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

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Trawl Rationalization Program; 2018 Cost Recovery
Document Number: 2017-28185
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action provides participants in the Pacific coast groundfish trawl rationalization program with the 2018 fee percentages and ``MS pricing'' needed to calculate the required payments for trawl rationalization program cost recovery fees due in 2018. For calendar year 2018, NMFS announces the following fee percentages by sector: 3.0 percent for the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Sector; 0 percent for the MS sector; and 0 percent for the Catcher/Processer Cooperative (C/P) sector. For 2018, the MS pricing to be used as a proxy by the C/P sector is $0.09/lb for Pacific whiting.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21295
Document Number: 2017-28179
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Eye of the Whale (Olga von Ziegesar, Responsible Party and Principal Investigator), P.O. Box 15191, Fritz Creek, AK 99603, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Availability of Final Evaluation Findings of State Coastal Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves
Document Number: 2017-28111
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of the availability of final evaluation findings of state coastal programs and national estuarine research reserves. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management has completed review of the Coastal Zone Management Program evaluations for the states of New York, New Hampshire, Washington, and Maine. The states were found to be implementing and enforcing their federally approved Coastal Zone Management Programs, addressing the national coastal management objectives identified in CZMA Section 303(2)(A)-(K), and adhering to the programmatic terms of their financial assistance awards. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management has completed review of the National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluations for South Slough, Jacques Cousteau, Wells, and Narragansett Bay. The reserves were found to be adhering to programmatic requirements of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Copies of these final evaluation findings may be downloaded at https://coast.noaa.gov/czm/evaluations/ evaluation_findings/ or by submitting a written request to the person identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Evaluation of National Estuarine Research Reserve
Document Number: 2017-28110
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management will hold a public meeting to solicit comments for the performance evaluation of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 44
Document Number: 2017-28058
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the approval of Amendment 44 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) as submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendment 44 revises minimum stock size thresholds (MSST) for seven stocks in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish fishery management unit. The MSST is revised for the gag, red grouper, red snapper, vermilion snapper, gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, and hogfish stocks. The need for Amendment 44 is to provide a sufficient buffer between spawning stock biomass at maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) and MSST to reduce the likelihood that stock status changes frequently between overfished and not overfished as a result of scientific uncertainty or natural fluctuations in biomass levels.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to Greater Amberjack Allowable Harvest and Rebuilding Plan
Document Number: 2017-28047
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule revises the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs), and modifies the recreational fixed closed season for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The purpose of this final rule and the framework action is to adjust the rebuilding time period and to revise the sector ACLs and ACTs consistent with updated stock status information to end overfishing and rebuild the greater amberjack stock in the Gulf.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Individual Bluefin Quota Program; Accountability for Bluefin Tuna Catch
Document Number: 2017-28046
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS modifies the Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) regulations to require vessels in the pelagic longline fishery to account for bycatch of bluefin tuna (bluefin) using Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) on a quarterly basis instead of on a trip-level basis. Previously, vessel owners had to account for quota debt or IBQ balances less than the minimum required before commencing any fishing trip with pelagic longline gear. With this rulemaking, vessels may fish during a given calendar quarter if they have an IBQ balance below the minimum amount required to depart on a fishing trip or with quota debt incurred by exceeding their IBQ balance; however, vessels are required to reconcile quota debt and satisfy the minimum IBQ requirement prior to departing on their first pelagic longline fishing trip in each calendar quarter. The action optimizes fishing opportunity in the directed pelagic longline fishery for target species such as tuna and swordfish and improves the functionality of the IBQ Program and its accounting provisions, consistent with the objectives of Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Pile Driving Activities for Waterfront Repairs at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey, Monterey, California
Document Number: 2017-28029
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
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 NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during pile driving activities associated with waterfront repairs at the USCG Monterey Station in Monterey, California.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27968
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) of the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils (Councils) will hold a meeting.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Nontrawl Lead Level 2 Observers
Document Number: 2017-27935
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to modify specific provisions of the North Pacific Observer Program. The first two elements of this proposed rule would modify the requirements for an observer to obtain a nontrawl lead level 2 (LL2) deployment endorsement and implement a pre-cruise meeting requirement for vessels required to carry an observer with a nontrawl LL2 deployment endorsement. These elements are intended to increase the number of observers that qualify for a nontrawl LL2 deployment endorsement and maintain observer safety and data quality. The third element of this proposed rule would make editorial changes, and modify observer coverage and reporting requirements for vessels when participating in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. This element is intended to promote operational efficiency, and remove unnecessary requirements for specific vessels participating in the CDQ Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and the FMP for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, and other applicable law.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management Measures; Amendment 47
