National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-11287
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-11284
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint public meeting of its Whiting Committee and Advisory Panel on June 14, 2017, 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 Meetings
Document Number: 2017-11283
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 126th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting, Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee (FDCRC) and its 170th Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole for Vessels Participating in the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-11197
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2017 allocation of yellowfin sole total allowable catch for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area to General Category Individual Fishing Quota Scallop Vessels
Document Number: 2017-11180
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area will close to Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year as of the effective date below. No vessel issued a Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops from the Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area. Regulations require this action once it is projected that 100 percent of trips allocated to the Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota scallop vessels for the Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area will be taken.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines
Document Number: 2017-11157
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are proposing to revise the Recovery Plan Preparation and Implementation Priorities and Recovery Plans contained in the 1990 Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines. We propose to revise the guidelines to better prioritize limited agency resources to advance the recovery of threatened and endangered species guided by the immediacy of the species' overall extinction risk, extent of information regarding major threats, and certainty that management or protective actions can be implemented successfully. We are not proposing changes to the Listing, Reclassification, and Delisting Priorities contained in the 1990 Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines. We have found those guidelines to be sufficient in prioritizing listing actions and thus do not warrant a revision at this time.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs
Document Number: 2017-11135
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management is soliciting comments on the performance evaluation of the Washington Coastal Management Program. The Office for Coastal Management will hold a public meeting to solicit comments, and will also accept written comments as part of the evaluation of the Washington Coastal Management Plan.
Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing-Acoustic Threshold Levels for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts
Document Number: 2017-11035
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) seeks public comment to assist the Secretary of Commerce's review of NMFS' August 2016 Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing: Underwater Acoustic Thresholds for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts (Technical Guidance), pursuant to section 10 of Presidential Executive Order (EO) 13795, Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy (April 28, 2017).
Capital Construction Fund; Fishing Vessel Capital Construction Fund Procedures
Document Number: 2017-11083
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS hereby amends the Capital Construction Fund (CCF) regulations to eliminate provisions that no longer meet the needs of CCF participants, and to simplify and clarify the regulations to better implement the purposes of the underlying statute. These amendments eliminate the minimum cost for reconstruction projects, requirements for minimum annual deposits and the requirement that any vessel acquired with CCF funds must be reconstructed, regardless of vessel condition. The new regulations also prohibit withdrawals of funds under the CCF program (program) for projects that increase harvesting capacity, unless the project is subject to a limited access system in which the fisheries management authority establishes harvesting limits.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; American Plaice Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
Document Number: 2017-11058
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action closes the American Plaice Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool vessels fishing with trawl gear for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2017. The closure is required by regulation because the common pool fishery has caught 90 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for American plaice. This closure is intended to prevent an overage of the common pool's quota for this stock.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area
Document Number: 2017-11037
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, and implementing regulations, notice is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals incidental to Navy training activities conducted in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Temporary Maritime Activities Area (Study Area). These activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (NDAA).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Gull Monitoring and Research in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, 2017
Document Number: 2017-11036
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-30
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 the NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the National Park Service (NPS) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during gull monitoring and research activities in Glacier Bay National Park (Glacier Bay NP) from May through September, 2017.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications
Document Number: 2017-11031
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-05-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement annual management measures and harvest specifications to establish the allowable catch levels (i.e., annual catch limit (ACL)/harvest guideline (HG)) for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the Pacific coast for the fishing season of July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. This rule is proposed according to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The proposed action would prohibit directed non- tribal Pacific sardine commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, which is required because the estimated 2017 biomass of Pacific sardine has dropped below the biomass threshold specified in the HG control rule. Under the proposed action, Pacific sardine may still be harvested as part of either the live bait or tribal fishery, or as incidental catch in other fisheries; the incidental harvest of Pacific sardine would initially be limited to 40-percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other CPS or up to 2 metric tons (mt) when caught with non-CPS. The proposed annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2017-2018 Pacific sardine fishing year is 8,000 mt. This proposed rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-10861
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused yellowfin sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2017 total allowable catch of rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2017-10827
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
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.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10799
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) will hold a meeting.
Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2017-10798
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of two meetings of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Processed Products Family of Forms
Document Number: 2017-10787
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10778
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10775
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate Advisory Panel 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: 2017-10774
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee (NCFAC) to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Meeting of the Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2017-10732
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-25
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's (MAFAC's) Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force (CBP Task Force). The CBP Task Force will discuss the issues outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.
Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision
Document Number: 2017-10708
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), notice is hereby given that the Deepwater Horizon Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group (Alabama TIG) have issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan I and Final Environmental Impact Statement: Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities (Final RP/EIS). The ROD sets forth the basis for the Alabama TIG's decision to select Alternatives 1: Gulf State Park Lodge and Associated Public Access Amenities Project, 2: Fort Morgan Pier Rehabilitation, 5: Laguna Cove Little Lagoon Natural Resource Protection, 6: Bayfront Park Restoration and Improvement [E & D only], 7: Dauphin Island Eco-Tourism and Environmental Education Area, and 9: Mid-Island Parks and Public Beach Improvements [Parcels B & C].
Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017-18 Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measures; Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish
Document Number: 2017-10704
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to specify an annual catch limit (ACL) of 306,000 lb for Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for the 2017-18 fishing year, which will begin on September 1, 2017, and end on August 31, 2018. If NMFS projects that the fishery will reach the ACL, NMFS would close the commercial and non- commercial fisheries for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish for the remainder of the fishing year as an accountability measure (AM). The proposed ACL and AM support the long-term sustainability of Hawaii bottomfish.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2017; Recreational Management Measures
Document Number: 2017-10703
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to modify recreational management measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock for the 2017 fishing year. This action proposes to prohibit recreational possession of cod, reduce the haddock bag limit, and implement a new closed season for haddock in the fall. The intended effect of this action is to reduce catch of cod and haddock. This action is necessary to ensure fishing year 2017 recreational catch limits are not exceeded.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Black Sea Bass Fishery; Revised 2017 and Projected 2018 Specifications
Document Number: 2017-10693
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In this rule, NMFS issues revised final 2017 and projected 2018 specifications, and removes a previously implemented commercial fishery accountability measure for the 2017 black sea bass fishery. These actions are necessary to comply with regulations implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, and to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The intended effect of this rule is to revise 2017 black sea bass catch limits to afford more opportunity to obtain optimum yield and to inform the public of projected changes to 2018 catch limits.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2017-10658
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt a commercial fishing vessel from Atlantic sea scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10610
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish 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: 2017-10609
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Recreational Advisory Panel 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 Northeastern United States; Regulatory Omnibus Framework Adjustment To Modify Reporting Requirements for Electronic Vessel Trip Reports by Federally Permitted Party and Charter Vessel Operators in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Document Number: 2017-10591
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Omnibus Electronic Vessel Trip Report Framework proposes management measures to increase the timeliness, accuracy, and quality of fisheries data submitted to NMFS while also reducing the burden on the charter and party fishing fleets. The electronic vessel trip report Framework would implement a requirement for charter and party vessels that hold a permit to fish for Atlantic bluefish, black sea bass, scup, summer flounder, tilefish, squid, Atlantic mackerel, and/or butterfish, while on a trip carrying passengers for hire, to submit required VTRs by electronic means. These proposed measures are intended to improve the timeliness and accuracy of charter and party vessel trip reporting.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Dock Replacement Project in Unalaska, Alaska
Document Number: 2017-10536
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the City of Unalaska (COU) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with a dock expansion project at the existing Unalaska Marine Center (UMC) Dock in Unalaska, Alaska.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-10528
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2017 sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10507
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-23
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) to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10489
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the: Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee (Closed Session); Advisory Panel Selection Committee (Partially Closed); Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee (Partially Closed); Spiny Lobster Committee; Highly Migratory Species Committee, Law Enforcement Committee (Partially Closed); Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; Citizen Science Committee (Partially Closed); Mackerel Cobia Committee; Data Collection Committee; and Executive Finance Committee. There will also be a Workshop for Improving Survival of Released Fish during the meeting week and a meeting of the full Council. The Council will take action as necessary. The Council will also hold a formal public comment session.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-10330
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold public meetings.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10329
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council and its Committees.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Correction
Document Number: 2017-10328
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish Advisory Panel 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.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-10293
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-10292
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-10291
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; 2016-2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for King Mackerel in Western Zone of the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2017-10251
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf EEZ will be reached by May 21, 2017. Therefore, NMFS closes the western zone of the Gulf EEZ to commercial king mackerel fishing on May 21, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals on the Pribilof Islands; Summary of Fur Seal Harvests for 2014-2016 and Proposed Annual Subsistence Harvest Needs for 2017-2019
Document Number: 2017-10089
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-05-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the regulations governing the subsistence taking of North Pacific fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) (northern fur seals), this document summarizes the annual fur seal subsistence harvests on St. George and St. Paul Islands (the Pribilof Islands) in Alaska for 2014-2016 and proposes annual estimates of northern fur seal subsistence harvest on the Pribilof Islands for 2017-2019. The proposed number of fur seals expected to satisfy the subsistence requirements of Alaska Natives residing on the Pribilof Islands (Pribilovians) during the years 2017-2019 is 300 to 500 for St. George and 1,645 to 2,000 for St. Paul. These harvest levels are unchanged from the levels established for 2014-2016. NMFS solicits public comments on the proposed subsistence harvest needs for 2017-2019.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10041
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-18
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).
Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Texas Trustee Implementation Group Draft 2017 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; and Oysters
Document Number: 2017-10008
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and a Consent Decree with BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BP),\1\ the Deepwater Horizon Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Texas Trustee Implementation Group (Texas TIG) have prepared a Draft 2017 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; and Oysters (Draft RP/EA). The Draft RP/EA describes and proposes restoration project alternatives considered by the Texas TIG to restore natural resources and ecological services injured or lost as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Texas TIG evaluated these alternatives under criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment regulations, and also evaluated the environmental consequences of the restoration alternatives in accordance with NEPA. The proposed projects are consistent with the restoration alternatives selected in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Final Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan/Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PDARP/PEIS). The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Draft RP/EA and to seek public comments on the document.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2017-10005
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2017 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2017-10006
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit from the default limit of one large medium or giant BFT to four large medium or giant BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2017. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper
Document Number: 2017-09999
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial landings of vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January through June 2017 fishing season by May 17, 2017. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on May 17, 2017, and it will remain closed until July 1, 2017, the start of the July through December commercial fishing season. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.
Endangered Species; File No. 21088
Document Number: 2017-09904
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received an application for an enhancement of survival permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and a request for entry into an associated Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the applicant and NMFS. The proposed enhancement of survival permit and Agreement are intended to promote the survival and recovery of the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), which is listed as threatened under the ESA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2017-09995
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2017 groundfish total allowable catch specified for the species comprising the deep- water species category in the GOA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 20605
Document Number: 2017-09898
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Robin Baird, Ph.D., Cascadia Research Collective, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
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