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

Results 551 - 600 of 1,270
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2016
Document Number: 2016-18485
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing management measures for the 2016 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries, changes to the commercial scup incidental possession limit, and two minor corrections to the summer flounder commercial fishery minimum mesh size regulations. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year. The intent of these measures is to constrain recreational catch to established limits and prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources, to reduce unnecessary commercial discards by allowing more incidentally caught scup to be retained by vessels, and to correct inaccuracies within the summer flounder mesh regulations.
Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing-Underwater Acoustic Thresholds for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts
Document Number: 2016-18462
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of its final Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal HearingUnderwater Acoustic Thresholds for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts (Technical Guidance or Guidance) that provides updated received levels, or acoustic thresholds, above which individual marine mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2016-2018 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications
Document Number: 2016-18424
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing final specifications for the 2016-2018 bluefish fishery, including catch restrictions for commercial and recreational fisheries. This action is necessary to comply with the implementing regulations for the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan that require us to publish specifications. The intent of this action is to implement specifications necessary to constrain harvest of this species within scientifically sound recommendations to prevent overfishing.
Trade Monitoring Procedures for Fishery Products; International Trade in Seafood; Permit Requirements for Importers and Exporters
Document Number: 2016-18401
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule sets forth regulations to revise procedures and requirements for filing import, export, and re-export documentation for certain fishery products to meet requirements for the SAFE Port Act of 2006, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), other applicable statutes, and obligations that arise from U.S. participation in regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) and other arrangements to which the United States is a member or contracting party. Specifically, NMFS sets forth regulations to integrate the collection of trade documentation within the government- wide International Trade Data System (ITDS) and require electronic information collection through the automated portal maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Under this integration, NMFS will require annually renewable International Fisheries Trade Permits (IFTP) for the import, export, and re-export of certain regulated seafood commodities that are subject to trade monitoring programs of RFMOs and/or subject to trade documentation requirements under domestic law. These trade monitoring programs enable the United States to exclude products that do not meet the criteria for admissibility to U.S. markets, including products resulting from illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing activities. This final rule consolidates existing international trade permits for regulated seafood products under the Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) and Highly Migratory Species International Trade Permit (HMS ITP) programs and expands the scope of the permit requirement to include regulated seafood products under the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program (TTVP). This final rule also stipulates data and trade documentation for the above programs which must be provided electronically to CBP and addresses recordkeeping requirements for these programs in light of these changes. Trade documentation excludes any programmatic documents that are not required at the time of entry/ export (e.g., biweekly dealer reports).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-18374
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat 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: 2016-18373
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a Post Council Meeting Briefing for the public via Webinar.
Endangered Species; File Nos. 19331 and 19642
Document Number: 2016-18348
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Harold Brundage (File No. 19331), Environmental Research and Consulting, Inc., 126 Bancroft Rd; Kennett Square, PA 19348, and Jason Kahn (File No. 19642), NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, have been issued permits to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) for purposes of conducting scientific research.
Marine Mammals; File No. 18879
Document Number: 2016-18298
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D. (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407- 0401), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) near McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Retention Limit for Blacknose Sharks and Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks in the Atlantic Region
Document Number: 2016-18253
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is proposing modifications to the commercial retention limits for blacknose sharks and non-blacknose small coastal sharks (SCS) in the Atlantic region. The action would reduce discards of non- blacknose SCS while increasing the utilization of available Atlantic non-blacknose SCS quota and rebuilding and ending overfishing of Atlantic blacknose sharks. The Agency is proposing a measure that would establish a commercial retention limit of eight blacknose sharks for all Atlantic shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region south of 34[deg]00' N. latitude. In addition, NMFS is proposing to make two small, unrelated administrative changes to existing regulatory text to remove cross-references to an unrelated section and a section that does not exist. These two changes are administrative in nature, and no impacts to the environment or current fishing operations are expected. The proposed action could affect fishermen in the south Atlantic management area who hold commercial shark limited access permits.
