National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Breakwater Replacement Project in Eastport, Maine
Document Number: 2014-18045
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from the Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to in-water construction activities in Eastport, Maine. 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 Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Monitoring and Enforcement; At-Sea Scales Requirements
Document Number: 2014-18029
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues a proposed rule to revise the at-sea scales program for catcher/processor vessels (C/Ps) and motherships that are required to weigh catch at sea. This action would make three major changes to current regulations. First, this action would change regulations to enhance daily scale testing and require electronic reporting of daily scale test results. Second, this action would require that scales used to weigh catch have electronics capable of logging and printing the frequency and magnitude of scale calibrations, as well as the time and date of each scale fault and scale startup. Third, this action would require that the scale and the area around the scale be monitored using video. Finally, this action would revise technical regulations that are no longer applicable. This action is being proposed to reduce the possibility of scale tampering and to improve the accuracy of catch estimation by the C/P and mothership sector. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment
Document Number: 2014-18026
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Framework Amendment), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this rule would modify the annual catch limits (ACLs) for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) migratory group Spanish mackerel and modify the recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel, based on the results of the most recent stock assessments for Gulf and Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. The Framework Amendment would also update the optimum yield (OY) for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. The purpose of this rule is to ensure ACLs are based on the best scientific information available and to ensure overfishing does not occur for the Spanish mackerel resource.
Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud
Document Number: 2014-18024
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.'' Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce and made up of a broad range of other federal agencies. The Task Force is directed to report to the President within 180 days with ``recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.'' The public meetings and request for comments initiates a public engagement process aimed at gaining broad input and expertise from key stakeholders and interest groups to inform and advise the Task Force in developing recommendations in compliance with the Memorandum.
Administrative Updates to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Regulations
Document Number: 2014-18005
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This final rule makes administrative and procedural changes to the applicable regulations with corrected addresses and fax numbers because the offices of Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea Marine National Monument have moved.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2014-18000
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes a notification of a 0.65-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 2014/2015 crab fishing year so they can calculate the required payment for cost recovery fees that must be submitted by July 31, 2015.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Offshore North Carolina, September to October 2014
Document Number: 2014-17998
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Lamont-Doherty) in collaboration with the National Science Foundation (Foundation), for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (Authorization) to take marine mammals, by harassment incidental to conducting a marine geophysical (seismic) survey in the northwest Atlantic Ocean off the North Carolina coast from September through October, 2014. The proposed dates for this action would be September 15, 2014 through October 31, 2014, to account for minor deviations due to logistics and weather. In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, we are requesting comments on our proposal to issue an Authorization to Lamont-Doherty to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, 24 species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fisheries Management Plan; Northern Red Hake Quota Harvested
Document Number: 2014-17999
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Beginning August 5, 2014, the northern red hake possession limit is reduced to the incidental possession limit for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter Permits
Document Number: 2014-17888
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-30
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; Alaska Rockfish Program: Permits and Reports
Document Number: 2014-17887
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-30
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 South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17700
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 41 assessments of the South Atlantic stocks of red snapper and gray triggerfish will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: A Data Workshop; an Assessment Workshop; and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17699
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Observer Policy 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Program
Document Number: 2014-17658
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes regulations to amend the hired master provisions of the Individual Fishing Quota Program (IFQ Program) for the fixed-gear commercial Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The IFQ Program allows initial recipients of catcher vessel halibut and sablefish quota share (QS) to hire a vessel master to harvest an annual allocation of individual fishing quota (IFQ) derived from the QS. This rule prohibits an initial QS recipient from using a hired master to harvest IFQ derived from catcher vessel QS received by transfer after February 12, 2010, with a limited exception for small amounts of QS. This final rule is necessary to maintain progress toward a predominantly owner-onboard fishery. In addition, this action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA, and other applicable laws.
