National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 51 - 98 of 98
Solicitation for Members of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
NOAA is soliciting nominations for Indigenous, Tribal, Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian stakeholders from the Alaska or Pacific Ocean basin regions to join the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). The purpose of the OEAB is to advise the NOAA Administrator on matters pertaining to ocean exploration including (1) priority areas for survey and discovery; (2) development of a five-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lake science, (3) exploration and discovery; and, (4) the annual review of the NOAA Ocean Exploration Competitive Grants Program process.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings throughout the main Hawaiian Islands to solicit public input and comments on management alternatives for non-commercial fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Monument Expansion area.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project in Virginia
NMFS received a request from Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV) for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project (PTST) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. These activities are nearly identical to those covered in the current authorization, and include a subset of the initial work. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, prior to issuing the currently active IHA, 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Nassau Grouper
We, NMFS, propose to designate critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specific occupied areas proposed for designation as critical habitat contain approximately 2,353.19 sq. kilometers (908.57 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located in waters off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We have considered positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed critical habitat. We are soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including our identification and consideration of impacts of the proposed action.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Mayflower Wind Project Offshore of Massachusetts
NMFS has received a request from Mayflower Wind, LLC (Mayflower Wind) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Mayflower Wind Project in a designated lease area on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Lease Area Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-A-0521 offshore of Massachusetts, over the course of 5 years beginning on April 1, 2025. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Mayflower Wind's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and issuance of a 5-year Letter of Authorization (LOA). NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Mayflower Wind's application and request.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Regulations
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing this proposed rule to remove a provision from one section of the existing Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) regulations, regarding the resolution of conflicting Federal agency regulations by the Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold online and in-person public meetings.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Public Meeting
The SEDAR Procedural Workshop 8 for Fishery Independent Index Development will consist of a series of webinars, and an in-person workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel (Habitat AP).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Tugs Towing Drill Rig in Cook Inlet, Alaska
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued two incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to Hilcorp Alaska LLC to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during tugs towing jack-up rig activity in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 30; 2023-24 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures
This proposed rule would establish the 2023-24 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. This proposed rule would also revise management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits. These proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available. This proposed rule would also make minor corrections to the regulations. Additionally, this proposed rule announces the receipt of exempted fishing permit applications. NMFS has made a preliminary determination that these applications warrant further consideration. NMFS requests public comment on these applications. This action also would implement portions of Amendment 30 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, which would specify a shortbelly rockfish catch threshold to initiate Council review; extend the length of the limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary season; change the use of Rockfish Conservation Area boundaries; expand the use of Block Area Closures to control catch of groundfish; and correct the definition of Block Area Closures. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, NMFS also announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment that analyzes the potential effects of the associated proposed rule.
Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida and South Carolina
In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ), Federal dealer reporting, and Federal charter vessel and headboat (for-hire vessel) reporting programs specific to the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and Atlantic, the snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic, and the dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, the Regional Administrator (RA), Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined that Hurricane Ian has caused catastrophic conditions in certain Florida and South Carolina counties. This temporary rule authorizes any dealer in the affected area described in this temporary rule who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of trip tickets to NMFS and authorizes IFQ participants within the affected area to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This rule also authorizes any Federal for-hire owner or operator in the affected area described in this temporary rule who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of logbook and South Atlantic ``Did Not Fish'' records to NMFS. This temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ, dealer, and Federal for-hire reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys in the Area of Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lease Areas OCS-A 0486, 0487, and 0500
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 Orsted Wind Power North America LLC (Orsted) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys offshore from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, including the areas of Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS-A 0486, 0487, 0500, and along potential export cable routes (ECR)s to landfall locations between Raritan Bay and Falmouth, MA.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; National Marine Fisheries Service-Public Meetings
The National Marine Fisheries Service will hold a series of in-person workshops on November 2 and November 3, 2022.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod, except for the Community Development Quota program (CDQ), in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the non-CDQ allocation of the 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Marine Mammals; File No. 26778
Notice is hereby given that Wildstar Films Ltd., Embassy House, Queens Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1SB, UK (Responsible Party: Jennie Hammond), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; Hawaii distinct population segment).
