Department of Commerce May 15, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is publishing this ANPR to alert the public of potential future adjustments the agency may make to the implementing guidelines for National Standards 4, 8, or 9, of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Several ongoing fishing management challenges, including changes in environmental conditions, shifting distributions of fish stocks, and equity and environmental justice considerations that affect fishing communities that are currently or have been historically dependent on the resource, suggest a need to revisit the guidelines to ensure they remain appropriate for current U.S. fisheries management. The intent of this notice is to provide the public with background on some of the specific issues under consideration, seek specific input, and provide a general opportunity for comment. NMFS will take public comment into consideration when it decides whether or not to propose changes to the guidelines for National Standards 4, 8, or 9.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, will hold an in-person public meeting to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted the Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment (Amendment 23) to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 23 proposes to establish commercial state-by-state black sea bass allocations in the Federal fishery management plan and regulations, to change the trigger for the in-season closure accountability measures, and change the state-overage payback. Amendment 23 is intended to address the allocation-related impacts of the significant changes in the distribution of black sea bass that have occurred since the original allocations were implemented.