Search Results for keywords:"fishery management"

The Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on its information collection request related to the U.S. Caribbean Commercial Fishermen Census. This data collection, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aims to gather information from fishermen in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to improve fishery management and meet legal requirements. The survey involves around 1,500 respondents, taking an average of 45 minutes each, and is conducted annually. Public comments can be submitted within 30 days, and further details can be accessed on the website www.reginfo.gov.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a public webinar on February 9, 2021, as part of the SEDAR 71 assessment of the South Atlantic gag grouper stock. This webinar will cover discussions on data and modeling, and finalize these discussions as part of a multi-step process to determine the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. The assessments are carried out in collaboration with various fishery management councils and commissions. The meeting is open to the public, and accommodations are available for people with disabilities.

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 Department of Commerce is seeking comments on a new information collection regarding the evaluation of Southeast Catch Shares Programs, conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This evaluation is mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and involves surveying catch share participants in the southeast region for socio-economic data. The collected information will help improve fishery management decision-making and comply with various legal requirements. Public comments on this proposal are invited and must be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed rules for managing the 2025 Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery, aiming to establish limits that prevent overfishing while allowing optimal yield. This proposal seeks to set new catch specifications following recommendations from fishery councils and recent stock assessments indicating the fish population is not overfished. The rules include a commercial quota of 4,236 metric tons, marking a reduction from previous years, due to updated scientific data. Public comments on these proposals are invited, ensuring stakeholder involvement in finalizing the regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is temporarily adjusting the total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands for 2025. This change is necessary because the previous TACs were incorrectly specified, and the adjustment aligns them with the best scientific information available. The updated figures are based on recommendations from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and aim to ensure sustainable fishing practices while considering the conservation of endangered Steller sea lions, which share this habitat. Public comments on this adjustment are invited until January 13, 2025.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding a series of meetings on fishery management between March 16 and March 25, 2021. These meetings will primarily take place online via WebEx, but there will be additional host sites in Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa. During the meetings, the Council will discuss various issues, including fishery management plans, species protection measures, and financial reports. A portion of the meeting will be closed to the public due to litigation matters. Some actions may lead to the proposal of new regulations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is reviewing an application from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP). This permit would allow some fishing boats to catch herring outside regular fishing rules to help study the genetic makeup of Atlantic herring populations. The study aims to improve fishery management by updating catch limits based on newer scientific findings. The public can comment on this proposal until April 4, 2025.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is organizing three Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel meetings to evaluate 2025 stock assessments of various rockfish species and sablefish. The meetings will take place between May and July 2025 and are open to the public. They will be held in person with options for remote participation and public comments. The panels will examine and review draft stock assessment models and information to make recommendations for managing fisheries starting in 2027.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is hosting a webconference for the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Local Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, and Subsistence Taskforce (LKTKS) from March 16 to March 17, 2021. The meeting will cover updates on the LKTKS search engine, protocol development, and other business matters. Public comments can be submitted electronically by March 15, 2021, and there will be a chance for oral testimony during the meeting. More information and connection details are available on their website.