Search Results for keywords:"Fishery Management Plan"

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 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is proposing Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States. This amendment aims to add bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel as ecosystem component species, recognizing their role as important prey in the ecosystem. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 30, 2021. If approved, this change would heighten awareness about these species without implementing new management measures for dolphin and wahoo.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is shifting unused pollock fishing allowances from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea to ensure the full harvest of the 2025 pollock quota. This reallocation involves transferring 12,100 metric tons from the Aleut Corporation's allocation and 1,900 metric tons from the Community Development Quota to various sectors in the Bering Sea. The action, effective March 28, 2025, ensures that the goals of the Fishery Management Plan are met and complies with regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Additionally, usual notice and comment procedures were waived to expedite this change based on recent data.

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 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is planning to hold three online port meetings in January 2025 to discuss the Atlantic king mackerel and Atlantic Spanish mackerel fisheries. These meetings aim to gather public input on various issues such as environmental changes, management needs, and fishery dynamics. The information collected will help the Council with decision-making for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan. Participants need to register for the webinars on the Council's website.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is organizing scoping meetings via webinar on February 3 and 4, 2021, to discuss Amendment 50 related to the management of red porgy fish in the South Atlantic Region. The amendment aims to address issues like overfishing by adjusting catch levels, revising rebuilding plans, and modifying sector allocations and management measures based on recent stock assessments. Public participation is encouraged, and interested individuals are required to register to attend the webinars. Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on February 5, 2021.

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) announced a temporary closure of the red snapper recreational private angling component in federal waters off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. This closure will be in effect from January 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025, to ensure that the annual catch limit (ACL) set for Texas is not exceeded and to help prevent overfishing. This decision was made following a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is based on the authority given by the Fishery Management Plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. During this period, it will be illegal for private anglers to catch or possess red snapper in these federal waters, regardless of where they are from or where they plan to land.

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 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.