News About Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Scientists look to microbes to unlock Earth's deep secrets [
Tue Jan 10 19:39:39 EST 2012]
Of all the habitable parts of our planet, one ecosystem still remains largely unexplored and unknown to science: The igneous ocean crust. This rocky realm of hard volcanic lava exists beneath ocean sediments that lie at the bottom of much of the world's oceans. While scientists have estimated that microbes living in deep ocean sediments may represent as much as one-third of Earth's total biomass,...
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Reuse of municipal wastewater has potential to augment future drinking water supplies [
Tue Jan 10 14:02:02 EST 2012]
With recent advances in technology and design, treating municipal wastewater and reusing it for drinking water, irrigation, industry, and other applications could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources, particularly in coastal areas facing water shortages....
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Statement from NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco on the selection of acting assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management [
Thu Jan 05 11:37:21 EST 2012]
On Jan. 5, Dr. Jane Lubchenco announced that she has chosen Eric Schwaab, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, to serve as NOAA?s acting assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management....
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U.S.-Canada Arctic Ocean survey partnership saved costs, increased data [
Thu Dec 15 15:40:48 EST 2011]
A recent mission marked the completion of a five-year collaboration between the United States and Canada to survey the Arctic Ocean. The bilateral project collected scientific data to delineate the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the coastline, also known as the extended continental shelf (ECS)....
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Yellow perch quickly purge a harmful algal toxin [
Thu Dec 08 10:12:41 EST 2011]
Great Lakes perch lovers will find good news in a new NOAA study that shows yellow perch efficiently eliminate a harmful algal toxin from their tissues. The findings suggest that unless the fish are caught during a toxic algal bloom, eating them will not likely expose people to unsafe levels of the toxin known as microcystin....
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NOAA issues scientific integrity policy [
Wed Dec 07 16:31:15 EST 2011]
NOAA?s commitment to science was further solidified today with the release of a scientific integrity policy by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator....
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GOES-15 activated - GOES-11 retired after nearly 12 years service [
Tue Dec 06 12:13:47 EST 2011]
For 12 years, GOES-11, one of NOAA?s geostationary satellites, tracked weather and severe storms that impacted the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii and the Pacific region. Today, NOAA began the process to deactivate the satellite, which is approaching the end of its useful life, and replace it with a new, more advanced spacecraft....
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Regional saltwater recreational fishing plans released - designed to improve fishing, stewardship and science [
Tue Dec 06 11:47:11 EST 2011]
NOAA today released the first regional saltwater recreational fishing action plans designed to help improve fishing opportunities and address recreational fishing priorities in each of the nation?s six coastal regions and for the angling community that fishes for tunas and other highly migratory species....
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Remarks from the NOAA Administrator on the challenges to
assuring the health of the Gulf of Mexico (2011 State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit) [
Mon Dec 05 12:29:01 EST 2011]
State of the Gulf Summit 2011, Houston, TX, Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, As Delivered...
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Adventure Aquarium and New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences designated the region?s first Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center [
Tue Nov 15 11:38:32 EST 2011]
The Adventure Aquarium and New Jersey Academy for AquaticSciences, one of the country?s top aquariums and a leading regional educational institution, willjoin 23 other marine facilities when it becomes part of the growing network of Coastal AmericaCoastal Ecosystem Learning Centers in a ceremony at the aquarium today....
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NOAA and Coast Guard amend memorandum of agreement clarifying use of Administrative Law Judges for pending NOAA cases [
Thu Nov 10 16:36:00 EST 2011]
On September 8, 2011, NOAA announced that it will refer new law enforcement cases to administrative law judges (ALJs) from the Environmental Protection Agency. As noted in that announcement, cases docketed with the Coast Guard ALJs prior to September 8, 2011, will remain with the Coast Guard ALJs....
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Biofilter for removing algal toxins from Great Lakes to be developed with NOAA grant [
Wed Nov 09 10:46:18 EST 2011]
NOAA has awarded a team of scientists $182,982 for the first year of an anticipated four-year $703,777 project for research that could lead to an instrument, called a biofilter, that could break down harmful algal toxins in the Great Lakes into harmless byproducts....
