National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-16311
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
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 30-Day Public Comment Period on the Injury Assessment Plan for the Lower Duwamish River (“Lower Duwamish River Natural Resource Damage Assessment: Injury Assessment Plan”)
Document Number: 2018-16287
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA, on behalf of its co-members of the Elliott Bay Trustee Council (Trustee Council), announce the release of the Lower Duwamish River Injury Assessment Plan, which sets forward the Trustee Council's approach for assessing natural resource damages at the Lower Duwamish River. The Injury Assessment Plan is one of the first steps in the natural resources damages assessment process, and is being released to the public in accordance with the applicable regulations. Through today's notice, NOAA is announcing: (1) The Trustees' plan to begin the assessment of natural resource damages for lost ecological and human use services resulting from releases of hazardous substances and oil to the Lower Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington; and (2) a provision of a 30-day period for public comment on the plan.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2018-16286
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS[supreg]) Advisory Committee (Committee) in Juneau, Alaska.
Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting
Document Number: 2018-16285
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) will hold a meeting that will be open to the public and public comments are requested in advance and/or during the meeting. Information about the HSRP meeting, agenda, presentations, webinar registration, and other background documents will be posted online at: https:// www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/hsrp.htm.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs
Document Number: 2018-16284
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-31
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 on the performance evaluation of the Mississippi Coastal Management Program.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Pier Construction Activities at Naval Submarine Base New London
Document Number: 2018-15938
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Upon application from the U.S. Navy (Navy), NMFS is issuing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the pier construction activities conducted at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, over the course of five years (2020-2025). These regulations allow NMFS to issue a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified construction activities carried out during the rule's period of effectiveness, set forth the permissible methods of taking, set forth other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, and set forth requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of the incidental take.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2018-16221
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
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
Document Number: 2018-16217
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific & Statistical Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Document Number: 2018-16204
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
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 NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV) to incidentally take, by Level A and/or Level B harassment, four species of marine mammals during the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project (PTST) in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Site Characterization Surveys Off the Coast of Massachusetts
Document Number: 2018-16200
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-30
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 NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to high-resolution geophysical (HRG) survey investigations associated with marine site characterization activities off the coast of Massachusetts in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0500) and along cable routes to the coast of Massachusettes (the Study Area).
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Northwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Research
Document Number: 2018-16115
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS' Office of Protected Resources (OPR), upon request of NMFS' Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in the Pacific Ocean over the course of five years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21678
Document Number: 2018-16057
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research Collective, Waterstreet Building Suite 201, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2018-16038
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the northern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent further overharvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2018-15970
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review and approval. We are requesting comments from the public on this amendment. This action is necessary to prevent the reactivation of latent effort in the longfin squid fishery, preserve economic opportunities for more recently active participants in the longfin squid fishery, avoid overharvest during Trimester II (May-August) of the longfin squid fishery, and reduce potential negative impacts on inshore spawning longfin squid aggregations and egg mops. The Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council intends that these proposed measures would promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the squid and butterfish resources, while promoting the sustained participation of fishing communities and minimizing adverse economic impacts on such communities.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Shortfin Mako Shark Management Measures; Proposed Amendment 11
Document Number: 2018-15822
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is proposing to amend the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) based on the results of the 2017 stock assessment and a subsequent binding recommendation by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks. The North Atlantic shortfin mako shark stock is overfished and is experiencing overfishing. Consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), NMFS is proposing management measures that would reduce fishing mortality on shortfin mako sharks and establish a foundation for rebuilding the shortfin mako shark population consistent with legal requirements. The proposed measures could affect U.S. commercial and recreational fishermen who target and harvest shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea by increasing live releases and reducing landings.
