National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1,601 - 1,650 of 23,263
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR 85 assessment of Gulf of Mexico yellowedge grouper will consist of a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Committee 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.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued 17 scientific research permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to the individuals and organizations listed in Table 1. The research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the ESA and to help guide management and conservation efforts.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Improvement and Modernization of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Vessel Reporting Regulations
NMFS is implementing regulation changes to integrate the vessel reporting requirements for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries with the reporting requirements for all other commercial fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. These changes are intended to simplify the regulations and make it easier for surfclam and ocean quahog vessel operators to submit the required fishing trip reports electronically. This action will result in improved administration and management of the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.
Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA proposes to designate Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) in the waters along and offshore of the coast of central California to recognize the national significance of the area's ecological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The sanctuary boundary would encompass 5,617 square miles (mi\2\) (4,242 nmi\2\) of submerged lands and marine waters from Monta[ntilde]a de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County to Naples along the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. NOAA proposes to establish the terms of designation for CHNMS and proposes regulations to implement the national marine sanctuary designation. NOAA is also publishing a draft environmental impact statement (draft EIS) and draft management plan, and soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft EIS, and draft management plan.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Assessing Public Preferences and Values To Support Coastal and Marine Management
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops; Correction
NMFS cancelled the Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 6, 2023, in Kenner, LA, and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 14, 2023, in Virginia Beach, FL. The workshops were announced in the Federal Register on June 21, 2023. NMFS has rescheduled the Safe Handing, Release, and Identification Workshop for September 27, 2023 and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop for September 28, 2023.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Amendment 52
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP), as submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (the Council). For golden tilefish, this proposed rule would revise the annual catch limits (ACLs), commercial longline component fishing season, and recreational accountability measures (AMs). For blueline tilefish, this proposed rule would reduce the recreational bag limit, modify the possession limits, and revise the recreational AMs. In addition, Amendment 52 would update the acceptable biological catch (ABC), overfishing limit (OFL), and annual optimum yield (OY). The purpose of this proposed rule and Amendment 52 is to respond to the most recent stock assessment for golden tilefish, and to prevent recreational landings from exceeding the recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
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 ExxonMobil Corporation (ExxonMobil) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory bodies will meet September 7-14, 2023 in Spokane, Washington and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely.
Final Revised Management Plan for the He`eia National Estuarine Research Reserve
Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce approves the revised management plan for the He`eia National Estuarine Research Reserve in Hawai`i. In accordance with the Coastal Zone Management Act and its implementing regulations. The University of Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology revised the reserve's management plan, which replaces the management plan previously approved in 2016.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 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.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the following: Mackerel Cobia Committee, Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management (Habitat) Committee, Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee, and the Snapper Grouper Committee. The meeting week will also include a formal public comment session and a meeting of the Full Council.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 31
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 31 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 31 would define stocks that are in need of conservation and management, consistent with the provisions and guidelines of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 31 would define stocks for 14 species within the fishery management unit. These species were prioritized because they had stock assessments in 2021 or will have assessments in 2023. Amendment 31 is necessary for NMFS to make stock status determinations, which in turn will help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and achieve optimum yield. Amendment 31 is administrative in nature and does not change harvest levels or timing and location of fishing, nor does it revise the goals and objectives or the management frameworks of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program; Correction
On August 8, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). The final rule included an incorrect cross reference and inadvertently left out two footnotes in a table. This correction fixes these errors.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Northwest Region, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery: Trawl Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Southeast Region Permit Family of Forms
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment before the Department submits the information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Science Advisory Board
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 18 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. NMFS has also received one permit application to enhance the propagation and survival of one listed salmonid species (Snake River steelhead). The proposed activities in all permits are intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the General Category June Through August Fishery for 2023
NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the June through August time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and 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, 2023, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously-scheduled RFDs for September will resume.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear, trawl catcher vessels, and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Endangered Species; File No. 27551
Notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) has applied in due form for a permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application is for the incidental take of ESA-listed shortnose (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrinchus) associated with the otherwise lawful commercial shad fishery in Georgia. The duration of the proposed permit is 10 years. NMFS is furnishing this notice in order to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the application materials. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) on September 7, 2023. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee (EBFM) and Plan Development Team (PDT) 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of the Salmon Technical Team (STT) to discuss items on the Pacific Council's September meeting agenda as detailed in the Supplementary Information section below. This meeting is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey of Puerto Rico in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey. 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority's Ferry Terminal Refurbishment in Alameda, California
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 San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the refurbishment of the Alameda Main Street Ferry Terminal in Alameda, California. There are no changes from the proposed authorization to the final authorization.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 65
This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule revises the rebuilding plan for Gulf of Maine cod, sets catch limits for 16 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and makes a temporary modification to the accountability measures for Georges Bank cod. This action also corrects erroneous regulations and removes outdated regulations. This action also implements an emergency action to set fishing year 2023 catch limits for Gulf of Maine haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available. The emergency action is necessary to avoid a potential shut-down of the groundfish fishery in the Gulf of Maine in fishing year 2023, while still preventing overfishing for Gulf of Maine haddock.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Virginia
NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2023 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2023 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2023 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.