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Life-threatening storm bears down on Alaska [
Tue Nov 08 16:10:14 EST 2011]
Damaging winds, coastal flooding, blizzard conditions are among the expected impacts of a Bering Sea storm that will slam into Alaska. Get the latest warnings from National Weather Service's interactive map at http://www.arh.noaa.gov, and please take precautions to stay safe....
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String of seal deaths in New England an unusual mortality event [
Fri Nov 04 17:31:21 EDT 2011]
NOAA announced today that the high number of seal deaths that have occurred along the New England coast since September has been declared an ?Unusual Mortality Event.? This will enable the agency to direct additional resources to further investigate the cause of these seal deaths....
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Plan released for managing, protecting Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary [
Mon Oct 31 16:40:21 EDT 2011]
NOAA today released the final management plan and environmental assessment for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Washington state....
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Statement from NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco on release of socioeconomic data on the New England groundfish industry [
Tue Oct 25 12:16:14 EDT 2011]
On Oct. 25, NOAA Fisheries issued the latest in a series of broad-scale economic reports, examining the economic health of the Northeast groundfish fishery as a whole. Read about Dr. Lubchenco's response to this release here....
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Status report on Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary marine resources released [
Fri Oct 21 10:00:11 EDT 2011]
NOAA scientists have found that pressure from increasing coastal populations, ship and boat groundings, marine debris, poaching, and climate change are critically threatening the health of the Florida Keys ecosystem....
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Study points to less water loss in future Great Lakes levels [
Wed Oct 19 10:41:35 EDT 2011]
Studies of future climate change scenarios on the Great Lakes have pointed to falling water levels, but a new NOAA study gives a more optimistic outlook....
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NOAA awards nearly $1 million to University of Miami for coral investigation [
Thu Oct 13 15:18:18 EDT 2011]
NOAA?s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science has awarded $998,703 to the University of Miami to investigate how the deep coral reefs of Pulley Ridge may replenish key fish species and other organisms in the downstream reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Tortugas Ecological Preserve....
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New sanctuary research area to help improve understanding of important habitats [
Thu Oct 13 12:21:55 EDT 2011]
The southern third of NOAA?s 22-square mile Gray?s Reef National Marine Sanctuary off the Georgia coast was designated a research area, where scientists can study how human activities and natural processes affect the sanctuary?s marine resources. The new designation will take effect after a 45-day Congressional review....
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Acting Secretary Blank announces $102 million in wetlands, barrier island restoration awards for Louisiana [
Tue Sep 27 14:02:00 EDT 2011]
Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank today announced $102 million for three Louisiana projects in the Barataria and Terrebone basins, to restore deteriorated wetlands and barrier island habitats along the state?s coast....
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Agencies partner to help save endangered Kemp?s ridley sea turtles [
Thu Sep 22 10:41:21 EDT 2011]
NOAA?s Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Mexican environmental officials today released an updated plan to guide and strengthen the conservation and recovery of the endangered Kemp?s ridley sea turtle. The Bi-National Recovery Plan revises the current recovery plan issued in 1992....
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VDatum a vital GIS tool for safe navigational products [
Fri Sep 16 22:46:40 EDT 2011]
NOAA's just-completed first edition VDatum tool will allow users to combine and transform geospatial data from different sources onto a single vertical reference surface, removing the largest obstacle GIS users face when creating products that enable safe navigation and serve other vital purposes for coastal communities....
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U.S., European Union to strengthen cooperation to combat illegal fishing [
Wed Sep 07 10:10:16 EDT 2011]
NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Maria Damanaki, European Union commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries, will sign a historic statement on Wednesday pledging bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, known as IUU fishing - a first for the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and the E.U. on fisheries management....
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NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson conducts sea floor surveys to keep shipping safe along Long Island coast [
Thu Sep 01 12:02:00 EDT 2011]
NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson continues today on a three-month survey of the sea floor off the coast of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as part of a multi-year effort to update nautical charts for Block Island Sound and keep large ships and commerce moving safely....
