National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 51 - 100 of 112
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To List Two Guitarfishes as Threatened
Document Number: 2016-22450
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) and the blackchin guitarfish (Rhinobatos cemiculus). We have determined that, based on the best scientific and commercial data available, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect these species, both species meet the definition of a threatened species under the ESA. Therefore, we propose to list both species as threatened species under the ESA. We are not proposing to designate critical habitat for either of the species proposed for listing because the geographical areas occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction. We are soliciting comments on our proposal to list these two foreign marine guitarfish species.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-22338
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-22335
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish 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.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-22333
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-22332
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-16
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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-22331
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 124th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting, Fishing Industry Advisory Committee and its 168th Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Data Scoping Webinar for South Atlantic Red Grouper
Document Number: 2016-22181
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 53 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of red grouper will consist of a series Webinars.
Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2016 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits
Document Number: 2016-22111
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In this final rule, NMFS specifies a 2016 limit of 2,000 mt of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. participating territory (American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands). NMFS will allow each territory to allocate up to 1,000 mt each year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in a valid specified fishing agreement. As an accountability measure, NMFS will monitor, attribute, and restrict (if necessary), catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement. These catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries development in the U.S. territories.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Analysis and Review of Ocean Exploration Video Products
Document Number: 2016-21722
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-14
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. The notice document was published in the Federal Register volume 81, Page 61193, on September 6, 2016.
Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointment
Document Number: 2016-21995
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is soliciting nominations to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) as established by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS is also soliciting nominations for Technical Advisors to the Advisory Committee's species working groups.
Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; Fall Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21992
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In preparation for the 2016 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting, the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT is announcing the convening of its fall meeting.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-21941
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused rock sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council: Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21933
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council (council). The meeting is open to the public, and participants may provide comments at the appropriate time during the meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21907
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public joint meeting of its Whiting Advisory Panel and Whiting Plan Development Team on October 6, 2016 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program
Document Number: 2016-21824
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendment 47 would exempt eastern Chionoecetes bairdi Tanner (EBT) and western C. bairdi Tanner (WBT) crab that is custom processed at a facility through contractual arrangements with the processing facility owners from being applied against the individual processing quota (IPQ) use cap of the processing facility owners. Amendment 47 would modify the Crab FMP to allow all of the EBT and WBT Class A individual fishing quota crab to be processed at the facilities currently processing EBT and WBT crab and would have significant, positive economic effects on the fishermen, processors, and communities that participate in the EBT and WBT fisheries. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Crab FMP, and other applicable laws.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21820
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a meeting, which is open to the public, of its Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management in the Gulf of Alaska Trawl Fisheries; Amendment 103
Document Number: 2016-21808
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 103 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). Amendment 103 and this final rule allow NMFS to reapportion unused Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) within and among specific trawl sectors in the Central and Western Gulf of Alaska (GOA), based on specific criteria and within specified limits. Amendment 103 and this final rule do not increase the current combined annual PSC limit of 32,500 Chinook salmon that applies to Central and Western GOA trawl sectors under the FMP. Amendment 103 and this final rule promote more flexible management of GOA trawl Chinook salmon PSC, increase the likelihood that groundfish resources are more fully harvested, reduce the potential for fishery closures, and maintain the overall Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Central and Western GOA. Amendment 103 and this final rule are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and other applicable laws.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2016-21779
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this notice announces that NMFS intends to obtain information necessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for eight Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMP) for ongoing salmon and steelhead hatchery programs jointly submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (referred to as the co-managers), for NMFS' evaluation and determination under Limit 6 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 4(d) Rule for threatened salmon and steelhead. The HGMPs specify the propagation of salmon and steelhead in the Puyallup-White River Basin in Washington State. NMFS provides this notice to advise other agencies and the public of its plans to analyze effects related to the action, and obtain suggestions and information that may be useful to the scope of issues and alternatives to include in the EIS.
