Creek, Waccamaw River, and Wando River.
The inshore waters and territorial sea are defined as those waters seaward of the saltwater-freshwater dividing line out to 3 miles offshore.
The new law also affects the Santee and Cooper River systems. In addition to the harvest closure between June 1st and September 30th, it is now unlawful to take or attempt to take any striped bass in the Santee and Cooper River systems during the closed season. The Santee Cooper System is bordered upstream by the Lake Murray Dam on the Saluda, the Columbia Diversion Dam on the Broad River, and the Lake Wateree Dam on the Wateree River. The downstream boarders are the freshwater-saltwater dividing lines on the Santee and Cooper Rivers. This includes the Santee Cooper Lakes, all of their tributaries and outfall rivers or everything in between the ocean and first dams above the Santee Cooper Lakes.
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Articles: NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Snapper Grouper Amendment 17A (Capt_Keith)
SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES (Capt_Keith)
New Regulations Requiring Dehooking Devices for Reef Fish in South Atlantic Fede (Capt_Keith)
Council Approves Measures to End Overfishing of Red Snapper (Capt_Keith)
Commercial Fishery for Black Sea Bass to Re-open in the South Atlantic (Capt_Keith)
Turtle release equipment is mandatory! For charter boats with snapper/grouper pe (Capt_Keith)
New Red Snapper Assessment Schedule (Capt_Keith)
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeks Scientific Advisors3 (Capt_Keith)
Commercial Fishery for Vermilion Snapper Closing to Vessels Fishing in the South (Capt_Keith)
Council Modifies Preferred Alternative for Area Closure (Capt_Keith)
· More --> | Most recent article: NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Snapper Grouper Amendment 17A
by: Capt_Keith
2010-08-18 21:50:13
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Snapper Grouper Amendment 17A
As part of the review process by the Secretary of
Commerce, NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public
comment on Amendment 17A.
must be received no later than September 27, 2010.
Written comments
Electronic copies of Amendment 17A are available from:
NOAA Fisheries Service at
The e-Rulemaking Portal at
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov,http://www.regulations.gov
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2010-0035, and the South
Atlantic Council’s site at
may be obtained by contacting NOAA Fisheries Service,
Southeast Regional Of
263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Additional
information, including a
Asked Questions on Amendment 17A can be found online
at
www.safmc.net. Hard copiesfi ce, Sustainable Fisheries Division,Fishery Bulletin and Frequentlyhttp://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
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Articles: fishing permits (Casey)
Federal Agencies Announce Availability of Sea Turtle Five-year Status Reviews (Dawg)
| Most recent article: fishing permits
by: Casey
2007-12-06 23:04:14 Atlantic Tunas Permit (Commercial) Description
All owners/operators of vessels (except charter/headboats and recreational vessels) fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic tunas (Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic tunas permit. Atlantic tunas permits cost $28.00. In the regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, NMFS changed the fishing year for Atlantic tunas to January through December of the same year in order to facilitate timely implementation of international fishery recommendations. Therefore, 2007 Atlantic tunas permits will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008.
Atlantic HMS Angling Permit (Recreational) Description
All owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2007 Atlantic HMS permits cost $28.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008.
Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit Description
All owners/operators of charter/headboat vessels fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2007 Atlantic HMS permits cost $28.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008. read more... |
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Articles: Coast Guard searches for missing fisherman off Myrtle Beach coast (Capt_Keith)
Coast Guard's intention to begin termination of Loran C Feb 8, 2010 (Capt_Keith)
Coast Guard and NOAA make fisheries bust in protected area (Capt_Keith)
Coast Guard and NOAA make fisheries bust in protected area (Dawg)
boating safety (Casey)
CRUISE SHIP SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET RE-FLOATED (Dawg)
CRUISE SHIP SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET INVESTIGATION CONTINUES (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Coast Guard searches for missing fisherman off Myrtle Beach coast
by: Capt_Keith
2010-07-02 12:38:41 Coast Guard searches for missing fisherman off Myrtle Beach coast
The search for a missing fisherman continues today in the Atlantic Ocean off the Myrtle Beach area coast after the man’s boat washed ashore near 60th Avenue North, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
Crews will search today for Thomas “Andy” Richmond, 55, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., whose boat washed ashore in Myrtle Beach about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, according to the Coast Guard. In addition to Coast Guard officials, Myrtle Beach police, the State Law Enforcement Division, and the state Department of Natural Resources are searching the waters offshore for the man.
The search began just after midnight when Myrtle Beach police were notified about a fishing boat in the ocean in the 6000 block of Ocean Boulevard, Capt. David Knipes said. The boat, which is owned by Richmond, washed up in the surf with the motor running and no one was inside the 28-foot boat, “Heads or Tails.”
Family members had called North Carolina authorities after Richmond failed to return home Thursday night, according to authorities.
The Coast Guard launched a MH-65 rescue helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston, a MHC-130 air crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and 47-foot rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Georgetown, S.C., and Station Oak Island, N.C.
In addition, the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin, homeported in Charleston, and the 140-foot Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay, homeported in Rockland, Maine, are also assisting in the search.
Anyone with information about or the whereabouts of Richmond, can call the Coast Guard command center in Charleston at 843-740-7050.
Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/07/02/1566050/coast-guard-searches-for-missing.html#ixzz0sXluyjXs
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