National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Higher Initial Maximum Uniform Allowance Rate; Uniform Allowances
Document Number: 2015-01810
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NMFS Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) is planning to establish a higher initial maximum uniform allowance to procure and issue uniform items for uniformed enforcement officers (EOs). OLE has changed its uniform policy, now requiring five classes of uniforms. Until now, EOs were only required to have two classes of uniforms. This change affects 30 current EOs, 25 planned new EOs in 2015, and any future EOs. Current OPM regulations allow an agency to establish one or more initial maximum uniform allowance rates greater than the government- wide maximum uniform allowance rate.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-01787
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian district and the Bering Sea subarea (BSEAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in the BSEAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Draft 2014 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
Document Number: 2015-01751
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2014 SARs.
Notice of Availability of the Draft NOAA Restoration Center Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2015-01744
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of the NOAA Restoration Center Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. Publication of this notice begins the public comment period for this Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS). The purpose of the DPEIS is to evaluate, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternative programmatic approaches to coastal habitat restoration within the NOAA Restoration Center and other NOAA programs implementing similar habitat restoration activities.
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Document Number: 2015-01724
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the Oregon coastal Dungeness crab sub-loan in the fishing capacity reduction program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery has been repaid. Therefore, buyback fee collections on Oregon coastal Dungeness crab will cease for all landings after December 31, 2014.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Ross Sea, January to February 2015
Document Number: 2015-01692
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an IHA to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Polar Programs, and Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) on behalf of Louisiana State University, to take marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to conducting a low-energy marine geophysical (seismic) survey in the Ross Sea, January to February 2015.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-01690
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Eight Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMCs) will convene a meeting of representatives of their respective Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) in Honolulu, HI.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-01689
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 42 assessment of Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper 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.
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2015 Recreational Accountability Measures for Gray Triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico; Reduced Annual Catch Limit and Annual Catch Target and Closure
Document Number: 2015-01580
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for recreational gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish fishery for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. Landings data indicate the 2014 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) was exceeded; thus, NMFS reduces the 2015 recreational ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for gray triggerfish and closes the recreational sector for gray triggerfish in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This action is necessary to reduce overfishing of the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings
Document Number: 2015-01570
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has announced its annual preseason management process for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries. This notice informs the public of opportunities to provide comments on the 2015 ocean salmon management measures.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2015-01567
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has evaluated the joint resource management plan (RMP), represented by five Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs), submitted by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans specify the propagation of five species of salmon and steelhead in the Elwha River of Washington state. This document serves to notify the public that NMFS, by delegated authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined pursuant to Limit 6 of the ESA 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead that implementing and enforcing the RMP will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon and Puget Sound steelhead.
Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2015-01540
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the NOAA Science Advisory Board. The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
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: 2015-01442
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule 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). This rule modifies Gulf migratory group king mackerel trip limits and fishing years, allows transit through areas closed to king mackerel fishing, creates zones and quotas for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel, modifies the framework procedures for the FMP, increases annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs) for cobia, and creates an east coast zone and quotas for Gulf migratory group cobia. In addition, this rule reorganizes the description of CMP zones in the regulations and clarifies 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 Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Grouper Recreational Management Measures
Document Number: 2015-01339
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would revise the daily bag limit for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and remove the recreational post-season bag-limit reduction accountability measure (AM) for Gulf red grouper. Additionally, this rule would correct an error in the Gulf individual fishing quota (IFQ) multi-use provisions for the Grouper/Tilefish IFQ program. The purpose of this rule is to modify the Gulf red grouper recreational management measures to improve recreational fishing opportunities by achieving optimal yield for the red grouper resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 16
Document Number: 2015-01320
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would revise the annual catch limit (ACL) for royal red shrimp, remove the royal red shrimp quota, and revise the accountability measures (AMs) for royal red shrimp to remove an inconsistency in the regulations. The intent of this rule is to prevent overfishing of the royal red shrimp resource while helping to achieve optimum yield and reconcile conflicting Federal regulations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Document Number: 2015-01302
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Community Development Quota pollock directed fishing allowances from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2015 total allowable catch of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-01261
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Enforcement Consultants (EC) will hold an online webinar, which is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-01260
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) ad hoc Ecosystem Work Group (EWG) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.
