National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 15, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2023 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits
NMFS specifies a 2023 limit of 2,000 metric tons (t) of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. Pacific territory (American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the territories). NMFS will allow each territory to allocate up to 1,500 t in 2023 to U.S. longline fishing vessels through specified fishing agreements that meet established criteria. The overall allocation limit among all territories, however, may not exceed 3,000 t. As an accountability measure, NMFS will monitor, attribute, and restrict (if necessary) catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement. These catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 54
NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in Amendment 54 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) (Amendment 54), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule and Amendment 54 revise Gulf greater amberjack sector allocations and catch limits. The purposes of this final rule and Amendment 54 are to end overfishing of Gulf greater amberjack and to update catch limits to be consistent with the best scientific information available.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole, Flathead Sole, Alaska Plaice, and Other Flatfish in the Herring Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish by vessels using trawl gear in the Herring Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 herring bycatch allowance specified for the rock sole, flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish fisheries in the BSAI. This action includes prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, other flatfish by vessels participating in the Community Development Quota Program.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Space Force Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Space Force (USSF) for authorization to take small numbers of six species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to rocket and missile launches and other base operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB). USSF is requesting a 5-year Letter of Authorization for takes resulting from these activities (2024-2029). Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the Space Force's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the Space Force's application and request.
International Affairs; Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act
NMFS announces the reopening of the public comment period for 15 days on the proposed rule to revise its Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act regulations that implement the trade- monitoring program for frozen and fresh Dissostichus species, commonly marketed or referred to as Chilean seabass or Patagonian toothfish. The original 30-day comment period ended on June 5, 2023. We received comments in the final days of the comment period requesting an extension. We are therefore reopening the comment period from June 15, 2023 to June 30, 2023 to allow more time for submittal of public comments. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Snow Crab Rebuilding Plan in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP), to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 53 would add a new rebuilding plan for snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) to the Crab FMP. The objective of this amendment is to rebuild the snow crab stock. In order to comply with provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), this action is necessary to implement a rebuilding plan prior to the start of the 2023/2024 fishing season. Amendment 53 is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Crab FMP, and other applicable laws.
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