National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 401 - 450 of 1,072
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene the SEDAR Red Snapper Update Workshop (SEDAR).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Spiny Dogfish Amendment 3 Scoping Process
The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) announce their intention to prepare, in cooperation with NMFS, an EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to assess potential effects on the human environment of alternative
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel
NMFS will hold a 3-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2009. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North and South Atlantic Swordfish Quotas
This proposed rule would adjust the North and South Atlantic swordfish quotas for the 2009 fishing year (January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009) to account for underharvests, and to transfer 18.8 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) to Canada per the 2006 and 2008 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommendations 06-03 and 08-02. In addition, NMFS proposes to include minor regulatory modifications and clarifications, eliminate an existing sunset provision in the Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps time/area closure, and establish a small time/area closure in the Gulf of Mexico called the ``Edges 40 Fathom Contour.'' These changes could impact fishermen with a commercial swordfish, HMS Angling, or Charter/ Headboat (CHB) permit who fish for Atlantic swordfish.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Subsistence Fishery for Pacific Halibut in Waters Off Alaska: Registration and Marking of Gear
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; Information for Share Transfer in the Wreckfish 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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast Region Dealer and Interview Family of Forms
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.
Endangered Species; File No. 1596-02
Notice is hereby given that National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center has been issued a modification to scientific research Permit No. 1596-01.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Restrictions and Observer Requirements in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2009-2011 and Turtle Mitigation Requirements in Purse Seine Fisheries
NMFS issues regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to implement certain decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC). Those decisions require that the members of the WCPFC, including the United States, take certain measures with respect to their purse seine fisheries in the area of competence of the WCPFC, which includes most of the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The regulations include limits on the number of days that may be fished, periods during which fishing may not be done on schools in association with fish aggregating devices (FADs), areas of high seas closed to fishing, requirements to retain tuna on board up to the first point of landing or transshipment, requirements to carry observers, and requirements to handle sea turtles in a specified manner. This action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its international obligations under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), to which it is a Contracting Party.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Coral Advisory Panel in North Charleston, SC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Two meetings will be held to review a new assessment for petrale sole and develop control rules for specifying scientific uncertainty buffers in acceptable biological catch (ABC) specifications for groundfish and coastal pelagic species (CPS). The first meeting will be attended by the Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to review a new assessment for petrale sole. Further, the SSC Groundfish Subcommittee will consider the scientific basis for considering estimated or alternative proxy target biomass levels or fishing mortality rates for petrale sole and other west coast flatfish stocks. The second meeting will be attended by the Groundfish and CPS Subcommittees of the SSC to develop new control rules for deciding scientific uncertainty buffers for groundfish and CPS species compliant with new National Standard 1 guidelines. Both meetings are work sessions which are open to the public.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel in North Charleston, SC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its King and Spanish Mackerel (Mackerel) Advisory Panel in North Charleston, SC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the ABC Control Rule Workgroup.
Availability of Seats for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Citizen at LargeLower Keys (member), Citizen at LargeLower Keys (alternate), Citizen at LargeMiddle Keys (member), Conservation and Environment [1 of 2] (member), Conservation and Environment [2 of 2] (member), Conservation and Environment [2 of 2] (alternate), Diving Lower Keys (member), DivingLower Keys (alternate), Education and Outreach (member), Education and Outreach (alternate), FishingCharter Fishing Flats Guide (member), FishingCharter Fishing Flats Guide (alternate), FishingCommercialShell/Scale (member), Fishing CommercialShell/Scale (alternate), South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (alternate), Submerged Cultural Resources (member), Submerged Cultural Resources (alternate), TourismUpper Keys (member) and Tourism Upper Keys (alternate). 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 as members should expect to serve 3-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.
Listing Endangered and Threatened Species: Initiation of a Status Review for the Oregon Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit of Coho Salmon
On April 29, 2009, we, NMFS, announced the initiation of a status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the Oregon Coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) evolutionarily significant unit (ESU). As part of that proposal, we provided a 90- day comment period, ending on July 28, 2009. We have received requests for an extension of the public comment period. In response to these requests, we are reopening the comment period for the proposed action.
