🌊Marine Mammal Protection Act Compliance for Geophysical Surveys
NMFS has received a request from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a geophysical survey in the Cascadia Subduction Zone of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. 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🎣Temporary Closure of Dusky Rockfish Fishing in Alaska's Gulf
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Learn More🎣NOAA's Pacific Cod Trawl Program
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on continuing and revised information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Learn More📊NOAA Requests Comments on Southeast Region Logbook Forms
The Department of Commerce seeks public comment on a necessary information collection for the Southeast Region Logbook Forms regarding fisheries. This process, mandated under federal law, involves commercial and recreational fishery data collection to assess fishing impact and management. Comments are invited to refine the collection requirements before submission for OMB review.
Learn More🌊NOAA Science Advisory Board Charter Renewal Notice
Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq., and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce has determined that renewal of the NOAA Science Advisory Board is in the public interest. The committee has been a successful undertaking and has provided advice to the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. The committee will continue to provide such advice and recommendations in the future. The structure and responsibilities of the Committee are unchanged from when it was originally established in September 1997. The Committee will continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Learn More🐟Notice of SEDAR Steering Committee Meeting on Fisheries Regulations
The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet to discuss the SEDAR stock assessment process and assessment schedule. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Learn More🦐Public Hearing on South Atlantic Fishery Management Amendments
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold two public hearings pertaining to Joint Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region and Amendment 12 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic region. This amendment would establish a Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area along the eastern edge of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern.
Learn More🐬Proposed Rule on Marine Mammal Takes During Military Readiness
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps) (Navy) and on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) and U.S. Army (Army) (hereafter, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army are collectively referred to as the Action Proponents) for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and multiple associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities, and modernization and sustainment of ranges conducted in the Hawaii-California Training and Testing (HCTT) Study Area over the course of seven years from December 2025 through December 2032. NMFS requests comments on this proposed rule. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested ITR and issuance of the LOAs; agency responses to public comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued. The Action Proponents' activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA) and the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2019 (2019 NDAA).
Learn More🌊Proposed Marine Mammal Research Authorization and Compliance
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS Refuge) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to research, monitoring, and management activities in the South Farallon Islands, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge off San Francisco, California. 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🌊NOAA to Evaluate Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management will hold a virtual public meeting to solicit input on the performance evaluation of Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments.
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