National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 301 - 350 of 1,270
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Statement of Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils
Document Number: 2016-24193
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-06
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; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-24185
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-24182
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of the 2016 Atka mackerel incidental catch allowance (ICA) for the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian district (BS/EAI) to the Amendment 80 cooperative allocations in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Atka mackerel in the BSAI to be fully harvested.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-24172
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-06
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 on Thursday, October 20, 2016 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-24170
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Charter Implementation Committee will meet telephonically on October 24, 2016.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-24116
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-06
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, catcher vessels using trawl gear, and vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, catcher processors (C/Ps) using pot gear, and Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper
Document Number: 2016-24105
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-05
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 of vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the July through December 2016 period on October 11, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on October 11, 2016, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on January 1, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.
Stock Status Determination for Atlantic Dusky Sharks
Document Number: 2016-24077
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that Atlantic dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) are still overfished and subject to overfishing.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Stock Identification Work Group Post-Meeting Webinar for Atlantic Blueline Tilefish
Document Number: 2016-24051
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Atlantic stock(s) of blueline tilefish will be assessed through SEDAR 50. This webinar meeting is being held to provide representatives of the Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC) of the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils an opportunity to review blueline tilefish stock identification recommendations and provide guidance on addressing overlap between the biological stock and Council management boundaries.
Proposed Information Collection-Renewal/Revision; Comment Request; Educational Partnership Program (EPP), Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, Recruitment, Training, and Research Program
Document Number: 2016-24048
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-05
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; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2016-23969
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea (BS) Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Kamchatka flounder, BSAI ``other flatfish,'' BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI skates, BSAI sculpins, and BSAI squids in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.
Marine Mammals; File No. 20452
Document Number: 2016-23933
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that SMRU Consulting North America, LLC, P.O. Box 764, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on harbor porpoises and harbor seals in Admiralty Inlet and the San Juan Islands, Washington.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Announcement of a Recovery Planning Workshop and Request for Information
Document Number: 2016-23857
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are convening a workshop to solicit facts and information from experts to inform recovery planning for the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) insular false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) Distinct Population Segment (DPS). This workshop will be open to the public. We also request information that might inform the development of the recovery plan. On October 2, 2013, we published a Notice of Intent to prepare a Recovery Plan and Request for Information for this DPS. We received seven public comments in response to that notice, which remain relevant and will be considered in the recovery planning process. Because significant time has elapsed since this last request, we are requesting any additional information that has become available in the interim.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23814
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate 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 South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23802
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23801
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Salmon Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee will hold a joint methodology review meeting with the Salmon Technical Team.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23800
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23799
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint public meeting of its Monkfish 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.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applications and Reporting Requirements for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals by Specified Activities (Other Than Commercial Fishing Operations) Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Document Number: 2016-23743
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Pier Construction and Support Facilities Project, Port Angeles, WA
Document Number: 2016-23726
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
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 marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Pier Construction and Support Facilities Project at Port Angeles, WA.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Air Force 86 Fighter Weapons Squadron Conducting Long Range Strike Weapon Systems Evaluation Program at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii
Document Number: 2016-23725
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Air Force 86 Fighter Weapons Squadron (86 FWS) to incidentally harass marine mammals during Long Range Strike Weapons System Evaluation Program (LRS WSEP) activities in the Barking Sands Underwater Range Extension (BSURE) area of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Kauai, Hawaii.
Marine Mammals; File No. 17845
Document Number: 2016-23724
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki Kohola Project, 4945 Coral Way, Oxnard, CA 93035, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 17845.
Marine Mammals; File No. 20481
Document Number: 2016-23723
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-03
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Natural History Unit, 23 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR, United Kingdom, commercial and educational photography on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-23830
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-30
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 2016 total allowable catch of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be reached.
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Document Number: 2016-23709
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the California Pink Shrimp sub-loan in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Capacity Reduction (Buyback) Program has been repaid. Therefore, Buyback fee collections on California Pink Shrimp sub-loan will cease for all landings after August 31, 2016.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23699
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
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).
