National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and Effort Controls
Document Number: E6-8267
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the final initial 2006 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 and Angling 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[dash]Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson[dash]Stevens Act).
Notice of Availability of Records of Decision for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program
Document Number: E6-8265
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NOAA, USFWS, and NPS collectively announce the availability of their Records of Decision (RODs) for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program Natural Resource Restoration Plan. NOAA, USFWS, and NPS are members of the natural resource trustee council planning and implementing natural resource restoration under the terms of the final settlement of litigation against the Montrose Chemical Corporation and other defendants. NOAA is the lead Federal agency, and USFWS and NPS are cooperating Federal agencies. The final EIS was released to the public for 30 days after the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on November 11, 2005. The ROD documents the selection of Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative) in the final EIS.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: E6-8264
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice announces receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation. If granted, the EFP would allow the applicant to test trawl gear modifications that may reduce Pacific halibut bycatch rates for trawlers targeting Pacific cod in the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This project is intended to promote the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and National Standard 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by developing gear that may reduce bycatch.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-8248
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public meeting of the Ad Hoc Grouper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Advisory Panel (AHGIFQAP).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-8247
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a two-day Council meeting on June 13-15, 2006, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Endangered Species; File No. 1579
Document Number: E6-8181
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Alden Research Laboratory, Inc. (Edward P. Taft, Responsible Party), 30 Shrewsbury Street, Holden, MA, 01520, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research.
Endangered Species; Permit No. 1298
Document Number: E6-8179
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden [Principal Investigator, Mr. Charles Scott Pfaff], P.O. Box 1060, Columbia, SC 29202, has been issued an amendment to Permit No. 1298 to extend the expiration date of the permit through May 31, 2007.
Marine Mammals; File No. 945-1776
Document Number: E6-8174
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Christine M. Gabriele, Principal Investigator) P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826, (File No. 945-1776) has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research.
NOAA Information Collection Requirements Under the Paperwork Reduction Act; OMB Control Numbers; Fisheries off West Coast States; Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Correction
Document Number: E6-8173
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This rule amends the regulations for fisheries in the western Pacific to correct errors that resulted from a recent regulatory reorganization. This action is necessary to remedy incorrect cross- references and administrative titles, and will result in accurately worded regulations.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: C6-4414
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 06-4895
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot or hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act; Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery
Document Number: 06-4894
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In a document published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2006, NMFS announced its intention to re-open the scoping process and accept further comments on the recommendations contained in Amendment 6 to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass (Amendment 6). NMFS originally conducted scoping on the matter in 2003, but decided to re- open the scoping process and accept further comments due to the passage of significant time and the availability of new information. The intent of this document is to announce the extension of the public comment period from May 26, 2006, to June 26, 2006.
Stock Assessment of Dusky Shark in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: E6-8049
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of a stock assessment report on dusky sharks in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The stock assessment summarizes the relevant biological data, discusses the fisheries affecting the species, and details the data and methods used to assess stock status. Some recommendations were also made regarding future avenues of research and issues to consider in future stock assessments.
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit; Extension of Comment Period
Document Number: E6-8048
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document contains an extension to the comment period for a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed issuance of an incidental take and scoping meetings. The original notice was published May 17, 2006.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Scientific and Statistical Committee and Subcommittees.
Document Number: E6-8001
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SAFMC will a meeting of its SSC, SSC Biological Subcommittee and Socioeconomic Subcommittee meeting to address federal fishery management issues. The meeting will be held in Coconut Grove, FL.
Notice of Designation of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Texas
Document Number: 06-4858
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, has designated certain lands and waters of the Mission Aransas estuary in Texas as the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve On May 3, 2006, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. USN (Ret.), signed a record of decision and a findings of designation for the Mission- Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Texas pursuant to section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461, and its implementing regulations at 15 CFR part 921. The Reserve duly received certification from the State of Texas Coastal Coordination Council that Reserve designation is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with its program. A copy of the official Record of Decision is available for public review from NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at the address below.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans
Document Number: E6-7969
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability for public review of the draft revised Recovery Plan (Plan) for the western and eastern distinct population segments (DPS) of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). NMFS is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Plan for final approval.
Northern Gulf of Mexico Cooperative Institute
Document Number: E6-7968
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 10, 2006 announcing availability of funds to establish a Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) Cooperative Institute (CI). That notice contained an error in the description of how proposals on cost-sharing would be evaluated. This notice corrects the error.
