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

Results 501 - 550 of 1,236
Notice of Availability for a Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment for Emergency Restoration of Seagrass Impacts From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response
Document Number: 2011-19403
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA); U.S. Department of Interior; and the five states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are all designated, pursuant to section 1006(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), as trustees (Trustees) for natural resources harmed by this Incident. NOAA is serving as the Lead Administrative Trustee (LAT) for this emergency seagrass restoration. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, an Environmental Assessment for Emergency Restoration of Seagrass Impacts from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response (EA) was completed by NOAA, and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on July 8, 2011.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel
Document Number: 2011-19401
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS will hold a 3-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2011. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
Endangered Species; File No. 15552
Document Number: 2011-19399
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) [Dr. Bonnie Ponwith, Responsible Party] has been issued a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and unidentified hardshell sea turtles for the purposes of scientific research.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2011-19394
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Energy
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings
Document Number: 2011-19309
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public hearings regarding Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the public hearings schedule.
Second Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Related to Two Joint State and Tribal Resource Management Plans for Puget Sound Hatchery Programs and Reopening of Comment Period
Document Number: 2011-19262
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this notice announces that NMFS intends to obtain additional information necessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for two hatchery Resource Management Plans and appended Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) jointly proposed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound Treaty Tribes (referred to as the co-managers) for NMFS's evaluation and determination under the Endangered Species Act for threatened salmon. The previous notice of intent to prepare an EIS was published on May 12, 2004. NMFS is now reopening the comment period for 30 days. NMFS provides this notice to remind other agencies and the public of its plans to analyze effects related to the action, and obtain information that may not have been available in 2004 pertinent to the scope of issues to include in the EIS.
Marine Mammals; File No. 16094
Document Number: 2011-19259
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Juneau, AK, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Endangered Species; File No. 13330-01
Document Number: 2011-19258
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southeast Fisheries Center (SEFSC) (hereinafter ``Permit Holder''); 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149 [Responsible Party: Bonnie Ponwith, PhD], has been issued a permit modification to take smalltooth sawfish in Florida waters for purposes of scientific research.
Marine Mammals; Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals; Harvest Estimates
Document Number: 2011-19255
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the regulations governing the subsistence taking of northern fur seals, this document summarizes the annual fur seal subsistence harvests on St. George and St. Paul Islands (the Pribilof Islands) for 2008 to 2010 and proposes annual estimates of fur seal subsistence needs for 2011 through 2013 on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. NMFS solicits public comments on the proposed estimates.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2011-19253
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a public meeting.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean, November to December, 2011
Document Number: 2011-19244
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a low- energy marine geophysical (i.e., seismic) survey in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, November to December, 2011. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to SIO to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, 19 species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Limited Access Privilege Program
Document Number: 2011-19126
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Amendment 93 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Amendment 80 Program to modify the criteria for forming and participating in a harvesting cooperative. This action is necessary to encourage greater participation in harvesting cooperatives, which enable members to more efficiently target species, avoid areas with undesirable bycatch, and improve the quality of products produced. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan, and other applicable law.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program; Amendment 88
Document Number: 2011-19125
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 88 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) for review by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). If approved, Amendment 88 would establish the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program). This proposed program would allocate exclusive harvest privileges to a select group of License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders who used trawl gear to target Pacific ocean perch, pelagic shelf rockfish, and northern rockfish during specific qualifying years. Amendment 88 would modify the FMP to retain the conservation, management, safety, and economic gains realized under the Rockfish Pilot Program and viability of the Gulf of Alaska fisheries. This action is necessary to replace particular Rockfish Pilot Program regulations that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2011. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and other applicable law.
Marine Mammals; File No. 16443
Document Number: 2011-19124
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that David Honig, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, has applied in due form for a permit to collect, receive, import, export, possess, and conduct analyses marine mammal specimens for scientific research.
Endangered Species; File No. 15802
Document Number: 2011-19122
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 100 Eighth Avenue, SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 [Gregg Poulakis, Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit to take smalltooth sawfish and listed sea turtle species for purposes of scientific research.
Fisheries of the Caribbean; Southeastern Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Assessment Webinars for SEDAR 26 Caribbean Silk Snapper, Queen Snapper, and Redtail Parrotfish
Document Number: 2011-19112
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 26 assessments of the Caribbean stocks of silk snapper, queen snapper, and redtail parrotfish will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: a Data Workshop, an Assessment workshop, a series of Assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Meetings
Document Number: 2011-19045
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its Visioning Committee and its Executive Committee will hold public meetings.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Northern Area Trophy Fishery
Document Number: 2011-19010
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the northern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'') Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of 2011. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the 2011 Angling category northern area subquota for large medium and giant BFT.
