National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan
Document Number: 2011-934
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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. This includes Tribal regulations and the sport fishery allocations and 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 overfished groundfish species from being incidentally caught in the halibut fisheries.
Marine Mammals; File No. 16000
Document Number: 2011-932
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Wild Horizons LTD, 59 Cotham Hill, Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6JR, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-873
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet via conference call to discuss the SEDAR process. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2011 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications; Regulatory Amendment
Document Number: 2011-798
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes specifications for the 2011 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including total allowable landings (TAL), a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit (RHL), and a recreational possession limit. The intent of this action is to establish the allowable 2011 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate (F), consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). NMFS also proposes to amend the bluefish regulations that specify the process for setting the annual TAL and target F to more clearly reflect the intent of the FMP.
Fisheries in the Western Pacific; American Samoa Pelagic Longline Limited Entry Program
Document Number: 2011-797
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is soliciting applications for American Samoa pelagic longline limited entry permits. At least seven permits of various class sizes will be available for 2011. This notice announces the availability of permits and solicits applications for the permits.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2011-796
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On June 3, 2009, NMFS published a 30-day public comment period notice in the Federal Register for the receipt of applications for scientific research permits 13791 (applicant: Fishery Foundation of California) and 14092 (applicant: California Department of Fish and Game). In that notice, the permit application numbers were misidentified. This document corrects the June 3, 2009, document by providing the correct permit numbers.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2011-795
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has issued permit 13675 to Fishery Foundation of California [Responsible Party: Karen L. Burr], 8698 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 3, Elk Grove, CA 95624; and permits 14685 and 14688 to Natural Resource Scientists, Incorporated [Responsible Party: Dave A. Vogel], P.O. Box 1210, Red Bluff, CA 96080; for purposes of scientific research.
Science Advisory Board Meeting
Document Number: 2011-755
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the NOAA Science Advisory Board. The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the agenda below.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-718
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) in partnership with the Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum (FLSF) will conduct an educational workshop, ``Exploring Tools for Improving Management of Data Poor Stocks.'' The intent of this workshop is to discuss tools that the region may find useful in advancing data collection and management of data poor stocks and provide a venue to discuss the best ways to move forward.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings
Document Number: 2011-712
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the local agencies representatives on the Options Paper for the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Amendment for the U.S. Caribbean including Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Cancellation
Document Number: 2011-688
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council has cancelled the public meeting of its Herring Oversight Committee that was scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2011.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Regulations Revisions
Document Number: 2011-630
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA; 16 U.S.C. 1434(e)), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been conducting a review of the management plan and regulations for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS or sanctuary), located off the outer coast of the Olympic Peninsula in the State of Washington. As a result of the review, NOAA determined that it is necessary to revise the sanctuary's management plan and implementing regulations. NOAA proposes to revise the OCNMS regulations to: Prohibit wastewater discharges from cruise ships; update the language referring to tribal welfare considerations when issuing permits; correct the size of the sanctuary based on new area estimates without revising the sanctuary's actual boundaries; update the list of definitions; and update outdated information such as office location. NOAA also proposes additional changes to the grammar and wording of several sections of the regulations to ensure clarity and consistency with the NMSA and other sanctuaries in the National Marine Sanctuary System.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Bluefin Tuna Bycatch Reduction in the Gulf of Mexico Pelagic Longline Fishery
Document Number: 2011-689
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to require the use of ``weak hooks'' in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pelagic longline (PLL) fishery. A weak hook is a circle hook that meets NMFS' current size and offset restrictions for the GOM PLL fishery, but is constructed of round stock wire that is thinner- gauge than the circle hooks currently used, i.e., no larger than 3.65 mm in diameter. Weak hooks can allow incidentally hooked bluefin tuna (BFT) to escape capture because the hooks are more likely to straighten when a large fish is hooked. Requiring weak hooks in the GOM will reduce bycatch of BFT, allow the long-term beneficial socio-economic benefits of normal operation of directed fisheries in the GOM with minimal short-term negative socio-economic impacts, and have both short- and long-term beneficial impacts on the stock status of Atlantic BFT, an overfished species. Since 2007, NMFS has conducted research on weak hooks used on PLL vessels operating in the GOM to reduce the incidental catch of large BFT during directed PLL fishing for other species. Preliminary results show that the use of a weak hook can significantly reduce the amount of BFT caught incidentally by PLL vessels in the GOM. The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce PLL catch of Atlantic BFT in the GOM, which is the only known BFT spawning area for the western Atlantic stock of BFT. This action would be consistent with the advice of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Standing Committee for Research and Statistics (SCRS) that ICCAT may wish to protect the strong 2003 year class until it reaches maturity and can contribute to spawning. The purpose is also to allow directed fishing for other species to continue within allocated BFT sub-quota limits. This measure would be consistent with the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP), including the BFT rebuilding program.