Endangered Species; File No. 14508
Notice is hereby given that Inwater Research Group, Inc., Jensen Beach, FL 34957 (Principal Investigator: Michael Bresette), has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the Explosive Removal of Offshore Structures in the Gulf of Mexico
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has a issued one-year Letter of Authorization (LOA) to take marine mammals incidental to the explosive removal of offshore oil and gas structures (EROS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
National Sea Grant Advisory Board
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Sea Grant Advisory Board (Board). Board 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 in the Agenda below.
Changes to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Regulations; Technical Corrections and Minor Substantive Changes
NOAA publishes this final rule for certain regulations for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This final rule makes technical corrections and modifications to several areas in the regulations. As part of these modifications, NOAA: amends the definition of coral to specifically include the common sea fan, Gorgonia ventalina and Venus sea fan, Gorgonia flabellum, which are both important sanctuary resources and are currently managed under the category ``live rock''; specifies that ``touching'' coral is an injury and therefore, a prohibited activity in the FKNMS; amends the minimum distance between vessels and ``divers down'' flags to be 100 yards instead of 100 feet; clarifies that the prohibitions listed for Sanctuary Preservation Areas and Ecological Reserves also apply in Research-only Areas; and corrects several citations that were currently out of date.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Skate Complex Fishery; Notice of a Control Date for the Purpose of Limiting Entry to the Skate Bait Fishery; NE Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (Skate FMP)
NMFS announces that it is considering, and is seeking public comment on, proposed rulemaking to control future access to the skate bait fishery in the NE skate complex if a management regime is developed and implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to limit the number of participants in this component of the skate fishery. This component of the fishery includes vessels with open access skate permits that fish for skates to be sold as bait. This announcement is intended, in part, to promote awareness of potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage new or speculative entry into the fishery while the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) considers whether and how access to the skate bait fishery should be controlled.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; State Waters Exemption
This final rule allows an exemption from the minimum twine- top mesh size for vessels issued Federal scallop permits and fishing exclusively in State of Maine (ME) waters. In addition, the state waters exemption provides an exemption from scallop days-at-sea (DAS) for limited access DAS scallop vessels, provided the vessel fishes exclusively in ME state waters. The scallop fishery regulations specify that a state may be eligible for a state waters exemption if it has a scallop fishery and a scallop conservation program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing mortality/effort limit objectives of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The regulations further state that the Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (RA), shall determine which states meet those criteria and shall authorize the exemption for such states by publishing a rule in the Federal Register.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) announces its intention to prepare, in cooperation with NFS, and EIS in accordance with the national Environmental Policy Act to assess potential effects on the human environment of alternative measures to
External Advisory Panel for NOAA's Oceans and Human Health Initiative
This notice responds to the Oceans and Human Health Act of 2005, Public Law 108-447, which authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Oceans and Human Health Advisory Panel (the Panel). This Panel assists in the development and implementation of the NOAA Oceans and Human Health Initiative, as set forth in section 903(b) of the Oceans and Human Health Act. Nominations to the Panel are being solicited for a balanced representation of individuals with multi-disciplinary expertise in the marine and biomedical sciences. The Panel is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the local agencies representatives on the Document for Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment X to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Including the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Regulatory Impact Review, and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis).
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 performance of the Maine Coastal Management Program, the Washington Coastal Management Program, and the Padilla Bay (Washington) National Estuarine Research Reserve.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
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 North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan Revision.
Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat: Notice of Finding on a Petition To List the Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis perotteti) as an Endangered or Threatened Species Under the Endangered Species Act
We, NMFS, announce a 90 day finding on a petition to list largetooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. We will conduct a status review of largetooth sawfish to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data regarding this species (see below).
