National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2015 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2014-25957
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its request for applications for the 2015 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with directed or incidental shark limited access permits. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent and biological data for future stock assessments to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery. Shark research fishery permittees may also land other large coastal sharks (LCS), small coastal sharks (SCS), and pelagic sharks. Commercial shark fishermen who are interested in participating in the shark research fishery need to submit a completed Shark Research Fishery Permit Application in order to be considered.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-25928
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet in Seattle, WA.
New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-25927
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 4-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20B
Document Number: 2014-25855
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 20B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (CMP) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Amendment 20B), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, Amendment 20B and this proposed rule would modify Gulf migratory group king mackerel trip limits and fishing years, allow transit through areas closed to king mackerel fishing, create zones and quotas for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel, modify the framework procedures for the FMP, increase annual catch limits (ACLs) for cobia, and create an east coast zone and quotas for Gulf migratory group cobia. In addition, this rule proposes to reorganize the description of CMP zones in the regulations and clarify that spearguns and powerheads are allowable gear for cobia in Federal waters of the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic regions. The purpose of this rule is to help achieve optimum yield (OY) for the CMP fishery while ensuring allocations are fair and equitable and fishery resources are utilized efficiently.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2014-25852
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using pot gear, catcher vessels using trawl gear, and American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors (C/Ps) to Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Science Plan
Document Number: 2014-25797
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Ocean Service (NOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to announce the availability of the Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program for public comment.
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 18638, 17305 and 18727
Document Number: 2014-25750
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the following entities have applied in due form for permits to collect, import and export specimens of marine mammals for scientific research: File No. 18638: National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML, Dr. John Bengtson, Responsible Party), 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115; File No. 17305: Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, 218 N. Lee Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (Kathleen Dezio, Responsible Party); and File No. 18727: University of Alaska Museum of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960 (Aren Gunderson, Responsible Party).
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; 2015-2017 Specifications
Document Number: 2014-25741
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues final specifications for the commercial tilefish fishery for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 fishing years. This action establishes the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limit, total allowable landings, and harvest allocations for the individual fishing quota and incidental fishery components of the commercial tilefish fishery. The intent of this action is to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area
Document Number: 2014-25699
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area
Document Number: 2014-25698
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, vessels using pot gear, and vessels using jig gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; 2014 Sub-Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Harvested for Management Area 1A
Document Number: 2014-25635
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the directed herring fishery in management Area 1A, because it projects that 92 percent of the 2014 catch limit for that area will have been caught by the effective date of this action. This action is necessary to comply with the regulations implementing the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and is intended to prevent excess harvest in Area 1A.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Tribal Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #10 through #23
Document Number: 2014-25629
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Fisheries announces 14 inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to U.S./Mexico border and the treaty Indian fishery north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; U.S. Territorial Catch and Fishing Effort Limits
Document Number: 2014-25610
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule implements a management framework for specifying catch and effort limits and accountability measures for pelagic fisheries in the U.S. Pacific territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Using the established framework, NMFS is also specifying a catch limit of 2,000 metric tons (mt) of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each territory for 2014. A territory may allocate up to 1,000 mt of that limit to eligible U.S. longline fishing vessels. This final rule also makes several technical administrative changes to the regulations and announces the effectiveness of collection-of-information requirements. This action is consistent with international objectives of ending overfishing of bigeye tuna, while allowing for the limited transfer of available catch limits between U.S participating territories and eligible U.S. fisheries, consistent with the conservation requirements of the bigeye tuna stock.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-25605
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-25604
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; 2014-2015 Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf King Mackerel in the Florida West Coast Northern Subzone
Document Number: 2014-25600
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial king mackerel in the Florida west coast northern subzone of the eastern zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary final rule. NMFS has determined that the quota for king mackerel in the Florida west coast northern subzone of the Gulf EEZ will have been reached by October 27, 2014. Therefore, NMFS closes the Florida west coast northern subzone to commercial king mackerel fishing in the EEZ on October 27, 2014, to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Permit, Amendment: Marine Mammals; File No. 16087
Document Number: 2014-25578
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that an amendment to Permit No. 16087- 01 has been issued to NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA to conduct research on pinnipeds.
