National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Correction
Document Number: E7-23268
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this correcting amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to correct typographical errors and update cross references in three sections of the Pacific halibut fishery regulations; definitions, catch sharing plan and domestic management measures in waters in and off Alaska, and prohibitions. This correcting amendment improves the accuracy of Pacific halibut fisheries regulations, makes minor, non-substantive changes, and does not change operating practices in halibut fisheries or the rights and obligations of fishermen managed under the halibut regulations.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: E7-23266
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Amendment 11), incorporating the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NMFS is requesting comments from the public on Amendment 11. Amendment 11 was developed by the Council to control the capacity of the open access general category fleet. Amendment 11 would establish a new management program for the general category fishery, including a limited access program with individual fishing quotas (IFQs) for qualified general category vessels, a specific allocation for general category fisheries, and other measures to improve management of the general category scallop fishery.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a Status Review for Shortnose Sturgeon
Document Number: E7-23258
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce the initiation of a status review for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), and we solicit information on the status of, and factors and threats affecting, the species. The status review is intended to compile and analyze the best available information on the status of and threats to the species and also consider if shortnose sturgeon should be identified and assessed as Distinct Population Segments.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Prohibited Species Bycatch Management
Document Number: E7-23257
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to repeal regulations providing for a groundfish vessel incentive program (VIP) that was designed to reduce the rate at which Pacific halibut and red king crab are taken as incidental catch in Alaska groundfish trawl fisheries. The VIP has not performed as intended because of the cost associated with enforcement, the relatively small number of vessels impacted by the regulation, and the implementation of more effective bycatch reduction programs. This action is necessary to reduce a regulatory burden on the industry and to reduce the administrative costs necessary to support a program no longer considered an effective means to reduce bycatch rates.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; An On-ice Marine Geophysical and Seismic Programs in the U.S. Beaufort Sea
Document Number: E7-23255
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received applications from CGGVeritas (Veritas) and Shell Offshore, Inc. (SOI) for Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an on-ice marine geophysical and seismic programs in the U.S. Beaufort Sea from February to May, 2008. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two authorizations to Veritas and one authorization to SOI to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of three species of pinnipeds.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E7-23206
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Crab Committee will meet December 17-18, 2007, in Anchorage, AK.
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
Document Number: 07-5887
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast (NE) Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), is increasing the Georges Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder trip limit to 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) 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 of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for GB yellowtail flounder while ensuring that the TAC will not be exceeded during the 2007 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).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Commercial Shark Management Measures
Document Number: E7-23160
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule establishes the 2008 first trimester season commercial quotas for large coastal sharks (LCS), small coastal sharks (SCS), and pelagic sharks based on over- or underharvests from the 2007 first trimester season. This action provides advance notice of quotas and season dates for the Atlantic commercial shark fishery. It also ensures the measures in this action are in place until they are replaced by those implemented under Amendment 2 to the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Consolidated Fishery Management Plan (FMP) even if Amendment 2 is finalized after the start of the second trimester season (May 1, 2008). As such, this action constitutes the regulatory action to determine quotas and season lengths for LCS, SCS and pelagic sharks for the 2008 second trimester season. However, if Amendment 2 to the HMS FMP is unexpectedly delayed beyond the end of the 2008 second trimester season, NMFS may consider a rulemaking for the 2008 third trimester seasons. NMFS would announce any additional action for the second and third seasons in a future Federal Register notice.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Observer Program; Notice of Observer Program Public Workshop
Document Number: E7-23141
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS will present a public workshop on the implementation of new Alaska groundfish observer sampling protocols for fishery participants and other interested parties. At the workshop, NMFS will provide an overview of the changes to observer sampling protocols, discuss alterations made in the observer electronic data submission and communications system, and answer questions. NMFS is conducting this public workshop to provide assistance to fishery participants in understanding the sampling protocols which will be used by groundfish observers in 2008 and beyond.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: E7-23093
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued Permit 1044 Modification 4 to the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Fisheries Ecology Division (FED) in Santa Cruz, California.
List of Fisheries for 2008
Document Number: E7-23076
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is publishing its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2008, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The final LOF for 2008 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must categorize each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of serious injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The categorization of a fishery in the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements.
