NOAA SOLICITS PUBLIC COMMENT ON RESEARCH PERMITTING PROCESS FOR STUDYING RIGHT WHALES

NOAA Fisheries Service will host a series of public meetings to discuss the permitting process for research projects involving the endangered northern right whale in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The meetings will take place Nov. 3 through Jan. 19, 2006, in New Bedford, Mass, San Diego, Calif. and Silver Spring, Md.

In compliance with the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts, researchers are required to get a permit from NOAA Fisheries Service, the agency charged with recovering these endangered animals. Studies are most often conducted in important habitat areas for these whales in the Gulf of Maine, Cape Cod Bay, Great South Channel off western Georges Bank, Massachusetts Bay, Georgia Bight and other areas in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Public meetings are an important step in getting public input on issues and alternatives to be considered when developing an environmental impact statement (EIS). In 2007, the agency expects to complete an EIS that will cover a range of current and projected research methods and techniques.

In the western North Atlantic, right whales primarily inhabit coastal or shelf waters, ranging from winter calving and nursery areas off the southeastern United States to summer feeding grounds in New England waters and north to the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. Less is known about the distribution of right whales in the North Pacific.

The meetings are open to the public to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives and impacts that NOAA Fisheries Service should consider.

Written comments may be sent through January 31, 2006 to Steve Leathery, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division; Office of Protected Resources; NOAA Fisheries Service; 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705; Silver Spring, Md. 20910. Comments may also be sent via email to rweis.comments@noaa.gov or by fax to 301-427-2582.

Meeting Times and Locations:

NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries Service, please visit: www.nmfs.noaa.gov.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.
Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

COAST GUARD CUTTER HARRIET LANE CREWED BY CGC TAMPA RETURNS HOME

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane will return home tomorrow afternoon following a 82-day patrol in the Caribbean under the command of the Coast Guard cutter Tampa's crew.

The crew of the Tampa became the first crew in Coast Guard history to share command of another medium endurance cutter as part of the Coast Guard's Crew Rotation Concept for the upcoming Deepwater project.

While on patrol Harriet Lane was directed to relieve Coast Guard cutter Spencer in New Orleans, supplying humanitarian aid and assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Harriet Lane is one of six 270-foot medium endurance cutters stationed at Integrated Support Command Portsmouth

PROCLAMATION

RE: SHELLFISH POLLUTED AREA

Preston P. Pate, Jr., Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Leah Devlin, D.D.S., M.P.H., State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following changes in shellfish harvesting area will take effect at sunrise, Saturday, October 22, 2005.

Newport River in Carteret County will return to the status in existence immediately prior to the October 7, 2005 temporary closures with the following exception which will remain closed:

No person shall take or attempt to take any oysters, clams or mussels or possess, sell or offer for sale any oysters, clams or mussels taken from the following polluted areas:

Newport River - All those waters in Newport River upstream of a line beginning at a point 34° 45.5461' N - 76° 44.1309' W on the south shore; running northwesterly to a point 34° 46.0253' N - 76° 45.0627' W on the north shore.

THE FOLLOWING AREAS ALSO REMAIN CLOSED:

HYDE / BEAUFORT / CARTERET / ONSLOW / PENDER / NEW HANOVER AND BRUNSWICK COUNTIES

Pungo River - All those waters in Pungo River upstream of a straight line from Persimmon Point to Wades Point.
All those waters and marshes bordered on the south by a straight line drawn from Ft. Macon Point to Channel Marker #56B and bordered on the north by the Beaufort/ Morehead City closure to include the south side of Carrot Island and Bird Shoals.
All those waters between the Atlantic Beach High Rise Bridge and the eastern side of the permanent shellfish closure line at Pine Knolls Shores Canals from the Intracoastal Waterway to Bogue Banks.
White Oak River - All those waters in White Oak River upstream of the Highway 24 Bridge at Swansboro.
All those waters from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between ICWW Fl. Beacon #49 at Swansboro and ICWW Channel Marker #55 near Sanders Creek; to include all of Queens Creek.
All those waters from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between ICWW Channel Marker #29 and ICWW Channel Marker #32 to include all of Turkey Creek.
All those waters from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker # 107 and the Figure Eight Island Bridge.
All those waters bordered on the southwest by Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker #129A, located near Shinn Creek, and bordered on the northeast by the permanent closure line at Wrightsville Beach, to include all of Shinn Creek, Banks Channel and the adjacent marsh tidal creeks.
Hewletts Creek - All those waters in Hewletts Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.
All those waters between Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker #55 and ICWW Channel Marker #69 (near Holden Beach.)
All those waters between Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker #89 (near Ocean Isle Beach) and the South Carolina state line. (Temporarily closed since August 13, 2004.)