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NOAA, France partner in historic effort to protect North Atlantic humpback whales [
Tue Aug 30 13:47:42 EDT 2011]
NOAA and France?s Protected Areas Agency have signed a 'sister sanctuary' agreement to support the protection of endangered humpback whales that migrate annually more than 3,000 miles between NOAA?s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the Massachusetts coast and Agoa Marine Mammal Sanctuary in the Caribbean?s French Antilles....
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Three global energy companies and NOAA agree to share ocean, coastal and meteorological data for the Arctic [
Wed Aug 24 10:21:15 EDT 2011]
NOAA, Shell Exploration and Production, ConocoPhillips, and Statoil USA E and P Inc. today signed an agreement to enhance collaboration on ocean, coastal and climate science for the Arctic....
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NOAA, Oregon crab industry to celebrate continued marine debris partnership [
Sat Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 2011]
NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, along with other NOAA officials, will join representatives from the Oregon fishing industry and state representatives to celebrate the successful completion of one project and inaugurate a new partnership to remove derelict crab pots and other marine debris in Oregon?s coastal fishing waters in a dockside event in Newport, Ore., this Saturday....
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NOAA, University of Hawaii, research Maui's World War II legacy [
Mon Aug 08 16:20:10 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries' Maritime Heritage Program and the University of Hawaii's Marine Option Program have completed a survey of sunken World War II-era aircraft and shipwrecks along Maui's southern coast....
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Report highlights economic and ecological value of the Gulf coastal region [
Tue Aug 02 10:22:52 EDT 2011]
A new report released August 2, The Gulf of Mexico at a Glance: A Second Glance, will provide coastal managers, planners, policy officials, and others with a reference to support regional decision-making and communications about the importance of healthy Gulf coastal ecosystems to a robust national economy, a safe population, and a high quality of life....
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Buckson named fisheries law enforcement director [
Mon Jul 25 10:42:45 EDT 2011]
NOAA today announced the selection of Bruce Buckson, a nationally recognized leader in natural resource conservation law enforcement, as director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement....
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NOAA seeks public input on sustainable management of halibut stock [
Thu Jul 21 12:42:49 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on a draft rule, called a catch sharing plan, designed to sustainably manage the halibut stock in southeast Alaska and the central Gulf of Alaska....
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Investigation shows research vessel crew acted responsibly before and after whale collision [
Mon Jul 18 10:57:42 EDT 2011]
A NOAA investigation has found the crew of the NOAA Research Ship Auk, captained by a NOAA contractor, exercised due care before and after it struck a North Atlantic Right Whale in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the Massachusetts coast in April 2009....
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Strong El Niño could bring increased sea levels, storm surges to U.S. East Coast [
Fri Jul 15 11:00:00 EDT 2011]
Coastal communities along the U.S. East Coast may be at risk to higher sea levels accompanied by more destructive storm surges in future El Niño years, according to a new study by NOAA....
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Annual stock report shows steady progress toward rebuilding our nation?s fisheries [
Thu Jul 14 12:25:18 EDT 2011]
Three fisheries stocks from the Northeast (Georges Bank haddock, Atlantic pollock and spiny dogfish) have now been rebuilt to healthy levels, bringing to 21 the number that have been rebuilt nationwide since 2000, according to a report to Congress from NOAA?s Fisheries Service issued Thursday....
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Widespread flood threat to continue through summer: 2011 could rival Great Flood of 1993 [
Wed Jul 06 15:19:53 EDT 2011]
Many rivers in the upper Midwest and northern Plains remain above flood stage, and the threat for more flooding will continue through the summer, forecasters at NOAA?s National Weather Service said Wednesday....
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Keel-laying ceremony held in Marinette, Wis. for NOAA Survey Vessel Reuben Lasker [
Wed Jun 22 12:37:25 EDT 2011]
On, Tuesday, NOAA and Marinette Marine Corporation held a keel-laying ceremony at the MMC shipyard in Marinette, Wis., for NOAA?s newest fisheries survey vessel, Reuben Lasker....
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Arctic Symposium address by Dr. Jane Lubchenco [
Mon Jun 20 16:20:41 EDT 2011]
NOAA keynote speech (20 min.) Monday, June 20, 2011; 11:10 to 11:35 am Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of NOAA As prepared for delivery...
