Department of Commerce August 2, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening a Scientific and Statistical Committee subpanel via webinar to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold four Best Fishing Practices Master Volunteer Program (BFP MVP) workshops covering best fishing practices, specifically for snapper grouper species, how to get involved in Citizen Science projects, and how to get involved in the Council process.

NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP). If approved, the FEP would be amended to discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish and NMFS would implement annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for American Samoa bottomfish. The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. The proposed action considers the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and supports the long-term sustainability of the fishery.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Joint Skate Committee and Advisory Panel via webinar to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource trustees for the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) have prepared the Final Supplemental Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Marine Mammals (RPII/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact. The Final Supplemental RPII/EA evaluates the use of 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 Final Supplemental RPII/EA evaluates two restoration alternatives including consideration of the criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations, and an analysis under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations. A No Action Alternative is also evaluated pursuant to the NEPA. In the Final Supplemental RPII/EA the Alabama TIG selects the preferred alternative for implementation. 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. This action allocates the Alabama TIG's remaining Marine Mammals restoration funds.

Notice is hereby given that Olga von Ziegesar, Winged Whale Research, 53254 Marimac Avenue, Homer, AK 99603, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; Western North Pacific, Hawai'i, and Mexico distinct population segments).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting comments from the public regarding a proposed revision of the management plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. A management plan provides a framework to guide a reserve's programs, track progress toward meeting its goals, and identify potential opportunities or changes in direction. It is also used to guide programmatic evaluations of a reserve. Management plan revisions are required at least every five years. This draft revised management plan is intended to replace the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan, which was approved in 2009.