National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 14, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On October 31, 2011, NMFS published a notice inviting qualified commercial shark permit holders to submit an application to participate in the 2012 shark research fishery. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments while also allowing NMFS and commercial fishermen to conduct cooperative research to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. Every year, the permit terms and permitted activities (e.g., number of hooks and trip, retention limits) specifically authorized for selected participants in the shark research fishery are designated depending on the scientific and research needs of the Agency as well as the number of NMFS-approved observers available. In order to inform selected participants of this year's specific permit requirements and ensure all terms and conditions of the permit are met, NMFS is holding a mandatory permit holder meeting for selected participants. In this notice, NMFS announces the date and time of that meeting.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2012 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

NOAA's OCRM announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) documenting Federal Approval of the Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP). The Federal Register Notice (FRN) on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the ICMP was published December 23, 2011 for a 30-day comment period (76 FR 80342). The comment period closed on January 23, 2012. The ROD documents the selection of Alternative 1 (the NOAA preferred alternative) in the final EIS. NOAA makes a final determination that the ICMP constitutes an approvable program and that requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and its implementing regulations have been met. The ROD was signed by the Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, on January 31, 2012. Federal consistency applies to the ICMP enforceable policies as of January 31, 2012, and the State of Illinois is eligible to receive program administration grant funds.