National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Day 8-10 Timeline Forecast Survey and Focus Groups; Correction
Document Number: 2020-21631
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), published a notice in the Federal Register on 07/20/2020, 85 FR 43817, to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission to OMB for review and approval of the information collection for OMB Control Number 0648-0757. This notice serves as a correction to that Federal Register notice.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-21594
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the September subquota time period until the General category reopens on October 1, 2020. The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the adjusted General category BFT September subquota of 195.6 metric tons (mt).
Notification of Receipt of a Supplemental Petition To Ban Imports of All Fish and Fish Products From New Zealand That Do Not Satisfy the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Document Number: 2020-21526
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces receipt of a supplemental petition for emergency rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act. Sea Shepherd Legal, Sea Shepherd New Zealand Ltd., and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce and other relevant Departments to initiate emergency rulemaking under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), to ban importation of commercial fish or products from fish that have been caught with commercial fishing technology that results in incidental mortality or serious injury of Maui dolphin in excess of United States standards.
2021 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement
Document Number: 2020-21468
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is providing notification that the agency will not identify additional fisheries to observe on the 2021 Annual Determination (AD), pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA or Act). Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required to take observers upon NMFS' request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle bycatch in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle bycatch, and implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2018 and 2020 ADs (see Table 1) remain on the AD for a 5-year period and are required to carry observers upon NMFS' request until December 31, 2022, and September 29, 2025 respectively.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit; Correction
Document Number: 2020-21402
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is correcting a notice that informed the public that 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. The catch estimates provided in kilograms in Table 1 were incorrect. The table also erroneously included nudibranch in the list of federally managed species.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; 2021 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fishing Year
Document Number: 2020-20573
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This proposed rule would adjust quotas and retention limits and establish the opening date for the 2021 fishing year for the Atlantic commercial shark fisheries. Quotas would be adjusted as required or allowable based on any overharvests and/or underharvests experienced during the 2020 fishing year. NMFS proposes the opening date and commercial retention limits to provide, to the extent practicable, fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in all regions and areas. The proposed measures could affect fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.
Fall Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Document Number: 2020-21363
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is announcing the convening of its fall meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-21347
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council is convening a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via webinar 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 of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-21346
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via webinar. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-21345
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one- day meeting of its Outreach & Education (O&E) Technical Committee.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2020-21342
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a meeting of the Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel via webinar to address upcoming outreach and communications topics.
Marine Mammals; File No. 23807
Document Number: 2020-21334
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Plimsoll Productions Limited, 51- 55 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LY, United Kingdom (Responsible Party: Anuschka Schofield), has applied for an amendment to Permit No. 23807.
Marine Mammals; File No. 22382
Document Number: 2020-21317
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to SeaWorld, LLC. (Responsible Party: Christopher Dold, DVM), 9205 Southpark Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32819, to import one stranded, non-releasable (captive) adult female Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) for public display purposes.
Federal Consistency Appeal by Jordan Cove Energy Project, L.P. and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP
Document Number: 2020-20869
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This announcement provides notice that the Department of Commerce has stayed, for a period of 60 days, closure of the decision record in an administrative appeal filed by Jordan Cove Energy Project, L.P. and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP (collectively, ``Appellants'') under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Appellants appealed to the Secretary of Commerce to override an objection by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development to a consistency certification for a proposed project to construct and operate a liquified natural gas export terminal and a 229-mile natural gas pipeline and compressor station off the Pacific Coast.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2020 Red Snapper Private Angling Component Accountability Measure in Federal Waters Off Louisiana
Document Number: 2020-21246
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the red snapper recreational sector private angling component in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) off Louisiana for the 2020 fishing year. Based on information provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), NMFS has determined that the 2019 Louisiana regional management area private angling component annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf red snapper was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS reduces the 2020 private angling component ACL of Gulf red snapper for the Louisiana regional management area. This reduction will remain in effect through the remainder of the current fishing year on December 31, 2020, and is necessary to protect the Gulf red snapper resource.
Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers and Individual Fishing Quota Dealers in Portions of Alabama and Florida
Document Number: 2020-21230
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer reporting programs specific to the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf, the Regional Administrator (RA), Southeast Region, NMFS has determined that Hurricane Sally has caused catastrophic conditions in the Gulf for certain Alabama and Florida counties. This temporary rule authorizes any dealer in the affected area described in this temporary rule who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of trip tickets to NMFS and authorizes IFQ dealers within the affected area to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and dealer reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys Off of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey
Document Number: 2020-21137
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-25
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 NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Equinor Wind, LLC (Equinor) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during site characterization surveys off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean in the area of the Commercial Leases of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS-A 0520 and OCS-A 0512) and along potential submarine cable routes to a landfall location in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York or New Jersey.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2020-21086
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of Draft Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Draft Amendment 14 is being undertaken to revise the mechanism or ``framework'' used in establishing quotas and related management measures for Atlantic shark fisheries. The current framework was established in Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP. The revised framework would modify the procedures followed in establishing the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and annual catch limits (ACLs) for Atlantic sharks and the process used to account for carryover or underharvests of quotas. It would also allow the option to phase-in ABC catch control rules and to adopt multi-year overfishing status determination criteria in some circumstances. Amendment 14 will not make changes to the current quotas or other management measures. Such changes would be adopted through subsequent rulemaking.
