Archives by Tag 'ESA'

NOAA Fisheries to Implement Bycatch Reduction Regulations for False Killer Whales; Based on CONCUR-Facilitated Consensus Team Recommendations

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) recently published a Take Reduction Plan and implementing regulations to protect false killer whales in Hawaii. The Plan is based largely on recommendations developed by a CONCUR-facilitated False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team. “The steps NOAA Fisheries is taking will help mitigate the impacts on these populations of [...]

Project Update: Policy Guidance for Marine Mammal Conservation

Building on the outcomes of the 2007 Serious Injury Technical Workshop facilitated by CONCUR, NMFS has completed the primary recommendation for distinguishing whether injuries to marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing should be considered serious or non-serious. The final Policy Directive and Procedural Directive was in effect as of January 27, 2012. The Directives provide [...]

False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team Meets to Review Proposed Rule (July 2011)

In July 2011, CONCUR facilitated a meeting of the NMFS False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team (Team) to review a proposed rule intended to reduce false killer whale bycatch in the Hawaii-based longline fleet. The three-day meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, was focused primarily on briefing and seeking feedback from Team members on the proposed [...]

NMFS Draft Policy Guidance for Marine Mammal Conservation

Building on the outcomes of a 2007 national workshop facilitated by CONCUR, NMFS has prepared a draft national policy for distinguishing whether injuries to marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing (such as when an animal is hooked or entangled) should be considered serious or non-serious. The NMFS Draft National Policy for Distinguishing Serious From Non-Serious [...]

False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team Reaches Unanimous Consensus on a Draft Take Reduction Plan (July 2010)

The False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team – a diverse group that includes the Hawai‘i longline fishing community, conservation organizations, researchers and government agencies – reached a unanimous consensus agreement on a Draft Take Reduction Plan to reduce false killer whale bycatch in the Hawai‘i-based longline fleet. The consensus Draft Plan, formally submitted on Monday, July [...]

False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team (2009-Present)

In Fall 2009, CONCUR was asked to help the NOAA/NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) prepare for and convene the pre-meeting of the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team meeting held November 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. CONCUR’s work on this effort focused on several key tasks: (1) providing strategic planning advice to PIRO; (2) working [...]

Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan Final Rule Amendment published (February 2010)

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published a final rule to amend the regulations implementing the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (weblink). The final rule, whose measures become effective in March 2010, addresses the increased incidental mortality and serious injury of the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy stock of harbor porpoises in gillnet fisheries [...]

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (2008-present)

CONCUR is facilitating the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). CONCUR’s work focuses on (1) conducting initial stakeholder assessments, (2) convening both in-person and teleconference meetings among fishermen, conservationists, academics, researchers and various government agencies, and (3) summarizing emerging agreement. CONCUR’s work with NMFS on this effort strives [...]

Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (2005-present)

CONCUR is facilitating the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLTRT) for the National Marine Fisheries Service. The aim is to complete a regulatory negotiation to reduce take of protected pilot whales and Risso’s dolphin species. Team members include representatives of the longline fleet from Maine to Florida, state and regional fisheries organizations, national marine [...]

New York Marine Endangered Species Workshop (October 2008)

CONCUR helped design and facilitate an October 2008 workshop focused on protecting marine endangered species in New York State waters. The three-day workshop, held in Port Jefferson, NY, and sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, brought together researchers, academics, local, state and federal officials, NGOs and others interested in improving the [...]