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NOAA, coastal states discuss U.S. tsunami capabilities, local preparedness needs [
Fri Jun 10 12:28:12 EDT 2011]
NOAA and its federal partners are meeting today on Capitol Hill with East Coast, Gulf and Caribbean state officials to discuss U.S. tsunami warning capabilities and the need for better local preparedness....
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Commerce and NOAA release national aquaculture policies to increase domestic seafood production, create sustainable jobs, and restore marine habitats [
Thu Jun 09 15:01:54 EDT 2011]
The Department of Commerce and NOAA today released national sustainable marine aquaculture policies to meet the growing demand for healthy seafood, to create jobs in coastal communities, and restore vital ecosystems. Foreign aquaculture accounts for about half of the 84 percent of seafood imported by the U.S., contributing to the $9 billion trade deficit in seafood....
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'Healthy oceans are everyone's business': Remarks by NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco during Capitol Hill Oceans Week [
Wed Jun 08 17:38:44 EDT 2011]
Remarks by NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco during Capitol Hill Oceans Week...
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NOAA proposes critical habitat revision for the Hawaiian monk seal, seeks public comment [
Wed Jun 08 17:17:32 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service has proposed 16 areas as critical habitat for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and is inviting public comment. The proposed revision includes expanding the 1988 critical habitat designation in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and adding new areas throughout the main Hawaiian Islands....
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National Ocean Council and NOAA celebrate National Ocean Month [
Fri Jun 03 04:53:00 EDT 2011]
Today, the Obama Administration proclaimed June as National Ocean Month, recognizing that healthy oceans matter to all Americans....
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Commerce announces 2011 regional fishery council appointments [
Thu Jun 02 17:21:00 EDT 2011]
The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 21 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils - important partners with NOAA's Fisheries Service in determining how ocean fisheries are managed....
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NOAA Fisheries encourages fishermen to release shortfin mako sharks alive [
Wed May 25 11:59:20 EDT 2011]
NOAA?s Fisheries Service today launched a voluntary program to encourage commercial and recreational fishermen to safely release Atlantic shortfin mako sharks alive and report the releases to NOAA for posting on an online map....
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NOAA proposes special designation for reintroduced steelhead salmon in Oregon's Deschutes River, seeks public comment [
Wed May 18 15:53:26 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service today proposed designating a population of hatchery-raised steelhead salmon in Oregon's Deschutes River as "experimental," which would provide legal protection to anyone who harmed the fish while otherwise acting lawfully...
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NOAA and partners explore the hidden world of the maritime Maya [
Wed May 18 12:14:03 EDT 2011]
NOAA-sponsored explorers are searching a wild, largely unexplored and forgotten coastline for evidence and artifacts of one of the greatest seafaring traditions of the ancient New World, where Maya traders once paddled massive dugout canoes filled with trade goods from across Mexico and Central America....
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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke orders fishery enforcement penalties returned to 11 fishermen and businesses; accepts all of the Special Master's recommendations in his authority [
Tue May 17 13:01:11 EDT 2011]
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced today that $649,527 in fisheries enforcement penalties will be returned to 11 individuals or businesses after an independent review of their cases concluded the NOAA enforcement program had in some instances "overstepped the bounds of propriety and fairness."...
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Dr. Elizabeth Jewett selected to lead NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program [
Mon May 16 09:38:32 EDT 2011]
Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Jewett, a NOAA scientist with diverse science and management experience in ocean acidification and coastal hypoxia (low oxygen) research programs, will be the first director of NOAA?s Ocean Acidification Program....
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Wash. and Ore. authorized to remove salmon-eating Calif. sea lions [
Fri May 13 17:38:32 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service said today it was authorizing the states of Washington and Oregon to lethally remove specific California sea lions that congregate 140 miles from the Pacific Ocean just below the Columbia River's Bonneville Dam to eat thousands of adult salmon and steelhead swimming upriver to spawn....
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Northeast groundfish vessel overall revenues up under new fishing rules [
Thu May 12 11:55:49 EDT 2011]
Under a new fisheries management program effective since last May, revenues increased for the Northeast groundfishery during the first nine months of the 2010 fishing year compared to same period in 2009....
