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

Notice is hereby given that NMFS received an application from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to renew their U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific enhancement permit (permit 20571-2R) for the reintroduction of Central Valley (CV) spring-run Chinook salmon to the San Joaquin River for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. Proposed activities within the permit application are expected to affect the threatened CV spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), California Central Valley (CCV) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the threatened Southern DPS (sDPS) of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). The public is hereby notified the application for Permit 20571-2R is available for review and comment before NMFS either approves or disapproves the application.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal IHA to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to ferry berth improvements in Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat 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.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Bluepoint Wind, LLC (BPW) to incidentally harass marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys in coastal waters off of New York and New Jersey 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 (Lease) Area OCS-A 0537 and associated export cable route (ECR) area.

NMFS proposes to approve changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off of Washington, Oregon, and California. In addition, NMFS proposes to implement management measures governing the 2023 recreational fisheries that are not implemented through the International Pacific Halibut Commission. These measures include the recreational fishery seasons, subarea allocations, and management measures for Area 2A. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide angler opportunity where available.

NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes scallop specifications and other management measures for fishing years 2023 and 2024. Framework 36 would implement measures to protect small scallops to support rotational access area trips to the fleet in future years. This action would also revise regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve both yield-per-recruit and the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Skate 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 Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team will hold one public meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112-2097 (Responsible Party: M. Bradley Hanson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

NMFS is correcting the 2023-2024 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California published on December 16, 2022. These corrections are necessary so the regulations accurately implement the intent of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The SEDAR 82 assessment of the South Atlantic stock of gray triggerfish will consist of a data workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. A SEDAR 82 Assessment Webinar I is scheduled for March 22, 2023. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would revise the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs) for red snapper in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The purpose of this proposed rule is to increase the Gulf red snapper ACLs and ACTs consistent with best scientific information available, and to continue to achieve optimum yield (OY) for the stock.

NMFS' Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has received a request from the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to conducting fisheries research, over the course of 5 years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), OPR is announcing receipt of the NWFSC's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. OPR invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the NWFSC's application and request.

NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 124 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and Amendment 112 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP). First, this final rule amends regulations for the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) Programs for pot gear configurations, pot gear tending and retrieval requirements, pot limits, and associated recordkeeping and reporting requirements. These changes increase operational efficiency and flexibility for IFQ holders and CDQ groups. Second, this final rule authorizes jig gear as a legal gear type for harvesting sablefish IFQ and CDQ, increasing opportunities for entry-level participants. Third, this final rule temporarily removes the Adak community quota entity (CQE) residency requirement for a period of five years. These actions are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the BSAI FMP, GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.

NMFS has received a request from the City of Santa Cruz for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to 2 years of construction activities associated with the Murray St. Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project in Santa Cruz, California. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive 1-year incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal 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 authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). The southern area trophy fishery is defined as south of 39[deg]18' N lat., and outside of the Gulf of Mexico. This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee (EBFM) and Advisory Panel Chairs 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 SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stock of hammerhead sharks will consist of a stock identification (ID) process, data webinars/workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a two day in-person meeting of its Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (Council) District Advisory Panels (DAPs) will hold public meetings to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of research conducted by the applicant. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.

Notice is hereby given that Yara Bernaldo de Quir[oacute]s, Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, has applied in due form for a permit to receive parts from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for scientific research.

This serves as the notice of a public meeting for the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) on February 28, 2023, 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Atlantic Standard Time (AST), March 1, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. AST, and March 2, 2023 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. AST. The agenda for the HSRP public meeting will be posted in advance of the meeting on the HSRP website. Individuals or groups who want to comment on NOAA navigation services topics are encouraged to submit advance public comments via email or via the question function in the webinar for the HSRP public meeting.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the January through March subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. 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 the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On June 1, 2023, the fishery will reopen automatically.