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

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To Revise the Code of Federal Regulations for Species Under the Jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service; Correction
Document Number: 2014-30677
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document contains technical corrections for errors in a rule related to Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for distinct population segments (DPSs) of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The ``Final Rule to Revise the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Species Under the Jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service'' revised the CFR tables that list threatened and endangered species under the ESA. During that process, we incorrectly revised the descriptions of listed entities for the DPSs of the loggerhead sea turtle in a manner that differs from the original listing descriptions. In this document, we correct the descriptions of the DPSs in the CFR tables. We also add cross-references to recently designated critical habitat of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead sea turtle.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-30654
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish will consist of one in-person workshop and a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fisheries Finance Program Requirements
Document Number: 2014-30648
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking
Document Number: 2014-30647
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
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 Wildlife and Plants; Final Endangered Listing of Five Species of Sawfish Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2014-30596
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action corrects the amendatory instruction to a final rule published on December 12, 2014, which incorrectly instructed deletion of the U.S. Distinct Population Segment of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) from the list of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This correction removes the incorrect language from the instruction.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30555
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a Marine Planning and Climate Change Committee (MPCCC) meeting in Honolulu, HI and by teleconference.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30554
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will receive an overview from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) about their geological and geophysical (G&G) permitting process in the Atlantic, focusing on regulations and the permitted activities for G&G surveys.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30553
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
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 Meetings and Hearings
Document Number: 2014-30552
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has begun its annual preseason management process for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries. This document announces the availability of Pacific Council documents as well as the dates and locations of Pacific Council meetings and public hearings comprising the Pacific Council's complete schedule of events for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures. The agendas for the March and April 2015 Pacific Council meetings will be published in subsequent Federal Register documents prior to the actual meetings.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Vashon Seismic Retrofit Project
Document Number: 2014-30540
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division (WSF) for an authorization to take small numbers of nine species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to proposed construction activities for Vashon Seismic Retrofit Project in Vashon Island, Washington State. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to WDOT to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for a period of 1 year.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Operation, Maintenance, and Repair of the Northeast Gateway Liquefied Natural Gas Port and the Algonquin Pipeline Lateral Facilities in Massachusetts Bay
Document Number: 2014-30539
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Northeast Gateway[supreg] Energy BridgeTM, L.P. (Northeast Gateway or NEG) and Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C. (Algonquin) to take, by harassment, small numbers of 14 species of marine mammals incidental to operating, maintaining, and repairing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) port and the Algonquin Pipeline Lateral (Pipeline Lateral) facilities by NEG and Algonquin, in Massachusetts Bay, between December 22, 2014, through December 21, 2015.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP); Amendment 7
Document Number: 2014-30521
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On December 2, 2014, NMFS published the final rule for Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 7) to ensure sustainable management of bluefin tuna consistent with the 2006 HMS FMP and address ongoing challenges in the Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries. The regulations implemented by the final rule require that an owner or operator of a commercial vessel permitted or required to be permitted in the Atlantic Tunas Longline category and that has pelagic longline gear on board that vessel, have installed, operate, and maintain an electronic monitoring (EM) system on the vessel. To enable vessels to comply with the EM requirements, NMFS is scheduling dates and locations for installation of, and training on the operation of, EM equipment on up to 135 vessels that were deemed eligible for initial bluefin tuna quota shares in Amendment 7. Although most Amendment 7 measures are effective as of January 1, 2015, the final rule specifies that EM installation must be completed by June 1, 2015, to fish with pelagic longline gear after that date. Therefore, in this notice NMFS is scheduling EM installations between January 1 and June 1, 2015. Pursuant to Amendment 7, NMFS is also providing information about the EM installation process.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2015 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Specifications and 2015 Commercial Summer Flounder Quota Adjustments
Document Number: 2014-30500
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is announcing revised commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for the 2015 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, as well as the commercial summer flounder state quotas for fishing year 2015. This is necessary to incorporate adjustments to the quotas due to the suspension of the Research Set-Aside program, implement an accountability measure for the commercial black sea bass fishery, and, for summer flounder state quotas, account for any previously unaccounted for overages from fishing year 2013 and any known overages to date from fishing year 2014. The intent of this action is to modify the established harvest levels to ensure that these species are not overfished or subject to overfishing in 2015.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Trawl Rationalization Program; 2015 Cost Recovery
Document Number: 2014-30488
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action provides participants in the Pacific coast groundfish trawl rationalization program with the 2015 fee percentages and MS pricing needed to calculate the required payments for cost recovery fees due in 2015. For calendar year 2015, NMFS announces the following fee percentages by sector: 3.0 percent for the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program, 1.2 percent for the MS Coop Program, 0.0 percent for the Catcher Processor (C/P) Coop Program. For 2015, the MS pricing to be used as a proxy by the C/P Coop Program is: $0.13/lb for Pacific whiting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30414
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-30413
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) will hold a Crab Modeling Workshop and a Crab Plan Team meeting. The workshop will be held January 13-15, 2015 with a Crab Plan Team meeting January 16, 2015.
