National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2022-2023 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass
Document Number: 2022-06702
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the length of the recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic will extend throughout the species' 2022-2023 fishing year. Announcing the length of recreational season for black sea bass is one of the accountability measures (AMs) for the recreational sector. This announcement allows recreational fishers to maximize their opportunity to harvest the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for black sea bass during the fishing season while managing harvest to protect the black sea bass resource.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 34 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2022-06736
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS approves and implements the measures included in Framework Adjustment 34 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan as adopted and submitted by the New England Fishery Management Council. Framework 34 establishes scallop specifications and other measures for fishing years 2022 and 2023. This action incorporates the new specifications-setting methodology and other changes developed in Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan into the fishing year 2022 specifications. In addition, Framework 34 implements measures to protect small scallops, promote scallop recruitment in the mid-Atlantic, and reduce bycatch of flatfish. This final rule addresses regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve both yield-per-recruit and the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer From MD to NC
Document Number: 2022-06723
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of Maryland is transferring a portion of its 2021 commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish quotas for Maryland and North Carolina.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2022-06718
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2022-06713
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to 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. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2022-06555
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its Social Science Planning Committee (SSPC), Archipelagic Plan Team (APT), and Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee Technical Committee for the Data Collection Subpanel (FDCRC-TC-DCSP) meetings to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-06554
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) Steering Committee will convene a public meeting to discuss and approve the 5- year calendar for stock assessments, and to address any other concerns related to the WPSAR process.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Permit and Reporting Requirements for Non-Commercial Fishing in the Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monuments (MANM)
Document Number: 2022-06598
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-29
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for the North Pacific Right Whale (Eubalaena japonica)
Document Number: 2022-06587
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its intent to conduct a 5-year review of the endangered North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that 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 the North Pacific right whale, particularly information on its status, threats, and recovery that has become available since the previous 5-year review was issued in December 2017.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2022-06459
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Office of Education Higher Education Scholarship, Fellowship and Internship Programs
Document Number: 2022-06477
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-28
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.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna and Silky Shark in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2022 and Beyond
Document Number: 2022-06345
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, as amended, to implement Resolution C-21-04 (Conservation Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2022- 2024) and Resolution C-21-06 (Conservation Measures for Shark Species, with Special Emphasis on the Silky Shark (Carcharhinus Falciformis), for the Years 2022 and 2023), which were adopted at the Resumed 98th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in October 2021. This proposed rule implements the C-21-04 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 would 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. To implement Resolution C-21-06, which extended the previous IATTC resolution on silky shark for 2 years, NMFS is proposing for existing regulations on silky shark to continue in effect with no proposed amendments. This proposed rule is necessary for the conservation of tropical tuna stocks and silky shark in the EPO and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.
Pacific Island Fisheries; 2022-2025 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Main Hawaiian Islands Uku (Gray Jobfish)
Document Number: 2022-06285
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In this final rule, NMFS implements an annual catch limit (ACL) of 295,419 lb (134 metric tons (t)), an annual catch target (ACT) of 291,010 lb (132 t), and accountability measures (AM) for main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) uku for fishing years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. These ACLs and ACTs apply to the total combined commercial and non-commercial catch of uku. As an in-season accountability measure, if NMFS projects that the total catch will reach the ACT in any given fishing year, we would close commercial and non-commercial uku fisheries in Federal waters for the remainder of the fishing year. As a post-season AM, if NMFS determines that the most recent three-year average total catch exceeded the ACL in a fishing year, we would reduce the ACL and ACT for the following fishing year by the amount of the overage. This rule supports the long-term sustainability of MHI uku.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Purse Seine Observer Exemptions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Document Number: 2022-06337
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, as amended, to allow NMFS to issue temporary exemptions from purse seine observer requirements in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) in accordance with procedures adopted by Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) and members of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). This final rule is necessary for the continuity of fishing activities for large U.S. purse seine vessels and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.
