National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 8, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold two virtual public hearings pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 36 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. This amendment considers revisions to the recreational vessel limits for gag and black grouper and stowage requirements for black sea bass pots equipped with on-demand gear while transiting closed areas.

NMFS received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey at the Chain Transform Fault in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. 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.