General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Scientific Advisory Subcommittee to the General Advisory Committee; Conference Call Announcement
Document Number: 2016-21765
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a conference call of the General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) to the GAC on September 23, 2016. The meeting and call topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21730
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) will hold a meeting.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21729
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting via webinar of its Data Collection Technical Committee.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21728
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public hearing to solicit public comments on Electronic Reporting Requirements for For-Hire Vessels via webinar.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-21713
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet October 3, 2016 through October 11, 2016, in Anchorage, AK.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Essential Fish Habitat
Document Number: 2016-21621
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for Amendment 10 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). NMFS finalized the most recent Atlantic HMS Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-Year Review on July 1, 2015 and determined that updates to Atlantic HMS EFH were warranted. NMFS also determined that modifications to current Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and sandbar shark (Carcharhimus plumbeus) and the consideration of new HAPCs for lemon sharks (Negaprion brevisostris) and sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) may be warranted. The purpose of this Draft Amendment is to update Atlantic HMS EFH with recent information following the EFH delineation methodology established in Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP (Amendment 1); update and consider new HAPCs for Atlantic HMS based on recent information, as warranted; minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing and non-fishing activities on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures
Document Number: 2016-21620
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 45 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) (Amendment 45). This proposed rule would extend the 3-year sunset provision for the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) red snapper recreational sector separation measures for an additional 5 years. Additionally, this rule would correct an error in the Gulf red snapper recreational accountability measures (AMs). The purpose of this proposed rule is to extend the sector separation measures to allow the Council more time to consider and possibly develop alternative management strategies within the Gulf red snapper recreational sector.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21613
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Technical Amendments and Recodification of Alaska Humpback Whale Approach Regulations
Document Number: 2016-21278
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are making technical amendments to and recodifying Alaska humpback whale approach regulations within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) with only minor, technical revisions. Specifically, we are recodifying the regulations that apply to ``Endangered Marine and Anadromous Species'' so that they also appear in ``Threatened Marine and Anadromous Species''. This action is necessary to reflect the change in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing status of humpback whales, whereby some populations of humpback whales will now be classified as endangered species and one will be classified as a threatened species. In addition, we are adding the Alaska approach regulations to the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to clarify that protections are in effect for all humpback whales that may occur in or transit through the waters surrounding Alaska, including those that are not ESA-listed. This clarification reflects that the approach regulations were originally adopted under the MMPA as well as the ESA. We are also making minor changes to the language of the existing regulations to modernize language and update citations to relevant authorities.
Approach Regulations for Humpback Whales in Waters Surrounding the Islands of Hawaii Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Document Number: 2016-21277
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are issuing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to prevent take by protecting humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from the detrimental effects resulting from approach by humans within 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) of the islands of Hawaii. These regulations are necessary because existing regulations promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protecting humpback whales from approach in Hawaii will no longer be in effect upon the effective date of a final rule published elsewhere in today's issue of the Federal Register that separates humpback whales into 14 Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) and identifies the ``Hawaii DPS'' as neither endangered nor threatened. These MMPA regulations prohibit operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet (304.8 m) of a humpback whale, approaching within 100 yards (91.4 m) of a humpback whale by any means, causing a vessel, person or other object to approach within 100 yards (91.4 m) of a humpback whale, or approaching a humpback whale by interception (i.e., placing an aircraft, vessel, person, or other object in the path of a humpback whale so that the whale approaches within a restricted distance). The regulations also prohibit the disruption of normal behavior or prior activity of a humpback whale by any act or omission. Certain vessels and activities are exempt from the prohibition. NMFS finds that there is good cause to waive public notice and comment prior to implementation of these regulations in order to avoid a gap in protections for the whales. However, we are requesting comments on the regulations and Environmental Assessment; NMFS will subsequently publish a final rule with responses to comments and any revisions, if appropriate.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Identification of 14 Distinct Population Segments of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Revision of Species-Wide Listing
Document Number: 2016-21276
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, issue a final determination to revise the listing status of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We divide the globally listed endangered species into 14 distinct population segments (DPS), remove the current species-level listing, and in its place list four DPSs as endangered and one DPS as threatened. Based on their current statuses, the remaining nine DPSs do not warrant listing. At this time, we find that critical habitat is not determinable for the three listed DPSs that occur in U.S. waters (Western North Pacific, Mexico, Central America); we will consider designating critical habitat for these three DPSs in a separate rulemaking.
Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing
Document Number: 2016-21461
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) will meet September 21, 2016. The meeting will be held, in accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and with Section 552b(c)(1) of Title 5, United States Code.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21433
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper Charter Advisory Panel (AP).
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-21432
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold two Coral Grant Stakeholder Engagement Meetings to educate fishermen using bottom contacting gear on the importance of coral reef habitats and to gather input on potential coral protection mechanisms and proposed areas that may warrant Habitat Area of Particular Concern designation.
Mariana Archipelago Fisheries; Remove the CNMI Medium and Large Vessel Bottomfish Prohibited Areas
Document Number: 2016-21422
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule removes the medium and large vessel bottomfish prohibited fishing areas in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Conditions in the fishery that led to establishing the prohibited areas are no longer present, and the restriction is no longer necessary. This rule also makes administrative housekeeping changes to the description of the CNMI management subarea and to the regulations for the CNMI management subarea crustacean fishing. The intent of this final rule is to improve the viability of the CNMI bottomfish fishery and promote optimum yield while preventing overfishing.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-21405
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Analysis and Review of Ocean Exploration Video Products
Document Number: 2016-21317
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-06
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 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: 2016-21316
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening 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 fully use the 2016 total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-21315
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (C/Ps) to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-21314
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and Guam Mariana Archipelago FEP AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rehabilitation of the Jetty System at the Mouth of the Columbia River: Jetty A, North Jetty, and South Jetty, in Washington and Oregon; Correction
Document Number: 2016-21275
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document corrects a typographical error in the ADDRESSES section to a proposed rule published on August 25, 2016.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Electronic Monitoring Program
Document Number: 2016-21058
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes approval of, and regulations to implement, measures in a regulatory amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The regulatory amendment was developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to implement an electronic monitoring (EM) program for two sectors of the limited entry trawl fishery. The regulatory amendment proposes to allow catcher vessels in the Pacific whiting fishery and fixed gear vessels in the shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery to use EM in place of observers to meet the requirements of the Trawl Rationalization Program for 100-percent at-sea observer coverage. This action is intended to increase operational flexibility and reduce monitoring costs for vessels in the trawl fishery by providing an alternative to observers. Data from the EM program would be used to debit discards of IFQ species from IFQs and mothership cooperative allocations. The regulatory amendment would establish an application process for interested vessel owners, performance standards for EM systems, requirements for vessel operators, and a permitting process and standards for EM service providers. The regulatory amendment would also establish requirements for processors (first receivers) for receiving and disposing of prohibited and protected species from EM trips.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2016-21206
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its approval of the State of North Carolina transferring a portion of its 2016 commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York. This approval of the quota complies with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement also informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and New York.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments
Document Number: 2016-21200
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2016 C seasonal apportionments of the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2016 pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Document Number: 2016-21196
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the potential impacts of authorizing an exempted fishing permit (EFP) for longline vessels to fish within the U.S. West Coast exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2016-21194
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2016. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2017 and will be announced in a future notice.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 16
Document Number: 2016-21193
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 16 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, incorporating the Environmental Assessment and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, for review by the Secretary of Commerce, and is requesting comments from the public. Amendment 16 would establish a deep-sea coral protection area in Mid-Atlantic waters where fishing vessels would be prohibited from using most fishing gear that contacts the ocean bottom. The Council developed Amendment 16 to protect deep- sea corals under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's discretionary provision for deep-sea coral protection. The coral protection measures would prevent expansion of fisheries using ocean bottom-tending fishing gear in areas where there is a high likelihood of deep-sea coral presence and would prevent damage to deep- sea corals in areas where they been observed.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21190
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM) 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21189
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Observer Advisory Committee (OAC) will meet in Seattle, WA.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21188
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Crab Plan Team (CPT) will meet September 20 through September 23, 2016.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21187
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet to discuss the SEDAR process and assessment schedule. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-21183
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one and a half day meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Shrimp, Coastal Migratory Pelagics Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
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