Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA, has issued a final rule under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to implement rebuilding plans for three overfished salmon stocks on the West Coast: Juan de Fuca, Queets, and Snohomish natural coho salmon. These stocks were declared overfished due to a decline in spawning escapement between 2014 and 2016. Although comments from the public were mostly supportive, some suggested more restrictive measures. NMFS concluded that habitat conditions, rather than fishing, primarily caused the decline, and thus, further restrictions were not deemed necessary. The rule aims to rebuild the salmon stocks within 10 years while considering the impact on fishing communities.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of the Ad Hoc Charter For-hire Data Collection Advisory Panel. This meeting will take place on February 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their office in Tampa, Florida. The agenda includes discussing economic data collection methods, reviewing a draft document on For-hire Data Collection, and exploring outreach approaches for a new data collection program. Public comments will also be invited, and further information can be found on the Gulf Council's website.

The Department of Commerce plans to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This involves collecting economic data on the Mariana Archipelago Small Boat Fishery to help enhance fishery conservation and management efforts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aims to gather data from 72 respondents, with each response taking about 45 minutes. The public is invited to comment within 30 days, as this data will help make better-informed decisions benefiting the nation's fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has started its yearly process for managing the 2025 ocean salmon fisheries. They have announced the availability of related documents and the dates and locations for upcoming meetings and public hearings. Written comments on the salmon management options must be submitted online before the April 2025 Council meeting. The Council will host public hearings in March 2025 to discuss the proposed salmon fishery management alternatives, with details available on their website.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a virtual meeting for its Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETC) on January 16, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. The meeting will cover topics such as the review of Federal Charter Vessel ID Marking Requirements and the 20-Fathom Recreational Seasonal Closure for shallow-water grouper, as well as discussions on nominations for Officer/Team of the Year. The meeting is open to the public and will be held online, with details available on www.gulfcouncil.org.