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2011-18883
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application, and is considering issuance of EFPs for vessels participating in the EFP activities. The EFPs are necessary to allow activities that are otherwise prohibited by Federal regulations. The EFPs will be effective no earlier than August 10, 2011, and would expire one year after date of issuance, but could be terminated earlier under terms and conditions of the EFPs and other applicable laws.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public meeting
Document Number: 2011-18870
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Groundfish Committee, Plan Development Team and Advisory Panel will hold a meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Inseason Action To Close the Commercial Non-Sandbar Large Coastal Shark Research Fishery
Document Number: 2011-18865
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the commercial shark research fishery for non- sandbar large coastal sharks (LCS). This action is necessary because landings for the 2011 fishing season have reached at least 80 percent of the available quota.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod Allocations in the Gulf of Alaska; Amendment 83
Document Number: 2011-18317
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes a rule to implement Amendment 83 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). If approved, Amendment 83 would allocate the Western and Central GOA Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) limits among various gear and operational sectors. Sector allocations would limit the amount of Western and Central GOA Pacific cod that each sector is authorized to harvest. This action would reduce competition among sectors and support stability in the Pacific cod fishery. This rule would also limit access to the Federal Pacific cod TAC fisheries prosecuted in State waters, commonly known as the parallel fishery, adjacent to the Western and Central GOA. This action is intended to promote community participation and provide incentives for new entrants in the jig sector. It also promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan, and other applicable laws.
Endangered Species; File No. 16146
Document Number: 2011-18727
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Kristen Hart, U.S. Geological
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allocating Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Resources
Document Number: 2011-18725
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish for Catcher/Processors Participating in the Rockfish Limited Access Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2011-18722
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish by
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fisheries Finance Program Requirements
Document Number: 2011-18674
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plan for the Sei Whale
Document Number: 2011-18583
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability for public review of the draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis). 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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2011-18581
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received two applications for direct take permits, in the form of Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), one application from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and one from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT). The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is identified as a co-applicant in the WDFW HGMP. The proposed permits would expire in 2018. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit applications and addenda for public review, comment, and submission of written data, views, arguments or other relevant information. All comments and other information received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 14525
Document Number: 2011-18579
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Oleg Lyamin, PhD, Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), 16111 Plummer St., North Hills, CA 91343, to import and export marine mammal specimens for scientific research.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch for Catcher/Processors Participating in the Rockfish Limited Access Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2011-18574
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by catcher/processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch allocated to catcher/processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic Shelf Rockfish for Catcher/Processors Participating in the Rockfish Limited Access Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2011-18572
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf rockfish by catcher/processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to catcher/ processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2011-18571
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-18475
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) ad hoc groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee (EFHRC) will hold a work session, which is open to the public, to plan the periodic 5-year review of groundfish Essential Fish Habitat (EFH).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-18474
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Tule Chinook Workgroup (TCW) will hold a meeting to review work products and develop an abundance-based harvest management approach for Columbia River natural tule Chinook. This meeting of the TCW is open to the public.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan for Guided Sport and Commercial Fisheries in Alaska
Document Number: 2011-18321
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations that would implement a catch sharing plan for the guided sport and commercial fisheries for Pacific halibut in waters of International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska). If approved, this catch sharing plan will change the annual process of allocating halibut between the guided sport and commercial fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, establish allocations for each sector, and specify harvest restrictions for guided sport anglers that are intended to limit harvest to the annual guided sport fishery catch limit. In order to provide flexibility for individual commercial and guided sport fishery participants, the proposed catch sharing plan also will authorize annual transfers of commercial halibut quota to charter halibut permit holders for harvest in the guided sport fishery. This action is necessary to achieve the halibut fishery management goals of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2011-18456
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes a notification of a 1.23-percent fee for cost recovery under the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program. This action is intended to provide holders of crab allocations with the fee percentage for the 2011/2012 crab fishing year so they can calculate the required payment for cost recovery fees that must be submitted by July 31, 2012.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Operation of the Northeast Gateway Liquefied Natural Gas Port Facility in Massachusetts Bay
Document Number: 2011-18320
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from Tetra Tech EC, Inc., on behalf of the Northeast Gateway[supreg] Energy Bridge TM L.P. (Northeast Gateway or NEG), for authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to operating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) port facility by NEG, in Massachusetts Bay for the period of August 2011 through August 2012. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to Northeast Gateway to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for a period of 1 year.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Framework Adjustment 22
Document Number: 2011-18314
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing measures specified in Framework Adjustment 22 (Framework 22) to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which was developed and adopted by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council). The specifications in Framework 22 are based on, and are being implemented in conjunction with, the management measures in Amendment 15 to the FMP (Amendment 15) that establish the process for setting annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) to bring the FMP into compliance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The purpose of Framework 22 is to set the following scallop management measures for the 2011 through 2013 fishing years (FYs): The overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catches (ABC), ACLs, and annual catch targets (ACTs) for both the limited access (LA) and limited access general category (LAGC) fleets; open area days-at-sea (DAS) and Sea Scallop Access Area (access area) trip allocations; DAS adjustments if an access area yellowtail flounder (YTF) total allowable catch (TAC) is caught; LAGC-specific allocations, including access area trip allocations for vessels with individual fishing quotas (IFQs), the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) TAC, and the incidental target TAC; management measures to minimize impacts of incidental take of sea turtles as required by the March 14, 2008, Atlantic Sea Scallop Biological Opinion (Biological Opinion); and the elimination of the default Georges Bank (GB) access area rotation schedule. Consistent with proposed measures in Amendment 15, Framework 22 sets FY 2013 management measures as precautionary default measures, to be applied if a new biennial framework adjustment is not implemented by the start of FY 2013.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Scallop FMP)
