National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 23, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the June through August time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when open. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic 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, 2024, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously-scheduled RFDs for September will resume.

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 CCG for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint public meeting of its Monkfish Committee and Advisory Panel 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.

On July 27, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an interim final rule establishing three special use areas within Federal waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) from July 27, 2024 through August 26, 2024. This notice extends the temporary special use areas an additional 60 days. The special use areas prohibit all entry except for restoration activities under a valid Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) permit, continuous transit without interruption, and for law enforcement purposes, from August 26, 2024 to October 25, 2024. This temporary rule is necessary to prevent or minimize destruction of, loss of, or injury to sanctuary resources, specifically to facilitate restoration activities to improve or repair living habitats through protecting coral nursery stock at this site from potential impacts caused by anchor damage and/or fishing gear. This extension is necessary to protect the corals in the temporary special use areas until water temperatures cool and all of the corals are moved back to the original in-shore permitted nursery site. This temporary special use area will expire within 120 days from the date it was established.