National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2005
Document Number: 05-11837
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational management measures for the 2005 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.
Marine Mammals; File No. 1071-1770
Document Number: 05-11836
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Dolphin Institute, 420 Ward Avenue, Suite 212, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Principal Investigator: Adam Pack, Ph.D.) has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Management Strategies/Regulations in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Document Number: 05-11823
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Marine Mammals; File No. 984-1587
Document Number: 05-11736
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Dr. Terrie Williams, Department of Biology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 984-1587-03.
Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Bottomfish Fisheries; Overfishing Determination on Bottomfish Multi-Species Stock Complex; Hawaiian Archipelago
Document Number: 05-11735
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that overfishing is occurring on the bottomfish multi-species stock complex (bottomfish complex) around the Hawaiian Archipelago and requests the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to take appropriate action to end this overfishing. The Council is required to take action to end overfishing within 1 year following notification by NMFS that overfishing is occurring. The intent of this notice is to inform interested persons that Hawaii's bottomfish complex is undergoing overfishing.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Closure of the 2005 Deep-Water Grouper Commercial Fishery
Document Number: 05-11734
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the commercial fishery for deep-water grouper (misty grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS has determined the deep-water grouper quota for the commercial fishery will have been reached by June 22, 2005. This closure is necessary to protect the deep-water grouper resource.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E5-3044
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene their Reef Fish Advisory Panel to review the ``Draft Amendment 18A to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.''
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E5-3043
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Charterboat Advisory Panel (AP) via conference call to review the ``Draft Amendment to the FMPs for Reef Fish (Amendment 25) and Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) (Amendment 17) for extending the Charter Vessel/Headboat Permit Moratorium.''
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scale and Catch Weighing Requirements
Document Number: 05-11604
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Documentation of Fish Harvest
Document Number: 05-11603
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Observer Providers of the North Pacific
Document Number: 05-11602
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Haddock Incidental Catch Allowance for the 2005 Atlantic Herring Fishery
Document Number: 05-11593
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is promulgating emergency regulations to establish an incidental haddock catch allowance for the 2005 Atlantic herring fishery. Emergency action was requested by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) at its meeting on March 30, 2005, to address haddock bycatch in the herring fishery. In developing these measures, NMFS considered recommendations made by the Council's Ad-hoc Bycatch Committee and the Council. The intent of these provisions is to allow the herring fleet to continue its normal fishing operations for the 2005 fishing year, despite the presence of two large year classes of haddock, without providing an incentive for the industry to target haddock, and without causing harm to the GB haddock resource. The proposed measures would reflect the intention of maintaining a haddock possession tolerance as close to zero as practicable, while allowing the herring industry to operate.
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals
Document Number: 05-11463
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding for the Government of Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 10 Atlantic Mackerel Limited Access Program and Control Date
Document Number: 05-11462
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2005-06-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that it is considering, and is seeking public comment on, proposed rulemaking to control future access to the Atlantic mackerel fishery if a management regime is developed and implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to limit the number of participants in this fishery in Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This announcement alerts interested parties of potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage speculative entry into the fishery while the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) considers how access to the Atlantic mackerel fishery should be controlled. NMFS also reaffirms, on behalf of the Council, the most recent control date of July 5, 2002, for this fishery, which may be used for establishing eligibility criteria for determining levels of future access to the Atlantic mackerel fishery; informs the public that the Council is developing such a program in Amendment 10 to the FMP as expeditiously as possible; and notifies the public of several measures that are under consideration by the Council for inclusion in Amendment 10.
NOAA Coral Ecosystem Research Plan Part I: National Priorities Draft
Document Number: 05-11430
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to announce the availability of the Draft NOAA Coral Ecosystem Research Plan Part I: National Priorities for public comment. The Draft NOAA Coral Ecosystem Research Plan is being developed by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program to set priorities and guide NOAA-supported coral ecosystem research for fiscal year 2005 to 2010, including research conducted through extramural partners, grants, and contracts. The Draft NOAA Coral Ecosystem Research Plan covers all coral reef ecosystems under the jurisdiction of the United States and the Pacific Freely Associated States; and is written for a broad audience, including resource managers, scientists, policy makers, and the public.
