National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 251 - 300 of 1,224
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery
Document Number: 2023-21466
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Based on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's recommendations, we are implementing aggregate ownership caps in Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2 and 3, a maximum trap cap reduction in Area 3, and mandatory coastwide electronic harvester reporting for all federally permitted lobster vessels. The ownership caps and trap cap reduction measures are intended to reduce fishing exploitation and latent effort in the trap fishery by scaling the fishery to the size of the Southern New England lobster stock. The harvester reporting requirement is intended to improve the spatial resolution of harvester data, and improve and expand the collection of fishery effort data. This action is necessary to better manage the lobster fishery toward sustainability and to ensure fishery regulations for the lobster fishery in Federal waters remain compatible with the intent of the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster and consistent with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Document Number: 2023-21710
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries for the remainder of the 2023 fishing year. This action is intended to allow commercial and recreational fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Fall Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Document Number: 2023-21709
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In preparation for the 2023 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting, the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT is announcing the convening of its fall meeting.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; General Category October Through November Time Period Quota Transfer
Document Number: 2023-21707
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 25 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the General category October through November time period resulting in an adjusted October through November time period subquota of 117.4 mt and a Reserve category quota of 87.2 mt. This action would affect Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21729
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Economics Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene an online meeting to review the economic analysis associated with sablefish gear switching alternatives being considered by the Pacific Council. The SSC Economics Subcommittee meeting is open to the public.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-21728
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21727
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a week-long in-person work session that is open to the public.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21726
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public joint hybrid meeting of its Skate Committee and 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.
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic; Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rules
Document Number: 2023-21738
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-10-02
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to implement amendments to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP), the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Golden Crab FMP), and the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Dolphin and Wahoo FMP), referenced here as the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule Amendments. If implemented, this proposed rule would modify the ABC control rules, allow the phase-in of ABC changes, allow some carry-over of an unharvested portion of the annual catch limit (ACL) to the following fishing year, and modify the FMP framework procedures to implement carry-overs of ACLs when appropriate. The purpose of this proposed rule is to ensure catch level recommendations are based on the best scientific information available, prevent overfishing while achieving optimum yield (OY), and increase flexibility in setting catch limits. NMFS also proposes an administrative clarification to existing regulations for the Snapper-Grouper FMP framework procedure.
Designation of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effectiveness
Document Number: 2023-21648
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (WSCNMS) on June 23, 2021, and the final rule became effective on August 16, 2021. However, as discussed in the final rule, the provision that prohibits grappling into or anchoring on shipwreck sites (grappling and anchoring provision) was to go into effect on October 1, 2023. This action delays the effectiveness of the grappling and anchoring provision of the final rule until October 1, 2024.
Endangered Species; File No. 23096
Document Number: 2023-21501
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602 (Responsible Party: Dale Greene, Ph.D.) has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 23096.
Scoping for a Marine Mammal Take Reduction Team to Address Incidental Mortality and Serious Injury of Humpback Whale Stocks in the Pacific
Document Number: 2023-21333
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is establishing a Take Reduction Team (TRT or Team) to address the incidental mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of humpback whales that would, at a minimum, consider Federal sablefish pot fishery interactions with the Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and Mainland Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of humpback whales, and may also be expanded to consider other fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. The TRT will develop a Take Reduction Plan (TRP or Plan) as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS requests public comments on information relevant to establishing the TRT as well as interest from stakeholders who wish to be considered for TRT membership.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Experimental Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2023-21329
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issued an amended experimental fishing permit (EFP) to the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA) on September 20, 2023 to evaluate the risk of seabird interactions in the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery when setting fishing gear 1 hour before and 1 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. The amendment will extend the expiration date to August 24, 2024 and modify the list of vessels authorized under the EFP. All other terms and conditions of the EFP are unchanged. The amended EFP invalidates and replaces the EFP issued by NMFS to HLA on January 24, 2023.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Biennial Specifications; 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Specifications for Pacific Mackerel
Document Number: 2023-21410
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes to implement allowable catch levels, an overfishing limit, an allowable biological catch, and an annual catch limit for Pacific mackerel in the exclusive economic zone off the U.S. West Coast (California, Oregon, and Washington) for the fishing years (seasons) 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. This proposed rule is made pursuant to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. The proposed harvest guideline and annual catch target for the 2023-2024 fishing season are 7,871 metric tons (mt) and 6,871 mt, respectively. The proposed harvest guideline and annual catch target for the 2024-2025 fishing season are 8,943 mt and 7,943 mt, respectively. If the fishery attains the annual catch target in either fishing season, the directed fishery will close, reserving the 1,000-mt difference between the harvest guideline and annual catch target as a set-aside for incidental landings in other Coastal Pelagic Species fisheries and other sources of mortality. This rulemaking is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific mackerel stock off the U.S. West Coast.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-21470
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory bodies will meet November 1-8, 2023 in Garden Grove, California and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21469
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Social Science Planning Team (SSPT) will meet October 18, 2023.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-21465
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a joint meeting of its Citizen Science Operations Committee and Citizen Science Projects Advisory Committee via webinar October 27, 2023.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21464
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a hybrid meeting of its Scallop Committee 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21463
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a hybrid meeting 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.
