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

NMFS is implementing specifications submitted by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (collectively, the Councils) in Framework Adjustment 13 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action sets monkfish specifications for fishing years 2023 through 2025, adjusts annual Days-At-Sea (DAS) allocations, and, beginning in fishing year 2026, increases the minimum gillnet mesh size for vessels fishing on monkfish DAS. This action is needed to establish allowable monkfish harvest levels and management measures that will prevent overfishing and reduce bycatch.

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/s/login/ ?ec=302&inst=3d&startURL=%2FFACA%2FFACAPublicPage. This notice also responds to the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976, which requires the Secretary of Commerce to solicit nominations at least once a year for membership on the National Sea Grant Advisory Board. To apply for membership to the Board, applicants should submit a current resume. A cover letter highlighting specific areas of expertise relevant to the purpose of the Board is helpful, but not required. Nominations will be accepted by email. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer.

This notice announces an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the impacts to the environment of alternatives related to a funding program addressing species affected by fisheries managed under the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST). NMFS intends to make funding decisions related to increasing the availability of prey to Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs). This notice is necessary to inform the public of NMFS's intent to prepare this EIS and to provide the public with an opportunity to provide input for NMFS's consideration.

NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in partnership with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) and Southeast Regional Office (SERO), hereafter NOAA, are working to build spatial science capacity in the U.S. Caribbean Region. Through this Request for Information, we are seeking public input to identify coastal and marine spatial data or other critical information to inform marine spatial analyses. Additionally, we are seeking feedback on data shortcomings and gaps that should be addressed prior to commencing marine spatial studies. The input we receive from meetings, as well as the responses to the items listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, will be used to inform potential coastal and ocean development activities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), such as development of renewable energy facilities, aquaculture, and other blue economy sectors.

NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of Maine area fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

NMFS announces one inseason action for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fishing season. This inseason action modifies the July-September sub-quota for the treaty Indian salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, Oregon.

NMFS has received a request from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey in coastal waters off of Texas. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received an update to an application for a direct take permit, in the form of a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) for hatchery plans rearing and releasing Sockeye salmon into the Snake River basin. The permits describe hatchery programs operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Shoshone-Bannock Tribe (SBT), National Marine Fisheries Service's Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). This document serves to notify the public of the availability and opportunity to comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and an HGMP on the proposed hatchery program.

NMFS announces closure of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the California Coast subarea of the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A. The California Coast subarea will close on August 4, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. This action is intended to conserve Pacific halibut.

On February 13, 2020, NOAA initiated a review of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS or the sanctuary) management plan to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the goals of the sanctuary and to make revisions to the management plan as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of the NMSA. NOAA anticipated that management plan changes would require preparation of environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and initiated public scoping meetings to gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, tribes, and government agencies on the scope, types, and significance of issues related to the SBNMS management plan and the proper scope of environmental analysis for the management plan review. NOAA is providing notice of availability of a final management plan and a final environmental assessment (EA) for SBNMS.

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a joint meeting. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat 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.

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 California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Restoration project in Richmond, CA.

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 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

Notice is hereby given that Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Inc., 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536, (Responsible Party: Ronald Smolowitz), has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 23639-01.

NMFS announces six inseason actions for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fishing season. These inseason actions modify the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border.

NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 32 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 32 would: create a new type of Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area that prohibits fishing with non-trawl bottom contact gear for all groundfish fisheries and the non-tribal directed commercial halibut fishery; remove the Cowcod Conservation Area seaward of California for commercial and recreational groundfish non-trawl fisheries; create and authorize the use of Groundfish Exclusion Areas as a new type of Groundfish Conservation Area; authorize the use of Block Area Closures for groundfish non-trawl fisheries, and make necessary administrative changes to relevant sections of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. Altogether, these changes are anticipated to provide additional fishing opportunity to groundfish non-trawl fishery sectors while continuing to protect rebuilding yelloweye rockfish and mitigating fishing impacts to sensitive areas.

On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) on spatial fisheries management and electronic monitoring cost allocation. On May 8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of intent for scoping of Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on shark management. In both actions, NMFS announced several public hearings and webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment. This notice announces that NMFS is adding a public hearing for both Amendment 15 and Amendment 16 based on public interest.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, will hold an in-person public meeting to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments.

NMFS closes the Harpoon category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the 2023 fishing year. This closure applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels.

The SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stock of hammerhead sharks will consist of a stock identification (ID) process, data webinars/workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. A SEDAR 77 Review Workshop has been scheduled in person for August 28 through September 1, 2023. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS is closing the directed longfin squid fishery through the remainder of 2023 Trimester II (May 1-August 31, 2023). This closure is required by regulation because NMFS projects that 90 percent of the longfin squid Trimester II quota will be caught by the effective date. This action is necessary to comply with the regulations implementing the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan and is intended to prevent overharvest of longfin squid.

Notice is hereby given that Tamara McGuire, Ph.D., 310 W 123rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99515, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on the endangered Cook Inlet distinct population segment (DPS) of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).