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

Results 451 - 500 of 1,270
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 19669 and 20532
Document Number: 2016-20613
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Chicago Zoological Society [Michael J. Adkesson, D.V.M., Responsible Party], 3300 South Golf Rd., Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (File No. 19669), and Stephen John Trumble, Ph.D., Baylor University, 101 Bagby Ave., Waco, TX 76706 (File No. 20532), have applied in due form for permits to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 19315 and 19674
Document Number: 2016-20597
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Center for Coastal Studies, Right Whale Ecology Program, 5 Holway Avenue, P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 [Responsible Party: Richard Delaney] and Scott Kraus, Ph.D., New England Aquarium, Edgerton Research Lab, Central Wharf, Boston MA 02110 have applied in due form for a permit to take 22 species of cetaceans and pinnipeds, including endangered North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), blue (B. musculus), sei (B. borealis), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, for purposes of scientific research.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; 2017 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fishing Season
Document Number: 2016-20505
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule would establish quotas, opening dates, and retention limits for the 2017 fishing season for the Atlantic commercial shark fisheries. Quotas would be adjusted as required or allowable based on any over- and/or underharvests experienced during 2016 and previous fishing seasons. In addition, NMFS proposes season opening dates and commercial retention limits based on adaptive management measures to provide, to the extent practicable, fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in all regions and areas. The proposed measures could affect fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 9
Document Number: 2016-20483
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are partially approving Framework Adjustment 9 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action is necessary to better achieve the goals and objectives of the management plan and achieve optimum yield. It is intended to increase monkfish landings by enhancing the operational and economic efficiency of existing management measures.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Chambered Nautilus as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2016-20478
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) as a threatened species or an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition, along with information readily available in our files, presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. We will conduct a status review of this species to determine whether the petitioned action is in fact warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to the chambered nautilus from any interested party.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Closure of Purse Seine Fishery in the ELAPS in 2016
Document Number: 2016-20420
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the purse seine fishery in the Effort Limit Area for Purse Seine, or ELAPS, will close as a result of reaching the 2016 limit on purse seine fishing effort in the ELAPS. This action is necessary for the United States to implement provisions of a conservation and management measure adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission) and to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), to which it is a Contracting Party.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
Document Number: 2016-20414
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round weight. This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2016 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish
Document Number: 2016-20412
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the golden tilefish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS estimates recreational landings of golden tilefish in 2016 have exceeded the recreational annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the golden tilefish recreational sector in the South Atlantic EEZ on August 27, 2016. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish resource.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Maintenance, Repair, and Decommissioning of a Liquefied Natural Gas Facility off Massachusetts
Document Number: 2016-20407
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from Neptune LNG LLC (Neptune) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to maintenance, repair, and decommissioning activities at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port (Port) off the coast of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Neptune to take, by Level B harassment only, fourteen species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Permanent Advisory Committee To Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Meeting Announcement
Document Number: 2016-20405
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) on September 14, 2016. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. The meeting will be held via conference call. Members of the public may submit written comments; comments may be submitted up to 3 days in advance of the meeting. Mail comments to Emily Crigler at the address provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 45
Document Number: 2016-20404
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 45 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 45 would extend the sunset date of the red snapper sector separation measures for an additional 5 years, through the end of the 2022 fishing year. The intent of Amendment 45 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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fishery Products Subject to Trade Restrictions Pursuant to Certification Under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing (HSDF) Moratorium Protection Act
Document Number: 2016-20402
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-25
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.
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
Document Number: 2016-20018
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the rehabilitation of Jetty System at the mouth of the Columbia River (MCR): North Jetty, South Jetty, and Jetty A, in Washington and Oregon between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2022. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization (LOA) to the Corps to incidentally harass marine mammals.
