📊NOAA Information Collection Activities and Public Comment Request
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 the Office of Management and Budget.
Learn More🌊NOAA Announces New Advisory Council for Chumash Heritage Sanctuary
Notice is hereby given that NOAA is establishing a national marine sanctuary advisory council for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS), the designation of which became effective on November 30, 2024. The council will provide guidance to ONMS and will serve as liaisons with constituents and community groups. As a result, ONMS is adding the new council to the list of established national marine sanctuary advisory councils. ONMS solicits applications to fill council seats on an as needed basis and is seeking applicants for seats on the CHNMS Advisory Council. This notice contains web page links and contact information for CHNMS and application materials to apply for the newly established advisory council.
Learn More🎣Permit Application for Deep-Set Buoy Gear Opens February 2025
NMFS announces the opening of the permit application period for initial issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits under qualification tier 9. Authorized through implementation of Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) and its implementing regulations, tier 9 was established as the final tier in a ranking system for issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits. Tier 9 permits for deep-set buoy gear will be available through the National Permits System.
Learn More🌊New LOA for Marine Mammal Take in Gulf of Mexico Geophysical
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. (LLOG) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
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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