Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a temporary closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This decision aims to prevent surpassing the allowed quota, known as the "A season apportionment," for the year 2021. The closure is effective from January 16, 2021, to September 1, 2021, to ensure sustainable fishing practices. The rule is implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, exempt from public notice and comment due to the urgent nature of the recent data, which required a prompt response.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Legislative Committee will hold a public meeting via web conference on January 29, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Alaska time. The meeting will discuss draft legislation H.R. 8632, titled “Ocean Climate Action: Solutions to the Climate Crisis," and evaluate its effects on the Council’s conservation and management goals. Additionally, the committee will address potential revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other business as necessary. Public comments can be submitted online, and more details are available on the Council's website.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These specifications, which include catch limits and prohibitions on certain species' catch, are set to ensure sustainable fishing practices according to the Fishery Management Plan. The rules aim to conserve and manage marine resources in alignment with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The document also details the U.S. Department of Commerce's approach to balancing environmental, social, and economic factors in these fisheries management decisions.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a two-day online meeting on January 29 and 30, 2025. The focus will be on addressing guidance from the November 2024 meeting and exploring new or updated tools for managing the Sacramento River Fall Chinook. Discussions may also cover future meetings, workload planning, and upcoming agenda items. Anyone needing special accommodations, such as sign language interpretation, should contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at least 10 days in advance.

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 Pacific Fishery Management Council is hosting an online meeting for its Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee on February 26, 2025. The meeting is open to the public and will cover topics like the draft update stock assessment for Pacific sardine, which will be reviewed for setting the 2025-2026 harvest specifications. Participants can join the meeting through instructions on the Pacific Council's website or seek assistance from Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt. Special accommodations are available upon request if made at least 10 days in advance.

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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a final rule to establish harvest specifications and management measures for the 2025-26 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This rule sets limits on how much groundfish can be caught each year and revises management measures to prevent overfishing and help rebuild stock. Key changes include implementing a rebuilding plan for California quillback rockfish and updating allocation frameworks and fishing regulations. The rule also introduces a new permit system for the directed open access fishery and includes technical corrections and modifications to existing regulations.

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), is proposing Amendment 35 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP). This amendment aims to define specific fish stocks that need conservation and management, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 35 targets eight fish species prioritized for stock assessments due in 2025 or 2027 and is mainly administrative. It does not change fishing schedules or locations but helps in preventing overfishing, rebuilding depleted fish stocks, and achieving optimal yields. Public comments on the amendment are invited until May 4, 2025.