National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 28, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS has received a request from Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue), for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting seabird research activities in central California. Point Blue's activities are identical to activities previously analyzed and for which take was authorized by NMFS. 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 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.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day meeting via webinar of its Standing, Reef Fish, Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting to review annual specifications and management measures, and make any appropriate recommendations.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a Renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to conducting biological research, monitoring, and maintenance at the Eastern Massachusetts (MA) National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex).

NMFS's Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has received a request from NMFS's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in multiple specified geographical regions, over the course of five years from the date of issuance. As required by 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.