Page 12. MAINE COASTAL NEWS May 2011 Commercial Fishing News MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS Continued from Page 12.


penalties collected for violations of federal marine resource laws.


The final policy prohibits half of the AFF’s historical uses, including the purchase of vehicles and vessels; paying for travel that is not related to investigations, proceedings or training; or paying for training unrelated to an integral part of an employee’s job. By restricting its use, the policy ensures there is no appearance that penalties might be increased to raise the amount in the AFF. The policy continues expanded use of AFF for NOAA’s compliance assistance, collaboration and outreach activities. The policy is being made final today, following a 60-day public comment period.


“Since last fall, our use of the Asset Forfeiture Fund has been open, transparent, limited, and responsible, and this policy will ensure it stays that way,” said Dr. Lubchenco, who requested the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General review NOAA’s law enforcement policies and practices after hearing concerns raised by fishermen and elected officials. “We received comments advising us both to limit and expand our potential uses for the fund. However, we believe the policy strikes the right balance by ensuring no conflict of interest – real or perceived – is associated with the use of the fund while continuing to promote a fair and effective enforcement program.”


The policy is part of a suite of changes NOAA has made over the past year in how it manages the AFF, including higher-level


oversight and prior approval for any expenditure of $1,000 or more. Regulatory Overhaul


The Secretary’s Office has asked NOAA to ensure that, as part of the Administration-wide review of regulations to reduce regulatory burdens and increase the openness and accessibility of government, the agency focuses on fisheries regulations and works with regional councils, fishermen, and other stakeholders to make these rules and regulations simpler and easier to follow. Economic Assistance Outreach “We know that by ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, we will improve economic conditions for fishermen, and create better, more stable and sustainable jobs and opportunities in our coastal communities,” Locke said. “But we also recognize that we must help fishermen and fishing communities who are impacted during these challenging economic times.” Secretary Locke announced he will deploy Economic Development and Assessment Teams to visit select communities in New England. Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, working in partnership with other federal agencies, will meet with local community and business leaders to assess current and emerging economic issues, identify new and existing resources to leverage in order to support local economic development capacity, and develop tangible economic development solutions for the region. The Department is prepared to work with Massachusetts and other New England states to identify and more finely analyze


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data regarding fishermen and communities that may be in need of targeted assistance. “Many of America’s fishermen and their families face extremely challenging economic times. While we work to end overfishing and rebuild stocks, we are committed to helping fishermen during this difficult period of transition,” said Dr. Lubchenco.


“I have met with fishermen, had ongoing conversations with the Congressional delegation and governors and I have heard you,” Locke said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to do right by fishing communities and the families whose livelihoods depend on their success.” In addition to these specific steps, NOAA will continue to work towards other improvements, including: Examining our fisheries science and stock assessments to determine how to improve them, including strengthening cooperative research. Improving our communications with fishermen and responsiveness to fishing communities. Continuing to improve our enforcement programs through the implementation of the national penalty policy and the Asset Forfeiture Fund policy and evaluating how to simplify regulations that affect the fishing industry.


Today’s announcement builds on NOAA’s previous actions to reform every aspect of its enforcement program. In response to reviews of the program by the Inspector General that were requested by Administrator Lubchenco, NOAA has implemented a number of sweeping changes since January 21, 2010, including: New policies and procedures such as a new vehicle policy for the Office of Law Enforcement; New leadership in the Office of Law Enforcement and the Office of General Counsel for Law Enforcement and Litigation; Greater oversight of lawyers and enforcement agents; and greater oversight of funds spent on the enforcement program.


NOAA Requests Comments on Proposed Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan; Comments due May 23


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The New England Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments from the public on Amendment 15, which was developed primarily to implement annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) to bring the Scallop management plan into compliance with new requirements of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Comments must be received by May 23.


NOAA Proposes 33 Percent Increase for 2011 Spiny Dogfish Quota; Comments due April 18


On March 17, NOAA Fisheries announced that it will propose increasing the spiny dogfish quota to 20 million pounds for 2011. This new quota would be a 33 percent increase over the 2010 catch limit of 15 million pounds. The proposed catch level for 2011 is consistent with the level set by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for state waters. Higher catch limits will provide further opportunity to fishermen in the dogfish fishery, and to others who supplement their groundfish income by catching dogfish. The public is invited to comment by 5 pm EDT, April 18.


NOAA Raises Butterfish Catch to Help Prevent Premature Closure of Squid Fishery


A new emergency increase to the butterfish fishing limit will enable squid fishermen off the northeast, who often catch butterfish unintentionally while fishing for squid, to continue working, while still protecting the butterfish stock. Implemented on March 14, the emergency measures increase the butterfish catch by 17 percent to almost four million pounds for the 2011 fishing year, an increase of about 686,000 pounds. The increase is effective immediately. The fishery is based off New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The butterfish increase was recommended to NOAA by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee based on scientific surveys and catch information. NOAA used its emergency rule authority to take this action.


NOAA Proposes to Allow Limited Retention of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species in Trawl Fisheries to Reduce Dead Discards; Comments due April 17 NOAA Fisheries is proposing to modify the regulations governing the retention of incidentally-caught highly migratory species in Atlantic trawl fisheries. Specifically, this action would address permitting requirements for retention of incidentally-caught North Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in Atlantic squid trawl fisheries and improve reporting and compliance with highly migratory species regulations in these fisheries. The proposal also considers a retention limit for smoothhound sharks in all Atlantic trawl fisheries. The proposed actions would reduce regulatory dead discards of highly migratory species that are incidentally captured in trawl gears, improve fishery data


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