National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2024-06651
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an exempted fishing permit renewal application from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The exempted fishing permit (EFP) would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the applicant. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed exempted fishing permits.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-06649
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Socio-Economic Panel (SEP) on April 15 and 16, 2024. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet on April 16-18, 2024.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06648
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council's) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold an online meeting to review and update the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the CPS Stock Assessment Review Process for 2025 and 2026 and Accepted Practices Guidelines for CPS Stock Assessments document. The meeting is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2024-2025 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass
Document Number: 2024-06525
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the recreational fishing season for black sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters will extend throughout the species' 2024-2025 fishing year. Announcing the length of recreational fishing season for black sea bass is one of the accountability measures (AMs) for the recreational sector. This announcement allows recreational fishers to maximize their opportunity to harvest the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for black sea bass while NMFS manages harvest to protect the black sea bass resource.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2024-06524
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (CPs) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to AFA trawl CPs in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2024 Commercial Accountability Measure and Catch Limit Reduction for Gag in the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2024-06534
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial harvest of gag in South Atlantic Federal waters. NMFS has determined that commercial landings of gag exceeded the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) in 2023, and other triggers for the commercial AMs are met. Therefore, NMFS reduces the commercial ACL of gag in the 2024 fishing year by the amount of gag landings that exceeded the 2023 commercial ACL to protect the gag resource from overfishing and continue to allow the recovery of this overfished stock.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2024-06501
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow a federally permitted fishing vessel to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund
Document Number: 2024-06495
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Guam.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2024-06492
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of research conducted by the applicant. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From Virginia to North Carolina
Document Number: 2024-06422
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2024 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of North Carolina. This adjustment to the 2024 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial quotas for Virginia and North Carolina.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2024-06388
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2024 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas
Document Number: 2024-06293
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for bowhead whales assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). For 2024, the AEWC quota is 93 bowhead whales struck. This quota and other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by whaling captains of the AEWC.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2024-06307
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Murphy Exploration and Production Company (Murphy) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Solicitation for Members of the NOAA Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2024-05733
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA is soliciting nominations for members of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB is the only Federal Advisory Committee with the responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans, Atmosphere, and NOAA Administrator on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction. The SAB consists of approximately twenty members reflecting the full breadth of NOAA's areas of responsibility and assists NOAA in maintaining a complete and accurate understanding of scientific issues critical to the agency's missions.
Request for Information; Data for Marine Spatial Studies in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Document Number: 2024-06232
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), hereafter NOAA, in partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is working to build spatial planning capacity in the Southeast United States Region (Southeast U.S.). Through this notice, NOAA is seeking public input to identify coastal and marine spatial data or other critical information to inform marine spatial analyses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The input we receive from the data development workshop meeting, as well as the responses to the items listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, will be used to inform potential coastal and ocean development activities in the Southeast U.S., such as renewable energy development.
Space Weather Advisory Group Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06236
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Space Weather Advisory Group (SWAG) will meet for a half day on April 12, 2024.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 66
Document Number: 2024-06103
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule proposes to set catch limits for 8 of the 20 multispecies stocks, modify the accountability measure trigger for Atlantic halibut, and make a temporary modification to the accountability trigger for the scallop fishery for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06117
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a presentation on Fish Acoustic Detection Algorithm Research to Identify Fish.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-06116
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council including a joint session with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 38 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2024-05782
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS approves and implements the measures included in Framework Adjustment 38 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan as adopted and submitted by the New England Fishery Management Council. Framework 38 establishes scallop specifications and other measures for fishing years 2024 and 2025. Framework 35 implements measures to protect small scallops which would thereby support rotational access area trips to the fleet in future years. To promote uniformity in the fishery, this final rule also corrects and clarifies regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve both yield-per-recruit and the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2024-06066
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys off New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland
Document Number: 2024-06063
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys in waters off of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, including in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lease Areas OCS-A 0499, OCS-A 0541, OCS-A 0549, and associated export cable corridor (ECC) areas.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06008
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 92 assessment of the Atlantic stock of blueline tilefish will consist of a series of assessment webinars. A SEDAR 92 Data Scoping Webinar is scheduled for April 8, 2024. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06007
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a two-and-a-half- day public hybrid meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27342
Document Number: 2024-06000
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Heidi Pearson, Ph.D., University of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Transco Lower New York Bay Lateral (LNYBL) Natural Gas Pipeline Maintenance in Sandy Hook Channel, NJ
Document Number: 2024-05998
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC (Transco), to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with a natural gas pipeline stabilization project in Sandy Hook Channel, New Jersey (NJ).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06010
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public webinar of its Risk Policy Working Group to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This meeting will be held in-person with a webinar option. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-06009
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting via webinar of its Snapper Grouper Recreational Permitting and Reporting Technical Advisory Panel (AP) to discuss permitting and education alternatives for the private recreational component of the snapper grouper fishery.
