National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 29, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On behalf of the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee co-chaired by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC) Council and the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization (IWG-OEC) request public input from all interested parties on the development of the "Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization in the Pacific Islands within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and Outer Continental Shelf" (Pacific Islands Priorities Report). The public input provided in response to this notice will inform the IWG-OEC and federal subject matter experts in identifying strategic priorities and data needs for ocean exploration and characterization in the U.S. Pacific Islands (State of Hawai'i and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Possessions) as they develop the Pacific Islands Priorities Report and ensure that this report is informed by and responsive to all sectors through sustained engagement and effective partnerships.

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2024 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. This adjustment to the 2024 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Rhode Island.

NMFS approves and implements final small-mesh multispecies specifications for the 2024 fishing year, and projected specifications for fishing years 2025 and 2026. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures consistent with the most recent scientific information. This rule informs the public of these final fishery specifications for the 2024 fishing year.

This proposed rule would establish the 2025-26 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act or MSA) and the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP). This proposed rule would also revise management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits. These proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available. This proposed rule would also make minor corrections (e.g. correcting grammar, removing outdated regulations, revisions for clarity) to the regulations. Additionally, this proposed rule announces the receipt of exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications. NMFS has made a preliminary determination that these applications warrant further consideration and is requesting public comment on these applications. This proposed rule also would implement amendment 33 to the PCGFMP, which would establish a rebuilding plan for California quillback rockfish and revise the allocation framework for shortspine thornyhead. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, NMFS also announces the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential effects of the associated proposed rule.