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex
Document Number: 2016-18249
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex (other jacks complex) in the South Atlantic for the 2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that commercial landings of the other jacks complex will reach their combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 9, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on August 9, 2016, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2016-18248
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS will hold a 2-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2016. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-18218
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-18217
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a Webinar-based meeting of its River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Socioeconomics of Ocean Recreation Operations in the Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
Document Number: 2016-18195
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-02
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 Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-18126
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Dusky Rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-18122
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Modifications to Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Document Number: 2016-18110
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule that would modify the recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands management areas. This proposed rule is organized into four actions. Under the first action, NMFS would implement a requirement for tender vessel operators to use the applications software ``tLandings'' to prepare electronic landing reports. This action is necessary to improve timeliness and reliability of landing reports for catcher vessels delivering to tender vessels for use in catch accounting and inseason management. Under the second action, NMFS would modify the definition of a buying station. This action is necessary to clarify the different requirements that apply to tender vessels and land-based buying stations. Under the third action, NMFS would remove the requirement for buying stations to complete the buying station report because this report is no longer necessary. Under the fourth action, NMFS would revise the definition of a mothership to remove unnecessary formatting without changing the substance of the definition. This proposed rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP), and other applicable laws.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on Petitions To List Porbeagle Shark as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Document Number: 2016-18101
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) in response to petitions to list this species. Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the status review report (Curtis et al., 2016), and taking into account ongoing efforts to protect these species, we have determined that porbeagle sharks do not warrant listing at this time. This review identified two Distinct Population Segments (DPS) North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphereof porbeagle sharks. We conclude that neither is currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range or likely to become so in the foreseeable future. We also conclude that the species itself is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range or likely to become so in the foreseeable future.
International Fisheries; Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean; Fishing Restrictions Regarding Mobulid Rays
Document Number: 2016-18083
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C-15-04 (Resolution on the Conservation of Mobulid Rays Caught in Association with Fisheries in the IATTC Convention Area) of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). These regulations prohibit any part or whole carcass of mobulid rays (i.e., the family Mobulidae, which includes manta rays (Manta spp.) and devil rays (Mobula spp.)) caught in the IATTC Convention Area from being retained on board, transshipped, landed, stored, sold, or offered for sale. These regulations also provide requirements for the release of mobulid rays. This rule also revises related codified text for consistency with the recent amendments to the Tuna Conventions Act. This action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-18076
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; American Fisheries Act; Amendment 113
Document Number: 2016-18074
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 113 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). This proposed rule would modify the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod fishery to set aside a portion of the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod total allowable catch for harvest by vessels directed fishing for Aleutian Islands Pacific cod and delivering their catch for processing to shoreside processors located on land west of 170 W. longitude in the Aleutian Islands (Aleutian Islands shoreplants). The harvest set-aside would apply only if specific notification and performance requirements are met, and only during the first few months of the fishing year. This harvest set-aside would provide the opportunity for vessels, Aleutian Islands shoreplants, and the communities where Aleutian Islands shoreplants are located to receive benefits from a portion of the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod fishery, while the notification and performance requirements would preserve an opportunity for the complete harvest of the BSAI Pacific cod resource should complications arise with participation in the harvest set-aside fishery. This proposed rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of Amendment 113, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable laws.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Three Angelshark Species as Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2016-18071
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, issue a final rule to list three foreign marine angelshark species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We considered comments submitted on the proposed listing rule and have determined that the sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata), smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata), and common angelshark (Squatina squatina) warrant listing as endangered species. We will not designate critical habitat for any of these species because the geographical areas occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction, and we have not identified any unoccupied areas within U.S. jurisdiction that are currently essential to the conservation of any of these species.
Availability of Seats for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils
Document Number: 2016-17917
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
ONMS is seeking applications for vacant seats for eight of its 13 national marine sanctuary advisory councils and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council (advisory councils). Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary member and alternate), for each of the advisory councils are listed in this notice under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lake resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two or three year terms, pursuant to the charter of the specific national marine sanctuary advisory council or Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for North Atlantic Right Whale
Document Number: 2016-18004
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a 5-year review of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. The 5-year review will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we request submission of any such information on the North Atlantic right whale that has become available since the last 5-year review in 2012. Based on the results of this 5- year review, we will make the requisite determination under the ESA.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17970
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Advisory Panel on Wednesday, August 17, 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17969
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee on Tuesday, August 16, 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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14245
Document Number: 2016-17919
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-6349, (Dr. John Bengtson, Responsible Party), has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 14245- 03.
