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

Kori Johnsen has withdrawn their application to conduct research on green, hawksbill, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles, which was initially submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The application was previously announced in the Federal Register on September 9, 2024. Those interested can request to review the application documents by emailing NMFS. Julia M. Harrison, Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, confirmed the withdrawal.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) is hosting a public webinar on February 18, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The webinar will cover topics related to the upcoming March 2025 meeting, potentially generating supplemental reports. While some off-agenda issues may be discussed, formal actions are limited to topics in the agenda or emergencies as defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. For sign language interpretation or special assistance, individuals should contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at least ten days before the meeting.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule updating regulations for seafood inspection procedures, which were last majorly revised in 1971. The rule aims to improve the consistency and accuracy of seafood inspections by adopting recognized best practices and simplifying procedures. These updates are expected to benefit the seafood industry by modernizing inspection methods and shifting regulatory language to a digital manual. The rule will become effective on January 15, 2025, and aligns definitions with existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Ed Charles from Silverback Films, United Kingdom, has applied for a permit to film marine mammals in California for a Netflix documentary on gray whale migration. The proposed permit allows filming of various marine species including gray whales, killer whales, and dolphins using vessels, drones, or divers until May 20, 2022. The application, submitted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other relevant acts, is open for public comments until February 8, 2021. A preliminary decision states the project is exempt from requiring an environmental impact assessment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issued a correction to two temporary rules that were initially published in March 2025. These rules, which concern the recreational fishing closures for golden tilefish and gag in the South Atlantic, had errors in their subject headings. The corrections clarify exactly which fishing rules apply during the specified dates in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. This correction became effective on March 31, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has granted a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Hilcorp Alaska LLC. This authorization allows the incidental, unintentional take—or disturbance—of four species of marine mammals during Hilcorp's oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. This LOA is issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and incorporates necessary conditions related to the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of any incidents. The authorization is valid until April 21, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Murphy Exploration and Production Company for activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA allows the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals while conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities. The authorization is based on specific regulations ensuring any impact on marine life is negligible, and it includes mitigating measures like monitoring and reporting. The survey is planned to last seven days within designated areas and is expected to comply with all applicable rules regarding the protection of marine mammals.

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 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 temporarily prohibiting specific fishing activities for Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska. Catcher vessels less than 50 feet long using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area are affected by this closure, which is in place from March 17, 2025, to June 10, 2025. This decision aims to prevent exceeding the allowed catch limit for the season. The regulation comes under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is implemented without prior public comment to ensure timely conservation efforts.