National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 2021 – 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; NOAA Geospatial Metadata
Document Number: 2021-01956
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Shipboard Observation Form for Floating Marine Debris
Document Number: 2021-01955
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; 3D Nation Elevation Data Requirements and Benefits Study
Document Number: 2021-01954
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01945
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel (AP) via webinar.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Hearings
Document Number: 2021-01944
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
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 five 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 total catch or landings between the commercial and recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Applications and Reporting Requirements for Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals by Specified Activities Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Document Number: 2021-01938
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States; Amendment 12
Document Number: 2021-01224
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-01-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States (Dolphin Wahoo FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 12 to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP (Amendment 12) would add bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP and designate them as ecosystem component (EC) species. The purpose of Amendment 12 is to acknowledge the ecological role of bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel as forage fish and to achieve the ecosystem management objectives in the Dolphin Wahoo FMP.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; a Coastal Management Needs Assessment and Market Analysis for Financing Resilience
Document Number: 2021-01856
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of the Bearded Seal
Document Number: C1-2020-29006
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-01-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing; Reopening of Comment Period
Document Number: 2021-01493
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On December 16, 2020, NMFS requested input on the Work Plan of the Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. That notice requested comments by January 15, 2021. NMFS received comments requesting that the comment period be extended. We are reopening the comment period to fulfill the request and provide additional time to submit comments.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Socioeconomics of Coral Reef Conservation
Document Number: 2021-01475
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; West Coast Region Gear Identification Requirements
Document Number: 2021-01473
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New England and Mid-Atlantic Commercial Fisheries
Document Number: 2021-01472
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; National Saltwater Angler Registry and State Exemption Program
Document Number: 2021-01470
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2021-01434
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2021 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Document Number: 2021-01426
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, NMFS issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Hilcorp Alaska LLC (Hilcorp) to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Fishery Capacity Reduction Program Buyback Requests
Document Number: 2021-01393
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; West Coast Region Vessel Identification Requirements
Document Number: 2021-01392
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01391
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 66 stock assessment of the South Atlantic stock of Tilefish will consist of a data scoping webinar, a workshop, and a series of assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
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: 2021-01354
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-22
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 A season apportionment of the 2021 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.
Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting for March 3-4, 2021
Document Number: 2021-01193
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This serves as notice of a virtual public meeting for the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) on March 3, 2021, 12:45-5:30 p.m. EST, and March 4, 2021, 1-5 p.m. EST via webinar. The HSRP agenda will be posted in advance on the website. Individuals or groups who want to comment on NOAA navigation services topics are encouraged to submit advance public comments and letters via email or via the question function in the webinar.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01102
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Research Steering Committee (RSC) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01097
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01096
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-01095
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Social Science Planning Team (SSPT) will meet March 4, 2021.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings
Document Number: 2021-01082
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has begun its annual preseason management process for the 2021 ocean salmon fisheries off the U.S. West Coast. This notice informs the public of opportunities to provide comments on the development of 2021 ocean salmon management measures.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2021
Document Number: 2021-00975
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C-20-05 (Conservation of Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2021), which was adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC or Commission) on December 22, 2020. All of the provisions of Resolution C-20-05 are identical in content to the previous resolution on tropical tuna management that expired at the end of 2020. This interim final rule implements the C-20-05 fishing management measures for tropical tuna (i.e., bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). The fishing restrictions in this interim final rule are applicable in 2021 only and apply to purse seine vessels of class sizes 4-6 (carrying capacity of 182 metric tons (mt) or greater) and longline vessels greater than 24 meters (m) in overall length that fish for tropical tuna in the EPO. This interim final rule is necessary for the conservation of tropical tuna stocks in the EPO and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Economic Impacts of Hawaii Reef Diving and Snorkeling
Document Number: 2021-00938
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Expansion of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Document Number: 2021-00887
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues final regulations to implement the expansion of the boundaries of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS or sanctuary) and revise the sanctuary's terms of designation. The purpose of this action is to expand the sanctuary to include portions of 14 additional reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, representing approximately a 104 square mile increase in area. With this action, the existing FGBNMS regulations will apply to the expanded locations.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2021-00731
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a virtual meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS[supreg]) Advisory Committee (Committee).
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: 2020-27252
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-19
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, upon request from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activities conducted by oil and gas industry operators, and those persons authorized to conduct activities on their behalf (collectively ``industry operators''), in Federal waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) over the course of five years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) to industry operators for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframe, 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.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-00722
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will hold a joint public meeting.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00721
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) will convene a webinar meeting of its Groundfish Management Team (GMT) to discuss items on the Pacific Council's March 2021 meeting agenda. This meeting is open to the public.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00720
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate Advisory Panel 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00719
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Local Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, and Subsistence Taskforce (LKTKS) will be held March 16, 2021 through March 17, 2021.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00718
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate Committee 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.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00717
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Committee (IFQ Committee) will meet via web conference March 25, 2021 through March 26, 2021.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00716
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scallop Plan Team will meet February 17, 2021.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00715
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC's) Tilefish Monitoring Committee (MC) will hold a public meeting.
List of Fisheries for 2021
Document Number: 2021-00570
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its final 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00569
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee 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 Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00562
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 68 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic scamp will consist of a series of data and assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2021-00561
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold online public meetings.
Fisheries of the U.S. Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00560
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 80 stock assessment of U.S. Caribbean queen triggerfish will consist of a series of data webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00559
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Advisory Panel 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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00558
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workshop (EWG) and Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) will hold online meetings, which are open to the public.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2021-00557
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-01-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC's) Tilefish Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting.
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