Marine Mammals; File No. 18208
Document Number: 2014-25577
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Randy Sacco, Ph.D., Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, 1920 Dayton Road, P.O. Box 70, Ames, IA 50010, has applied in due form for a permit to receive cell line specimens of marine mammals for scientific research purposes.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Control Date for Large-Mesh Drift Gillnet Limited Entry Program
Document Number: 2014-25527
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This ANPR announces a control date of June 23, 2014, that may be used as a reference for allocation decisions when considering potential future management actions to limit the number of participants in the large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) fishery that targets swordfish and thresher sharks. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) selected the June 23, 2014, control date based on discussions at its June meeting. The Council requested this ANPR to discourage speculative fishing effort as they review the current state-managed DGN limited entry program and consider establishing a federally-managed limited entry program for this fishery. This ANPR is intended to promote public awareness of the Council's interest and the potential for a future rulemaking.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Allowances in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2014-25366
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating projected unused amounts of the 2014 halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) allowance from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands trawl (BSAI) limited access sector to the Amendment 80 cooperatives in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the Amendment 80 cooperatives to fully harvest their 2014 groundfish allocations.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2014-25359
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP). NMFS consults with and considers the comments and views of the HMS AP when preparing and implementing Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) or FMP amendments for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. Nominations are being sought to fill approximately one-third (11) of the seats on the HMS AP for a 3-year appointment. Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and non-governmental organizations are considered for membership on the HMS AP.
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 51 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2014
Document Number: 2014-25307
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Based on the final Northeast multispecies sector rosters, we are adjusting the fishing year 2014 specification of annual catch limits for commercial groundfish vessels, as well as sector annual catch entitlements for groundfish stocks by adding carried over catch from fishing year 2013 and reducing quotas for some stocks by the amount of overages exceeding their limits in fishing year 2013, among other adjustments. This revision to fishing year 2014 catch levels is necessary to account for changes in the number of participants electing to fish in sectors.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2014 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2014-25293
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Because the 2014 catch limit of 500 metric tons is expected to be reached, NMFS is closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 24 meters in overall length in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) through December 31, 2014. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding the applicable catch limit established by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-13-01, which governs tuna conservation in the EPO from 2014-2016.
Science Advisory Board (SAB)
Document Number: 2014-25104
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management. Time and Date: The meeting will be held Monday, November 17, 2014 from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST and on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Please refer to the Web page https:// www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/meetings.html for the most up-to-date meeting times and agenda. Place: The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Silver Spring in the Magnolia Ballroom, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Please check the SAB Web site https://www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/ meetings.html for directions to the meeting location. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 15- minute public comment period on November 17 from 5:15-5:30 p.m. EST (check Web site to confirm time). The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of two (2) minutes. Individuals or groups planning to make a verbal presentation should contact the SAB Executive Director by November 12, 2014, to schedule their presentation. Written comments should be received in the SAB Executive Director's Office by November 12, 2014, to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after November 12, 2014, will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seating at the meeting will be available on a first-come, first- served basis. Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be directed no later than 12:00 p.m. on November 12, 2014, to Dr. Cynthia Decker, SAB Executive Director, SSMC3, Room 11230, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910; Email: Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov. Matters To Be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) NOAA Response to the comments from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science Program Advisory Working Group (RSPAWG) on the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Draft Science Plan; (2) Proposed New NOAA Criteria for the Review of Cooperative Institutes; (3) Sea Grant Advisory Board Biennial Report to Congress; (4) NOAA Storm Surge and Ecological Forecasting Road Maps: A Synergy for Advancing Resilient Communities; (5) Update on the NOAA Social Science Tiger Team Report; (6) SAB Strategy Session; (7) NOAA Update; and (8) Working Group Updates.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-25247
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting (Webinar)
Document Number: 2014-25246
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of its Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT). Information on how to participate will be posted to the Pacific Council's Web site (www.pcouncil.org) in advance of the webinar.