GENERAL INFORMATION:
A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and Marine Fisheries Rules 15A NCAC 3H .0103 and 3K .0101.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under his delegated authority per Marine Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 3H .0103.

C. This reopening is due to satisfactory bacteriological sampling results.

WEEKLY UPDATE: (10/21/2005)
NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
"Serving Commercial Fishing Families of North Carolina"

Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture met early this week in Morehead City; it was Sean’s first meeting as a new appointee to the Commission. The Commission reviewed and discussed the FMPs for shrimp and mullet and also took a tour of preserved clean water areas along Bogue Sound. One slightly contentious issue was a recommendation by Co-chair Representative William Wainwright that the legislature look into the possibility of mandating restaurants to label their menus to state where all of their seafood comes from. The idea was discussed with Sean and others stating various objections to that type of government mandate, stressing that voluntary programs, such as Carteret Catch are better ways to promote North Carolina seafood. The Commission agreed to continue discussing the idea and if necessary invite members of the seafood, restaurant, and commercial industries to a public meeting to discuss the proposal.

NCFA BOARD MEETING: Wednesday, October 26. Executive/Finance Committee meets at 11:a.m. followed by the full board meeting at 2: p.m.

General Assembly: Speaking of Representative Wainwright, we hear he has been appointed as the legislative appointment to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and word has it he plans on attending the Commission’s annual meeting in New Jersey at the end of the month.

Fish Barons Ball: Seafood Donations are still needed. We still need 6 gal. of Oysters and 45 lbs. of Flounder Fillets. Contact Leslie Daniels ASAP at 252-728-4155 if you are able to donate. Anyone interested in buying tickets for the Ball can contact Jessica at 252-633-2288.

October 25, 2005 6:30 PM

NCMFC River Herring FMP Advisory Committee
Public is encouraged to attend
Council Chambers - 500 South Broad St.- Edenton, NC
Contact Sara Winslow or Kathy Rawls 800-330-7805 or 252-264-3911

October 26, 2005 10:00 AM

NCMFC Strategic Habitat Area Advisory Committee
Public is encouraged to attend
C-Mast Building - Room 305 - Morehead City, NC
Contact Jess Hawkins 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021 or Anne Deaton 910-796-7215

November 2, 2005 6:00 PM

NCMFC Inland Regional Advisory Committee
Public is encouraged to attend
Archdale Building - Ground Floor Hearing Room - Salisbury Street - Raleigh, NC
Contact Jess Hawkins 800-682-2632

November 3, 2005 10:30 AM

NCMFC Sea Turtle Bycatch Advisory Committee
Public is encouraged to attend
C-Mast Building - Room 305 - Morehead City, NC
Contact Jess Hawkins or Blake Price 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021

AMOT IMOT & BMOT Update

It has been a long time since we last upadated the AMOT IMOT & BMOT. Thanks for your patience. Here are the latestest 2nd half standing. We will try & Update weekly. Capt. Rich

2Nd. Half AMOT

Dolphin 31.5lbs Sea Ker

Wahoo 61 lbs Sea Ker

Tuna Non Weighed

2Nd. Half IMOT

King Mack. 17.3 Hot Rod

Spanish Non Weighed

2nd. Half BMOT

Grouper 15.3 Lbs. Reelaxation

Snapper 2.4 lbs Hot Rod

The stream is starting to get active, with numerous big Wahoo’s being caught. Kevin Gallagher on Line Dancer, had a 52 lb. Wahoo this week, Drew’s 61 #, Bill Kane on Titus had 4 over 40#. Daniel on Strike Zone also did well with 5 plus over 40 pounds….. I know other boats went out, let me or Capt. Mark know.

Bottom fishing is excellent Chris Branco on Milandro, limited out on Grouper by 8:30 Am on Thursday.

Capt. Rich