Archives by Tag 'ESA'

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 rule [...]

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 [...]

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 19, [...]

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; [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team (2007-present)

CONCUR is facilitating the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This work – one of four Take Reduction Teams being facilitated for NMFS by CONCUR – strives to identify consensus-supported approaches that can reduce bycatch to sustainable levels. After an initial stakeholder assessment, CONCUR convened and [...]

NMFS Marine Mammal Serious Injury Workshop (September 2007)

CONCUR worked with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to organize, convene, and facilitate a 3-day expert workshop in September 2007. The workshop brought together NMFS staff, leading veterinarians, pathobiologists, and marine mammal scientists to share new data and information on serious injuries of marine mammals. The objectives of the workshop were to evaluate NMFS’ [...]