National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its Ecosystems Committee, Surfclam/Ocean Quahog/Tilefish Committee, its Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee, and its Executive Committee will hold public meetings.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (LEAP).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ad Hoc Groundfish Trawl Individual Quota Independent Experts Panel (IEP) will hold a working meeting which is open to the public.
Notice of Public Meeting
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) will meet March 10, 2006.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
NMFS reduces the trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone to 500 lb (227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the first seasonal apportionment of the 2006 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.
National Sea Grant Review Panel
This notice sets forth the proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Sea Grant Review Panel. The meeting will have several purposes. Panel members will discuss and provide advice on the National Sea Grant College Program in the areas of program evaluation, strategic planning, education and extension, science and technology programs, and other matters as described below:
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; On-ice Seismic Operations in the Beaufort Sea
NMFS has received an application from ASRC Energy Services, Lynx Enterprises, Inc. (AES Lynx) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting on-ice vibroseis seismic operations in the Harrison Bay portion of the western U.S. Beaufort Sea in late winter/early spring (March through May 20, 2006). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to AES Lynx to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of two species of pinnipeds for a limited period of time this year.
Notice of Decision to Expand Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement Analyzing the Makah Tribe's Proposed Gray Whale Hunting and Reopening of Comment Period
NMFS announces our decision to expand the scope of the Makah Whale Hunt Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to include analysis of the proposed action on the affected environment under both the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Whaling Convention Act (WCA). Our previous notices of intent to prepare an EIS for the Makah Whale Hunt under the MMPA were published on August 25, 2005 and October 4, 2005. We are reopening the comment period for 30 days.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allocating Bering Sea And Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Resources
Congress amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to approve the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Program (Program). The Program allocates BSAI crab resources among harvesters, processors, and coastal communities. The Program was implemented by Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). Amendment 20 would modify the FMP and the Program to increase resource conservation and improve economic efficiency in the Chionoecetes bairdi crab (Tanner crab) fisheries that are subject to the Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and- line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fisheries; 2006 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications; Quota Adjustment; 2006 Research Set-Aside Project
NMFS issues 2006 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. The intent of these specifications is to establish the allowable 2006 harvest levels and possession limits to attain the target fishing mortality rate (F), consistent with the stock rebuilding program in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action will publish final specifications that are modified from those contained in the proposed rule.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold several public hearings in Hawaii to seek input on measures to end bottomfish overfishing in Hawaii and options for fishing regulations for bottomfish and pelagics in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Further, the Council will hold its 131st meeting and convene a meeting of its Advisory Panel to consider and take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Endangered Species; File No. 1556
Notice is hereby given that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA (CNMI), Division of Fish and Wildlife [Paul Hamilton, responsible official], P.O. Box 10007, Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Offshore Component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Modification of the Yellowtail Flounder Landing Limit for the U.S./Canada Management Area
NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast (NE) Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), is modifying the Georges Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder trip limit from 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) per day up to a maximum of 15,000 lb (6,804.1 kg) per trip, to 15,000 lb (6,804.1 kg) per trip with no daily limit, for NE multispecies days-at-sea (DAS) vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area. This action is authorized by the regulations implementing Amendment 13 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and is intended to prevent under- harvesting the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for GB yellowtail flounder while ensuring that the TAC will not be exceeded during the 2005 fishing year. This action is being taken to provide additional opportunities for vessels to fully harvest the GB yellowtail flounder TAC under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Offshore Component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allocation of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole, Flathead Sole, and “Other Flatfish” by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is closing directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, and ``other flatfish'' by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal allowance of the 2006 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole, flathead sole, and ``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processor Vessels Using Hook-and-line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2006 Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in the Central Aleutian District of the BSAI.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and Effort Controls
NMFS proposes initial 2006 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and to set effort controls for the General category and Angling category. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS will hold public hearings to receive comments on these proposed actions.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received applications to renew and modify permits from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata, CA (Permit 1068). This permit would affect SONCC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and Northern California (NC) steelhead (O. mykiss) This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit application for review and comment before a final approval or disapproval is made by NMFS.