Marine Mammals; File No. 1034-1854
Document Number: E7-23063
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Dr. Markus Horning, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365 has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 1034-1854.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for New Jersey
Document Number: E7-23062
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the 2007 summer flounder commercial quota allocated to the State of New Jersey has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the summer flounder fishery may not land summer flounder in New Jersey for the remainder of calendar year 2007, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery require publication of this notification to advise New Jersey that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in New Jersey.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for New York
Document Number: E7-23051
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the 2007 Atlantic bluefish commercial quota allocated to the State of New York has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the Atlantic bluefish fishery may not land bluefish in New York for the remainder of calendar year 2007, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery require publication of this notification to advise New York that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no commercial quota is available for landing bluefish in New York.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Republication of Gulf Red Snapper Interim Management Measures
Document Number: E7-23049
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This temporary rule republishes interim measures to reduce overfishing of Gulf red snapper that were previously implemented via a temporary rule published by NMFS on April 2, 2007, and extended through March 28, 2008, by a temporary rule published by NMFS on September 24, 2007. The interim measures reduce the commercial and recreational quotas for red snapper, reduce the commercial minimum size limit for red snapper, reduce the recreational bag limit for Gulf red snapper, prohibit the retention of red snapper under the bag limit for captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat, and establish a target level of reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality of red snapper. The intended effect of this temporary rule is to reinstate the text of the interim measures in the Code of Federal Regulations that was inadvertently removed.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E7-23019
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Multispecies (Groundfish) Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-23018
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its Mid-Atlantic section of the Monkfish Committee, its Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee, its Bycatch/Limited Access Committee, and its Executive Committee will hold public meetings.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Cooperative Charting Programs
Document Number: E7-22995
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 07-5848
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of Delaware is transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of Rhode Island from its 2007 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Halibut in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 07-5844
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) from rockfish cooperatives in the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Pilot Program to vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. This action is necessary to provide the opportunity to vessels using trawl gear to harvest available GOA groundfish total allowable catch (TAC) under existing PSC limits.
Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1702
Document Number: E7-22954
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 782-1702.
Endangered Species; File No. 10022
Document Number: E7-22953
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Raymond Carthy, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110485, Gainesville, Florida 23611-0450, has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-22943
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) and its Administrative Committee will hold meetings.
NOAA Cooperative Institutes (CIs): (1) Alaska and Related Arctic Regions Environmental Research and (2) Earth System Modeling for Climate Applications
Document Number: 07-5828
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On October 24, 2007, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) published a notice of availability of funds to establish two new NOAA cooperative institutes (CIs): (1) Alaska and Related Arctic Regions Environmental Research and (2) Earth System Modeling for Climate Applications (72, FR 60317). That notice contained a typographical error in the discussion under the heading ``Earth System Modeling for Climate Applications CI.'' This notice corrects the error.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Islands Region Permit Family of Forms
Document Number: E7-22769
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder Fishery; Fishing Year 2008
Document Number: E7-22741
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Through this final rule, NMFS is implementing coastwide summer flounder recreational management measures to complete the rulemaking process initiated in March 2007. This action is necessary to implement appropriate coastwide management measures to be in place on January 1, 2008, following the expiration of the current state-by-state conservation equivalency management measures on December 31, 2007. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder resource during the interim between the aforementioned expiration of the 2007 recreational measures and the implementation of measures for 2008.
Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, Passaic River, New Jersey: Notice of Availability of and Request for Comments on the Draft Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan (Draft NRDA Plan)
Document Number: E7-22712
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (U.S. DOI), collectively acting as Federal natural resource trustees (Federal Trustees), have concluded their preliminary investigation of potential injuries to natural resources under their trusteeship that may have occurred due to releases of hazardous substances at the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site (Site). Following 43 CFR part 11, the Federal Trustees have prepared a Draft NRDA Plan outlining possible activities at this Site.
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Rule Limiting Discharges From Vessels in Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries
Document Number: E7-22710
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is preparing a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) to supplement and/or replace information contained in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Joint Management Plan Review, the management plan review for the Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. The SDEIS will analyze revisions to the proposed action that would in effect prohibit the following discharges within the sanctuaries: All sewage from vessels 300 gross registered tons (GRT) or more with the capacity to hold sewage while within the sanctuary; and, in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, all graywater from vessels 300 GRT or more with the capacity to hold graywater while within the sanctuary.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish, Crab, Salmon, and Scallop Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 07-5774
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule that would implement Amendment 88 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. This amendment, if approved, would revise the Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area (AIHCA) boundary to allow nonpelagic trawling in an area historically fished and to prohibit nonpelagic trawling in an area of known coral and sponge occurrence. This action is necessary to ensure the AIHCA protects areas of coral and sponge habitat from the potential effects of nonpelagic trawling and allow nonpelagic trawling in areas historically fished and without evidence of coral and sponge occurrence.