Protective Regulations for Killer Whales in the Northwest Region Under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose regulations under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act to prohibit vessels from approaching killer whales within 200 yards and from parking in the path of whales for vessels in inland waters of Washington State. The proposed regulations would also prohibit vessels from entering a conservation area during a defined season. Certain vessels would be exempt from the prohibitions. The purpose of this action is to protect killer whales from interference and noise associated with vessels. In the final rule announcing the endangered listing of Southern Resident killer whales we identified disturbance and sound associated with vessels as a potential contributing factor in the recent decline of this population. The Recovery Plan for Southern Resident killer whales calls for evaluating current guidelines and assessing the need for regulations and/or protected areas. We developed this proposed rule after considering comments submitted in response to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) and preparing a draft environmental assessment (EA). We are requesting comments on the proposed regulations and the draft EA.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
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 Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan Revision.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish and Pelagic Shelf Rockfish for Trawl Catcher Vessels Participating in the Entry Level Rockfish Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish (PSR) for trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 allocation of northern rockfish and PSR allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of shortraker rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch for Catcher Processors Participating in the Rockfish Limited Access Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by catcher processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch allocated to catcher processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery
NMFS announces new Federal American lobster (Homarus americanus) regulations which implement a mandatory Federal lobster dealer electronic reporting requirement, changes to the maximum carapace length regulations for several lobster conservation management areas (LCMAs/Areas), and a modification of the v-notch definition for protection of egg-bearing female American lobsters in certain LCMAs.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Mr. M. Scott Baker, Jr., on behalf of North Carolina Sea Grant in Wilmington, North Carolina. If granted, the EFP would authorize Mr. Baker to collect, with certain conditions, seven species of reef fish in Federal waters, off the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The specimens will be used to evaluate electronic monitoring as a tool to characterize fishing activities of the commercial snapper-grouper vertical hook-and- line (bandit) fleet, and to help determine the age-size structure of discarded fish caught as bycatch in this fishery.
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the agenda below.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Species Fisheries
NMFS issues a final rule to initiate collection of a permit fee for vessel owners participating in commercial and charter recreational fishing for highly migratory species (HMS) in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the West Coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. The HMS permits are issued under implementing regulations for the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP).
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Closure of the Primary Pacific Whiting Season for the Shore-Based Sector
NMFS announces the closure of the primary season for the Pacific whiting fishery for the shore-based sector at 10 a.m. local time (l.t.) July 7, 2009. This action is authorized by regulations implementing the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which governs the groundfish fishery off Washington, Oregon, and California. This action is intended to keep the harvest of Pacific whiting at the 2009 allocation levels.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of a subgroup of its Golden Crab Advisory Panel (AP) in North Charleston, SC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic Shelf Rockfish by Vessels Subject to Amendment 80 Sideboard Limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf rockfish (PSR) by Amendment 80 vessels subject to sideboard limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 PSR sideboard limit established for Amendment 80 vessels subject to sideboard limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14097
Notice is hereby given that National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) (Jeremy Rusin, Principal Investigator), Protected Resources Division, 3333 N. Torrey Pines Ct., La Jolla, CA 92037, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on five pinniped species, 57 cetacean species, and five sea turtle species in the Pacific, Southern, Indian, and Arctic Oceans.
Listing Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Designating Critical Habitat; 90-day Finding for a Petition to Revise Designated Critical Habitat for Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a 90-day finding for a petition to revise elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals' critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. Elkhorn and staghorn corals are listed as threatened throughout their ranges and have designated critical habitat consisting of substrate of suitable quality and availability to support larval settlement and recruitment and the reattachment and recruitment of asexual fragments in water depths shallower than 30 meters in four areas in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The petition seeks to extend the northern boundary of designated critical habitat in the Florida area to the Lake Worth Inlet, approximately 15.5 miles (24.9 km) north of the current boundary at Boynton Beach Inlet. We find that the petition presents substantial scientific information that the revision may be warranted. We are soliciting information and comments pertaining to this request for revision of critical habitat.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by catcher processors participating in the limited access or opt-out fisheries that are subject to sideboard limits established under the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Pilot Program (RPP) in the Western Yakutat District of the GOA. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 sideboard limits of Pacific ocean perch established for catcher processors participating in the limited access or opt-out fisheries in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Herring Oversight Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Endangered Species; File No. 10027-02
Notice is hereby given that Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History has been issued a modification to scientific research Permit No. 10027-01.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14241
Notice is hereby given that Dr. Peter Tyack, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA has been issued a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee 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.
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