National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 2, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces that the dates for the Atlantic Shark Identification workshops originally scheduled for May 7, 2020, in Ronkonkoma, NY, and for June 11, 2020, in Manahawkin, NJ have been changed to August 20, 2020, and September 17, 2020, respectively. Also, NMFS is rescheduling the Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops originally scheduled for on, Key Largo, FL on May 1, 2020; and Kenner, LA on May 4, 2020. The dates for these workshops have been changed to July 13, 2020, and July 27, 2020, respectively. The workshop times and locations remains unchanged: 12 p.m.-4 p.m. for the Atlantic Shark Identification workshops; and, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for the Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops. Atlantic Shark Identification workshops are mandatory for federally-permitted Atlantic shark dealers. Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops are mandatory for shark and swordfish limited-access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2020.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to solicit comments on the draft 2020-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan (Plan). NOAA received broad legislative authority from Congress through the America COMPETES Act (2007, 2010) and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (2017) to conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal education activities at all levels to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other coastal stakeholders, including underrepresented groups in ocean and atmospheric science and policy careers. The legislative authority requires NOAA to develop a 20 year plan that is updated every 5 years. This Plan updates the goals for NOAA Education established in the 2015-2035 Education Strategic Plan. NOAA is seeking broad public review of the Plan and encourages all stakeholders and users to review the Plan and provide comments. All comments received will be reviewed and considered in the final drafting of the Plan.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Study Area. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to the Navy to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS will consider public comments prior to issuing any final rule and making final decisions on the issuance of the requested LOAs. Agency responses to public comments will be provided in the notice of the final decision. The Navy's activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).