National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 11, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes to revise the regulations governing transshipment and international port inspection for vessels with Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) permits to implement recommendations adopted at recent meetings of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The proposed rule would expand the current prohibition on transfer at sea to include any tuna, tuna-like species, or other Atlantic HMS both at sea and in port inside the Atlantic Ocean, and also prohibit the transfer of Atlantic HMS by U.S. vessels outside of the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas. However, tuna purse seine vessels would still be allowed to transfer Atlantic bluefin tuna from the catcher vessel to the receiving vessel in certain limited circumstances. Additionally, the proposed rule would revise current regulations for U.S.-permitted vessels landing tuna, tuna-like species, or other HMS in foreign ports or making port calls in foreign ports to update information and reporting procedures. NMFS is also notifying vessels with HMS permits of a proposed requirement that they provide an International Maritime Organization (IMO)/Lloyd's Registry (LR) number on their permit application by no later than January 1, 2016. The purpose of this proposed rule is to ensure U.S. compliance with ICCAT recommendations and to facilitate implementation of international monitoring, control, and surveillance measures for Atlantic HMS.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel will meet to develop comments relative to the 2015 spiny dogfish fishing year. Comments will be reviewed by the Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee and the Council in their consideration of alternative management measures for the 2015 fishing year.

NMFS has received an application from Bluecrest Alaska Operating, LLC (Bluecrest) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an offshore exploratory drilling program in lower Cook Inlet, AK, during the 2015 open water season. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Bluecrest to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during the specified activity.