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

Results 151 - 200 of 1,290
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan, Oregon and Washington
Document Number: 2024-26069
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and Letter of Authorization (LOA) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of small numbers of marine mammals over 5 years (2027-2032) incidental to the Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan in Oregon and Washington. NMFS requests public comments and will consider them prior to making any final decision on the requested ITR and issuance of the LOA; agency responses to comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Approved Monitoring Service Providers
Document Number: 2024-26185
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has approved nine companies to provide Northeast multispecies sector at-sea catch monitoring (ASM) and/or electronic catch monitoring (EM) services in fishing year 2025. Regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan require ASM and EM companies to meet service provider performance standards to be approved by NMFS to provide catch monitoring services to sectors. This action approves service providers that sectors may contract with for catch monitoring services for fishing year 2025.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing Permit
Document Number: 2024-26184
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Fish/Fisheries Conservation Lab at the University of South Carolina. If granted, the EFP would authorize the limited harvest of red hind during spawning events in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters around the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and exempt that harvest from Federal area and seasonal closure regulations. The purpose of the EFP is to address critical gaps in red hind demographics and life history, which could help provide current, region-specific information for upcoming stock assessments for the species.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Office of Marine and Aviation Operations: Occupational Health, Safety, and Readiness Forms
Document Number: 2024-25591
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 2025 Research Fishery
Document Number: 2024-26050
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS requests applications for the 2025 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with Atlantic shark Directed or Incidental limited access permits. The shark research fishery provides fishery-dependent and biological data collection to support stock assessments and other NMFS' research and management objectives. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery. Shark research fishery participants may also land other species of sharks, dependent on the terms and conditions of their permit. Commercial shark fishermen who are interested in participating in the shark research fishery must submit a completed Shark Research Fishery Permit Application to be considered.
Conservation Plan for the Eastern Pacific Stock of Northern Fur Seal (Laaquda)
Document Number: 2024-25969
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS has finalized the Conservation Plan for the Eastern Pacific Stock of Northern Fur Seal (Laaquda) based on public comments received. The goal of the Conservation Plan is to conserve and restore the stock to its optimum sustainable population. The Final Conservation Plan (Plan) for this stock is now available.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferry Berth Construction in Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska
Document Number: 2024-26013
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of 11 species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Ferry Berth construction Ketchikan, Alaska. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27552
Document Number: 2024-25998
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818 (Responsible Party: Charles Littnan, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research and enhancement activities on Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
Pacific Island Fisheries; Amendment 7 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago and Final Rule; Discontinue Rebuilding Plan for American Samoa Bottomfish and Implement Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Fishing Years 2024-2026
Document Number: 2024-25829
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule amends the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP) to discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish and implements single-species annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for bottomfish in the American Samoa archipelago for fishing years 2024, 2025 and 2026. The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and new ACLs and AMs are warranted. This final rule supports the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
Nominations to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
Document Number: 2024-25747
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) seeks nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC or Committee). MAFAC is responsible to advise the Secretary, NOAA, and NMFS on all matters concerning living marine resources that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The Committee makes recommendations to assist in the development and implementation of departmental regulations, policies, and programs critical to the mission and goals of NMFS. Nominations are encouraged from all individuals involved with or representing interests affected by NMFS actions in managing living marine resources. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in a field related to the management of living marine resources and be able to fulfill the time commitment required for two annual meetings and year-round subcommittee work. Individuals serve for a term of three years for no more than two consecutive terms if re-appointed. NMFS seeks qualified nominees to fill pending vacancies.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ice Roads and Ice Trails Construction and Maintenance Activities on Alaska's North Slope
Document Number: 2024-25813
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to ice road and ice trail construction, maintenance, and operation in Alaska's North Slope, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a revised Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp), in place of Eni US Operating Co. Inc. (Eni), for the take of marine mammals incidental to specified construction and maintenance activities.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25704
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Joint Groundfish Advisory and Recreational Advisory Panels via webinar 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.
