Search Results for agency_names:"Commerce Department"

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), part of the Department of Commerce, is conducting a mandatory survey called the Quarterly Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and Expenses (BE-37). This survey collects data from U.S. airline operators involved in international transportation if their total revenues or expenses are $500,000 or more. Reports must be submitted using BEA's electronic system, and they are due 30 days after the end of each quarter. The survey aims to measure U.S. trade in transport services and is authorized by the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.

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.

Broward County, as the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 25 in Florida, has submitted a notification to the FTZ Board for a proposed production activity by Philip Stein Holding, Inc. This activity would take place within FTZ 25 in Pembroke Park, Florida, and involves assembling various types of men's and ladies' stainless steel watches, along with imitation jewelry bracelets. The production relies on foreign materials, such as watch components and different types of bands, which might be subject to specific trade regulations and tariffs. Public comments on this proposal are invited until April 7, 2025, with the information made available for public viewing through the FTZ Board's online system.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has proposed a rule to designate critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the bearded seal under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed critical habitat includes marine areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, and focuses on sea ice habitat essential for the species' survival, such as areas for whelping, nursing, molting, and breeding communication. Public comments on this proposal are being requested, and considerations include potential impacts on existing activities and economic factors. The ultimate goal is to protect the areas critical for the conservation of these seals.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is organizing an Anti-Piracy Symposium as part of their efforts to improve intellectual property enforcement and curb intellectual property crime. This event will take place on January 23, 2025, both in person and virtually, at the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia. The symposium will cover topics like recent developments in copyright law, tools for tackling copyright piracy, and updates on international copyright piracy issues. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the impact of piracy on creative industries and explore potential solutions.

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 Department of Commerce is inviting the public and other federal agencies to comment on the Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report (EDR) Program managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This program collects data to help assess how well measures to reduce bycatch of Chinook salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery are working. They are renewing the information collection process which includes three forms: the Compensated Transfer Report, Vessel Fuel Survey, and Vessel Master Survey. Public comments are open for 60 days, and the information gathered will aid in enhancing the quality and utility of the data collected while minimizing reporting burdens.