Endangered Species
Document Number: 2011-659
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Kure Beach, NC, 28449 [Hap Fatzinger, Responsible Party] has been issued a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of enhancement.
Availability of Seats for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
Document Number: 2011-517
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The ONMS is seeking applicants for the following seats on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: (1) At- Large Alternate seat and (1) Maritime Heritage Member and (1) Maritime Heritage Alternate seat. 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 two and three year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter. The Council consists also of three state and three federal non-voting ex-officio seats.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska
Document Number: 2011-531
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS published an interim final rule on December 13, 2010, to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to ensure that the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area groundfish fisheries off Alaska are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions or adversely modify its designated critical habitat. A notice correcting errors identified in the preamble to the interim final rule and in the regulatory text was published on December 29, 2010. The public comment period for the interim final rule ends on January 12, 2011. NMFS has decided to extend the public comment period for an additional 45 days, to February 28, 2011, to provide adequate time for various stakeholders and other members of the public to submit comments.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2011-521
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, January 31-February 8, 2011 at the Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison Street, South Room, Seattle, WA.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-520
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Joint Canada-U.S. Review Panel (Panel) for Pacific hake/ whiting will hold a work session that is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-519
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ad Hoc Groundfish Process Improvement Committee (PIC) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-518
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will hold two consecutive meetings related to west coast CPS fisheries. The Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) will meet February 1-2, 2011; and the CPS Methodology Review Panel will meet February 3-5, 2011. Both meetings are open to the public.
High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act; Identification and Certification Procedures To Address Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Activities and Bycatch of Protected Living Marine Resources
Document Number: 2011-507
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final action implements identification and certification procedures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected living marine resources (PLMRs) pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act). The objectives of these procedures are to promote the sustainability of transboundary and shared fishery stocks and to enhance the conservation and recovery of PLMRs. The final rule is intended to implement existing U.S. statutory authorities to address noncompliance with international fisheries management and conservation agreements, and encourage the use of bycatch reduction methods in international fisheries that are comparable to methods used in U.S. fisheries. Agency actions and recommendations under this rule will be in accordance with U.S. obligations under applicable international trade law, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Document Number: 2011-506
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 for the review of the revised Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan. The Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was designated in 1981 pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461. The Reserve has been operating in partnership with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources under a management plan approved in 2000. Pursuant to 15 CFR Section 921.33(c), a state must revise their management plan every five years. The submission of this plan fulfills this requirement and sets a course for successful implementation of the goals and objectives of the Reserve. Since 2000, the Reserve has added an estuary training program that delivers science-based information to key decision makers in Puerto Rico; completed a characterization of the Reserve's benthic habitats and watershed land use and land cover; acquired new parcels of land behind the visitor center and in the offshore keys; constructed a new pier to support reserve operations; and expanded the monitoring, stewardship and education programs. Notable updates in the 2011-2016 management plan include priorities for new facilities, updated programmatic objectives, and a boundary expansion to include the lands that have been purchased since the last management plan was approved. The additional parcels included in the reserve boundary include 416.9 acres of mangrove, upland forest and salt flat habitats. The revised management plan outlines the administrative structure; the education, stewardship, and research goals of the Reserve; and the plans for future land acquisition and facility development to support Reserve operations. This management plan describes how the strengths of the Reserve will focus on several issues relevant to the Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean region, including sea level rise and other effects of climate change, development pressure, and tourism.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System; North Inlet-Winyah Bay, SC and San Francisco Bay, CA; Revised Management Plans
Document Number: 2011-504
