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

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).

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).

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.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a Recreational Initiative Public Engagement Workshop via webinar.

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce (CCTF) will meet November 6, 2024.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC; Council) will hold a meeting of the Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub-Committee.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, Federal dealer reporting, and Federal charter vessel and headboat (for-hire vessel) reporting specific to the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and Atlantic, snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic, and dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, the Regional Administrator (RA), NMFS Southeast Region, has determined that Hurricane Milton has caused catastrophic conditions in the Gulf and the Atlantic for certain Florida counties. This temporary rule authorizes, in the affected area described in this temporary rule, any Federal dealer or for-hire electronic reporting program participant who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting, and any IFQ dealer to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and electronic reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel (CPSAS) and Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) will hold public meetings.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a joint meeting. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Community Offshore Wind, LLC (COSW) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore from New Jersey and New York in the New York Bight, 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 0539 (Lease Area) and associated Export Cable Route (ECR) survey area (ECR Area). There are no changes from the proposed authorization to this final authorization.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

NMFS proposes 2025 specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan and the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan require us to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The proposed specifications establish allowable harvest levels for these species that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to Murphy Exploration and Production Company (Murphy) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Habitat Committee (HC) will hold an online public meeting.

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the availability of a Draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan (Draft Recovery Plan) for the threatened giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) for public review. We are soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Draft Recovery Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Recovery Plan for final approval. We are also initiating a 5-year review of the giant manta ray and are requesting new information on its status.

NOAA and the Department of Interior (DOI) will hold the 49th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). NOAA and DOI will be accepting oral and written comments.

Notice is hereby given that the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has been issued a permit for the incidental take of Endangered Species Act listed sea turtles and sturgeon associated with the otherwise lawful commercial inshore gillnet fishery in North Carolina.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its first Recreational Initiative Working Group meeting in Tampa, FL.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public hybrid meeting of its Groundfish Recreational and Advisory Panels to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This meeting will be held in-person with a webinar option. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The SEDAR 84 assessment process of U.S. Caribbean yellowtail snapper and stoplight parrotfish will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a hybrid meeting of its Scallop Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Charter Halibut Management Committee will meet October 25, 2024.

NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Navy (Navy), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to the Q8 Bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia over the course of 5 years (i.e., 2025-2029) (the Project). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, 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.