January 2011 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 13. Commercial Fishing News MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS November 29, 2010


NOAA has hired two new staff members, both residents of the Gloucester area, as a part of its ongoing efforts to im- prove communication with the fishing indus- try and to work proactively with fishermen to help them understand and comply with fish- eries regulations.


Compliance assistance liaison Don Mason and fishing outreach specialist Sheila Jarnes began their positions based in Gloucester earlier this month. The compli- ance pilot program was announced by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in Septem- ber in response to Office of Inspector General reports and feedback received from stake- holders during NOAA’s National Enforce- ment Summit in August.


“This is another step toward a more proactive approach to working with fisher- men on a real-time basis to achieve compli- ance with fisheries regulations,” said Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “As an agency, we understand that consistent compliance with fishery regulation provides a level play- ing field for the industry today and ensures healthy stocks that translate directly into financial dividends for fishermen both today and for generations to come.”


Mason, who is not an enforcement officer, will serve as a liaison to the fishing industry and other stakeholders. His job will be to listen and work collaboratively to solve such problems as understanding regulations or helping the industry ensure their gear is in compliance.


Mason is a lifelong resident of Cape Ann and has worked at NOAA’s Fisheries Service for 25 years, monitoring industry trends and conditions on the Gloucester waterfront. Prior to working for NOAA, he was a buyer for a mid-sized seafood proces- sor that serviced wholesale and retail cus- tomers in 14 states.


Jarnes joins NOAA as fisheries


U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke determined that the economic effects of clos- ing shellfish fisheries in Maine in 2009 due to a harmful algal bloom, commonly referred to as red tide, caused a commercial fishery fail- ure.


“The natural disaster, which forced the closing of shellfish beds to protect human health, hurt Maine’s commercial shell fisher- men and their families,” said Locke. “Should Congress appropriate funds for disaster as- sistance, the Department of Commerce and NOAA will work with Maine to develop an effective program to provide assistance to the fishery.”


In October 2009, Maine Governor John


outreach specialist for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) - Northeast Division, headquartered in Gloucester. She will de- velop informational materials, including in- terpretation of regulations; coordinate pub- lic and private meetings between OLE and stakeholders; and work to implement a web- based “Ask an Agent” forum, among other responsibilities.


A lifelong resident of Newburyport, Mass., Jarnes earned her degree in Environ- mental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire. Jarnes previously worked for Oxfam America, a group of organizations working in more than 90 countries to find solutions to poverty and injustice, where she worked in outreach on climate change, women’s empowerment and food security.


NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed 2011 Catch Quotas and Other Measures for the Atlantic Mackerel, Loligo Squid, Illex Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries


NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on proposed specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish. This action proposes to modify the measure that trans- fers Loligo squid quota underages from Tri- mester I to Trimesters II and III by limiting the Trimester II quota increase to no more than 50 percent. This action also proposes to revise the 72-hour pre-trip observer notification re- quirement for the Loligo fishery to accommo- date vessels departing for multiple day trips in a week. These proposed specifications and management measures promote the utiliza- tion and conservation of the mackerel, squid, and butterfish resources. Public comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., E.S.T., on December 17, 2010.


Red Tide/Shellfish Closure Extension Through December 31, 2011


At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NOAA Fisheries Ser-


Red Tide Disaster in Maine


Baldacci requested the disaster determina- tion in a letter to the Department of Commerce and provided information detailing how the disaster affected the softshell clam, blue mussel and mahogany quahog fisheries. The closures due to the harmful algal bloom began in April of 2009 and resulted in closures of 97 percent of the fisheries at the peak. Some areas of the Maine coast were closed to shellfishing until late September. After reviewing this information, the Depart- ment of Commerce determined the natural resource disaster met the requirements of a commercial fishery failure under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.


vice has extended the temporary paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) closure through December 31, 2011, due to the presence of high levels of the toxin that causes PSP. See a chart of the closure area. NOAA Fisheries Service may terminate the emergency regula- tions at an earlier date by publishing a notice of termination in the Federal Register if infor- mation becomes available indicating such action is warranted.


NOAA Fisheries Service reminds tourna- ment operators to register their Atlantic HMS tournaments for 2011


NOAA Fisheries Service reminds tournament operators to register their Atlan- tic highly migratory species (HMS) tourna- ments for 2011. This includes tournaments occurring on the U.S. East Coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the U.S. Caribbean. Regis- tering your HMS tournament helps with the collection of important recreational catch and


effort information which is used to analyze the impacts of potential fishery management actions, assess the status of Atlantic HMS, and to assist the United States in complying with international fishery management obli- gations. Federal regulations require that all tournaments awarding points or prizes for Atlantic HMS, including tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish, register with NOAA Fisheries Service at least four weeks prior to the start of the fishing tournament.


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