National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 53
Document Number: 2022-00646
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)(FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council)(Amendment 53). This proposed rule and Amendment 53 would modify the allocation of Gulf red grouper catch between the commercial and recreational sectors as well as revise sector annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs). The purposes of this proposed rule and Amendment 53 are to revise the red grouper sector allocations using the best scientific information available and to modify the allowable harvest of red grouper based on results of the recent stock assessment.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; 2022 and 2023 Specifications
Document Number: 2022-00629
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes Northeast skate specifications for the 2022 fishing year, and projects specifications for fishing year 2023, as recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council. This action is necessary to establish annual allowable harvest levels for the skate fishery that prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available. This rule also informs the public of the proposed fishery specifications and provides an opportunity for comment.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2022-00739
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game did not established a guideline harvest level fishery for red king crab in the Bristol Bay area for the 2021/2022 fishing year.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Retroactive Quota Transfer From MA to CT
Document Number: 2022-00738
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is transferring a portion of its 2021 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Connecticut. This retroactive adjustment to the 2021 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the retroactively revised 2021 commercial quotas for Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2022-00737
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Sustainable Seas Technology, LLC. If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicant to deploy modified black sea bass pots with Acoustic Subsea Buoy Retrieval Systems (ASBRS) in South Atlantic Federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The project would examine the potential usefulness of ASBRSs for use in the black sea bass pot gear component for the commercial sector of the snapper-grouper fishery in minimizing impacts to protected species.
Notice of Designation of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve
Document Number: 2022-00734
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management has designated certain Connecticut state-owned lands and portions of public trust waters of the Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound, Connecticut River, and Thames River as the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (Connecticut Reserve). On January 11, 2022, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, signed a Record of Decision pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the findings of designation for the Connecticut Reserve pursuant to Section 315 of the CZMA and its implementing regulations. A copy of the Record of Decision and the findings of designation are available for public review from NOAA's Office for Coastal Management at coast.noaa.gov/czm/compliance. Additionally, NOAA hereby provides notice of the results of the consistency determination for the designation of the Connecticut Reserve.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Requirement for a Descending Device or Venting Tool
Document Number: 2022-00720
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements regulations to clarify terms used in the Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (Descend Act). Section 3 of the Descend Act requires commercial and recreational fishermen to have a descending device or a venting tool on the vessel and ready for use when fishing for federally managed reef fish species in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Federal waters. The purpose of this final rule is to clarify the definitions of descending device and venting tool in the Descend Act.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic; Amendment 10
Document Number: 2022-00635
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Dolphin and Wahoo FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would revise the annual catch limits (ACLs), accountability measures (AMs), and additional management measures for dolphin and wahoo. The additional management measures would address commercial trip limits, authorized fishing gear, the operator permit (card) requirement for dolphin and wahoo, and the recreational vessel limit for dolphin. Amendment 10 would also revise the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and sector allocations for both dolphin and wahoo. The purpose of this proposed rule and Amendment 10 is to base conservation and management measures for dolphin and wahoo on the best scientific information available and increase net benefits to the fishery.
Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas
Document Number: 2022-00641
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). For 2022, the quota is 93 bowhead whales struck. This quota and other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by members of the AEWC.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2022-00640
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2022-00677
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council has transmitted Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, incorporating the Environmental Impact Statement and the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, for review by the Secretary of Commerce, and is requesting comments from the public. This action would adjust the existing industry-funded at-sea monitoring program for groundfish sectors to improve the accuracy of collected catch data (landings and discards) and catch accounting in order to better determine total catch and effort and achieve coverage levels sufficient to minimize effects of potential monitoring bias. The measures recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council in Amendment 23 are intended to ensure there is a precise and accurate representation of catch to set catch limits at levels that prevent overfishing and to determine when catch limits are exceeded.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00612
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet via webconference January 31, 2022 through February 11, 2022.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00611
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-13
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 ongoing public safety considerations related to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted entirely by webinar.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2022-00460
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Equinor Gulf of Mexico L.L.C. (Equinor) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys of the Guerrero Gap in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Document Number: 2022-00455
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to geophysical surveys of the Guerrero Gap off the coast of Mexico in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. 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 authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00426
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint public meeting of its Scallop 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.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00425
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) will hold the 177th public meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. The meeting will be an in-person/virtual hybrid meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00424
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel and Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Advisory Panel will hold a joint public webinar meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00423
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee will hold a public meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00422
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team will hold two public meetings.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00421
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stocks of hammerhead sharks will consist of a stock identification (ID) process, data webinars/workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
Document Number: 2022-00420
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public joint meeting of its Habitat 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.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Amendment 21
Document Number: 2022-00367
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements the measures included in Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan as adopted and submitted by the New England Fishery Management Council. This action allows for more controlled access to the scallop resource by the limited access and limited access general category fleets and increases monitoring to a growing directed scallop fishery in Federal waters, including the Northern Gulf of Maine Management Area. These management measures are intended to promote conservation of the scallop resource in the Northern Gulf of Maine Management Area and to manage total removals from the area by all fishery components. Amendment 21 also expands flexibility in the limited access general category individual fishing quota fishery to reduce impacts of potential decreases in ex-vessel price and increases in operating costs.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Southeast Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Related Requirements
Document Number: 2022-00405
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-12
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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel; 2022 Interim Action
Document Number: 2022-00402
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This temporary rule implements interim specifications for the 2022 fishing year to address new assessment information regarding the status of the Atlantic mackerel stock. This action is intended to reduce potential Atlantic mackerel overfishing based on new 2021 assessment findings while a rebuilding plan is being developed.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2022-00310
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has determined that three exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications warrant further consideration and is requesting public comment on those applications and on the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) recommendations following its September 2021 meeting. The EFP applicants request an exemption from a prohibition on the use of unauthorized gear to harvest highly migratory species (HMS) under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The purpose of this exemption is to test the effects and efficacy of using new or alternative gear types to harvest swordfish and other HMS off of the U.S. West Coast.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Document Number: 2022-00294
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that permits and permit amendments have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00176
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint public meeting of its Scallop Advisory Panel 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.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; 2021-2022 Commercial Closure for Spanish Mackerel in the Atlantic Southern Zone; Correction
Document Number: 2022-00124
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS corrects the temporary rule that published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2022, which announced the incorrect effective date of January 3, 2022, for the closure of the Atlantic southern zone to commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel. The correct effective date for the closure is January 5, 2022. NMFS identified several errors with references to incorrect dates, so the purpose of this correction is to fix those errors.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Information Program, Fishing Effort Survey
Document Number: 2022-00121
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-07
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.