Protective Regulations for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Document Number: 2016-20324
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to prohibit swimming with and approaching a Hawaiian spinner dolphin within 50 yards (45.7 m) (for persons, vessels, and objects), including approach by interception. These proposed regulatory measures are intended to prevent take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins from occurring in marine areas where viewing pressures are most prevalent; prohibitions would apply in waters within 2 nautical miles (nm; 3.7 km) of the Hawaiian Islands and in the waters between the islands of Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe. This proposed rule to establish 50-yard swim-with and approach regulations would help ensure public compliance by providing clear notice of prohibited conduct that results in take, including harassment and disturbance. Although unauthorized take of marine mammals, including harassment of spinner dolphins, already is and continues to be prohibited under the MMPA throughout their range, the purpose of this regulation is to identify and prohibit specific human activities that result in take (including harassment) of spinner dolphins, and thus reduce disturbance and disruption of important Hawaiian spinner dolphin behaviors in areas where human-dolphin interactions are most likely to occur. These proposed regulations would reduce take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins and the impact of human viewing and interaction on these animals in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). We developed this proposed rule after considering comments submitted in response to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), as well as information received during the public scoping period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), from community meetings, and from a dedicated scientific research project. Although not currently part of this proposal, we are also considering whether additional management measures may be necessary and appropriate to protect Hawaiian spinner dolphins from take, especially in essential daytime habitats that are regularly targeted by humans for dolphin-directed activities. Accordingly, we are soliciting public comment on the proposed swim-with and approach regulations, as well as alternative management options discussed in this rule and in detail in the DEIS.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-20317
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in this area allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-20308
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-20264
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Green Sturgeon ESA 4(d) Rule Take Exceptions and Exemptions
Document Number: 2016-20252
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-24
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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to BlueCrest Alaska Operating LLC Drilling Activities at Cosmopolitan State Unit, Alaska, 2016
Document Number: 2016-20251
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that BlueCrest Alaska Operating, LLC (BlueCrest) has withdrawn its application for an IHA to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an oil and gas production drilling program in lower Cook Inlet, AK, on State of Alaska Oil and Gas Lease 384403 under the program name of Cosmopolitan State during the 2016 open water season. Accordingly, NMFS has withdrawn its related proposed IHA.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Porbeagle Shark Management Measures
Document Number: 2016-20157
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule implements the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendation 15-06 regarding porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) caught in association with ICCAT fisheries. Recommendation 15-06 requires, among other things, fishing vessels to promptly release unharmed, to the extent practicable, porbeagle sharks caught in association with ICCAT fisheries when brought alive alongside for taking on board the vessel. This action affects fishermen fishing in the commercial highly migratory species (HMS) pelagic longline fishery and the HMS recreational fisheries for tunas, swordfish, and billfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This action implements an ICCAT recommendation, consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and will further domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-20106
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-20105
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook- and-line or pot gear 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.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops
Document Number: 2016-20103
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS solicits nominations for the ``SEDAR Pool,'' also known as the Advisory Panel for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Workshops. The SEDAR Pool is comprised of a group of individuals who may be selected to consider data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information, including but not limited to data and models, used in stock assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Nominations are being sought for a 5-year appointment (2017-2022). Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and non-governmental organizations will be considered for membership on the SEDAR Pool.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; South Pacific Tuna Act
Document Number: 2016-20080
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-23
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.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications
Document Number: 2016-20056
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement annual management measures and harvest specifications to establish the allowable catch levels (i.e. annual catch limit (ACL)/harvest guideline (HG)) for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the West Coast for the fishing season of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. This rule is implemented according to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The 2016-2017 HG for Pacific mackerel is 21,161 metric tons (mt). This is the total commercial fishing target level. NMFS is also implementing an annual catch target (ACT), of 20,161 mt. If the fishery attains the ACT, the directed fishery will close, reserving the difference between the HG (21,161 mt) and ACT as a 1,000 mt set-aside for incidental landings in other CPS fisheries and other sources of mortality. This final rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific mackerel stock off the U.S. West Coast.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Aquaculture
Document Number: 2016-20048
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, in coordination with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of a proposed Pacific Islands Region (PIR) aquaculture management program and alternatives. Publication of this notice begins the official public scoping process to help identify alternatives and determine the scope of environmental issues for consideration in the PEIS. The PEIS is intended to support offshore aquaculture development, including appropriate management unit species (MUS) for aquaculture, reasonably foreseeable types of offshore aquaculture operations, and permitting and reporting requirements for persons conducting aquaculture activities in Federal waters.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Adjustment to the 2016 Winter II Quota
Document Number: 2016-20031
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS adjusts the 2016 Winter II commercial scup quota. This action complies with Framework Adjustment 3 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, which established a process to allow the rollover of unused commercial scup quota from the Winter I period to the Winter II period.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2016-19997
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the states of Florida and Delaware and the Commonwealth of Virginia are transferring portions of their 2016 commercial bluefish quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial quotas.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Horseshoe Crabs; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 2016
Document Number: 2016-19996
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application submitted by Limuli Laboratories (Limuli) of Cape May Court House, NJ, contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The application seeks harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs from the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve (Reserve) for biomedical purposes and requires, as a condition of the EFP, the collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the reserve. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Horseshoe Crab Technical Committee and Delaware Bay Ecosystem Technical Committee were consulted on the scientific merits of the application. The Director has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Commission's Horseshoe Crab Interstate Fisheries Management Plan. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Director proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow up to two commercial fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations promulgated under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act). The EFP would allow for an exemption from the Reserve. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2016-19995
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the 2016 summer flounder commercial quota allocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the summer flounder fishery may not land summer flounder in Massachusetts for the remainder of calendar year 2016, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery require publication of this notification to advise Massachusetts that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in Massachusetts.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Licensing of Private Remote-Sensing Space Systems
Document Number: 2016-19984
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2016-19983
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action closes the Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool vessels fishing with trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2016. The closure is required by regulation because the common pool fishery has caught 90 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for Gulf of Maine cod. This closure is intended to prevent an overage of the common pool's quota for this stock.
