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

The New England Fishery Management Council is holding public hearings online regarding changes to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan, known as Draft Amendment 5. These hearings will take place on January 21 and February 8, 2021, and are intended to gather public feedback, which will be considered by the full Council. People interested in attending can register via provided webinar links. The meetings will include a briefing on the amendment followed by public commentary, and special accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

The New England Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of its Skate Committee via webinar. This meeting will focus on actions that impact New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone. The Committee plans to discuss and review various topics, including scoping comments and the development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management. The meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2021, at 9 a.m., and is accessible to those with disabilities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is implementing a temporary rule to set a possession limit of 2,000 pounds for Atlantic herring in Management Area 1B. This measure is necessary because the herring catch from this area is projected to reach 92% of its sub-annual catch limit, and the rule aims to prevent overfishing, which could lead to stricter catch limits in the future. The rule is effective from January 8, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The agency waived the requirement for public notice and a comment period since the regulation was previously discussed and anticipated by the fishing industry.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is reallocating some of the Pacific cod quota in the Gulf of Alaska. This reallocation involves moving unused quota from trawl catcher vessels to hook-and-line catcher vessels that are 50 feet or longer, and to catcher/processors that use trawl gear. The change is effective from December 20, 2024, and aims to ensure the total allowable catch for Pacific cod is fully utilized. NMFS made this decision quickly, without public comment, because the most recent data required an immediate response.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a one-day public meeting of the Reef Fish Advisory Panel on March 17, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EDT. This in-person meeting will be held at the Gulf Council office in Tampa, Florida. During the meeting, discussions will focus on various fish stock assessments and management measures, including deep-water groupers, shallow-water groupers, and species like Mutton Snapper and Yellowtail Snapper. The meeting will also cover headboat data collection and will allow for public comments. Those interested can participate in person or via webinar, with registration available on the Gulf Council's website.

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 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a public meeting on March 9-10, 2021. The meeting aims to discuss acceptable biological catch recommendations for blueline tilefish through 2024, review survey results for golden tilefish, and provide updates on economic and ecosystem studies. Additional topics include evaluating fisheries management strategies and updating on ongoing council actions. The meeting will be accessible via webinar, with details available on the council's website.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking nominations for the National Sea Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB). The Board is made up of members from academia, industry, government, and citizen groups and advises the Secretary of Commerce and the National Sea Grant College Program. Interested individuals should submit a resume and may include a cover letter highlighting relevant expertise. Nominations are accepted by email and must be submitted by January 31, 2025, to be considered for current openings.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reopened directed fishing for Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This decision allows catcher vessels using trawl gear to fully utilize the 2021 season's allocation of Pacific cod. The fishing season will run from January 20, 2021, to June 10, 2021. This temporary rule modification was made to allow the use of remaining Pacific cod quotas and was not open to prior public comment due to the need for a timely response.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning a recovery planning workshop for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of bearded seals and the Arctic ringed seals, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The workshop aims to gather information and insights from experts but will not seek consensus on recovery strategies. Scheduled for January 23-24, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, the event is open to the public, and contributions of information to aid in recovery planning are welcomed. Topics of interest include potential recovery criteria, human-related threats, environmental challenges, and necessary recovery actions.