National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 12, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is proposing to approve, and implement through regulations, measures included in Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan/Framework Adjustment 6 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, which the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils jointly adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. This action would establish area-based gear requirements for vessels fishing in the monkfish and spiny dogfish fisheries with gillnets in order to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in these fisheries. This action is necessary to minimize bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish fisheries to the extent practicable and fulfill requirements of the Biological Opinion on Ten Fishery Management Plans in the Greater Atlantic Region and the New England Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received two direct take permit applications and two permit modification requests pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for research and enhancement purposes. The proposed activities are intended to enhance the survival of species listed under the ESA and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

NMFS announces that the commercial per-trip possession limit for the blueline tilefish fishery has been reduced for the remainder of the 2024 fishing year. This announcement informs the public of the reduced blueline tilefish possession limit. This action is intended to prevent over-harvest of blueline tilefish for the fishing year.