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

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Greenland Turbot in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-16667
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2020 Greenland turbot total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Observer Programs' Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions
Document Number: 2020-16632
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Highly Migratory Species Dealer Reporting Family of Forms
Document Number: 2020-16630
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements, and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Navy Training and Testing Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area
Document Number: 2020-15651
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Navy (Navy), issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area. 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). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and establish requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-16533
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2020 ``other rockfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2020-16462
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) outlining a program, operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), rearing and releasing Clackamas River spring Chinook salmon into the Clackamas, Willamette, and Lower Columbia River basins. This document serves to notify the public of the availability and opportunity to comment on a draft HGMP. The HGMP was submitted for review and determination under Limit 5 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 59
Document Number: 2020-16424
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule sets or adjusts catch limits for 19 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks and makes minor changes to groundfish management measures. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The final measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2020-16446
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan to NMFS. Amendment 21 proposes revisions to the summer flounder commercial state quota allocation percentages and the fishery management plan goals and objectives. Amendment 21 is intended to increase equity in state allocations when annual coastwide commercial quotas are at or above historical averages, while recognizing the economic reliance coastal communities have on the state allocation percentages currently in place.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2020-16385
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Additional free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in August and September 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. More free workshops will be conducted during 2020 and will be announced in a future notice.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Site Characterization Surveys Off the Coast of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2020-16357
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-29
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 NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Mayflower Wind Energy LLC (Mayflower) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during site characterization surveys off the coast of Massachusetts in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0521) and along a potential submarine cable route to landfall at Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of the 2020 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery Categories
Document Number: 2020-16346
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reapportioning the seasonal apportionments of the 2020 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, 2020 through June 30, 2020. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
Document Number: 2020-16345
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document announces additional season dates for the Washington and Columbia River Pacific halibut recreational fisheries in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. This action is intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide angler opportunity where available.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Dwarf Seahorse as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2020-16335
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding and listing determination on a petition to list the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a status review of the dwarf seahorse in response to a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, including the Status Review Report, we have determined the species does not warrant listing at this time. While the species has declined in abundance, it still occupies its historical range, and population trends indicate subpopulations are stable or increasing in most locations. We conclude that the dwarf seahorse is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is not likely to become so within the foreseeable future.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey in the Aleutian Islands
Document Number: 2020-16322
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey in the Aleutian Islands. 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-time, 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program; Amendment 111
Document Number: 2020-16315
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 111 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) Management Area (Amendment 111) to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review. If approved, Amendment 111 would remove the expiration date for the Central GOA Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) and make minor administrative changes to the program. Amendment 111 is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the FMP, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region and Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Possession Limits for Federally-Permitted Charter Vessels and Headboats
Document Number: 2020-15522
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures as described in an abbreviated framework action to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP) and the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (CMP FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council). This proposed rule would modify the on-board multi-day recreational possession limit regulations for Federal charter vessel and headboat (for-hire) trips in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This proposed rule would also make an administrative change to the reporting requirement for Gulf's individual fishing quota (IFQ) program during catastrophic conditions. The purposes of this proposed rule are to promote efficiency in the utilization of the reef fish and CMP resources and reduce regulatory discards, and to update the IFQ reporting requirements.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-16179
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) will hold the 170th public meeting (virtual) to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-16178
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a two-day meeting via webinar of its Standing, Reef Fish, Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2020-16176
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 20 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead, eulachon, and green sturgeon. 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.
International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area
Document Number: 2020-16132
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are announcing 2020-2024 fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area. This action is necessary to make fishing privileges in the Regulatory Area available on an equitable basis to the extent possible. The intent of this notice is to alert U.S. fishing vessels of these fishing opportunities, to relay the available quotas available to U.S. participants, and to outline the process and requirements for vessels to apply to participate in this fishery. Allocation of these fishing privileges would be for five years, unless the approved vessel(s) are unable to successfully utilize the available quotas or the privilege is otherwise revoked.
Evaluation of National Estuarine Research Reserve
Document Number: 2020-16099
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-24
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 to solicit comments on the performance evaluation of the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Consideration of Potential Age-Limiting Observations To Be Used To Compute 2020.00 Reference Epoch Coordinates in the National Spatial Reference System
Document Number: 2020-16084
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is considering imposing age limits on the observations that will be used in the creation of 2020.00 Reference Epoch Coordinates (RECs), as part of the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). Due to expected uncertainties in the vertical component of the Intra-Frame Velocity Model (IFVM), the age limits cannot be determined until well-structured, data-driven experiments have been conducted. Such experiments are expected to occur during the 2020 reference epoch adjustment projects (geometric, orthometric and gravimetric), which are scheduled for calendar year 2022. Therefore, NGS requests that users take new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations on geodetic control marks of interest, especially those marks that have not been surveyed since January 1, 2010, and share them with NGS before December 31, 2021.
