National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 3, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that identifies several proposed management actions and alternatives for the American lobster fishery in Federal waters. The management actions are based on recommendations to NMFS by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) as part of the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). Two of the three proposed management measures evaluated in the DEIS would implement limited access programs (LAPs), limiting future access in two Lobster Conservation Management Areas (Areas) Area 2 and the Outer Cape Area based upon historical participation within the fishery. The third proposed measure would implement an individual transferable trap program (ITT) in three AreasArea 2, Area 3, and the Outer Cape Area. The DEIS evaluates four ITT alternatives. NMFS has not selected a preferred alternative to implement the ITT program. NMFS will hold public meetings to receive comments on the potential biological, economic, and social impacts of proposed measures evaluated in this DEIS.

Notice is hereby given that Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513, and Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, have each applied in due form for a permit to import Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for public display.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

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 increases the commercial and recreational quotas for red snapper and closes the recreational red snapper component of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish fishery at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 24, 2010. The intended effect of this rule is to help achieve optimum yield by relaxing red snapper harvest limitations consistent with the findings of the recent stock assessment for this species.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Committee, in May, 2010, 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.

North Pacific Fishery Management Council will host a meeting of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC), consisting of the Regional Fishery Management Council chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors on May 19-20-21, 2010.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Standing, Special Reef Fish and Special Red Drum Scientific and Statistical Committees.