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

Results 651 - 700 of 1,105
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Wharf Construction Project
Document Number: 2013-12053
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to construction activities as part of a wharf construction project. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to the Navy to take, by Level B Harassment only, six species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-11966
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's (Council) will convene meetings of its Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (CNMI) Archipelagic Advisory Panels (APs) and the Hawaii Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (REAC) (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific times, dates, and agenda items).
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Horseshoe Crabs; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 2013
Document Number: 2013-11954
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application submitted by Limuli Laboratories of Cape May Court House, NJ, contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The proposed EFP would allow the harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs from the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve (Reserve) for biomedical purposes and require, as a condition of the EFP, the collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the reserve. The Deputy Director has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Horseshoe Crab Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Deputy Director proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow up to two commercial fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations promulgated under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act). The EFP would allow for an exemption from the Reserve. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal 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; Revise Maximum Retainable Amounts of Groundfish Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Document Number: 2013-11953
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a regulation to increase the maximum retainable amounts (MRAs) of groundfish using arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) and Kamchatka flounder (Atheresthes evermanni) as basis species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action allows the use of BSAI arrowtooth flounder and Kamchatka flounder as basis species for the retention of species closed to directed fishing and is necessary to improve retention of otherwise marketable groundfish in these BSAI fisheries. This action also includes four regulatory amendments related to harvest management of Kamchatka flounder. Two amendments are necessary to account for Kamchatka flounder in the same manner as arrowtooth flounder in the BSAI and to aid in the recordkeeping, reporting, and catch accounting of flatfish in the BSAI. The third amendment is necessary to provide NMFS the flexibility to allocate Kamchatka flounder (and other species in the future) to the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program in the annual harvest specifications. Through this action, NMFS intends to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, and other applicable law.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program
Document Number: 2013-11951
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-20
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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Alaska Plaice in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2013-11950
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Alaska plaice in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2013 initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Alaska plaice in the BSAI has been reached.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Iliamna Lake Seals as a Threatened or Endangered Species
Document Number: 2013-11869
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Pacific harbor seals in Iliamna Lake (Phoca vitulina richardii) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are initiating a status review of the harbor seals in Iliamna Lake to determine if listing under the ESA is warranted. To ensure this status review is comprehensive, we solicit scientific and commercial information regarding this species.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
Document Number: 2013-11794
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Standing, Special Mackerel and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committees.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11793
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)/Enforcement will meet jointly with the Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11788
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council Joint Protocol Committee of the AK B0F and Council will meet in Juneau, AK.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11787
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) ad hoc South of Humbug Pacific Halibut Workgroup (Workgroup) will hold a webinar to review analysis of recreational management measures designed to reduce Pacific halibut catch in southern Oregon and northern California (i.e., south of Humbug Mountain).
Endangered Species; File No. 17304
Document Number: 2013-11774
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Kristen Hart, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Marine Mammals; File No. 17005
Document Number: 2013-11773
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Peter Rogers, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, GA 30332 to conduct research on cetacean species not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings; Correction
Document Number: 2013-11764
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, June 3-11, 2013 at the Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, AK. This document is making the public aware of all of the issues being discussed at the council plenary session. An additional issue is being added to agenda item 7, under the heading ``Council Plenary Session''. The original notice published on May 10, 2013, will not be repeated here and all other text in the original notice remains unchanged.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North and South Atlantic 2013 Commercial Swordfish Quotas
Document Number: 2013-11720
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule adjusts the 2013 fishing season quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish based upon 2012 commercial quota underharvests and international quota transfers consistent with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendations 11-02 and 12-01. This final rule will affect commercial and recreational fishing for swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This action implements ICCAT recommendations, consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and furthers domestic management objectives under the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Control Date for Qualifying Landings History and To Limit Speculative Entry Into the Longfin Squid/Butterfish Fishery; Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2013-11711
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
At the request of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, this notice announces a control date that may be applicable, but not limited to, qualifying landings history for continued access to the longfin squid/butterfish moratorium limited access permit program. NMFS intends this notice to promote awareness of possible rulemaking, alert interested parties of potential eligibility criteria for future access, and discourage speculative entry into and/or investment in the longfin squid/butterfish fishery while the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council considers if and how access to the longfin squid/butterfish fishery should be controlled.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2013-11703
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued Permit 17299 to the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Permit 16543-M1 to the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), Permit 17428 to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Permit 17777 to Natural Resource Scientists Incorporated (NRSI).
