🌊NMFS Notice on Marine Mammals and Hilcorp Alaska Oil Operations
NMFS has received a request from the Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Hilcorp's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Hilcorp's application and request.
Learn More🐟Temporary Fishing Closure for Pacific Cod in Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Learn More🎣Temporary Closure of Pacific Cod Fishing in Alaska's Gulf of Alaska
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 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Learn More🐬Proposed IHA for Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier Repair Project
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on behalf of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center (USAF) for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) that is nearly identical to an IHA previously issued to USAF authorizing the take of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to the Eareckson Air Station (EAS) Fuel Pier Repair project in Alcan Harbor on Shemya Island, Alaska. 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 Eareckson Fuel Pier Repair project. 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 IHA would be valid for one year from the effective date.
Learn More🐟Reallocation of Pollock Allowances in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) pollock directed fishing allowance (DFA) from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide the opportunity for the harvest of the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI).
Learn More⚡Notice of Meeting for Beaver Falls Hydroelectric Project
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a virtual meeting concerning the Beaver Falls Hydroelectric Project. This meeting aims to discuss comments from the Alaska State Preservation Office regarding the draft programmatic agreement, involving key tribal representatives and stakeholders. Participants must notify the FERC in advance if they intend to attend.
Learn More🐬Proposed Marine Mammal Harassment Authorization for Harbor Project
NMFS has received a request from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to geotechnical drilling in St. George, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) 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.
Learn More🎣Regulation on Pacific Cod Fishing in Alaska's Exclusive Economic Zone
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
Learn More🎣Temporary Fishing Closure for Pacific Cod in Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl 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 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Learn More✈️Proposed Amendments to Airspace Routes Impacting Alaskan Aviation
This action proposes to amend Colored Federal Airway Green 8 (G-8), Jet Route J-115, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-227, and establish RNAV Route Q-188 in Alaska. The FAA is proposing this action due to the pending decommissioning of the Shemya, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).
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