Requesting Nominations for the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Notice of Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19952
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce (Department) is seeking nominations for membership on the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee advises the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior on implementing Section 4 of Executive Order 13158, specifically on strategies and priorities for developing the national system of marine protected areas (MPAs) and on practical approaches to further enhance and expand protection of new and existing MPAs. Nominations are sought for highly qualified non- Federal scientists, resource managers, and people representing other interests or organizations involved with or affected by marine protected areas, including in the Great Lakes. Ten of the 20 members of the Committee have terms that expire November 15, 2016, and nominations are sought to fill these vacancies. Additionally, notice is hereby given of a Committee meeting to be held via webinar on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. ET. The Webinar is open to members of the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19951
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet September 13 through September 16, 2016.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19950
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Abundance- based Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) workshop will meet September 12, 2016.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-19949
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Social Science Planning Committee (SSPC) to discuss and make recommendations on relevant issues in Hawaii and the Western Pacific region.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs
Document Number: 2016-19946
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management will hold a public meeting to solicit comments on the performance evaluation of the Guam Coastal Management Program.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2016-19891
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued scientific research Permit 14808-2M and enhancement Permit 18181-2M to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The authorized research and monitoring activities are intended to increase knowledge of the species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. Rescue and relocation efforts are conducted in order to enhance the survival of ESA-listed species.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2016-19890
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one permit application from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to enhance the propagation and survival of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, for a 10 year period. As part of this permit application, USFWS has submitted two HGMPs. The HGMPs specify methods for the operation of two hatchery programs at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery (LSNFH); the Winter Chinook Integrated-Recovery Supplementation Program, and the Winter Chinook Captive Broodstock Program. LSNFH is located on the Upper Sacramento River in California's Central Valley. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit application and associated HGMPs for review and comment, prior to a decision by NMFS whether to issue the permit. The permit application and associated HGMPs may be viewed online at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Site Characterization Surveys off the Coast of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2016-19889
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Bay State Wind LLC (Bay State Wind) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to high-resolution geophysical (HRG) and geotechnical survey investigations associated with marine site characterization activities off the coast of Massachusetts in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0500) (the Lease Area).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19813
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-19
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 webinar, which is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19812
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 49 assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Data-limited Species will consist of a data workshop, a review workshop, and a series of assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Archival Tag Management Measures
Document Number: 2016-19796
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule revises the regulations that currently require persons surgically implanting or externally affixing archival tags on Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) to obtain written authorization from NMFS, and that require fishermen to report their catches of Atlantic HMS with such tags to NMFS. Archival tags are tags that record scientific information about the movement and behavior of a fish and include tags that are surgically implanted in a fish, as well as tags that are externally affixed, such as pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT) and smart position and temperature tags (SPOT). Specifically, this final rule removes the requirement for researchers to obtain written authorization from NMFS to implant or affix an archival tag but would continue to allow persons who catch a fish with a surgically implanted archival tag to retain the fish only if they return the tag to the person indicated on the tag or to NMFS. Persons retaining such fish would no longer be required to submit to NMFS an archival tag landing report or make the fish available for inspection and tag recovery by a NMFS scientist, enforcement agent, or other person designated in writing by NMFS. Any persons who land an Atlantic HMS with an externally-affixed archival tag would be encouraged, but not required, to follow the instructions on the tag to return the tag to the appropriate research entity or to NMFS. This action will affect any researchers wishing to place archival tags on Atlantic HMS and any fishermen who might catch such a tagged fish.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allow the Use of Longline Pot Gear in the Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Fishery; Amendment 101
Document Number: 2016-19795
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement Amendment 101 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) for the sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This proposed rule would authorize the use of longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. This proposed rule would establish management measures to minimize potential conflicts between hook-and-line and longline pot gear used in the sablefish IFQ fisheries in the GOA. This proposed rule also includes proposed regulations developed under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) to authorize harvest of halibut IFQ caught incidentally in longline pot gear used in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. This proposed rule is necessary to improve efficiency and provide economic benefits for the sablefish IFQ fleet and minimize potential fishery interactions with whales and seabirds. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Halibut Act, the GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.
Permanent Advisory Committee To Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Meeting Announcement
Document Number: 2016-19747
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on October 6-October 7, 2016. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-19713
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Model Evaluation Workgroup (MEW) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public, to discuss and make recommendations on issues on the Council's September 2016 agenda.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-19712
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to review recent fishery performance and develop a Fishery Performance Report and/or other recommendations in preparation for the Council's review of specifications at the October 2016 Council meeting.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar
Document Number: 2016-19711
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with regulations issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, we hereby give notification that we, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), have issued four one-year Letters of Authorization (Authorizations) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to their military readiness activities associated with the routine training, testing, and military operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar within the western and central North Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9
Document Number: 2016-19702
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action proposes modifications to the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The proposed changes would modify the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area, which is in effect from January 1 through March 15 of each year. This rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for juvenile scup.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-19681
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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