National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the non- U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the non-U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species, that has become available since it was listed in 2015.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.

NMFS announces the approval of Amendments to the five fishery ecosystem plans (FEP) for fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region. The FEPs are amended to update data collection mechanisms identified as standardized bycatch reporting methodologies (SBRM) and to revise descriptions of SBRM for consistency with current NMFS regulations. These Amendments ensure conformance with national guidance for compliance with the SBRM requirement in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Applications are being sought for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for 9 membership positions to serve on the 22- member American Fisheries Advisory Committee (AFAC or Committee). Individuals selected to serve on the Committee will serve a term of three years, unless otherwise stipulated.

NMFS closes the Angling category southern area fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). The southern New England area trophy fishery is defined as south of 42[deg] N lat. and north of 39[deg]18' N lat. This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

The SEDAR 84 assessment process of U.S. Caribbean yellowtail snapper and stoplight parrotfish will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announces the availability of our draft Update to: Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (Version 3.0): Underwater and In-Air Criteria for Onset of Auditory Injury and Temporary Threshold Shifts (draft Updated Technical Guidance) for public comment. The draft Updated Technical Guidance assesses the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species under NMFS's jurisdiction. The draft Updated Technical Guidance provides updated received levels and auditory weighting functions, or acoustic criteria, above which individual marine mammals, in-air and underwater, are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (auditory injury or temporary threshold shift) for all anthropogenic sound sources. Once finalized, the Updated Technical Guidance will replace NMFS's current 2018 Revisions to: Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (Version 2.0): Underwater Thresholds for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts (2018 Revised Technical Guidance).

NMFS announces the availability of a scoping document to consider changes to gear regulations and requirements in fisheries targeting Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS). While management measures implemented since 1999 have helped achieve fishery management and conservation goals, the combination of over two decades of gear- specific measures may have had unanticipated consequences. Changes in species distribution, fishing gears, fishing techniques, market conditions, and fishing interests may warrant a reexamination of some gear-specific management measures to see if they are still meeting applicable goals. NMFS requests comments on the options presented in the scoping document as well as additional ideas that may warrant consideration.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) is holding an online meeting, which is open to the public.

Notice is hereby given that Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 27514.

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.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Citizen Science Operations Committee via webinar May 22, 2024.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) renewal application from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the applicant. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of its Groundfish Management Team (GMT) and its Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP). The GAP and the GMT will discuss items on the Pacific Council's June 2024 meeting agenda. These meetings are open to the public.

NMFS announces that 34 American Samoa pelagic longline limited entry permits in two permit size classes are available for 2024. NMFS is accepting applications for these available permits.

The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS is revising regulations that implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This final action removes the rebuilding plan for Snohomish River coho salmon from regulation, as this stock has been rebuilt and is no longer required to be managed under a rebuilding plan.

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. This notice pertains to a requested renewal of the approved collection of information for national marine sanctuary nominations. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

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 (GOM), notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to WesternGeco for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.

The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 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.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public webinar of its Risk Policy Working Group to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This meeting will be held in-person with a webinar option. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The MAFMC will hold a public meeting (webinar) of its Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Monitoring Committee. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) will host a meeting of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) consisting of eight Regional Fishery Management Council (RFMC) chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors and its subcommittees from May 21 to May 23, 2024. The intent of this meeting is to discuss issues of relevance to the Councils and NMFS, including issues related to the implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSA), other topics of concern to the RFMC, and decisions and follow-up activities.

NOAA is seeking up to 25 individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space (ACES), a Federal advisory committee. Members of the committee will evaluate economic, technological, and institutional developments relating to nongovernmental space activities and submit advice and recommendations on promising new ideas and approaches for Federal policies and programs. The ACES membership should consist of a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, and finance professionals with significant experience in the commercial space industry.