The Preliminary Report of the NOAA Science Advisory Board, Hurricane Intensity Research Working Group, External Review of NOAA's Hurricane Intensity Research and Development Enterprise
Document Number: E6-7966
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Research (OAR) publishes this notice on behalf of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) to announce the availability of the preliminary report of the SAB Hurricane Intensity Research Working Group (here called the HIRWG) external review of NOAA's Hurricane Intensity Research and Development Enterprise for public comment. The preliminary report of the HIRWG has been prepared pursuant to the request from the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to the SAB to conduct an external review of NOAA's Hurricane Intensity research and development enterprise.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-7877
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 133rd meeting to consider and take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-7876
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a joint meeting of its Habitat and Ecosystem-based Management Committees, Snapper Grouper Committee, a joint meeting of its King and Spanish Mackerel Committee and Advisory Panel, King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Scientific and Statistical Selection Committee (CLOSED SESSION), Joint Executive/Finance Committees, Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee and a meeting of the full Council. In addition, the Council will hold a public input session.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-7875
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory entities will hold public meetings.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Quarter II Fishery for Loligo Squid
Document Number: 06-4826
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be closed effective 0001 hours, May 23, 2006. Vessels issued a Federal permit to harvest Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo squid per trip for the remainder of the quarter (through June 30, 2006). This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Quarter II quota and to allow for effective management of this stock.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7769
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat/MPA/Ecosystem Committee Meeting in June, 2006 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.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-7768
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene public meetings.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-7767
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings/hearing in Kodiak, AK.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Allocation of Trips to Closed Area (CA) II Yellowtail Flounder Special Access Program (SAP)
Document Number: 06-4740
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) is allocating, using the formula implemented by Framework Adjustment (FW) 40B, zero trips into the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP for the 2006 NE multispecies fishing year (FY). The intent of this action is to provide a sustainable fishery throughout FY 2006.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2006
Document Number: 06-4739
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational management measures for the 2006 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.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction
Document Number: 06-4738
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule establishes the 2006 fishery specifications for Pacific whiting (whiting) in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and state waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, as authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). It also adjusts the bycatch limits in the whiting fishery. This Federal Register document also corrects the final rule implementing the specifications and management measures, which was published December 23, 2004. These specifications include the level of the acceptable biological catch (ABC), optimum yield (OY), tribal allocation, and allocations for the non-tribal commercial sectors. The intended effect of this action is to establish allowable harvest levels of whiting based on the best available scientific information.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Swordfish Quotas
Document Number: 06-4693
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS amends the regulations governing the North and South Atlantic swordfish fisheries to modify the North and South Atlantic Swordfish quotas for the 2005 fishing year (Junej 1, 2005, through May 31, 2006) to account for updated landings information from the 2003 and 2004 fishing years. This action is necessary to ensure that current quotas are based on the most recent landings information and account for any underharvest from previous fishing years, consistent with the regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Additionally, this action implements a subsequent recommendation by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT)(Recommendation 04-02) to extend the 2005 North Atlantic swordfish management measures.
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Regulations
Document Number: 06-4670
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing a revised management plan and a revised set of regulations for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS or Sanctuary). The proposed set of regulations includes both new regulations as well as changes to existing regulations. Proposed new regulations include prohibitions on: Exploring for, developing, or producing minerals within the Sanctuary; abandoning matter on or in Sanctuary submerged lands; taking marine mammals, seabirds, or sea turtles within or above the Sanctuary; possessing within the Sanctuary any marine mammal, sea turtle, or seabird; marking, defacing, damaging, moving, removing, or tampering with Sanctuary signs, monuments, boundary markers, or similar items; introducing or otherwise releasing from within or into the Sanctuary an introduced species; and operating motorized personal watercraft within waters of the Channel Islands National Park. There are also proposed changes to help clarify or refine existing regulations. The NMSP is also proposing certain revisions to the Sanctuary's Designation Document. These include proposed revisions of the Description of the Area and proposed changes to the Scope of Regulations, as well as changes to help clarify, update, and refine other sections of the Designation Document. No changes are proposed for the ``Fishing'' and ``Defense Activities'' sections within Article V (Relation to Other Regulatory Programs) of the Designation Document.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 18A
Document Number: E6-7587
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 18A) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would prohibit vessels from retaining reef fish caught under the recreational size and bag/ possession limits when commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish are on board; adjust the number of persons allowed onboard when a vessel with both commercial and charter vessel/headboat reef fish permits and a Certificate of Inspection (COI) is fishing commercially; prohibit use of Gulf reef fish, except sand perch or dwarf sand perch, as bait in any commercial or recreational fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico, with a limited exception for crustacean trap fisheries; require a NMFS-approved vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board vessels with Federal commercial permits for Gulf reef fish, including charter vessels/headboats with such commercial permits; and require owners and operators of vessels with Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf reef fish to comply with sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release protocols, possess on board specific gear to ensure proper release of such species, and comply with guidelines for proper care and release of incidentally caught sawfish and sea turtles. NMFS is also proposing to require annual permit application rather than application every 2 years (biennial). In addition, Amendment 18A would revise the total allowable catch (TAC) framework procedure to reflect current practices and terminology. The intended effects of this proposed rule are to improve enforceability and monitoring in the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and to reduce mortality of incidentally caught sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 13C
Document Number: E6-7586
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 13C to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper- Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. The amendment would end overfishing of snowy grouper, golden tilefish, vermilion snapper, and black sea bass, and increase the catch of red porgy consistent with an updated stock assessment.
