Search Results for agency_names:"Commerce Department"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a new rule under the Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico, which focuses on changing the annual catch limits (ACLs) for the triggerfish stock complex in Puerto Rico's federal waters. This is part of efforts to prevent overfishing and achieve the best use and conservation of these fish resources. The proposed rule intends to decrease the total ACL from 90,552 pounds to 87,220 pounds, affecting both commercial and recreational fishing limits. Public comments on this proposal are invited until January 16, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put out a call for public feedback on information collection practices related to geospatial metadata. This request invites comments on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of collecting such data, with the goal of minimizing the public's reporting burden. Public comments will be accepted until March 30, 2021, and will be considered in the agency's submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. NOAA's tools for collecting metadata support various scientific research fields and aim to enhance understanding and reuse of geospatial data.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on its information collection activities related to the U.S. Pacific Highly Migratory Hook and Line Logbook. These activities require U.S. fishermen who hold a permit to complete and submit logbooks documenting their fishing activities. The public has 60 days to provide input on this collection process, which aims to assess and minimize the reporting burden on respondents. The information gathered will support fisheries management and negotiations with foreign nations on highly migratory species.

The Department of Commerce is seeking comments from the public on the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), as they prepare to submit information collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, gathers important data to estimate the health and wellbeing of children nationwide, focusing on those with special health care needs. There are two modes of data collection: an online survey and a mail-in paper survey. Public comments on this information collection are welcomed to help reduce paperwork burdens and improve the process before the final submission to OMB.

The Department of Commerce, alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection activity. This involves a new registration form for workshops focused on the safe handling, release, and identification of protected species in the Hawaii and American Samoa longline fisheries. Participation in these workshops is essential for vessel operators to comply with regulations and maintain their fishing permits. The public has 60 days to comment on the necessity and impact of this information collection process before it is formally submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), part of the Department of Commerce, has announced the mandatory Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States, known as BE-29. This survey collects data to understand the expenses of foreign ocean carriers in the U.S. and measure trade in transport services, which is crucial for analyzing its impact on both the U.S. and foreign economies. Entities required to respond include U.S. agents who managed 40 or more foreign carrier port calls or had expenses of $250,000 or more. Responses must be submitted within 45 days after the calendar year ends.

The Department of Commerce is asking for public comments on its information collection process related to the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program. This program gathers details from anglers and for-hire fishing vessels, such as names and contact information, to help estimate recreational fishing activities. The document invites comments for 60 days, offers details on how to send them, and describes the registration process, ensuring transparency about respondent obligations and legal authority. Comments will help assess and improve the accuracy and utility of the collection while seeking to minimize any reporting burden on the participants.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced the final groundfish harvest specifications for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for the years 2025 and 2026. This includes details on total allowable catches (TACs), acceptable biological catches (ABCs), and prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, aimed at conserving fish resources while balancing ecological and economic needs based on the latest scientific data. These regulations follow goals set by the Fishery Management Plan prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and align with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to manage fisheries sustainably. The rule notes that TACs are intentionally set below ABCs to ensure sustainability, and it addresses how these specifications were informed by public comments and scientific assessments.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These specifications, which include catch limits and prohibitions on certain species' catch, are set to ensure sustainable fishing practices according to the Fishery Management Plan. The rules aim to conserve and manage marine resources in alignment with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The document also details the U.S. Department of Commerce's approach to balancing environmental, social, and economic factors in these fisheries management decisions.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a final rule to address national security risks related to connected vehicles, particularly those involving technology designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by entities in China or Russia. The rule aims to regulate certain software and hardware that enable vehicle connectivity and automated driving systems. It requires vehicle manufacturers and importers to verify their supply chains and submit Declarations of Conformity to confirm compliance, with some options for specific or general authorizations to continue certain transactions otherwise prohibited. The rule is designed to protect U.S. infrastructure from potential threats associated with these technologies.