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; American Samoa Longline Limited Entry Program; Correction
Document Number: 05-11292
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document contains corrections to a final rule that was published on May 24, 2005.
Sea Turtle Conservation; Public Hearing Notification
Document Number: 05-11393
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2005-06-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is announcing its intent to hold public hearings in Massachusetts and New Jersey to inform interested parties of the proposed gear modification for the mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery and to accept public comments on this action.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allocating Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Resources; Correction
Document Number: 05-11392
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule, correcting amendment to the regulations governing the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries. This action is necessary to clarify procedures and to correct discrepancies provided in a previous rulemaking. This final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) King and Tanner Crabs (FMP), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and other applicable law.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Rebuilding Plan
Document Number: 05-11391
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 23 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 23) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule increases the minimum size limit for vermilion snapper to 11 inches (28 cm), total length (TL), for the recreational and commercial sectors; establishes a 10- fish recreational bag limit for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit; and closes the commercial vermilion snapper fishery from April 22 through May 31 each year. In addition, consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), Amendment 23 establishes a stock rebuilding plan, biological reference points, and stock status determination criteria for vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The intended effect of this final rule is to end overfishing and rebuild the vermilion snapper resource.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coastal Zone Management Program Administration
Document Number: 05-11338
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Trip Limit Reduction for Gulf of Mexico Grouper Fishery
Document Number: 05-11290
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reduces the combined trip limit for the commercial shallow-water and deep-water grouper fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico to 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) per trip. The intended effect of trip limit reduction is to moderate the rate of harvest of the available quotas and, thereby, reduce the adverse social and economic effects of derby fishing, enable more effective quota monitoring, and reduce the probability of overfishing.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 05-11289
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that it has approved the request of the State of North Carolina to transfer 82,774 lb (37,546 kg) of commercial summer flounder quota to the States of Maine, Connecticut, New York, and Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Addendum XV to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.
Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat: 12-Month Finding on Petition to List the Cherry Point Stock of Pacific Herring as an Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 05-11210
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We (NMFS) have completed an updated Endangered Species Act (ESA) status review of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi), inclusive of the Cherry Point herring stock (Strait of Georgia, Washington). We initiated this status review update in response to a petition received on May 14, 2004, to list the Cherry Point stock of Pacific herring as a threatened or endangered species. We have determined that the Cherry Point herring stock does not qualify as a ``species'' for consideration under the ESA. Based upon the best available scientific and commercial information, we conclude that the petitioned action to list the Cherry Point Pacific herring stock as a threatened or endangered species is not warranted. We find that the Cherry Point stock is part of the previously defined Georgia Basin distinct population segment (DPS) composed of inshore Pacific herring stocks from Puget Sound (Washington) and the Strait of Georgia (Washington and British Columbia). We have determined that the Georgia Basin DPS of Pacific herring is not in danger of extinction or likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and therefore does not warrant ESA listing at this time.
Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School Training Operations at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Document Number: 05-11209
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB) for the take of small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NEODS) Training Operations at EAFB, Florida. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to authorize the Air Force to take, by harassment, small numbers of two species of cetaceans at EAFB beginning in July 7, 2005.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and General Category Effort Controls
Document Number: 05-11208
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the final initial 2005 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and to set General category effort controls. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 05-11207
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General and Charter/Headboat Permit category daily retention limits should be adjusted for the 2005 fishing year, which begins on June 1, 2005 and ends May 31, 2006. The adjustment will allow maximum utilization of the General category June through August time-period subquota, and will enhance recreational BFT fishing opportunities aboard Charter/Headboat vessels in the early portion of the season. Therefore, NMFS increases the daily BFT retention limits to provide enhanced commercial General category and recreational Charter/Headboat fishing opportunities in all areas without risking overharvest of the General and Angling category quotas. The final initial 2005 BFT Specifications and General category effort controls are provided in a separate Federal Register document.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E5-2865
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day Council meeting on June 21-23, 2005, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E5-2853
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Red Snapper Advisory Panel (AP).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings/Workshop
Document Number: E5-2852
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Three Groundfish Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panels will hold work sessions which are open to the public. The first STAR Panel will review new assessments for sablefish, Dover sole, shortspine thornyhead, and longspine thornyhead. The second STAR Panel will review new assessments for widow rockfish, blackgill rockfish, and kelp greenling; and an updated assessment for bocaccio. The third STAR Panel will review new assessments for canary rockfish, lingcod, and yelloweye rockfish; and an updated assessment for yellowtail rockfish.