Endangered Species; File No. 27686
Document Number: 2023-21446
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Incorporated (hereinafter `Clearwater') has applied in due form to renew a permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The renewal permit application is for the incidental take of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) and shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) associated with the otherwise lawful environmental education program conducted on the Hudson River, New York. The education program uses small otter trawls and beach seines to collect fish and invertebrate specimens that are held onboard the vessels for educational purposes. The duration of the proposed permit is 10 years. NMFS is providing this notice in order to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the application materials. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2023-21458
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel on November 6-7, 2023, and a meeting of the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel on November 7- 8, 2023.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21457
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) ad- hoc Klamath River Fall Chinook Workgroup (Workgroup) will hold two online meetings.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21456
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day hybrid meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21455
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public webinar to collect input on NOAA Fisheries' Draft Climate Governance Policy.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Pacific Halibut Fisheries: Charter
Document Number: 2023-21179
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-28
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.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27424
Document Number: 2023-21225
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-28
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive No. 11, Petaluma, CA 94954, (Responsible Party: Grant Ballard, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on five species of pinnipeds.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NMFS Alaska Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program
Document Number: 2023-21288
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-28
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.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey in Coastal Waters Off of Texas
Document Number: 2023-21089
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
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 University of Texas at Austin (UT) to incidentally harass marine mammals during marine geophysical survey activities in coastal waters off of Texas.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21060
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one day in-person meeting of its Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21059
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Executive Committee via webinar to discuss the Council budget and workplan.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21058
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 82 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of gray triggerfish will consist of a data workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-21057
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETC), in conjunction with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Law Enforcement Committee (LEC).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2023-21051
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea (BS) Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Kamchatka flounder, BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI sharks, and Central Aleutian Islands and Western Aleutian Islands (CAI/WAI) blackspotted/rougheye rockfish. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2023-20976
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of the 2023 Atka mackerel incidental catch allowance (ICA) for the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian district (BS/EAI) to the Amendment 80 cooperative allocation for the BS/EAI in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2023 total allowable catch of Atka mackerel in the BSAI to be fully harvested.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2023-21074
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-27
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 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Coast Guard Construction in Astoria, Oregon
Document Number: 2023-20534
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the East Tongue Point (ETP) construction project in Astoria, Oregon. 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, 1-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.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-20948
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Groundfish and Economics Subcommittees of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene an online meeting to review the non-trawl commercial fishery sablefish trip limit model used by the Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT). The methodology review meeting is open to the public.
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: 2023-20947
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to LLOG Exploration Company (LLOG) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-20927
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a weeklong online work session that is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare materials for the 2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures and discuss other items on the Pacific Council's November 2023 meeting agenda.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2023-20925
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 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 Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustments to Northeast Multispecies, Atlantic Sea Scallop, Monkfish, Northeast Skate Complex, and Atlantic Herring Fisheries; Southern New England Habitat Area of Particular Concern Designation
Document Number: 2023-20938
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This action proposes to implement the New England Fishery Management Council's Framework Adjustment that would identify a Habitat Area of Particular Concern offshore of Southern New England. This rule would adjust the following fishery management plans: Northeast Multispecies; Atlantic Sea Scallop; Monkfish; Northeast Skate Complex; and Atlantic Herring. The proposed Habitat Area of Particular Concern would be within and around wind lease areas in Southern New England, including Cox Ledge, to focus conservation recommendations on cod spawning habitats and complex benthic habitats that are known to serve important habitat functions to Council-managed fishery species.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Amendment 49
Document Number: 2023-20798
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 49 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). For greater amberjack, this final rule revises the sector annual catch limits (ACLs), the commercial minimum size limit, the commercial seasonal trip limits, and the April spawning season closure. In addition, Amendment 49 revises the overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual optimum yield (OY), and sector allocations of the total ACL, as well as removes the recreational annual catch targets (ACTs) for species in the FMP. The purpose of this final rule and Amendment 49 is to ensure catch limits are based on the best scientific information available and to ensure overfishing does not occur for the South Atlantic greater amberjack stock, while increasing social and economic benefits.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #19-26
Document Number: 2023-20796
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces eight inseason actions for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fishing season. These inseason actions modify the recreational and commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, Oregon.
Listing Endangered or Threatened Species; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for the North Pacific Right Whale
Document Number: 2023-20794
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 12-month determination on a petition to revise the critical habitat designation for the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on our review of the best available information on North Pacific right whale habitat use, we intend to revise the critical habitat. This finding describes how we intend to proceed, particularly regarding analysis and review of the relevant data and information that have become available since North Pacific right whale critical habitat was designated in 2008.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Maintenance and Rehabilitation of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal
Document Number: 2023-20752
Type: Notice
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Port of Bellingham for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal in Bellingham, WA. 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, 1-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.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Virginia
Document Number: 2023-20874
Type: Rule
Date: 2023-09-26
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2023 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2023 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 2023 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.
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