Public Comment on the Annotated Outline of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
Document Number: 2022-00097
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the U.S. Global Change Research Program seeks public comment on the proposed themes and framework of the Fifth National Climate Assessment as indicated by the chapter annotated outlines linked here. Based on input received from this notice, chapter author teams will develop their draft chapters.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Construction at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island
Document Number: 2022-00116
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On December 15, 2021, NOAA published a rule governing the take of marine mammals incidental to U.S. Navy (Navy) construction at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The rule contained a systematic section numbering error in the regulatory text. This document corrects the section numbers to the added subpart.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Extension of Emergency Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
Document Number: 2022-00114
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is extending the effective date of temporary specifications that implement three short-notice decisions of the Commission on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC). NMFS issued temporary specifications on June 11, 2021, to implement short-notice WCPFC decisions regarding purse seine observer coverage, purse seine transshipments at sea, and transshipment observer coverage. NMFS is extending the effective date of those temporary specifications until April 14, 2022. NMFS is undertaking this action under the authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to satisfy the obligations of the United States as a Contracting Party to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Adjustments to 2022 Specifications
Document Number: 2022-00055
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, this action adjusts the 2022 harvest specifications for the herring fishery. Specifically, it adjusts catch limits in the four herring management areas (Areas 1A, 1B, 2, and 3) to account for catch overages and underages in those areas during 2020. This action is necessary to help prevent overfishing ensure and support the harvest of optimum yield consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction of the South Fork Offshore Wind Project
Document Number: 2022-00041
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-06
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 South Fork Wind, LLC (South Fork Wind) to take, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment, marine mammals during construction of a commercial wind energy project offshore New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00040
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold an online meeting to review the 2021 groundfish stock assessment process and discuss process improvements for the next stock assessment cycle.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-00039
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public joint meeting of its Habitat 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Weapons Testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Document Number: 2022-00032
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to 2 years of activity related to testing of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery II (ERCA II) system at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive one-year incidental harassment authorizations (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, one-year renewal for each 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. The DAF's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys Offshore From New York to Massachusetts
Document Number: 2022-00016
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received a request from [Oslash]rsted Wind Power North America, LLC, ([Oslash]rsted) for the Renewal of their 2020 IHA to take marine mammals incidental marine site characterization surveys, using high-resolution geophysical (HRG) equipment, in coastal waters from New York to Massachusetts. [Oslash]rsted is also planning to conduct marine site characterization surveys along one or more potential submarine export cable routes (ECRs). The activities for which [Oslash]rsted has requested a Renewal IHA are identical to those covered under the initial IHA, which expired on September 24, 2021. 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 would be effective through September 24, 2022.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2022-00042
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-28602
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Local Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, and Subsistence Taskforce (LKTKS) will be held January 20, 2022 through January 21, 2022.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-28593
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce will meet January 18, 2022 through January 20, 2022.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-28592
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-01-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a work session that is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Red Snapper Private Angling Component Accountability Measure in Federal Waters off Texas
Document Number: 2021-28455
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the red snapper recreational sector private angling component in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) off Texas for the 2021 fishing year. Based on information provided by the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), NMFS has determined that the 2020 Texas regional management area private angling component annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf red snapper was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS reduces the 2021 private angling component ACL of Gulf red snapper for the Texas regional management area. This reduction will remain in effect through the remainder of the current fishing year on December 31, 2021, and is necessary to protect the Gulf red snapper resource.
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; 2021-2022 Commercial Closure for Spanish Mackerel in the Atlantic Southern Zone
Document Number: 2021-28442
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-01-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the Atlantic southern zone for commercial Spanish mackerel in or from the Atlantic exclusive economic zone. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone will be reached by January 3, 2022. Therefore, NMFS closes the Atlantic southern zone to commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel on January 3, 2022. This closure is necessary to protect the Spanish mackerel resource in the Atlantic.
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