Endangered Species; File No. 1537
Document Number: 05-11108
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR), 142 Dairy Road, Mangilao, Guam 96913, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Endangered Species; Permit No. 1258
Document Number: 05-11107
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a request for modification to an enhancement permit No. 1258 submitted by the North Carolina Zoological Park, 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27203 (David M. Jones, Principal Investigator), has been granted.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Retention Standard
Document Number: 05-10990
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 79 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). If approved, Amendment 79 would add a management objective to the goals and objectives section of the FMP that would improve the retention of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish species where practicable through the establishment of a minimum Groundfish Retention Standard (GRS). This action is intended to promote the management objectives of the Improved Retention/Improved Utilization (IRIU) program, the FMP, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action is necessary to reduce discards and improve utilization in BSAI groundfish fisheries.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 05-10989
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Herring Oversight Committee along with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Framework Adjustment 17
Document Number: 05-10988
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework 17 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Framework 17) developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council). Framework 17 would require that vessels issued a general category scallop permit and that intend to land over 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops, install and operate vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Framework 17 would also allow general category scallop vessels with VMS units to turn off (power-down) the VMS units after they have offloaded scallops and while they are tied to a fixed dock or mooring. Finally, Framework 17 proposes to revise the broken trip adjustment provision for limited access scallop vessels fishing in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program. The intent of this action is to provide more complete monitoring of the general category scallop fleet, to reduce VMS operating costs, and to eliminate a provision that may have a negative influence on vessel operator decisions at sea.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Recovery Plans for Listed Marine Mammals
Document Number: 05-10987
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of the final revision of the recovery plan for the western North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Rebuilding Plan
Document Number: 05-10986
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 22) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule provides the regulatory authority to implement a mandatory observer program for selected commercial and for-hire (charter vessel/headboat) vessels in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. In addition, consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Amendment 22 establishes a stock rebuilding plan, biological reference points, and stock status determination criteria for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The intended effect of this final rule is to contribute to ending overfishing and rebuilding the red snapper resource. Finally, NMFS informs the public of the approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this final rule and publishes the OMB control numbers for those collections.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves
Document Number: 05-10985
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces a revised time and location for a public meeting previously included in an announcement of intent to evaluate the performance of the Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program. Notice was previously given in the Federal Register on March 9, 2005, of the date of the site visit for the evaluation of the Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program and the date, local time, and location of the public meeting. Notice is hereby given of the revised local time and revised location of the public meeting during the site visit. The Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held June 20-24, 2005. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 6 p.m. at the Puerto Rico Environmental Agencies Building, Road 8838, Km 6.3, Sector El Cinco, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
Announcement of Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve Revised Management Plan Including a Boundary Expansion
Document Number: 05-10984
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce has approved the revised management plan, which includes an expansion of the boundary of the reserve, for the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Delaware Reserve was designated in 1993, pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461. The reserve has been operating under a management plan approved in 1993. Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), a state must revise their management plan every five years. The submission of this plan fulfills this requirement and sets a course for successful implementation of the goals and objectives of the reserve. The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve is administered in partnership with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The reserve consists of two component sites that are located thirty miles apart. These components include both brackish and freshwater estuaries and represent the diverse estuarine ecosystems found throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Upper Blackbird Creek site in New Castle County is a low salinity brackish or freshwater system that is located in a rural area. The Lower St. Jones River site in Kent County is located just south of the state capital and represents a more saline estuary that has experienced greater impacts from the surrounding development. These diverse settings provide an ideal opportunity to study anthropogenic impacts to natural estuarine and coastal systems and to convey information about the importance of estuarine habitats and functions to the citizens of Delaware. The mission of the reserve is to preserve and manage the natural resources within the two reserve components for research, to provide education and outreach programs that promote better understanding of Delaware's estuarine and coastal areas, and to promote informed coastal decisionmaking. Goals and objectives to advance this mission are identified within the management plan for administration; facilities and construction; public access; education, interpretation and outreach; environmental research and monitoring; and stewardship. Administrative goals for the Delaware Reserve include increasing volunteer activities; coordinating with partners to promote science based management; and ensuring that education, research, monitoring, and land management efforts are supported with staff, facilities and operational necessities. Facilities that were constructed over the past three years at the St. Jones component site will be maintained for reserve and for community and partner use. Education, interpretation and outreach efforts will focus on enhancing public understanding of the function of estuaries and promoting the wise use of estuarine resources to encourage an environmental ethic. Programs for the public, for students, teachers, and coastal decisionmakers will be offered and exhibits at the visitor center will be maintained and updated as needed. The reserve education program will continue to improve the use of Web based tools and public events to promote increased estuarine awareness among target audiences and the general public. The Delaware reserve's research and monitoring program will focus on anthropogenic impacts that contribute to habitat degradation or loss. The reserve research and monitoring goals are to identify the various types, quality, and quantity of habitats available in the estuary to facilitate proper management and protection; and to identify, monitor, and limit the anthropogenic impacts to the estuarine system. Specifically, the reserve will develop an on site library of reference materials and data; collect baseline data and build a database for use in long term studies; promote the use of the reserve within the research community in the study of anthropogenic changes; disseminate important research and monitoring results about Delaware estuaries to key decisionmakers and the scientific community; and increase monitoring. Habitat protection and restoration efforts over the next five years will address controlling invasive species, developing best management practices for agricultural lands surrounding the reserve, monitoring land use decisions within the reserve watershed, and developing conservation plans for all reserve owned property. One hundred and forty seven privately held acres adjacent to the Upper Blackbird Creek component were acquired by the reserve in 2004. Obtaining land adjacent to the Blackbird Creek will ensure that researchers have adequate access to the natural resources of the reserve and will add woodland, marsh and open field upland habitats to this component site. The management plan incorporates the land into the reserve boundary and outlines a plan to phase in public access, education programming, and restoration activities on the new property.
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; NOAA Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group
Document Number: 05-10929
Type: Notice
Date: 2005-06-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere has requested the NOAA Science Advisory Board to provide it with timely and expert advice and oversight of the Ocean Exploration Program. The SAB is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with the responsibility to advise the Under Secretary on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction. The SAB is forming an external panel to provide general priorities for ocean exploration, including geographic areas of interest as well as subject matter topics; advice concerning emerging ocean exploration-relevant technologies; and to conduct periodic reviews of the program for the purpose of assessing program accomplishments and providing guidance and perspective for the program's future. Nominations to the panel are being solicited. The intent is to select from the nominees; however, the SAB retains the prerogative to name people to the working group that were not nominated if it deems it is necessary to achieve the desired balance. Once selected, the SAB will post the review panel members' names at https://www.sab.noaa.gov.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 40B
Document Number: 05-10780
Type: Rule
Date: 2005-06-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing approved measures contained in Framework Adjustment 40B (FW 40B) to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). FW 40B was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to modify existing effort control programs implemented under Amendment 13 to the FMP to improve the effectiveness of these programs, to create additional opportunities for commercial fishing vessels in the fishery to target healthy groundfish stocks, and to increase the information available to assess groundfish bycatch in the herring fishery. This final rule implements several revisions to the Days-at-Sea (DAS) Leasing and Transfer Programs, modifies provisions for the Closed Area (CA) II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program (SAP), revises the allocation criteria for the Georges Bank (GB) Cod Hook Sector (Sector), establishes a DAS credit for vessels standing by an entangled whale, implements new notification requirements for Category 1 herring vessels, and removes the net limit for Trip gillnet vessels.
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