National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 23, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 34; Groundfish Exclusion Area for Coral Research and Restoration
NMFS issues these proposed regulations to implement amendment 34 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP). The proposed regulations include a closure to commercial groundfish bottom contact gear in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). Specifically, NMFS proposes to implement a new groundfish exclusion area (GEA) for the purposes of coral research and restoration within MBNMS at the site of Sur Ridge. The purpose of this proposed action is to close the Sur Ridge site within the MBNMS off California to commercial groundfish bottom contact gear in order to protect future deep-sea coral research and restoration projects from the impact of fishing gear. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) conducts scientific research in National Marine Sanctuaries, including on deep sea coral survival, growth and reproduction, under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Listing Determinations for Ten Species of Giant Clams Under the Endangered Species Act; Extension of Public Comment Period
We, NMFS, announce the extension of the public comment period on our July 25, 2024 proposed rule to list 5 species of giant clams as endangered and 5 species of giant clams as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to issue protective regulations for the 5 proposed threatened species under section 4(d) of the ESA. As part of that proposed action, we solicited comments on the proposed rule, a draft environmental assessment (EA), and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) over a 90-day comment period, which was scheduled to close on October 23, 2024. Comments previously submitted do not need to be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in the agency's proposed action.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pile Driving Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme
NMFS has received a request from the United States Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to pile driving training exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme (NBVC). NMFS previously issued an incidental harassment authorization IHA to the Navy for similar activities on April 28, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the initial IHA); however, during the initial authorization period, only one of four planned training exercise was performed. The Navy is requesting, and NMFS is proposing to issue an IHA authorizing incidental take for an additional four training exercises. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible 1-year Renewal IHA 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 authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The Navy's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone; Authorizing Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors To Use Longline Pot Gear in the Bering Sea Greenland Turbot Fishery
NMFS proposes regulations that would authorize hook-and-line catcher/processors (C/Ps) to use longline pot gear when directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea (BS) subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). This proposed rule is necessary to improve efficiency, provide economic benefits for the hook-and-line C/P sector, and minimize potential fishery interactions with killer whales. This proposed rule would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and other applicable laws.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Maryland Offshore Wind Project, Offshore of Maryland
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to US Wind, Inc. (US Wind) during the construction of an offshore wind energy project (the Project) in Federal and State waters off of Maryland, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lease Area (OCS-A-0490) (referred to as the Lease Area) and along associated export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points (collectively, the project area), over the course of 5 years (January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during specific construction related activities within the project area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a Recreational Initiative Public Engagement Workshop via webinar.
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