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2013-11702
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received an application for a direct take permit, in the form of a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The application is for a hatchery program in Idaho, for the propagation of sockeye salmon. The proposed permit would be issued for a period of 10 years. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit application for public review, comment, and submission of written data, views, arguments, or other relevant information. This document also serves to notify the public of NMFS' intent to adopt an existing environmental assessment that addresses the proposed Snake River sockeye salmon hatchery program. 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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2013-11692
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued Permit 17299 to the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Permit 16543-M1 to the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), Permit 17428 to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Permit 17777 to Natural Resource Scientists Incorporated (NRSI).
Marine Mammals; File No. 17410
Document Number: 2013-11684
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G; Responsible Party: Robert Small, Ph.D.), 1255 West 8th Street, Juneau, AK 99811, to collect, receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research purposes.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program
Document Number: 2013-11571
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 41 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). These regulations amend the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) by establishing a process whereby holders of regionally designated individual fishing quota (IFQ) and individual processor quota (IPQ) in six CR Program fisheries may receive an exemption from regional delivery requirements in the North or South Regions. The six CR Program fisheries are Bristol Bay red king crab, Bering Sea snow crab, Saint Matthew Island blue king crab, Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab, Western Aleutian Islands red king crab, and Pribilof Islands red and blue king crab. This action is necessary to mitigate disruptions in a CR Program fishery that prevent participants from complying with regional delivery requirements. 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11529
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Seismic Survey in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska
Document Number: 2013-11406
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received an application from Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. (Shell) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment only, incidental to a marine surveys program in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, during the open water season of 2013. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Shell to take, by Level B harassment, 13 species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Texas Closure
Document Number: 2013-11403
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces an adjustment to the start of the annual closure of the shrimp fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Texas. The closure is normally from May 15 to July 15 each year. For 2013, the closure will begin on May 23. The Texas closure is intended to prohibit the harvest of brown shrimp during the major period of emigration of these shrimp from Texas estuaries to the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) so the shrimp may reach a larger, more valuable size and to prevent the waste of brown shrimp that would be discarded in fishing operations because of their small size.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2013-11311
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2013 total allowable catch of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2013-11288
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) intends to prepare a DEIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 39). The purpose of this NOI is to inform the public of upcoming opportunities to provide comments on the actions to be addressed in the DEIS, as specified in this notice.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-11266
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 36 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of snowy grouper will consist of a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11155
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Committee on May 29, 2013 and May 30, 2013 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
Document Number: 2013-11151
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Standing, Special Mackerel and Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-11150
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Observer Advisory Committee (OAC) will meet in Juneau, AK.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-11149
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, June 3-11, 2013 at the Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, AK.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11083
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-10
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 37
Document Number: 2013-11072
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement management measures for gray triggerfish described in Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule revises the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs) for gray triggerfish; revises the recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray triggerfish; revises the gray triggerfish recreational bag limit; establishes a commercial trip limit for gray triggerfish; and establishes a fixed closed season for the gray triggerfish commercial and recreational sectors. Additionally, Amendment 37 modifies the gray triggerfish rebuilding plan. The purpose of Amendment 37 and this final rule is to end overfishing of gray triggerfish and help achieve optimum yield (OY) for the gray triggerfish resource in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2013-11040
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Council's Mackerel-Squid-Butterfish (MSB) Monitoring Committee will meet twice to develop recommendations for 2014 MSB specifications. The first meeting will be in Gloucester, MA and the second will be via webinar.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-11039
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Enforcement Consultants (EC) will hold an online webinar, which is open to the public.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Developing Social Wellbeing Indicators for Marine Management
Document Number: 2013-11011
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-09
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; Green Sturgeon Endangered Species Act Take Exceptions and Exemptions
Document Number: 2013-11010
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-09
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 the continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection-Renewal; Comment Request; Educational Partnership Program (EPP) and Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Document Number: 2013-11009
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery and Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 24 and Framework Adjustment 49
Document Number: 2013-10937
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-09
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 24 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Framework 24) and Framework Adjustment 49 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Framework 49), which the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. Framework 24 sets specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for the 2013 fishing year, including days-at-sea allocations, individual fishing quotas, and sea scallop access area trip allocations. This action also sets default fishing year 2014 specifications, in case the New England Fishery Management Council delays the development of the next framework, resulting in implementation after the March 1, 2014, start of the 2014 fishing year, and transitional measures are needed. In addition, Framework 24 adjusts the Georges Bank scallop access area seasonal closure schedules, and because that changes exemptions to areas closed to fishing specified in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, Framework 24 must be a joint action with that plan (Framework 49). Framework 24 also continues the closures of the Delmarva and Elephant Trunk scallop access areas, refines the management of yellowtail flounder accountability measures in the scallop fishery, makes adjustments to the industry-funded observer program, and provides more flexibility in the management of the individual fishing quota program.
