Archives by Tag 'marine'

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 [...]

CONCUR Facilitates Second NMFS Workshop on Rights Based Management in Monterey, California (April 2012)

CONCUR teamed with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Southwest Regional Office and Southwest Fisheries Science Center to convene a two-day workshop on April 24-25, 2012, in Monterey, California to explore rights-based management (RBM) approaches for improving the management and operations of the U.S. West Coast coastal pelagic species fishery. The fishery targets Pacific sardine, Pacific [...]

Strengthening Fisheries Management: CONCUR Conducts Performance Review of International Pacific Halibut Commission (2012)

CONCUR was jointly chosen by the United States Department of State and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans to examine recent performance of the International Pacific Halibut Commission relative to achievement of the goals set out in the body’s founding Treaty. Authorized by the 1923 “Convention for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery 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 [...]

CONCUR to Facilitate Coastal Pelagic Species Workshop II: Considerations for Rights-Based Management in the Pacific Sardine Fishery

CONCUR has been retained by the Southwest Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service to convene Coastal Pelagic Species Workshop II: Considerations for Rights-Based Management in the Pacific Sardine Fishery. This two-day workshop will explore rights-based management approaches in the context of whether they have the potential to enhance social and economic sustainability in [...]

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 [...]

September 2011 Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting

CONCUR Senior Associate Bennett Brooks facilitated the September 2011 meeting of the National Marine Fisheries Services’ Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel, a 40-member panel that meets twice yearly in Silver Spring, Maryland, to advise the Agency on evolving fishing regulations. The Panel brings together representatives of commercial fishing, recreational fishing, conservation organizations, and scientific institutions, [...]

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 [...]

Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Hawaii (August 2011)

CONCUR conducted a one-day workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii, focused on effective community participation in Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) efforts. The August 2011 workshop was presented by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC), one of eight regional fishery management councils tasked with developing management plans to govern fishing activity in U.S. waters. [...]

Customized Training for Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions (June 2011)

CONCUR Principal Scott McCreary and Senior Associate Bennett Brooks designed and led a training course in Mutual Gains Bargaining for the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, a 16-member consortium devoted to the dual goals of protecting ocean ecosystems and ensuring a long-term seafood supply. The focus of the training was to impart and practice skills [...]