National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 13, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS (Assistant Administrator), has renewed the affirmative findings for the Government of Ecuador, the Government of El Salvador, the Government of Mexico and the Government of Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These affirmative findings will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Ecuadorian-flag, El Salvadorian-flag, Mexican-flag or Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Ecuadorian, El Salvadorian, Mexican, or Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. These affirmative findings were based on review of documentary evidence submitted separately by the Governments of Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and Spain and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State.

The ONMS is extending the deadline for applications for the following vacant seat on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Education. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen should expect to serve until February 2011.

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 is announcing a thirty day public comment period on the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan Revision.