National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; 2012 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fishing Season
Document Number: 2011-28083
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule would establish opening dates and adjust quotas for the 2012 fishing season for the Atlantic commercial shark fisheries. Quotas would be adjusted based on any over- and/or underharvests experienced during the 2010 and 2011 Atlantic commercial shark fishing seasons. In addition, NMFS proposes season openings based on previously implemented adaptive management measures to provide, to the extent practicable, fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in all regions and areas. The proposed measures could affect fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in the northwestern Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Marine Mammals; File No. 13927
Document Number: 2011-28082
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Dr. James H.W. Hain, Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543 to conduct research on North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Document Number: 2011-28043
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the commercial Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), are intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2012 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2011-28042
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its request for applications for the 2012 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with a directed or incidental limited access permit. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments while also allowing NMFS and commercial fishermen to conduct cooperative research to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery. Shark research fishery permittees may also land non-sandbar large coastal sharks (LCS), small coastal sharks (SCS), and pelagic sharks. Commercial vessels not participating in the shark research fishery may only land non-sandbar LCS, SCS, and pelagic sharks. Commercial shark fishermen who are interested in participating in the shark research fishery need to submit a completed Shark Research Fishery Permit Application in order to be considered.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex Fishery; Secretarial Emergency Action
Document Number: 2011-27989
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule increases catch limits in the Northeast skate fishery for the remainder of the 2011 fishing year. The increases are supported by the latest scientific information that shows significant increases in the abundance of skates, and are intended to provide a significant economic opportunity while still protecting skates from overfishing.
Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-27914
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Catch Share Panel Meeting
Document Number: 2011-27861
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Catch Share Panel of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting to discuss the issues contained in the enclosed agenda. Dates and Addresses: The meeting will be held on November 30, 2011, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Rincon Beach Hotel, Rd. 115, km 5.5, A[ntilde]asco, Puerto Rico 00610.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 32
Document Number: 2011-27853
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 32 proposes to implement a 10-year rebuilding plan for gag; revise the annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for gag, red grouper, and shallow-water grouper (SWG); revise recreational annual catch targets (ACTs) for gag and red grouper; implement a 4-month gag recreational season; adjust the commercial quota for gag and SWG for 2012 through 2015 and subsequent fishing years; adjust multi-use individual fishing quota (IFQ) shares for gag and red grouper; and implement a 22-inch (56-cm) commercial minimum size limit for gag. The intent of Amendment 32 is to end overfishing of gag, allow the gag stock to rebuild, and constrain the harvest of red grouper consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod and Octopus in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-27848
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to limit incidental catch of octopus by vessels using pot gear to fish for Pacific cod the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Sub-ACL (Annual Catch Limit) Harvested for Management Area 1A
Document Number: 2011-27841
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the directed herring fishery in management area 1A, because 95 percent of the catch limit for that area has been caught. Effective 0001 hr, October 27, 2011, federally permitted vessels may not fish for, catch, possess, transfer, or land more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring (herring) in or from Management Area 1A (Area 1A) per calendar day until January 1, 2012, when the 2012 allocation for Area 1A becomes available.
New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-27768
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day meeting on November 15-17, 2011 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendments to the Queen Conch and Reef Fish Fishery Management Plans of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Document Number: 2011-27741
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Amendments 2 and 5), prepared by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would: establish annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for queen conch and for all reef fish units or complexes that are classified as undergoing overfishing or that contain sub-units which are classified as undergoing overfishing (i.e., snapper, grouper and parrotfish); allocate ACLs among island management areas and, in Puerto Rico only, among commercial and recreational sectors; revise the composition of the snapper and grouper complexes; prohibit fishing for and possession of three parrotfish species; establish recreational bag limits for snappers, groupers, and parrotfishes; and establish framework procedures for queen conch and reef fish species. Amendments 2 and 5 would also revise management reference points and status determination criteria for queen conch, snappers, groupers, and parrotfishes. The intended effect of the rule is to prevent overfishing of queen conch and reef fish species while maintaining catch levels consistent with achieving optimum yield (OY).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Final Rulemaking To Designate Critical Habitat for Black Abalone
Document Number: 2011-27376
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), hereby designate critical habitat for the endangered black abalone under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This designation includes approximately 360 square kilometers of rocky intertidal and subtidal habitat within five segments of the California coast between the Del Mar Landing Ecological Reserve to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, as well as on the Farallon Islands, A[ntilde]o Nuevo Island, San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Barbara Island, and Santa Catalina Island. This designation includes rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats from the mean higher high water (MHHW) line to a depth of -6 meters (m) (relative to the mean lower low water (MLLW) line), as well as the coastal marine waters encompassed by these areas. We are not designating the specific area from Corona Del Mar State Beach to Dana Point, California, because we conclude that the economic benefits of exclusion from the critical habitat designation outweigh the benefits of inclusion and that exclusion of this specific area will not result in the extinction of the species. We also conclude that two of the specific areas proposed for designation (San Nicolas Island and San Clemente Island) are no longer eligible for designation, based on determinations that the U.S. Navy's revised integrated natural resource management plans (INRMPs) for these areas provide benefits to black abalone.
Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2011-27745
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Keith Farmer, on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Aquariums Division (North Carolina Aquariums). If granted, the EFP would authorize North Carolina Aquariums to collect, with certain conditions, various species of reef fish and live rock in Federal waters off North Carolina. The specimens would be used in educational exhibits displaying North Carolina native species at aquariums located at Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, and Jeanette's Ocean Pier, NC.
Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Pier 36/Brannan Street Wharf Project in the San Francisco Bay, CA
Document Number: 2011-27739
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a complete and adequate application from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District (USACE), on behalf of the Port of San Francisco (Port), for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to pile driving during construction of the Brannan Street Wharf. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing to issue an IHA to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment, four species of marine mammals during the specified activity within a specific geographic region and is requesting comments on its proposal.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures
Document Number: 2011-27726
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes 2012 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel and butterfish, and 2012-2014 specifications for Illex and longfin squid. This is the first year that the specifications are being recommended for Atlantic mackerel and butterfish under the provisions of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure Omnibus Amendment (Omnibus Amendment). The two squid species are exempt from these requirements because they have a life cycle of less than 1 year. This action also proposes to adjust the closure threshold for the commercial mackerel fishery to 95 percent (from 90 percent), to allow the use of jigging gear to target longfin squid if the longfin squid fishery is closed due to the butterfish mortality cap, and to require a 3-inch (76-mm) minimum codend mesh size in order to possess more than 2,000 lb (0.9 mt) of butterfish (up from 1,000 lb (0.45mt)). Finally, this rule proposes minor corrections in existing regulatory text intended to clarify the intent of the regulations. These proposed specifications and management measures promote the utilization and conservation of the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) resource.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 7
Document Number: 2011-27723
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule implements measures that were approved in Framework Adjustment 7 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. The New England Fishery Management Council and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council developed Framework Adjustment 7 to adjust the annual catch target for the Northern Fishery Management Area to be consistent with the most recent scientific advice regarding the acceptable biological catch for monkfish. The New England Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended a revision to the acceptable biological catch based on information from the 50th Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Review Committee. Framework Adjustment 7 specifies a new days-at-sea allocation and trip limits for the Northern Fishery Management Area consistent with the new annual catch target, and establishes revised biomass reference points for the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Harvesting Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2011-27715
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 Pacific total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-27714
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for pot catcher/ processors in the BSAI.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2011-27630
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BS/AI) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet in Seattle.
Availability of Seats for the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
Document Number: 2011-27584
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Education, Primary and Alternate seats; Fishing, Primary and Alternate seats; Research, Alternate seat; Community-at-Large Mann County, Alternate seat; Community-at-Large Sonoma County, Alternate seat. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve three-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-27609
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian district (BS/EAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in these areas allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Crab Prohibited Species Catch Allowances in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-27606
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the 2011 crab prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands trawl limited access sector to the Amendment 80 cooperatives in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the Amendment 80 cooperatives to fully harvest their 2011 groundfish allocations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Eastern Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-27604
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Aleutian District 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 2011 allocation of Pacific ocean perch in this area allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Adjustment to the Atlantic Herring Management Area 1A Sub-Annual Catch Limit
Document Number: 2011-27593
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS adjusts the 2011 Fishing Year sub-annual catch limit for Atlantic Herring Management Area 1A due to an under-harvest in the New Brunswick weir fishery. This action complies with the 2010-2012 specifications and management measures for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan.
Endangered Species; File No. 1551
Document Number: 2011-27591
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center (Responsible Party: Bonnie Ponwith) has been issued a modification to scientific research Permit No. 1551-02.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Generic Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Amendment for the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2011-27589
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement the Generic Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Amendment (Generic ACL Amendment) to the Reef Fish Resources, Red Drum, Shrimp, and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Mexico (FMPs) as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would allow management of selected species by other Federal and/or state agencies; remove species not currently in need of Federal management from the FMPs; develop species groups; modify framework procedures; establish annual catch limits (ACLs); and establish accountability measures (AMs). The intent of this rule is to specify ACLs for species not undergoing overfishing while maintaining catch levels consistent with achieving optimum yield (OY) for the resource.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-27582
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-27537
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee will hold a public meeting.
Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES); Request for Nominations
Document Number: 2011-27498
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) was established to advise the Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, on matters relating to the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry and NOAA's activities to carry out responsibilities of the Department of Commerce as originally set forth in the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, 15 U.S.C. 5621 et seq., but now recodified by the National and Commercial Space Programs Act of 2010 at 51 U.S.C. 60101 et seq. The Committee is comprised of leaders in the commercial space-based remote sensing industry, space-based remote sensing data users, government (state and local), and academia. The Department of Commerce is seeking highly qualified individuals who are knowledgeable about the commercial space- based remote sensing industry and uses of space-based remote sensing data to serve on the Committee.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2011-27479
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is soliciting public comment on an exempted fishing permit application that would exempt one commercial fishing vessel from the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog Georges Bank Closure Area to continue testing the safety and efficacy of harvesting Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the closure area. This would be a continuation of a research project that has been ongoing since 2006. NMS has made a preliminary determination that the exempted fishing permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; 2012 Cage Tags
Document Number: 2011-27477
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS informs surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) allocation holders that they will be required to purchase their fishing year 2012 (January 1, 2012-December 31, 2012) cage tags from the National Band and Tag Company. The intent of this notice is to comply with regulations for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries and to promote efficient distribution of cage tags.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; Correction
Document Number: 2011-27476
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document corrects an October 7, 2011, notice that announced the stock status of several Atlantic shark stocks and announced NMFS' intent to amend the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) via the rulemaking process to rebuild these shark stocks and end overfishing, as necessary. The notice provided an incorrect date for a scoping meeting held in Galloway, NJ. This document provides the correct date. The address and time for the scoping meeting remain the same. Although the meeting already occurred, it is important that the date be accurate for HMS' records.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops
Document Number: 2011-27474
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS solicits nominations for the Advisory Panel (AP) for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Workshops (this AP is also called the ``SEDAR Pool''). The SEDAR Pool is comprised of a group of individuals whom may be selected to consider data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information, including but not limited to data and models, used in stock assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Nominations are being sought for a 3-year appointment (2012-2015). Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and non-governmental organizations will be considered for membership on the SEDAR Pool.
Marine Mammals; File No. 16685
Document Number: 2011-27472
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Thomas A. Jefferson, PhD, Clymene Enterprises, 5495 Camino Playa Malaga, San Diego, CA 92124, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on nine cetacean species off the California coast.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2011-27390
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public hearings regarding Amendments 18A, 20A, and 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Dates and Location: The series of seven public hearings will be held from November 14, 2011 through December 6, 2011. The hearings will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the exception of two hearings. The hearings on November 15, 2011 in Charleston, SC and the hearing on December 6, 2011 in Raleigh, NC will be conducted from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Note that in some cases consecutive hearings will be held on the same date. Council staff will present an overview of the amendments and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record at any time during the meeting hours to record their comments on the public hearing topics for consideration by the Council. Local Council representatives will attend the meetings and take public comment. Written comments will be accepted from October 21, 2011 until 5 p.m. on November 21, 2011, See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 18
Document Number: 2011-27348
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this rule would remove species from the FMP; modify the framework procedures; establish two migratory groups for cobia; establish annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs) for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. In addition, Amendment 18 would set allocations for Atlantic cobia and establish control rules for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. The intent of this rule is to specify ACLs for species not undergoing overfishing while maintaining catch levels consistent with achieving optimum yield (OY) for the resource.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Amendment 16 to the Salmon Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2011-27346
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 16 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan for Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (Salmon FMP). Amendment 16, which was transmitted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) on September 12, 2011, to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review and approval, brings the Salmon FMP into compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) as reauthorized in 2006, and the corresponding revised National Standard 1 Guidelines (NS1Gs) to end and prevent overfishing. This document also announces the availability for public review and comment of a draft environmental assessment (EA) analyzing the environmental impacts of implementing Amendment 16.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements; Public Workshops
Document Number: 2011-27345
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Alaska Region, will present a workshop on seaLandings, a consolidated electronic means of reporting landings and production of commercial groundfish to multiple management agencies for Federal and State fisheries off Alaska, and 2012 recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the Alaska groundfish fisheries and Individual Fishing Quota fisheries.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Highly Migratory Species Permit Family of Forms
Document Number: 2011-27251
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-21
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.
