National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the availability of a revised authorization to the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho (states) for lethal removal of individually identifiable predatory California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the vicinity of Bonneville Dam to minimize pinniped predation on Pacific salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus spp.) listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon. This authorization is pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The Council's Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Monitoring Committee will meet via webinar to develop recommendations for future MSB specifications.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Joint Advisory Panel and Plan Develop Team 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.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management will hold a public meeting to solicit comments as part of the performance evaluation of the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to target and missile launch activities on San Nicolas Island (SNI), California for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), Point Mugu Sea Range (PMSR). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The Navy's activity is considered a military readiness activity pursuant to MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Surfclam and Ocean Catch Share Program Review Oversight Team will hold a public meeting.

NMFS has received a request Duck Point Development II, LLC. (DPD) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental pile driving and removal activities during construction of a second cruise ship berth and new lightering float at Cannery Point (Icy Strait) on Chichagof Island near Hoonah, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

NMFS proposes new Illex squid specifications, while maintaining previously approved longfin squid and butterfish specifications for the 2019 fishing year. NMFS previously set specifications for all three species for 2018-2020 but proposes to increase the 2019 Illex squid acceptable biological catch by 2,000 mt based on updated scientific advice. No changes to the previously approved 2019 longfin squid or butterfish specifications are proposed in this action. This action is necessary to specify catch levels for the Illex squid fishery based on updated information on allowable catch levels and to provide notice that NMFS is maintaining the previously approved longfin squid and butterfish specifications. These proposed specifications are intended to promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the squid and butterfish resources.