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Revisions to the Economic Data Reports Requirements; Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (Crab FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review. If approved, Amendment 52 would remove third-party data verification audits and blind formatting requirements for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) crab fisheries Economic Data Report (EDR). Amendment 52 is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), the Crab FMP, and other applicable laws.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The MAFMC will hold a public meeting regarding a video-based boat count project being conducted at the Ocean City, MD inlet.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2022. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted early in 2023 and will be announced in a future notice. In addition, NMFS has implemented online recertification workshops for persons who have already taken an in-person training.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC's) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee (MC) will hold a public meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Budget Committee will hold a meeting to consider budget issues as outlined in the Budget Committee Agenda.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 26696
Notice is hereby given that Dennis Clegg, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, has applied in due form for a permit to export and conduct research on marine mammal parts.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has made determinations on 12 resource management plans in the form of joint tribal and state Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) that were submitted in three bundles (Lake Washington HGMPs, Hood Canal HGMPs, and Hood River HGMPs) and four state HGMPs (Mid-Columbia HGMPs). NMFS also announces its issuance of Final Environmental Assessments (FEAs) and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) for the 11 hatchery programs in Mid- Columbia River, Hood River, and Lake Washington.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #37 Through #45
NMFS announces nine inseason actions in the 2022 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the recreational and commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the Oregon/California border.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Local Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, and Subsistence Taskforce (LKTKS) will be held November 1, 2022 through November 2, 2022.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Charter Halibut Management Committee will meet October 21, 2022.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) from October 25 to October 27, 2022, in Charleston, SC.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR Procedural Workshop 8 for Fishery Independent Index Development will consist of a series of webinars, and an in-person workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Marine Mammals; File No. 26689
Notice is hereby given that Elsie Sunderland, Ph.D., Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Pierce Hall No. 127, Cambridge, MA 02138, has applied in due form for a permit to import marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries Management
This final action will modify Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) bluefin tuna (bluefin) management measures applicable to the incidental and directed bluefin fisheries through an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP). Specifically, this rule will change several aspects of the Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) Program, including the distribution of IBQ shares to active vessels only, implementation of a cap on IBQ shares that may be held by an entity, and implementation of a cost recovery program. This rule will also modify bluefin fisheries by discontinuing the Purse Seine category and reallocating that bluefin quota to all of the other bluefin quota categories; capping Harpoon category daily bluefin landings; modifying the recreational trophy bluefin areas and subquotas; modifying regulations regarding electronic monitoring of the pelagic longline fishery as well as green-stick use; and modifying the regulation regarding permit category changes.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Electronic Monitoring Program Regulations for Bottom Trawl and Non-Whiting Midwater Trawl Vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program
This rule will implement electronic monitoring (EM) program regulations for vessels using groundfish bottom trawl and non-whiting midwater trawl gear in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program. This action will allow vessels using bottom trawl and non- whiting midwater trawl gear to use EM in place of human observers to meet requirements for 100 percent at-sea catch monitoring. This action is intended to increase operational flexibility and reduce monitoring costs for vessels in the groundfish trawl fishery. This rule also revises some language in existing regulations for EM vessels and EM service providers to clarify and streamline EM program requirements.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2022 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.
Protected Communications; Prohibition of Retaliatory Personnel Actions
On December 23, 2020, the President signed into law the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020, which applies the Military Whistleblower Protection Act to officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). This final rule provides regulations pursuant to Section 207 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 and applies the Military Whistleblower Protection Act to the NOAA Corps to align Department of Commerce policy and procedure with this law.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Non-trawl Logbook
This final rule creates a Federal requirement for certain vessels in the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery target fishing for groundfish with non-trawl gear in Federal waters seaward of California, Oregon, and Washington, to complete and submit a non-trawl logbook to NMFS via an electronic application. Specifically, this non-trawl logbook requirement applies to vessels participating in the directed open access and limited entry fixed gear sectors, as well as those vessels that fish with non-trawl gear in the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota Program. The intent of this requirement is to collect valuable fishery-dependent information in non- trawl sectors with partial observer coverage, which will help better inform management of these fisheries.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
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 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Resident Perceptions of Offshore Wind Energy Development Off the Oregon Coast
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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from trawl catcher vessels to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear and to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2021-2022 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Fall Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
In preparation for the 2022 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting, the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT is announcing the convening of its fall meeting.
Adjustment of Fees for Seafood Inspection Services
The NMFS Seafood Inspection Program is notifying program participants of a revised fee schedule.
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