Upcoming Changes to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS)
Document Number: 2020-16068
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is in the process of modernizing the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) and plans to replace all three North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) frames and all vertical datums, including the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88), with four new terrestrial reference frames and one new geopotential datum to which all geodetic coordinates and derived coordinates within the NSRS will be referenced. The new reference frames will rely primarily on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), as well as on a gravimetric geoid model resulting from the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) Project. The modernized NSRS will be easier to access and maintain than the existing NSRS, which relies on physical survey marks that deteriorate over time and will result in new, more accurate, time-tagged geodetic coordinates (i.e., latitude, longitude, ellipsoid height, orthometric height, acceleration of gravity, deflections of the vertical, and others) at all geodetic control points within the NSRS. Additionally, coordinates will be estimated within these frames and datum at five-year reference epochs from the time-tagged coordinates, beginning with 2020.00. Initial completion and rollout of the NSRS modernization is expected to occur between 2022 and 2025, with additional support tools and services rolled out in subsequent years.
Take of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seabird Research Activities in Central California
Document Number: 2020-15150
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to seabird research activities in central California. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take, and requests comments on the proposed regulations. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2020-16002
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2020-16001
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold joint public meeting of the Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Groundfish Trawl Catcher Processor Economic Data Report (EDR)
Document Number: 2020-15980
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Gulf of Alaska Catcher Vessel and Processor Trawl (CVPT) Economic Data Reports (EDRs)
Document Number: 2020-15978
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region Vessel Identification Requirements
Document Number: 2020-15968
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Highly Migratory Species Vessel Logbooks and Cost-Earnings Data Reports
Document Number: 2020-15964
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Commercial Closure for Atlantic Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Zone
Document Number: 2020-15895
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-22
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). NMFS projects that the commercial quota for Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic EEZ will be reached by July 22, 2020. Therefore, NMFS closes the northern zone in the Atlantic EEZ to commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel on July 22, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the Spanish mackerel resource in the Atlantic.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2020 Commercial Hook-and-Line Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish
Document Number: 2020-15823
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial hook-and-line component of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial hook-and- line landings for golden tilefish will reach the commercial quota for the hook-and-line component by July 23, 2020. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on July 23, 2020. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish resource.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Removal of Regulations Implementing the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program
Document Number: 2020-15144
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action removes regulations that implement the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program. The Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2 eliminated the year-round Closed Area I, rendering the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program unnecessary. Eliminating the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program will reduce confusion and inconsistency with other regulations.
Notice of Findings Regarding Commercial Availability of Non-U.S. Satellite Imagery With Respect to Israel
Document Number: 2020-15770
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Section 1064, Public Law 104-201 (the 1997 Defense Authorization Act)referred to as the Kyl-Bingaman Amendmentrequires that ``[a] department or agency of the United States may issue a license for the collection or dissemination by a non-Federal entity of satellite imagery with respect to Israel only if such imagery is no more detailed or precise than satellite imagery of Israel that is available from commercial sources.'' Pursuant to this law, the Department of Commerce makes findings as to the level of detail or precision of satellite imagery of Israel available from commercial sources. The Department has found that satellite imagery of Israel is readily and consistently available from non-U.S. commercial sources at a resolution of 0.4 meters Ground Sample Distance (m GSD). The Department has therefore changed the existing resolution limit of 2.0 m GSD to 0.4 m GSD.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-15758
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Executive Committee via webinar.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-15757
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate Committee via webinar 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-15756
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho Workgroup (Workgroup) will host an online meeting over a two-day period that is open to the public.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-15755
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) will hold a meeting.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Revisions to Catch Sharing Plan and Domestic Management Measures in Alaska
Document Number: 2020-15752
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule implements regulations for a ``fish up'' provision in the halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program to allow Community Quota Entities (CQEs) located in IFQ regulatory Area 3A (Southcentral Alaska) holding Area 3A category D halibut quota share (QS) (i.e., for use on catcher vessel less than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) length overall) to have the associated IFQ harvested on category C vessels (catcher vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall) beginning August 15 of each IFQ fishing season. This action also makes a minor change to regulations implementing the IFQ Program to consolidate temporary IFQ transfer forms. This final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area to General Category Individual Fishing Quota Scallop Vessels
Document Number: 2020-15745
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area is closed to Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the remainder of the 2020 fishing year. No vessel issued a Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops from the Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area. Regulations require this action once it is projected that 100 percent of trips allocated to the Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the Mid- Atlantic Scallop Access Area will be taken.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Treasure Island Ferry Dock Project, San Francisco, California
Document Number: 2020-15706
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-21
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 and County of San Francisco, CA (San Francisco) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Treasure Island Ferry Dock Project in San Francisco, California.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Electronic Reporting for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels and Headboats in Gulf of Mexico Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-15275
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in the Gulf For- hire Reporting Amendment, as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). The Gulf For-hire Reporting Amendment includes amendments to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP) and the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (CMP FMP). This final rule revises reporting requirements for an owner or operator of a charter vessel or headboat (for-hire vessel) with a Federal charter vessel/ headboat permit for Gulf Reef Fish or Gulf CMP species. The purpose of this final rule is to increase and improve fisheries information collected from federally permitted for-hire vessels in the Gulf. The information is expected to improve recreational management of the for- hire component of the reef fish and CMP fisheries in the Gulf.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Day 8-10 Timeline Forecast Survey and Focus Groups
Document Number: 2020-15645
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2019-2020 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Document Number: 2020-15629
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-07-20
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.
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