Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) is hosting a public webinar on February 18, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The webinar will cover topics related to the upcoming March 2025 meeting, potentially generating supplemental reports. While some off-agenda issues may be discussed, formal actions are limited to topics in the agenda or emergencies as defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. For sign language interpretation or special assistance, individuals should contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at least ten days before the meeting.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released the final rule for the 2021 and 2022 harvest limits in the Gulf of Alaska's groundfish fishery. This rule sets the total allowable catch limits for various fish species to sustain fish populations and comply with management plans. The specifications are intended to balance environmental conservation with economic opportunities for fisheries and are in line with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. These regulations take effect from February 19, 2021, ensuring the responsible management of fisheries resources in the region.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is temporarily prohibiting specific fishing activities for Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska. Catcher vessels less than 50 feet long using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area are affected by this closure, which is in place from March 17, 2025, to June 10, 2025. This decision aims to prevent exceeding the allowed catch limit for the season. The regulation comes under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is implemented without prior public comment to ensure timely conservation efforts.

The New England Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via an online webinar to discuss issues impacting New England's fisheries. The meeting will take place on Monday, April 9, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Participants will receive a presentation on the 2025 State of the Ecosystem Report from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and discuss how to make the reports more actionable. They will also recommend new leadership for the SSC and cover any other necessary business. The meeting is open to the public and will be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will hold a hybrid meeting for the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) from May 13-15, 2025, in New Bedford, MA, and online. The meeting will include the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of eight Regional Fishery Management Councils to discuss topics such as the implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act and other relevant issues. The meeting is open to the public, with time for comments, and aims to address NOAA Fisheries updates, budgets, future planning, and various policy discussions. Special accommodations will be available for attendees with disabilities.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has started its annual process to develop rules for the 2025 ocean salmon fisheries on the U.S. West Coast. The public is invited to give feedback on these regulations by submitting comments or attending public hearings. The hearings will be held in different locations, with in-person events in Washington and California, and a virtual hearing for Oregon. Detailed information about the schedule and comment submission methods is available on the Council's website.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has proposed Amendment 23 to update the plan for rebuilding the Pacific sardine population off the west coast, which has been declared overfished. This amendment aims to revise the rebuilding strategy to align with a court order, setting new catch limits based on the sardine population size each year. The proposed plan is expected to rebuild the sardine stock within 17 years, providing stability and growth opportunities for small fisheries. Public comments on this proposal will be considered before the final decision is made.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are holding a third assessment webinar for the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 68 process. This process focuses on evaluating the population status and management of the scamp grouper in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. The webinar will take place on March 22, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants will discuss and recommend methods for assessing the fish stock using data gathered in previous webinars.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a one-day meeting via webinar for its Reef Fish Advisory Panel on February 24, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. The panel will review and discuss various topics, including recommendations for fishery management concerning species like Yellowtail Snapper and Greater Amberjack, as well as Red Grouper allocations and fish catch limits. The meeting will also cover topics such as modifications to Vermilion Snapper recreational bag limits and the use of Commercial Electronic Logbooks. Interested parties can register for the meeting through the council's website.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public input on its information collection activities related to vessel identification requirements in the West Coast region. This initiative, guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act, aims to minimize the reporting burden on businesses while ensuring regulatory compliance. Fishing vessels must display identification numbers in specific locations to assist with enforcing conservation laws. Public comments will help evaluate the necessity of this information, its data accuracy, and ways to improve collection and minimize respondent burden.