National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 6, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Incorporated (hereinafter `Clearwater') has applied in due form for a permit pursuant to the Endangered Species At of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application is for the incidental take of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) and shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) associated with the otherwise lawful environmental education program conducted on the Hudson River, New York. The education program uses small otter trawls and beach seines to collect fish and invertebrate specimens that are held onboard the vessels for educational purposes. The duration of the proposed permit is 10 years. NMFS is providing this notice in order to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the application materials. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review.

NMFS publishes regulations to implement Amendment 99 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). Amendment 99 enables the holders of license limitation program (LLP) licenses authorizing a designated vessel to catch and process Pacific cod in the BSAI hook-and-line fisheries to use newly built or existing vessels that are not eligible under current vessel length and capacity restrictions. This action is necessary to promote safety-at-sea by encouraging the replacement of older vessels with newer and more efficient vessels that are able to meet modern vessel safety standards. This action is intended to facilitate the increased retention and utilization of groundfish by allowing sector participants to use larger vessels with increased processing and hold capabilities. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the BSAI FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and other applicable laws.

The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Recreational Advisory Panel and their Groundfish Oversight Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).