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

Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-16033
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a meeting, which is open to the public.
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: 2017-16018
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action sets the recreational management measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year. This action prohibits recreational possession of cod, reduces the haddock bag limit, and implements a new closed season for haddock in the fall. The intended effect of this action is to reduce catch of cod and haddock in order to ensure that fishing year 2017 recreational catch limits are not exceeded.
Review of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments Designated or Expanded Since April 28, 2007; Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment
Document Number: 2017-16012
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On June 26, 2017, NOAA published a notice in the Federal Register (82 FR 28827) to request comments to inform the review the Department of Commerce is conducting pursuant to Executive Order 13795Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy, signed on April 28, 2017. The Department of Commerce is conducting a review of all designations and expansions of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments since April 28, 2007. The June 26, 2017, notice provides more information on the scope of the review, including a list of the eleven National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments subject to the review. The Secretary of Commerce will use the review to inform the preparation of a report under Executive Order 13795, Sec. 4(b)(ii). This notice reopens the public comment period by an additional 15 days.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Dismantling of the Original East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Document Number: 2017-15890
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-31
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 California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to take small numbers of six species of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the dismantling of the original East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) in the San Francisco Bay (SFB), California.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Flatfish” in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-15941
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for ``other flatfish'' in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2017 ``other flatfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the BSAI.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15934
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) will hold a meeting via webinar that is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Alaska Plaice in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-15930
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Alaska plaice in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2017 Alaska plaice total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the BSAI.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-15929
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold five meetings of its Citizen Science Advisory Panel Action Teams via webinar.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15927
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 160th meeting.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15926
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public scoping meeting via webinar pertaining to Amendment 31 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The draft amendment includes options to remove Atlantic cobia from the FMP or establish complementary management of Atlantic cobia.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Crab Arbitration
Document Number: 2017-15824
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms
Document Number: 2017-15813
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska License Limitation Program (LLP) for Groundfish, Crab, and Scallops
Document Number: 2017-15812
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Alaska American Fisheries Act Report
Document Number: 2017-15811
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-27
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 Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2017-15803
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce receipt of a permit application (20571) to enhance the propagation and survival of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). Under permit application 20571, the Service is requesting to continue, for the next five years, hatchery and monitoring activities associated with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) and the SJRRP's Salmon Conservation and Research Program. These activities of the SJRRP were previously permitted under permits 14868 and 17781. Under permit application 20571 the Service proposes to collect Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon from Butte Creek to use as broodstock, which was not authorized by the previous permits. As part of this permit application, the Service has submitted an HGMP as an attachment to the application. This notice advises the public that the permit application and associated HGMP are available for review and comment, prior to a determination by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on the issuance of the permit. The permit application, and attached HGMP, may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.c fm.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Dock Modification Project
Document Number: 2017-15659
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to modifying the Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) dock in Sawmill Cove, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Hogfish Management Measures in Amendment 43
Document Number: 2017-15590
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)(FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council)(Amendment 43). This final rule revises the geographic range of the fishery management unit (FMU) for Gulf hogfish (the West Florida stock) consistent with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (South Atlantic Council) boundary between the Florida Keys/East Florida and West Florida stocks, sets the annual catch limit (ACL) for the West Florida stock, increases the minimum size limit for the West Florida stock, and removes the powerhead exception for harvest of hogfish in the Gulf reef fish stressed area. This final rule also corrects a reference in the regulatory definition for charter vessel. The purpose of this final rule is to manage hogfish using the best scientific information available.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Amendment 37
Document Number: 2017-15588
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 37), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). This final rule modifies the fishery management unit (FMU) boundaries for hogfish in the South Atlantic by establishing two hogfish stocks, a Georgia through North Carolina (GA/NC) stock and a Florida Keys/East Florida (FLK/EFL) stock; establishes a rebuilding plan for the FLK/EFL hogfish stock; specifies fishing levels and accountability measures (AMs), and modifies or establishes management measures for the GA/NC and FLK/EFL stocks of hogfish. The purpose of this final rule is to manage hogfish using the best scientific information available while ending overfishing and rebuilding the FLK/EFL hogfish stock.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pile Driving Activities for the Restoration of Pier 62, Seattle Waterfront, Elliot Bay
Document Number: 2017-15522
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Seattle Department of Transportation (Seattle DOT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to pile driving activities for the restoration of Pier 62, Seattle Waterfront, Elliot Bay in Seattle, Washington. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-15502
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-24
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.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15492
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-24
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).
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2017-15487
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-24
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 (EFP) would allow one commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of the Northeast multispecies regulations in support of gear research to target healthy haddock and redfish stocks. Specifically, this EFP would require a temporary exemption from minimum mesh sizes, and possession limits to enabale catch sampling. 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental To Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Geophysical Survey in the Central Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2017-15455
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the University of Hawaii (UH) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey in the Central Pacific Ocean. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Pacific Islands Pelagic Fisheries; American Samoa Longline Limited Entry Program
Document Number: 2017-15387
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that 12 American Samoa pelagic longline limited entry permits in three vessel size classes are available for 2017. NMFS is accepting applications for these available permits.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2017-15298
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the 2017 summer flounder commercial quota allocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the summer flounder fishery may not land summer flounder in Massachusetts for the remainder of calendar year 2017, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery require publication of this notification to advise Massachusetts that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in Massachusetts.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15262
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Observer Policy Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings
Document Number: 2017-15261
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public hearings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. The amendment would revise the annual catch limit for red snapper in the South Atlantic Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15260
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Observer Advisory Committee (OAC) subgroup on low sampling rates in partial coverage.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting (Webinar)
Document Number: 2017-15259
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad hoc Sacramento River Winter Chinook Workgroup (SRWCW) and Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) will hold a joint meeting via webinar to discuss the results of the Management Strategy Evaluation. The meeting is open to the public.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15258
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 55 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of Vermilion Snapper will consist of a series of webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15257
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 54 assessment of the HMS Sandbar will consist of a series of assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
United States Global Change Research Program
Document Number: 2017-15235
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA, on behalf of USGCRP, is soliciting nominations for Review Editors for the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). Refer to the NCA4 Outline (accessible via https://www.globalchange.gov/ content/nca4-outline) for a sense of the areas of expertise we seek. The report will adhere to the Information Quality Act requirements (https://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/info_quality.html) for quality, transparency, and accessibility as appropriate for a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment (HISA).