NOAA's Implementation of the Department of Commerce 2018-2022 Strategic Plan; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2018-15937
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Office of Under Secretary of Commerce (USEC) for Oceans and Atmosphere is holding multiple listening sessions to provide information and receive stakeholder input regarding implementation of the Department of Commerce's 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. Focal topics will be implementation of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, reducing the seafood trade deficit, supporting maritime commerce, fisheries, recreation and tourism. The listening sessions will include presentations and time for stakeholder input into the development of priority objectives. The meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the notice.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2018-15915
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seattle Multimodal Project in Seattle, Washington
Document Number: 2018-15874
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2018-15873
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Bay Watershed Education and Training Program National Evaluation System
Document Number: 2018-15872
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-25
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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Port of Kalama Expansion Project on the Lower Columbia River
Document Number: 2018-15837
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS received a request from the Port of Kalama (POK) to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) previously issued to the POK to incidentally take three species of marine mammal, by Level B harassment only, during construction activities associated with an expansion project at the Port of Kalama on the Lower Columbia River, Washington. The current IHA was issued in 2017 and is in effect until August 31, 2018 (2017-2018 IHA). However, the project has been delayed such that none of the work covered by the 2017-2018 IHA has been initiated and, therefore, the POK requested that an IHA be issued to conduct their work beginning on or about September 1, 2018 (2018-2019 IHA). NMFS is seeking public comment on its proposal to issue the 2018- 2019 IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to POK to incidentally take, by Level B harassment, small numbers of marine mammals during the specified activities. The authorized take numbers and related analyses would be the same as for the 2017-2018 IHA, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting would remain the same as authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA referenced above. 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of Regulations for Interagency Cooperation
Document Number: 2018-15812
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, FWS and NMFS (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we''), propose to amend portions of our regulations that implement section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The Services are proposing these changes to improve and clarify the interagency consultation processes and make them more efficient and consistent.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of the Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2018-15810
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-07-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we''), propose to revise portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing or removing species from the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and designating critical habitat. We also propose to make multiple technical revisions to update existing sections or to refer appropriately to other sections.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery Categories
Document Number: 2018-15814
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reapportioning the seasonal apportionments of the 2018 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, 2018 through June 30, 2018. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2018 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Snowy Grouper
Document Number: 2018-15791
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial snowy grouper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings for snowy grouper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by July 24, 2018. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ on July 24, 2018, and it will remain closed until the start of the next commercial fishing season on January 1, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the snowy grouper resource.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Final Rulemaking To Designate Critical Habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment
Document Number: 2018-15500
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, issue a final rule to designate critical habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) insular false killer whale (IFKW) (Pseudorca crassidens) distinct population segment (DPS) by designating waters from the 45-meter (m) depth contour to the 3,200-m depth contour around the main Hawaiian Islands from Niihau east to Hawaii, pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have excluded 14 areas (one area, with two sites, for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and 13 areas requested by the Navy) from the critical habitat designation because we have determined that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion, and exclusion will not result in extinction of the species. Additionally, the Ewa Training Minefield and the Naval Defensive Sea Area are precluded from designation under section 4(a)(3) ofthe ESA because they are managed under the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan that we find provides a benefit to the MHI IFKW.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2018-15724
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Acting 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 eight commercial fishing vessels from limited access sea scallop regulations in support of a study on seasonal bycatch distribution and optimal scallop meat yield on Georges Bank. 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.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2018-15663
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Citizen Science Operations Committee to address development of the Citizen Science Program Standard Operating Policies and Procedures.
