🌊Proposed Regulations for Whittier Harbor Rebuild and Business Impact
NMFS has received a request from the City of Whittier for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Whittier Harbor Rebuild Phase III Project in Whittier, 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🐬Permit Issued for Bottlenose Dolphin Research
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Charted Marine Consulting, 536 Fairfax Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507 (Responsible Party: Kristi Fazioli) to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
Learn More🦞Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by New England Marine Monitoring. 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 EFPs.
Learn More🐟Overfishing Notice Impacts on Fishing Industry Compliance
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that witch flounder and Saint Matthew Island blue king crab continue to be overfished; Gulf of America lane snapper, Southern Atlantic snowy grouper and Southern Atlantic gag continue to be subject to overfishing; and Southern Atlantic blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, is required to provide this notice whenever it determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.
Learn More🐟Proclamation 10918
Proclamation 10918 rescinds previous prohibitions on commercial fishing in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, emphasizing that appropriately managed fishing poses no risk to the area's biodiversity. It outlines new responsibilities for the Secretary of Commerce regarding fisheries management and highlights the importance of balancing ecological protection with economic opportunities for U.S. fishermen.
Learn More🦭Marine Mammal Research Permit
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to NMFS' Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818 (Responsible Party: Michelle Barbieri, D.V.M.) to conduct research and enhancement activities on Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
Learn More🦪Research Track Assessment Meeting for Atlantic Sea Scallops
NMFS will convene the Research Track Assessment Peer Review Meeting for the purpose of reviewing the Atlantic sea scallop stock. The Research Track Assessment Peer Review is a formal scientific peer- review process for evaluating and presenting stock assessment results to managers for fish stocks in the offshore U.S. waters of the northwest Atlantic. Assessments are prepared by the research track working group and reviewed by an independent panel of stock assessment experts from the Center of Independent Experts. The public is invited to attend the presentations and discussions between the review panel and the scientists who have participated in the stock assessment process.
Learn More🐋Makah Tribe Permit Request for Gray Whale Hunt Notice
Notice is hereby given that the Makah Indian Tribe has applied in due form for a permit for a ceremonial and subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
Learn More🌊NOAA Adds Cashes Ledge to Potential National Marine Sanctuaries
On June 13, 2014, NOAA published a final rule establishing the Sanctuary Nomination Process, allowing communities to submit nominations to NOAA for consideration as new national marine sanctuaries. The rule outlined the review process, national significance criteria, and management considerations that NOAA uses to evaluate nominations for inclusion in the inventory of areas that could eventually be considered for designation. The rule also states that NOAA will publish a Federal Register notice when areas have been added to the inventory of successful nominations. This notice announces that NOAA has added the Cashes Ledge area to the inventory; the agency is not moving forward with a designation at this time.
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