Pacific Island Fisheries; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule; Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean North of the Equator
Document Number: 2024-25676
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS withdraws the proposed rule for "Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean North of the Equator" that published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2024. This proposed rule was intended to satisfy Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) obligations to address U.S. fishing vessels' relative impact on this internationally managed stock that, based on a prior stock assessment and domestic status determination criteria, NMFS determined was overfished. NMFS is now withdrawing the proposed rule because NMFS has determined the stock is no longer overfished, not approaching an overfished condition, and is rebuilding, based on a more recent assessment. Thus, the factual and legal bases for the proposed rule no longer apply.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 2024-25648
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from trawl catcher vessels and from catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, Amendment 80 vessels, and catcher/processors using hook- and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2024-25647
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear and catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25702
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a hybrid meeting of its Groundfish 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.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-25700
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Pacific Pelagics Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Plan Team (PT) to discuss fishery management issues and develop recommendations to the Council for future management of pelagic fisheries in the Western Pacific region.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25589
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Committee will hold a public meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25588
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25587
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a hybrid meeting of its Scallop Advisory Panel 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.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25586
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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.
2025 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement
Document Number: 2024-25541
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-04
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is providing notification that the agency will not identify additional fisheries to observe on the 2025 Annual Determination (AD), pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required to take observers upon NMFS' request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle bycatch in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle bycatch, and implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2020 and 2023 ADs (see table 1) remain on the AD for a 5-year period and are required to carry observers upon NMFS' request until September 29, 2025, and December 31, 2027, respectively.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-25407
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold four port meetings gathering input on Atlantic king mackerel and Atlantic Spanish mackerel as managed by the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; U.S. Fishing Opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area
Document Number: 2024-25470
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We are announcing 2025 fishing opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area with the possibility of being renewed for up to 2 subsequent years. This action is necessary to make fishing privileges in the Regulatory Area available on an equitable basis to the extent possible. The intended effect of this notice is to alert U.S. fishing vessels of fishing opportunities for Atlantic cod, redfish, and Illex squid, along with other fisheries that may become available; to relay the available quotas available to U.S. participants; and to outline the process and requirements for vessels to apply to participate in the 2025 fishery in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries for 2025; Reopening Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2024-25419
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On September 24, 2024, NMFS published its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2025, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The original comment period closed on October 24, 2024. In response to requests to extend the public comment period, NMFS is reopening the comment period through December 1, 2024.
Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; 2025 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs; and Suspension of Atlantic Surfclam Minimum Size Limit
Document Number: 2024-25412
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2025 will remain status quo. NMFS also suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2025 fishing year. Regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to notify the public of the allowable harvest levels for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone even if the previous year's quota specifications remain unchanged. The 2025 quotas were previously announced as projected values. This action confirms the final quotas are unchanged from those projections. This action would not result in harm to these fisheries.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25400
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25399
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Enforcement Committee 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.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25395
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) will hold a public workshop to collect input on the commercial Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRA). This public workshop will be facilitated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County-Marine Program to incorporate commercial fishing industry involvement in the MAFMC funded project, "Utilizing Collaborative Strategies to Assess and Adapt Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) in Response to Climate Change."
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Halibut Recreational Quota Entity Program Fee Collection
Document Number: 2024-25229
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-10-31
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes regulations to require a charter halibut stamp (stamp) for charter vessel anglers, age 18 years or older, for each day and each trip they intend to catch and retain halibut on a charter vessel in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory area 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Southcentral Alaska). Persons who hold charter halibut permits (CHPs) would purchase stamps, which would be electronic, from NMFS. Charter vessel guides would be required to validate a stamp for each adult charter vessel angler intending to catch and retain halibut. NMFS would ultimately transfer the collected fees from the stamp purchases to the Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) to purchase halibut Quota Share (QS) issued in the Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program on behalf of the charter halibut fishery. This proposed rule is necessary to promote stability and economic viability in the charter halibut fishery, and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), and other applicable laws.
