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

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee's Social and Economic Panel (SEP).

Notice is hereby given that Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2468 Camp McKenzie Trl NW, Seabeck WA 98380 (Responsible Party: Greg Schorr), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on and import specimens of 47 marine mammal species including the following endangered species and Distinct Population Segments (DPSs): blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Western DPS of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), Western North Pacific DPS and Central America DPS of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Southern Resident DPS of killer whale (Orcinus orca), North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

On March 12, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA") received a petition from the Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston Law Center, the Institute for Responsible Carbon Management, and a collection of environmental law professors and environmental policy experts (collectively "Petitioners") to amend NOAA's reporting regulations under the Weather Modification Reporting Act of 1972. Through this notification, NOAA seeks comment on the topics contained in the petition, as well as any data or information that could be used in the Agency's determination whether to grant the petition. By seeking comment on whether to grant this petition, NOAA takes no position at this time regarding the merits of the suggested rulemaking or the assertions in the petition.

NMFS received a request from SouthCoast Wind Energy, LLC (SouthCoast Wind; formerly known as Mayflower Wind Energy, LLC) for the renewal of their prior incidental harassment authorization (IHA) (hereinafter, the "initial IHA") to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. SouthCoast Wind's activities are identical to those covered in the 2023-2024 authorization, and consist of a subset of the initially planned activities. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), prior to issuing the previous 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.

NMFS is prohibiting retention of "other rockfish" in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2024 "other rockfish" total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached.

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in an abbreviated framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule modifies the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) lane snapper catch limits. The purpose of this final rule is to modify the Gulf lane snapper catch limits based on the best scientific information available. This final rule also revises reporting and compliance requirements for Gulf reef fish commercial permit holders using vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the NOAA Office of Space Commerce announces the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee for Excellence in Space (ACES).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a joint meeting of the Salmon Technical Team (STT) and the Scientific and Statistical Committee's Salmon Subcommittee (SSC-SC). The Model Evaluation Workgroup (MEW) and Sacramento River Fall Chinook Workgroup (SRWG) may also contribute and participate in this meeting.

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 Vineyard Wind 1 LLC (Vineyard Wind 1) to incidentally harass marine mammals during the completion of construction activities associated with the Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Project in the northern portion of Lease Area OCS-A 0501 offshore of Massachusetts.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the September 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 September 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 catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On October 1, 2024, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously scheduled RFDs for October will resume.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet September 30, 2024 through October 8, 2024.

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 NMFS has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to bp Exploration and Production, Inc., (bp) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

The Space Weather Advisory Group (SWAG) will meet for one and a half days on September 25-26, 2024.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board (Board), a Federal Advisory Committee. Board members will discuss and provide advice on the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) in the areas of program evaluation, strategic planning, education and extension, science and technology programs, and other matters as described in the agenda found on the Sea Grant website. For more information on this Federal Advisory Committee please visit the Federal Advisory Committee database: https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/ FACAPublicPage.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Executive Committee via webinar to discuss the Council budget and workplan.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad- hoc Sacramento River Fall Chinook (SRFC) Workgroup will hold a two-day online meeting in October 2024.

NMFS announces inseason action for the 2024 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds a fishing period, September 24 through September 26, 2024, with a fishing period catch limit of 1,800 pounds (0.82 metric tons (mt)) per vessel, dressed weight. This action is intended to provide opportunity to achieve the 2024 non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Committee (IFQ Committee) will meet September 26, 2024.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). OEAB members will discuss and provide advice on the Federal ocean exploration program, with a particular emphasis on the topics identified in the section on Matters to Be Considered.

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 Petrogas Pacific, LLC (Petrogas) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington.

Notice is hereby given of a virtual public meeting of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC). IMDCC members will discuss Federal marine debris activities, with a particular emphasis on the topics identified in the section on Matters to Be Considered.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day hybrid meeting with both in-person and remote participation to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2024. 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 2025 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.