Economic Research Service 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 151 - 200 of 235
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2015 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2015-19230
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is temporarily closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 24 meters in overall length in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) through December 31, 2015 because the 2015 catch limit of 500 metric tons is expected to be reached. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding the applicable catch limit established by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-13-01, which governs tuna conservation in the EPO from 2014-2016.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Wharf Recapitalization Project
Document Number: 2015-19184
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities as part of a wharf recapitalization project. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting public comment on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Navy to take, by Level B harassment only, during the specified activity.
Fisheries off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan; Revision to Prohibited Species Regulations
Document Number: 2015-19157
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is issuing regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to revise the prohibited species policy for highly migratory species off the U.S. West Coast. This action is necessary to accurately reflect the intent of the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2015-19156
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is transferring 40 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category. With this transfer, the adjusted Harpoon category quota for the 2015 fishing season is 73.4 mt. The 2015 Harpoon category fishery is open until November 15, 2015, or until the Harpoon category quota is reached, whichever comes first. The action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to Atlantic tunas Harpoon category (commercial) permitted vessels.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Mid-Atlantic Access Area to General Category Individual Fishing Quota Scallop Vessels
Document Number: 2015-19150
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area will close to Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the remainder of the 2015 fishing year. No vessel issued a Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops from the Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area. Regulations require this action once it is projected that 100 percent of trips allocated to the Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the Mid- Atlantic Scallop Access Area will be taken.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; State Waters Exemption
Document Number: 2015-19149
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS proposes regulations to allow an exemption for Northern Gulf of Maine federally permitted vessels with state-waters permits issued from the State of Maine to continue fishing in the Maine state-waters portion of the Northern Gulf of Maine management area once NMFS has announced that the Federal total allowable catch has been fully harvested in a given year. Maine requested this exemption as part of the Scallop State Water Exemption Program, which specifies that a state may be eligible for a state waters exemption to specific Federal regulations if it has a scallop fishery and a scallop conservation program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing mortality/effort limit objectives of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The regulations further state that the Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, NMFS, shall determine if a state meets that criteria and shall authorize the exemption for such state by publishing a rule in the Federal Register. Based on the information that Maine has submitted, NMFS has preliminarily determined that Maine qualifies for this exemption and that this exemption would not have an impact on the effectiveness of Federal management measures for the scallop fishery overall or within the Northern Gulf of Maine management area.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2015-19148
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS will hold a 2-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2015. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Breakwater Replacement Project in Eastport, Maine
Document Number: 2015-19113
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that we have revised an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) issued to the Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, small numbers of four species of marine mammals during construction activities associated with a breakwater replacement project in Eastport, Maine. The project has been delayed and the effective dates revised accordingly.
Pacific Islands Pelagic Fisheries; American Samoa Longline Limited Entry Program
Document Number: 2015-19102
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS announces that 12 American Samoa pelagic longline limited entry permits in three vessel size classes are available for 2015. NMFS is accepting applications for these available permits.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Squids in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-19094
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-05
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is prohibiting retention of squids in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2015 initial total allowable catch of squids in the BSAI has been reached.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region; Amendment 8; Correction
Document Number: 2015-19009
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-04
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS published a final rule on July 17, 2015, to, in part, implement provisions that would expand a portion of the northern boundary of the Cape Lookout Lophelia Banks Deepwater Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Cape Lookout CHAPC). The final rule included coordinates for only the expansion of the Cape Lookout CHAPC instead of the coordinates for the existing CHAPC plus the expanded area. This notification corrects the coordinates for the Cape Lookout CHAPC to encompass the existing CHAPC plus the expanded area.
Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan
Document Number: 2015-18945
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-03
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The National Ocean Council Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking public input on draft principles for determining seafood species at risk of IUU fishing and seafood fraud (``at risk'') and a draft list of ``at risk'' species developed using the draft principles.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-18941
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-03
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to review recent fishery performance and develop a Fishery Performance Report and/or other recommendations in preparation for the Council's setting of specifications at the October 2015 Council meeting.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-18940
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-08-03
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 153rd meeting.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Proposed Regulations for the Designation of Experimental Populations Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2015-18894
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-08-03
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose regulations to amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to implement the Endangered Species Act (ESA) regarding experimental populations. The CFR would be amended to establish definitions and procedures for: establishing and/or designating certain populations of species otherwise listed as endangered or threatened as experimental populations; determining whether experimental populations are ``essential'' or ``nonessential;'' and promulgating appropriate protective measures for experimental populations. We seek public comment on this proposal.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Training and Testing Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing Study Area
Document Number: 2015-18633
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-08-03
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Upon application from the U.S. Navy (Navy), we (the National Marine Fisheries Service) are issuing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area from August 2015 through August 2020. These regulations allow us to issue a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the Navy's specified activities and timeframes, set forth the permissible methods of taking, set forth other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, and set forth requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of the incidental take.
Draft Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing-Acoustic Threshold Levels for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts
Document Number: 2015-18790
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-31
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), on behalf of NMFS and the National Ocean Service (referred collectively here as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)), announces the availability of a revised version of draft guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species under NOAA's jurisdiction. The guidance provides updated received levels, or thresholds, above which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. NOAA solicits public comment on the revised draft guidance based on updated scientific information and comments received during the first public comment period.
Establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment and Solicitation for Nominations for Membership
Document Number: 2015-18781
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-31
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment (Committee) is necessary and in the public interest. Accordingly, NOAA has chartered the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment. NOAA is also soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee. The Committee's mission is to provide advice on sustained National Climate Assessment activities and products to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary) who will forward the advice to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The Committee's scope isas requested by the Under Secretaryto advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained assessment activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment report. Points of View: Individuals are sought with expertise in communications, engagement, and education; risk management and risk assessment; economics and social sciences; technology, tools, and data systems; and other disciplines relevant to the sustained National Climate Assessment process. In addition, individuals are sought with expertise in climate change and variability, spanning the range from climate science (physical, biological, chemical) to impacts and societal responses. Individuals with experience in the private sector, academia, public sector, non-governmental organizations, and others will all be given consideration. Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third parties. Applications: An application is required to be considered for membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee's area(s) of expertise; (3) a short description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice being solicited by NOAA in this Notice; and (4) a current resume (maximum length four pages). Information obtained as a result of this request may be used by the government for program planning on a non- attribution basis. Do not include any information that might be considered proprietary or confidential. If selected, members will be appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. They will also be asked to certify that they are not required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and that they are not Federally-registered lobbyists.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the South Atlantic States; Amendment 37
Document Number: 2015-18736
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-31
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council), intends to prepare an EIS to evaluate a range of alternative management actions in association with Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 37). The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS and to announce a scoping meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-18663
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-30
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), in collaboration with NMFS and NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), will convene a scientific workshop to consider the distribution of the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine. The workshop is open to the public.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2015-18600
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 20 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, sturgeon, and eulachon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management, conservation, and recovery efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/ preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2015-18586
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
This action closes the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool trawl and gillnet vessels for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2015. The closure is required by regulation because the common pool fishery has caught over 90 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder. This closure is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool's allocation for this stock.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2015-18584
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is transferring 34 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Longline category for the remainder of the 2015 fishing year. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to eligible Atlantic Tunas Longline category (commercial) permitted vessels. As a result of this transfer, current vessel accounts with IBQ will be distributed 0.25 mt of Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) allocation each.
Endangered Species; File No. 18238
Document Number: 2015-18551
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla Shore Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, [Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.], has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Endangered Species; File No. 17183
Document Number: 2015-18550
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that Raymond Carthy, Ph.D., University of Florida, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 117 Newins-Ziegler Hall, P.O. Box 110450, Gainesville, FL 32611, has requested an modification to scientific research Permit No. 17183-01.
