National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 17, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP). NMFS consults with and considers the comments and views of the HMS AP when preparing and implementing Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) or FMP amendments for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. Nominations are being sought to fill approximately one-third (12) of the seats on the HMS AP for 3-year appointments. Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and non-governmental organizations are considered for membership on the HMS AP. NMFS also intends to fill an additional vacancy on the HMS AP for the remainder of a term that expires on December 31, 2023.

The New England Fishery Management Council initiated development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan in 2016. A notice of intent to develop an environmental impact statement for this action was published in January 2017, followed by a second notice and round of scoping in late December 2020. However, in September 2021, the Council voted to discontinue work on Amendment 5 and pursue the remaining alternatives through newly initiated Framework Adjustment 9. The remaining alternatives in this framework are largely administrative and not expected to have significant impacts on the fishery or human environment. Therefore, NMFS is withdrawing the notice of intent and no longer intends to prepare an environmental impact statement.

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is requesting written comments to facilitate ONMS' review of the nomination for St. George Unangan Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) at the five- year interval. In particular, NOAA is requesting relevant information as it pertains to its 11 evaluation criteria for inclusion in the inventory. In this five-year review, NOAA will pay particular attention to any new information about the significance of the area's natural or cultural resources, changes to any threats to these resources, and any updates to the management framework of the area. NOAA has provided the original nominating party, the City of St. George, an opportunity to share its views on these same questions. Following this information gathering and internal analysis, NOAA will make a final determination on whether or not the St. George Unangan Heritage NMS nomination will remain in the inventory for another five year period.