Department of Commerce January 8, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that Ed Charles, Silverback Films, 1 St. Augustine's Yard, Gaunts Lane, Bristol, BS1 5DE, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on marine mammals.

The SEDAR 66 stock assessment of the South Atlantic stock of Tilefish will consist of a data scoping webinar, a workshop, and a series of assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

In March 2007, the Governments of the United States and Brazil established the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum. This notice announces the opportunity for up to three individuals for appointment to the U.S. Section of the Forum for a term ending on February 24, 2022. The current three-year term of the U.S. Section began on February 25, 2019 and will expire February 24, 2022. Nominations received in response to this notice will also be considered for on-going appointments to fill any future vacancies that may arise before November 30, 2021.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2021 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2021 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce revisions to our December 9, 2014, proposed designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida hispida) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The revised proposed designation comprises an area of marine habitat in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. Based on consideration of national security impacts, we also propose to exclude a particular area north of the Beaufort Sea shelf from the designation. We seek comments on all aspects of the revised proposed critical habitat designation and will consider information received before issuing a final designation.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training activities in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Temporary Maritime Activities Area (TMAA) Study Area for a period of seven years, from April 2022 through April 2029. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the Navy's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy's application and request.