National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Draft 2015 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
Document Number: 2015-24762
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2015 SARs.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Southwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Research
Document Number: 2015-24639
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS' Office of Protected Resources, upon request of NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in multiple specified geographical regions, over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24676
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the proposed schedule and agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.
List of Fisheries for 2016
Document Number: 2015-24638
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2016, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2016 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements. In addition, NMFS begins publishing online fact sheets for Category III fisheries.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery and Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic, and Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic
Document Number: 2015-24576
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper- Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to the FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, and Amendment 8 to the FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic; collectively referred to as the Generic Accountability Measures (AM) and Dolphin Allocation Amendment (Generic AM Amendment), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would revise the commercial and recreational AMs for numerous snapper-grouper species and golden crab. This proposed rule would also revise commercial and recreational sector allocations for dolphin in the Atlantic. The proposed actions are intended to make the AMs consistent for snapper- grouper species addressed in this proposed rule and for golden crab, and revise the allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors for dolphin.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures; Correction
Document Number: 2015-24577
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS corrects the final rule that implemented management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), which published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2015. The framework final rule published shortly after the final rule for Amendment 40 to the FMP and not all of the regulatory text implemented by the Amendment 40 final rule was incorporated into the final rule for the framework amendment. Specifically, the express references to the red snapper component quotas, annual catch targets (ACTs), and seasons lengths were left out of the final rule for the framework amendment. The purpose of this correcting amendment is to fix the error by reinstating the omitted regulatory text.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24554
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) will hold a public meeting.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-24542
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-24526
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #30 Through #36
Document Number: 2015-24442
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces seven inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24436
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24435
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a Visioning Workshop in Charleston, SC.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fishery Management Council Freedom of Information Act Requests Regulations; Technical Amendments to Regulations
Document Number: 2015-24364
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is hereby making technical amendments without altering the substance of the regulations governing the operation of Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The intent of this action is to update existing Council regulations to reflect the current procedure for processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests received by Councils. These changes will make our rules more internally consistent and easier to use.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coastal Zone Management Program Administration
Document Number: 2015-24287
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-24
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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-24255
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of its 121st Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), American Samoa Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee (REAC), Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), American Samoa Advisory Panel (AP) and its 164th Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. The Council will also convene meetings of the Pelagic and International Standing Committee, Program Planning and Research Standing Committee, and Executive and Budget Standing Committee.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24254
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific & Statistical 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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-24253
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Guam Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Pier E3 Demolition via Controlled Implosion
Document Number: 2015-24230
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-24
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 California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to take, by harassment, small numbers of four species of marine mammals incidental to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) Pier E3 demolition via controlled implosion in San Francisco Bay (SFB or Bay), between October 1 and December 30, 2015.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Eel Fishery
Document Number: 2015-24203
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Act), NMFS, upon a delegation of authority from the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that the State of Delaware has failed to carry out its responsibilities under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel (Plan) and that the measures Delaware has failed to implement and enforce are necessary for the conservation of the American eel resource. This determination is consistent with the findings of the Commission on August 6, 2015. Pursuant to the Act, a Federal moratorium on fishing, possession, and landing of all American eel is hereby declared and will be effective on March 18, 2016. The moratorium will be withdrawn by NMFS when Delaware is found to have come back into compliance with the Commission's Plan for American Eel.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Economic Expenditure Survey of Golden Crab Fishermen in the U.S. South Atlantic Region
Document Number: 2015-24132
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-23
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Proposed Threatened Status for Island Grouper (Mycteroperca fusca) and Endangered Status for Gulf Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Document Number: 2015-23502
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce 12-month findings and listing determinations on a petition to list the gulf grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) and the island grouper (Mycteroperca fusca) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed comprehensive status reviews for these two marine fish species in response to a petition submitted by WildEarth Guardians. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, we have determined that the gulf grouper is currently in danger of extinction throughout its range and, therefore, meets the definition of an endangered species. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, we have also determined that the island grouper is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but is likely to become so within the foreseeable future. Therefore, we conclude that the island grouper meets the definition of a threatened species. We are soliciting information that may be relevant to inform the final determinations for these two species.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-24025
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear and catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, Amendment 80 (A80) catcher processors (C/Ps), American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl C/Ps, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2015-24014
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of Maine is transferring a portion of its 2015 commercial Atlantic bluefish quota to the State of Rhode Island. These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial quota for each state involved.
Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; 2016 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs; and Suspension of Minimum Atlantic Surfclam Size Limit
Document Number: 2015-24013
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2016 fishing year. NMFS also announces that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2016 will remain status quo. Regulations governing these fisheries require NMFS to notify the public of the allowable harvest levels for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone if the previous year's quota specifications remain unchanged.
Membership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Performance Review Board
Document Number: 2015-23703
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), NOAA announces the appointment of members who will serve on the NOAA Performance Review Board (PRB). The NOAA PRB is responsible for reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Level (SL), and Scientific and Professional (ST) members and making written recommendations to the appointing authority on retention and compensation matters, including performance-based pay adjustments, awarding of bonuses, and reviewing recommendations for potential Presidential Rank Award nominees. The appointment of members to the NOAA PRB will be for a period of two (2) years.
Coral Reef Conservation Program
Document Number: 2015-23643
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). The meeting will be held in Fajardo, Puerto Rico at El Conquistador Resort, 1000 El Conquistador Avenue, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738. The meeting provides a forum for coordinated planning and action among federal agencies, state and territorial governments, and nongovernmental partners. The meeting will be held Thursday, October 29, 2015. Additional workshops, evening events, and field trips will be on either side of the meeting on Tuesday, October 27, Wednesday, October 28, Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31. Registration is requested for all events associated with the meeting. This meeting has time allotted for public comment. All public comments must be submitted in written format. A written summary of the meeting will be posted on the USCRTF Web site within two months of occurrence. For information about the meeting, registering and submitting public comments, go to https://www.coralreef.gov. Commenters may address the meeting, the role of the USCRTF, or general coral reef conservation issues. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request that the USCRTF withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Established by Presidential Executive Order 13089 in 1998, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force mission is to lead, coordinate and strengthen U.S. government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. Co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and Interior, Task Force members include leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories and three freely associated states.
Fisheries of the U.S. Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-23626
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 46 assessment of Caribbean Data-limited Species will consist of one in-person workshop and a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-23625
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting Mid-Atlantic fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Adjustment to the 2015 Winter II Quota
Document Number: 2015-23622
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS adjusts the 2015 Winter II commercial scup quota. This action complies with Framework Adjustment 3 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, which established a process to allow the rollover of unused commercial scup quota from the Winter I period to the Winter II period.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper
Document Number: 2015-23616
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings for vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the July through December 2015 period on September 22, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on September 22, 2015, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on January 1, 2016. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.
Notice of Federal Consistency Appeal to the Objection of a Proposed Project in Guánica, Puerto Rico
Document Number: 2015-23610
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This announcement provides public notice that Louis Charles Rose (Appellant) has filed an administrative appeal under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq. asking the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to override an objection by the Puerto Rico Planning Board (Board) to the proposed construction of a private deck in Gu[aacute]nica, Puerto Rico.
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2015 Recreational Accountability Measures and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack
Document Number: 2015-23605
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the greater amberjack recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf greater amberjack will be reached by September 27, 2015. Therefore, NMFS is closing the recreational sector for greater amberjack in the Gulf EEZ on September 28, 2015. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf greater amberjack resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Snowy Grouper
Document Number: 2015-23604
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial snowy grouper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings for snowy grouper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) (equivalent to the commercial quota) by September 22, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ on September 22, 2015, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on January 1, 2016. This closure is necessary to protect the snowy grouper resource.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery and Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the State of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2015-23598
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the 2015 commercial bluefish and summer flounder quota allocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. Vessels issued commercial Federal fisheries permits for these fisheries may not land bluefish or summer flounder in Massachusetts for the remainder of calendar year 2015, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing these fisheries require publication of this notice to advise Massachusetts that the quota has been harvested, and to advise Federal vessel and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available to land bluefish or summer flounder in Massachusetts.