Endangered Species; File No. 18102
Document Number: 2014-17645
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has been issued a permit for the incidental take of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) associated with the otherwise lawful commercial inshore gillnet fishery in North Carolina.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Closure
Document Number: 2014-17644
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are immediately closing the Pacific loggerhead conservation area, prohibiting fishing with large mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (>14 in mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120[deg] West meridian through August 31, 2014. This prohibition is based on the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries' (AA) determination that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions are occurring off the coast of southern California. This action protects Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment. Large mesh DGN fishing vessels must cease fishing east of 120[deg] west on publication of this document.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications
Document Number: 2014-17631
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to implement the annual catch limit (ACL), and associated annual reference points for Pacific sardine in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Pacific coast for the fishing season of July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. The 2014-2015 ACL for Pacific sardine is 23,293 metric tons (mt). The initial overall commercial fishing target that is to be allocated across the three allocation periods for sardine management is 19,293 mt. This amount will be divided across the three seasonal allocation periods for the directed fishery the following way: July 1-September 147,718 mt; September 15-December 314,823 mt; and January 1-June 306,752 mt, with an incidental set-aside of 500 mt for each of the three periods. These specifications were determined according to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast. This rule also announces that the directed fishing harvest total for the first allocation period (July 1-September 14) has been reached and therefore directed fishing for Pacific sardine is now closed until September 15, 2014.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska
Document Number: 2014-17630
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) to take two species of pinnipeds incidental to space vehicle and missile launch operations at the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC) in Kodiak, Alaska.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Commercial Blacknose Sharks and Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks (SCS) in the Atlantic Region
Document Number: 2014-17629
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the fisheries for commercial blacknose sharks and non-blacknose SCS in the Atlantic region. This action is necessary because the commercial landings of Atlantic blacknose sharks for the 2014 fishing season has exceeded 80 percent of the available commercial quota as of July 22, 2014.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Document Number: 2014-17579
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17559
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Penaeid Shrimp Workshop Group via conference call.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17558
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) ad hoc Lower Columbia River Natural Coho Workgroup (LRC Workgroup) will hold a public work session August 14, 2014 at the Pacific Council office in Portland, OR. The meeting is open to the public, but is not intended as a public hearing. Public comments will be taken at the discretion of the LRC Workgroup chair as time allows.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2014-17556
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 96 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) for review by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). Amendment 96 would revise the sablefish individual fishing quota program (IFQ Program) to allow Gulf of Alaska Community Quota Entities (CQEs) to transfer and hold small blocks of sablefish quota share (QS). Amendment 96 would allow CQEs to acquire additional QS and facilitate sustained participation by CQE community residents in the IFQ Program. This action is necessary to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Program and National Estuarine Research Reserves
Document Number: 2014-17539
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Indiana Coastal Management Program, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia. The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluations will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, Subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal management program implementation. Evaluation of a Coastal Management Program requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. The National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation will be conducted pursuant to sections 312 and 315 of the CZMA and regulations at 15 CFR part 921, subpart E and part 923, subpart L. Evaluation of a National Estuarine Research Reserve requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Reserve final management plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. The evaluations will include a public meeting, consideration of written public comments and consultations with interested Federal, state, and local agencies and members of the public. When the evaluation is completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings. Notice is hereby given of the date, local time, and location of the public meeting.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2014
Document Number: 2014-17538
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to revise the 2014 limit on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ) and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20[deg] N. and 20[deg] S. in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). The total limit for 2014 would be revised from 2,588 fishing days to 1,828 fishing days. This action is necessary for the United States to implement provisions of a conservation and management measure (CMM) adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) and to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention, to which it is a Contracting Party.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for the Northern Mariana Islands
Document Number: 2014-17537
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery
Document Number: 2014-17533
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Based on Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommendations, we publish this proposed rule to request public comment on potential changes to Federal American lobster regulations for Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5, including trap reductions in Areas 2 and 3, and broodstock measures is Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5. The proposed measures aim to reduce fishing exploitation and reduce latent effort in the trap fishery to scale the fishery to the size of the Southern New England lobster stock. This action is necessary to ensure fishery regulations for the lobster fishery in Federal waters remain consistent with the intent of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.
Marine Mammals; File No. 17344
Document Number: 2014-17525
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Samuel Wasser, Ph.D., University of Washington, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 351800, Seattle, WA 98195 to conduct research on killer whales (Orcinus orca).
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Mukilteo Ferry Terminal Construction Work
Document Number: 2014-17524
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take, by harassment, small numbers of eight species of marine mammals incidental to construction activities at the Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal in Mukilteo, Snohomish County, Washington, between September 2014 and August 2015.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Wharf Construction Project
Document Number: 2014-17451
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, five species of marine mammals during construction activities associated with a wharf construction project in Hood Canal, Washington.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Reconstruction Project
Document Number: 2014-17446
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Port of Friday Harbor, WA (Port) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities as part of a marina reconstruction project. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Port to incidentally take marine mammals, by Level B Harassment only, during the specified activity.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-17432
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Document Number: 2014-17431
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of, and request public comment on, a petition for rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a non-governmental organization, has petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations to prohibit fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna and to identify specific reference points used to determine if overfishing is occurring or if the stock is overfished. The petition asserts that Pacific bluefin tuna are not adequately protected under the existing Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The petition also states that more robust international actions are necessary for ending overfishing of the stock. The petition seeks that NMFS take action to amend the HMS FMP and its implementing regulations for addressing domestic fishing on Pacific bluefin tuna. The petitioner also requests that NMFS develop recommendations to the Secretary of State to end overfishing of Pacific bluefin tuna at the international level, which would not be a rulemaking action.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17430
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Research Steering Committee.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17429
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 150th meeting.