Document Number: 2017-27934
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) (Amendment 47). For vermilion snapper, this proposed rule would revise the stock annual catch limit (ACL). Additionally, Amendment 47 would establish a proxy for the estimate of the stock maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The purpose of this proposed rule is to revise the stock ACL for vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) consistent with the most recent stock assessment.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27929
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27928
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27927
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-27873
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using pot gear to catcher/processors (C/Ps) using pot gear, catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, and C/Ps using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2017 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27822
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
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.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27821
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 51 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico gray snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings
Document Number: 2017-27820
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has begun its annual preseason management process for the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries. This document announces the availability of Pacific Council documents as well as the dates and locations of Pacific Council meetings and public hearings comprising the Pacific Council's complete schedule of events for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures. The agendas for the March and April 2018 Pacific Council meetings will be published in subsequent Federal Register documents prior to the actual meetings.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Testing and Training Activities Conducted in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2017-27580
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the United States Air Force (USAF), 96th Civil Engineer Group/Environmental Planning Office (96 CEG/CEIEA) at Eglin Air Force Base (hereafter referred to as Eglin AFB) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting testing and training activities in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR) in the Gulf of Mexico over the course of five years, from February 4, 2018 to February 3, 2023. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take, and requests comments on the proposed regulations.
Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Document Number: 2017-27769
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this notice to decrease the fee rate to 4.5 percent for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fee-share fishery to repay the $28,428,718.88 groundfish sub-loan of the $35,662,471 reduction loan that financed the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishing capacity reduction program.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Boost-Back and Landing of Falcon 9 Rockets
Document Number: 2017-27761
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
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 Space Exploration Technology Corporation (SpaceX) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during boost-back and landing of Falcon 9 rockets at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and at contingency landing locations in the Pacific Ocean.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21386
Document Number: 2017-27738
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management (Responsible Party: Taqulik Hepa), P.O. Box 69, Barrow, AK 99723, has applied in due form for a permit to collect, receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Document Number: 2017-27737
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that permits or permit amendments have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27720
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat 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.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27719
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a two and a half day meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Coral, and Socioeconomics Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2017-27648
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 14.3 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the 24.3-mt General category December 2018 subquota to the January 2018 subquota period (from January 1 through March 31, 2018, or until the available subquota for this period is reached, whichever comes first). 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 with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27593
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Crab Plan Team (CPT) will meet in January, in Anchorage, AK.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2018 and Projected 2019 Scup Specifications and Announcement of Final 2018 Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Specifications
Document Number: 2017-27581
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues revised scup specifications for the 2018 fishing year and projected specifications for 2019. Additionally, this action implements a summer flounder accountability measure for 2018. 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. This rule is intended to revise the 2018 scup catch limits based on updated scientific information to afford more opportunity to obtain optimum yield, update the summer flounder catch limits to account for previous overages, finalize the 2018 black sea bass specifications, and inform the public of projected scup specifications for the 2019 fishing year.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27554
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27553
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices
Document Number: 2017-27552
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and halibut for the calculation of the observer fee under the North Pacific Observer Program (Observer Program). This notice is intended to provide information to vessel owners, processors, registered buyers, and other participants about the standard ex-vessel prices that will be used to calculate the observer fee for landings of groundfish and halibut made in 2018. NMFS will send invoices to processors and registered buyers subject to the fee by January 15, 2019. Fees are due to NMFS on or before February 15, 2019.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Document Number: 2017-27514
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Stewardship Division, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce is announcing a thirty (30) day public comment period for the revised management plan for San Francisco Bay, California National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan revision.