International Affairs; Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act
Document Number: 2024-05936
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule sets forth changes to the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 (AMLRCA) regulations, including those that implement the trade-monitoring program for frozen and fresh Dissostichus species, commonly marketed or referred to as Chilean seabass or Patagonian toothfish. Specifically, this action: revises regulations that specify the circumstances under which NMFS would deny issuance of a preapproval certificate that is required to legally import frozen Dissostichus species; adds regulations that specify the circumstances under which NMFS would deny issuance of a re-export or export document that is required to legally re-export or export both frozen and fresh Dissostichus species; clarifies that the applicable authorization must be received prior to re-export or export; and removes the prohibition on the importation of Dissostichus species harvested from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Statistical Areas 51 and 57. NMFS also makes other non- substantive technical and procedural updates.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2024-05958
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in April, May, and June of 2024. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted in 2024 and will be announced in a future notice. In addition, NMFS has implemented online recertification workshops for persons who have already taken an in-person training.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Mid-Atlantic Blueline Tilefish and Golden Tilefish Fisheries; 2024 Specifications
Document Number: 2024-05915
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule implements status quo harvest limits for the 2024 golden tilefish and blueline tilefish fisheries north of the North Carolina/Virginia border, shifts the recreational season for blueline tilefish to May 15 through November 14, and modifies regulations to reflect the January 1 start date of the golden tilefish fishing year. The action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Foreign Fishing Vessel Permits, Vessel, and Gear Identification, and Reporting Requirements
Document Number: 2024-05845
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-05877
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory bodies will meet April 5-11, 2024 in Seattle, WA and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely. The following groups will meet in person in Seattle: Budget Committee, Salmon Technical Team, Salmon Advisory Subpanel, Enforcement Consultants, Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel, Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team, Groundfish Management Team, and Groundfish Advisory Subpanel. The Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet remotely.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-05876
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-05875
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 79 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic mutton snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-05874
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Alabama Trustee Implementation Group Draft Supplemental Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Marine Mammals
Document Number: 2024-05768
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group (Alabama TIG) have prepared the Draft Supplemental Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Marine Mammals (Supplemental RPII/EA). The Draft Supplemental RPII/EA proposes to use additional funds from the Marine Mammals Restoration Type to extend the implementation of one or more projects currently underway in the Alabama Restoration Area to continue the Alabama TIG's efforts to restore for injuries to marine mammals impacted by the DWH oil spill. The Draft Supplemental RPII/EA evaluates two restoration alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This evaluation includes consideration of the criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations, and an analysis under NEPA's implementing regulations. A No Action Alternative is also evaluated pursuant to the NEPA. The total estimated cost to implement the Alabama TIG's Preferred Alternativean extension of the Enhancing Capacity for the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network Projectis $1,881,237. If selected for implementation, this action would allocate the Alabama TIG's remaining Marine Mammals restoration funds. The Alabama TIG invites the public to comment on the Draft Supplemental RPII/EA.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2024 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gag in the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2024-05766
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the recreational harvest of gag in South Atlantic Federal waters. NMFS projects that recreational landings of gag will reach the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2024 fishing year by June 15, 2024. Accordingly, NMFS announces the closure date for the recreational harvest of gag in South Atlantic Federal waters to protect the gag resource.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for Threatened Caribbean Corals; Correcting Amendment
Document Number: 2024-05795
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS corrects an error in the final rule designating critical habitat for threatened Caribbean corals that published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2023. The final rule incorrectly identified the northern geographic extent of critical habitat designated for Orbicella franksi as St. Lucie Inlet, Martin County, Florida in the ``Table of the Locations of the Critical Habitat Units for Orbicella franksi, O. annularis, O. faveolata, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox,'' codified at 50 CFR 266.230(b) and in Table 4 of the Critical Habitat Unit Descriptions in the preamble of the rule. This correcting amendment fixes that error by revising the description of the geographic extent of the OFRA-1 Unit to refer to Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach County, Florida.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-05697
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public hybrid meeting of its Enforcement Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This meeting will be held in-person with a webinar option. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; 2024 Annual Management Measures
Document Number: 2024-05481
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes as regulations the 2024 annual management measures governing the Pacific halibut fishery that have been recommended by the IPHC and accepted by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce. These measures are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut and further the goals and objectives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2024 Recreational Fishing Season and Closure Date for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2024-05616
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the 2024 recreational fishing season for blueline tilefish in South Atlantic Federal waters. Announcing the length of the recreational season is part of the accountability measures (AMs) for the recreational sector. The recreational season opens on May 1, 2024, and NMFS has projected that recreational landings of blueline tilefish will reach the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) after July 18, 2024. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for blueline tilefish on July 19, 2024. The recreational season length and closure are necessary to protect the blueline tilefish resource in South Atlantic Federal waters.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2024-05561
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received a permit application (25803) from NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Ecology Division (FED) to continue hatchery activities associated with the Southern Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program (SCSCBP, or program) in accordance with its Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP). The application has been submitted pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. NMFS has also prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) describing the potential effects of NMFS' proposed issuance of the Permit associated with the submitted HGMP. NMFS is furnishing this notice in order to allow other agencies, Tribes, and the public an opportunity to review and comment on these documents.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
Document Number: C1-2024-04516
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish Managed Under the Individual Fishing Quota Program
Document Number: 2024-05680
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The season will open 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 15, 2024, and will close 1200 hours, A.l.t., December 7, 2024. This period is the same as the 2024 commercial halibut fishery opening dates adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, except the hours are not the same. The IFQ and CDQ halibut season dates are the same as specified by a separate publication in the Federal Register of annual management measures, which should be referenced for the halibut specific open and closure times.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From Virginia to New Jersey
Document Number: 2024-05603
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-03-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2024 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of New Jersey. This adjustment to the 2024 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial quotas for Virginia and New Jersey.
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