National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-04143
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of its Groundfish Management Team (GMT) to discuss items on the Pacific Council's March 2020 meeting agenda. The meeting is open to the public.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-04140
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one- day meeting of its Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).
Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
Document Number: 2020-04125
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA is soliciting applications to fill up to six membership vacancies on the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). The new OEAB members will serve initial three-year terms, renewable once.
U.S. Stakeholder Meeting on Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Framework; Meeting Announcement
Document Number: 2020-04095
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is holding a meeting to discuss the future management of the U.S. West Coast Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) fishery, including management objectives and a management framework.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; 2019-2020 Closure of Commercial Run-Around Gillnet for King Mackerel
Document Number: 2020-04092
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) through this temporary rule for commercial harvest of king mackerel in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) using run-around gillnet gear. NMFS has determined that the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) (equivalent to the commercial quota) for king mackerel using run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone of the Gulf EEZ has been reached. Therefore, NMFS closes the southern zone to commercial king mackerel fishing using run-around gillnet gear in the Gulf EEZ on February 25, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 51
Document Number: 2020-04091
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 51 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), Amendment 51 would establish and modify status determination criteria and harvest levels for the gray snapper stock. The purposes of Amendment 51 are to end overfishing of gray snapper and achieve optimum yield (OY) for the stock.
Marine Mammals; File No. 23283
Document Number: 2020-04080
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).
Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing
Document Number: 2020-04059
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (``ACCRES'' or ``the Committee'') will meet March 18, 2020.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Modifying Seasonal Allocations of Pollock and Pacific Cod for Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central and Western Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2020-03777
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement Amendment 109 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) and to implement a regulatory amendment to the regulations governing pollock fishing in the Gulf of Alaska. This proposed rule will reduce operational and management inefficiencies in the Central Gulf of Alaska and Western Gulf of Alaska trawl catcher vessel pollock and Pacific cod fisheries by reducing regulatory time gaps between the pollock seasons, and changing Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod seasonal apportionments to allow greater harvest opportunities earlier in the year. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Interim 2020 Recreational Measures
Document Number: 2020-03523
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This temporary rule implements interim recreational management measures for the 2020 Atlantic Bluefish Fishery to prevent overfishing. This action is necessary to constrain recreational harvest at the start of the fishing year while final 2020 measures are developed and implemented. These measures are expected to help ensure the long-term recovery and sustainability of the bluefish stock.
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2020-04044
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this notice announces that NMFS is preparing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) to supplement information in the 2015 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Makah Tribe Request to Hunt Gray Whales, which was prepared in response to the Makah Indian Tribe's request that NMFS authorize a limited ceremonial and subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales in the Makah Tribe's usual and accustomed (U&A) fishing grounds off the coast of Washington State.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2020-04022
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-27
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 April, May, and June of 2020. 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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard Solicitation for Revisions
Document Number: 2020-03963
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-27
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; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; 2020 Specifications
Document Number: 2020-03867
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Through this rule, NMFS maintains previously approved Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish specifications for the 2020 fishing year and maintains the 2019 Atlantic mackerel acceptable biological catch for 2020 based on updated scientific advice. This action is required to promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish resources.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Regulatory Amendment 26
Document Number: 2020-03833
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in Vision Blueprint Recreational Regulatory Amendment 26 (Regulatory Amendment 26) to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). For the recreational sector, this final rule removes the minimum size limits for queen snapper, silk snapper, and blackfin snapper, reduces the minimum size limit for gray triggerfish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the east coast of Florida, and modifies the 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate bag limit. The purpose of this final rule is to minimize regulatory discards to the extent practicable, improve regulatory compliance among fishers, and increase consistency among regulations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2020-03873
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-03871
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category fishery for the January subquota period. The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the adjusted January subquota.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03852
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Tilefish Monitoring Committee will hold a meeting.
Marine Mammals; File No. 23273
Document Number: 2020-03846
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Michelle Shero, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii).
Spring Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the United States Delegation to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Document Number: 2020-03730
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-25
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 its annual spring meeting to be held March 10-11, 2020.
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2020 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish
Document Number: 2020-03560
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the gray triggerfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2020 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2020 recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf gray triggerfish will be reached by May 2, 2020. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on May 2, 2020, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Gustavus Ferry Terminal Improvements Project
Document Number: 2020-03630
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
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 Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment only, marine mammals during pile driving and removal activities associated with the Gustavus Ferry Terminal Improvements Project in Gustavus, Alaska.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey
Document Number: 2020-03629
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; U.S.-Canada Albacore Treaty Reporting System
Document Number: 2020-03628
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast Region Individual Fishing Quota Programs
Document Number: 2020-03625
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Region Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter
Document Number: 2020-03624
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-03613
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent further overharvest of the Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota.
