National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 13, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 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 (EFP).

NMFS proposes to implement fishing periods and fishing period limits for the 2024 non-tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery that operates south of Point Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. The proposed action includes two 58-hour fishing periods. The first fishing period would begin at 8 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on June 25, 2024, and close at 6 p.m. PDT on June 27, 2024. The second fishing period would start at 8 a.m. PDT on July 9, 2024, and close at 6 p.m. PDT on July 11, 2024. NMFS is also proposing four fishing period limits (i.e., vessel catch limits) across eight vessel size classes for both fishing periods. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide fishing opportunity where available.

Notice is hereby given that BBC Studios, Ltd., Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LR, UK (Emily-Kate Moorhead, Responsible Party) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography on marine mammals.

NMFS will hold a public meeting to listen to concerns and gather input regarding the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category fishery. During the meeting, stakeholders and the public may express their thoughts about harpooning practices, including concerns related to fishing activities in proximity to mobile-gear vessels and harpooning during nighttime hours.

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 Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction associated with the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project (PTST) in Virginia Beach, Virginia.