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

Results 551 - 600 of 1,232
Notice of Partial Delegation of Authority to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration To Implement Section 113 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Regarding the Research, Exploration and Salvage of RMS Titanic
Document Number: 2019-16635
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA is publishing this notice to inform the public that, on August 29, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce delegated to the NOAA Administrator partial authority under Section 113 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (``Section 113''), to authorize any research, exploration, salvage, or other activity that would physically alter or disturb the wreck or wreck site of the RMS Titanic per the provisions of the Agreement Concerning the Shipwrecked Vessel RMS Titanic (hereinafter the ``International Agreement''). The Secretary also authorized the NOAA Administrator to take appropriate actions to carry out this section of the Act consistent with the International Agreement. This notice also provides the public with a point of contact for any person seeking a Section 113 authorization from NOAA.
Announcement of Change in Hearing Date Regarding Proposed Waiver and Regulations Governing the Taking of Marine Mammals
Document Number: 2019-16559
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The hearing date previously announced in the Federal Register for a proposed waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and proposed regulations governing the hunting of eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales by the Makah Indian Tribe in northwest Washington State, and the related deadlines for submission of testimony and motions, is being changed as noted below.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Document Number: 2019-16554
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Modifications To Reduce Serious Injury and Mortality of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast
Document Number: 2019-16487
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to begin a rulemaking process that will amend the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) to reduce the risk of serious injuries and mortalities to North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and other large whales caused by entanglement in commercial trap/pot fisheries along the U.S. East Coast. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the impacts to the environment of alternatives to amend the Plan. This notice informs the public of upcoming scoping meetings to solicit public comments on ways to reduce the risk of entanglement in trap and pot fisheries for right, humpback, and finback whales. NMFS requests comments on management options for this action, particularly including information about operational challenges, time, and costs required to modify gear by changing configurations such as traps per trawl to reduce endline numbers, installing new line or sleeves, and by expanding gear marking requirements. Team recommendations and additional risk reduction measures identified during Team discussions and during this scoping period will form the basis of the alternatives that will be analyzed through the EIS process.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project, Mayport, Florida
Document Number: 2019-16486
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic (the Navy) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project at Naval Station Mayport (NAVSTA), Jacksonville, Florida.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications
Document Number: 2019-16484
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS revises Illex squid specifications and maintains previously approved longfin squid and butterfish specifications for the 2019 fishing year. 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 specifications are intended to promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the squid and butterfish resources.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2019-16469
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 11 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead, rockfish, and eulachon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/ preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2019 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Document Number: 2019-16421
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2019 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and fisheries development in the CNMI.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 18
Document Number: 2019-16420
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters (Amendment 18) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 18 would modify the target reduction goal for juvenile red snapper mortality in the Federal Gulf shrimp trawl fishery in the 10-30 fathom depth zone, and would modify the FMP management measures framework procedure. 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.
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals
Document Number: 2019-16358
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has renewed affirmative findings for the Governments of Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Spain (referred to hereafter as ``the Nations'') under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These affirmative findings will continue to allow the importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) for 1 year in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) by purse seine vessels operating under the Nations' jurisdiction or exported from the Nations. NMFS bases the affirmative finding annual renewals on reviews of documentary evidence submitted by the Governments of the Nations and of information obtained from the secretariat of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals
Document Number: 2019-16356
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has issued a 5-year affirmative finding for the Government of Colombia under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) by purse seine vessels operating under Colombian jurisdiction or exported from Colombia. NMFS bases the affirmative finding determination on reviews of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Colombia and of information obtained from the secretariat of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities
Document Number: 2019-16318
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. 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. ONR's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Restrictions in Purse Seine Fisheries
Document Number: 2019-16284
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This interim final rule establishes limits on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20[deg] N. and 20[deg] S. in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). The calendar year limit for 2019 is 1,616 fishing days. The calendar year limit for 2020 and subsequent years is 1,828 fishing days. 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, to which it is a Contracting Party. NMFS is seeking comments on this interim final rule and will respond to those comments in a subsequent final rule.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Snowy Grouper
Document Number: 2019-16272
