Search Results for keywords:"Gulf of Mexico"

The Department of Commerce has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of an information collection related to the Southeast Region Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs. This request aims to extend and revise current collections under the program, which manages commercial fishing quotas in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. The proposed changes would include gathering additional business details in applications and requiring extra verification if certain conditions are met when reporting landings. These changes are intended to better manage the program and ensure fair distribution of resources, and they offer an opportunity for public comment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has issued a temporary rule to close the hook-and-line commercial fishing for king mackerel in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is due to the commercial quota being reached and will last from February 22, 2021, until the end of the fishing year on June 30, 2021. NMFS previously closed gillnet fishing for the same species in this zone after reaching its quota on January 28, 2021. The closure aims to conserve the king mackerel population in the Gulf.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to TGS, allowing the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA is effective from February 15, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The authorization is granted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which permits incidental takings only if they have a negligible impact on the species. The surveys will occur over 83 days with specific modeling used to ensure compliance with existing regulations, and the anticipated impact is considered minimal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) allowing TGS to conduct geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico and to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals. This decision follows the regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, ensuring that the activities have a negligible impact on marine species. The surveys will take place beginning December 20, 2024, and are planned to use a low-frequency airgun source called Gemini. The authorization ensures that the potential impact on marine mammals is minimal and aligns with existing regulations and environmental protection standards.

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 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they are canceling the Record of Decision for the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257. This decision is in response to Executive Order 14008, which pauses new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters until a comprehensive review is completed. The lease sale was initially planned to occur on March 17, 2021, but is now halted. BOEM may consider the lease sale again after the review and could issue a new decision in the future.

NOAA's National Ocean Service, in collaboration with several agencies, is seeking public input to identify data for transmission planning in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This Request for Information aims to improve coastal and marine spatial studies, focusing on offshore wind and transmission planning. The public can provide feedback through written comments or by participating in a public meeting in New Orleans on January 14-15, 2025. The feedback will help NOAA understand data needs and gaps for marine spatial planning and engage better with communities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Murphy Exploration and Production Company for activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA allows the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals while conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities. The authorization is based on specific regulations ensuring any impact on marine life is negligible, and it includes mitigating measures like monitoring and reporting. The survey is planned to last seven days within designated areas and is expected to comply with all applicable rules regarding the protection of marine mammals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has temporarily closed the commercial harvest of king mackerel using run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This decision was made because the annual catch limit for this type of fishing has been met. The closure is effective from March 20, 2025, at noon until January 20, 2026, at 6 a.m. This measure aims to protect the king mackerel population in the Gulf, ensuring sustainable fishing practices.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, has announced the release of a draft report called the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Regional Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This report studies potential impacts of oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM is requesting public comments on this draft until January 27, 2025, and will hold virtual public meetings for further discussion. The draft considers various alternatives for oil and gas leasing and analyzes the possible effects on the environment and communities, balancing energy needs with environmental protection.