🎣Temporary Pacific Cod Fishing Closure in Bering Sea Announced
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.
Learn More🦭Notice of Permit Application for Marine Mammal Research by NOAA
Notice is hereby given that Daniel Costa, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, 130 McAlister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
Learn More🌊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🐬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🎣Notice of Public Meeting for Pacific Fisheries Advisory Committee
NMFS announces a public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) on May 28, 2025. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Learn More🎣Closure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery for 2025
NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the January through March time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when the fishery is open. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. During the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On June 1, 2025, the fishery will reopen automatically.
Learn More🎣NMFS Prohibits Trawl Fishing for Pacific Cod in Alaska for 2025
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
Learn More🐋NMFS Withdraws Proposed Vessel Strike Reduction Regulations
NMFS withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2022 to amend the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed regulations. NMFS withdraws this proposed rule in light of numerous and ongoing requests from the public for further opportunity to review and engage with the Agency on the proposal. NMFS's existing vessel speed regulations remain in effect.
Learn More🎣Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quota Transfer Regulation Overview (2025)
NMFS is transferring 20.5 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the General category December 2025 subquota to the January through March 2025 subquota period. The adjusted General category January through March 2025 subquota is 58.2 mt. This action is intended to provide further harvest opportunities for General category fishermen, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT.
Learn More🎣North Pacific Albacore Stakeholder Meeting Announcement - 2025
NMFS announces a U.S. stakeholder meeting to discuss North Pacific albacore (NPALB) management. This meeting is intended to prepare for potential discussions at the 2025 annual meetings of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Northern Committee (WCPFC NC) related to the results of the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) for NPALB fisheries. The meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
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