Marine Mammals; File No. 19091
Document Number: 2015-18549
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla Shore Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, [Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.], has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on five species of pinnipeds, over 50 species of cetaceans, and five species of sea turtles.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Atlantic Ocean
Document Number: 2015-18467
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-29
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS has received multiple requests for authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to take marine mammals incidental to conducting geophysical survey activity in the Atlantic Ocean. NMFS is announcing receipt of these requests and invites information, suggestions, and comments on the applications.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14296
Document Number: 2015-18454
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that Briana Witteveen, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 118 Trident Way, Kodiak, AK 99615, has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 14296-01.
Marine Mammals; File No. 19590
Document Number: 2015-18453
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that Terrie Williams, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Lab, Center for Ocean Health, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on captive marine mammals.
Marine Mammals; File No. 18786
Document Number: 2015-18452
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to NMFS Office of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (Responsible Party: Teri Rowles, D.V.M., Ph.D.), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, to take, import, and export marine mammals and marine mammal parts for research and enhancement purposes.
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; 2015 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure
Document Number: 2015-18433
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean as a result of the fishery reaching the 2015 catch limit. This action is necessary to prevent additional fishing pressure on this fish stock.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North Atlantic Swordfish Fishery
Document Number: 2015-18431
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS is adjusting the Swordfish (SWO) General Commercial permit retention limits for the Northwest Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Caribbean regions for the remainder of 2015, unless otherwise noticed. The SWO General Commercial permit retention limit in each of these three regions is increased to six SWO per vessel per trip. The SWO General Commercial permit retention limit in the Florida SWO Management Area will remain unchanged at zero SWO per vessel per trip. This adjustment applies to SWO General Commercial permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when on a non-for-hire trip. This action is based upon consideration of the applicable inseason regional retention limit adjustment criteria.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Recreational Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Document Number: 2015-18380
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-28
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is issuing regulations to modify the existing Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) Thunnus orientalis recreational daily bag limit in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off California, and to establish filleting-at-sea requirements for any tuna species in the U.S. EEZ south of Point Conception, Santa Barbara County, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). This action is intended to conserve PBF, and is based on a recommendation of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Cancellation
Document Number: 2015-18326
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Legislative Committee is cancelling the teleconference meeting scheduled for August 4, 2015, from 1 to 5 p.m. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-18322
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a Tier 3 Stock Assessment Panel Review of the draft Stock Assessment Updates for the Bottomfish Management Unit Species of American Samoa, Guam and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in 2015 Using Data through 2013. The Review Panel will review the soundness and reliability of the stock assessment results and conclusions for management use. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee will hold its 120th meeting to deliberate the results of the Tier 3 review and receive a presentation on the final stock assessment update as revised based on the Tier 3 panel recommendations. The SSC will make its determination of best available scientific information for the Council to consider in specifying Annual Catch Limits for the Territorial bottomfish fisheries. The Council will also convene a meeting of the Risk of Overfishing (denoted by P*) Working Group (P* WG) for the American Samoa, Guam and CNMI Bottomfish Fishery. The P* WG will review the P* dimensions and criteria, provide new scores (as appropriate), and recommend appropriate risk of overfishing levels. This will be the basis for the specification of Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) levels for the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to consider at its 121st meeting.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-18265
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Council will hold a scoping meeting via webinar on August 10, 2015 to solicit public input on management actions affecting the snapper grouper fishery.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-18253
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) will hold meetings of the: Joint Administrative Policy and Budget/Personnel, Mackerel, Shrimp, Data Collection, and Reef Fish Management Committees; in conjunction with a meeting of the Full Council. The Council will also hold a formal public comment session.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-18249
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Work Group (EWG) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-18248
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council and its Committees.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR); Procedural Workshop 7 To Develop Best Practice Recommendations for SEDAR Data Workshops
Document Number: 2015-18247
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
A post workshop webinar #2 will be held, if necessary, following the June 22-26, 2015 SEDAR Procedural Workshop 7 in Atlanta, GA. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Identification and Proposed Listing of Eleven Distinct Population Segments of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) as Endangered or Threatened and Revision of Current Listings; Second Extension of Comment Period
Document Number: 2015-18246
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-07-27
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service, Farm Service Agency, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
On March 23, 2015, NMFS and USFWS (or the Services) published a proposed rule to revise the listings of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas; hereafter referred to as the green turtle) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We opened a public comment period that lasted through June 22, 2015. On June 7, 2015, we published a notice extending the public comment period through July 27, 2015. Having received requests to further extend the comment period, with this document we extend the comment period to August 26, 2015.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Pier E3 Demolition via Controlled Implosion
Document Number: 2015-18178
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-24
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS has received a request from the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for an authorization to take small numbers of four species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to proposed San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) Pier E3 demolition via controlled implosion in San Francisco Bay (SFB or Bay). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to CALTRANS to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for its proposed controlled implosion.