Availability of Seats for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
Document Number: 07-5766
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Education member and alternate, Chumash Community member and alternate, Tourism alternate, Recreational fishing member and alternate, and two Public-at-large alternates. Applicants are chosen based upon: their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, views regarding the protection and management of marine resources, and the length of residence in the communities located near the Sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve in a volunteer capacity for 2-year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings
Document Number: E7-22639
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene Public Hearings on an Aquaculture Amendment.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-22638
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, December 3-11, 2007, in Anchorage AK.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-22516
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its, Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Spiny Lobster Committee, Joint Executive and Finance Committees, Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Committee, Snapper Grouper Committee, Ecosystem-based Management Committee, SSC Selection Committee (Closed Session), Standard Operations, Policy, and Procedures (SOPPs) Committee, and a meeting of the full Council. The Council will also hold a meeting of the Limited Access Privilege (LAP) Program Exploratory Workgroup and public hearings regarding Amendment 15A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to address rebuilding plans for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy, and Amendment 15B to the Snapper Grouper FMP addressing the sale of recreationally- caught snapper grouper species, methods to reduce the effects of incidental hooking on sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish, commercial permit renewal periods and transferability requirements, implementation of a plan to monitor and access bycatch, establishment of reference points, such as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and Optimum Yield (OY) for golden tilefish, and establishment of allocations for snowy grouper and red porgy. In addition, the Council will hold a public scoping meeting for: 1) Amendment 7 to the Shrimp FMP addressing current qualifying criteria for a limited access program for the South Atlantic rock shrimp fishery and 2) allocation of the South Atlantic commercial king mackerel quota. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional details.
Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Emergency Rule Extension
Document Number: 07-5732
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is extending the temporary rule to prohibit vessels without sector-specific participation history in the directed Pacific whiting (whiting) fishery off the West Coast from participating in the whiting fishery. This emergency rule extension is necessary to prevent serious conservation and management problems that could be caused by new entrants and to maintain status quo participation while the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) completes its efforts to develop a vessel license limitation program through an amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP.)
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Commercial Period 2 Quota Harvested
Document Number: 07-5731
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the spiny dogfish commercial quota available to the coastal states from Maine through Florida for the semi-annual quota period, November 1, 2007 - April 30, 2008, has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, November 16, 2007, federally permitted commercial vessels may not fish for, possess, transfer, or land spiny dogfish until May 1, 2008, when the 2008 Period 1 quota becomes available. Federally permitted dealers are also advised that they may not purchase spiny dogfish from federally permitted spiny dogfish vessels through April 30, 2007. Regulations governing the spiny dogfish fishery require publication of this notification to advise the coastal states from Maine through Florida that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing spiny dogfish in these states. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Period 2 quota and to allow for effective management of this stock.
Endangered Species; File No. 10027
Document Number: E7-22450
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79\th\ Street, New York, New York 10024, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings
Document Number: E7-22404
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The start time for the public hearing scheduled for Atlantic Beach, NC on December 3, 2007 regarding Amendment 15A and Amendment 15B to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan has been changed from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Listing Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Designating Critical Habitat; 90-day Finding for a Petition to Reclassify the Loggerhead Turtle in the North Pacific Ocean as a Distinct Population Segment with Endangered Status and to Designate Critical Habitat
Document Number: 07-5710
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, announces the 90-day finding for a petition to reclassify loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the North Pacific Ocean as a Distinct Population Segment (DPS) with endangered status and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The loggerhead is currently listed as threatened throughout its range. We find that the petition presents substantial scientific information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. We are initiating a review of the status of the species to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted and to determine whether any additional changes to the current listing of the loggerhead turtle are warranted. To ensure a comprehensive review, we are soliciting information and comments pertaining to this species from any interested party.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; Proposed 2008-2010 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs
Document Number: E7-22381
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2008, 2009, and 2010. Regulations governing these fisheries require NMFS to publish the proposed quota specifications for the 2008-2010 fishing years and seek public comment on such proposed measures. The intent of this action is to propose allowable harvest levels of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: E7-22377
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reopening the comment period to provide additional opportunity for public comment on the draft Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its July 27, 2007, proposed rule. More specifically, NMFS is interested in receiving comments on a modification to shark dealer weigh-out slips that would facilitate compliance with measures proposed in the draft Amendment 2 to the HMS FMP, which would require fishermen to land sharks with all fins naturally attached. Additionally, over the course of the comment period, NMFS has received suggestions on ways to modify the proposed measures to minimize impacts to fishermen. NMFS is interested in receiving additional comments regarding those suggestions. Furthermore, as is required under the current regulations and was proposed to be maintained in the July 27, 2007, proposed rule, any overharvests that occur in the 2007 or 2008 commercial shark fishery will be accounted for with the implementation of final Amendment 2 to the Consolidated HMS FMP. Thus, NMFS is reopening the comment period for 30 days to gather further public comment on these issues. The draft Amendment 2 to the Consolidated HMS FMP and its proposed rule also describe a range of other management measures that could impact fishermen and dealers for HMS fisheries.
