National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 20, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Nominations are being sought for appointment to a new task force of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to support its advisory work for the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource matters. The task force will provide expert advice on the generation, delivery, and use of electronically reported data from private recreational anglers to assist NMFS in fulfilling its mission activities. NMFS will appoint the members in consultation with MAFAC and they will serve for a term of up to two (2) years. The terms will begin in Spring 2020.

This final rule implements regulations that require Charter Halibut Permits (CHPs) to be registered annually with NMFS before use. In 2010, NMFS implemented the Charter Halibut Limited Access Program that issued a limited number of CHPs to persons who operate in the guided sport (charter) halibut fishery on the waters of International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A. The annual registration of CHPs is intended to improve the enforcement of CHP transfer limitations and ownership caps, as well as provide additional information to NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on any changes in CHP ownership, leasing, and participation.