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U.S. and China agree to increase cooperation in greenhouse gas observing and fisheries and ocean management [
Wed May 11 13:27:18 EDT 2011]
The third U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meeting was held May 9-10 in Washington, D.C. A significant outcome relates to their cooperation on observing greenhouse gases and a renewed dialogue on bilateral fisheries and ocean management....
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NOAA celebrates Recovery Act project restoring salt marsh and fish passage on Cape Cod [
Mon Apr 25 05:05:21 EDT 2011]
Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries, joined officials from the town of Brewster, Mass., and other partners today on the shores of Cape Cod?s Stony Brook to celebrate the completion of a American Reinvestment and Recovery Act project that restored natural tidal flow to 20 acres of salt marsh and opened passage for fish to nearly 400 acres of ponds for spawning....
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NOAA hurricane team to embark on East Coast awareness tour [
Mon Apr 25 01:15:55 EDT 2011]
NOAA hurricane experts will visit five U.S. East Coast cities aboard a NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft to raise awareness about storm threats and the danger of being caught without a personal hurricane plan....
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NOAA Fisheries Service to update guidelines to promote safety in fisheries regulations [
Wed Apr 20 10:25:55 EDT 2011]
NOAA?s Fisheries Service is asking for public input as it starts the process of updating the national guidelines that promote the safety of commercial and recreational fishermen in federal waters....
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NOAA issues new rules to safeguard Puget Sound?s Killer Whales [
Thu Apr 14 20:52:55 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service issued new rules today on vessel traffic, aimed at protecting Southern Resident killer whales in Washington?s Puget Sound. These charismatic marine mammals, popular with tourists, whale-watch operators and the general public, were added to the Endangered Species list in late 2005....
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NOAA issues regulations governing Navy's activities in the Keyport range [
Tue Apr 12 18:02:00 EDT 2011]
NOAA?s Fisheries Service has issued regulations and a letter of authorization (LOA) to the U.S. Navy that includes measures to protect marine mammals while conducting research, development, test and evaluation activities and range expansion at the Naval Sea System Command Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Range Complex, in waters off the state of Washington....
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NOAA finds petition to list Chinook salmon in Upper Klamath and Trinity rivers basin may be warranted [
Mon Apr 11 13:21:37 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service announced Monday that it will decide whether or not to list Chinook salmon in the Upper Klamath and Trinity rivers basin as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act after the agency found that a petition to list the fish contained substantial scientific information that warrants federal review....
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Towards a sustainable future: reasons for urgency and hope [
Wed Apr 06 17:00:15 EDT 2011]
Opening keynote address as delivered on April 5 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator as part of the Albert, Norma, and Howard Geller '77 Endowed Lecture at Tilton Hall, Clark University...
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Department of Commerce appoints and convenes first Climate Assessment Advisory Committee meeting [
Mon Apr 04 15:13:57 EDT 2011]
Opening keynote address as delivered on April 4 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator as part of the First National Climate Assessment Federal Advisory Committee Meeting in Washington, DC...
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NOAA announces new members of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel [
Mon Apr 04 10:15:52 EDT 2011]
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco recently appointed nine new members to the Hydrographic Services Review Panel, a federal advisory committee that gives NOAA independent advice for improving ocean and coastal navigation products, information, data and services....
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New fishing hooks protect bluefin tuna in Gulf of Mexico but allow catch of yellowfin tuna and swordfish [
Fri Apr 01 01:30:00 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service will require commercial fishermen who fish for yellowfin tuna, swordfish and other species with longlines in the Gulf of Mexico to use a new type of hook, called a weak hook, designed to reduce the incidental catch of Atlantic bluefin tuna....
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NOAA announces recovery of spiny dogfish stock [
Thu Mar 17 13:13:37 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service today announced that it will propose increasing the spiny dogfish quota to 20 million pounds for 2011. The new quota would be a 33 percent increase over the 2010 catch limit of 15 million pounds....