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2014-30398
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation for activities conducted under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and addresses of recipients.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14097
Document Number: 2014-30394
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 14097-04 has been issued to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) (Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.), Protected Resources Division, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-30281
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 39 assessment of HMS Smoothhound Sharks will consist of a series of webinars. This notice is for a webinar associated with the Assessment portion of the SEDAR process. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-30280
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) will hold a meeting of their Joint Council Committee on South Florida Management Issues (Committee).
List of Fisheries for 2015
Document Number: 2014-30375
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2015, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The final LOF for 2015 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Fisheries Research
Document Number: 2014-30349
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS' Office of Protected Resources has received a request from the NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to conducting fisheries research, over the course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the NEFSC's request under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the NEFSC's application and request.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Document Number: 2014-30346
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).'' Publication of this notice begins the official public comment period for this DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to evaluate, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of conducting and funding fisheries and ecosystem research along the U.S. East Coast, including of the Northeast Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) and the Southeast Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (LME).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on Petitions To List the Pinto Abalone as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Document Number: 2014-30345
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding on two petitions to list the pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a comprehensive status review of the pinto abalone in response to these petitions. Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, we have determined that the species does not warrant listing at this time. We conclude that the pinto abalone is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is not likely to become so within the foreseeable future. The species will remain on the NMFS Species of Concern list, with one revision to apply the Species of Concern status throughout the species' range (Alaska to Mexico). We also announce the availability of the pinto abalone status review report.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2014-30341
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 21 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the General category December 2015 subquota period to the January 2015 subquota period (from January 1 through March 31, 2015, or until the available subquota for this period is reached, whichever comes first). NMFS also is adjusting the Atlantic tunas General category BFT daily retention limit for the January 2015 subquota period to three large medium or giant BFT from the default retention limit of one. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Hearings
Document Number: 2014-30316
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is developing an Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (called ``Measures to Protect Deep Sea Corals from Impacts of Fishing Gear'') that will address minimizing the impacts of fishing gear on deep sea corals in the Mid-Atlantic.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30315
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Fixed Gear Electronic Monitoring (EM) workgroup will meet in Anchorage, AK.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30314
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the King Mackerel Gillnet Working Group.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-30306
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
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: 2014-30305
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
Document Number: 2014-30304
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) will meet in Seattle, WA. The meeting is open to the public.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Black Sea Bass Fishery; Framework Adjustment 8
Document Number: 2014-30266
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 8 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. This action would allow the black sea bass recreational fishery to begin on May 15 of each year, instead of May 19, to provide additional fishing opportunities earlier in the year.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Restrictions on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2015; Correction
Document Number: 2014-30227
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS published in the Federal Register of December 2, 2014, with an effective date of January 1, 2015, a final rule to establish restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) by U.S. purse seine vessels in the western and central Pacific Ocean (``International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Restrictions on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2015''). The final rule also included a requirement for the owners and operators of such vessels to submit ``daily FAD reports'' to NMFS. As indicated in the December 2, 2014, final rule, some of the FAD restrictions are to go into effect only if NMFS publishes a notice in the Federal Register announcing that they are in effect. NMFS intended to make the requirement to submit daily FAD reports also contingent on issuance of a Federal Register notice, but inadvertently wrote the final rule such that the reporting requirement would go into effect on January 1, 2015, irrespective of issuance by NMFS of a Federal Register notice. This document corrects that error in the final rule by making the requirement to submit daily FAD reports contingent on NMFS issuing a Federal Register notice announcing that it is in effect.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2014; Interim Gulf of Maine Cod Management Measures; Correction
Document Number: 2014-30106
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document makes corrections to the Gulf of Maine cod interim regulations published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2014. This notice allows gillnet vessels to switch their designation as either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel, an opportunity that was inadvertently not provided in the original interim action. This notice also makes several corrections and clarifications, including where the Gulf of Maine cod trip limit applies, to ensure consistency with measures implemented in the interim action. In this document, we extend the expiration date of certain temporary amendments.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Amendment 14 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2014-30268
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 14 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for review by the Secretary of Commerce. The purpose of Amendment 14 is to specify an estimate of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the northern subpopulation of northern anchovy in the CPS FMP.
