National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 28, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2013-07258
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) is proposing to explore the use of several data recording devices in an industry-based pilot study that would effectively relay more accurate, detailed, and timely American lobster data to fisheries managers and scientists. The CFRF is also proposing to use vent-less traps in order to determine the abundance and distribution of juvenile American lobsters in Lobster Management Areas (LMAs) 2 and 3. This pilot study would utilize 12 Federal commercial fishing vessels; 6 vessels in each of the 2 management areas. 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 EFPs.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 feet (18.3 meters) Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2013-07246
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2013-07226
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three scientific research and enhancement permit applications relating to anadromous species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed research activities are intended to increase knowledge of the species and to help guide management and conservation efforts. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment by contacting NMFS by phone (916) 930-3706 or fax (916) 930-3629.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-07188
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-07187
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Recreational Advisory Panel will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-07186
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a public workshop on considerations of conservation, management, and policy in spatial management of catch limits.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to an Exploration Drilling Program in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska
Document Number: 2013-07176
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On February 22, 2013, NMFS announced notice of its proposed issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to ConocoPhillips Company (COP) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting offshore exploration drilling on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Written comments were due by March 25, 2013. Under the unique circumstances of the timing of the publication of the Federal Register notice relative to several related meetings and other Federal review processes related to this action, NMFS has decided to extend the public comment period by 45 days, to May 9, 2013.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Trawl Rationalization Program; Reconsideration of Allocation of Whiting
Document Number: 2013-07162
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action revises several portions of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Trawl Rationalization Program (program) regulations in response to a court order requiring the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to reconsider the initial allocation of Pacific whiting (whiting) to the shorebased individual fishing quota (IFQ) fishery and the at-sea mothership fishery. Additionally, NMFS concludes after review of public comments and the record as a whole, that the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council's) recommendation to maintain the existing initial allocations of whiting is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP), and other applicable law. This final rule will affect the transfer of quota share (QS) and individual bycatch quota (IBQ) between QS accounts in the shorebased IFQ fishery, and severability of catch history assignments (CHAs) in the mothership fishery, both of which will be allowed on specified dates, with the exception of widow rockfish. Widow rockfish is no longer an overfished species and transfer of QS for this species will be reinstated pending reconsideration of the allocation of widow rockfish QS in a future action. The divestiture period for widow rockfish QS in the IFQ fishery will also be delayed indefinitely.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery Management Plan; Regulatory Amendment, Corrections, and Clarifications
Document Number: 2013-07161
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program was implemented at the start of the 2010 fishing year (November 1, 2009). After 3 years of operation, it has become apparent that some of the implementing regulations need to be clarified, corrected, or modified to better reflect the intent of Tilefish Amendment 1 and clarify certain regulatory text that may cause confusion or otherwise appear inconsistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). This action would make corrections, clarifications, and regulatory modifications to the regulations that implemented the Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program. These changes would not affect the fishing operation of any vessel.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.