Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The Department of Commerce is seeking comments on a new information collection regarding the evaluation of Southeast Catch Shares Programs, conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This evaluation is mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and involves surveying catch share participants in the southeast region for socio-economic data. The collected information will help improve fishery management decision-making and comply with various legal requirements. Public comments on this proposal are invited and must be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species Management Team will have an online meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. This meeting is open to the public and will address issues like research and data needs, council operations and priorities, and coordination with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Although topics not on the agenda may be discussed, formal action will only be taken on specified items or urgent issues requiring emergency action. Special accommodations, like sign language interpretation, can be requested by contacting Kris Kleinschmidt at least ten days before the meeting.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule to stop directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This action, effective from March 10 to June 10, 2025, is necessary to ensure the Pacific cod catch does not exceed the allowed limit for the 2025 season. The imposed closure responds to recent data indicating that the catch quota is nearing its limit. The rule was implemented without prior public notice or delay to quickly address the situation as per the guidelines of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on the Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR) as part of a routine information collection review. The COAR is mandated for certain fish processors and collectors in Alaska to report on their purchasing and production activities. This information helps assess the value of fisheries resources and is used by federal and state agencies for fisheries management. Comments are invited to evaluate the necessity, efficiency, and usefulness of this information collection and to explore ways to reduce the reporting burden.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the 2025 fishing limits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish to prevent overfishing and manage fisheries sustainably. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission worked with NMFS to set these limits based on scientific data. Most public comments supported these limits, although some expressed concerns about overfishing, particularly for black sea bass. NMFS clarified that the new limits are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and are not expected to harm fish populations.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public input on its information collection activities related to vessel identification requirements in the West Coast region. This initiative, guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act, aims to minimize the reporting burden on businesses while ensuring regulatory compliance. Fishing vessels must display identification numbers in specific locations to assist with enforcing conservation laws. Public comments will help evaluate the necessity of this information, its data accuracy, and ways to improve collection and minimize respondent burden.

The New England Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via an online webinar to discuss issues impacting New England's fisheries. The meeting will take place on Monday, April 9, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Participants will receive a presentation on the 2025 State of the Ecosystem Report from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and discuss how to make the reports more actionable. They will also recommend new leadership for the SSC and cover any other necessary business. The meeting is open to the public and will be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

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), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a temporary rule to close directed fishing for Pacific cod using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This closure is necessary to ensure the total allowable catch for the 2021 A season is not exceeded. The rule is effective from February 3, 2021, until June 10, 2021, as the limit of 1,060 metric tons has been reached, with an additional 8 metric tons reserved for bycatch. This action is based on the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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.