Availability of the Draft NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy for Public Comment
Document Number: 2015-01168
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is releasing the draft NMFS Climate Science Strategy (NCSS) for public review and comment. Additional information, including the Strategy for download may be found at: https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/ ecosystems/climate/.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Surveys on the South Farallon Islands, California
Document Number: 2015-01154
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
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 National Ocean Service's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocky intertidal monitoring work and searching for black abalone, components of the Sanctuary Ecosystem Assessment Surveys.
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: 2015-01151
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reduces the trip limit in the hook-and-line component of the commercial sector for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast 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 king mackerel resource in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-01147
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council and its Committees.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-01146
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Spiny Lobster Review Panel.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures
Document Number: 2015-01145
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 40 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would establish a Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component and private angling component within the recreational sector, allocate the red snapper recreational quota and annual catch target (ACT) between the components based on historical and recent landings, and establish separate red snapper season closure provisions for the Federal for-hire and private angling components. These measures would sunset after 3 years unless the Council takes additional action. The purpose of Amendment 40 is to define distinct private angling and Federal for-hire components of the recreational sector who fish for red snapper, and allocate the recreational quota between these components, to increase the stability for the for-hire component, provide a basis for increased flexibility in future management of the recreational sector, and minimize the chance for recreational quota overruns, which could negatively impact the rebuilding of the red snapper stock.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Seabird Research Activities in Central California, 2015-2016; Correction
Document Number: 2015-01136
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register on December 23, 2014, concerning an application from Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) requesting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (Authorization) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting proposed seabird research activities on Southeast Farallon Island, A[ntilde]o Nuevo Island, and Point Reyes National Seashore in central California from January 2015 through January 2016. The December 23, 2014 notice did not contain an ending date for the public comment period. This notice correctly identifies the end of the public comment period as January 23, 2015.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-01081
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-23
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 catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and University of Hawaii Research Internship Program
Document Number: 2015-01079
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
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; International Dolphin Conservation Program
Document Number: 2015-01060
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
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; User Engagement Survey for Water Resources Forecasts and Climate Information
Document Number: 2015-01058
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-23
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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 18673
Document Number: 2015-00998
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Leslie Cornick, Ph.D., Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2015 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2015-00920
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On October 31, 2014, NMFS published a notice inviting qualified commercial shark permit holders to submit applications to participate in the 2015 shark research fishery. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments and cooperative research with commercial fishermen to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. Every year, the permit terms and permitted activities (e.g., number of hooks and retention limits) specifically authorized for selected participants in the shark research fishery are designated depending on the scientific and research needs of the Agency, as well as the number of NMFS- approved observers available. In order to inform selected participants of this year's specific permit requirements and ensure all terms and conditions of the permit are met, NMFS is holding a mandatory permit holder meeting (via conference call) for selected participants. The date and time of that meeting is announced in this notice.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2015-00918
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice announces receipt of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application from the Alaska Seafood Cooperative (AKSC). If granted, this permit would allow AKSC to evaluate how often vessels use alternate halibut handling methods designed to reduce halibut mortality, when the alternate methods are available as an option. Operators from AKSC nonpelagic trawl vessels would remove halibut from a codend on the deck, and release those fish back to the water in a timely manner to increase survivability. These halibut would be sampled by trained sea samplers for length and physical condition using standard International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) halibut mortality assessment methodology. This experiment has the potential to promote the objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Pacific Halibut Act.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 32
Document Number: 2015-00880
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would remove blueline tilefish from the deep-water complex; establish blueline tilefish commercial and recreational sector annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs); revise the deep-water complex ACLs and AMs; establish a blueline tilefish commercial trip limit; and revise the blueline tilefish recreational bag limit. The purpose of this rule 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 resource.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
Document Number: C1-2014-28633
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; STORMREADY®, STORMREADY/TSUNAMIREADYTM
Document Number: 2015-00888
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-21
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.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment
Document Number: 2015-00878
