🌊Marine Conservation Plan for Guam
NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Guam.
Learn More🐟NOAA's Rules on Fishery Products and Trade Restrictions Explained
The Department of Commerce seeks public comments on information collection related to fishery products subject to trade restrictions enforced by the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The information collected will assist in ensuring compliance with import certification requirements, thereby facilitating lawful trade while protecting marine resources.
Learn More🎣NMFS Announces Additional Fishing Dates for Pacific Halibut 2025
NMFS announces inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates (June 9, 10, 16, 17, and 30) in the Columbia River subarea. The additional fishing dates are intended to provide opportunity for anglers necessary to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocation in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2025 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan.
Learn More🦐Annual Economic Survey for Gulf and South Atlantic Shrimp Permit Holders
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, is conducting an Annual Economic Survey of Federal Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp permit holders. This survey gathers critical economic data from shrimp fisheries to assess the impact of federal regulations, aimed at ensuring compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Public comments are invited to further refine this information collection effort.
Learn More🐟Economic Surveys Impacting Commercial Fisheries in Hawaii and American Samoa
The Department of Commerce submits a request for information collection regarding trip cost data for Hawaii and American Samoa's pelagic longline fisheries. This effort aims to assess economic performance and impacts in federally managed fisheries, crucial for conservation and management strategies. The agency invites public comments to refine data collection efforts.
Learn More🎣Meeting Announcement for U.S. Tuna Commission Advisory Committees
NMFS announces a public meeting of the 33rd General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the 18th Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) to the GAC. This meeting will be held on July 30 and 31, 2025 via webinar. The meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Learn More🎣Alaska Sportfishing Economic Survey
The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is collecting public comments on the Alaska Saltwater Sportfishing Economic Survey. This information aims to assess the economic impact of marine recreational fishing and inform regulatory decisions affecting fisheries management in Alaska, focusing on charter fishing services.
Learn More🐟New England Fishery Management Council Webinar Notice
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a webinar of its Risk Policy Working Group 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.
Learn More🎣Amendment 125 Enhances Small Boat Access to Pacific Cod in Alaska
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 125 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 125 would modify the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector to allow catch from catcher vessels (CV) using hook-and-line or pot gear that are less than or equal to 55 feet (ft) (16.8 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) harvesting Pacific cod in the BSAI during the jig gear A season to accrue to the jig sector allocation. Amendment 125 would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), BSAI FMP, and other applicable laws.
Learn More🐟Amendment 23 to Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
On May 30, 2025, the Regional Administrator of the West Coast Region, NMFS, with the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, approved Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 23 implements a revised rebuilding plan for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine in response to a court order.
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