National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 19, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the approval of amendment 127 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI), amendment 115 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), amendment 56 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs, amendment 17 to the FMP for the Salmon Fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Alaska, and amendment 3 to the FMP for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area (amendments). These amendments revise the FMPs by updating the description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH) and updating information on adverse effects on EFH from fishing and non-fishing activities based on the best scientific information available. These amendments are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the FMPs, and other applicable laws.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel.

NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (TCA), as amended, to implement two resolutions adopted at the 101st meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in August 2023. These resolutions include Resolution C-23-03 ("Amendment to Resolution C-99-07 on Fish Aggregating Devices") and Resolution C- 23-04 ("On the Design and Biodegradability of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) in the IATTC Area of Competence"). The proposed rule would modify regulations for the design of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to require non-entangling and biodegradable materials. Furthermore, the proposed rule would require that data related to the recovery of FADs for the purpose of final disposal or recycling in the EPO be collected by vessel owners and operators, and submitted to the IATTC, unless that information is already collected and submitted to the IATTC by an observer.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad- Hoc Klamath River Fall Chinook Workgroup will hold two online meetings.