About Us
The Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries oversees sustainable fisheries that produce about half the fish caught in US waters, with responsibilities covering 842,000 square nautical miles off Alaska. The Alaska Region also works to ensure the viability of protected species—principally marine mammals—and to protect and enhance Alaska's marine habitat.
Site Resources
In the News
- Annual NOAA report shows a record number of rebuilt fisheries
- NOAA issues science-based measures to protect marine mammals during Shell's proposed oil and gas exploratory programs in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas
Hot Topics
- Public meetings for SE Alaska drift gillnet permit holders
- Nominations received for IPHC
- Restructured observer program
- Sport halibut
- Marine Mammal Authorization Program 2012 Authorization Certificate
Public Comment Periods
- Notice that Eye of the Whale, Fitz Creek, AK, has applied for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales. Comment period through June 11, 2012.
- Notice of reduction payment tender of Southeast Alaska purse seine salmon permits. The public has until June 6, 2012 to inform NMFS of any holding, owning, or retaining claims that conflict with the representations of bids as presented by the Southeast Revitalization Association.
- Advance notice of proposed rulemaking to provide background information and request public comment on potential adjustments to the National Standard 1 Guidelines, one of 10 national standards for fishery conservation and management contained in Section 301 of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Comment period through August 1, 2012.
- Proposed rule to remove the eastern distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Comments must be submitted to NMFS by June 18, 2012. Requests for public hearing must be made in writing and received by June 4, 2012.
- Proposed regulations to implement Amendment 86 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI and Amendment 76 to the FMP for Groundfish of the GOA to add a funding and deployment system for observer coverage to the existing North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program and amend existing observer coverage requirements for vessels and processing plants. Written comments must be received by June 18, 2012. NMFS will conduct public hearings on the proposed rule in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska during the public comment period.
- Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on Steller sea lion protection measures for the BSAI groundfish fisheries for the western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions. Comment period through October 15, 2012.
- Notice of intent to update a recovery plan for the blue whale and prepare a recovery plan for the North Pacific right whale. Comments and information must be received by May 17, 2012.
- Proposed rule to implement Amendment 12 to the FMP for Salmon Fisheries to revise specific regulations and remove obsolete regulations in accordance with the modifications proposed by Amendment 12. Comment period through May 29, 2012.
- Notice of availability for Amendments 10, 11, and 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries. Comment period through 5 p.m., Alaska local time, on June 1, 2012.
- Notice of a proposed renewal of the observer program clearance for collecting information through standardized questions. Comment period through May 25, 2012.
- NMFS extends the date for the final determination to list four subspecies of ringed seals as threatened. A final determination will be made no later than June 10, 2012.
- NMFS extends the date for the final determination to list two distinct population segments of bearded seals as threatened. A final determination will be made no later than June 10, 2012.
- Tips for Submitting Effective Public Comments