Scientific Integrity Office; Notice of Availability and Request for Public Comment
Document Number: 2016-17930
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Research (OAR) publishes this notice on behalf of the NOAA Scientific Integrity Office to announce the availability of the draft Procedural Handbook to accompany NOAA Administrative Order 202- 735D, the scientific integrity policy, for public comment. The draft procedural handbook provides revised NOAA procedures to respond to allegations of scientific and research misconduct.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions With the Pacific Sardine Fishery; Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2016-17880
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-28
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; Groundfish Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska; Reopening of Comment Period
Document Number: 2016-17879
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), announces its intent to expand the scope of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a new bycatch management program for trawl groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The bycatch management program for the GOA trawl groundfish fisheries would provide participants with incentives to effectively manage and reduce Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut bycatch and promote increased utilization of groundfish harvested in the GOA. NMFS previously published a notice of intent to prepare an EIS for the new bycatch management program on July 14, 2015. In June 2016, NMFS and the Council decided to reopen the comment period on the notice of intent to prepare an EIS because the Council and NMFS expanded scope of the EIS. NMFS will accept written comments from the public to identify issues of concern and assist the Council in determining the appropriate range of management alternatives for the EIS.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Assessment Webinar for Gulf of Mexico Data-Limited Species
Document Number: 2016-17812
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-28
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.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Data Scoping Webinar for South Atlantic Red Grouper
Document Number: 2016-17647
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-26
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.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Removal of Vessel Upgrade Restrictions for Swordfish Directed Limited Access and Atlantic Tunas Longline Category Permits
Document Number: 2016-17646
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule would remove vessel upgrading restrictions for vessels issued swordfish directed and Atlantic tunas Longline category limited access permits (LAPs). Currently, regulations allow for upgrading vessels or transferring permits to another vessel only if the vessel upgrade or permit transfer results in an increase of no more than 35 percent in length overall, gross registered tonnage, and net tonnage, as measured relative to the baseline vessel specifications (i.e., the specifications of the vessel first issued an HMS LAP). The proposed rule eliminates these restrictions on upgrades and permit transfers. This action could affect vessel owners issued swordfish directed and Atlantic tunas Longline category LAPs and fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Swordfish handgear LAP upgrade restrictions are not being addressed in this proposed rule.
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2016 Recreational Accountability Measures and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack
Document Number: 2016-17633
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the greater amberjack recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the 2015 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf greater amberjack was exceeded; therefore, NMFS reduces the greater amberjack recreational ACL and annual catch target (ACT) in 2016. NMFS has also determined that the recreational ACT for Gulf greater amberjack was reached prior to the June 1 annual season closure. Therefore, the greater amberjack recreational season in the Gulf EEZ will remain closed and will not be re-opening on August 1, 2016. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf greater amberjack resource.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North and South Atlantic 2016 Commercial Swordfish Quotas
Document Number: 2016-17630
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule adjusts the 2016 fishing season quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish based upon 2015 commercial quota underharvests and international quota transfers consistent with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendations 13-02 and 13-03. This final rule also simplifies the annual North and South Atlantic quota adjustment process when the adjustment simply applies a previously-adopted formula or measure. Finally, this final rule removes extraneous regulatory text about the percentage of the annual baseline quota allocation that may be carried over in a given year. This final rule could affect commercial and recreational fishing for swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This action implements ICCAT recommendations, consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and furthers domestic management objectives under the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Construction of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Document Number: 2016-17617
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for an incidental take authorization to take small numbers of seven species of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to construction activities associated with the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) in the San Francisco Bay (SFB), California. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to CALTRANS to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for a period of 1 year.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-17593
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock 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 flathead sole and rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17536
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad hoc Sacramento River Winter Chinook Workgroup (SRWCW) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public, to discuss progress on development of potential harvest control rule options.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Grouper Management Measures
Document Number: 2016-17518
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-07-26
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 action would revise the commercial quota and annual catch limit (ACL) and the recreational annual catch target (ACT) and ACL for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone. The purpose of this proposed rule is to adjust the allowable red grouper harvest to achieve optimum yield based upon an updated Gulf red grouper stock assessment.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-17471
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
International Whaling Commission; 66th Meeting; Announcement of Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17452
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice announces the date, time, and location of the public meeting to be held prior to the 66th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17451
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's ABC Control Rule Group will hold a two-day meeting.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17450
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a three-day meeting.
Marine Mammals; File No. 20481
Document Number: 2016-17402
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History Unit, 23 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2016-17398
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nominations are being sought for appointment to a new task force of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to support its advisory work for the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource matters. The task force will focus on providing information and advice on the establishment of long-term goals for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will appoint the members in consultation with MAFAC and they will serve for a term of up to two (2) years. The terms would begin in December 2016.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Caribbean Electric Ray as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Document Number: 2016-17397
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding and listing determination on a petition to list the Caribbean electric ray (Narcine bancroftii) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a comprehensive status review of the species in response to a petition submitted by WildEarth Guardians and Defenders of Wildlife and considered the best scientific and commercial data available. Based on the best scientific and commercial data available, including the status review report (Carlson et al. 2015), we have determined that the species is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is not likely to become so within the foreseeable future. Therefore, we conclude that the Caribbean electric ray does not warrant listing at this time.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17381
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific & Statistical 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.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings
Document Number: 2016-17380
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold public hearings on the Amendments to the U.S. Caribbean Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, and Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plans: Timing of Accountability Measure-Based Seasonal Closures Including Draft Environmental Assessment: Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The complete document is available upon request and can be found at the Caribbean Council's Web site: www.caribbeanfmc.com.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2016-17379
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-17378
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public.
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