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New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
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).
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska American Fisheries Act (AFA) Permits
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; Marine Mammal Health MAP Data 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; West Coast Region Groundfish Trawl Fishery Electronic Monitoring 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.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Angling Category Retention Limit Adjustment
NMFS has determined, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2025, or until further modified. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit to: one BFT per vessel per day/trip that can measure anywhere from 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL) for private vessels with HMS Angling permits, and two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL, only one of which can be a large school/small medium-sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL), for charter boat vessels and headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. If needed, NMFS could take another action later in the year to modify these retention limits or close the fishery. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its American Samoa Council Advisors and its American Samoa Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (REAC) meeting to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the western Pacific region.
Fisheries of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR 94 assessment process of Florida hogfish will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Gulf of America; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR 98 assessment process for Gulf red snapper 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 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Repair and Replacement of the Q8 Bulkhead at Naval Station Norfolk
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 the U.S. Navy (Navy) for the take of marine mammals incidental to the Q8 Bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
Applications for Membership to the American Fisheries Advisory Committee
Applications are being sought for appointment by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for 7 membership positions to serve on the 22- member American Fisheries Advisory Committee (AFAC or Committee). Individuals selected to serve on the Committee will serve a term of three years, unless otherwise stipulated.
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 2025 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2025 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2025 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27539
Notice is hereby given that an enhancement permit has been issued to Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Responsible Party: Andrew Rossiter, Ph.D.) for captive Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in July, August, and September of 2025. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted in 2025 and will be announced in a future notice. In addition, NMFS has implemented online recertification workshops for persons who have already taken an in-person training.
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates and Sea Turtles and Finding of No Significant Impact
This notice announces that the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG) have prepared and are making available to the public the Final Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates (FWCI) and Sea Turtles (RP4/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP4/EA considers alternatives to help restore FWCI and sea turtles injured by the DWH oil spill. The Final RP4/EA evaluates a reasonable range of project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and selects ten projects for funding and implementation. A no action alternative is also evaluated pursuant to NEPA.
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Amendment 59
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (Snapper-Grouper FMP) (Amendment 59). For South Atlantic red snapper, this final rule revises the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs). Amendment 59 also revises the fishing mortality (F) at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy for determining overfishing, overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), and total ACL and sector ACLs for red snapper. For the 2025 fishing year, this final rule also announces the red snapper commercial and recreational fishing season dates in the South Atlantic. For red snapper, this final rule is intended to end and prevent overfishing and revise the catch limits consistent with the most recent stock assessment.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings; Correction
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory bodies will meet Wednesday, June 11, 2025, through Monday, June 16, 2025, in Rohnert Park, California and via webinar. The document listed on the agenda, under the heading, Schedule of Ancillary Meetings, for Day 1, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, that the Scientific and Statistical Committee Groundfish Subcommittee, 10 a.m., are meeting, but this meeting has been cancelled. The agenda for the meetings has removed this topic and are corrected as set out in this document.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC's) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Technical Committee.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska American Fisheries Act Reports
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 Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Angoon Ferry Terminal Modification Project in Angoon, Alaska
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Angoon Ferry Terminal Modification Project in Angoon, Alaska.
Marine Mammals; File No. 28712
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Kaitlin Allen, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, MS No. 50, Woods Hole, MA 02543, to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund
NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Guam.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2025 Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
NMFS announces inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates (June 9, 10, 16, 17, and 30) in the Columbia River subarea. The additional fishing dates are intended to provide opportunity for anglers necessary to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocation in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2025 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan.
33rd General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and 18th Scientific Advisory Subcommittee to the General Advisory Committee; Meeting Announcement
NMFS announces a public meeting of the 33rd General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the 18th Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) to the GAC. This meeting will be held on July 30 and 31, 2025 via webinar. The meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 28728
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Sea Shepherd Global (Daniel Villa, Responsible Party), 1217 South 9th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 to conduct commercial and educational photography on marine mammals.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the City of Whittier's Whittier Harbor Rebuild Phase III Project in Whittier, Alaska
NMFS has received a request from the City of Whittier for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Whittier Harbor Rebuild Phase III Project in Whittier, Alaska. 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.
RTID 0648-XE813]
NMFS is issuing a permit to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, take of specific Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed marine mammal species or stocks under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), in the Category II California (CA) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 inch (in) mesh) fishery and the corresponding high seas component of the fishery defined on the MMPA List of Fisheries (LOF) as the Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the CA thresher shark/ swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh)/Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects (PWS Projects) in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue three incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities associated with each of the three projects. NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals 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 authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a webinar of its Risk Policy Working Group 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 Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 125 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan; Pacific Cod Small Boat Access
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 125 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 125 would modify the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector to allow catch from catcher vessels (CV) using hook-and-line or pot gear that are less than or equal to 55 feet (ft) (16.8 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) harvesting Pacific cod in the BSAI during the jig gear A season to accrue to the jig sector allocation. Amendment 125 would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), BSAI FMP, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
On May 30, 2025, the Regional Administrator of the West Coast Region, NMFS, with the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, approved Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 23 implements a revised rebuilding plan for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine in response to a court order.
Marine Mammals; File No. 24378
Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 24378-01 has been issued to the University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Angling Category Retention Limit Adjustment
NMFS has determined, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2025, or until further modified. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: one school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for private vessels with HMS Angling permits; two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/ Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2025 Measures; Correction
This document contains a correction to the preamble to a temporary rule for emergency measures under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act) for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which published on May 2, 2025. Specifically, NMFS is correcting two items in the preamble of the temporary rule: The possession limit for Gulf of Maine cod in table 13 of the temporary rule; and the value for the fishing year 2025 U.S. acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Georges Bank haddock that was projected in Framework Adjustment 66.
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
NMFS is clarifying the cost recovery process timing from the final rule implementing amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program or Program) to allocate Pacific cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders and qualifying processors. In this correction, NMFS is clarifying the timing of the cost recovery fee schedule for the existing cost recovery requirements for participants. NMFS is also correcting an out-of-date cross reference.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings; Correction
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 203rd meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals
The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has issued a new 5-year affirmative finding for the Governments of Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Spain (referred to hereafter as "The Nations") under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) related to the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) tuna purse seine fishery and the importation of yellowfin tuna from nations participating in this fishery. This affirmative finding will allow the importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the ETP, in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP), by purse seine vessels operating under The Nations' jurisdiction or exported from The Nations. NMFS bases the affirmative finding determination on reviews of documentary evidence submitted by the Governments of The Nations and of information obtained from the Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
Marine Mammals; File No. 28217
Notice is hereby given that Douglas Nowacek, Duke University, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals, including endangered blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales.
Management Track Assessment for Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Scup, and Summer Flounder; Public Meeting
NMFS will convene the Management Track Assessment Peer Review Meeting for the purpose of reviewing black sea bass, bluefish, scup, and summer flounder stocks. The Management Track Assessment Peer Review is a formal scientific peer-review process for evaluating and presenting stock assessment results to managers for fish stocks in the offshore U.S. waters of the northwest Atlantic. Assessments are prepared by the lead stock assessment scientist and reviewed by an independent panel of stock assessment experts. The public is invited to attend the presentations and discussions between the review panel and the scientists who have participated in the stock assessment process.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Inc. (CFF). Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF). 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 applications for proposed EFPs.
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