U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product Prospectus
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes this notice to announce the availability of the draft Prospectus for one of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Synthesis and Assessment Products (Products) for public comment. This draft Prospectus addresses the following CCSP Topic: Product 4.5 Effects of Global Change on Energy Production and Use After consideration of comments received on the draft Prospectus, the final Prospectus along with the comments received will be published on the CCSP web site.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Meeting�09
The Trawl Survey Advisory Panel, composed of representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), and several independent scientific researchers, will hold a public meeting.
Announcement of Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Revised Management Plan
Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce has approved the revised management plan for the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve). The Reserve was designated in 1999 pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461 and has been operating under the management plan approved as part of the designation document. Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), a state must revise their management plan every five years. The submission of this plan fulfills this requirement and sets a course for successful implementation of the goals and objectives of the reserve. The mission of the Kachemak Bay reserve management plan is to enhance understanding and appreciation of the Kachemak Bay estuary and adjacent waters to ensure these ecosystems remain healthy and productive through site-based estuarine research, stewardship and education. The management plan identifies six priority resource issues that are addressed through active management. These priority issues are (1) larval and juvenile fisheries recruitment and life history dynamics, (2) climate change, (3) coastal dynamics (natural and anthropogenic), including land use change, (4) natural hazards, (5) socioeconomics associated with coastal resources, and (6) public access. Kachemak Bay reserve's management plan addresses these issues with specific programs for resource management and protection, research and monitoring, education and training, public access and visitor use, program administration, and partnerships and regional coordination. The plan identifies management goals, priority resource management issues or threats that these goals must address, and specific strategies to accomplish these goals. The resource management and protection program addresses issues such as land acquisition and habitat restoration and protection. The reserve manages important habitats but any land acquisition of inholdings would be done by the state pursuant to existing management programs rather than by the reserve. The research and monitoring program supports process-oriented research focused on obtaining baseline knowledge of the Bay and its watershed, and expanding hydrographic and biological monitoring that can be used for long-term comparisons. Staff and visiting researchers conduct monitoring and research within the watersheds and boundaries of the reserve and use GIS to map critical habitats and hydrology and hydrodynamic processes. The education and training program at the reserve targets audiences of all ages and backgrounds for traditional, experiential, training and outreach opportunities. The education program is also upgrading and expanding the Reserve's exhibitry to better interpret scientific data collected by the Research program. The public access and visitor use program at the reserve includes working with partners to assess visitor needs and complement current public access as allowable. Visitor use policies are designed to provide for compatible use and protection of valuable natural resources. The administration program team ensures the staffing and budget necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the plan. Situated within its parent agency, Division of Sport Fish of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the administrative staff develops stable funding and grant match opportunities.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel Monitoring Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Science Advisory Board
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management. Time and Date: The meeting will be held Wednesday March 8, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday March 9, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Refer to the Web page https://www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/ meetings.html for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. Place: The meeting will be held both days at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 8506 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30- minute public comment period on March 8 (check Web site to confirm time). The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 35 copies) should be received in the SAB Executive Director's Office by March 1, 2006 to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after March 1 will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Matters to be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) Briefing on the Environmental Impact of Hurricane Katrina; (2) Update and discussion of the Preliminary Report of the Hurricane Intensity Research Working Group; (3) Update on the Review of NOAA Ecosystem Science and Research; (4) Report on the Status of Social Science in NOAA; (5) Briefing on Invasive Species Activities in NOAA; (6) Discussion of Stakeholder Input and NOAA's Annual Guidance Memorandum for Fiscal Years 2009-2013 and (7) Update on the NOAA Strategy for Environmental Literacy.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its SSC Selection Committee via conference call to select members for an Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort Working Group for recommendation to the Council.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Research Steering Committee in March, 2006 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.
Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements
NMFS issues this 30-day temporary rule to allow shrimp fishermen to continue to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in inshore and offshore waters from the Florida/Alabama border, westward to the Louisiana/Texas border, and extending offshore 10 nautical miles. The previous 30-day variances of the TED requirements were from September 23 through October 24, 2005; October 11 through November 10, 2005; October 24 through November 23, 2005; November 23 through December 23, 2005; and from December 23, 2005, through January 23, 2006, for waters affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These variances were initially for 50 nautical miles, while the most recent variance was for 20 nautical miles. After an investigation, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ALDCNR), Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LADWF) have determined that excessive debris is still affecting fishermen's ability to use TEDs effectively in an area extending approximately 10 nm offshore. This action is necessary because environmental conditions resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita persist on the fishing grounds, preventing some fishermen from using TEDs effectively.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves
The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performances of the Kachemak Bay (Alaska) National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Apalachicola (Florida) National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Michigan Coastal Management Program, the Virginia Coastal Management Program, and the Indiana Coastal Management Program. The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluations will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L. The National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluations will be conducted pursuant to sections 312 and 315 of the CZMA and regulations at 15 CFR part 921, subpart E and part 923, subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document or Reserve final management plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. Each evaluation will include a site visit, consideration of public comments, and consultations with interested Federal, state, and local agencies and members of the public. A public meeting will be held as part of the site visit. Notice is hereby given of the dates of the site visits for the listed evaluations, and the dates, local times, and locations of the public meeting during the site visits. The Kachemak Bay (Alaska) National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation site visit will be held April 3-6, 2006. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at 7 p.m. at the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, 95 Sterling Highway, Homer, Alaska. The Apalachicola (Florida) National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation site visit will be held May 1-3, 2006. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Apalachicola Community Center, 222 6th Street, Apalachicola, Florida. The Michigan Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held May 8-12, 2006. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 7 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College, Great Lakes Campus, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Room 112, 715 East Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan. The Virginia Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held May 15-19, 2006. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Monday, February 14, 2006, at 4 p.m. at the Department of Environmental Quality, First Floor Conference Room, 629 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia. The Indiana Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held May 30-June 2, 2006. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at 6 p.m. at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 West Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, Indiana. Copies of states' most recent performance reports, as well as OCRM's evaluation notification and supplemental information request letters to the states, are available upon request from OCRM. Written comments from interested parties regarding these Programs are encouraged and will be accepted until 15 days after the public meeting held for a Program. Please direct written comments to Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. When the evaluations are completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings. Notice is hereby given of the availability of the final evaluation findings for the South Carolina and Maine Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) and the Wells (Maine) National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). Sections 312 and 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended, require a continuing review of the performance of coastal states with respect to approval of CMPs and the operation and management of NERRs. The states of South Carolina and Maine were found to be implementing and enforcing their federally approved coastal management programs, addressing the national coastal management objectives identified in CZMA section 303(2)(A)-(K), and adhering to the programmatic terms of their financial assistance awards. The Wells (Maine) NERR was found to be adhering to programmatic requirements of the NERR System. Copies of these final evaluation findings may be obtained upon written request from: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, or Ralph.Cantral@noaa.gov.
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Western Pacific Crustacean Fisheries; 2006 Harvest Guideline
NMFS announces that the annual harvest guideline for the commercial lobster fishery in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) for calendar year 2006 is established at zero lobsters.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat/Marine Protected Area (MPA)/ Ecosystem Advisory Panel in March, 2006 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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Limited Access Program for Gulf Charter Vessels and Headboats
NMFS announces the availability of Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Amendment 17) and Amendment 25 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resource of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 25), prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendments 17 and 25 would establish a limited access system for the Gulf of Mexico charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) permits for the reef fish and CMP fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico and would continue to cap participation at current levels. The intended effect of Amendments 17 and 25 is to support the Council's efforts to achieve optimum yield in the fishery and provide social and economic benefits associated with maintaining stability in these for-hire fisheries.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Socioeconomic Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Non-Community Development Quota Pollock with Trawl Gear in the Chinook Salmon Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for non-Community Development Quota (CDQ) pollock with trawl gear in the Chinook Salmon Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 limit of chinook salmon caught by vessels using trawl gear while directed fishing for non-CDQ pollock in the BSAI.
Availability of Grants Funds for Fiscal Year 2006; Regional Research, Information Planning and Coordination
The NOAA National Sea Grant College Program publishes this notice to re-open the submission period for the Regional Research, Information Planning and Coordination Competitive funding announcement originally published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2005. The new submission deadline is 5 p.m. e.s.t. on March 1, 2006. The NOAA National Sea Grant College Program publishes this notice to also change the definition of the insular Pacific region in the Federal Funding Opportunity associated with the FRN that was published on December 23, 2005. For the purpose of developing a regional research and information plan, the insular Pacific region is defined as being ``comprised of the marine and coastal waters off the State of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Freely Associated States.''