Permanent Advisory Committee to Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Meeting Announcement
Document Number: 2014-17421
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces a meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on October 6-October 7, 2014. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of the 2014 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery Categories
Document Number: 2014-17416
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reapportioning the seasonal apportionments of the 2014 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories in the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to account for the actual halibut PSC use by the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories from May 15 through June 30, 2014. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-17393
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public hearings and scoping meetings in August. Public hearings will be held for the Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment, Amendment 32 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) addressing blueline tilefish management measures, Regulatory Amendment 20 to the Snapper Grouper FMP addressing snowy grouper measures, South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Framework Amendment 2 addressing measures for Atlantic Spanish mackerel, Amendment 7 to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP and Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper FMP. The latter amendments address management measures for fillets to be transported from The Bahamas into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Public scoping will be held on Amendment 35 to the Snapper Grouper FMP (species removal) and Amendment 36 to the Snapper Grouper FMP (Spawning Special Management Zones). See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Marine Mammals; Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals; St. George Island, Alaska
Document Number: 2014-17373
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to modify the subsistence harvest regulations for the Eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) based on a petition from the Pribilof Island Aleut Community of St. George Island, Traditional Council (Council). NMFS worked with the Council to develop this proposed rule, which would authorize Pribilovians of St. George Island to harvest up to 150 male young of the year fur seals annually during a new autumn harvest season from all breeding and hauling grounds, consistent with traditional practices, to meet the community's nutritional and cultural needs. Harvests of sub- adult male fur seals would continue during the summer season, as allowed under existing regulations. The total number of fur seals harvested annually would remain within the range of 300-500 male animals that has been in place since 1997. Harvests would be coordinated between NMFS and the Council under an existing co- management agreement.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment and Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2014-17287
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action increases the trip limit for Southern New England/ Mid-Atlantic winter flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year and closes the Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2014. Increasing the trip limit is intended to provide additional fishing opportunities and help allow the common pool fishery to catch its allowable quota for this stock. The closure is required because the common pool fishery has caught more than 90 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for Gulf of Maine cod. This closure is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool's allocation this stock.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2014-17088
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Standing, Special Reef Fish and Special Shrimp Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17026
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public hearings for Sector SeparationAmendment 40.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-17024
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans
Document Number: 2014-17023
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce that the Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan for Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Proposed Plan) is available for public review and comment. The Proposed Plan addresses the Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Onchorhynchus nerka) evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) listed as endangered under the ESA. The geographic area covered by the Proposed Plan is the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho including the Upper Salmon River and its tributaries, Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, Yellowbelly Lake, Pettit Lake, and Alturas Lake. As required under the ESA, the Proposed Plan contains objective, measurable delisting criteria, site-specific management actions necessary to achieve the Proposed Plan's goals, and estimates of the time and costs required to implement recovery actions. We are soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Proposed Plan.
National Sea Grant Advisory Board
Document Number: 2014-17062
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board (Board). Board members will discuss and provide advice on the National Sea Grant College Program in the areas of program evaluation, strategic planning, education and extension, science and technology programs, and other matters as described in the Agenda below.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2014-16993
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are considering issuing an Exempted Fishing Permit to allow the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation to continue to explore the use of several data recording devices in an industry-based study that would effectively relay more accurate, detailed, and timely American lobster data to fisheries managers and scientists. The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation is also proposing to use vent-less traps in order to determine the abundance and distribution of juvenile American lobsters in Lobster Management Areas 2 and 3. The Exempted Fishing Permit renewal application is complete and further consideration of the application is warranted per Sec. 600.745, and the activities authorized under the Exempted Fishing Permit would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for American lobster. 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.
Endangered Species; File No. 18528
Document Number: 2014-16970
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070 has been issued a permit to take Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) for purposes of scientific research.
Marine Mammals; File No. 932-1905/MA-009526
Document Number: 2014-16969
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP), Silver Spring, MD (Responsible Party, Teri Rowles, Ph.D., D.V.M.) has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research and Enhancement Permit No. 932-1905/MA-009562.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 8
Document Number: 2014-16959
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS approves and implements measures included in Framework Adjustment 8 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action increases monkfish day-at-sea allocations and landing limits, allows vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category H permit to fish throughout the Southern Fishery Management Area, and enables vessels to use an allocated monkfish-only day-at-sea at any time throughout the fishing year. It also revises biological reference points for the monkfish stocks in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas based on an updated stock assessment. The approved measures are intended to increase monkfish landings and better achieve optimum yield in each fishery management area, increase operational flexibility to maximize the value of available fishing opportunities, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Endangered Species; File Nos. 18069 and 14726
Document Number: 2014-16943
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Jeffrey Schmid, Ph.D., Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples, FL 34102 and Blair Witherington, Ph.D., Disney's Animal Kingdom, Animal Programs Administration, P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, have been issued a permit [No. 18069] and a permit modification [No. 14726-02], respectively, to take Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Marine Mammals; File No. 18016
Document Number: 2014-16941
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Tamara McGuire, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc., 2000 W International Airport Rd., Suite C1, Anchorage, AK 99502 to conduct research on Cook Inlet beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).
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