Fisheries Finance Program; Announcement of Availability of Federal Financial Assistance for Western Alaskan Community Development Groups
Document Number: 2022-06336
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the availability of long-term direct loans for Western Alaskan Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups through the Community Development Loan program as a component of the Fisheries Finance Program (FFP). The Community Development loans will provide financing for the purchase of all or part of ownership interests in fishing or processing vessels, shoreside fish processing facilities, permits, quota, and cooperative rights in any of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island fisheries. FFP loans are not issued for purposes that could contribute to over-fishing.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From VA to NJ
Document Number: 2022-06287
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2022 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of New Jersey. This adjustment to the 2022 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2022 commercial quotas for Virginia and New Jersey.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2022 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2022-06354
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-25
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On November 19, 2021, NMFS published a notice inviting qualified commercial shark permit holders to submit applications to participate in the 2022 Shark Research Fishery. The Shark Research Fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments and cooperative research with commercial fishermen to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. Every year, the permit terms and permitted activities (e.g., number of hooks and retention limits) specifically authorized for selected participants in the Shark Research Fishery are designated depending on the scientific and research needs of the Agency, as well as the number of NMFS- approved observers available. In order to inform selected participants of this year's specific permit requirements and ensure all terms and conditions of the permit are met, NMFS is holding a meeting via conference call and webinar for selected participants. The date and time of that meeting is announced in this notice.
Notice of Renewal of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing
Document Number: 2022-05875
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the General Services Administration (GSA) rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, and after consultation with GSA, the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the renewal of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by law. ACCRES was last renewed on March 6, 2020.
Civil Procedures in Civil Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
Document Number: 2022-05845
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA proposes to amend procedures governing its civil administrative enforcement proceedings. The principal changes would include updates to statutory references, clarifications regarding the Administrator's discretionary review, revised directions for appealing a written warning, revised requirements for denying a request for admission, and revised directions for electronic service related to certain appeals and petitions. Other changes would remove the requirement for NOAA to challenge late hearing requests, simplify the use of electronic signatures, rename discovery filings, allow depositions by videoconference, require discovery filings to state when a witness is expected to speak in a language other than the English language in order to arrange interpretation, clarify when failing to pay can be a basis for permit sanctions, incorporate Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act deadlines into administrative forfeiture proceedings, and allow NOAA to publish a Notice of Proposed Forfeiture on an official government website. In addition, minor changes would update titles and addresses and correct clerical errors.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office, Legislation; Name Change
Document Number: 2022-06196
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issues this final rule to change the name for ``Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICEs)'' to ``Regional Coastal Observing Systems.'' This rule has no substantive effect.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2022-06258
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a Seminar Series presentation on the Deepwater Marine Protected Areas in the South Atlantic Region via webinar.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-06257
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a two-day public hybrid meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-06256
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-24
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day hybrid meeting with both in-person and remote participation to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Council continues to follow all public safety measures related to COVID-19 and intends to do so for this meeting.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Nautical Discrepancy and Data Reporting System
Document Number: 2022-06158
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-23
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.
Public Comment of the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Document Number: 2022-05955
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-22
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC) Council and the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization (IWG-OEC) request public comment from all interested parties on the draft Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (``Priorities Report''). The Priorities Report was developed per the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (``National Strategy'') and as detailed in the NOMEC Implementation Plan (``Implementation Plan''). To help ensure implementation of the National Strategy continues to be informed by all sectors, the NOMEC Council and IWG-OEC issue this notice to seek public comment on the specific thematic and geographic priorities for ocean exploration and characterization that were identified by Federal subject-matter experts. The NOMEC Council and IWG-OEC issue this notice on behalf of the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee, which is chaired by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys Off of Delaware
Document Number: 2022-05935
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, (Orsted) on behalf of Garden State Offshore Energy, LLC (Garden State) and Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC (Skipjack) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to site characterization surveys off the coast of Delaware. 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-time, 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 authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey To Collect Economic Data From Recreational Anglers Along the Atlantic Coast
Document Number: 2022-05948
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
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.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction and Operation of the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Farm Offshore of Rhode Island
Document Number: 2022-05947