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; Correcting Amendment
Document Number: 2013-10933
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action corrects the text of a final rule published on March 15, 2013, that implemented annual management measures governing the Pacific halibut fishery. This final rule established season dates off of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. This action is necessary to correct an error in the days of the week listed for the fishing season in the area from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2013-10931
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit to three large medium or giant BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2013. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to Atlantic tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT.
Taking of Threatened or Endangered Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Issuance of Permit
Document Number: 2013-10913
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS plans to issue a permit for a period of three years to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, taking of three stocks of marine mammals listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the California (CA) thresher shark/ swordfish drift gillnet (DGN) fishery (>=14 inch mesh) and the Washington/Oregon/California (WA/OR/CA) sablefish pot fishery. In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS has made a preliminary determination that incidental taking from commercial fishing will have a negligible impact on the endangered fin whale, CA/ OR/WA stock; humpback whale, CA/OR/WA stock; and sperm whale, CA/OR/WA stock. Recovery plans have been completed for these endangered species. This authorization is based on a determination that this incidental take will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal stocks. NMFS must issue this permit provided that we can make the determinations that: the incidental take will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal stocks; a recovery plan for all affected stocks of threatened or endangered marine mammals has been developed or is being developed; and as required by the MMPA, a take reduction plan and monitoring program have been implemented and vessels in the CA thresher shark/swordfish DGN fishery (>=14 inch mesh) and WA/OR/CA sablefish pot fishery are registered. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft negligible impact determination and on the proposal to issue a permit to these fisheries for the taking of affected threatened or endangered stocks of marine mammals.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Regulatory Amendment 18
Document Number: 2013-10804
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-05-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 18 (Regulatory Amendment 18) to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would update the annual catch limits (ACLs) for vermilion snapper and red porgy, modify the vermilion snapper commercial trip limit, and remove the recreational 5-month seasonal closure for vermilion snapper. The purpose of this rule is to help achieve optimum yield (OY) for snapper-grouper resources in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Notice To Extend the Deadline for Applications for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB)
Document Number: 2013-10828
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OAR publishes this notice to extend the deadline for persons with appropriate education, interest, and/or experience to submit applications to become a member of the OEAB. The purpose of the OEAB is to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters pertaining to ocean exploration including: The identification of priority areas that warrant exploration; the development and enhancement of technologies for exploring the oceans; managing the data and information; and disseminating the results. The OEAB will also provide advice on the relevance of the program with regard to the NOAA Strategic Plan, the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan, and other relevant guidance documents.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures for the 2013 Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific Whiting
Document Number: 2013-10806
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule for the 2013 Pacific whiting fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006. This final rule establishes the tribal allocation of 63,205 metric tons of Pacific whiting for 2013, and final allocations of Pacific whiting to the non-tribal fishery for 2013.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2013 and 2014 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications
Document Number: 2013-10805
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues final specifications for the 2013 and 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including annual catch limits, total allowable landings, commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits, and a recreational possession limit. This action establishes the allowable 2013 and 2014 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan and the recommendations of the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Exempted Fishery for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery in the Waters East and West of Cape Cod, MA
Document Number: 2013-10803
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This interim final rule modifies the regulations implementing the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to allow vessels fishing with a NE Federal spiny dogfish permit to fish in an area east of Cape Cod, MA (Eastern Exemption Area) with gillnet and longline gear, from June through December and with handgear from June through August, and to fish in Cape Cod Bay (Western Exemption Area) with longline gear and handgear from June through August. This action allows vessels to harvest spiny dogfish in a manner that is consistent with the bycatch reduction objectives of the NE Multispecies FMP.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-10751
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Council will hold public meetings in Narragansett, Rhode Island (RI) and Cape May, New Jersey (NJ) to get public input on potential changes to squid (longfin and Illex) assessment and management.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Northwest Fisheries Science Center; Online Webinar
Document Number: 2013-10750
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) will hold an online Pre-Assessment Workshop webinar to provide an overview of the data sources, data trends and population models that will be used in the upcoming Pacific coast groundfish stock assessments for rougheye rockfish, aurora rockfish, shortspine thornyhead and longspine thornyhead. The online NWFSC Pre-Assessment Workshop webinar is open to the public, although space for online access is limited to the first 25 participants.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2013-10708
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-05-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a webinar to discuss the potential reorganization of stock complexes.
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