Document Number: 2011-18311
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby implements measures approved in Amendment 15 to the Scallop FMP (Amendment 15), which was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendment 15 was developed primarily to implement annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) to bring the Scallop FMP into compliance with requirements of the MSA as reauthorized in 2007. Amendment 15 includes additional measures recommended by the Council, including: A revision of the overfishing definition (OFD); modification of the essential fish habitat (EFH) closed areas under the Scallop FMP; adjustments to measures for the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) individual fishing quota (IFQ) fishery; adjustments to the scallop research set- aside (RSA) program; and additions to the list of measures that can be adjusted by framework adjustments. NMFS has disapproved a provision that would have allocated additional scallop catch to the LAGC fleet because it was not consistent with National Standard 1 and the ACL requirement of the MSA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 16472
Document Number: 2011-18326
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla, California, (Responsible Party: George Watters, PhD, Director), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the Antarctic.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental To Conducting Air-to-Surface Gunnery Missions in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2011-18324
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received an application from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB), for renewal of an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting air-to-surface (A-S) gunnery missions in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The USAF's activities are considered military readiness activities. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS requests comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Eglin AFB to take, by harassment, several species of marine mammal during the specified activity for a period of 1 year.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Removal of Regulations
Document Number: 2011-18318
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to repeal the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) and remove its implementing regulations, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). The stone crab fishery takes place primarily in state waters (off the coast of Florida) and Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is extending its management into Federal waters. Repealing the Federal regulations would eliminate duplication of management efforts, reduce costs, and align with the President's Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' to ensure Federal regulations are more effective and less burdensome in achieving regulatory objectives. The intended effect of this action is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of managing the stone crab fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-18277
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee, on August 9-10, 2011, 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-18073
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The groundfish project team responsible for drafting and analyzing the 2013-14 harvest specification and management measures for the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2011-18028
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Staff will hold a meeting of the Visioning Project Advisory Panel to discuss communications strategies and data gathering tools for the Visioning Project.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Authorizing Release of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Upper Columbia Spring-Run Chinook Salmon in the Okanogan River Basin Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2011-18015
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will be considering a proposal to authorize a nonessential experimental population of Upper Columbia (UC) spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Okanogan River and its tributaries in Okanogan County, Washington under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. The geographic boundaries of the experimental population area would likely include the entire Okanogan River subbasin and a portion of the mainstem Columbia River from the confluence of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers upstream to the base of Chief Joseph Dam. We will consider the best available information to determine if reintroduction of Chinook salmon is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the UC spring-run Chinook salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) identifies policy and technical issues for consideration and evaluation, and solicits comments regarding them.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendments 20 and 21; Trawl Rationalization Program; Pacific Halibut Bycatch Quota for the Remainder of the 2011 Fishery
Document Number: 2011-18013
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the provisions for the Pacific halibut trawl mortality bycatch limit and for calculation of Pacific halibut individual bycatch quota (IBQ) pounds in the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2011 groundfish fishery. This announcement is required in order to maintain the current amount of Pacific halibut IBQ pounds in the Shorebased IFQ Program.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 16, Framework Adjustment 44, and Framework Adjustment 45
Document Number: 2011-18012
Type: Rule
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action makes corrections, clarifications, and modifications to existing regulations to ensure consistency with measures adopted by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to regulate the Northeast (NE) multispecies fishery and to provide additional flexibility for some of the administrative regulatory requirements. The current regulations governing the NE multispecies fishery contain a number of inadvertent errors, omissions, and potential inconsistencies with measures adopted by the Council and approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) in recent actions regarding the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This interim final rule is being taken by NMFS under the authority of section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act); NMFS is implementing changes made to the dockside monitoring program (DSM), not included in the proposed rule, as an interim rule in order to seek public comments on the changes.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 46
Document Number: 2011-17895
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2011-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Framework Adjustment (FW) 46 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). FW 46 was developed and submitted to NMFS for approval by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to address haddock catch in the Atlantic herring fishery. The proposed rule would increase the haddock incidental catch cap allocated to the Atlantic midwater trawl herring fishery to 1 percent of the Georges Bank (GB) haddock Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and to 1 percent of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock ABC. In addition, this action would modify the cap accountability measures (AMs) such that, upon attainment of the cap, the midwater trawl herring fleet could not catch or land herring in excess of the incidental catch limit (2,000 lb (907.2 kg)) in or from the appropriate haddock stock area. This action is intended to allow the herring fishery to fully utilize available herring quota, while providing incentives for the midwater trawl fishery to minimize haddock catch.
National Policy for Distinguishing Serious From Non-Serious Injuries of Marine Mammals
Document Number: 2011-18037
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS developed a draft national policy, comprised of a Policy Directive and associated Procedural Directive, for distinguishing serious from non-serious injuries of marine mammals. The draft Directives were developed by reviewing injury determinations from 1997- 2008, current scientific information, and a new analysis of existing NMFS data. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft Policy and Procedural Directives.
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