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from Revolution Wind, LLC (Revolution Wind), a subsidiary of [Oslash]rsted Wind Power North America, LLC's ([Oslash]rsted), for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to construction and operation activities associated with the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Farm in Revolution Wind's lease area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OSC-A 0468) offshore of Rhode Island over the course of 5 years beginning in 2023. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Revolution Wind's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA). NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Revolution Wind's application and request.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2022-05921
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold online and in-person public meetings.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia
Document Number: 2022-05851
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
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 United States Department of the Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass marine mammals during pile driving activities associated with the replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council: Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-05815
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council (council). The meeting is open to the public, and an opportunity for oral and written comments will be provided.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2022-05813
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-21
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee (MPC) will hold a public meeting.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferry Berth Improvements in Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska
Document Number: 2022-05561
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
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 Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT) to incidentally harass, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with construction of four ferry berth facilities in Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #8: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats
Document Number: 2022-05553
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and a Consent Decree with BP Exploration & Production Inc. (BP), the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Federal natural resource trustee agencies for the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (Louisiana TIG) have prepared a Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #8: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats (RP/EA #8). The Draft RP/EA #8 describes and proposes restoration project alternatives considered by the Louisiana TIG to partially restore natural resources and ecological services injured or lost as a result of the DWH oil spill. The Louisiana TIG evaluated these alternatives under criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations, and evaluated the environmental consequences of the restoration alternatives in accordance with NEPA. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Draft RP/EA #8 and to seek public comments on the document.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Document Number: 2022-05714
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have received separate incidental take permit (ITP) applications from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), associated with the Western Oregon State Forests habitat conservation plan (HCP). The HCP has been submitted pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), NMFS announces the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (Draft EIS). NMFS is the lead Federal agency under NEPA, and FWS is a cooperating agency. The Draft EIS analyzes the potential effects of issuance of the ITPs and approval of the HCP. If granted, the ITPs would authorize incidental take of the covered species resulting from the covered activities (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION), as well as take resulting from activities carried out as part of the HCP's conservation strategy.
Deep Seabed Hard Minerals; Request for Extension of Exploration Licenses; Comments Request
Document Number: 2022-05793
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOS has received from the Lockheed Martin Corporation (``Lockheed Martin'' or ``Licensee'') a request to extend to 2027 two deep seabed hard mineral exploration licenses issued pursuant to the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). Lockheed Martin's extension request includes an updated exploration plan for activities conducted under the licenses. Lockheed Martin's request and accompanying exploration plan are available for public review and comment on whether the Licensee has met the criteria for the issuance of extensions specified in DSHMRA.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Experimental Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2022-05768
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is issuing an experimental fishing permit (EFP) to the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA) to evaluate the risk of seabird interactions in the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery when setting fishing gear one hour before and one hour after local sunset and using tori lines instead of required blue-dyed bait and strategic offal discharge as seabird mitigation measures. The intent of the EFP is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of potential alternative effective methods of discouraging seabird interactions while providing operational flexibility during setting in the shallow-set longline fishery.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2022-05767
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by for catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels less than 50 feet length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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: 2022-05766
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-18
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 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Document Number: 2022-05765
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-18
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 Pioneers for a Thoughtful Coexistence, Inc. contains all 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.
Permits; Foreign Fishing
Document Number: 2022-05598
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS publishes for public review and comment information regarding a permit application for transshipment of farmed salmon from aquaculture operations in Maine waters to processing plants in Canada by Canadian flagged vessels. NMFS approved permits in January 2022 for four vessels for the entity requesting the permit, True North Salmon Limited Partnership and 697002 NB, Inc. The recent application is for one additional vessel to perform the same functions as the four previously permitted vessels. The application for a transshipment permit is submitted under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action is necessary for NMFS to make a determination that the permit application can be approved.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2022-05639
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet April 4, 2022, through April 11, 2022, via hybrid conference.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: 2022-05638
Type: Notice
Date: 2022-03-17
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 Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; 2022 and 2023 Specifications
Document Number: 2022-05649
Type: Rule
Date: 2022-03-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues final Northeast skate specifications for the 2022 fishing year, and projects specifications for fishing year 2023, as recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council. This action is necessary to establish annual allowable harvest levels for the skate fishery that prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available.
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