National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 301 - 350 of 1,072
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Closure
NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Closure of the July-December 2009 Commercial Fishery for Vermilion Snapper in the South Atlantic
NMFS closes the commercial fishery for vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS has determined that the quota for the commercial fishery for vermilion snapper will have been reached by September 18, 2009. This closure is necessary to protect the vermilion snapper resource.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT), Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Salmon Subcommittee, and Model Evaluation Workgroup (MEW) will review proposed salmon methodology and conservation objective changes in a joint work session, which is open to the public.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Vessel Monitoring System Committee (VMSC) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.
Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities; Blasting and Dredging Operations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Marine Corps in the U.S. Marine Corps Slipway at the Blount Island Facility, Duval County, FL
NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to blasting and dredging operations in the USMC slipway at the Blount Island facility (MCSF-BI Slipway) in Duval County, FL. NMFS has reviewed the application, including all supporting documents, and determined that it is adequate and complete. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to ACOE and USMC to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during the specified activities within the specified geographic region.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to fully use the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in these areas specified for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Pelagic Fisheries; Squid Jig Fisheries
NMFS announces approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of collection-of-information requirements contained in regulations implementing Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, relating to squid jig fisheries. The intent of this final rule is to inform the public that the associated permitting and reporting requirements have been approved by OMB.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Modification to the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Herring Midwater Trawl Gear Authorization Letter
NMFS proposes modifications to the requirements for midwater trawl vessels issued All Areas and/or Areas 2 and 3 Atlantic herring limited access permits fishing in Closed Area I (CA I). In order to fish in CA I, midwater trawl vessels with these permits would be required to carry a NMFS-approved observer and to bring the entire catch aboard the vessel, unless specific conditions are met, so that it is available to the observer for sampling. These proposed changes to the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/GB) Herring Midwater Trawl Gear Letter of Authorization (LOA) would be effective indefinitely, until changed by a subsequent action.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 3-day Council meeting on September 22-24, 2009 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Operations of a Liquified Natural Gas Port Facility in Massachusetts Bay
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to operation of an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in the Massachusetts Bay, has been issued to Northeast Gateway Energy BridgeTM LLC (Northeast Gateway or NEG) for a period of 1 year.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 10
NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 10 was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) to bring the FMP into compliance with Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requirements by establishing a rebuilding program that allows the butterfish stock to rebuild and permanently protects the long-term health and stability of the stock; and by minimizing bycatch and the fishing mortality of unavoidable bycatch, to the extent practicable, in the MSB fisheries. Amendment 10 would increase the minimum codend mesh size requirement for the Loligo squid (Loligo) fishery; establish a butterfish rebuilding program with a butterfish mortality cap for the Loligo fishery; establish a 72-hr trip notification requirement for the Loligo fishery; and require an annual assessment of the butterfish rebuilding program by the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). This proposed rule would also make minor, technical corrections to existing regulations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.
Definition of Marine Debris for Purposes of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act
NOAA and the Coast Guard are defining ``marine debris'' for purposes of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (the Act). The Act requires NOAA and the Coast Guard to jointly develop a definition and promulgate it through regulations; this rule represents the agencies' compliance with the Act. For the purposes of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act only, marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Critical Habitat for the Endangered Distinct Population Segment of Smalltooth Sawfish
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), issue a final rule to designate critical habitat for the U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), which was listed as endangered on April 1, 2003, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The critical habitat consists of two units: the Charlotte Harbor Estuary Unit, which comprises approximately 221,459 acres of coastal habitat; and the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades Unit (TTI/E), which comprises approximately 619,013 acres of coastal habitat. The two units are located along the southwestern coast of Florida between Charlotte Harbor and Florida Bay.
Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); First Fall Meeting
In preparation for the 2009 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting, the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT will convene the first of two fall meetings.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14301
Notice is hereby given that the University of Alaska Museum of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960 (Dr. Link E. Olson, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to collect, acquire, import and export various marine mammal and endangered species specimens, including partial and whole carcasses from species of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of NMFS for the purpose of curating samples for future scientific research.
Endangered Species; File No. 1556
Notice is hereby given that Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA (CNMI), Division of Fish and Wildlife, [Sylvan Igisomar, responsible official] P.O. Box 10007, Saipan, Mariana Islands, 96950, has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No.1556-01.
