NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of an Issues and Options paper for Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks Fishery Management Plan (HMS FMP) and Amendment 2 to the Billfish Fishery Management Plan (Billfish FMP), request public comment, and announces the dates and times of nine public meetings. This paper examines management alternatives to issues raised by the HMS and Billfish advisory panels (APs) and by the general public.

In February 2004, NOAA Fisheries met with the APs for HMS and Billfish to discuss fishery management issues and potential options for future rulemaking. The Issues and Options paper raises issues and lists potential options to address these issues. Some of the issues include: General category quota allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna, filleting tunas at sea, changing the swordfish bag limit for anglers, changing the large coastal shark trip limit for directed permit holders, streamlining the limited access permit program, non-tournament reporting of billfish harvest, species identification workshops, implementation of the bycatch reduction plan, simplifying the quota and permitting administrative processes for exempted fishing permits, and updating essential fish habitat (EFH) identifications for all HMS. These management measures could affect fishermen, dealers, equipment suppliers, or anyone who is involved in HMS fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries plans to attend and present the Issues and Options paper at several Fishery Management Council meetings that occur in May and June 2004.

For a copy of the paper and a list of scheduled public meetings go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms or contact Chris Rilling with the HMS Management Division at 301-713-2347.

Atlantic – Highly Migratory Species: Comments Requested on Issues & Options Paper, Nine Public Meetings Scheduled

NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of an Issues and Options paper for Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks Fishery Management Plan (HMS FMP) and Amendment 2 to the Billfish Fishery Management Plan (Billfish FMP), request public comment, and announces the dates and times of nine public meetings. This paper examines management alternatives to issues raised by the HMS and Billfish advisory panels (APs) and by the general public.

In February 2004, NOAA Fisheries met with the APs for HMS and Billfish to discuss fishery management issues and potential options for future rulemaking. The Issues and Options paper raises issues and lists potential options to address these issues. Some of the issues include: General category quota allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna, filleting tunas at sea, changing the swordfish bag limit for anglers, changing the large coastal shark trip limit for directed permit holders, streamlining the limited access permit program, non-tournament reporting of billfish harvest, species identification workshops, implementation of the bycatch reduction plan, simplifying the quota and permitting administrative processes for exempted fishing permits, and updating essential fish habitat (EFH) identifications for all HMS. These management measures could affect fishermen, dealers, equipment suppliers, or anyone who is involved in HMS fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries plans to attend and present the Issues and Options paper at several Fishery Management Council meetings that occur in May and June 2004.

For a copy of the paper and a list of scheduled public meetings go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms or contact Chris Rilling with the HMS Management Division at 301-713-2347.

NOAA Fisheries announced final specifications for the 2004-2005 spiny dogfish fishery in a rule that published on April 27, 2004. This action specifies a commercial quota for the spiny dogfish fishery to achieve the annual target fishing mortality rate (F) specified in the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and support stock rebuilding. The new quota is effective May 27, 2004, through April 30, 2005.

The commercial spiny dogfish quota of 4 million lb for the 2004-2005 fishing year will be divided into two semi-annual periods as follows: 2,316,000 lb for quota period 1 (May 1, 2004 – Oct. 31, 2004); and 1,684,000 lb for quota period 2 (Nov. 1, 2004 – April 30, 2005). The possession limits will be 600 lb for quota period 1 and 300 lb for quota period 2.

Atlantic – Final Regulations Published for 2004 Spiny Dogfish Fishery

NOAA Fisheries announced final specifications for the 2004-2005 spiny dogfish fishery in a rule that published on April 27, 2004. This action specifies a commercial quota for the spiny dogfish fishery to achieve the annual target fishing mortality rate (F) specified in the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and support stock rebuilding. The new quota is effective May 27, 2004, through April 30, 2005.

The commercial spiny dogfish quota of 4 million lb for the 2004-2005 fishing year will be divided into two semi-annual periods as follows: 2,316,000 lb for quota period 1 (May 1, 2004 – Oct. 31, 2004); and 1,684,000 lb for quota period 2 (Nov. 1, 2004 – April 30, 2005). The possession limits will be 600 lb for quota period 1 and 300 lb for quota period 2.

NOAA Fisheries has proposed modifications to its international trade tracking programs. These changes are necessary to implement conservation and management recommendations from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission.

The proposed rule would require that trade-tracking statistical documents accompany all imports and/or exports of bigeye tuna, swordfish, and southern bluefin tuna. A re-export certificate would be required for re-exports of these species, and would be added to the existing bluefin tuna statistical document program. Export and re-export documentation would need to be validated. This program would replace the existing swordfish certificate of eligibility. In addition, NOAA Fisheries has proposed a new international trade permit for import, export, or re-export of northern and southern bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, and swordfish.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on a Proposed International Trade Permit for Tuna and Swordfish

NOAA Fisheries has proposed modifications to its international trade tracking programs. These changes are necessary to implement conservation and management recommendations from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission.

The proposed rule would require that trade-tracking statistical documents accompany all imports and/or exports of bigeye tuna, swordfish, and southern bluefin tuna. A re-export certificate would be required for re-exports of these species, and would be added to the existing bluefin tuna statistical document program. Export and re-export documentation would need to be validated. This program would replace the existing swordfish certificate of eligibility. In addition, NOAA Fisheries has proposed a new international trade permit for import, export, or re-export of northern and southern bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, and swordfish.