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

Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2019-18847
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This is a virtual meeting. However, members of the public may also come to 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3 Room 8836. This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a meeting of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Pelagic Longline Fishery Management
Document Number: 2019-18813
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice announces an additional public hearing for a proposed rule NMFS published on July 12, 2019. The proposed rule would adjust regulatory measures that reduce bluefin tuna bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2019-18811
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear and not participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2019 total allowable catch of sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl gear and not participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2019-18801
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2019. 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 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 2020 and will be announced in a future notice.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Commercial Trip Limit Reduction for King Mackerel in the Atlantic Southern Zone
Document Number: 2019-18797
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel (Atlantic king mackerel) in or from Federal waters in the Atlantic southern zone off the Florida east coast between the border of Flagler and Volusia Counties and the border of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties to 50 fish per day. This commercial trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the Atlantic king mackerel resource.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 21-4; Trawl Catch Share Program
Document Number: 2019-18794
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 21-4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 21-4 would adjust the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Catch Share Program to complete outstanding elements of the program, respond to problems identified after program implementation, and modify outdated regulations. The proposed Amendment would convert bycatch allocations of canary and widow rockfish to set-asides in the at-sea whiting fishery and remove fixed formulas used to determine bycatch amounts of Pacific Ocean Perch, darkblotched rockfish and widow rockfish in the at-sea whiting sectors. Bycatch amounts would instead be determined through the biennial harvest specification process, which would offer more flexible bycatch management for the at-sea sectors. The proposed rule implementing this proposed FMP amendment includes other regulatory changes which would provide increased opportunity to trade individual fishing quota, accumulation limits for catcher-processor permits, and expand economic data collections. The rule will help to ensure the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery achieves optimum yield, minimize costs of participation, provide fair and equitable access to fishery resources, and avoid adverse economic impacts to fishing communities.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Restoration Blueprint; Announcement of Public Meetings
Document Number: 2019-18783
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to evaluate a range of alternatives for changes to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) to expand the boundary of the sanctuary, update sanctuary-wide regulations, update the individual marine zones and their associated regulations, and revise the sanctuary management plan. FKNMS protects 3,800 square miles of waters surrounding the Florida Keys, from south of Miami westward to the Dry Tortugas. Within the boundary of the sanctuary lie spectacular, unique, and nationally significant marine resources including North America's only coral barrier reef, extensive seagrass beds, mangrove-fringed islands, and more than 6,000 species of marine life. The sanctuary also protects pieces of our Nation's history such as shipwrecks and other archeological resources. The DEIS includes a proposed action and a range of alternatives that would help improve the condition of resources in the Florida Keys through a series of regulatory and management measures designed to reduce threats and, where appropriate, restore coral reefs, seagrasses, and other important habitats. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the DEIS, also referred to as the Restoration Blueprint.
Special Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the United States Delegation to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Document Number: 2019-18760
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) announces a special meeting to be held September 5-6, 2019. The meeting is open to the public and will be accessible via conference call and webinar.
Marine Mammals; Pinniped Removal Authority
Document Number: 2019-18751
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On June 13, 2019, NMFS received an application from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, on behalf of their respective states; the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; and the Willamette Committee (hereafter called ``eligible entities''). The eligible entities are requesting authorization to intentionally take, by lethal methods, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus: Eastern stock) that are located in the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 and McNary Dam (river mile 292), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead (Onchorynchus spp.). This action is intended to reduce or eliminate sea lion predation on the fishery stocks that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Red Snapper
Document Number: 2019-18703
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures for commercial red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings for red snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2019 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on August 30, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18662
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Advisory 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: 2019-18661
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish 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.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18660
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet to discuss the SEDAR process and stock assessment schedule. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 18
Document Number: 2019-18649
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters (Amendment 18), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would modify the target reduction goal for juvenile red snapper mortality in the Federal Gulf penaeid shrimp trawl fishery, and would modify the FMP framework procedures. The purposes of Amendment 18 are to promote economic stability, to achieve optimum yield in the Federal Gulf shrimp fishery by reducing effort constraints, and to equitably distribute the benefits from red snapper rebuilding, while continuing to protect, the Gulf red snapper stock.
42nd Meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18619
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will hold a public meeting of the 42nd U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18567
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting to review annual (2020) specifications and management measures and make any appropriate recommendations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Equal to or Greater Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2019-18560
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18466
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Committee will hold a meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18465
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee will hold a meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18464
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) Workgroup (Workgroup), will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18463
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Crab Plan Team will meet September 16, 2019 through September 20, 2019.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18462
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet September 16, 2019 through September 19, 2019.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18461
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a webinar of its Observer Policy 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: 2019-18460
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one- day meeting of its Coral Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Coral and Shrimp Advisory Panels (AP).
