Department of Commerce October 28, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To promote the accuracy and integrity of the trademark register, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is amending its practice concerning the selection of registrations for audit during the post-registration maintenance process. When the USPTO implemented its audit program in 2017, it announced that it would conduct random audits of certain affidavits or declarations filed each year. To promote the accuracy and integrity of the trademark register, the USPTO is adding additional directed audits to its practice.

NMFS announces the approval of amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS). This amendment updates essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions in the existing HMS FMP. This amendment promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) which requires periodic review and revision of EFH components of FMPs as warranted based on available information.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of frozen warmwater shrimp (shrimp) from Ecuador. The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of frozen warmwater shrimp (shrimp) from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that imports of frozen warmwater shrimp (shrimp) from Indonesia are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less-than-fair value (LTFV) for the period of investigation (POI) October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that permits, permit amendments, and permit modifications have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.

NMFS announces its intent to issue exempted fishing permits (EFPs), scientific research permits (SRPs), display permits, letters of acknowledgment (LOAs), and shark research fishery permits for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) (tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks) in 2025. EFPs and related permits other than LOAs exempt permit holders from specific portions of the regulations for the purposes of scientific research, data collection, the investigation of bycatch, and public display, among other things. LOAs acknowledge that researchers are conducting scientific research activities on board a scientific research vessel. Generally, EFPs and related permits are valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year for which they are issued, unless otherwise specified in the permit, subject to the terms and conditions of individual permits.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the October through November time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when the fishery is open. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This action also waives the previously scheduled restricted-fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the October through November time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of catch-and-release and tag-and- release programs. On December 1, 2024, the fishery will reopen automatically.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is amending its final affirmative determination in the less than fair value (LTFV) investigation of aluminum extrusions from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) to correct ministerial errors. The period of investigation is April 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that Matthew Fisher (Normandeau Associates Inc., 2233 Spring Street, West Lawn, PA 19609), has applied in due form for a permit to take Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and shortnose (A. brevirostrum) sturgeon for purposes of scientific research.