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2016-23698
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop 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.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Aquaculture
Document Number: 2016-23691
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, in coordination with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, intends to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of a proposed Pacific Islands Region aquaculture management program and alternatives. The PEIS would support offshore aquaculture development, including appropriate management unit species for aquaculture, reasonably foreseeable types of offshore aquaculture operations, and permitting and reporting requirements for persons conducting aquaculture activities in Federal waters.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Amendment 27 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2016-23684
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 27 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) for Secretarial review. Amendment 27 would add deacon rockfish to the FMP, reclassifies big skate as an actively managed stock, add a new inseason management process for commercial and recreational in California, and several clarifications.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2016-23661
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS[supreg]) Advisory Committee (Committee) in Seattle, WA and La Push, WA.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Tidal Marsh Restoration Project
Document Number: 2016-23617
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the California Department of Fish and WildlifeCentral Region (CADFW) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities as part of a tidal marsh restoration project within the Minhoto-Hester Marsh in Elkhorn Slough (Monterey, CA). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the CADFW to incidentally take marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, during the specified activity.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Construction of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Document Number: 2016-23602
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-30
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 California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, seven species of marine mammals during activities associated with the East Span of the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) in the San Francisco Bay (SFB), California.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for South Atlantic Greater Amberjack
Document Number: 2016-23587
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial greater amberjack in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings of greater amberjack will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by October 4, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for greater amberjack in the South Atlantic EEZ on October 4, 2016, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing year on March 1, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Observer Coverage Requirements for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area Trawl Catcher Vessels
Document Number: 2016-23536
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to modify observer coverage requirements for catcher vessels participating in the trawl limited access fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This final rule allows the owner of a trawl catcher vessel to request, on an annual basis, that NMFS place the vessel in the full observer coverage category for all directed fishing for groundfish using trawl gear in the BSAI in the following calendar year. These regulations are necessary to relieve vessel owners who request full observer coverage of the reporting requirements and observer fee liability associated with the partial observer coverage category. Additionally, this final rule makes minor technical corrections to observer program regulations. This final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), and other applicable laws.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Revision of Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual
Document Number: 2016-23600
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the framework procedure for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf FMP), NMFS proposes to make administrative revisions to the Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual (BRD Manual). The BRD Manual contains procedures for the testing and certification of BRDs for use in shrimp trawls in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic. The proposed changes to the BRD Manual remove outdated or obsolete data collection forms currently appended to the BRD Manual and revise the text to make several procedural steps outlined in the BRD Manual clearer and easier to understand. The intended effect of these revisions is to increase understanding of the BRD certification protocols.
Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups
Document Number: 2016-23540
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of Commerce established three independent regional scientific review groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues. NMFS has conducted a membership review of the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is soliciting nominations for new members to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in the areas specified in this notice, be able to conduct thorough scientific reviews of marine mammal science, and be able to fulfill the necessary time commitments associated with a thorough review of documents and to attend one annual meeting.
Marine Mammals; File No. 20599
Document Number: 2016-23532
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla, California, (Responsible Party: George Watters, Ph.D., Director), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the Antarctic.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic Sturgeon; Reopening of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2016-23530
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby reopens the comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for five distinct population segments (DPSs) of Atlantic sturgeon. Critical habitat for the five DPSs was proposed in two separate proposed rules, published on June 3, 2016, with a 90-day comment period.
Fisheries of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR); U.S. Gulf of Mexico Data-Limited Species
Document Number: 2016-23520
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 49 assessment of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Data- Limited Species will consist of a Data Workshop; a series of Assessment Webinars; and a Review Workshop, to view the agenda.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2016-23469
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its approval of a transfer of a portion of the 2016 commercial bluefish quota from the State of North Carolina to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This approval of the transfer complies with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement also informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and Massachusetts.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Pier Replacement Project
Document Number: 2016-23389
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-28
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, marine mammals during construction activities associated with a pier replacement project at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, CA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 15330
Document Number: 2016-23339
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Robin Baird, Ph.D., Cascadia Research, 218\1/2\ W. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 15330.
