NOAA Closes Commercial and Recreational Fishing in Oil-Affected Portion of Gulf of Mexico

NOAA is restricting fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay (map attached). The closure is effective immediately. Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 800-440-0858. ...

NOAA Requests Comment on Fish Imports and Marine Mammals

NOAA is requesting public comment on options for implementing parts of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that address the incidental catch of marine mammals in foreign fisheries, including species such as whales and dolphins....

New Weather Satellite Captures its First Thermal Images of Earth

GOES-15, the final spacecraft in the latest series of NOAA geostationary satellites, took its first infrared image of Earth on April 26....

NOAA Highlights Importance of Recreational Fishing In Two Events

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, attended last week’s America’s Great Outdoors Conference to highlight recreational fishing as an important part of America’s outdoor legacy and future....

U.S. Commissioner Medina’s Statement on International Whaling Commission Proposal

Commerce Department Principal Deputy Under Secretary and U.S. Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission, Monica Medina, today released the following statement about the IWC Chair’s proposal for the Future of the IWC....