National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 16, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

NMFS has determined that the recreational landings limit for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish has been reached and exceeded for 2020, based upon a review of landings data. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting retention of Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish in the Atlantic HMS recreational fisheries. Fishing for these species will be limited to catch-and- release only for the remainder of 2020. This action affects Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders, tournament operators, and Atlantic tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial permit holders that fish in registered Atlantic HMS tournaments, and is effective in all areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic sailfish may continue to be retained consistent with applicable regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reopening the public comment period on the notice of a proposed incidental harassment authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to authorize the taking of marine mammals, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment, incidental to construction of the Alaska LNG Project in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The comment period for the notice of proposed IHA that published on July 16, 2020 closed on August 17, 2020. NMFS is reopening the public comment period to provide the public with additional time to submit information and to comment on this proposed IHA.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow eight commercial fishing vessels to participate in a beam trawl survey in and around the South Fork Wind Farm work area, under the direction of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit applications.