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

Notice is hereby given that the City and County of San Francisco, California (San Francisco) has withdrawn its application for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Treasure Island Ferry Dock Project in San Francisco, California. Accordingly, NMFS has withdrawn its related proposed IHA.

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, notification is hereby given that two Letters of Authorization (LOA) have been issued to bp Exploration & Production Inc. (bp) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

NMFS received a request from the United States Navy (Navy) for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to the Service Pier Extension (SPE) Project at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor in Silverdale, Washington. These activities are identical with activities that were covered by the current authorization, but will not be completed prior to its expiration. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, prior to issuing the currently active IHA, NMFS requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied, and NMFS is now providing an additional 15-day comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30- day comment period.

The SEDAR 79 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic mutton snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) will host an online meeting that is open to the public.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team will hold a public online meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Section (10)(a)(1)(A) enhancement permit have been issued for the Russian River Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program Hatchery Genetic Management Plan (HGMP). The program propagates endangered coho salmon of the Central California Coast (CCC) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU). This notice is being provided for information purposes only, and as such, there is no public comment period associated with this notice.

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, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

NMFS announces an inseason action in the 2021 ocean salmon fisheries. This inseason action modifies the commercial salmon fisheries in the area south of Cape Falcon in the Oregon Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon/California border.

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 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Debris Dock Replacement Project in Sausalito, California.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public webinar meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration has determined that renewal of the NOAA Science Advisory Board is in the public interest. The committee has been a successful undertaking and has provided advice to the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. The committee will continue to provide such advice and recommendations in the future. The structure and responsibilities of the Committee are unchanged from when it was originally established in September 1997. The Committee will continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stock of hammerhead sharks will consist of a stock ID process, data webinars/workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop.

NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2021 commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish quotas for Virginia and New York.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will meet with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Bluefish Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Bluefish Advisory Panel.

NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 62 for Whiting, Red Hake, and Offshore Hake to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The purpose of this action is to establish a 10-year rebuilding plan and adjust management measures for the overfished southern red hake stock. This action is necessary to meet the statutory requirements for an overfished stock and rebuilding plan consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

NMFS is implementing annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year, which runs from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. This final rule will prohibit most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest will be allowed only in the live bait fishery, minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. The incidental harvest of Pacific sardine will be limited to 20 percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other stocks managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan, or up to 2 metric tons per trip when caught with non- Coastal Pelagic Species stocks. The annual catch limit for the 2021- 2022 Pacific sardine fishing year is 3,329 metric tons. This final rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via webinar. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Notice is hereby given that Terrie Williams, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Lab, Center for Ocean Health, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on captive marine mammals.

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 California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals incidental to construction activities associated with the second phase of the Elkhorn Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration Project in Monterey County, California.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that considers three alternatives for the proposed designation of a national marine sanctuary to manage a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources in New York's eastern Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River. NOAA also prepared a draft management plan that describes the proposed goals, objectives, and strategies for managing the proposed sanctuary. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the DEIS and draft management plan.