🐠New Regulations Affecting Businesses Due to Coral Reclassification
In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2025, this action delays the effective date of the final rule NMFS published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2024, regarding the reclassification of the pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species.
Learn More🎣2025 Atlantic Herring Fishery Possession Limit Adjustment Regulation
NMFS is implementing a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) possession limit for Atlantic herring for Management Area 3. This is required because NMFS projects that herring catch from Area 3 will reach 98 percent of the Area's sub-annual catch limit (ACL) before the end of the fishing year. This action is intended to prevent overharvest of herring in Area 3, which would result in additional catch limit reductions in a subsequent year.
Learn More🎣Temporary Fishing Closure for Pacific Cod in Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the Pacific cod sideboard limit by non-exempt American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2025 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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🐬Marine Mammal Protection Regulations for Oil and Gas Activities
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 Murphy Exploration and Production Company (Murphy) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
Learn More🎣Public Scoping Meetings for Recreational Fishing Management Plan
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) will hold 5 joint public scoping hearing to solicit public comments on potential topics to be addressed by a Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Bluefish FMP. The Council and Commission are also accepting written scoping comments through March 20, 2025.
Learn More🎣Pacific Fishery Management Council
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory bodies will meet March 4-11, 2025, in Vancouver, WA and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely.
Learn More🚫Cancellation of North Pacific Albacore Stakeholder Meeting Notice
On January 3, 2025, NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register announcing a U.S. stakeholder meeting to discuss North Pacific albacore management would be held virtually on February 20, 2025. This notice announces the cancellation of that meeting.
Learn More🐋Modification of LOA for Marine Mammals in Geophysical Surveys
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 (GOM), notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to bp Exploration and Production, Inc., (bp) for the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.
Learn More🎣South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meetings Overview
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the following: Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub- Committee; Habitat & Ecosystem Committee; Joint Habitat & Ecosystem and Shrimp Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee, Mackerel Cobia Committee, and the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Committee. The meeting week will also include a formal public comment session and meetings of the Full Council.
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