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 has approved the Management Plan Revisions of the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The revised management plan for the North Inlet-Winyah Bay, SC National Estuarine Research Reserve outlines the administrative structure; the education, training, stewardship, and research programs of the reserve; and the plans for future land acquisition and facility development to support reserve operations. The goals described in this plan provide a framework that supports program integration based on priority issues defined by the reserve. The objectives described in this plan address the most critical coastal issues in North Inlet- Winyah Bay such as impacts from coastal and watershed development, climate events on coastal ecosystems and human communities, and invasive species and habitat loss impacts on biodiversity. Since the last approved management plan in 1992, the reserve has become fully staffed; added a Coastal Training Program that delivers science-based information to key decision makers; and added significant monitoring of emergent marsh vegetation, invasive species, water quality, and bird populations. In addition to programmatic and staffing advances, the reserve upgraded its headquarters building with a 4,500 square foot structure to support research, stewardship, and the coastal training programs that includes six offices, a monitoring lab, and library. In cooperation with the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, a 12,500 square foot education facility was developed to support reserve educational programs and includes interpretive exhibits, aquaria, classrooms, and education staff offices, as well as an outdoor classroom. This plan can be accessed at https://www.northinlet.sc.edu. The revised management plan for the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve outlines a framework of overarching goals and program specific objectives that will guide the education, training, research, and developing stewardship programs of the reserve; describes land acquisition and boundary expansion; as well as outlines plans for facility use and development to support reserve operations. The goals and objectives put forth in this plan focus programmatic efforts on four critical issues that affect the reserve's ability to conserve ecological communities in support of the Bay's growing population: Climate change, species interactions, water quality, and habitat restoration. Broadly, the goals for each of these issues include increasing knowledge, understanding effects, and improving the ability of partners and stakeholders to respond to these issues. The goals described in this plan provide a framework that supports program integration for collaborative management of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Since the last approved management plan in 2003, the reserve has hired a full complement of core staff; established a research lab, fully operational System-wide Monitoring Program, and Graduate Research Fellowship Program; added a Coastal Training Program that delivers science-based information to key decision makers; developed education programs focused on sharing estuarine research with non-academic audiences; and constructed facilities to support essential functions of the reserve at its headquarters on the Romberg Tiburon Center campus of San Francisco State University. These facilities include office space for staff, classroom space, laboratory, and meeting facilities. The reserve has also constructed facilities and interpretive exhibits at its components sites, China Camp State Park and Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve, that support on-site research and educational programs. This plan can be accessed at https://www.sfbaynerr.org
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2011 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Atka Mackerel Total Allowable Catch Amount
Document Number: 2011-393
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) amount for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island management area (BSAI) Atka mackerel fishery. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined this TAC is incorrectly specified. This action will ensure the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC is the appropriate amount, based on the best available scientific information for Atka mackerel in the BSAI. 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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions
Document Number: 2011-275
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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
Document Number: 2011-284
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA has been issued a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Critical Habitat for Threatened Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon and Puget Sound Steelhead
Document Number: 2011-283
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will prepare critical habitat designation proposals for lower Columbia River (LCR) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Puget Sound steelhead (O. mykiss) currently listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The areas under consideration include watersheds in the lower Columbia River basin in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, as well as watersheds in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) identifies issues for consideration and evaluation, and solicits comments regarding them as well as information about the areas and species under consideration.
Endangered and Threatened Species, Designation of Critical Habitat for Southern Distinct Population Segment of Eulachon
Document Number: 2010-33314
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose to designate critical habitat for the southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), which was recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have proposed 12 specific areas for designation as critical habitat within the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The proposed areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their associated estuaries which comprise approximately 470 km (292 mi) of habitat. Three particular areas are proposed for exclusion after evaluating the impacts and benefits associated with tribal land ownership and management by Indian tribes, but no areas are proposed for exclusion based on economic impacts. We are soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including information on the economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designation, as well as the benefits to the southern DPS of eulachon from designation. We will consider additional information received prior to making a final designation.
