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

NMFS issues this notice to decrease the fee rate to 2.25 percent for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share fishery to repay the $28,428,718.88 Groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471 reduction loan that financed the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishing capacity reduction program.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to US Wind, Inc. (US Wind), for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the construction of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project (hereafter known as the "Project").

NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is transferring a portion of their 2024 commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial bluefish quotas for Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Notice is hereby given that Humble Bee Films (Responsible Party: Natasha Busjeet), 8 Elmdale Road, Bristol, BS8 1SL, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

NMFS proposes 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2025 and 2026 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (FMP). The 2025 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, and the 2026 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2026 when the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

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.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 154th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Executive and Budget Standing Committee (SC) and its 201st Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the EAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.

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 (GOM), notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to Murphy Exploration and Production Company (Murphy) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.

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 City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with Gary Paxton Industrial Park Vessel Haulout Project in Sawmill Cove in Sitka, Alaska.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a series of three online meetings of its Advisory Bodies to discuss Pacific Council projects funded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); all three meetings are open to the public.

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 Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to construction associated with a sediment remediation project in San Francisco Bay, CA.

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 Municipality of Skagway (MOS) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to the terminal redevelopment project in Skagway, Alaska.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA), the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary) announces the establishment of the Climate Services Advisory Committee (Committee or CSAC). The CSAC will advise the Under Secretary on the accessibility, effectiveness, and use of NOAA's climate services (data, information, science, tools, and decision support) in preparing our nation for the impacts of climate change, consistent with the National Science and Technology Council's A Federal Framework and Action Plan for Climate Services (https:// www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ ftac_report_03222023_508.pdf), NOAA's Equitable Climate Services Action Plan (https://www.noaa.gov/media/file/noaa-equitable-climate-servi ce- delivery-action-plan-050124), as well as other related subjects that may be requested by the Under Secretary. The CSAC will terminate two (2) years from the date of its charter's filing with the standing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction of the agency unless terminated earlier or renewed by the proper authority. Therefore, terms of appointment are contingent upon the Committee's continuation and the active participation of the members. This notice also requests nominations for membership on the CSAC (see "Nominations and Applications" below for more detail).

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) will hold a virtual meeting on November 21, 2024, to discuss the items contained in the agenda in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS has received a request from BNSF Railway (BNSF) for the reissuance of two consecutive previously issued incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHAs authorized take of seven species of marine mammals incidental to construction associated with the BNSF Railway Bridge Heavy Maintenance Project.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee (MPC) will hold an online public meeting.

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 Texas in the northwest (NW) Gulf of Mexico (GOM). 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 the Request for Public Comments section 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.

NMFS is reopening the recreational fishing season for the Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) through this temporary rule. The most recent landings data for the red snapper for-hire component in the Gulf indicates the component annual catch target (ACT) for the 2024 fishing year has not yet been reached. Therefore, the red snapper recreational for-hire component in the Gulf EEZ will reopen to allow harvest of the remaining for-hire component ACT. NMFS intends this action to increase benefits to for-hire fishermen while protecting the Gulf red snapper resource by continuing to constrain harvest to the component quota.

National Marine Fisheries Service, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, is seeking nominations for the General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. delegation to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC or Commission), as well as to a Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) of the GAC. The purpose of the GAC and its SAS is to provide public input and advice to the U.S. delegation to aid in the formulation of policy and positions for meetings of the IATTC and its subsidiary bodies. The SAS shall also function as the National Scientific Advisory Committee provided for in the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program.

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Texas Sea Grant. If granted by NMFS, the EFP would authorize the continued testing of new designs for bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for finfish, in the commercial shrimp fishery in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The Better BRDs for the Gulf Shrimp Fleet Project is a collaborative effort to restore finfish populations and reduce finfish bycatch mortality through the development and certification of new BRDs for use by the commercial shrimp industry throughout the Gulf. This notice gives the public an opportunity to provide comments to NMFS regarding the request for an EFP.

Notice is hereby given that permits, permit amendments, and permit modifications have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.

The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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).