National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 18, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS received a request from Vineyard Northeast, LLC (Vineyard Northeast) for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) (hereafter, the "Project") to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore from Massachusetts to New Jersey in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS-A 0522 and OCS-A 0544 (Lease Areas) and associated offshore export cable corridor (OECC) routes. The proposed action is a subset of the survey efforts that were previously authorized but were not yet completed under the currently active IHA, which will soon expire. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 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 public comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment period.

NMFS announces the final 2024 harvest specifications for the salmon fishery of the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for salmon during the 2024 fishing year and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska (Salmon FMP). The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the salmon resources in Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act).

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the Maui's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) and South Island Hector's dolphin (C. hectori hectori). 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 Maui's dolphin and the South Island Hector's dolphin, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since their original listings as endangered and threatened species, respectively, in 2017.