National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 28, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS received a request from the Don Young Port of Alaska (POA) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Cargo Terminals Replacement Project at the existing port facility in Anchorage, Alaska over the course of 5 construction seasons (2026 through 2030). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations setting forth permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on such marine mammal stocks (i.e., mitigation measures), and requirements pertaining to monitoring and reporting such takes and requests comments on the proposed regulations. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested MMPA regulations, and NMFS's responses to public comments will be summarized in the final notification of our decision.

Notice is hereby given that permits, permit amendments, and permit modifications have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.

NMFS announces its intent to issue exempted fishing permits (EFPs), scientific research permits (SRPs), display permits, letters of acknowledgment (LOAs), and shark research fishery permits for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) (tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks) in 2025. EFPs and related permits other than LOAs exempt permit holders from specific portions of the regulations for the purposes of scientific research, data collection, the investigation of bycatch, and public display, among other things. LOAs acknowledge that researchers are conducting scientific research activities on board a scientific research vessel. Generally, EFPs and related permits are valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year for which they are issued, unless otherwise specified in the permit, subject to the terms and conditions of individual permits.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the October through November time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when the fishery is open. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This action also waives the previously scheduled restricted-fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the October through November time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of catch-and-release and tag-and- release programs. On December 1, 2024, the fishery will reopen automatically.

Notice is hereby given that Matthew Fisher (Normandeau Associates Inc., 2233 Spring Street, West Lawn, PA 19609), has applied in due form for a permit to take Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and shortnose (A. brevirostrum) sturgeon for purposes of scientific research.