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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the NOAA, has issued a temporary rule to stop the directed fishing of Pacific cod with pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This action aims to prevent exceeding the allowed catch limit for the 2021 season. The prohibition started on January 22, 2021, and will remain in effect until June 10, 2021. The action relies on recent fisheries data, and there wasn't time for public comments before implementing the closure.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule reallocating some unused Pacific cod quota from jig gear vessels to smaller catcher vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This adjustment, effective from January 2, 2025, through December 31, 2025, is necessary to ensure the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod is fully utilized. The reallocation is based on recent data showing that jig vessels cannot harvest their full share. This regulation falls under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and is exempt from public comment or a 30-day delay due to the immediacy of the data and need for action.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is transferring 20.5 metric tons of quota for Atlantic bluefin tuna from the December 2025 period to the January through March 2025 period. This change is designed to give fishermen more opportunities to catch tuna and help gather important data about the fish population. The adjusted quota for January through March will now be 58.2 metric tons. The decision considers current fish availability and aims to ensure the sustainable management of tuna stocks.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary rule to create a safety zone in Queensway Bay, Long Beach, due to a fireworks display on December 31, 2024. This safety zone, in effect from 11 p.m. on December 31, 2024, to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2025, restricts entry into the area to protect people and the environment from potential hazards. Vessels and individuals are prohibited from entering the zone without permission from the Captain of the Port Los Angeles-Long Beach or a designated representative. The rule is intended to provide safety while minimizing impact on maritime activities, and the Coast Guard encourages small entities affected by the rule to reach out for assistance if needed.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), is introducing a temporary rule to help U.S. businesses struggling from a lack of workers by increasing the number of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2025 by up to 64,716. These visas will be distributed over the fiscal year in four allocations, with a portion reserved specifically for nationals of certain countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Haiti. The rule also allows greater job flexibility for H-2B workers already in the U.S. by letting them change employers more easily. Businesses must attest they are facing severe loss without these workers for their applications to be considered.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is implementing a temporary closure for commercial fishing of Atlantic cobia in federal waters from Georgia to New York. This closure will start on December 18, 2024, because the commercial quota for Atlantic cobia is expected to be reached by that date. The closure will last until the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2024, to help protect the cobia population. During this period, harvesting, selling, or trading Atlantic cobia will not be allowed, except for those already harvested, landed, and sold before the closure date.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating unused fishing allowances for pollock from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea to help reach the fishing goals for 2025. This change is based on recent data showing that some of the allocated pollock won't be harvested in the Aleutian Islands. The reallocation aims to use these allowances effectively, supporting the goals of the Fishery Management Plan for the region. This temporary rule, effective starting March 10, 2025, allows for adjustments without prior public notice to ensure timely use of the latest fisheries data.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule that prohibits the retention of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This rule applies to all vessels except those enrolled in the Central GOA Rockfish Program with a cooperative quota permit. It is effective from April 15, 2025, through the end of the year, because the allowable catch limit for these fish has already been reached. This decision ensures the sustainability of the fish population as part of broader efforts to manage fishery resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is extending a temporary safety zone on the Taylor Bayou Turning Basin in Port Arthur, Texas. This measure is necessary to protect a levee protection wall that is yet to receive permanent repairs. The safety zone will be in effect until September 30, 2027, and restricts unauthorized access to ensure everyone's safety. Public comments on this interim rule are invited until February 28, 2025, and those wanting to enter the restricted area must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or designated representatives.

The Coast Guard is creating a temporary safety zone in the San Francisco Bay near Pier 15 for fireworks displays scheduled on several dates in 2025. This zone, effective from March 28 to May 3, will be in place during specified times to keep people and boats safe from potential hazards caused by the fireworks. Only those with special permission from the Coast Guard's Captain of the Port are allowed to enter the zone during the fireworks display times. The rule is not expected to significantly affect small businesses or the environment, as it lasts for a limited duration and at specific times.