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2019-18459
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the following: Personnel Committee/Committee of the Whole (Closed Session); Snapper Grouper Committee; Protected Resources Committee; Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Executive Finance Committee; Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; Joint Habitat Ecosystem, Shrimp, and Golden Crab Committee; and Mackerel Cobia Committee. The Council meeting week will include a training session for Council members on Robert's Rules, a formal public comment period, and a meeting of the full Council.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18458
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC's) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee (MC) will hold a public meeting.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18457
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a two day in-person meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel and Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Program
Document Number: 2019-18448
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management will hold a public meeting to solicit comments on the performance evaluation of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Coastal Management Program.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-18434
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2019-18430
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by catcher/ processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2019 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the King Pile Markers Project on the Columbia River
Document Number: 2019-18351
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the King Pile Markers Project on the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2019-17518
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we''), revise portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing or removing species from the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and designating critical habitat.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation
Document Number: 2019-17517
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
FWS and NMFS (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we'') revise portions of our regulations that implement section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (``Act''). The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the interagency cooperation procedures.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment
Document Number: 2019-18307
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council has submitted the Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment, incorporating the Environmental Assessment and the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, for review by the Secretary of Commerce, and is requesting comments from the public. This action would protect deep-sea corals from the impacts of commercial fishing gear on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine. These proposed management measures are intended to reduce, to the extent practicable, impacts of fishing gear on deep-sea corals in New England while balancing their costs to commercial fisheries.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2019-18264
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has made a determination on the Nez Perce Tribe's Tribal Resource Management Plan (TRMP), pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Pacific salmon and steelhead under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The TRMP specifies the implementation of fisheries targeting steelhead in the Snake River Basin.
Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
Document Number: 2019-18188
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine is now overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Notification of Intent To Process Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod
Document Number: 2019-18180
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-23
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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 22851
Document Number: 2019-18170
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Sea Life Park Hawaii, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway #7, Waimanalo, HI 96795 (Valerie King, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to maintain non-releasable Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) in captivity for enhancement purposes.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Biennial Specifications
Document Number: 2019-18165
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement allowable catch levels, an overfishing limit, an allowable biological catch, and an annual catch limit for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington) for the fishing seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. This rule is proposed pursuant to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. The proposed harvest guideline and annual catch target for the 2019-2020 fishing season are 11,109 metric tons (mt) and 10,109 mt, respectively. The proposed harvest guideline and annual catch target for the 2020-2021 fishing season are 7,950 mt and 6,950 mt, respectively. If the fishery attains the annual catch target in either fishing season, the directed fishery will close, reserving the 1,000-mt difference between the harvest guideline and annual catch target as a set-aside for incidental landings in other Coastal Pelagic Species fisheries and other sources of mortality. This rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific mackerel stock off the U.S. West Coast.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rockfish Management in the Groundfish Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2019-18130
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 119 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and Amendment 107 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) (collectively Amendments 119/107) to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review. If approved, Amendments 119/107 would require that the operator of a catcher vessel required to have a federal fishery permit using hook-and-line, pot, or jig in the EEZ of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to retain and land all rockfish (Sebastes and Sebastolobus species) caught while fishing for groundfish or for Pacific halibut and establish a limit on the amount of rockfish caught as incidental catch allowed to enter commerce through barter, sale or trade. Amendments 119/107 are necessary to improve identification of rockfish species, improve data collection by providing more accurate estimates of total catch, reduce incentives to discard rockfish, reduce waste, reduce overall enforcement burden, and provide regulatory consistency. Amendments 119/ 107 are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the BSAI FMP, the GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target Reductions
Document Number: 2019-18129
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the gray triggerfish commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019 fishing year. NMFS has determined that the 2018 commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS reduces the ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on August 24, 2019, and these reductions will remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2019. These reductions are necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Commercial Closure for Atlantic Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Zone
Document Number: 2019-18128
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic EEZ will be reached by August 24, 2019. Therefore, NMFS closes the northern zone of the Atlantic EEZ to commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel on August 24, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the Spanish mackerel resource in the Atlantic.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2019-18127
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes notification of a 1.70 percent fee for cost recovery under the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program. This action is intended to provide holders of crab allocations with the 2019/2020 crab fishing year fee percentage so they can calculate the required cost recovery fee payment that must be submitted by July 31, 2020.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2019-18121
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from trawl catcher vessels, vessels using jig gear, and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) 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 2019 TAC of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Marine Mammals; File No. 22884
Document Number: 2019-18118
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Mark Baumgartner, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS No. 33, Biology Department, Woods Hole, MA 02543 has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on two species of marine mammals.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2019-18103
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
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 sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery; Control Date for Lobster Conservation Management Areas
Document Number: 2019-18096
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a control date that may be used for potential changes to the lobster management program. This action is necessary to inform American lobster permit holders and any potential new entrants that future participation and eligibility may be affected by past participation, documentation of landings, effort, and/or gear configuration prior to the control date. The control date is intended to promote awareness of possible rulemaking and notify the public that actions taken after the control date may not be recognized in the future.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18072
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18071
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-18070
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Joint Committee and 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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.