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Omnibus Amendment developed by the Mid- Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. This amendment was developed, in part, to respond to a remand by the U.S. District of Columbia Court of Appeals decision in Oceana v. Locke. The amendment also adds various measures to improve and expand on the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology previously in place. The proposed measures include: A new prioritization process for allocation of observers if agency funding is insufficient; bycatch reporting and monitoring mechanisms; analytical techniques and allocation of at-sea fisheries observers; a performance standard; a review and reporting process; framework adjustment and annual specifications provisions; and provisions for industry-funded observers and observer set-aside programs. In addition to responding to the DC Court of Appeals remand, this action is necessary to re-establish and improve the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology for all 13 Greater Atlantic Region Fishery Management Plans, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, after the previous methodology was vacated by the 2011 Court order.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2015 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2015-00808
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its second request for applications for the 2015 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with directed or incidental shark limited access permits. In this second request, NMFS is specifically requesting applications only from commercial shark fishermen who are fishing or plan to fish in the Gulf of Mexico fishing region. 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.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-00758
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 39 assessment of the HMS Smoothhound Sharks: a Data Workshop; a series of Assessment webinars; and a Review Workshop.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-00757
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Risk Policy Working Group will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2015-00696
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action reduces the possession limit for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year. Federal regulations allow NMFS to adjust the trip limit, if necessary, to help ensure that a common pool quota is not exceeded. The common pool has caught 79 percent of its Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder quota. This action is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool's 2014 fishing year allocation of Southern New England/ Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; National Standard Guidelines
Document Number: 2015-00586
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes revisions to the guidelines for National Standards (NS) 1, 3, and 7 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and to the General section of the NS guidelines. This action is necessary to improve and clarify the guidance within the NS guidelines. The purpose of this action is to facilitate compliance with requirements of the MSA to end and prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks and achieve optimum yield (OY).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training Activities in Virginia and North Carolina
Document Number: 2015-00558
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) training activities conducted in Virginia and North Carolina, from June 2015 through June 2020. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue regulations and a five-year Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Navy to incidentally harass marine mammals.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Large Coastal and Small Coastal Atlantic Shark Management Measures
Document Number: 2015-00548
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule would implement Draft Amendment 6 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Management measures in this proposed rulemaking are designed to respond to the problems facing Atlantic commercial shark fisheries, such as commercial landings that exceed the quotas, declining numbers of fishing permits since limited access was implemented, complex regulations, derby fishing conditions due to small quotas and short seasons, increasing numbers of regulatory discards, and declining market prices. The primary goal of Amendment 6 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 6) is to implement management measures for the Atlantic shark fisheries that will achieve the objectives of increasing management flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the Atlantic shark fisheries, and achieve optimum yield while rebuilding overfished shark stocks and ending overfishing. Specifically, this action proposes: Adjusting the large coastal sharks (LCS) retention limit for shark directed Limited Access Permit (LAP) holders; creating sub-regional quotas in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions for LCS and small coastal sharks (SCS); modifying the LCS and SCS quota linkages; establishing total allowable catches (TACs) and adjusting quotas for non-blacknose SCS in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions based on the results of the 2013 stock assessments for Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks; and modifying upgrading restrictions for shark permit holders. The proposed measures could affect commercial shark fishermen fishing in the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2015-00630
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-01-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-00612
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-00611
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, February 4-10, 2015.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-00610
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
There will be a joint meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) in Seattle, WA.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 40
Document Number: 2015-00587
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-01-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 40 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 40 includes actions to establish a Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component and private angling component within the recreational sector, allocate the red snapper recreational quota and annual catch target (ACT) between the components based on historical and recent landings, and establish separate red snapper season closure provisions for the Federal for-hire and private angling components. These measures would sunset after 3 years unless the Council takes additional action. The intent of Amendment 40 is to define distinct private angling and Federal for-hire components of the recreational sector who fish for red snapper, and allocate the recreational quota between these two components, to increase the stability for the for-hire component, provide a basis for increased flexibility in future management of the recreational sector, and minimize the chance for recreational quota overruns, which could negatively impact the rebuilding of the red snapper stock.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-00511
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a weeklong work session that is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-00510
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-01-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a joint webinar meeting of its Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) and Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel (CPSAS). Information on how to participate will be posted to the Pacific Council's Web site (www.pcouncil.org) in advance of the webinar.
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