National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The SEDAR assessments of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks of king mackerel will consist of a series of three workshops: a Data Workshop, an Assessment Workshop, and a Review Workshop. This is the sixteenth SEDAR. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The final revised management plan for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) has been approved and is now available. The plan is the result of a multi-year management plan review at the FKNMS that included extensive public, as well as state, local and other federal agency involvement. The plan is available for download on the Web site: https://floridakeys.noaa.gov. For a hard copy or data CD of the plan contact the sanctuary office at the contact number identified below.

We, NMFS, have completed a review of the status of black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). After reviewing the best scientific and commercial information available, evaluating threats facing the species, and considering efforts being made to protect black abalone, we have concluded that the species is in danger of extinction throughout all of its range and are proposing to list the species as endangered under the ESA. This proposal is based on information indicating that: the disease known as withering syndrome has spread to areas throughout the range of the species, has been responsible for the local extirpation of populations throughout a large part of the species' range, and threatens remaining black abalone populations; low adult densities below the critical threshold density required for successful fertilization exist throughout a large part of the species' range; and, a number of interacting factors (e.g., suboptimal water temperatures, reduced genetic diversity, and illegal harvest) may further hamper natural recovery of the species. A critical habitat designation is being considered and may be proposed in a subsequent Federal Register notice. If the proposed listing is finalized, a recovery plan will be prepared and implemented.

NMFS is adjusting the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are incorrectly specified. This action will ensure the GOA pollock TACs do not exceed the appropriate amount based on the best available scientific information for pollock in the GOA. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Area (FMP).

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.

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.

NMFS is adjusting the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Pacific cod fishery. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined this TAC is incorrectly specified. This action will ensure the GOA Pacific cod TAC does not exceed the appropriate amount based on the best available scientific information for Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area (FMP).

NMFS is adjusting the 2008 total allowable catch amount (TAC) for the Bering Sea pollock fishery. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined this TAC is incorrectly specified. This action will ensure the Bering Sea pollock TAC does not exceed the appropriate amount based on the best available scientific information for pollock in the Bering Sea subarea. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP).

NMFS issues this final rule to implement a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule reduces the minimum size limit for vermilion snapper to 10 inches (25.4 cm) total length (TL), eliminates the 10-fish recreational bag limit for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit, and eliminates the 40-day commercial closed season for vermilion snapper (from April 22 through May 31 each year). NMFS is also implementing through this rule clarifications for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, as well as non-substantive changes to codified text, including removing obsolete language regarding the use of fish traps in the Gulf of Mexico, removing outdated and redundant language, revising phone numbers and an outdated definition, and revising incorrect references. The intended effects of this final rule are to help achieve optimum yield (OY) by reducing vermilion snapper harvest limitations consistent with the findings of the recent stock assessment and to clarify and update existing regulations.

Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA, 98115 has been issued an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 782-1676-01, for research on marine mammals.

NMFS announces the availability of a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and a final decision to issue an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to conduct research in portions of the East Florida Coast (EFC) and Charleston Bump closed areas using a limited number of pelagic longline (PLL) vessels. Given the nearly rebuilt status of north Atlantic swordfish (B = 0.99BMSY) and bycatch reduction measures that were implemented throughout the U.S. PLL fishery in 2004, NMFS is authorizing the collection of baseline PLL fishery data in the closed areas to evaluate the effectiveness of existing bycatch reduction measures. The Final EA analyzes monthly and annual PLL logbook and pelagic observer program (POP) data on catch and bycatch rates of all species in the proposed research area from 1995- 2000 to determine potential impacts of the research programfishery on target and non-target species. The Final EA includes additional analyses of catch rates for all species based on 18/0 circle hooks. NMFS will require the use of 18/0 non-offset circle hooks in the research project to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality and 100 percent observer coverage to ensure scientific rigor.

NMFS proposes to approve and implement changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Plan) for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC or Commission) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California (Area 2A). NMFS proposes to implement the portions of the Plan and management measures that are not implemented through the IPHC, which includes the sport fishery management measures for Area 2A. These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut, to provide greater angler opportunity where available, and to protect yelloweye rockfish and other overfished groundfish species from incidental catch in the halibut fisheries.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene public meetings.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one-day Council meeting, on January 24, 2008, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Groundfish Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of the Proposed Columbia River Estuary Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan Module for Salmon and Steelhead (Estuary Module) for public review and comment. The Estuary Module was developed to meet the estuary recovery needs of all ESA-listed salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. The Estuary Module will be incorporated by reference into all Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead recovery plans to guide salmon and steelhead recovery in the Columbia River estuary. The Estuary Module was prepared by the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, under contract to NMFS. At this time, NMFS is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the proposed Estuary Module.