National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 9, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 7 of 7
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental To Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia
NMFS is proposing to modify an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) that was issued to the United States Navy (Navy) on March 15, 2022 in association with construction activities related to the replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. As a result of necessary changes to the Navy's construction plan, NMFS is proposing to modify the Navy's IHA to increase authorized take by Level B harassment for bottlenose dolphins and take by Level A harassment for harbor seals. NMFS is also proposing to include appropriate, additional shutdown mitigation provisions for all species in the modified IHA. The monitoring and reporting measures remain the same as prescribed in the initial IHA. NMFS will also consider public comments on the requested modification prior to making any final decision and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Extension of Public Comment Period for Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP); Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Halibut Abundance-Based Management of Amendment 80 Prohibited Species Catch Limit
On November 9, 2022, the National Marine Fisheries Service published a Notice of Availability and request for comments on Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), but inadvertently did not include the supporting Amendment text. With this notice, NMFS is extending the public comment period by 60 days to February 7, 2023, to afford the public with additional time to provide comments on Amendment 123.
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 January 23, January 24, January 25, and January 26, 2023.
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 Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 23
NMFS is implementing regulations for Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted and NMFS approved. This action adjusts 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. The measures implementing Amendment 23 are intended to ensure there is a precise and accurate representation of catch to set catch limit levels that prevent overfishing and determine when catch limits are exceeded.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Halibut Abundance-Based Management of Amendment 80 Prohibited Species Catch Limit
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). If approved, the proposed rule would amend regulations governing limits on Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) (halibut) prohibited species catch (PSC), or bycatch, in the BSAI. Namely, the proposed amendment would link the halibut PSC limit to halibut abundance for the Amendment 80 commercial groundfish trawl fleet in the BSAI groundfish fisheries. This action responds to the obligation in section 303(a)(11) of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable, and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act national standards. This action: minimizes halibut PSC to the extent practicable under National Standard 9; ensures that the FMP will continue to achieve optimum yield in the BSAI groundfish fisheries on a continuing basis under National Standard 1; is based upon the best scientific information available under National Standard 2; to the extent it involves an allocation of fishing privileges, is fair and equitable, reasonably promotes conservation by reducing incidental halibut mortality caused by the Amendment 80 trawl fleet, and does not result in any excessive shares of fishing privileges under National Standard 4; and takes into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities under National Standard 8. The action is expected to provide incentives for the Amendment 80 fleet to minimize halibut mortality at all times and conserve and improve bycatch management of the halibut resource, and it may result in additional harvest opportunities in the commercial halibut fishery. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, other applicable laws, and Amendment 123 to the BSAI FMP.
Fisheries of the Atlantic; Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia; 2022 Commercial Closure for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia
NMFS implements a closure in Federal waters off Georgia through New York for Atlantic migratory group cobia (Atlantic cobia) that are harvested and sold (commercial). Commercial landings of Atlantic cobia are projected to reach the commercial quota on December 16, 2022. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for Atlantic cobia in Federal waters from December 16, 2022, until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2023. This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource.
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