Notice of Availability of Community-Based Restoration Program Guidelines
Document Number: 2015-23503
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking comment on revised guidelines for the Community-based Restoration Program (Program). Since guidelines were first issued in 2000, the Program has not only evolved alongside the field of habitat restoration but has been designed to more effectively support sustainable fisheries and contribute to the recovery and conservation of protected resources. These goals are aligned with NMFS' core mandates, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Endangered Species Act. The Program has built a strong foundation of technical and financial assistance capabilities that enables NOAA to proactively identify and develop priority habitat restoration projects, build community-based partnerships to leverage resources, and implement technically sound restoration actions that have maximum impact on coastal and marine species and the ecosystems on which they depend. This document replaces previous guidelines and describes the Program's goals and scope of implementation for FY 2016 and beyond. This is not a solicitation of project proposals.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-23461
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-23460
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
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 workshop and webinars: Data Workshops; an Assessment Workshop and webinars; and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2015-23459
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet Monday, October 5, 2015, through Tuesday, October 13, 2015.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2015-23454
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received six scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-23451
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2015-23450
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Establish a Single Small Business Size Standard for Commercial Fishing Businesses
Document Number: 2015-23375
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to establish a small business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all businesses in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 11411), for Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only. The proposed $11 million standard would be used in RFA analyses in place of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) current standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing industry, respectively. Establishing a single size standard of $11 million for the commercial fishing industry would simplify the RFA analyses done in support of NMFS' rules, better meet the RFA's intent by more accurately representing expected disproportionate effects of NMFS' rules between small and large businesses, create a standard that more accurately reflects the size distribution of all businesses in the commercial fishing industry, and allow NMFS to determine when changes to the standard are necessary and appropriate.
Initiation of Review of Management Plan and Regulations of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; Intent To Conduct Scoping and Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan; Correction
Document Number: 2015-23417
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On August 27, 2015, NOAA published a notice of intent in the Federal Register (80 FR 51973) to initiate public scoping for the management plan review for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). This notice alerts the public of the addition of a public scoping meeting in Half Moon Bay on October 14, 2015. It also makes a correction to the docket number for submission of public comments on the online rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. The correct docket number is NOAA-NOS-2015-0099. The end of the scoping period remains October 30, 2015.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Greater Amberjack Management Measures
Document Number: 2015-23347
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this action would revise the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs), the commercial trip limit, and the recreational minimum size limit for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone. Additionally, this rule would correct an error in the Gulf gray triggerfish recreational accountability measures (AMs). The purpose of this rule is to modify Gulf greater amberjack management measures to end overfishing and achieve optimal yield for the greater amberjack resource.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States and Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Amendments 7/33
Document Number: 2015-23339
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States (Dolphin and Wahoo FMP) and Amendment 33 to the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP) (Amendments 7/33) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendments 7/33 propose actions to revise the landing fish intact provisions for vessels that lawfully harvest dolphin, wahoo, or snapper-grouper in or from Bahamian waters and return to the U.S exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The U.S. EEZ as described in this document refers to the Atlantic EEZ for dolphin and wahoo and the South Atlantic EEZ for snapper-grouper. The purpose of Amendments 7/33 is to improve the consistency and enforceability of Federal regulations with regards to landing fish intact and to increase the social and economic benefits related to the recreational harvest of these species.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Vessel Monitoring System Requirements Under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention
Document Number: 2015-23337
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-17
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; Mail Survey To Collect Economic Data From Federal Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic For-Hire Permit Holders
Document Number: 2015-23336
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-17
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.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2015-23335
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Center for Independent Experts will meet to review methods for reviewing modified integrated assessments (based on catch-MSY model) for data-poor stocks.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2015-23277
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action increases the trip limit for Gulf of Maine cod for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2015 fishing year. The regulations authorize the Regional Administrator to adjust the trip limits for common pool vessels in order to facilitate harvest of, or prevent exceeding, the pertinent common pool quotas during the fishing year. 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2015-23276
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused Community Development Quota (CDQ) for CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
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