Schedule of Fees for Access to NOAA Environmental Data, Information, and Related Products and Services
In this final rule, NESDIS establishes a new schedule of fees for special access to NOAA data, information, and related products and services. NOAA continues to make its environmental data available to the public without any fee in most instances, primarily via NOAA's Comprehensive Large Array-Data Stewardship System (CLASS). NESDIS is revising the fee schedule that has been in effect since 2021 to ensure that the fees accurately reflect the costs of providing access to the environmental data, information, and related products and services.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27489
Notice is hereby given that the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (Responsible Party: Lori Bettison-Varga), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammal parts.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Office of Marine and Aviation Operations: Occupational Health, Safety, and Readiness Forms
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Diving Program
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Pier 58 Reconstruction Project in Seattle, Washington
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the City of Seattle, Washington (City) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to the Pier 58 Reconstruction Project.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2023 Commercial Closure for South Atlantic Red Snapper
NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of red snapper have reached the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2023 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.
Endangered Species; File No. 27490; Extension of Public Comment Period
On July 6, 2023, NMFS published a notice of receipt of application for an Endangered Species Act incidental take permit, with comments due by August 7, 2023. In response to two requests to extend the public comment period, NMFS has decided to reopen the public comment period for an additional 15 calendar days. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; National Marine Fisheries Service-Public Meetings
The National Marine Fisheries Service will hold an in-person Gulf of Mexico shrimp listening session on September 20, 2023.
Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting, September 27th-29th, 2023
This serves as notice of a public meeting for the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) Federal Advisory Committee between September 27th, and September 29th, 2023. The agenda for the HSRP public meeting will be posted in advance of the meeting on the HSRP website. Individuals or groups who would like to comment on NOAA navigation, observation, and positioning services topics are encouraged to submit public comments in advance of the HSRP public meeting via email or during the public meeting via the ``Questions'' function in the webinar for the public meeting.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2023
NMFS announces Federal management measures for the 2023 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year. The intent of this action is to set management measures that allow the recreational fisheries to achieve, but not exceed, the recreational harvest targets and thereby prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass stocks.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Protective Regulations for the Threatened Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
Under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) shall issue protective regulations the Secretary deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of species listed as threatened. The Secretary may apply any of the prohibitions in section 9 of the ESA. This proposed rule would promulgate protective regulations to apply a subset of the ESA section 9 prohibitions to the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni). We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the environmental impacts of this action, and solicit comments regarding this action and the draft EA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
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 2023 ``other rockfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27155
Notice is hereby given that Jamie Lloyd-Smith, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2023 Recreational Management Measures
This rule implements changes to fishing year 2023 recreational management measures for Georges Bank cod, Gulf of Maine cod, and Gulf of Maine haddock. The measures are necessary to ensure the recreational fishery achieves, but does not exceed, fishing year 2023 catch limits for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock, and the recreational catch target for Georges Bank cod.
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