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

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.

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.

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), this final rule: adjusts the 2024 fishing year allocations to sectors and the common pool specified in Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Framework 66); makes minor adjustments to common pool limits based on final 2023 fishing year catch information; and distributes sector annual catch entitlements carried over from fishing year 2023 into fishing year 2024 as required by regulation. The revisions are necessary to account for changes to 2024 sub-annual catch limits based on final 2024 sector rosters and to respond to a 2023 overage of Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod in the common pool. These adjustments are routine and formulaic, aiming to ensure that final allocations are determined using the most reliable scientific information available.

NMFS is implementing a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) possession limit for Atlantic herring for Management Area 1A. This is required because NMFS projects that herring catch from Area 1A will reach 92 percent of the Area's sub-annual catch limit before the end of the fishing year. This action is intended to prevent overharvest of herring in Area 1A, which would result in additional catch limit reductions in a subsequent year.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP), Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee (NCFAC), Mariana Archipelago FEP Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) AP, Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP, and the Mariana Archipelago FEP Guam AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.

NMFS announces its intent to conduct a 5-year review of the endangered Smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the Smoothback angelshark, particularly information on its status, threats, and conservation efforts, which has become available since the previous status review in June 2016.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one day virtual meeting of its Standing and Special Mackerel Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet in December. The meetings will be held via hybrid conference.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council; SAFMC) will hold meetings of the following: Citizen Science Committee; Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Committee; and Snapper Grouper Committee. The meeting week will also include a formal public comment session and meetings of the Full Council.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one day in-person meeting of its Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP).

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a meeting of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and Letter of Authorization (LOA) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of small numbers of marine mammals over 5 years (2027-2032) incidental to the Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan in Oregon and Washington. NMFS requests public comments and will consider them prior to making any final decision on the requested ITR and issuance of the LOA; agency responses to comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued.

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Fish/Fisheries Conservation Lab at the University of South Carolina. If granted, the EFP would authorize the limited harvest of red hind during spawning events in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters around the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and exempt that harvest from Federal area and seasonal closure regulations. The purpose of the EFP is to address critical gaps in red hind demographics and life history, which could help provide current, region-specific information for upcoming stock assessments for the species.

NMFS requests applications for the 2025 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with Atlantic shark Directed or Incidental limited access permits. The shark research fishery provides fishery-dependent and biological data collection to support stock assessments and other NMFS' research and management objectives. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery. Shark research fishery participants may also land other species of sharks, dependent on the terms and conditions of their permit. Commercial shark fishermen who are interested in participating in the shark research fishery must submit a completed Shark Research Fishery Permit Application to be considered.

NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of 11 species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Ferry Berth construction Ketchikan, Alaska. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.

This final rule amends the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP) to discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish and implements single-species annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for bottomfish in the American Samoa archipelago for fishing years 2024, 2025 and 2026. The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and new ACLs and AMs are warranted. This final rule supports the long-term sustainability of the fishery.

The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) seeks nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC or Committee). MAFAC is responsible to advise the Secretary, NOAA, and NMFS on all matters concerning living marine resources that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The Committee makes recommendations to assist in the development and implementation of departmental regulations, policies, and programs critical to the mission and goals of NMFS. Nominations are encouraged from all individuals involved with or representing interests affected by NMFS actions in managing living marine resources. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in a field related to the management of living marine resources and be able to fulfill the time commitment required for two annual meetings and year-round subcommittee work. Individuals serve for a term of three years for no more than two consecutive terms if re-appointed. NMFS seeks qualified nominees to fill pending vacancies.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear and catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Pacific Pelagics Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Plan Team (PT) to discuss fishery management issues and develop recommendations to the Council for future management of pelagic fisheries in the Western Pacific region.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.