National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Multi-Year Harvest Specifications for the Central Subpopulation of Northern Anchovy
Document Number: 2019-11400
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is implementing this final rule to establish the overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC) and annual catch limit (ACL), for the central subpopulation of northern anchovy in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Pacific coast under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. NMFS prepared this rulemaking in response to a January 2018 court decision (Oceana, Inc. v. Ross) that vacated the OFL, ABC, and ACL for the central subpopulation of northern anchovy, followed by subsequent orders requiring NMFS to establish a new OFL, ABC, and ACL through a notice and comment rulemaking. NMFS is implementing an OFL of 94,290 metric tons (mt), an ABC of 23,573 mt, and an ACL of 23,573 mt. If the ACL for this stock is reached or projected to be reached, then fishing will be closed until it reopens at the start of the next fishing season. This rule is intended to conserve and manage the central subpopulation of northern anchovy off the U.S. West Coast.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2019-11321
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-31
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 from the University of Connecticut contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.
Survey To Develop Estimates of Marine-Related Economic Activity in the United States; Withdrawal of Notice for Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-11187
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice withdraws the Department of Commerce's May 22, 2019, notice for the Survey to Develop Estimates of Marine-Related Economic Activity in the United States. The Department of Commerce is withdrawing this notice requesting comments published in the May 22, 2019 issue of the Federal Register entitled ``Survey to Develop Estimates of Marine-Related Economic Activity in the United States''.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2019-11150
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold public meetings.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2019-11149
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 132nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting, Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee (FDCRC), 178th Council meeting and associated meetings to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. A portion of the Council's Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing Committee meeting will be closed to the public for a briefing on litigation by counsel.
Fisheries of the Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-11148
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 65 assessment process of HMS Atlantic blacktip shark will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of data and assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-11147
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 68 assessment of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic scamp will consist of a Data workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review workshop.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey Instrument Assessing Ecosystem-Based Resource Management in the United States Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2019-11117
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
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: 2019-11116
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Solicitation for Applications for Advisory Councils Established Pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and Executive Orders
Document Number: 2019-11080
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that ONMS will solicit applications to fill seats on its 13 national marine sanctuary advisory councils and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council (advisory councils), under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Executive Order, respectively. Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary and alternate), for each of the advisory councils will be advertised differently at each site in accordance with the information provided in this notice. This notice contains web page links and contact information for each site, as well as additional resources on advisory council vacancies and the application process.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction and Operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production Island, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Document Number: 2019-10965
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska (Hilcorp) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction and operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production Island (LDPI), over the course of five years. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take, and requests comments on the proposed regulations. 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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-11043
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of its American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and Mariana Archipelago FEP-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications
Document Number: 2019-11040
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement annual catch limits and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. The proposed action would prohibit most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest would be allowed only in the live bait fishery, minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. The incidental harvest of Pacific sardine would be limited to 20 percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other stocks managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan or up to 2 metric tons when caught with non-Coastal Pelagic Species stocks. The proposed annual catch limit for the 2019-2020 Pacific sardine fishing year is 4,514 metric tons. This proposed rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-11039
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-28
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.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Closure
Document Number: 2019-11014
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (=14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120[deg] W meridian from June 1, 2019, through August 31, 2019. This prohibition is based on the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries' (AA's) determination that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions are occurring off the coast of southern California. This action protects Endangered Species Act-listed loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2019-11011
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused yellowfin sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2019 total allowable catch of rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock 1 Modification and Expansion
Document Number: 2019-10980
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock 1 modification and expansion in Kittery, Maine.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to City of Juneau Waterfront Improvement Project
Document Number: 2019-10973
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Alaska, to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the Juneau dock and harbor waterfront improvement project.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10962
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Committee on to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10961
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
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 webinar, which is open to the public.
Endangered Species; File No. 20610
Document Number: 2019-10960
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that David Portnoy, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 20610.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States, Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States, and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2019-10920
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Julie Johnson, on behalf of the North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, and Jennette's Pier, North Carolina. If granted, the EFP would authorize North Carolina Aquariums to collect, with certain conditions, various species of snapper-grouper, dolphin, and live rock in Federal waters along the North Carolina coast. The specimens would be used in educational exhibits displaying North Carolina native species at the aquariums.