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Summer Flounder Fishery
Document Number: 2017-15229
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice announces the Secretary of Commerce's compliance decision under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act regarding New Jersey recreational management of summer flounder. This notice is necessary to alert the public that the Secreatary of Commerce has made a final determination and will not implement a Federal moratorium on fishing, possession, and landing of summer flounder in New Jersey's state waters. The intended effect of this notice is to inform the public of this determination of compliance.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15150
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one- day meeting of its Outreach and Education Technical Committee.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-15138
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold two webinars that are open to the public.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of the 2017 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery Categories
Document Number: 2017-15122
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reapportioning the seasonal apportionments of the 2017 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories in the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to account for the actual halibut PSC use by the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fishery categories from May 15, 2017 through June 30, 2017. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework Adjustment
Document Number: 2017-15073
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action proposes regulations to implement an Omnibus Framework Adjustment to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council acceptable biological catch setting process. This proposed rule is necessary to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the measures recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Council to the National Marine Fisheries Service for implementation. The intended effect of these measures would help bring stability to quotas while accounting for year-to-year changes in stock size projections, and allow the Mid-Atlantic Council's Fishery Management Plans to automatically incorporate the best available scientific information when calculating acceptable biological catches. This action also proposes to revise regulatory language to clarify the Mid-Atlantic Council's acceptable biological catch control rule assessment level designations.
Listing Endangered or Threatened Species; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Winter-Run Puget Sound Chum Salmon in the Nisqually River System and Chambers Creek as a Threatened or Endangered Evolutionarily Significant Unit Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2017-15065
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 90-Day finding on a petition to list the winter-run Puget Sound chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the Nisqually River system and Chambers Creek as a threatened or endangered evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. We find that the petition and information in our files do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the winter-run chum salmon from the Nisqually River system and Chambers Creek qualify as an ESU under the ESA. As such, we find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the winter-run chum salmon in the Nisqually River system and Chambers Creek are a ``species'' eligible for listing under the ESA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21018
Document Number: 2017-15039
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Brent Stewart, Ph.D., Hubbs- SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109 has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in California.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Recreational Angler Survey of Sea Turtle Interactions
Document Number: 2017-14964
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-18
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.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2017-14935
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has made a preliminary determination that an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) warrants further consideration and an opportunity for public comment. The application was submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance (CCCFA), requesting an exemption from the regulation that prohibits having unauthorized gear on board while fishing for, retaining, or possessing a bluefin tuna. The applicants suggest that with the use of electronic monitoring (EM) and through issuance of an EFP, there would be sufficient at-sea monitoring to verify the catch of bluefin tuna occurred with authorized gear (e.g., rod and reel and harpoon gear). NMFS requests public comment on the information provided in this notice and the application submitted.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Scientific Research, Exempted Fishing, and Exempted Activity Submissions
Document Number: 2017-14863
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-17
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; Billfish Tagging Report Card
Document Number: 2017-14862
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-14
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.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2017-14820
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-14
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 submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow participants to use electronic monitoring systems in lieu of at-sea monitors in support of a study to develop electronic monitoring for the purposes of catch monitoring in the groundfish fishery. Additionally, vessels would be authorized to access portions of groundfish closed areas. 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.
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2017-14797
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on improving resilience of coastal fishing communities.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Group Retention Limit Adjustment
Document Number: 2017-14778
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the commercial aggregated large coastal shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark management group retention limit for directed shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region from 3 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip to 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. The retention limit will remain at 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the Atlantic region through the rest of the 2017 fishing season or until NMFS announces via a document in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure. This retention limit adjustment affects anyone with a directed shark limited access permit fishing for LCS in the Atlantic region.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2017-14720
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes notification of a 1.57 percent fee for cost recovery under the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program. This action is intended to provide holders of crab allocations with the fee percentage for the 2017/2018 crab fishing year so they can calculate the required payment for cost recovery fees that must be submitted by July 31, 2018.
Receipt of Application
Document Number: 2017-14714
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Linnea Pearson, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Site Characterization Surveys off the Coast of New York
Document Number: 2017-14699
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-07-13
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 NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Deepwater Wind, LLC, (DWW) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during high-resolution geophysical (HRG) and geotechnical survey investigations associated with marine site characterization activities off the coast of New York in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0486) (Lease Area) and along potential submarine cable routes to a landfall location in Easthampton, New York (``Submarine Cable Corridor'') (collectively the Lease Area and Submarine Cable Corridor are the Project Area).
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: 2017-14686
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-07-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by non-CDQ vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2017 sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
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