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals and Dolphin-Safe Tuna Products
Document Number: 2016-23333
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued a determination, under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (DPCIA), of regular and significant mortality and serious injury of dolphins in gillnet fisheries harvesting tuna by vessels flagged under the Governments of India, Iran, Mozambique, Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. This determination triggers additional documentation requirements for tuna product from those fisheries that is exported from or offered for sale in the United States, including that such tuna must be accompanied by a written statement executed by an observer participating in a national or international program acceptable to the Assistant Administrator, in addition to such statement by the captain of the vessel, that certifies that no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which the tuna were caught and certain other required information regarding dolphin interactions and segregation of tuna. These determinations were based on review of scientific information and, when available, documentary evidence submitted by the relevant government.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment on the Issuance of Incidental Take Authorizations in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Document Number: 2016-23327
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service announces: (1) Its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the environmental impacts of issuing annual incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for the taking of marine mammals incidental to anthropogenic activities in the waters of Cook Inlet, Alaska, for the 2017 season; and (2) its intent to continue an annual cycle for issuing MMPA IHAs in Cook Inlet such that companies planning to submit IHA applications for work to be conducted in Cook Inlet in 2017 do so by no later than October 15, 2016. Further, we refer prospective applicants to our new Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/ guidelines.htm), which should be used in the analysis of auditory effects.
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 19436 and 19592
Document Number: 2016-23316
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued to the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Tribal Government, Ecosystem Conservation Office [File No. 19436], 2050 Venia Minor Road, P.O. Box 86, St. Paul Island, AK 99660 [Responsible Party: Pamela Lestenkof], and the St. George Traditional Council, Ecosystem Conservation Office [File No. 19592], P.O. Box 940, St. George Island, Alaska 99591 [Responsible Party: Chris Merculief], to conduct research on and export specimens of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) for scientific research.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle Launch Operations
Document Number: 2016-23257
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting space vehicle launch operations over the course of five years, from February 1, 2017 through January 31, 2022. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the AAC's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the AAC's application and request.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery; Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery; and South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery; Control Date
Document Number: 2016-23226
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule announces the establishment of a control date of June 15, 2016. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) may use this control date if it decides to create restrictions limiting participation in the exclusive economic zone for the Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sectors of the coastal migratory pelagics fishery in the Atlantic, dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, and snapper- grouper fishery in the South Atlantic. Anyone obtaining a Federal for- hire permit for these recreational sectors after the control date will not be assured of future access should a management regime that limits participation in the sector be prepared and implemented. This announcement is intended, in part, to promote awareness of the potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage speculative entry into the Federal for-hire component of the recreational sectors of the Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries, while the Council and NMFS consider whether and how access to these recreational sector components should be managed. NMFS invites comments on the establishment of this control date.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 16
Document Number: 2016-23217
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 16 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council developed Amendment 16 to protect deep-sea corals from the impacts of commercial fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic. Amendment 16 management measures include: A deep-sea coral protection area; a prohibition on the use of bottom- tending commercial fishing gear within the deep-sea coral protection area; an exemption for American lobster and deep-sea red crab pots and traps from the gear prohibition; a vessel monitoring system requirement for limited access Illex squid moratorium permit holders; provisions for vessels transiting through the deep-sea coral area; and expanded framework adjustment provisions for future modifications to the deep- sea coral protection measures. These proposed management measures are intended to protect deep-sea coral and deep-sea coral habitat while promoting the sustainable utilization and conservation of several different marine resources managed under the authority of the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2016-2018 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications; Correction
Document Number: 2016-23216
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action corrects the recreational harvest limit value published in the 2016-2018 Atlantic bluefish specifications final rule, which is effective August 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018. This action is necessary and intended to ensure the correct 2016-2018 bluefish recreational harvest limit values are provided to the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revisions to the Regulations for Petitions
Document Number: 2016-23003
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services), finalize changes to the regulations concerning petitions, to improve the content and specificity of petitions and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the petition process to support species conservation. Our revisions to the regulations clarify and enhance the procedures by which the Services evaluate petitions under section 4(b)(3) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. These revisions will also maximize the efficiency with which the Services process petitions, making the best use of available resources.
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