2015 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement
Document Number: 2014-25154
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-10-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes a proposed Annual Determination (AD) for 2015, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required to take observers upon NMFS' request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle interactions in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle takes and to implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2015 AD (see Table 1) will be eligible to carry observers as of January 1, 2015 and will remain on the AD for a five year period. The fisheries listed on the final determination will be required to carry observers upon NMFS' request until December 31, 2019.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2014-25103
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Catcher Processor Socio-Cultural Study
Document Number: 2014-25047
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-22
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 and Threatened Species; Initiation of a Status Review for the Guadalupe Fur Seal
Document Number: 2014-25017
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a status review of the Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A status review is a periodic undertaking conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. A status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on the Guadalupe fur seal population in the eastern Pacific waters that has become available since the last Guadalupe fur seal status review in 1984.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; West Coast Groundfish Trawl Economic Data Collection
Document Number: 2014-24976
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-21
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.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; Notice That Vendor Will Provide 2015 Cage Tags
Document Number: 2014-24960
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS informs surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) allocation holders that they will be required to purchase their fishing year 2015 (January 1, 2015December 31, 2015) cage tags from the National Band and Tag Company. The intent of this notice is to comply with regulations for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries and to promote efficient distribution of cage tags.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Modifications to Federal Fisheries Permits and Federal Processor Permits
Document Number: 2014-24758
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS revises regulations for the application process, use, surrender, and amendment of a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) or a Federal Processor Permit (FPP). This action will reduce industry compliance costs associated with fishing and processing permit regulations and NMFS' administrative costs associated with maintaining and updating permit application regulations and forms. This action promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2014 Accountability Measures and Closure for Commercial Wrasses in the U.S. Caribbean Off Puerto Rico
Document Number: 2014-24924
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial wrasses in the exclusive economic zone of the U.S. Caribbean (EEZ) off Puerto Rico for the 2014 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for wrasses off Puerto Rico, as estimated by the Science and Research Director (SRD), was exceeded based on average landings during the 2011-2012 fishing years. This temporary rule reduces the length of the 2014 commercial fishing season for wrasses off Puerto Rico by the amount necessary to ensure that landings do not exceed the commercial ACL in 2014. NMFS implements AMs and closes the commercial sector for wrasses off Puerto Rico at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 20, 2014, through the end of the fishing year, December 31, 2014. These AMs are necessary to protect the Caribbean wrasses resource.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-24855
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting via webinar.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearing
Document Number: 2014-24854
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public hearing via webinar to solicit public comment on proposed changes to the management of wreckfish and gag, two species in the snapper grouper complex. The webinar is open to the public.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications
Document Number: 2014-24800
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement the annual catch limit (ACL), harvest guideline (HG), and associated annual reference points for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Pacific coast for the fishing season of July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. This rule is proposed pursuant to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The proposed 2014-2015 HG for Pacific mackerel is 29,170 metric tons (mt). This is the primary commercial fishing target level. The proposed annual catch target (ACT), which will be the directed fishing harvest target, is 24,170 mt. If the fishery attains the ACT, the directed fishery will close, reserving the difference between the HG (29,170 mt) and ACT as a 5,000 mt set-aside for incidental landings in other CPS fisheries and other sources of mortality. This rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific mackerel stock off the U.S. West Coast.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; 2014-2015 Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf King Mackerel in Western Zone
Document Number: 2014-24709
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary final rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf EEZ will have been reached by October 17, 2014. Therefore, NMFS closes the western zone of the Gulf to commercial king mackerel fishing in the EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-24708
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-24707
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-24706
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Risk Policy Working Group will meet to review scientific information affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20B
Document Number: 2014-24689
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-10-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have submitted Amendment 20B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (CMP) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Amendment 20B) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 20B includes actions to modify Gulf migratory group king mackerel trip limits and fishing years, allow transit through areas closed to king mackerel fishing, create zones and quotas for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel, modify the framework procedures for the FMP, increase annual catch limits (ACLs) for cobia, and create an east coast zone and quotas for Gulf migratory group cobia.
Appointments to the Climate and Aquaculture Task Forces by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2014-24627
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nominations are being sought for appointment to two new task forces of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to support its advisory work for the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource matters. One task force will focus on climate and marine resources issues and the other on aquaculture issues. The members will be appointed by NMFS in consultation with MAFAC and will serve for an initial term of one or two years. The terms would begin in November or December 2014. Nominees should possess demonstrable knowledge or expertise in the areas described under Supplemental Information for each task force.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch, Northern Rockfish, and Dusky Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2014-24622
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Greenland Turbot in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2014-24621
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for non-CDQ Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2014 Greenland turbot initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2014-24620
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.
Taking of Threatened or Endangered Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Issuance of Permit
Document Number: 2014-24567
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS hereby issues a permit for a period of three years to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, taking of individuals of three stocks of marine mammals listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by vessels involved in the Hawaii deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries: the endangered humpback whale, (Megaptera novaeangliae), Central North Pacific stock; sperm whale, (Physeter macrocephalus), Hawaii stock; and false killer whale, (Pseudorca crassidens), Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale (MHI IFKW) stock.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-24477
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Charter Implementation Committee will convene October 29, 2014, from 9-5 p.m. via teleconference. Listening site, North Pacific Fishery Management Council conference room 205 or dial 907-271-2896.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Cancellation
Document Number: 2014-24431
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-10-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council has cancelled the public meeting of its Observer Policy Committee that was scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2014 has been cancelled.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
Document Number: 2014-24358
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-10-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reduces the trip limit for the commercial sector of king mackerel in the eastern zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) in the Florida west coast northern subzone to 500 lb (227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
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