NOAA recently announced the use of an improved method to estimate the amount of fish caught by saltwater anglers. Scientists expect the new method to result in more accurate estimates of recreational fishing catches. NOAA will use the new method … Continued
NOAA has published quotas and other measures for bluefin tuna. The allocations divide the available 2011 U.S. bluefin tuna quota of 957 metric tons among commercial and recreational fishing sectors for the fishing season that began on June 1. In … Continued
Virginia Marine Police will begin enforcing the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program registration requirement after the Fourth of July weekend. The new registration program went into effect on Jan. 1, and requires adults who fishes in Virginia’s saltwaters, or for saltwater … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board recently approved Addendum I to Amendment I to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Croaker. The Addendum changes the management unit to one region (New Jersey through … Continued
The ASMFC Tautog Management Board recently approved Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. With the latest assessment indicating that the stock continues to be overfished with overfishing occurring, the plan is expected to mean cuts in … Continued
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment from boaters and other stakeholders to help develop proposed regulations, as required by the 2008 Clean Boating Act, to reduce water pollution and the spread of invasive species in the … Continued
In February, VMRC voted to implement new flounder regulations for 2011. The minimum size for summer flounder will be 17.5 inches, with a 4 fish creel limit, and no seasonal closures. The new regulations decrease the minimum size from the … Continued
NOAA Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel on April 5-7, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, … Continued
Virginia has scheduled its hearing to gather public comment on Draft Addendum XXI to the Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The date, time, and location of the scheduled Virginia meeting follows: Virginia Marine Resources Commission March 7, 2011; 6 … Continued
Atlantic coastal states from Rhode Island through North Carolina have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish. The date, time, and location of the scheduled VMRC meeting … Continued