Notification of U.S. Fish Quotas and an Effort Allocation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area
Document Number: 2010-33312
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that fish quotas are available for harvest by U.S. fishermen in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area. This action is necessary to make available to U.S. fishermen a fishing privilege on an equitable basis.
Marine Mammals; File No. 15616
Document Number: 2010-33309
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Craig Matkin, North Gulf Oceanic Society, Homer, AK, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2011 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
Document Number: 2010-33308
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific information for pollock and 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2011 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amount
Document Number: 2010-33306
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) amount for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod fishery. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined this TAC is incorrectly specified. This action will ensure the BSAI Pacific cod TAC is the appropriate amount, based on the best available scientific information for Pacific cod in the BSAI. 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2011 Bering Sea Pollock Total Allowable Catch Amount
Document Number: 2010-33303
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) amount 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 is 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2010-33282
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 3-day Council meeting on Tuesday-Thursday, January 25-27, 2011 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2010-33277
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a meeting of the Ecosystem Plan Development Team (EPDT) which is open to the public.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Capacity Limit in the Purse Seine Fishery in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2010-33228
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby issues regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (Act), as amended, for the U.S. purse seine fishery operating in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to make U.S. regulations more consistent with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution on the Capacity of the Tuna Fleet Operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. These revisions will ensure that the United States satisfies its obligations under the Tuna Conventions Act while allowing controlled operational flexibility for the U.S. industry consistent with the IATTC management framework.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Polar Bear Captures
Document Number: 2010-33226
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a capture- recapture program of polar bears in the U.S. Chukchi Sea. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to the USFWS to take, by Level B harassment only, two species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14330
Document Number: 2010-33225
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Tribal Government, Ecosystem Conservation Office, St. Paul Island, AK, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 14330.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Billfish Tagging Report Card
Document Number: 2010-33166
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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; Reporting Requirements for the Ocean Salmon Fishery Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California
Document Number: 2010-33165
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
Amendments to National Marine Sanctuary Regulations Regarding Low Overflights in Designated Zones
Document Number: 2010-33088
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-01-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On December 8, 2010, NOAA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the low overflight regulations of the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, and Olympic Coast national marine sanctuaries. Specifically, NOAA proposes to amend the regulations requiring that motorized aircraft maintain certain minimum altitudes above specified locations within the boundaries of the listed sanctuaries; and state that failure to comply with these altitude limits is presumed to disturb marine mammals or seabirds and is a violation of the sanctuary regulations.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 21 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2010-33102
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare an EIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in Amendment 21 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 21). These alternatives will consider several management approaches for limiting effort in the snapper-grouper fishery, including: trip limits, endorsements, cooperatives, catch shares, regional quotas, and State- by-State quotas. The purpose of this amendment is to rationalize effort in the commercial snapper-grouper fishery in order to achieve and maintain optimum yield (OY), prevent overfishing, and rebuild overfished stocks. Rationalizing effort is expected to mitigate some of the problems resulting from derby fishing conditions or at least prevent the condition from becoming more severe. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 24 to the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2010-33101
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare an EIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). These alternatives will consider measures to establish a rebuilding plan for the red grouper stock, while setting annual catch limits (ACLs), accountability measures (AMs), allocations, maximum sustainable yield (MSY), and optimum yield (OY) for red grouper. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper-Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2010-33100
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare an EIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). These alternatives will consider measures to establish a long-term red snapper fishery management program in the South Atlantic to optimize yield and rebuild the stock, while minimizing socioeconomic impacts. More specifically, these alternatives will consider the elimination of harvest restrictions on red snapper as the stock increases in biomass. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 5 to the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2010-33099
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare an EIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in Amendment 5 to the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 5). These alternatives will consider measures to develop a catch share program for the golden crab fishery. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2010-33089
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating projected unused amounts of Pacific cod among multiple sectors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. These actions are necessary to allow the 2010 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2010-32949
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR assessments of the Gulf of Mexico stocks of yellowedge grouper and tilefish will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: a Data Workshop, a series of Assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop.
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