National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would revise the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs) for red snapper in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The purpose of this proposed rule is to increase the Gulf red snapper ACLs and ACTs consistent with best scientific information available, and to continue to achieve optimum yield (OY) for the stock.

NMFS' Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has received a request from the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to conducting fisheries research, over the course of 5 years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), OPR is announcing receipt of the NWFSC's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. OPR invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the NWFSC's application and request.

NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 124 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and Amendment 112 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP). First, this final rule amends regulations for the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) Programs for pot gear configurations, pot gear tending and retrieval requirements, pot limits, and associated recordkeeping and reporting requirements. These changes increase operational efficiency and flexibility for IFQ holders and CDQ groups. Second, this final rule authorizes jig gear as a legal gear type for harvesting sablefish IFQ and CDQ, increasing opportunities for entry-level participants. Third, this final rule temporarily removes the Adak community quota entity (CQE) residency requirement for a period of five years. These actions are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the BSAI FMP, GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.

NMFS has received a request from the City of Santa Cruz for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to 2 years of construction activities associated with the Murray St. Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project in Santa Cruz, California. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive 1-year incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-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.

NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). The southern area trophy fishery is defined as south of 39[deg]18' N lat., and outside of the Gulf of Mexico. This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee (EBFM) and Advisory Panel Chairs 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.

The SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stock 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.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a two day in-person meeting of its Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) District Advisory Panels (DAPs) will hold public meetings to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of research conducted by the applicant. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.

Notice is hereby given that Yara Bernaldo de Quir[oacute]s, Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, has applied in due form for a permit to receive parts from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for scientific research.

This serves as the notice of a public meeting for the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) on February 28, 2023, 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Atlantic Standard Time (AST), March 1, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. AST, and March 2, 2023 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. AST. The agenda for the HSRP public meeting will be posted in advance of the meeting on the HSRP website. Individuals or groups who want to comment on NOAA navigation services topics are encouraged to submit advance public comments via email or via the question function in the webinar for the HSRP public meeting.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the January through March subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. Fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag-and-release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On June 1, 2023, the fishery will reopen automatically.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory bodies will meet March 4-10, 2023, in Seattle, WA, in person and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely. The following groups will meet in person in Seattle: Scientific and Statistical Committee, Salmon Technical Team, Salmon Advisory Subpanel, Enforcement Consultants, Habitat Committee, Groundfish Management Team, Groundfish Advisory Subpanel, Ecosystem Workgroup, and Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel. The Highly Migratory Species Management Team and Highly Migratory Species Management Subpanel will meet by webinar only.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel will hold one public meeting.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team will hold one public meeting.

NOAA's Uncrewed Systems Research Transition Office (UxSRTO) in OAR has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Funding, Procurement, and Operation of NOAA Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). We are making the draft EA available for public review and comment.

During a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) under the Protocol to the Cartagena Convention on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol), held virtually on January 30-February 1, 2023, 24 animal species were nominated to be added to the Annexes of the SPAW Protocol. The Department of State and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) solicit comment on the nominations to add these species to the Annexes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing this final 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.

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 is hereby given that Cristy Gonzalez Barrientos, DVM, Texas A&M University, TVMDL, 2711 Wilderness Drive North, College Station, TX 77845, has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

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 is hereby given that Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 22187-03.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP), the Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), and the American Samoa Fishery Archipelago FEP AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.