Final Rule for Revised Introduced Species Regulations
The Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries Regulations on Introduced Species has been published in the Federal Register February 19th, 2015.
After extensive discussions with the State of California, NOAA is publishing a final rule prohibiting introduced species in the state waters of the Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries (GFNMS and MBNMS, respectively). This final rule clarifies that introduced species are prohibited in the state waters of the two sanctuaries with the following two exceptions: catch and release of striped bass, and shellfish species introduced as part of state permitted commercial aquaculture activities in the Tomales Bay region of GFNMS. It also allows MBNMS to consider authorization of state permits for certain introduced species of shellfish that may be reared in future commercial aquaculture projects in state waters of the sanctuary.
In summary on March 18th, 2013, NOAA proposed to prohibit the introduction of introduced species into the state waters of GFNMS and MBNMS. The proposed prohibition included exceptions for the catch and release of striped bass and for introduced species of shellfish as part of commercial aquaculture activities in the Tomales Bay region of GFNMS (the only area within sanctuaries offshore of California where aquaculture occurs).
On March 27th, 2014, NOAA amended the proposal to allow GFNMS and MBNMS to consider authorizing the introduction of certain introduced species of shellfish, those considered to be non-invasive, from commercial aquaculture culture projects in all state waters of the sanctuaries. NOAA’s final action allows MBNMS to authorize state of California permits or leases for commercial aquaculture projects in state waters involving introduced species of shellfish that
Pursuant to section 304(b) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1434(b)), the revised designation and regulations shall take effect and become final after the close of a review period of forty-five days of continuous session of Congress beginning on February 19th, 2015. NOAA will publish an announcement of the effective date of the final regulations in the Federal Register.
You can read the announcemnt (history, summary and regualtations), or download the PDF version for more information. You can also contact Dave Lott by email.
After extensive discussions with the State of California, NOAA is publishing a final rule prohibiting introduced species in the state waters of the Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries (GFNMS and MBNMS, respectively). This final rule clarifies that introduced species are prohibited in the state waters of the two sanctuaries with the following two exceptions: catch and release of striped bass, and shellfish species introduced as part of state permitted commercial aquaculture activities in the Tomales Bay region of GFNMS. It also allows MBNMS to consider authorization of state permits for certain introduced species of shellfish that may be reared in future commercial aquaculture projects in state waters of the sanctuary.
In summary on March 18th, 2013, NOAA proposed to prohibit the introduction of introduced species into the state waters of GFNMS and MBNMS. The proposed prohibition included exceptions for the catch and release of striped bass and for introduced species of shellfish as part of commercial aquaculture activities in the Tomales Bay region of GFNMS (the only area within sanctuaries offshore of California where aquaculture occurs).
On March 27th, 2014, NOAA amended the proposal to allow GFNMS and MBNMS to consider authorizing the introduction of certain introduced species of shellfish, those considered to be non-invasive, from commercial aquaculture culture projects in all state waters of the sanctuaries. NOAA’s final action allows MBNMS to authorize state of California permits or leases for commercial aquaculture projects in state waters involving introduced species of shellfish that
- the state management agencies and NOAA have determined to be non-invasive, and
- will not have significant adverse impacts to sanctuary resources or qualities.
Pursuant to section 304(b) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1434(b)), the revised designation and regulations shall take effect and become final after the close of a review period of forty-five days of continuous session of Congress beginning on February 19th, 2015. NOAA will publish an announcement of the effective date of the final regulations in the Federal Register.
You can read the announcemnt (history, summary and regualtations), or download the PDF version for more information. You can also contact Dave Lott by email.