NOAA Fisheries - FryingPanTower.Com

Navy Sonar Testing Application Comments Sought

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy for authorization for the take of marine mammals incidental to Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training (AFAST) activities conducted off the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico for the period beginning January 2009 and ending January 2014. Pursuant to the implementing regulations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries is announcing our receipt of the Navy's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy's application and request. Comments and information must be received no later than April 4, 2008 and should be sent to: Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. Comments may be sent by email to: PR1.050107K@noaa.gov. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size.

For additional information, please contact Jolie Harrison, telephone (301) 713-2289.

NOAA Fisheries Announces White Marlin ESA Biological Review Results

An assessment of the health of white marlin populations indicate that the species is not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, nor is it likely to become so in the foreseeable future. NOAA Fisheries' White Marlin Biological Review Team have analyzed the best scientific and commercial data available and have concluded that Atlantic white marlin does not meet the ESA definition of an endangered or threatened species and that the listing of Atlantic white marlin under the ESA is not warranted. A copy of the status review document is available at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.  

A number of conservation measures have been implemented in recent years to improve white marlin conservation, including the required use of circle hooks in Atlantic billfish tournaments.

For additional information, please contact Stephania.Bolden@noaa.gov, phone (727) 824-5312 or Marta.Nammack@noaa.gov, phone (301) 713-1401.