🦐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🌊NOAA Science Advisory Board Public Meeting Notice
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.
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🐟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📸Marine Mammal Photography Permits
Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Sea Shepherd Global (Daniel Villa, Responsible Party), 1217 South 9th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 to conduct commercial and educational photography on marine mammals.
Learn More🌊Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Alaska Projects
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects (PWS Projects) in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue three incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities associated with each of the three projects. NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals 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.
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.
Learn More🐟Clarification on Cost Recovery for Alaska Fisheries Regulations
NMFS is clarifying the cost recovery process timing from the final rule implementing amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program or Program) to allocate Pacific cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders and qualifying processors. In this correction, NMFS is clarifying the timing of the cost recovery fee schedule for the existing cost recovery requirements for participants. NMFS is also correcting an out-of-date cross reference.
Learn More🎣Adjustment of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishing Limits for 2025
NMFS has determined, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2025, or until further modified. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: one school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for private vessels with HMS Angling permits; two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/ Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.
Learn More🎣NOAA Notice for Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 203rd meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
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