Draft Cook Inlet & Kodiak Marine Mammal Disaster Response Guidelines
Document Number: 2019-10905
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, in an effort to increase preparedness for wildlife response under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, has drafted guidelines for marine mammal response in disaster situations in Cook Inlet and Kodiak, Alaska entitled ``Cook Inlet & Kodiak Marine Mammal Disaster Response Guidelines'' (Guidelines). NMFS invites the public to comment on and/or provide additional information for NMFS to consider in finalizing the guidelines.
Evaluation of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10855
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
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 Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. NOAA will also accept written comments.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs
Document Number: 2019-10854
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-24
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 Louisiana Coastal Management Program.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Recreational and Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1 Through #5
Document Number: 2019-10808
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-23
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces five inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to Pigeon Point, CA.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10714
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2019-10672
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, 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 allow up to six commercial fishing vessels to use raised-footrope trawl gear to target small-mesh multispecies (silver and red hake) within Small Mesh Area 1 before the start of the open season. 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 a proposed exempted fishing permit.
Evaluation of Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10628
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-22
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 Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Survey To Develop Estimates of Marine-Related Economic Activity in the United States; Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-10627
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-22
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.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2019-10626
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-22
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) the Consortium for Ocean Leadership Office, in Washington, DC.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments 13 and 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan; Spatial Fisheries Management
Document Number: 2019-10578
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces scoping meetings and webinars for three actions that will evaluate possible revisions to measures implemented under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). The public process for these actions commences with scoping to determine the range of issues for each action. For each action, a notice announcing NMFS' intent to prepare an environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, and availability of an issues and options paper, is published in a separate Federal Register Notice. In Amendment 13 to the HMS FMP, NMFS considers refining the Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota (IBQ) Program, reassessing allocation of bluefin tuna quotas, including the discontinuing or phasing out of the Purse Seine category, and other regulatory provisions regarding bluefin directed fisheries and incidental pelagic longline fisheries. Amendment 14 explores options to implement the newly-revised National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines in the context of shark annual catch limits (ACLs), including how to account for uncertainty stemming from either stock assessments or the management process. In the third action, NMFS considers ways to perform research and collect data in closed areas to assess the effectiveness of spatial HMS management.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2019-10567
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of the scoping document on Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) and its intent to prepare an EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA Given revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines, NMFS is exploring options related to the implementation of those new guidelines as they relate to annual catch limits (ACLs) for Atlantic sharks in the HMS management unit. In the scoping document, NMFS begins the process for re-examining how to establish these ACLs, including an examination of how to establish the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and account for uncertainty arising from the stock assessment and the impacts to the management measures. NMFS expects to consider the comments received on the scoping document for developing Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. NMFS will announce the date and times for the scoping meetings in a separate Federal Register notice at a later date.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2019-10565
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the availability of the Issues and Options Paper for Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Issues and Options Paper). This notice announces the start of a public process for determining the scope of significant issues related to the management of Atlantic bluefin tuna (bluefin), and addressing issues identified by considering modification of bluefin regulations. The catalysts for beginning this regulatory process are the release of the Draft Three-Year Review of the IBQ Program (Three- Year Review), recent changes in the bluefin fishery, and advice and input from the HMS Advisory Panel and the public. The environmental impact analysis will include an assessment of the potential effects of alternative measures for management of bluefin under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP). The subjects in the Issues and Options Paper include refining the Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) Program, reassessing allocation of the bluefin quota and subquota, including the potential elimination or phasing out of the Purse Seine category, and other regulatory provisions regarding directed fisheries and incidental pelagic longline fisheries. The scoping process and environmental impact analysis would determine whether existing management measures are the best means of achieving current management objectives and providing flexibility to adapt to variability in the future, consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and other relevant Federal laws. NMFS will use the scoping process and the draft environmental impact analysis to consider development of Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, if warranted. NMFS is requesting comments on this NOI and the management options described in the Issues and Options Paper, and other potential regulatory provisions regarding the bluefin directed fisheries and incidental pelagic longline fishery that would meet the purpose and need for this action. NMFS will hold public scoping meetings and a webinar to gather comment on these measures and potential management options. The time and location details of the scoping meetings and webinar will be announced in a separate Federal Register notice. NMFS will also present the Issues and Options Paper at the HMS Advisory Panel Meeting on May 22, 2019 (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/may-2019-hms-advisory- panel-meeting).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2019-10557
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council's) Scientific and Statistical Committee's (SSC's) Economics Subcommittee will hold a webinar to review new economic analyses in three draft coho rebuilding plans. The SSC Economics Subcommittee webinar is open to the public. Public comments during the webinar will be received from attendees at the discretion of the SSC Economics Subcommittee chair.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project, Mayport, Florida
Document Number: 2019-10550
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the South Quay Wall Recapitalization Project, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, Florida. 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 is also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Endangered Species; File No. 21367
Document Number: 2019-10548
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-21
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 requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 21367.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2019-10455
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit from the default limit of one large medium or giant BFT to three large medium or giant BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2019. 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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Aldo's Seawall Replacement Project in Santa Cruz, California
Document Number: 2019-10429
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-20
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 Santa Cruz Port District (Port District) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment only, marine mammals during pile driving activities associated with the Aldo's Seawall Replacement Project in Santa Cruz, California (CA).