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal apportionment of the 2009 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in these areas by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. NMFS is also announcing the opening and closing dates of the first and second directed fisheries within the harvest limit area (HLA) in areas 542 and 543. These actions are necessary to conduct directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA in areas 542 and 543.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Subject to Amendment 80 Sideboard Limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by Amendment 80 vessels subject to sideboard limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for Amendment 80 vessels subject to sideboard limits in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting
The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP), a Federal Advisory Committee, will be holding a public meeting in Duluth, Minnesota, on September 23 and 24, 2009. The meeting is contingent on renewal of the HSRP charter.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves
The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the North Carolina and Old Woman Creek (Ohio) National Estuarine Research Reserves.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Loan Program for Crab Quota Share; Amendment 33
NMFS announces the approval of Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). Amendment 33 amends the FMP to allow NMFS to reduce the amount of fees collected under the Crab Rationalization Program to the amount needed to finance the Federal loan program for quota share purchase. The amendment provides NMFS with the flexibility to reserve only the amount of fees necessary to support the loan program, including no fees if none are needed. This FMP amendment does not require modifications to Federal regulations.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
NMFS announces that the 2009 summer flounder commercial quota allocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the summer flounder fishery may not land summer flounder in Massachusetts for the remainder of calendar year 2009, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery require publication of this notification to advise Massachusetts that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in Massachusetts.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Management Council (Council) and NMFS will hold a Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel meeting to review survey results and the current full assessment of Pacific sardine stock status.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee on September 16, 2009 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 Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a web based meeting of the Standing Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) will meet in Seattle, WA. The meeting is open to the public.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Scoping Hearings
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene Scoping Hearings on Spiny Lobster Amendment 10 (in Marathon and Key West, FL only), Generic ACL/AM Amendment and Amendments 18 and 20 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Herring Oversight Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 29
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule implements a multi- species individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the grouper and tilefish component of the commercial sector of the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone. In addition, the final rule allows permit consolidation and dual classifications to the shallow-water grouper (SWG) and deep-water grouper (DWG) management units for speckled hind, warsaw grouper, and scamp, and modifies some provisions of the Gulf red snapper IFQ program for consistency with this final rule. NMFS also 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. This rule is intended to reduce effort in the grouper and tilefish component of the commercial Gulf reef fish fishery.
Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Salmon Fisheries; Notification of Inseason Orders; Correction
NMFS publishes Fraser River salmon inseason orders to regulate salmon fisheries in U.S. waters. NMFS maintains a telephone hotline to notify the public of these inseason orders. The telephone number for the hotline that is specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is obsolete. This action corrects the language in the CFR to remove that number and specify that the correct telephone number for the hotline is included in the annual management measures for West Coast Salmon Fisheries, published in the Federal Register.
Marine Mammals; Record of Decision; File Nos. 14324 through 14337, Except 14333
Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued a new Record of Decision (ROD) on August 10, 2009, for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research. Subsequently, 12 permits were issued to conduct research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) throughout their ranges in the United States.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York from its 2009 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for New York and Virginia.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
NMFS has determined that the Atlantic tunas General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit should be adjusted for the September, October-November, and December time periods of the 2009 fishing year, based on consideration of the determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels (when fishing commercially for BFT). NMFS has also determined that a quota transfer to allow continued fishing in the Harpoon category is appropriate, and therefore transfers 25 metric tons (mt) from the Reserve to the Harpoon category for the remainder of the 2009 fishing year. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold Meetings of its Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP) Committee, Spiny Lobster Committee, Mackerel Committee, a joint meeting of its Executive and Finance Committees, Law Enforcement Committee, Snapper Grouper Committee, joint Ecosystem-Based Management and Habitat Committees, Golden Crab Committee, and Dolphin Wahoo Committee, and a meeting of the full Council. There will also be a swearing in of new Council members. The Council will hold an informal public question and answer session with NMFS Regional Administrator and Council Chairman as well as open public comment periods relative to agenda items. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional details.
Endangered Species; File Nos. 14344 and 14400
Notice is hereby given that the University of California, Davis, Bodega Marine Laboratory and the Channel Islands National Park have applied in due form for permits to take endangered abalone species for purposes of scientific research and enhancement.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Measures Workshop
NMFS announces a workshop to solicit comments from owners and operators of trawl catcher/processors and motherships in the Bering Sea pollock fishery about proposed equipment and operational requirements to monitor salmon bycatch. The workshop is open to the public, but NMFS is particularly seeking participation by people who are knowledgeable about the operations of the catcher/processors and motherships and who can discuss with NMFS the potential operational impacts of proposed monitoring requirements.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Observer Advisory Committee (OAC) will meet at the Alaska Fishery Science Center (AFSC), Traynor Conference Center.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Crab Plan Team will meet September 14-16, 2009. The Crab Plan Team will meet jointly with the Council's Groundfish Plan Teams on September 16.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Non- Target Species Committee will meet in Seattle, WA.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BS/AI) groundfish plan teams will meet in Seattle.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Highly Migratory Species Committee and its Spiny Dogfish Committee will hold a public meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scallop Advisory Panel and Scallop Oversight Committee will hold two meetings to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Pacific Council and its advisory entities will hold public meetings. September 11-17, 2009 Pacific Council meeting, which includes advisory body meetings during this time period as listed in this notice, as well as a September 8, 2009 Pacific Council Enforcement Consultants Telephone Conference.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; Quota Harvested for Part-time Category
NMFS announces that the percentage of the tilefish annual total allowable landings (TAL) available to the tilefish Part-time permit category for the 2009 fishing year has been harvested. Therefore, commercial vessels fishing under the Part-time tilefish category may not harvest tilefish from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit for the remainder of the 2009 fishing year. Regulations governing the tilefish fishery require publication of this notification to advise the public of this closure.
Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities; Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, August-October, 2009
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO), a part of Columbia University, to take small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to conducting a marine seismic survey in the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Endangered Species; File No. 14396
Notice is hereby given that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control-Division of Fish and Wildlife, Dover, Delaware, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research.
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