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

Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for the season beginning May 16, 2025, and ending May 15, 2026 (the 2025 ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The fishery management measures include fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, harvest guidelines, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Washington, Oregon, and California. These measures are intended to prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from the fishery, to provide for the exercise of federally recognized fishing rights by West Coast Indian Tribes, to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement, and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among non-Indian commercial and recreational fisheries.

NMFS has received a request from Narwhal, LLC (Narwhal) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas exploration activities in west Harrison Bay, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

Notice is hereby given that Allyson Hindle, Ph.D., University of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, MS 4004, Las Vegas, NV 89154, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export parts from marine mammals for scientific research.

Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) for activities conducted under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and addresses of recipients.

The Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) announces its annual spring meeting, to be held in a hybrid format June 2-3, 2025.

NMFS proposes 2025-2026 specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This action proposes new 2025 and projected 2026 butterfish fishery specifications, and reaffirmed 2025 chub mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, and Atlantic mackerel fishery specifications. The proposed specifications are intended to establish allowable harvest levels that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information. This action would also adjust the minimum square mesh size for directed butterfish trawl trips; account for a 2024 Atlantic mackerel annual catch limit overage (if applicable); and correct existing regulations.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will hold an online meeting of its Ad Hoc Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Innovation Workgroup (FIW) to discuss procedures to facilitate the development of new HMS gears and achieve the goals of the HMS Roadmap. This meeting is open to the public.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad- Hoc Klamath River Fall Chinook Workgroup (KRWG) will hold an online meeting.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) will meet on May 27, 2025.

The Gulf Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a two- day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of America fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The meeting is open to the public offering both in-person (limited seating) and virtual options for participation.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received plans for twelve hatchery programs rearing and releasing Chinook salmon in the Nooksack River basin and Strait of Georgia. The plans describe hatchery programs operated by the Lummi Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in collaboration with the Nooksack Indian Tribe as co- managers. This document serves to notify the public of the availability and opportunity to comment on a Proposed Evaluation and Determination Documents (PEPD) on the proposed hatchery programs.

NMFS is implementing specifications for the 2025 Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels for the Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery to prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps (Navy)) and on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard; hereafter, Navy and Coast Guard are collectively referred to as Action Proponents) for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and three associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course of seven years from November 2025 through November 2032. NMFS requests comments on this proposed rule. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested ITR and issuance of the LOAs; agency responses to public comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued. The Action Proponents' activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).

Notice is hereby given that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have provided Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Pacific salmon and steelhead under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The HGMPs include the Big Creek Chum, Washougal winter steelhead (Skamania stock), Grays River Tule conservation, and the Abernathy Tule conservation programs. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of these HGMPs for comment prior to a decision by NMFS on whether to approve the proposed hatchery programs.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received a request to renew an existing scientific research and enhancement permit for white abalone. The proposed work is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management, conservation, and recovery efforts. The application may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

Based on information provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), NMFS has determined that reported landings from Louisiana exceeded the state's 2024 regional management area private angling component annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf red snapper. Therefore, NMFS reduces the Louisiana 2025 private angling component ACL. This reduction will remain in effect through the remainder of the current fishing year on December 31, 2025.

Applications are being sought for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for 7 membership positions to serve on the 22- member American Fisheries Advisory Committee (AFAC or Committee). Individuals selected to serve on the Committee will serve a term of three years, unless otherwise stipulated.

NMFS is adjusting the daily retention limits for the bluefin tuna (BFT) General and Harpoon categories. Specific to the General category, NMFS is adjusting the daily retention limit for the month of June from the default of three large medium or giant BFT to one large medium or giant BFT. This daily retention limit applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This daily retention limit will be effective for the month of June or until further modified. Specific to the Harpoon category, NMFS is modifying the daily retention limit from the default of no more than 10 large medium and giant BFT to 5 large medium or giant BFT. The incidental catch limit of two large medium BFT per vessel per day/trip remains unchanged. These retention limits apply to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels for the remainder of the 2025 Harpoon category fishing season, which concludes on November 15, 2025, or until further modified.

NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey off Western Mexico in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) renewal application from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The 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 EFPs.

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 America, originally published as "Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico," notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to WesternGeco for the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of America (GOA).

Notice is hereby given that Kristen Hart, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, Wetlands and Aquatic Research Center, 3321 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

Notice is hereby given that Kaitlin Allen, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, MS No. 50, Woods Hole, MA 02543, has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

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.

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.