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NOAA administrator unveils Arctic plan during Aspen speech [
Wed Mar 16 13:00:38 EDT 2011]
NOAA explained today how it will concentrate scientific, service, and stewardship efforts in the Arctic when it released its first ever Arctic Vision and Strategy. Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, made the announcement during a keynote address to the Aspen Institute in Washington....
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Halibut Stock Decline Forces Increased Management Measures for Southeast Alaska Charter Fleet [
Sun Mar 13 10:18:41 EDT 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service today announced it is implementing the regulatory recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) due to concerns over declining halibut stocks. These regulations include limiting the maximum size of a halibut caught by charter anglers in southeastern Alaska to 37 inches, and retaining the one-fish-per-person-per-day rule that began in 2009....
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NOAA: U.S. 'Turning a Corner' in Ending Overfishing [
Tue Mar 08 13:05:57 EST 2011]
At a hearing Tuesday in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Assistant NOAA Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab said that the U.S. is making good progress toward meeting the mandate to end domestic overfishing....
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New Website Tracks Coastal, Ocean Investments and Successes by State [
Mon Mar 07 12:03:28 EST 2011]
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) has launched a new interactive web page that shows the scope of coastal program investments and successes in NOAA's 34 partner states and territories....
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Federal Natural Resource Trustees Announce Next Step in BP Deepwater Horizon Spill Gulf Restoration Process [
Sat Feb 19 11:23:37 EST 2011]
To advance the ongoing natural resource restoration planning process following the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) today announced plans to develop a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in cooperation with state co-trustees as part of the ongoing Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). The first step in the PEIS proc...
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Climate Projections Show Human Health Impacts Possible Within 30 Years [
Fri Feb 18 21:41:48 EST 2011]
A panel of scientists speaking today at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) unveiled new research and models demonstrating how climate change could increase exposure and risk of human illness originating from ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems, with some studies projecting impacts to be felt within 30 years....
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Review of Fisheries Enforcement Complaints Underway [
Thu Feb 17 17:30:05 EST 2011]
The Special Master has given an interim report of his progress to date reviewing NOAA fisheries enforcement complaints identified by the Commerce Inspector General and sent by the Secretary of Commerce for his review....
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Science Shows Planned Area Closure off Georgia and North Florida Not Necessary [
Thu Feb 17 11:19:34 EST 2011]
Updated scientific data on red snapper populations in the South Atlantic show that the planned area closure for all snapper and grouper species off southern Georgia and northern Florida is no longer needed. As a result, NOAA?s Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to repeal the previously approved area closure that is set to go into effect on June 1....
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NOAA Issues Regulations Governing Navy's Training Activities in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex [
Wed Feb 16 13:57:06 EST 2011]
NOAA's Fisheries Service has issued regulations and a letter of authorization to the U.S. Navy that includes measures to protect marine mammals while conducting the Navy?s Atlantic Fleet training operations at the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex. The regulations and authorization letter require the Navy to take measures to protect and minimize impacts to marine mammals....
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Administrator's Remarks to the Ocean and Coastal Science Community [
Fri Feb 11 14:12:20 EST 2011]
As delivered on Feb. 10 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator...
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NOAA Studies Atmospheric ?Rivers? Using Unmanned Aircraft [
Thu Feb 10 15:53:20 EST 2011]
NOAA scientists will use unmanned aircraft to study ?rivers in the sky? during the Winter Storms and Pacific Atmospheric Rivers, or WISPAR, field campaign slated to begin Feb. 11. The focus of the research is to improve our understanding of how atmospheric rivers form and behave, and to evaluate the operational use of unmanned aircraft for investigating these phenomena....
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NOAA Administrator Keynote Address on Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico [
Thu Feb 10 11:15:49 EST 2011]
Keynote Address, 'Beyond Recovery: Moving the Gulf Toward a Sustainable Future' delivered on Feb. 9 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC...
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NOAA: U.S. Coast Survey Civil War Map Among First to Visualize Slavery, Influence Lincoln?s Strategy [
Thu Feb 10 10:12:01 EST 2011]
It isn?t often that a map visually displays a moral issue facing a divided nation and then affects a President?s response. Yet nearly 150 years ago, the U.S. Coast Survey ? NOAA?s predecessor organization ? produced such a map that, according to historians, President Abraham Lincoln used to coordinate military operations with his emancipation policies....
