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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the NOAA, has issued a temporary rule to stop the directed fishing of Pacific cod with pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This action aims to prevent exceeding the allowed catch limit for the 2021 season. The prohibition started on January 22, 2021, and will remain in effect until June 10, 2021. The action relies on recent fisheries data, and there wasn't time for public comments before implementing the closure.

NMFS, a branch of NOAA within the Commerce Department, announced a temporary closure of the Atlantic bluefin tuna trophy fishery in the southern region for 2025. This closure affects recreational fishing for bluefin tuna measuring over 73 inches in length, as the quota for this category has been reached and exceeded. Fishing in the designated area must stop from February 28, 2025, until the end of the year to prevent further overfishing. While fishing is closed, anglers can still catch and release bluefin tuna, ensuring the fish are handled properly to maximize their survival.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a permit to the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center to conduct research and activities aimed at helping the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The activities will take place in the Hawaiian Archipelago and Johnston Atoll and will include health checks, tagging, and other conservation efforts to improve the seals' survival rates. The permit is valid until the end of 2029, and researchers will also study threats to the seals, explore solutions, and assess the effectiveness of their efforts. The permit also covers potential impacts on some dolphin species and allows for the collection and analysis of seal parts.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA and the Commerce Department, announced the receipt of nine permit applications for scientific research involving Pacific salmon, steelhead, and other species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This research aims to increase understanding and improve conservation efforts. The permits involve various activities, such as capturing and studying fish through methods like electrofishing and tagging. The research seeks to benefit these endangered species by generating data to assist in habitat conservation and management decisions. The NMFS will evaluate these applications and provide a final decision after a 30-day public comment period.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is transferring 20.5 metric tons of quota for Atlantic bluefin tuna from the December 2025 period to the January through March 2025 period. This change is designed to give fishermen more opportunities to catch tuna and help gather important data about the fish population. The adjusted quota for January through March will now be 58.2 metric tons. The decision considers current fish availability and aims to ensure the sustainable management of tuna stocks.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received 25 scientific research permit applications focused on various fish species like salmon and sturgeon. These permits, which include renewals and new requests, aim to aid conservation efforts by enhancing understanding of fish under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed studies utilize methods such as electrofishing and tagging to gather data on fish habitats, population dynamics, and migration, with no intentional harm intended to the fish. Public comments on the applications are invited until March 18, 2021.

The Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on a new information collection effort conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand research surveys in untrawlable habitats along the Pacific Coast. The surveys aim to gather data on groundfish stocks, like various types of rockfish and lingcod, to better manage these resources and address gaps in existing data. Public input, especially from recreational and commercial fishing communities, is being requested to identify potential sampling locations and techniques. This initiative is part of NOAA’s efforts to use the best scientific information for sustainable fishery management, as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting of its Climate and Ecosystem Steering Committee to discuss changes affecting New England fisheries. This meeting will occur both in-person and through a webinar on February 13, 2025. The committee will cover topics like the Council's Inflation Reduction Act-funded projects, NOAA's ecosystem report, and other climate initiatives. The results and recommendations will be shared with the full Council for potential action.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting public comments on their information collection methods as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The comments will help evaluate and improve their data collection process related to customer satisfaction with NOAA's products and services. This will involve online surveys and emails, affecting both individual citizens and various types of organizations, with an estimated 10,000 respondents. Comments must be received by April 29, 2025, and are part of the public record to ensure transparency and solicit improvement ideas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a virtual meeting for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) scheduled for January 10, 2025. The meeting will focus on reviewing and discussing the Federal ocean exploration program, emphasizing three areas: ensuring a national program for ocean exploration, technological innovation and application, and public engagement and education. During the meeting, the OEAB will validate and potentially approve their findings and recommendations, which will then be shared with NOAA leadership. The public can attend the meeting online, and details will be available on the OEAB website.