NOAA Annual Strategic Priorities
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) is seeking input on priorities for its next five-year planning cycle. Annually, NOAA collects views on emerging programmatic and managerial trends and alternative solutions as we seek to achieve NOAA's strategic goals. Stakeholder views and comments will be summarized and used by NOAA Leadership in the development of its priorities for planning years 2009-2013. NOAA encourages stakeholders and users to review its present priorities and provide comments and recommendations that reflect your vision of the future, as it relates to NOAA's mission. You can find NOAA's current strategic priorities at the Web site noted in the ADDRESSES section, below.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Commercial Shark Management Measures
This proposed rule would establish the 2006 second and third trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks (LCS) and small coastal sharks (SCS) based on over- or underharvests from the 2005 second and third trimester seasons. In addition, this rule proposes the opening and closing dates for the LCS fishery based on adjustments to the trimester quotas. The intended effect of these proposed actions is to provide advance notice of quotas and season dates for the Atlantic commercial shark fishery.
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Specifications and Management Measures
NMFS is implementing revisions to the 2006 commercial and recreational groundfish fishery management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Management measures that are new for 2006 are intended to: achieve but not exceed optimum yields (OYs); prevent overfishing; rebuild overfished species; and reduce and minimize the incidental catch and discard of overfished and depleted stocks. NMFS is also revising the 2006 darkblotched rockfish OY, at the request of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), and under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Magnuson-Stevens Act, are intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Control Date for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Fishery
This document announces that anyone entering the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod fishery after December 11, 2005 (control date), will not be assured of future access to the Pacific cod resource if a management regime is developed and implemented that limits the number of participants, licenses or vessels in the fishery. This announcement is necessary for public awareness of a potential eligibility criterion for access with commercial fishing gear to the BSAI Pacific cod resource. This announcement does not prevent any other date for eligibility in the fishery or another method of controlling fishing effort from being proposed and implemented. The intended effect of this announcement is to discourage new entry into the fishery based on speculation while discussions continue on whether and how access to the Pacific cod resource should be limited.
National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Fishery Management Council; March 5-10, 2006 Council Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory entities will hold public meetings.
Taking of Cook Inlet, Alaska Beluga Whales by Alaska Natives
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) allows NMFS to regulate the subsistence harvest of marine mammals by Alaska Natives when the affected stock of marine mammals is depleted and after the opportunity for a formal hearing on the proposed regulations. After designating the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales as depleted, NMFS proposed regulations to limit the subsistence harvest from this stock. In December 2000, a formal hearing was conducted on the proposed regulations. In August 2004, a second formal hearing was conducted on proposed long term harvest regulations from 2005 through the CI beluga whale's recovery. The Administrative Law Judge presiding in the August 2004 hearings submitted his recommended decision to the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA) on November 8, 2005. The Judge's recommended decision is available for public review, and NMFS solicits comments on his recommendations.
Marine Mammals; File No. 978-1791
Notice is hereby given that Paul E. Nachtigall, Ph.D., Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1106, Kailua, Hawaii 96734, has been issued a permit to conduct research on certain cetacean species.
International Whaling Commission; Public Meeting; Announcement of Public Meeting
This notice announces the date and location of a public meeting being held to discuss International Whaling Commission (IWC) issues, including the outcome of the Revised Management Scheme Working Group meeting held at the end of February.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) and Endangered Species Conservation; Restriction of Fishing Activities
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions on gillnet fishing in the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area through March 31, 2006, consistent with the requirements of the ALWTRP's implementing regulations. NMFS is taking this action based on its determination that a right whale mortality, documented on January 22, 2006, was the result of an entanglement by gillnet gear within the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area. This action is necessary to protect North Atlantic right whales from further serious injury or mortality from entanglement in gillnet gear in the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area.
Marine Mammals; Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals; Harvest Estimates
Pursuant to the regulations governing the subsistence taking of northern fur seals, NMFS is publishing the annual fur seal subsistence harvests on St. George and St. Paul Islands (the Pribilof Islands) for 2002 to 2004, and the annual estimates for the fur seal subsistence needs from 2005 through 2007. NMFS estimates the annual subsistence needs are 1,645-2000 seals on St. Paul and 300-500 seals on St. George.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Socioeconomic Panel (SEP).
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