Federal Consistency Appeal by Electric Boat Corporation
Document Number: 2020-03577
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This announcement provides notice that the Department of Commerce (DOC) has received a ``Notice of Appeal'' filed by Electric Boat Corporation (Appellant) requesting that the Secretary override an objection by the New York State Department of State to a consistency certification for a proposed project to dispose of dredged material in the Eastern Long Island Sound Dredged Material Disposal Site.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2020-03561
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Construction Activities at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, California
Document Number: 2020-03291
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, upon request of the U.S. Navy (Navy), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to conducting construction activities related to development of a new ammunition pier at Seal Beach, California, over the course of five years. 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.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment 7
Document Number: 2020-03164
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in Framework Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and Atlantic Region (FMP)(Framework Amendment 7), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council). This final rule revises the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for the Gulf zone of the Gulf migratory group of cobia (Gulf cobia). The purpose of this final rule is to reduce harvest of Gulf cobia in the Gulf zone in response to concerns about the status of the stock until additional stock information becomes available.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Electronic Reporting for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels and Headboats in Atlantic Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-02964
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in the For-hire Reporting Amendment, as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) and Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council). This final rule establishes new, and revises existing, electronic reporting requirements for federally permitted charter vessels and headboats (for-hire vessels), respectively, in certain Atlantic fisheries. The purpose of this final rule is to increase and improve fisheries information collected from federally permitted for-hire vessels in the Atlantic. The information is expected to improve recreational fisheries management of the for-hire component in the Atlantic.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03499
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting via webinar of its Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel, Shrimp and Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03497
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 68 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic scamp will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03496
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETC), in conjunction with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Law Enforcement Committee (LEC).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03491
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Team will meet March 3, 2020 through March 5, 2020.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project, Mayport, Florida
Document Number: 2020-03486
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the United States Navy (Navy) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the change being a minor modification to the effective dates. The initial IHA authorizes take of one species of marine mammal, by Level B harassment only, incidental to pile driving associated with the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project, Naval Station Mayport, Florida. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The initial IHA has an effective period from February 15, 2020, through February 14, 2021. The Navy has requested re-issuance with new effective dates of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. Therefore, NMFS re-issued the IHA.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2020-03461
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2020-03460
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2020-03456
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2020-03455
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-03446
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Advisory Panel will hold two meetings.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seabird Research Activities in Central California
Document Number: 2020-03399
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-02-20
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) Renewal to Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) to harass marine mammals incidental to seabird research activities in central California.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-03374
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; 2020-2023 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications
Document Number: 2020-03281
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-02-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are proposing specifications for the 2020 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, including an annual catch limit and total allowable landings limit, projected quotas for 2021-2023, and a clarification to the specifications process. The proposed action is intended to establish the allowable 2020 harvest levels, consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan. This action is necessary to establish allowable red crab harvest levels that will prevent overfishing.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2020-03172
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-02-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes scallop specifications and other measures for fishing years 2020 and 2021. In addition, Framework 32 would implement measures to protect small scallops and reduce bycatch of flatfish and address regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear consistent with section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve both yield- per-recruit and the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.
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: 2020-02708
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS revises regulations to implement 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). This final rule requires that the operator of a federally permitted catcher vessel using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska retain and land all rockfish (Sebastes and Sebastolobus species) caught while fishing for groundfish or Pacific halibut. This action is necessary to improve identification of rockfish species catch by vessels using electronic monitoring, provide more precise estimates of rockfish catch, reduce waste and incentives to discard rockfish, reduce overall enforcement burden, and promote more consistent management between State and Federal fisheries. This final rule is 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 law.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures
Document Number: 2020-02699
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule modifies the red snapper Federal charter vessel/headboat (for- hire) component's annual catch target (ACT) for the 2020 and subsequent fishing years. The purpose of this final rule and the framework action is to allow for greater harvest of red snapper by the Federal for-hire component while continuing to constrain landings to the Federal for- hire component and total recreational annual catch limits (ACL).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2020 Commercial Longline Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish
Document Number: 2020-03206
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial longline component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial longline landings for golden tilefish are projected to reach the longline component's commercial quota by February 18, 2020. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial longline component of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on February 18, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. eastern time. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish resource.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; 2020 Specifications
Document Number: 2020-03198
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-02-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are implementing 2020 specifications for the Mid-Atlantic blueline tilefish fishery, including the annual catch and total allowable landings limits. This action establishes allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.