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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to comment on its plan to renew a survey for collecting information about sandhill cranes, without making any changes. This is part of an effort to reduce paperwork and improve how they gather data. The information is used to understand the number and distribution of sandhill cranes, influencing hunting regulations to ensure they are not too lenient or too strict. Comments can be submitted online until April 21, 2025, and include ideas on minimizing the public's effort to provide this information.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has set a 3.0% fee percentage for 2024 under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for halibut and sablefish in the North Pacific. This fee helps cover the costs involved in managing and enforcing the program. Fishermen must calculate their fees based on this percentage and the value of their catch, which they need to pay by January 31, 2025. Although management costs decreased, a significant drop in total fishery value keeps the fee percentage at this capped rate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced they have received permit applications for scientific research aimed at helping endangered or threatened species. These permits are necessary under the Endangered Species Act, which controls activities involving such species. The public, as well as local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, are encouraged to comment on these applications by February 20, 2025. All comments received will be publicly available, although personal information may be disclosed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering applications for permits to conduct scientific research and other activities to support the conservation of endangered and threatened species, as part of the Endangered Species Act. They are seeking comments from the public and various governmental agencies by January 10, 2025. These permits would allow activities that help the recovery and protection of such species, but before any permits are granted, public input will be taken into account. All comments submitted will become part of the public record, and there is a possibility of personal information becoming publicly accessible.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued an emergency permit allowing the import of up to 1,875 blood and tissue samples from endangered radiated tortoises (Geochelone radiata) from Madagascar. This permit was granted to the Wildlife Conservation Society due to an urgent situation affecting the health of these tortoises, which are held in captivity after being confiscated. The decision to waive the usual 30-day public notice period was made to help ensure the survival of the species, following conditions outlined in the Endangered Species Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has set a 2021 limit of 2,000 metric tons of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. Pacific territory, including American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Each territory can allocate up to 1,500 metric tons to U.S. fishing vessels, but the total allocation across all territories cannot exceed 3,000 metric tons. NMFS will monitor the catches and may impose restrictions if these limits are expected to be reached, to ensure long-term sustainability of these fishery resources. Additionally, NMFS has addressed public comments concerning environmental and cultural impacts, ensuring comprehensive consideration of the potential effects on marine ecosystems and populations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced its decision to issue a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act for the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan. This ITP allows activities that might inadvertently harm two threatened species, the Oregon spotted frog and bull trout, covered in the plan. The decision supports a conservation strategy designed to mitigate the negative impacts on these species by adjusting water flow patterns and setting up conservation funds over the permit term. The Service evaluated various alternatives before selecting this plan as the best course of action.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would allow certain fishing boats to operate outside of the usual regulations. This permit aims to help small boats from Cape Cod catch and sell smaller quantities of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs more safely and efficiently. The application involves using alternative containers for the catch, which could benefit local fishermen by improving market access and safety. The public can comment on this proposal until April 7, 2025.

NOAA is expanding the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary by about 104 square miles, adding 14 new reefs and banks in the Gulf of Mexico. This expansion will bring the total sanctuary area to approximately 160.4 square miles, and existing regulations will apply to these new areas. The expansion aims to protect the unique marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and habitats for endangered species like sea turtles and whale sharks. This decision follows extensive public consultation and scientific research to enhance marine conservation while balancing oil, gas, and fishing interests.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on permit applications for activities aimed at recovering and enhancing the survival of endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, many activities that could affect endangered species are prohibited unless permitted by the federal government. The public has until February 18, 2021, to submit comments on these permit requests. These permits would allow activities such as capturing or collecting endangered animals or plants for scientific purposes that support their recovery or survival.