Revision to Management Measures for the Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals on St. Paul Island, Alaska
Document Number: 2015-18176
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-24
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS announces its intent to prepare an SEIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The SEIS will evaluate alternatives which include petitioned changes to the regulations governing management of the northern fur seal subsistence harvest on St. Paul Island, Alaska. The SEIS will supplement the 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement for Setting the Annual Subsistence Harvest of Northern Fur Seals on the Pribilof Islands. NMFS intends to prepare an SEIS because the petitioned action would make substantial changes to the action analyzed in the 2005 EIS that are relevant to environmental effects.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-18158
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-24
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Two Pier Maintenance Projects
Document Number: 2015-18145
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-24
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS has received two requests from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities as part of two separate pier maintenance projects at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue incidental harassment authorizations (IHA) to the Navy to incidentally take marine mammals, by Level B Harassment only, during the specified activity.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2015-18054
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-23
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
The NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit renewal application from the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration; and that the activities authorized under the Exempted Fishing Permit would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for American lobster. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit applications.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort and Catch Limits and Other Restrictions and Requirements
Document Number: 2015-18050
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-07-23
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS proposes and seeks comments on a proposed rule and proposed specifications to be issued under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act). The proposed rule would establish a framework under which NMFS would specify limits on fishing effort and catches, as well as spatial and temporal restrictions on particular fishing activities and other requirements, in U.S. fisheries for highly migratory fish species in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). NMFS would issue the specifications as needed to implement conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC). The proposed rule also would require that certain U.S. fishing vessels operating in the WCPO obtain ``IMO numbers.'' The proposed rule also includes changes to regulations regarding tuna catch retention requirements for purse seine vessels, requirements to install and carry vessel monitoring system (VMS) units, daily reporting requirements, and other changes that are administrative in nature. Using the proposed regulatory framework described above, NMFS proposes restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices by purse seine vessels in 2015. These actions are necessary to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, to which it is a Contracting Party.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits in Longline Fisheries for 2015
Document Number: 2015-18046
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-07-23
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS issues regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to establish a catch limit of 3,502 metric tons (mt) of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) for vessels in the U.S. pelagic longline fisheries operating in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) for calendar year 2015. The limit does not apply to vessels in the longline fisheries of American Samoa, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Once the limit of 3,502 mt is reached in 2015, retaining, transshipping, or landing bigeye tuna caught in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), which comprises the majority of the WCPO, will be prohibited for the remainder of the calendar year, with certain exceptions. This action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations under the Convention, to which it is a Contracting Party.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Rehabilitation of Jetty A at the Mouth of the Columbia River
Document Number: 2015-18022
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-23
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the rehabilitation of jetty system at the mouth of the Columbia River (MCR): North Jetty, South Jetty, and Jetty A. The Corps is requesting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the first season of pile installation and removal at Jetty A only.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Construction of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Document Number: 2015-18021
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-07-23
Agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, four species of marine mammals during activities related to the construction of Pier 3 of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SF-OBB) in California
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