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2014-30213
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the agenda below.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Permits for Incidental Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 2014-30181
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-24
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 Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 16
Document Number: 2014-30160
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 16 includes actions to revise the annual catch limit (ACL) for royal red shrimp, remove the royal red shrimp quota, and revise the accountability measures (AM) for royal red shrimp to remove an inconsistency in the regulations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program
Document Number: 2014-30155
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule that would implement Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). The proposed rule would make several changes to regulations governing the acquisition, use, and retention of quota share established for captains and crew, known as crew quota share or C shares, under the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program). To implement Amendment 31, the proposed rule would: Temporarily expand the eligibility requirements for individuals wishing to acquire C share Quota Share (QS) by transfer; establish minimum participation requirements for C share QS holders to be eligible to receive an annual allocation of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ); establish minimum participation requirements for C share QS holders to be eligible to retain their C share QS and establish an administrative process for revocation of an individual's C share QS, if he or she fails to satisfy the minimum participation requirements; establish a regulatory mechanism to ensure that three percent of the total allowable catch (TAC) for each CR Program crab fishery is allocated as IFQ to holders of C share QS; and remove the prohibition on leasing C share IFQ. In addition, the proposed rule would implement a regulatory amendment to the CR Program that adjusts certain CR Program application deadlines. Specifically, the proposed rule would: Establish an earlier deadline for filing annual IFQ, individual processing quota (IPQ), and crab harvesting cooperative IFQ applications, which would increase the amount of time during which NMFS would suspend the processing of IFQ and IPQ transfer applications; shorten the amount of time in which to appeal an initial administrative determination to withhold issuance of IFQ or IPQ; and provide in the regulations that an applicant's proof of timely filing for IFQ, IPQ, or cooperative IFQ would create a presumption of timely filing. Finally, the proposed rule would revise the reporting period and due date for CR Program registered crab receiver (RCR) Ex-vessel Volume and Value Reports. This action is necessary to ensure that individuals who hold C shares are active in the CR Program fisheries and to ensure that application deadlines provide adequate time to resolve disputes. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and other applicable law.
Vessel Monitoring Systems; Requirements for Enhanced Mobile Transceiver Unit and Mobile Communication Service Type-Approval
Document Number: 2014-30151
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes this final rule implementing regulations to codify type-approval standards, requirements, procedures, and responsibilities applicable to commercial Enhanced Mobile Transceiver Unit (EMTU) vendors and mobile communications service (MCS) providers seeking to obtain and maintain type-approval by NMFS for EMTU/MTU or MCS, collectively referred to as vessel monitoring systems (VMS), products and services. This rule is necessary to specify NMFS procedures for EMTU/MTU and MCS type-approval, type-approval renewal, and revocation; revise latency standards; and ensure compliance with type-approval standards.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-29745
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Standing, Special Reef Fish and Special Mackerel Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-29744
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council's) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold an online Webinar to review new methodologies proposed for 2015 west coast groundfish stock assessments. The online SSC Webinar is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 32
Document Number: 2014-29726
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper- Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 32 proposes actions to remove blueline tilefish from the deep-water complex; revise definitions of management thresholds for blueline tilefish; establish blueline tilefish commercial and recreational sector annual catch limits (ACLs), accountability measures (AMs), and recreational annual catch targets (ACTs); establish a blueline tilefish commercial trip limit; revise the blueline tilefish recreational bag limit; and revise the deep-water complex ACLs, AMs, and recreational ACT. The purpose of Amendment 32 is to specify ACLs and AMs for blueline tilefish to end overfishing of the stock and maintain catch levels consistent with achieving optimum yield (OY) for the blueline tilefish and deep-water complex resource.
Recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud
Document Number: 2014-29628
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.'' Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce with twelve other Federal agency members: the Council on Environmental Quality, Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Security Council and the U.S. Trade Representative. The Task Force is directed to report to the President within 180 days with ``recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.'' Those recommendations have now been provided to the President through the National Ocean Council. This is a request for comments from the public to advise the Task Force on how to most effectively implement these recommendations. Specific questions are posed after some of the recommendations to help elicit feedback on potential implementation issues and concerns which will help inform development of an implementation plan in the months ahead.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Amendment 18 to the Salmon Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2014-29557
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a final rule under authority of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to implement Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan for Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (FMP). Amendment 18 revises the description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH) for Pacific salmon managed under the FMP, designates habitat areas of particular concern (HAPCs), updates information on fishing activities, and updates the list of non-fishing related activities that may adversely affect EFH and potential conservation and enhancement measures to minimize those effects. NMFS approved Amendment 18 on September 12, 2014.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Regulatory Amendment to Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries Trawl Rationalization Program for the Start of 2015
Document Number: 2014-29555
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action revises regulations for the Pacific coast groundfish fishery with an implementation date of January 1, 2015. Final implementation of the 2015-2016 biennial harvest specifications and management measures will be delayed beyond January 1, 2015. NMFS has identified two issues that must be addressed prior to January 1, 2015, to prevent interruption of ongoing fisheries and to allow harvest of the total allowable and available groundfish. This action addresses those issues by revising groundfish regulations in two ways. First, this action reinstates a mechanism whereby NMFS can issue interim groundfish allocations at the beginning of the year in years when annual groundfish harvest specifications are not yet finalized, as is the case for January 1, 2015. Second, this action amends regulations to allow NMFS to issue that portion of the allowable catch currently allocated to an Adaptive Management Program (AMP) to quota shareholders until final criteria and a process for distribution of the AMP quota shares is developed and implemented.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Porbeagle Shark Fishery
Document Number: 2014-29552
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing fishing for the commercial porbeagle shark quota until further notice. This action is necessary because, as of December 10, 2014, the commercial landings of porbeagle sharks during the 2014 fishing season exceeded the available 2014 adjusted commercial quota and to an extent that makes 2015 commercial quota unavailable.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses
Document Number: 2014-29475
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-17
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.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 7
Document Number: 2014-29438
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-12-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS will host two public webinars to provide the opportunity to explain management measures and effective dates in the final rule for Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Amendment 7), which published December 2, 2014. The measures in the final rule took action to reduce and account for bluefin dead discards in all categories; optimize fishing opportunities in all categories within the U.S. quota; enhance reporting and monitoring; and adjust other management measures as necessary
Notice of Intent To Issue Guidelines
Document Number: 2014-29394
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-12-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) allows for persons to employ measures to deter marine mammals from damaging fishing gear and catch, damaging personal or public property, or endangering personal safety, as long as these measures do not result in death or serious injury of marine mammals. The MMPA also allows the Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), to develop national guidelines on safely deterring marine mammals under NOAA's jurisdiction (e.g., whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions). To inform development of these national guidelines, NMFS requests input on which deterrents the public would like NMFS to evaluate and consider for approval. Any subsequent national guidelines for safely deterring marine mammals would then be released for public notice and comment as required by the MMPA. Such national guidelines would likely be tailored to each species group (pinnipeds, large cetaceans, and small cetaceans) as differences in physiology and behavior would affect whether a deterrent is appropriate for one or more species group. National guidelines would also address relevant implementation considerations. Deterrents could be considered ``passive'' or ``active'' in nature. Deterrents may include physical barriers, acoustic deterrent and harassment devices, visual repellents, boat hazing, noisemakers, and physical contact. For each deterrent device or technique submitted to NMFS for consideration and evaluation, NMFS requests information on the specifications (e.g., source and frequency levels, pulse rate, type of fencing, size of flags, etc.) for each deterrent or technique, which marine mammal species or species group (large cetaceans, small cetaceans, pinnipeds) would be deterred, how a deterrent would be employed (e.g., attached to fishing gear, launched some distance from a marine mammal), any evidence that the deterrent will not result in mortality or serious injury, and any other implementation considerations. This information will help NMFS determine which devices or techniques are appropriate for the development of guidelines and specific measures for safely deterring both non-ESA listed and ESA listed marine mammals.
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