🦭Renewal of Pinniped Permit
On August 21, 2024, NMFS received an application pursuant to section 120(f) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, on behalf of their respective states; the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; and the Willamette Committee (hereafter "eligible entities"). In their application, the eligible entities requested that NMFS renew their August 14, 2020, MMPA section 120(f) permit (which expires on August 14, 2025) for an additional five years to intentionally take, by lethal methods, individually identifiable California sea lions (CSL) (Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lions (SSL) (Eumetopias jubatus: Eastern stock) that are located in the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I-205 bridge) and McNary Dam (river mile 292), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead (Onchorynchus spp.) (hereafter "geographic area"). The eligible entities seek no changes to the terms and conditions in the August 14, 2020, permit, other than to renew the existing permit for a five-year period that would begin on the date of issuance of the permit.
Learn More🎣South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Dolphin Wahoo Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel (AP) on April 22-23, 2025.
Learn More🎣Exempted Fishing Permit Application in the Bering Sea
This notice announces NMFS' receipt of an application and the public comment period for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation. If issued, this permit would allow the applicant to develop and test salmon excluders to optimize salmon escapement under summer pollock fishing conditions in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. In order to facilitate testing of salmon excluders, this EFP would exempt participating vessels from complying with certain regulations, described below under Exemptions. Field testing would be conducted in July and August during the fishery's "B' season. Effective dates of the EFP would be from June 30, 2025 to September 1, 2025. This experiment would test salmon excluder designs that aim to optimize salmon escapement and thus promote the objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Learn More🎣Inseason Modifications for West Coast Salmon Fisheries
NMFS announces two inseason actions for the 2024 portion of the 2024-2025 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the recreational and commercial salmon fisheries in the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to the United States/Mexico border.
Learn More🎣Caribbean Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Notice
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) will hold the 186th public hybrid meeting to address the items contained in the tentative agenda included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Learn More🎣New Regulations for Longline Pot Gear in Greenland Turbot Fishery
NMFS issues regulations authorizing hook-and-line catcher/ processors (C/Ps) to use longline pot gear when directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea (BS) subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). This action is necessary to improve efficiency, provide economic benefits for the hook-and-line C/P sector, and minimize potential fishery interactions with killer whales. This action promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), and other applicable laws.
Learn More🐟2025 Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Fishery Specifications and Impact
NMFS proposes specifications for the 2025 Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels for the spiny dogfish fishery to prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available. This document also informs the public of the proposed fishery specifications and provides an opportunity for comment.
Learn More🐟Reallocation of Pacific Cod TAC in Bering Sea Management Area
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear to 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 (BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Learn More🐟SEDAR 98 Assessment Notice for Gulf of America Red Snapper
The SEDAR 98 assessment process for Gulf of America red snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Learn More🦈Cancellation of SEDAR 101 Pre-Data Workshop Webinar for Sharks
The SEDAR 101 assessment process of HMS sandbar sharks will consist of a Data Workshop, an Assessment Workshop and a Center for Independent Experts (CIE) Desk Review. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
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