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Excerpt of Administrator's Remarks to the Union of Concerned Scientists about Scientific Integrity at NOAA [
Wed Feb 09 17:00:39 EST 2011]
As delivered on Feb. 8 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator...
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Commerce, NOAA Release Draft National Aquaculture Policies, Invite Public Comment [
Wed Feb 09 11:52:53 EST 2011]
On Wednesday, Feb. 9, NOAA released complementary draft national aquaculture policies that support sustainable marine aquaculture to increase the U.S. supply of healthy seafood, create jobs in coastal and other communities, spur innovation in technology, and help restore depleted species and marine habitats....
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From Hope to Action: Making Healthy Oceans Everyone?s Business [
Thu Jan 20 13:52:21 EST 2011]
Remarks by Dr. Jane Lubchenco at the National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment - 2011 Our Changing Oceans (Jan. 20, 2011)....
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Scientists Successfully Use Sedation to Help Disentangle North Atlantic Right Whale [
Tue Jan 18 12:17:10 EST 2011]
Scientists from NOAA Fisheries Service and its state and nonprofit partners successfully used at-sea chemical sedation to help cut the remaining ropes from a young North Atlantic right whale on January 15 off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla....
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NOAA Releases Draft Management Plan for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary [
Fri Jan 14 13:11:37 EST 2011]
Today NOAA released a comprehensive draft management plan and environmental assessment for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary for public review and comment....
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NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Overflight Rule Change for Four National Marine Sanctuaries on West Coast [
Thu Jan 13 14:11:37 EST 2011]
Future aeronautical charts would include a reference to overflight regulations for four West Coast national marine sanctuaries under technical changes proposed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The proposed change would not create a new regulation but would clarify existing overflight regulations that have been in place for many years in the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of th...
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Thriving 'Middle Light' Reefs Found in Puerto Rico [
Fri Jan 07 10:31:29 EST 2011]
NOAA-funded scientists have found extensive and biologically diverse coral ecosystems occurring at depths between 100-330 feet within a 12 mile span off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. With the overall health of shallow coral reefs and the abundance of reef fish in Puerto Rico in decline, this finding brings hope that deeper fish stocks may help to replenish stocks on shallower reefs....
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NOAA Improves Marine and Weather Forecast Models for the Great Lakes [
Fri Jan 07 10:30:08 EST 2011]
NOAA is now using enhanced weather and marine forecast models for the Great Lakes that will extend forecasts from 36 hours to 60 hours into the future to better serve commercial and recreational mariners, the shipping industry, emergency responders, water resource managers and the private weather industry....
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NOAA and Partners Assist Entangled Right Whale off East Coast of Florida [
Sat Jan 01 11:39:07 EST 2011]
A team of state and federal biologists assisted a severely entangled North Atlantic right whale off the coast of Daytona, Fla., on Dec. 30, 2010. The team successfully removed more than 150 feet of ropes wrapped around the whale?s head and fins, and cut portions of entangling ropes that remain on the animal....
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NOAA Finalizes Plans for 2011 Hydrographic Survey Season [
Wed Dec 29 12:08:41 EST 2010]
As the new year approaches, NOAA ships and independent contractors are preparing for the nation's 177th hydrographic surveying season, aiming to collect critically needed ocean and coastal mapping data for 2,525 square nautical miles in high-traffic coastal waters of the continental United States and Alaska....
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Commerce Secretary Determines Red Tide Disaster in Maine [
Wed Dec 22 17:00:24 EST 2010]
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today determined that the economic effects of closing shellfish fisheries in Maine in 2009 due to a harmful algal bloom, commonly referred to as red tide, caused a commercial fishery failure....
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Federal Oil Spill Response Transitions to Regional Structure, Releases Scientific Report [
Fri Dec 17 17:11:47 EST 2010]
As planned and in coordination and consultation with state and local partners, the federal government's response framework for the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill will transition on Friday, allowing for long-term response operations to be overseen by regional U.S. Coast Guard units rather than surge forces....