Expansion of Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Regulatory Changes, and Sanctuary Name Change
Document Number: 2011-27007
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to add five additional discrete geographical areas to the sanctuary and change the name of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FBNMS or sanctuary) to the American Samoa National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA also proposes to amend existing sanctuary regulations and apply these regulations to activities in the sanctuary.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Swordfish Retention Limits
Document Number: 2011-27212
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to modify retention limits for swordfish, Xiphias gladius, harvested in the U.S. West Coast-based deep-set tuna longline (DSLL) fishery. The DSLL fishery is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The proposed rule would implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) recommendation to modify HMS FMP regulations governing the possession and landing limits of swordfish captured in the DSLL fishery, contingent on hook type and fisheries observer presence. If a vessel without an observer onboard uses any J[hyphen]hooks (tuna hooks), the trip limit would be 10 swordfish. If a vessel without an observer onboard uses only circle hooks, the trip limit would be 25 swordfish. If the vessel carries a NMFS-approved observer during the entire fishing trip, there would be no limit on swordfish retained. Regulations prohibiting the use of shallow[hyphen]set longline gear to target swordfish would remain in place.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2011-27211
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an exempted fishing permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This permit would allow two commercial fishing vessels to test the economic viability of using electric rod and reel gear to target pollock in the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area and to temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data collection. The study would be conducted by the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed exempted fishing permits.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment for the South Atlantic
Document Number: 2011-27203
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment (Comprehensive ACL Amendment) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. The Comprehensive ACL Amendment amends the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States, and the Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region. The Comprehensive ACL Amendment proposes actions to specify annual catch limits (ACLs), allowable biological catch (ABC), ABC control rules, and accountability measures (AMs) for species in the FMPs for Snapper- Grouper, Dolphin and Wahoo, Golden Crab, and Sargassum. The Comprehensive ACL Amendment proposes to specify ABC, and describe the current terminology and measures in place in the Sargassum FMP that are consistent with an ACL and AMs. For Sargassum, this amendment would not specifically set an ACL because there is currently a commercial quota in place which functions as an ACL, and there are commercial closure provisions in the event the quota is met or projected to be met which functions as an AM. Sector allocations, annual catch targets (ACTs), and management measures are also proposed for species in the Snapper- Grouper and Dolphin and Wahoo FMPs. In addition, the Comprehensive ACL Amendment proposes actions to the snapper-grouper fishery management unit (FMU), including the removal of some species, designation of ecosystem component (EC) species, and the development of species groups.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses
Document Number: 2011-27131
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-20
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; Application to Shuck Surf Clams/Ocean Quahogs at Sea
Document Number: 2011-27130
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-20
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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Document Number: 2011-27113
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC) were established by the Secretary of Commerce under the authority of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to synthesize and summarize the science and information pertaining to current and future impacts of climate. Time and Date: The meeting will be held November 16 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and November 17, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These times are subject to change. Please refer to the Web page https:// www.nesdis.noaa.gov/NCADAC/ for changes and for the most up- to-date meeting agenda. Place: The meeting will be held at the NOAA Earth System Research LaboratoryDavid Skaggs Research Center (DSRC), 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3337. Please check the Web site https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/ NCADAC/ for confirmation of the venue and for directions. Status: Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. Members of the public must RSVP in order to attend all or a portion of the meeting by contacting the NCADAC DFO (Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov) by November 1, 2011. The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30 minute public comment period on November 16 at 5 p.m. (check Web site to confirm time). The NCADAC expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Individuals or groups planning to make a verbal presentation should contact the NCADAC DFO (Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov) by November 10, 2011 to schedule their presentation. Written comments should be received in the NCADAC DFO's Office by November 10, 2011 to provide sufficient time for NCADAC review. Written comments received by the NCADAC DFO after November 10, 2011 will be distributed to the NCADAC, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Dr. Cynthia Decker (301-563- 6162, Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov) by November 1, 2011.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southern Distinct Population Segment of Eulachon
Document Number: 2011-26950
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), issue a final rule to designate critical habitat for the southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We designate 16 specific areas as critical habitat within the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The designated areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their associated estuaries, comprising approximately 539 km (335 mi) of habitat. The Tribal lands of four Indian Tribes are excluded from designation after evaluating the impacts of designation and benefits of exclusion associated with Tribal land ownership and management by the Tribes. No areas were excluded from designation based on economic impacts. This final rule responds to and incorporates public comments received on the proposed rule and supporting documents, as well as peer reviewer comments received on our draft biological report and draft economic report.
Indirect Cost Rates for the Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010
Document Number: 2011-26637
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP) is announcing new indirect cost rates on the recovery of indirect costs for its component organizations involved in natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities for fiscal years (FY) 2009 and 2010. The indirect cost rates for these fiscal years and dates of implementation are provided in this notice. More information on these rates and the DARRP policy can be found at the DARRP web site at http:/ /www.darrp.noaa.gov. This notice is a republication of the notice published October 3, 2011 (76 FR 61089) with corrections made to the table of indirect cost rates.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-26995
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Oversight Committee meeting 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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