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial snowy grouper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings for snowy grouper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 3, 2019. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ on August 3, 2019, and it will remain closed until the start of the next commercial fishing season on January 1, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the snowy grouper resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Amendment 13
Document Number: 2019-16265
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf Council) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (South Atlantic Council) (Councils) have submitted Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP), for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. The purpose of Amendment 13 and this final rule is to align Federal regulations for spiny lobster that apply to the EEZ off Florida with Florida state regulations, re-establish a procedure for an enhanced cooperative management system, and update the regulations to aid law enforcement and the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-16252
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Trawl Electronic Monitoring Committee will meet August 21, 2019 through August 22, 2019.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2019-16251
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-31
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 review of the annual specifications that commence May 1, 2020. Potential federal trip limit modifications will also be discussed.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Document Number: 2019-15867
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, upon request from Hilcorp Alaska LLC (Hilcorp), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of five years (2019-2024). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby additionally given that a LOA has been issued to Hilcorp to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas activities.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Confined Rock Blasting Near Ketchikan, Alaska
Document Number: 2019-16155
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the City of Ketchikan to incidentally harass, by Level B and Level A harassment only, marine mammals during underwater confined rock blasting activities associated with a rock pinnacle removal project in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-16143
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council's) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting to review new benchmark and update assessments and catch-only update assessment projections to inform new 2021 and 2022 groundfish harvest specifications. The meeting is open to the public.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-16138
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Bluefish Monitoring Committee will hold a meeting.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Blueline Tilefish
Document Number: 2019-16030
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings of blueline tilefish are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by July 30, 2019. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 30, 2019, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the blueline tilefish resource.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington
Document Number: 2019-15970
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Electronic Monitoring Program; Correction
Document Number: 2019-15908
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS published a final rule on June 28, 2019, to implement an electronic monitoring (EM) program for catcher vessels in the Pacific whiting fishery and fixed gear vessels in the shorebased groundfish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery. The final rule established an application process for interested vessel owners; performance standards for EM systems; requirements for vessel operators; a permitting process and standards for EM service providers; and requirements for processors (first receivers) for receiving and disposing of prohibited and protected species from EM trips. This action corrects the numbering of two paragraphs in the Code of Federal Regulations. These corrections are necessary so that the implementing regulations are accurate and implement the action as intended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File No. 22435
Document Number: 2019-15907
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Forensic Laboratory, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112 (Responsible Party: Kevin Werner, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal and protected species parts for scientific research.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15901
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
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.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15900
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a public meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15899
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee (Committee) will hold a public meeting.
Fisheries of the Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15897
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 65 assessment process of HMS Atlantic blacktip shark will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of data and assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Pacific Coast Groundfish Rationalization Sociocultural Study
Document Number: 2019-15882
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
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; Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Atlantic Bluefish Fisheries; 2020-2021 Specifications
Document Number: 2019-15845
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes 2020 specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries and projects 2021 summer flounder specifications. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan and the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan require us to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. This action is intended to inform the public of the proposed specifications for the start of the 2020 fishing year for these four species and announces the projected 2021 summer flounder specifications.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Site Characterization Surveys of Lease Areas OCS-A 0486, OCS-A 0487, and OCS-A 0500
Document Number: 2019-15802
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from Orsted Wind Power LLC (Orsted) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to high-resolution geophysical (HRG) survey investigations associated with marine site characterization activities off the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the areas of Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) currently being leased by the Applicant's affiliates Deepwater Wind New England, LLC and Bay State Wind LLC, respectively. These are identified as OCS-A 0486, OCS-A 0487, and OCS-A 0500 (collectively referred to as the Lease Areas). Orsted is also proposing to conduct marine site characterization surveys along one or more export cable route corridors (ECRs) originating from the Lease Areas and landing along the shoreline at locations from New York to Massachusetts, between Raritan Bay (part of the New York Bight) to Falmouth, Massachusetts (see Figure 1). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Orsted to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, small numbers of marine mammals during the specified activities. 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.
