National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 28, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the adoption of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan for the Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The Recovery Plan contains revisions and additions in consideration of public comments received on the proposed draft Recovery Plan for the sperm whale.

NMFS issues final specifications for the 2011 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. This final rule specifies allowed harvest limits for both commercial and recreational fisheries, including commercial scup possession limits. This action prohibits Federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from landing summer flounder in Delaware in 2011 due to continued quota repayment from previous years' overages. The actions of this final rule are necessary to comply with regulations implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as well as to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act). The intent of this action is to establish harvest levels and other management measures to ensure that these species are not overfished or subject to overfishing in 2011. In addition, this action implements measures to ensure continued rebuilding of the summer flounder stock, which remains under a Magnuson-Stevens Act rebuilding program.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of its Marianas Archipelago Plan Team (PT), Guam Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (Guam REAC), Mariana Archipelago Advisory Panel (AP) and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (CNMI REAC).