September 2010 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS Commercial Fishing News
NOAA Appoints Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries NOAA has announced the appointment of Mr. Russell Smith as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries. Mr. Smith comes to NOAA from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) where he has been the Director for International Envi- ronmental Policy and Multilateral Environ- mental Agreements since 2006. He joined USTR in 2002 as a Deputy Director in the Office of the Americas. Prior to that, he had many years of experience at the U.S. Depart- ment of Justice and in private practice. Mr. Smith has led U.S. delegations in negotiating various international negotiations, including for example, the U.S.-China Bilateral Agree- ment on Combating Illegal Logging and the Environment Chapter of the free trade agree- ment between the United States and the Re- public of Korea, and been an integral part of U.S. delegations negotiating other interna- tional agreements.
Mr. Smith will be the new U.S. Govern- ment Commissioner for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and will also provide high- level coordination among all of the tuna re- gional fishery management organizations. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Smith will work closely with Dr. Rebecca Lent (Director, Office of International Affairs), who has been serving as the alternate U.S. Government Commissioner to ICCAT while this position was being filled. Mr. Smith officially joined NOAA on July 19.
NOAA Reopens Comment Period for Marine Mammal Protection Act Interna- tional Provisions
NOAA has reopened the comment pe- riod on options for implementing parts of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that address the incidental catch of marine mammals in foreign fisheries. The Federal Register notice (available at
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/ 2010/pdf/2010-16066.pdf) describes the op- tions the United States is considering for assessing whether foreign fisheries whose products are exported to the United States meet U.S. standards to protect marine mam- mals while fishing. The notice also describes options for working with countries to reduce their fisheries’ effects on marine mammals through capacity building, training, and technology transfer.
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States must comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other laws and regulations that often specify what kind of fishing gear they can use, as well as how, when, and where fishing can take place, in order to reduce the number of marine mammals killed or injured by fishing gear. However, marine mammals are found around the world and interact with a wide variety of fisheries. International collabora- tion through exchange of technology and information may help control and minimize effects on marine mammals.
In this initial phase, NOAA is looking to gather as much information on the subject as possible. If NOAA moves forward in creating regulations on this subject, the public will have additional opportunities to comment. Members of the public are invited to comment by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 30, 2010 via electronic comment at
www.regulations.gov (search for document NOAA_FRDOC_0001-1215); fax (301-713- 2313); or mail (mail to: Director, Office of International Affairs, Attn: MMPA Fish Im- port Provisions, NMFS, F/IA, 1315 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910).
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Harvest Limit Increases for Northeast Fisher- men
On July 14th U.S. Commerce Secretary
Gary Locke announced that he is raising fishing limits on several fish stocks based on new scientific analysis, delivering on a com- mitment he made to Northeast fishermen and members of Congress.
“I directed Dr. Lubchenco to undertake new assessments of several stocks out of concern for the Northeast’s fishermen and their families,” Locke said. “The full scientific review shows this year’s commercial catch limits can be raised and not harm critical stock rebuilding efforts.”
The pollock limit was raised from 6 to 36 million pounds. Previous recent actions have also raised the spiny dogfish limit from 12 to 15 million pounds and revised the skate limit upward from 67.5 to 90.5 million pounds. Another pending action proposes to in- crease the red crab limit from 3.56 to 3.91 million pounds. These increases in catch limits were put in place by NOAA, the agency that studies and manages federal fishery re- sources.
“By working quickly to raise catch limits based on newly available scientific informa-
Protecting Whales Focus of NOAA, Industry Program for Tour Boat Operators
Recognizing businesses that discour- age the harassment of whales in the wild and promote good stewardship is one of the goals of Whale SENSE, a voluntary education and recognition program that encourages whale-
tion, we are demonstrating our commitment to help create stable and healthy fishing communities and fisheries,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA adminis- trator.
NOAA Seeks Input on Enforcement Priorities
As a follow-up from NOAA’s National Enforcement Summit held on August 3, fish- ermen, stakeholders, and the general public are encouraged to comment on NOAA’s enforcement priorities and the Summit, through the Summit’s website.
More than 70 representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing indus- tries, non-governmental organizations, state and federal enforcement agencies, and NOAA came together in Washington, D.C., to focus on how NOAA can better ensure effective marine resource management and conservation through consistent and trans- parent enforcement. NOAA continues to seek input from stakeholders and the inter- ested public by providing an opportunity for them to respond to the same questions asked of summit participants, and requesting feed- back on the effectiveness of the webcast and design of the Summit. Comments will be open till August 23.
watch tour operators from Maine to Virginia to practice responsible viewing. The program was developed last year by NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Region and NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in partnership with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and several New England commercial whale watching companies.
The United States has the largest whale watching industry in the world, and whale watch vessels often play important roles in reporting and standing by injured, sick, and entangled animals or those struck by ships until help arrives. All whales are protected under federal laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that safeguard them from being injured, killed, or harassed and having their natural behaviors interrupted. The public wants to view these animals in their natural habitat, and will find tour companies that value education and respon- sible whale watching very attractive,” said Allison Rosner, a biologist with NOAA Fish- eries Service’s Office of Protected Resources and the Whale SENSE program coordinator for NOAA.
“Whale SENSE highlights those compa- nies operating in an environmentally respon- sible manner and are role models for the rest of the fleet,” said Craig MacDonald, Superin- tendent of the Sanctuary.
According to a report from the Interna- tional Fund for Animal Welfare, the whale watching industry contributed nearly $1 bil- lion to the nation’s economy in 2008. “With the threat of commercial whaling once again a reality, it is critically important to
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