December 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11.
Commercial Fishing News
MISCELLANEOUS C OMMERCIAL F ISHING N EWS
NOAA and FDA to Combine Resources on NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator were extremely challenging this year at fishing data, which are crucial for scientific
Seafood Inspection (RA) to issue a Letter of Authorization ICCAT. The United States sought a package projections. In addition, ICCAT adopted a
NOAA and the U.S. Food and Drug (LOA), as opposed to an exempted fish permit of measures for eastern Atlantic and Mediter- U.S-sponsored framework for future scien-
Administration unveiled an interagency (EFP, to eligible researchers on board feder- ranean bluefin tuna that would halt overfish- tific advice that will facilitate the use of a
agreement today to strengthen seafood in- ally permitted fishing vessels that plan to ing and provide for rebuilding by 2023 with a precautionary management approach.
spection and improve seafood safety and temporarily possess fish in a manner not high probability of success. The science in-
quality. compliant with applicable fishing regula- dicates that a total quota level of 8,000 metric NOAA Issues Statement on ICCAT
The agreement formalizes the working tions, for the purpose of collecting scientific tons or lower would have achieved that. Annual Meeting
arrangements between NOAA’s Fisheries data on catch. This proposed rule would help While I am pleased with the commitments for NOAA issued the following statement
Service Seafood Inspection Program and the facilitate timely execution of cooperative re- significantly lower quotas next year, I am about the outcome of the annual meeting of
FDA to reinforce each agency’s efforts search projects. disappointed that parties did not take imme- the International Commission for the Conser-
through cooperation and information shar- diate measures to significantly reduce the vation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The
ing in the inspection of fish, fishery products, Northeast Multispecies Amendment 16 quota for the 2010 season.” ICCAT meeting concluded last night in Bra-
and establishments. Inspection agents from Draft EIS Open for Comment In addition to the agreement on bluefin, zil.
both agencies will work together when ap- NMFS announces that the New England ICCAT adopted a rebuilding program for
Continued on Page 13.
propriate, and NOAA will share inspection Fishery Management Council (Council) has northern albacore tuna and reduced catch
results with FDA. submitted Amendment 16 to the Northeast levels for bigeye tuna.
“Americans are eating an average of 16 Multispecies Fishery Management Plan ICCAT parties also
pounds of seafood a year—that’s a lot of (FMP) and its associated draft Final Environ- agreed to prohibit reten-
fish,” said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assis- mental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Secre- tion of bigeye thresher
tant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Ser- tarial review and is requesting comments sharks, which are con-
vice. “This partnership will help ensure that from the public. Comments are due by Decem- sidered highly vulner-
seafood consumers—who spent nearly $70 ber 22, 2009. able by scientists. The
billion on seafood last year—continue to get quota for North Atlantic
safe, healthy seafood through combining our NMFS Northeast Region Monkfish swordfish was lowered
resources with FDA.” Research Set-Aside Program Seeking to 13,700 metric tons to
This new agreement strengthens the Comments comply with scientific
two agencies’ partnership and satisfies a NMFS is proposing a regulatory amendment advice. Under U.S. lead-
Government Accountability Office recom- to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan ership, ICCAT made un-
mendation that calls for FDA to consider the (FMP) to allow projects funded through the precedented progress
results of NOAA inspections when deter- Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Pro- in holding individual
mining the frequency of seafood inspections gram to carryover unused monkfish RSA countries accountable
and the use of limited inspection resources. days-at-sea (DAS) into the following fishing for non-compliance
The agreement formally outlines the proce- year. Given the most recent information on through formal identifi-
dures for working together at both the head- the status of monkfish stocks, the regulation cations. These identifi-
quarters and the field levels, and enhances that prohibits monkfish RSA DAS to be car- cations can be the basis
the credibility of NOAA inspections. ried over to the next fishing year is no longer for future sanctions and
The FDA issues regulations concerning necessary. In addition, this action would are intended to, among
the safety and security of the nation’s food provide researchers with flexibility to com- other things, help re-
supply, including seafood. The NOAA Sea- plete research funded through the Monkfish duce illegal fishing and
food Inspection Program works with the sea- RSA Program. improve submission of
food industry domestically and overseas to
help it comply with FDA food regulations and New Measures Adopted for Atlantic
meet industry specifications. More than 30 Bluefin Tuna; Other Agreements Address
KUSTOM STEEL
percent of seafood sold in the U.S. is in- Swordfish, Sharks, Bigeye and Albacore
spected under NOAA’s voluntary program. The 2009 meeting of the International
NOAA seafood inspectors inspect ed- Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
ible products, ranging from whole fish to Tunas (ICCAT) concluded on November 15
formulated products, as well as fish meal with new agreements on bluefin tuna and a
products used for animal foods. NOAA in- number of other species. The United States
spectors can be stationed on vessels and at entered this meeting seeking the strongest
processing plants and retail facilities. possible agreement for the conservation of
the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean blue-
NMFS Northeast Region Seeks Com- fin tuna. Dr. Rebecca Lent, director of the
ments on Permitting of Cooperative Office of International Affairs at NOAA’s
Research Trips Fisheries Service and the head of the U.S.
Looking to have metal work done at a reasonable cost?
This proposed rule would authorize the delegation at ICCAT said, “Negotiations
Welding a specialty!
Commercial & Recreational
Also marina slips with lots of parking and storage available.
Marine Suppliers
USCG Safety Inspection Station
Call: (207) 991-1953
Mooring Supplies
South Main Street, Brewer, Maine 04412
Polyform US Fenders & Floats
Areas Largest Rope Supplier
Revere Liferafts
A FULL SERVICE YARD
Trawl Netting Gasoline · Diesel · Marine Store
FIBERGLASS REPAIR
Sports Netting for Golf/Baseball
Laundry · Showers
Outside Storage
Telephone · Ice
Shrinkwrap
and of course new boat construc-
& STORAGE
EVINRUDE/JOHNSON
tion (Holland 14, 32 and 38/40)
OUTBOARD SALES & SERVICE
ELECTRONICS INSTALLATIONS
FLOAT & MOORING SERVICE
LOCATED IN CRADLE COVE WITH
GREAT ANCHORAGE
INSIDE STORAGE SPACE
AVAILABLE
1-800-IMP-8865
CALL FOR DETAILS
700 Acre Island, P.O. Box 25
44 SOUTH STREET
HOLLAND'S BOAT SHOP, INC.
Lincolnville, ME 04849
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740 Mill Lane, Belfast, Maine 04915 · (207) 338-3155
207-734-2246 · VHF 09
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32