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit; Extension of Comment Period
Document Number: E6-7498
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document contains an extension to the comment period and revisions to the time for the first of two meetings for a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed issuance of an incidental take and scoping meetings. The original notice was published March 27, 2006.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP)
Document Number: 06-4613
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the ALWTRP's implementing regulations. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,859 nm\2\ (6,376 km\2\), east of the Great South Channel, for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of northern right whales (right whales).
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP) Regulations; Sea Turtle Conservation; Restrictions to Fishing Activities
Document Number: E6-7441
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS published a final rule on April 24, 2006, to implement the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP) and amend the Mid- Atlantic large mesh gillnet rule. NMFS is announcing workshops on these new regulations. The purpose of the workshops is to provide opportunities for commercial fishermen who are affected by the new regulations to learn about and understand any new requirements. The workshops will consist of presentations on the components of the final rule and gear research related to the BDTRP, as well as an opportunity to ask questions. Eleven workshops are planned from New Jersey through the east coast of Florida, which is the geographic scope of the BDTRP.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Listing Determination for Puget Sound Steelhead
Document Number: E6-7430
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On March 29, 2006, we (NMFS) proposed to list steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations in Puget Sound (Washington) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In this notice we are announcing a public hearing to be held in Seattle (Washington) on June 22, 2006, regarding the subject proposal.
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7425
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold its 92nd meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7418
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a work session on May 30,2006, via telephone conference call, which is open to the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7417
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC) Impact Evaluation Tool Development Subcommittee will meet in Seattle, WA.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7416
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC) will meet in Seattle, WA.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Evaluation of the Coastal Management Fellowship Program
Document Number: 06-4583
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-16
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; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Limited Access Program for Gulf Charter Vessels and Headboats
Document Number: 06-4554
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Amendment 17) and Amendment 25 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 25) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule establishes a limited access system for charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) permits for the reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico and will continue to cap participation at current levels. In addition, this final rule incorporates a number of minor revisions to remove outdated regulatory text and to clarify regulatory text. The intended effect of this final rule is to provide for biological, social, and economic stability in these for-hire fisheries.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Alaska Plaice in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 06-4553
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve of groundfish to the Alaska plaice initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the fishery to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: E6-7363
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received applications to renew and modify permits from U. S. Geological Survey, Arcata, CA (Permit 1093). This permit would affect Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Central California Coast (CCC) coho salmon, Northern California (NC) steelhead (O. mykiss), and California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha). This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit application for review and comment before a final approval or disapproval is made by NMFS.
New England Fishery Management Council; Northeast Multispecies; Small-mesh Multispecies; Scoping Process
Document Number: E6-7362
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) announces its intent to prepare, in cooperation with NMFS, an SEIS to assess the potential effects on the human environment of alternative measures for managing the small-mesh multispecies fishery pursuant to the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This notice announces a public process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues relating to management of the small-mesh multispecies fishery. The Council will use the scoping process and the SEIS to develop Amendment 14 to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Small-Mesh Multispecies.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework Adjustment 6
Document Number: E6-7357
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes measures contained in Framework Adjustment 6 (Framework 6) to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that would allow regional conservation equivalency in the summer flounder recreational fishery. The intent is to provide flexibility and efficiency to the management of the summer flounder recreational fishery, specifically by expanding the suite of management tools available when conservation equivalency is implemented.
Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1812
Document Number: E6-7356
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS, National Marine Mammal Laboratory (Principle Investigator: Dr. Robert DeLong), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA has been issued a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on the southern California Channel Islands, surrounding waters, and at haul-out sites along the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allocating Gulf of Alaska Fishery Resources
Document Number: E6-7352
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS manages Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries through the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Congress granted NMFS specific regulatory authority to manage Central GOA rockfish fisheries in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004. Congress provided additional guidance to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) in the development of a program to allocate harvesting privileges to fishermen and permit a defined group of processors to form associations with these harvesters for the exclusive use of specific rockfish and other groundfish in the Central GOA. The Council adopted Amendment 68 in June 2005. Amendment 68 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) would establish a program to allocate Central GOA groundfish resources among harvesters and processors (Program). Amendment 68 would modify the FMP to increase resource conservation, improve economic efficiency, and improve safety in the Central GOA rockfish fisheries and other fisheries that are subject to the Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable laws.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-7342
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meetings of its Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) Committee in June, 2006 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.
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