National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements
Document Number: 2021-06594
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the NMFS, are delaying the effective date of a final rule that published on December 20, 2019.
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2021-06560
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit established for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear and directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Approval of 2021 and 2022 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of 2021 Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements
Document Number: 2021-06513
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-03-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We propose to approve sector operations plans and contracts, and grant regulatory exemptions for fishing years 2021 and 2022, provide preliminary Northeast multispecies annual catch entitlements to approved sectors for fishing year 2021, amend regulations required to administer electronic monitoring, and announce 2021 default specifications for seven Northeast multispecies stocks. Approval of sector operations plans and contracts is necessary to allocate annual catch entitlements to the sectors for sectors to operate. This action is intended to allow limited access permit holders to continue to operate or form sectors, as authorized under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, and to exempt sectors from certain effort control regulations to improve the efficiency and economics of sector vessels. We also announce our determination that electronic monitoring is sufficient for use instead of at-sea monitors to meet sector monitoring and reporting requirements. Lastly, we announce default specifications for Gulf of Maine winter flounder, Southern New England/ Mid-Atlantic winter flounder, redfish, ocean pout, Atlantic wolffish, Eastern Georges Bank cod, and Eastern Georges Bank haddock.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1 through #9
Document Number: 2021-06516
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces nine inseason actions in the 2021 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the area from Cape Falcon, OR to Pigeon Point, CA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; IFQ Program; Modify Temporary Transfer Provisions
Document Number: 2021-06509
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this temporary rule (referred to herein as ``emergency rule'') to modify the temporary transfer provision of the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for the fixed-gear commercial Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries for the 2021 IFQ fishing year. This emergency rule is intended to provide flexibility to quota share (QS) holders in 2021, while preserving the Program's long-standing objective of maintaining an owner-operated IFQ fishery in future years. This emergency rule will not modify other provisions of the IFQ Program. This emergency rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the IFQ Program, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, and other applicable laws.
Marine Mammals; File No. 23896
Document Number: 2021-06455
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Tribal Government Ecosystem Conservation Office, 2050 Venia Minor Road, St. Paul Island, AK 99660 (Responsible Party: Lauren Divine, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).
Extension of Emergency Measures To Address Fishery Observer Coverage During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Document Number: 2021-06458
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS promulgates this interim final rule to revise the termination date of an emergency action that provides authority to waive observer coverage requirements. NMFS is taking this action to address public health concerns that relate to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The intended effect of the interim final rule is to provide NMFS with continued authority to waive observer coverage requirements when such action is necessary because of the COVID-19 public health emergency and mitigation measures taken in response to it. This interim final rule will also provide NMFS with continued authority to waive some training or other program requirements to ensure that as many observers as possible are available for deployment while ensuring their safety and health and that of observer program staff who train observers.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-06447
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel (Habitat AP).
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-06446
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 49 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The amendment addresses catch levels and sector allocations for greater amberjack and recreational annual catch targets for the snapper grouper fishery.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-06445
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) Steering Committee will convene a public meeting to discuss and approve the 5- year calendar for stock assessments, and to address any other concerns related to the WPSAR process.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-06443
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee's (SSC) Socio-Economic Panel.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys off of New York and New Jersey
Document Number: 2021-06423
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received a request from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores), for the renewal of their currently active 2020 incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys off the coasts of New York and New Jersey in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0499) and along potential submarine cable routes to a landfall location in New York or New Jersey. These activities for which Atlantic Shores has requested a renewal IHA are identical to those covered in the initial IHA, which is currently active and expires on April 19, 2020. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), prior to issuing the initial IHA in 2020, NMFS requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied, and NMFS is now providing an additional 15-day comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment period. If issued, the renewal IHA would be effective April 20, 2021 through April 19, 2022.