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U.S. and Indonesian Scientists Find Biodiversity Runs Deep in Sulawesi Sea [
Mon Dec 13 17:40:36 EST 2010]
New submarine volcanoes, a large hydrothermal field with a thriving exotic animal ecosystem and areas rich with deep-sea ocean animals are among the discoveries reported today by U.S. and Indonesian scientists who explored the largely unknown deep Sulawesi Sea last summer off the coast of Indonesia....
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Forecast System to Warn of Toxic Algal Outbreaks Along Texas' Shoreline [
Thu Dec 09 11:07:50 EST 2010]
Texas officials and coastal managers will now receive early notice of outbreaks of toxic algae that threaten public health and affect beach and fishing activities along the coast. Weekly bulletins generated by the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System are based on observations from state partners, coupled with models, imagery and data from NOAA?s powerful tide and current and weathe...
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NOAA Restricts Commercial Mackerel, Cod Fishing in Western Aleutians to Protect Western Steller Sea Lions [
Wed Dec 08 16:33:19 EST 2010]
NOAA's Fisheries Service today issued its final interim rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the Aleutian Islands in an effort to provide more food for the endangered western Steller sea lion....
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NOAA Proposes Listing Ringed and Bearded Seals as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act [
Fri Dec 03 12:23:15 EST 2010]
NOAA's Fisheries Service is proposing to list four subspecies of ringed seals, found in the Arctic Basin and the North Atlantic, and two distinct population segments of bearded seals in the Pacific Ocean, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act....
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NOAA Extends Fishing Ban for South Atlantic Red Snapper [
Fri Dec 03 10:30:26 EST 2010]
In order to protect the red snapper population in the South Atlantic, NOAA's Fisheries Service will extend the ban of commercial and recreational fishing for the red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida....
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NOAA Awards Seven Fisheries Service/Sea Grant Fellowships [
Wed Dec 01 12:57:31 EST 2010]
The NOAA National Sea Grant College Program has selected seven graduate students to join the group of Sea Grant/NOAA?s Fisheries Service Fellows earning doctoral degrees in either population dynamics or marine resource economics....
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NOAA: New Outreach Positions to Help NE Fishermen Comply with Regulations [
Mon Nov 29 14:59:51 EST 2010]
NOAA has hired two new staff members, both residents of the Gloucester area, as a part of its ongoing efforts to improve communication with the fishing industry and to work proactively with fishermen to help them understand and comply with fisheries regulations....
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Active Atlantic Hurricane Season a 'Gentle Giant' for U.S. [
Mon Nov 29 13:19:34 EST 2010]
With a total of 19 named storms, 12 hurricanes and five major hurricanes, the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the busiest on record - as NOAA forecasters had predicted. Fortunately, nearly all of those storms avoided the U.S. coastline....
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Federal Interagency Group Issues Peer-Reviewed 'Oil Budget' Technical Documentation [
Tue Nov 23 12:00:14 EST 2010]
The Federal Interagency Solutions Group, established at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard and authorized under a directive from the National Incident Commander (NIC), is releasing today a peer-reviewed report that details the scientific calculations of the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill "Oil Budget Calculator" response tool announced last August....
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NOAA Announces $9.2 Million to Restore Fish Habitat in Great Lakes [
Fri Nov 19 14:15:44 EST 2010]
NOAA announced today that it has awarded about $9.2 million to nine projects throughout the Great Lakes Region that will restore fish habitat by removing dams and barriers, constructing fish passage, restoring wetlands, removing marine debris and invasive species....
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NOAA Proposes the Hawaiian Insular False Killer Whale for Listing as Endangered [
Tue Nov 16 16:45:44 EST 2010]
In response to a petition, NOAA's Fisheries Service will recommend that the Hawaiian insular false killer whale be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, to prevent the current population of less than 170 whales from going extinct....
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NOAA Issues Regulations Governing Navy?s Activities off the Northwest Coast [
Tue Nov 09 15:22:01 EST 2010]
NOAA?s Fisheries Service has issued regulations and a letter of authorization to the U.S. Navy that includes measures to protect marine mammals while conducting training exercises off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and northern California....
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