Search Results for agency_names:"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the final rules for the 2025 and 2026 groundfish fishing seasons in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These rules set the limits for how much fish can be caught, based on scientific assessments to ensure sustainable fishing practices. They aim to balance the fishing industry needs with conservation efforts, taking into account environmental factors and fish stock health. Public comments were considered during the process, and these rules follow the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's requirements.

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 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 Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a decrease in the fee rate for a loan financing the reduction of fishing capacity in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands non-pollock groundfish fishery. Starting January 1, 2025, the fee for Loan A will reduce from $0.020 to $0.016 per pound, while Loan B will remain at $0.001 per pound. This rate adjustment ensures that the loans are repaid on time based on current fish catch projections and financial requirements. Fee payments at the new rate are due by February 15, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated a large area in the Pacific Ocean, called the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, to protect its unique marine environment around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary spans about 582,570 square miles and is intended to preserve its invaluable biological, cultural, and historical resources. The rules for this sanctuary involve regulating activities like fishing and anchoring, following existing management frameworks and international guidelines to ensure protection while allowing for some scientific and cultural activities. This designation is in collaboration with various partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii, to enhance the protection and management of this significant marine area.

The Department of Commerce is asking for feedback on their collection of information regarding the Fishery Capacity Reduction Program. This request is part of efforts to manage the burden of reporting on the public, as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The main goal of the program is to reduce fishing capacity by compensating fishermen to give up their fishing permits or vessels. The public is encouraged to send their comments by March 23, 2021, to help evaluate and improve the information collection process.

The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public comments on renewing an information collection program. This program, under the Merchant Marine Act, allows commercial fishing entities to defer taxable income in a Capital Construction Fund for specific vessel-related projects. Comments are invited on the necessity and burden of this collection by May 30, 2025, as part of the review process before submitting information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Respondents, including businesses and organizations, are required to submit information via specified forms to qualify and participate in the program.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is asking for public comments on its information collection related to incidental take authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This collection helps assess the impact on marine mammals when small numbers are taken accidentally during certain activities. NOAA requires detailed information from applicants, including assessments of impact and monitoring reports, to ensure compliance with the law. The public has 60 days to provide feedback on these collections, aiming to improve their efficiency and reduce the burden on those who must provide the information.

The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public feedback on their information collection process associated with the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. In line with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the goal is to revise the application process and gather comments to minimize the public's reporting burden. The NOAA is inviting comments until April 6, 2021, and feedback will help in evaluating the necessity and effectiveness of the information collected. The collected data will assist in the selection of members for advisory councils that provide guidance on the management of marine sanctuaries.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released details on the 2025 cost recovery fee percentages for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program. The fee percentages are set for different sectors: 3.0% for the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program, 0.1% for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Co-op Program, and 3.0% for the Mothership (MS) Co-op Program. The fees are used to recover costs associated with managing and enforcing these fishing programs. Additionally, the average 2025 price for Pacific whiting, used in fee calculations for the C/P Co-op Program, is set at $0.09 per pound.