National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 8, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Marine Fisheries Service is correcting an error in the alternatives section of a proposed rule that published on July 12, 2019. In that proposed rule, NMFS proposes to adjust regulatory measures that reduce bluefin tuna bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS). The preferred alternative for the Spring Gulf of Mexico Gear Restricted Area includes an evaluation period to determine whether current area-based management measures remain necessary to reduce and/or maintain low numbers of bluefin tuna discards and interactions in the pelagic longline fishery. The description of this alternative included two timing errors, one about the evaluation period and one about the applicable months for actions within the alternative. This action corrects the errors.

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 2019 total allowable catch of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

NMFS proposes regulations that would require Charter Halibut Permits (CHPs) to be registered annually with NMFS. In 2010, NMFS implemented a Charter Halibut Limited Access Program that issued a limited number of CHPs to persons who operate in the guided sport (charter) halibut fishery on the waters of International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A. The proposed annual registration of CHPs is intended to improve the enforcement of CHP transfer limitations and ownership caps, as well as provide additional information to NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on any changes in CHP ownership and participation.