Plan for Periodic Review of Regulations
Document Number: 2020-21075
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of a list of the rules it is reviewing, as required, under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We are required to notify the public of our review of existing regulations that we have determined had, or will have, a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, such as small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. The intended effect of this notice is to inform the public of the rules under review, to outline NMFS' review process, and to provide an opportunity to comment.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock in Washington State
Document Number: 2020-21015
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-23
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 IHA to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDKT) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during construction associated to Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington State.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-20906
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 111.6 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the General category. This action is intended to account for an accrued overharvest of 63.3 mt from previous time period subquotas, and to provide further opportunities for General category fishermen to participate in the September General category fishery, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. This action would affect 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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2020-20785
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 total allowable catch of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20780
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Hearings
Document Number: 2020-20779
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) will hold seven public hearings via webinar and a written comment period to solicit public comments on a developing management action to consider potential changes to the allocation of the black sea bass commercial quota among the states of Maine through North Carolina.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20778
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) St. Thomas/St. John District Advisory Panel (STT/STJ DAP) will hold a public virtual meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20777
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) District Advisory Panels (DAPs), the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP), and the Liaison Officers, will hold a joint public virtual meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2020-20772
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
List of Fisheries for 2021
Document Number: 2020-20709
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2021, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2021 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities Construction Project at Cook Inlet, Alaska
Document Number: 2020-20691
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) for the take of marine mammals incidental to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities construction project in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Science Advisory Board
Document Number: 2020-20688
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for the meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
Extension of Emergency Measures To Address Fishery Observer Coverage During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Document Number: 2020-20686
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS extends this temporary rule (also referred to herein as ``emergency action'') to provide it with authority to continue to waive observer coverage requirements. NMFS is taking this action to address public health concerns relating to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The intended effect is to provide the waiver mechanism necessary to respond to the ongoing public health emergency. This action also authorizes NMFS to waive some training or other program requirements to ensure that as many observers are available as possible while ensuring the safety and health of the observers and trainers.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-20654
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole and rock sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.
Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements
Document Number: 2020-18054
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 20, 2019, that requires all skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and greater in length to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) designed to exclude small sea turtles in their nets. There is an error in the description of the small turtle TED flap. This correction is necessary to prevent sea turtle bycatch and mortality.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20535
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 1-day meeting via webinar of its Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP).
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20534
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) Coho Workgroup (Workgroup) will host an online meeting over a two-day period that is open to the public.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2020-20533
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-17
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 via webinar.
Temporarily Increasing the Commercial Trip Limit for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper and Recreational Bag Limit for Atlantic King Mackerel
Document Number: 2020-20499
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this temporary rule to revise the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic Region and the recreational bag limit for the Atlantic migratory group of king mackerel (Atlantic king mackerel) in the Atlantic, as requested by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). The purpose of this temporary rule is to increase the vermilion snapper commercial trip limit and Atlantic king mackerel recreational bag limits to help address significant economic losses and opportunities for the commercial and recreational fishing sectors that have resulted from recent unforeseen events, including, but not limited to, closures of harbors and boat ramps and other disruptions to, and declines in, market demand for seafood and for-hire trips.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Document Number: 2020-20495
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that permits and permit amendments have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.
Nominations for Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointments to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Document Number: 2020-20489
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is soliciting nominations to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) as established by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS is also soliciting nominations for Technical Advisors to the Advisory Committee's species working groups.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 12
Document Number: 2020-20415
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are implementing specifications submitted by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils in Framework Adjustment 12 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action sets monkfish specifications for fishing year 2020 and projects specifications for the 2021 and 2022 fishing years. This action is needed to establish allowable monkfish harvest levels that will prevent overfishing.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Sea Turtle Limits in the Hawaii Shallow-Set Longline Fishery
Document Number: 2020-20304
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule revises measures that govern interactions between the Hawaii shallow-set pelagic longline fishery and sea turtles. This rule lowers the annual fleet interaction limit (``hard cap'') for leatherback sea turtles from 26 to 16, and removes the annual fleet hard cap for North Pacific loggerhead turtles. This rule also creates individual trip interaction limits of two leatherback and five North Pacific loggerhead turtle interactions, with accountability measures for reaching a limit. This rule provides managers and fishermen with the necessary tools to respond to and mitigate changes in North Pacific loggerhead and leatherback turtle interactions to ensure a continued supply of fresh domestic swordfish to U.S. markets, consistent with the conservation needs of these sea turtles. This action also ensures that the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery operates in compliance with the conditions of a recent biological opinion (BiOp).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2020-20431
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-20430
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2020-20429
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Advisory Panel will meet via webconference October 2, 2020 through October 16, 2020.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Atlantic Billfish Fisheries
Document Number: 2020-20409
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has determined that the recreational landings limit for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish has been reached and exceeded for 2020, based upon a review of landings data. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting retention of Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish in the Atlantic HMS recreational fisheries. Fishing for these species will be limited to catch-and- release only for the remainder of 2020. This action affects Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders, tournament operators, and Atlantic tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial permit holders that fish in registered Atlantic HMS tournaments, and is effective in all areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic sailfish may continue to be retained consistent with applicable regulations.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Pot Catcher/Processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2020-20408
Type: Rule
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction of the Alaska LNG Project in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Document Number: 2020-20401
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reopening the public comment period on the notice of a proposed incidental harassment authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to authorize the taking of marine mammals, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment, incidental to construction of the Alaska LNG Project in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The comment period for the notice of proposed IHA that published on July 16, 2020 closed on August 17, 2020. NMFS is reopening the public comment period to provide the public with additional time to submit information and to comment on this proposed IHA.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Five Foreign Sturgeon Species
Document Number: 2020-20398
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the following five foreign sturgeon species: Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii), European sturgeon (A. sturio), Chinese sturgeon (A. sinensis), Sakhalin sturgeon (A. mikadoi), and Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on these five sturgeon species, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since their listing, effective July 2, 2014.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2020-20389
Type: Notice
Date: 2020-09-16
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 allow eight commercial fishing vessels to participate in a beam trawl survey in and around the South Fork Wind Farm work area, under the direction of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit applications.
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