Notice of Solicitation of Public Comment on the Development of Alternative Aquaculture Feeds
Document Number: E7-22358
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting public comment for ideas and recommendations on alternative dietary ingredients (feedstuffs) for aquaculture. This information is being gathered as part of the NOAA-U.S. Department of Agriculture alternative feeds initiative to help guide future research and development. Public comment is being collected in advance of a 2008 workshop on alternative feeds. Information submitted in response to this notice will be shared with workshop attendees.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-22215
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Socioeconomic Panel (SEP).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E7-22214
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Salmon Technical Team Klamath Subcommittee (STTKS) will hold a meeting with members of the Yurok and Hoopa Tribes and additional agency personnel from the National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game to continue planning and assignments for developing an overfishing assessment for Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC). This meeting of the STTKS is open to the public.
Availability of Grants Funds for Fiscal Year 2008
Document Number: E7-22244
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA publishes this notice to change the full proposal submission deadline for the solicitation ``FY 2008 Regional Integrated Ocean Observing Systems,'' which was originally announced in the Federal Register on July 2, 2007. This notice applies to all applicants who have previously submitted a letter of intent to propose.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Temporary Haddock Size Limit Extension
Document Number: E7-22240
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS continues the haddock minimum size implemented by an August 10, 2007, emergency final rule that is set to expire on February 6, 2008. Specifically, this temporary rule continues the commercial minimum haddock size of 18 inches (45.7 cm) that was reduced from the previous minimum size of 19 inches (48.3 cm). This action is taken pursuant to NOAA's authority to issue emergency measures under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act). The intent of this extension is to continue measures intended to reduce regulatory discards of Georges Bank (GB) and Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock to prevent excessive waste and comply with the goals of reducing discards and maintaining the rebuilding programs of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), while helping to achieve optimum yield at the same time. This action is intended to reduce discarding and maintain consistency with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Vessel Monitoring Systems; Announcement of the Enhanced Mobile Transmitter Unit Reimbursement Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery, Open Access Sector
Document Number: E7-22239
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of grant funds for vessel owners and/or operators who have purchased an Enhanced Mobile Transmitting Unit (E-MTU) for the purpose of complying with fishery regulations requiring the use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery, Open Access Sector. These funds will be used to reimburse vessel owners and/or operators for the purchase price of the E-MTU.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Individual Fishing Quota Program; Community Development Quota Program
Document Number: E7-22237
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to modify the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for the fixed-gear commercial Pacific halibut fishery and sablefish fishery by revising regulations governing use of commercial halibut quota share (QS) and processing of non-IFQ species when processed halibut is onboard a vessel. This action would amend current regulations to allow persons holding category A halibut QS to process IFQ regardless of whether a QS holder with unused category B, C, or D halibut QS is onboard the vessel. This action also would allow catcher/processor vessels to process non-IFQ species regardless of whether any processed IFQ species is onboard the vessel. This action is necessary to improve the efficiency of fishermen fishing on catcher/ processor vessels. The intended effect of this action is to allow halibut QS holders greater flexibility in using their QS, allow use of crew who hold unused category B, C, or D halibut QS while onboard a category A halibut QS vessel, and increase the product quality of non- IFQ species harvested incidentally to IFQ halibut.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Prohibited Species Donation Program
Document Number: E7-22230
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southwest Region Vessel Identification Requirements
Document Number: E7-22218
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E7-22199
Type: Notice
Date: 2007-11-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Trawl Rationalization Tracking and Monitoring Committee (TRTMC) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.
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