🐟Notice on Exempted Fishing Permits
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 the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Learn More🦈Atlantic Shark Workshops
Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in July, August, and September of 2025. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted in 2025 and will be announced in a future notice. In addition, NMFS has implemented online recertification workshops for persons who have already taken an in-person training.
Learn More🐬Enhancement Permit Issued for Hawaiian Monk Seals by NOAA
Notice is hereby given that an enhancement permit has been issued to Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Responsible Party: Andrew Rossiter, Ph.D.) for captive Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi).
Learn More🐢Deepwater Horizon Restoration Plan Announcement and Implications
This notice announces that the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG) have prepared and are making available to the public the Final Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates (FWCI) and Sea Turtles (RP4/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP4/EA considers alternatives to help restore FWCI and sea turtles injured by the DWH oil spill. The Final RP4/EA evaluates a reasonable range of project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and selects ten projects for funding and implementation. A no action alternative is also evaluated pursuant to NEPA.
Learn More🐟NOAA's Notice on Alaska Fisheries Act Reporting Requirements
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 proposed and continuing 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🐬Marine Mammal Research Permit Issued by NOAA
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Kaitlin Allen, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, MS No. 50, Woods Hole, MA 02543, to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Learn More🌊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🦐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🎣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.
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