Endangered Species; File No. 21367
Document Number: 2017-27488
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Christopher Marshall, Ph.D., Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, has applied in due form for a permit to take Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2017-18 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Amendment 27; Correction
Document Number: 2017-27450
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action corrects the 2017-18 harvest specifications and management measures final rule that published on February 7, 2017. That rule established 2017-18 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, consistent with the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), including harvest specifications consistent with default harvest control rules in the PCGFMP. That action also included regulations to implement Amendment 27 to the PCGFMP, which added deacon rockfish to the PCGFMP, reclassified big skate as an actively managed stock, added a new inseason management process for commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries in waters off California, and made several clarifications to existing regulations. This action fixes errors in 2017-18 harvest specifications and management measures final rule by correcting the definition of ecosystem component species to remove big skates, making three corrections related to the recreational groundfish retention regulations in effect in waters off California, making a correction to the groundfish retention regulations in the limited entry fixed gear and in the open access fisheries, and correcting the unit of weight used to set the sablefish cumulative limit for Tier 2 of the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 17B
Document Number: 2017-27449
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 17B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico U.S. Waters, (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule allows for the creation of a Federal Gulf shrimp reserve pool permit when certain conditions are met, and allows non-federally permitted Gulf shrimp vessels to transit through the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Amendment 17B also defines the aggregate maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and aggregate optimum yield (OY), and determines a minimum number of commercial vessel moratorium permits in the fishery. This final rule also makes technical corrections to the regulations that revise the coordinates for the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary in the Gulf, and corrects the provisions regarding the harvest and possession of wild live rock in Gulf Federal waters. The purpose of this final rule and Amendment 17B is to protect federally managed Gulf shrimp stocks while maintaining catch efficiency, economic efficiency, and stability in the fishery.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
Document Number: 2017-27429
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2018 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
Document Number: 2017-27428
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific information. Also, NMFS is announcing the Aleutian Islands Catcher Vessel (CV) Harvest Set- Aside and Bering Sea Trawl CV A-Season Sector Limitation will be in effect for 2018, and TACs in this inseason adjustment will apply for 2018. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2017-27427
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of the 2017 Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian Island District (BS/EAI) Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) assigned to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) trawl limited access sector to the Amendment 80 cooperative in the BS/EAI of the BSAI. This action is necessary to allow the 2017 TAC of Atka mackerel in the BSAI to be fully harvested.
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed New Space Lease for the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, NJ
Document Number: 2017-27387
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA announces its intention to prepare an EA, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, for a new space lease to be occupied by the NOAA/OAR Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory.
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2017-27362
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation for activities conducted under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and address of recipients.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council-Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-27352
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Citizen Science Advisory Panel Finance & Infrastructure Action Team via webinar. The meeting via webinar was originally scheduled for December 13, 2017, but has been rescheduled as a result of schedule changes.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Programs
Document Number: 2017-27336
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes the individual fishing quota (IFQ) standard prices and fee percentage for cost recovery for the IFQ Program for the halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific (IFQ Program). The fee percentage for 2017 is 2.2 percent. This action is intended to provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2017 standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2018.
Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Hawaii Kona Crab Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure
Document Number: 2017-27322
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-12-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes a 2017 annual catch limit (ACL) of 3,500 lb for Hawaii Kona Crab, and an accountability measure (AM) to correct or mitigate any overages of catch limits. The proposed ACL and AM support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Draft Strategic Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #3: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats in the Barataria Basin, Louisiana
Document Number: 2017-27295
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-20
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), the Deepwater Horizon Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (Louisiana TIG) have prepared the Draft Strategic Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #3: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats in the Barataria Basin, Louisiana (SRP/EA). The Draft SRP/EA identifies a restoration strategy that will help prioritize future decisions regarding project selection and funding. Rather than selecting specific projects for construction, the Trustees evaluate a suite of restoration techniques and approaches, for example large-scale diversions or marsh creation, to determine how to best support restoring ecosystem-level injuries in the Gulf of Mexico through restoration in the Barataria Basin. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Draft SRP/EA and to seek public comments on the document.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-27293
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
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 webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-27292
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 13 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. The amendment addresses alternatives for bully net regulations and enhanced cooperative management.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2017-27290
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will host the Sixth National Meeting of the Scientific Coordination Subcommittee of the Council Coordination Committee (SCS6). The meeting theme is ``The Use of Management Strategy Evaluation to Inform Management Decisions Made by the Regional Fishery Management Councils,'' with three subthemes: Use of MSEs in evaluating and modifying harvest control rules; use of MSEs in investigating and accommodating uncertainty; and use of MSEs in adjusting harvest control rules in changing environments/non-static maximum sustainable yield. The agenda for the SCS6 meeting is available at https:// www.fisherycouncils.org/ssc-workshops/sixth-national-ssc-work shop-2018.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking
Document Number: 2017-27289
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
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.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2017-27288
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2017-27284
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 56 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of Black Seabass will consist of a series webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
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