National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 5, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the re-opening of the commercial longline component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic through this temporary rule. The most recent commercial longline landings data for golden tilefish indicate the commercial longline annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2023 fishing year has not yet been reached. Therefore, NMFS re-opens the commercial longline component to harvest golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ for 3 days. The purpose of this temporary rule is to allow for the commercial longline ACL for golden tilefish to be harvested while minimizing the risk of exceeding the commercial ACL.

In accordance with Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, NOAA and the State of Louisiana (the State) intend to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Management Plan (DMP) for the proposed Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). NOAA and the State also announce two public scoping meetings to solicit comments on significant issues related to the development of a DEIS for the proposed Atchafalaya NERR.

NMFS proposes regulation changes to integrate the vessel reporting requirements for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries with the reporting requirements for all other commercial fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. These changes are intended to simplify the regulations and make it easier for surfclam and ocean quahog vessel operators to submit the required fishing trip reports electronically. This action would result in improved administration and management of the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.