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

Results 401 - 450 of 1,224
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Office of Naval Research's Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas (Year 6)
Document Number: 2023-18683
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received a request from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to Arctic Research Activities (ARA) in the Beaufort Sea and eastern Chukchi Sea. These activities identical to those covered in the current authorization. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 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 Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2023 Red Snapper Private Angling Component Closure in Federal Waters Off Texas
Document Number: 2023-18764
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a closure for the 2023 fishing season for the red snapper private angling component in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) through this temporary rule. The red snapper recreational private angling component in the Gulf EEZ off Texas closes on September 2, 2023 until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2024. This closure is necessary to prevent the private angling component from exceeding the Texas regional management area annual catch limit (ACL) and to prevent overfishing of the Gulf red snapper resource.
Evaluation of Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; Public Meeting; Request for Comments
Document Number: 2023-18738
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, will hold a virtual public meeting to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2023-18746
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2023-18758
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (CPs) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to AFA trawl CPs in the BSAI.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Proposed Reclassification of Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) From Threatened to Endangered
Document Number: 2023-17769
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are issuing a proposed rule to change the status of pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species from threatened to endangered as recommended in the recent 5-year review of the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. We propose this action based on population declines and susceptibility to a recently emerged coral disease.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
Document Number: 2023-18557
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council, Council) will convene webinar meetings of its Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP), Groundfish Management Team (GMT), and Marine Planning Committee (MPC) to discuss items on the Pacific Council's September Council meeting agenda as detailed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below. These meetings are open to the public.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers From NJ to NC and RI
Document Number: 2023-18616
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of New Jersey is transferring a portion of its 2023 commercial bluefish quota to the States of North Carolina and Rhode Island. These adjustments to the 2023 fishing year quotas are necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2023 commercial bluefish quotas for New Jersey, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program; Public Workshop
Document Number: 2023-18530
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS will present a public workshop on the implementation of the Pacific cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program or Program) for potentially eligible participants and other interested parties. The PCTC Program allocates Pacific cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders and qualifying processors and requires participants to form cooperatives to harvest the quota. At the workshop, NMFS will provide an overview of the PCTC Program, discuss the key PCTC Program elements, describe the process for participating in the Program, and answer questions. NMFS is conducting this public workshop to provide assistance to fishery participants in understanding and reviewing this Program.
Request for Public Comment on Draft Hydrographic Survey Specifications and Deliverables
Document Number: 2023-18525
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Office of Coast Survey (OCS) requests public comment from all interested parties on a draft of the newly-revised Hydrographic Survey Specifications and Deliverables document (HSSD). The HSSD has been rewritten to be more forward looking with respect to new and developing technologies, best facilitate the use of automated tools, and better integrate with the S-100 based products and the National Bathymetric Source (NBS), which is the OCS database for best-available bathymetry. Additionally, the revised HSSD will better accommodate the increasing amounts of hydrographic data obtained from external sources, with metadata tags to denote data quality and universal data licenses to define terms of use, which will result in more streamlined, standardized workflows. Numerous subject matter experts collaborated to modernize the HSSD so that it best supports OCS as a data-driven organization.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #18
Document Number: 2023-18512
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces one inseason action for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fishing season. This inseason action modifies the commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, Oregon.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Document Number: 2023-18493
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2023. 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 in 2024 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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-18492
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 149th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and its 196th Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. The Council will also hold meetings of the following standing committees: Pelagic and International Standing Committee (SC); Program Planning SC; Fishing Rights of Indigenous Peoples SC; and Executive and Budget SC.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18491
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel and Committee will hold a meeting. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Permit Application and Reports for Permits
Document Number: 2023-18477
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 the agency [or department] to 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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Nonessential Experimental Populations of Chinook Salmon Upstream of Shasta Dam, Authorization for Release, and Adoption of Limited Protective Regulations Under the Endangered Species Act Sections 10(j) and 4(d)
Document Number: 2023-18474
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, designate and authorize the release of nonessential experimental populations (NEPs or experimental populations) of Sacramento River (SR) winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Central Valley (CV) spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) in the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rivers upstream of Shasta Dam (the NEP Area), California, and, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), establish a limited set of take exceptions for the experimental populations. Successful reintroduction of populations within the species' historical ranges will contribute to viability and further conservation of these species. The issuance of limited protective regulations for the conservation of these species will provide assurances regarding the regulatory provisions of the ESA as they apply to SR winter-run and CV spring-run Chinook salmon to the people in the Upper Sacramento River and McCloud River watersheds. This final rule also announces the availability of a final environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed the environmental impacts of promulgating the experimental population rule and associated take exceptions.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18435
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 85 assessment of Gulf of Mexico yellowedge grouper will consist of a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18434
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Committee 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.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18432
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18431
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2023-18420
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued 17 scientific research permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to the individuals and organizations listed in Table 1. The research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the ESA and to help guide management and conservation efforts.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Improvement and Modernization of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Vessel Reporting Regulations
Document Number: 2023-18414
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing 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 will result in improved administration and management of the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.
Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Document Number: 2023-18271
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA proposes to designate Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) in the waters along and offshore of the coast of central California to recognize the national significance of the area's ecological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The sanctuary boundary would encompass 5,617 square miles (mi\2\) (4,242 nmi\2\) of submerged lands and marine waters from Monta[ntilde]a de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County to Naples along the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. NOAA proposes to establish the terms of designation for CHNMS and proposes regulations to implement the national marine sanctuary designation. NOAA is also publishing a draft environmental impact statement (draft EIS) and draft management plan, and soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft EIS, and draft management plan.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Assessing Public Preferences and Values To Support Coastal and Marine Management
Document Number: 2023-18292
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops; Correction
Document Number: 2023-18365
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS cancelled the Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 6, 2023, in Kenner, LA, and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 14, 2023, in Virginia Beach, FL. The workshops were announced in the Federal Register on June 21, 2023. NMFS has rescheduled the Safe Handing, Release, and Identification Workshop for September 27, 2023 and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop for September 28, 2023.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Amendment 52
Document Number: 2023-18247
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP), as submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (the Council). For golden tilefish, this proposed rule would revise the annual catch limits (ACLs), commercial longline component fishing season, and recreational accountability measures (AMs). For blueline tilefish, this proposed rule would reduce the recreational bag limit, modify the possession limits, and revise the recreational AMs. In addition, Amendment 52 would update the acceptable biological catch (ABC), overfishing limit (OFL), and annual optimum yield (OY). The purpose of this proposed rule and Amendment 52 is to respond to the most recent stock assessment for golden tilefish, and to prevent recreational landings from exceeding the recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2023-18220
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 ExxonMobil Corporation (ExxonMobil) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-18195
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory bodies will meet September 7-14, 2023 in Spokane, Washington and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely.
Final Revised Management Plan for the He`eia National Estuarine Research Reserve
Document Number: 2023-18177
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce approves the revised management plan for the He`eia National Estuarine Research Reserve in Hawai`i. In accordance with the Coastal Zone Management Act and its implementing regulations. The University of Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology revised the reserve's management plan, which replaces the management plan previously approved in 2016.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-18159
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 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.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-18158
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the following: Mackerel Cobia Committee, Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management (Habitat) Committee, Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee, and the Snapper Grouper Committee. The meeting week will also include a formal public comment session and a meeting of the Full Council.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 31
Document Number: 2023-18089
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-08-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 31 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 31 would define stocks that are in need of conservation and management, consistent with the provisions and guidelines of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 31 would define stocks for 14 species within the fishery management unit. These species were prioritized because they had stock assessments in 2021 or will have assessments in 2023. Amendment 31 is necessary for NMFS to make stock status determinations, which in turn will help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and achieve optimum yield. Amendment 31 is administrative in nature and does not change harvest levels or timing and location of fishing, nor does it revise the goals and objectives or the management frameworks of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program; Correction
Document Number: 2023-18072
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On August 8, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). The final rule included an incorrect cross reference and inadvertently left out two footnotes in a table. This correction fixes these errors.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Northwest Region, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery: Trawl Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2023-18068
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Southeast Region Permit Family of Forms
Document Number: 2023-18061
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 before the Department submits the information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2023-17873
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2023-17885
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 18 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. NMFS has also received one permit application to enhance the propagation and survival of one listed salmonid species (Snake River steelhead). The proposed activities in all permits are intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the General Category June Through August Fishery for 2023
Document Number: 2023-17915
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the June through August 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. This action also waives the previously-scheduled restricted-fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the June through August time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, 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 September 1, 2023, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously-scheduled RFDs for September will resume.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2023-17910
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear, trawl catcher vessels, and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear 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 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Endangered Species; File No. 27551
Document Number: 2023-17899
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) has applied in due form for a permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application is for the incidental take of ESA-listed shortnose (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrinchus) associated with the otherwise lawful commercial shad fishery in Georgia. The duration of the proposed permit is 10 years. NMFS is furnishing this notice in order to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the application materials. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-17897
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) on September 7, 2023. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-17895
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee (EBFM) and Plan Development Team (PDT) 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-17894
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of the Salmon Technical Team (STT) to discuss items on the Pacific Council's September meeting agenda as detailed in the Supplementary Information section below. This meeting is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-17892
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey of Puerto Rico in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Document Number: 2023-17836
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority's Ferry Terminal Refurbishment in Alameda, California
Document Number: 2023-17744
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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 the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the refurbishment of the Alameda Main Street Ferry Terminal in Alameda, California. There are no changes from the proposed authorization to the final authorization.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 65
Document Number: 2023-17592
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule revises the rebuilding plan for Gulf of Maine cod, sets catch limits for 16 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and makes a temporary modification to the accountability measures for Georges Bank cod. This action also corrects erroneous regulations and removes outdated regulations. This action also implements an emergency action to set fishing year 2023 catch limits for Gulf of Maine haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available. The emergency action is necessary to avoid a potential shut-down of the groundfish fishery in the Gulf of Maine in fishing year 2023, while still preventing overfishing for Gulf of Maine haddock.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Virginia
Document Number: 2023-17835
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-08-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2023 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2023 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2023 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.
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