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2019-10356
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-20
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt six commercial fishing vessels from limited access sea scallop regulations in support of a study on seasonal bycatch distribution and characterize scallop meat health 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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 21482
Document Number: 2019-10330
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Dan T. Engelhaupt, Ph.D., HDR, Inc., 4173 Ewell Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on 83 species of marine mammals.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Modifications and Improvements Project in Juneau, Alaska
Document Number: 2019-10326
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Modifications and Improvements Project in Juneau, 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. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Temporary Rule To Establish Management Measures for Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2019-10322
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues an emergency rule as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) to address concerns that the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) red grouper stock may be in decline. This emergency rule reduces the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs). This emergency rule is effective for 180 days, although NMFS may extend this emergency rule's effectiveness for a maximum of an additional 186 days. The intended effect of this emergency rule is to provide a temporary reduction in Gulf red grouper harvest levels to protect the stock from overharvest while the Council develops a framework action to reduce the red grouper catch limits on a more long-term basis.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Revised 2019 Summer Flounder Specifications
Document Number: 2019-10250
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues revised specifications for the 2019 summer flounder fishery. Due to recently available information from a benchmark stock assessment, changes to the specifications are necessary to better achieve optimum yield within the fishery while controlling overfishing, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This rule is also intended to inform the public of the changes to the specifications for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder Fishery; Fishing Year 2019
Document Number: 2019-10249
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes management measures for the 2019 summer flounder recreational fishery. The implementing regulations for this fishery require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of this action is to constrain recreational catch to the summer flounder recreational harvest limit and thereby, prevent overfishing on the summer flounder stock.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Revisions to Sea Turtle Release Gear; Amendment 49
Document Number: 2019-10052
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-05-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS implements management measures described in Amendment 49 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) (Amendment 49), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule adds three new devices to the Federal regulations as options for fishermen with Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf reef fish to meet existing requirements for carrying sea turtle release gear on board vessels, and updates the regulations to simplify and clarify the requirements for other sea turtle release gear. This final rule also modifies the FMP framework procedure to allow for future changes to release gear and handling requirements for sea turtles and other protected resources. The purpose of this final rule is to allow the use of new devices to safely handle and release incidentally captured sea turtles, clarify existing requirements, and streamline the process for making any future changes to the release devices and handling procedures for sea turtles and other protected species.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2019 Recreational Management Measures
Document Number: C1-2019-09685
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management
Document Number: 2019-10193
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its intent to prepare a draft environmental impact analysis for an action to consider options to perform research and collect data in areas closed to or restricting fishing and gear types for highly migratory species (HMS) in support of and to evaluate spatial fisheries management. Strategies to facilitate research and data collection in these areas could improve sustainable management of HMS. This action will consider ways to perform such research and data collection. To gather input from the public, NMFS also announces the availability of an Issues and Options Paper for Research and Data Collection in Support of Spatial Fisheries Management (Issues and Options Paper) that outlines possible strategies to perform research and collect data in areas that currently prohibit or restrict commercial and/or recreational fishing for HMS. Fishery-dependent data is vital in informing and supporting effective fisheries management, and areas that restrict fishing effort often have a commensurate decrease in fishery-dependent data collection. In addition, NMFS will hold scoping meetings to gather public comment on potential research and data collection options. Because constituents may be interested in several ongoing related rulemakings, these scoping meetings may be held in conjunction with scoping meetings for Amendment 13 (review of bluefin tuna measures including the Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota (IBQ) Program and quota allocations) and 14 (review of annual catch limits for sharks) to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan. NMFS will announce the date and times for the scoping meetings in a separate Federal Register notice at a later date. NMFS requests comments on the approaches presented in the Issues and Options Paper as well as comments on or identification of other approaches that may warrant consideration.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2019-10163
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-05-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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