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

The Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a virtual meeting to update the Accepted Practices Guidelines for Groundfish Stock Assessments document. The SSC Groundfish Subcommittee meeting is open to the public.

NMFS is proposing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to revise in-season action announcement procedures for the commercial fisheries for Pacific bluefin tuna. This proposed rule would amend procedures to add notification of in-season action by direct emails to the affected public. In-season actions would be effective upon the earlier of either receipt of the notification by email or publication of the notice in the Federal Register. In-season actions would also be posted on the NMFS website. This proposed rule would also add a provision to the in-season action procedures to allow any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date of a notification of in-season action to be retained on board and landed or transshipped within 24 hours of the effective date of the in-season action.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish 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.

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have received separate ITP applications from the Oregon Department of State Lands (ODSL; applicant), associated with the Elliott State Research Forest HCP. The applications, including the HCP, have been submitted pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The applicant is seeking authorization from FWS and NMFS (together, the Services) for the incidental take of three species expected to result from research and management-related activities on the Elliott State Forest in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon. These research and management activities include timber removal and infrastructure maintenance. FWS is the lead Federal agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and NMFS is a cooperating agency. The availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was announced separately by FWS. NMFS is seeking public comments on the HCP.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary) announces the establishment of the Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee (MCAM AC). The MCAM AC shall advise the Under Secretary on science-based approaches to area-based protection, conservation, restoration, and management in coastal and marine areas, including the Great Lakes. The scope of the Committee's advice will include, but not be limited to, efforts consistent with the America the Beautiful initiative, as well as other relevant issues that may be requested by the Under Secretary. The MCAM AC shall terminate 2 years from the date of its charter's filing with the appropriate U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees unless earlier terminated or renewed by the proper authority. This notice also requests nominations for membership on the MCAM AC (see ``Structure'' and ``Nominations and Applications'' below for more detail).

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one-day in person meeting of its Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel (AP).

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) will hold the 180th public hybrid meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee will hold a public meeting.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the lane snapper commercial and recreational sectors in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2022 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2022 stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper has been reached. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf lane snapper on November 15, 2022, and they will remain closed through the end of the current fishing year on December 31, 2022. These closures are necessary to protect the Gulf lane snapper resource.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the replacement of Pier 302 at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA. 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.

Notice is hereby given that U.S. Geological Survey, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA 01376, (Responsible Party: Alexander Haro, Ph.D.), has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 22671-02.

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.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one-day in person meeting of its Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) Advisory Panel (AP).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee (MPC) will hold a public meeting.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public webinar of its Scallop Advisory Panel 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.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish 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.

NOAA has prepared a draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) for NOAA's proposal to fund aquaculture research and development projects through existing federal financial assistance award programs. We are making the programmatic environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

Notice is hereby given that permits, permit amendments, and permit modifications have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a one-day webinar meeting of its Groundfish Management Team (GMT) to discuss outcomes of the November Pacific Council meeting and to initiate discussions and analyses on groundfish items on the Pacific Council's March and April 2023 agendas. This meeting is open to the public.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish 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.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 146th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Hawaii Archipelago & Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA) Standing Committee, Executive and Budget Standing Committee, and 193rd Council meetings to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.

Notice is hereby given that the Burke Museum, University of Washington, Box 353010, Seattle, WA 98195 (Responsible Party: Gabriela Chavarria, Ph.D.) has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

This rule implements Framework Adjustment 7 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan, which includes specifications for the golden tilefish fishery for fishing years 2022-2024, a change to the annual specifications process, and a change to the start of the golden tilefish fishing year. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield. This action is intended to ensure measures are based on the best scientific information available and increase flexibility, where possible, for the tilefish fishery.

NOAA, on behalf of USGCRP, is publishing this notice on behalf of the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) to announce the availability of a draft Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) report for public comment. Following revision and further review (including by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine), a revised draft will undergo final Federal interagency clearance.