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Public Comment Sought on Commercial Wahoo/Dolphin Fishery Access

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposal to control future access to the commercial dolphin/wahoo fishery operating in the exclusive economic zone of the South Atlantic. If changes to the management regime are developed and implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), a control date could be used to limit the number of participants in the fishery. This announcement is intended, in part, to promote awareness of the potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage speculative entry into the fishery while the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries consider whether and how access to the dolphin/wahoo commercial fishery should be controlled. Written comments must be received on or before 5 p.m., local time, January 4, 2008.

The public may submit comments electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov , by Fax to (727) 824-5308 Attn: Kate Michie, or by mail to Michie, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

NOAA Releases The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States

NOAA has announced the release of The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States, a report that provides new insight into the complex and biologically rich habitats found in deeper waters off the U.S. and around the world. Called for in the President’s Ocean Action Plan, this peer-reviewed report contains an up-to-date assessment of deep coral ecosystems in U.S. waters. The report illustrates that deep corals, also known as “deep sea” or “cold-water” corals, are likely much more extensive and important to ocean ecosystems than previously known. The report discusses the vulnerability of deep corals to human activities and identifies the current threats to these habitats.

For additional information on the report, please contact Kathleen Campbell ( 301) 713-2325 x148 or by email Kathleen.Campbell@noaa.gov.