International Affairs; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area
Document Number: 2021-06410
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are announcing a fishing opportunity in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area for shrimp in Division 3M. This action is necessary to make fishing privileges in the Regulatory Area available on an equitable basis to the extent possible. Fishing privileges for all other stocks for which the United States has access were previously allocated for 2020-2024. The intended effect 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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of the Banggai Cardinalfish
Document Number: 2021-06406
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the Banggai cardinalfish, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since its listing, effective February 19, 2016.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Critical Habitat for the Threatened Indo-Pacific Corals, Extension of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2021-06343
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are extending the public comment period by 60 days for our proposed rule to designate critical habitat for seven threatened corals in U.S. waters in the Indo-Pacific (Acropora globiceps, Acropora jacquelineae, Acropora retusa, Acropora speciosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, Isopora crateriformis, and Seriatopora aculeata) under the Endangered Species Act. The end of the public comment period is extended from March 27, 2021, to May 26, 2021.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2021 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2021-06333
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to implement Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution C-20-02 (``Measures for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 2021''). This rule implements annual limits on commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) for 2021. This action is necessary to conserve Pacific bluefin tuna and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-06315
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Social Science Planning Committee (SSPC).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-06314
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Due to federal and state travel restrictions and updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted entirely by webinar.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Group in the Atlantic Region; Retention Limit Adjustment
Document Number: 2021-06310
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the commercial aggregated large coastal shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark management groups' retention limits for directed shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region from 36 to 55 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. The retention limit will remain at 55 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the Atlantic region through the rest of 2021 or until NMFS announces via notification in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure. This retention limit adjustment affects anyone with a directed shark limited access permit fishing for LCS in the Atlantic region.
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Correction
Document Number: 2021-06295
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule distributes sector allocation carried over from fishing year 2019 into fishing year 2020 and corrects minor errors published in the final rule approving and implementing Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This action is necessary to correct errors published in the final rule and to allocate carryover quota to sectors. The carryover adjustments are routine and formulaic, and industry expects them each year.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; Final 2021 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications
Document Number: 2021-06287
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are finalizing specifications for the 2021 Atlantic deep- sea red crab fishery, including an annual catch limit and total allowable landings limit. This action is necessary to fully implement previously projected allowable red crab harvest levels that will prevent overfishing and allow harvesting of optimum yield. This action is intended to establish the allowable 2021 harvest levels, consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-06278
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day webinar meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Endangered and Threatened Species; Announcement of a Recovery Planning Workshop To Inform Recovery Planning for 15 ESA Listed Indo-Pacific Coral Species
Document Number: 2021-06081
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On September 10, 2014, we, NMFS, listed 15 Indo-Pacific coral species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We are convening a workshop to solicit facts and information from experts to help identify and guide recovery needs for these species under section 4(f) of the ESA. We will not be asking for a consensus recommendation on how to recover these species. This workshop will be open to the public.
Marine Mammals; File No. 25581
Document Number: 2021-06056
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Freedive Pictures, Ltd, St. Stephens Avenue Bristol, United Kingdom, BS1 1YL, (Responsible Party: Sophie Morgan), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on marine mammals.
Expansion of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary; Notification of Effective Date and Technical Amendment
Document Number: 2021-06051
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing notice that the final rule published on January 19, 2021 to expand Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is effective on March 22, 2021. NOAA is also amending the FGBNMS regulations to reflect the effective date.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Fishing Season in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2021-05971
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the 2021 recreational fishing season for the Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) through this temporary rule. The red snapper recreational for-hire component in the Gulf EEZ opens on June 1, 2021, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 3, 2021. This closure is necessary to prevent the Federal for-hire component from exceeding its quota and to prevent overfishing of the Gulf red snapper resource.
Marine Mammals; File No. 25520
Document Number: 2021-05925
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the BBC Natural History and Factual Productions Ltd, Broadcasting House, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LR, United Kingdom (Responsible Party: Daniel Rasmussen), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on marine mammals.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2021-05904
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in support of the 2021 Study Fleet Program contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt participating vessels from minimum fish sizes and possession limits for species of interest, for sampling purposes only. 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-05746
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Survey Working Group 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.
International Fisheries; Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Area of Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
Document Number: 2021-05679
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of revisions to collection-of-information requirements published in a final rule on June 22, 2020 (June 2020 Final Rule). The June 2020 Final Rule revised the management regime for U.S. fishing vessels that target tunas and other highly migratory species (HMS) in the area of overlapping jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean between the Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) and revised the reporting and recordkeeping requirements applicable in that area. The June 2020 Final Rule did not include an effective date for those changes because OMB had not yet approved the collection-of-information revisions. This final rule announces OMB approval of the revisions to the collection- of-information requirements under OMB Control Numbers 0648-0649 and 0648-0218 and an effective date for the revisions to reporting requirements included in the June 2020 Final Rule.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking
Document Number: 2021-05851
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
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; Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales
Document Number: 2021-05850
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Distinct Population Segment; Extension of Information Request Period
Document Number: 2021-05835
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby extends the information request period on the notice of initiation of a 5-year review of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Beringia and Okhotsk Distinct Population Segments of the Bearded Seal; Extension of Information Request Period
Document Number: 2021-05834
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby extends the information request period on the notice of initiation of a 5-year review of the Beringia and Okhotsk distinct population segments (DPSs) of the Pacific bearded seal subspecies Erignathus barbatus nauticus under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Coral Reef Conservation Program
Document Number: 2021-05811
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
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.
Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan #1/Environmental Assessment: Birds, Marine Mammals, Oysters, and Sea Turtles
Document Number: 2021-05716
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and a Consent Decree with BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BP),\1\ the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Federal natural resource trustee agencies for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group (Regionwide TIG) have prepared a Draft Restoration Plan #1/Environmental Assessment: Birds, Marine Mammals, Oysters, and Sea Turtles (Draft RP/EA). The Draft RP/EA describes and proposes restoration project alternatives considered by the Regionwide TIG to partially restore natural resources and ecological services injured or lost as a result of the DWH oil spill. The Regionwide TIG evaluated these alternatives under criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations. In accordance with NEPA the environmental consequences of the restoration alternatives are evaluated in the integrated Environmental Assessment to which the Regionwide TIG Federal Trustees are cooperating agencies. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Draft RP/EA and to seek public comments on the document.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Research
Document Number: 2021-05128
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS's Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has received a request from NMFS's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) for a Letter of Authorization (LOA) 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-05765
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet from April 5, 2021, through April 17, 2021.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council)-Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-05752
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Mackerel Cobia AP on April 6, 2021.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-05751
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold online public meetings.
Marine Mammals; File No. 25500
Document Number: 2021-05750
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that University of Alaska Museum of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960 (Responsible Party: Link Olson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Public Meeting of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board
Document Number: 2021-05749
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board (Board), a Federal Advisory Committee. Board members will discuss and provide advice on the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) in the areas of program evaluation, strategic planning, education and extension, science and technology programs, and other matters as described in the agenda found on the Sea Grant website. For more information on this Federal Advisory Committee please visit the Federal Advisory Committee database: https:/ /www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACAPublicPage.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-05745
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program; Modify Season Start Date
Document Number: 2021-05685
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues an emergency rule to modify the fishing season start date for fishing vessels participating in a rockfish cooperative as part of the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) for the 2021 fishing year. This emergency rule is intended to provide flexibility to Rockfish Program participants by moving the fishing season start date from May 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021. This emergency rule does not modify other provisions of the Rockfish Program. This emergency rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area (GOA FMP) and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2021-05652
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI has been reached.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Emergency Action to Temporarily Extend the Primary Sablefish Fishery Season; Correction
Document Number: 2021-05560
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action corrects the regulations governing the West Coast Sablefish Primary fishery after the expiration of the emergency rule to temporarily extend the 2020 season for the Sablefish Primary fishery. The amendatory instructions for the temporary rule were written incorrectly so that when the temporary rule expired, important regulations were removed and reserved rather than reinstated correctly. These corrections are necessary so the regulations accurately implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council's intent.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2021 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2021-05553
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On November 30, 2020, NMFS published a notice inviting qualified commercial shark permit holders to submit applications to participate in the 2021 Shark Research Fishery. The Shark Research Fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments and cooperative research with commercial fishermen to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. Every year, the permit terms and permitted activities (e.g., number of hooks and retention limits) specifically authorized for selected participants in the Shark Research Fishery are designated depending on the scientific and research needs of the Agency, as well as the number of NMFS- approved observers available. In order to inform selected participants of this year's specific permit requirements and ensure all terms and conditions of the permit are met, NMFS is holding a meeting for selected participants. The date and time of that meeting is announced in this notice.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Old Sitka Dock North Dolphins Expansion Project in Sitka, Alaska
Document Number: 2021-05547
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Halibut Point Marine Services, LLC (HPMS) for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) that would cover a subset of the take authorized in an IHA previously issued HPMS to incidentally take marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment only, during construction activities associated with the Old Sitka Dock North Dolphins Expansion Project in Sitka, Alaska. Some changes have occurred during this year's evaluation of the project. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal IHA 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-05538
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) Enforcement Committee will meet March 31, 2021.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock 1 Modification and Expansion
Document Number: 2021-05515
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-03-17
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 a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock 1 modification and expansion in Kittery, Maine.
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