Publications

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-42 Workshop Date: 8-10 July 2008

Researchers conducting field and captive studies on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) meet at least annually to coordinate research plans and field work. In addition to updating research findings, these meetings provide a direct means to minimize potential disturbance to sea lions in the field, and maximize collaboration and sharing of samples or data. During the past several years a coordination meeting has been held in Anchorage associated with the Alaska Marine Science Symposium because most researchers conducting Steller sea lion studies in Alaska attend. This year a second meeting was held in Seattle, which focused on the eastern distinct population segment (eDPS) in Washington, Oregon and California. Because applications for new permits to conduct Steller sea lion research authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) are due in February, most of the time during meetings was dedicated to permit application issues and discussions towards ensuring proposed research would directly address recovery and conservation priorities. Though these meetings primarily address U.S. research, studies conducted in Russia and Canada were also included in discussions.

The Bull Run Water Supply HCP is a 50-year plan to protect and improve aquatic habitat, while continuing to manage the watershed as a water supply for the City of Portland, Oregon.

Analysis of a provision exempting certain custom processing from use caps on processor shares for a regulatory amendment to implement Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs.

Analysis of the environmental and economic impacts of a proposed rule. This rule would create a one-halibut daily bag limit for persons fishing for halibut from guided charter vessels in waters in and off of Southeast Alaska.

Exempted fishing permit application from the Best Use Cooperative.

NOAA Fisheries has received an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Best Use Cooperative (BUC). The EFP would allow three vessels in the BUC to sort halibut removed from a codend on the deck of the vessel, and release those fish back to the water after accounting for the halibut condition using standard International Pacific Halibut Commission viability methods for predicting mortality of individual fish. The EFP will allow these vessels to alter the amount of time that halibut are in a codend, on deck and the amount of handling they receive prior to release.

Management modifications for the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery that would remove effort limits, eliminate the set certificate program, and implement new sea turtle interaction caps.

NOAA Fisheries' analyzes management alternatives that would modify the existing regulatory regime for the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery that primarily targets swordfish on the high seas of the North Pacific.

Evidence that a beluga whale uses two signal generators simultaneously when echolocating.