Permits; Foreign Fishing
Document Number: 2018-15634
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes for public review and comment information regarding a permit application for transshipment of Atlantic herring by Canadian vessels, submitted under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action is necessary for NMFS to make a determination that the permit application can be approved.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15590
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) will hold a series of meetings via webinar to discuss the ongoing development of salmon rebuilding plans for Klamath River fall Chinook, Sacramento River fall Chinook, Strait of Juan de Fuca natural coho, Queets River natural coho, and Snohomish River natural coho. These meetings are open to the public.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15589
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) will hold a 2-day meeting in August to discuss the items contained in the agenda in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; 2018 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements
Document Number: 2018-15477
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This interim final rule determines the quota overages that Northeast Fishery Sector IX is responsible for paying back, allocates annual catch entitlements to Northeast Fishery Sectors VII and IX for the 2018 fishing year, approves a new lease-only operations plan for Northeast Fishery Sector IX, and approves a substantive amendment to Northeast Fishery Sector VII operations plan. Approval of the operations plans and allocation of annual catch entitlements is necessary for the sectors to operate. This action is intended to ensure that these sectors are allocated accurate annual catch entitlements that account for past catch overages, and that the sectors' operations plans can achieve the conservation and management objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey To Collect Economic Data From Recreational Anglers Along the Atlantic Coast
Document Number: 2018-15474
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-20
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.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15469
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one day meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel and Shrimp Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Document Number: 2018-15468
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes notification of a 1.85 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 2018/2019 crab fishing year so they can calculate the required payment for cost recovery fees that must be submitted by July 31, 2019.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15467
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing via webinar to solicit public comments on Amendment 13 Spiny Lobster for Management in the Gulf of Mexico.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Document Number: 2018-15460
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21329
Document Number: 2018-15459
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that John P. Wise, Sr., Ph.D., University of Louisville, Department of Pharmacology, 500 S Preston St., Suite 1319, Louisville, KY 40202 has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export biological samples from marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected sharks for scientific research purposes.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2018-15456
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
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 three amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. Amendment 47 considers modifications to the federally permitted South Atlantic snapper grouper for-hire fishery. Regulatory Amendment 29 considers options to implement best fishing practices and remove powerhead restrictions in the federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Regulatory Amendment 32 addresses options for revisions to the in-season accountability measures for yellowtail snapper.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15455
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council's) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting via webinar to review a draft terms of reference for the groundfish and coastal pelagic species stock assessment review process for 2019 and 2020 and any other matters the SSC may be discussing at their upcoming September meeting in Seattle, WA. The webinar meeting is open to the public.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15454
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Research Steering 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.
Coral Reef Conservation Program
Document Number: 2018-15453
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). Written comments must be received on or before July 26, 2018. For specific dates, times, and locations of the public meetings, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council: Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15452
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council (council). The meeting is open to the public, and participants may provide comments at the appropriate time during the meeting.
Notice Requesting Nominations for the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES)
Document Number: 2018-14970
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce is seeking highly qualified individuals who are knowledgeable about the commercial space-based remote sensing industry and uses of space-based remote sensing data to serve on the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES). The Committee is comprised of leaders in the commercial space-based remote sensing industry, space-based remote sensing data users, government, and academia. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice provides committee and membership criteria.
Marine Mammals; File No. 22272
Document Number: 2018-15345
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME 04614 (Responsible Party: Susan Shaw), has applied in due form for a permit receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2018-15342
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit warrants further consideration. The application, submitted by the California Wetfish Producers Association, requests an exemption from the prohibition of primary directed fishing for Pacific sardine for the 2018-2019 fishing year to collect Pacific sardine as part of an industry-based scientific survey. NMFS requests public comment on the application.
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Limits in Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries, Restrictions on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices in Purse Seine Fisheries, and Transshipment Prohibitions
Document Number: 2018-15341
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act), NMFS issues this final rule that establishes limits on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20[deg] N and 20[deg] S in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention); restrictions regarding the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) for U.S. purse seine fishing vessels; limits on the catches of bigeye tuna by U.S. longline vessels in the Convention area; prohibitions on U.S. vessels used to fish for highly migratory species from engaging in transshipment in a particular area of the high seas (the Eastern High Seas Special Management Area or EHSSMA); and removal of existing reporting requirements for vessels transiting the EHSSMA. The rule also makes corrections to outdated cross references in existing regulatory text. This action is necessary to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention, to which it is a Contracting Party.
Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2018-15340
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a virtual meeting of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (MPA FAC) via teleconference.
Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan; Closure of Southern Exclusion Zone
Document Number: 2018-15332
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing the Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ) to deep-set longline fishing through December 31, 2018, for all vessels registered under the Hawaii longline limited access program, as a result of the fishery reaching the established annual trigger of two observed false killer whale mortalities or serious injuries (M&SI) in the fishery within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around Hawaii. This action is necessary to comply with False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) regulations that establish the SEZ closure trigger and procedures to limit M&SI of false killer whales in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Group Retention Limit Adjustment
Document Number: 2018-15283
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-07-18
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 2018 fishing season or until NMFS announces via a notification 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.
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