Notice of Intent To Develop a Policy for Determining Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and Hypoxia Events of National Significance in Marine or Coastal Waters; Opportunity To Provide Information
Document Number: 2019-15820
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017 (HABHRCA) provides NOAA with authority to determine that a harmful algal bloom (HAB) or hypoxia event in marine or coastal waters is an event of national significance. NOAA may make this determination on its own initiative or upon the request of the Governor of an affected state. Following an event of national significance determination, NOAA is further authorized to make sums available to the affected state or local government for the purposes of assessing and mitigating the detrimental environmental, economic, subsistence use, and public health effects of the event of national significance. Funds would be subject to the availability of appropriations. The Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out for the purposes described above may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of that activity. NOAA is soliciting comments to inform the development of agency policy for determining HAB and hypoxia events of national significance in marine and coastal waters. NOAA will subsequently issue, in the Federal Register, notice of availability of the draft policy and provide an opportunity for formal public comment on the draft policy after it is prepared. Note that HABHRCA provides the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with comparable authority for determining freshwater hypoxia or HAB events of national significance. The EPA will issue a separate notice to solicit comments on freshwater hypoxia or HAB events.
Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 2 and Environmental Assessment: Fish, Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals, and Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities; Reopening of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2019-15756
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are reopening the public comment period on our Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 2/Environmental Assessment: Fish, Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals, and Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (RP/EA). We opened the original comment period via a May 15, 2019, Federal Register notice. That comment period was extended on July 1 and formally closed on July 15, 2019. Due to extenuating weather conditions associated with the recent Hurricane Barry, this notice reopens the comment period through August 2, 2019. Comments submitted previously in response to either of these two Federal Register notices, including any comments submitted after July 15, and before the issuance of this notice do not need to be resubmitted.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15741
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold its 166th meeting in August to discuss the items contained in the agenda in the Supplementary Information.
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; 2019 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure
Document Number: 2019-15722
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean because the fishery has reached the 2019 catch limit. This action is necessary to ensure compliance with NMFS regulations that implement decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings Pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region
Document Number: 2019-15597
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public hearings pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region. The amendment would revise management measures for red snapper.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2019-15616
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 30 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category. With this transfer, the adjusted Harpoon category quota for the 2019 fishing season is 76 mt. The 2019 Harpoon category fishery is open until November 15, 2019, or until the Harpoon category quota is reached, whichever comes first. The action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to Atlantic tunas Harpoon category (commercial) permitted vessels.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component
Document Number: 2019-15608
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures for the commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial hook-and- line landings for golden tilefish will reach the hook-and-line component's commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by July 20, 2019. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on July 23, 2019, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish resource.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of the 2019 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery Categories
Document Number: 2019-15607
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reapportioning the seasonal apportionments of the 2019 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories in the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to account for the actual halibut PSC use by the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories from May 15, 2019 through June 30, 2019. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15599
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 62 stock assessment process for Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish will consist of an In-person Workshop, and a series of data and assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-15598
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), in Charleston, SC, to address issues relevant to the NOAA Fisheries' Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-15584
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Management Plan for National Estuarine Research Reserve Program
Document Number: 2019-15565
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Stewardship Division, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce is announcing a thirty (30) day public comment period for the revised management plan for Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan revision.
Evaluation of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Document Number: 2019-15564
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-23
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 and is soliciting comment for the performance evaluation of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment, Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determinations, and Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans
Document Number: 2019-15517
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is extending the public comment period on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA), three Proposed Evaluation and Determination Documents (PEPDs), and four Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) for proposed hatchery programs operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Nez Perce Tribe (NPT), and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The extended comment period closes on August 28, 2019.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Geophysical Surveys in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2019-15516
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during seismic activities associated with a marine geophysical survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2019-15495
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Program (YTFP) has submitted a Tribal Research and Monitoring Plan (Tribal Plan) and associated application to NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under Tribal Plans promulgated under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Tribal Plan and associated application describe research and monitoring activities that may affect ESA-listed Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon in California. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of this listed species and to help guide management and conservation efforts. This document serves to notify the public that the proposed evaluation and pending determination by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) as to whether the implementation of the Tribal Plan will appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of SONCC coho salmon is available for public comment.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Council Cooperative Annual Reports
Document Number: 2019-15492
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-07-22
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.
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