National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 30, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS incorrectly published a second notice in the Federal Register on December 23, 2013, requesting comments on the proposed issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS had published the first notice in the Federal Register on October 30, 2013, requesting comments from the public for 30 days. The comment period closed on November 29, 2013. The notice that should have published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2013, was the notice of issuance of an IHA.

NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region. If approved, Amendment 7 would establish a management framework and process for specifying fishing catch and effort limits and accountability measures for pelagic fisheries in the U.S. Pacific territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The framework would authorize the government of each territory to allocate a portion of its specified catch or effort limit to a U.S. fishing vessel or vessels through a specified fishing agreement, and establish criteria, which a specified fishing agreement must satisfy. The framework also includes measures to ensure accountability for adhering to fishing catch and effort limits.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ad Hoc SBRM Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).