[Birdbycatch] NMFS denies Oceana petition

[Liz Mitchell]

On March 11, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) posted in the Federal 
Register their response to the petition for rulemaking that was initiated 
by the non-govermental organization, Oceana , to address  the bycatch 
concerns in United States fisheries. NMFS decided against the petition and 
responded under the following headings :

1. Workplan for sufficient observer coverage;
2. Incorporation of bycatch estimates into all Total Allowable Catch levels 
and other fishing restrictions;
3. Limits on directed catch and bycatch in each fishery; and
4. Bycatch assessment and reduction plans

Also discussed were "works-in-progress" in which NMFS is currently engaged 
regarding bycatch issues in various regions under NMFS jurisdiction.

Oceana petition: <http://www.oceana.org/uploads/formal_petition.pdf>
NMFS response:  <http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/prules/fr11501.pdf>

For future reference, the following website provides an easy way to find, 
review and provide comment to proposed federal regulation changes in all 
departments of the federal government. The website is:

Click on Department of Commerce for fisheries issues, Interior Department 
for wildlife/bird issues.



Elizabeth Mitchell
P.O. Box 933
Eugene, Oregon 97440
USA
Tel: (541) 935-0858
Message: (541) 344-5503
E-mail: <emitch@efn.org>