Notice of Availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment on the Effects of Permitting Translocation of Sturgeon for Scientific Research and Enhancement Under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2024-25214
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA has prepared a final programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, analyzing the environmental impacts of the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (OPR) proposal to authorize directed take under the sturgeon Endangered Species Act (ESA) permitting program for the translocation of shortnose (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic (A. oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) sturgeons for research and enhancement purposes. Based on its finding of no significant impact, NMFS has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25205
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Law Enforcement Committee will hold a meeting.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25204
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The SEDAR 90 assessment process of South Atlantic red snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pile Driving Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme; Correction
Document Number: 2024-25226
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice contains corrections to a notice of the proposed issuance an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the United States Navy (Navy). The document being corrected is Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pile Driving Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, which was published on October 23, 2024.
Marine Mammals; File No. 27984
Document Number: 2024-25126
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Jooke Robbins, Ph.D., Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates and Sea Turtles
Document Number: 2024-25180
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG) have prepared the Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates (FWCI) and Sea Turtles (RP4/EA). The Draft RP4/EA proposes alternatives to help restore fish and water column invertebrates and sea turtles impacted by the DWH oil spill. The Draft RP4/EA evaluates twelve restoration alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), including criteria set forth in the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. A No Action Alternative is also evaluated pursuant to the NEPA. The total estimated cost to implement the Open Ocean TIG's 10 preferred alternatives is approximately $210,020,000. The Open Ocean TIG invites the public to comment on the Draft RP4/EA.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for the Saimaa Seal (Phoca (or Pusa) hispida saimensis)
Document Number: 2024-25177
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its intent to conduct a 5-year review of the endangered ringed seal, Saimaa subspecies (Phoca (or Pusa) hispida saimensis), hereafter referred to as the Saimaa seal. NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the Saimaa seal, particularly information on its status, threats, and conservation efforts, which has become available since the previous 5-year review in January 2018.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-25203
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will hold a public webinar meeting.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-25201
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold three Best Fishing Practices Master Volunteer Program (BFP MVP) Workshops covering best fishing practices, specifically for snapper grouper species, how to get involved in Citizen Science projects, and how to get involved in the Council process.
Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida
Document Number: 2024-25200
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer reporting specific to the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf, the Regional Administrator (RA), Southeast Region, NMFS has determined that the catastrophic conditions caused by Hurricane Helene in the Gulf for certain Florida counties still exist. This temporary rule authorizes in the described affected area any dealer who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of dealer reports (trip tickets), any Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS) program participant to delay reporting electronic logbooks, and authorizes IFQ dealers within the affected area 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 dealer reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Updates Regarding Sea Turtle Careful Release Equipment and Techniques
Document Number: 2024-24870
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In this final rule, NMFS updates the Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) regulations regarding the sea turtle safe handling and release requirements and equipment in the HMS pelagic and bottom longline fisheries. This action is based in part on two technical memoranda published by NMFS' Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). The regulatory updates replace some of the more technical terms with those that are more commonly used, add more detail to make the regulations more understandable, and add additional tools or options for fishermen to use to safely handle and release sea turtles. In addition, this final rule simplifies the regulations by removing redundancies, making minor changes in formatting, and revising wording to clarify responsibility of implementation.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: 2024-24928
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS approves and implements Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. Framework Adjustment 16 was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to establish a volumetric vessel hold capacity baseline for limited access Illex squid vessels, allow NMFS to collect information on vessel processing type from limited access Illex and Tier 1 longfin squid vessels, and clarify existing Illex squid reporting requirements. This action is necessary to restrict future increases in capacity in the Illex squid fishery and gain more accurate catch information to inform stock assessments.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Atlantic Shores South Project Offshore of New Jersey
Document Number: 2024-25090
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC (Project Company 1), for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the construction of the Atlantic Shores South Project (hereafter known as the "Project").
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