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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from Mayflower Wind Energy LLC for permission to conduct surveys off the coast of Massachusetts, which may disturb a small number of marine mammals. These surveys are related to assessing underwater features for wind energy development. The NMFS proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) allowing for non-serious disturbance of marine mammals, especially considering measures to minimize impact, and is requesting public comments on this proposal. The surveys are scheduled to start in April 2021 and end by November 2021, with specific conditions proposed to ensure limited impact on marine mammal species, including some that are protected.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Department of the Navy on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army for permission to take marine mammals during military activities in the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area from 2025 to 2032. The activities, including the use of sonar and explosives, may disturb or injure marine mammals. NMFS is considering rules to manage this and invites the public to submit comments by January 13, 2025. The plan includes measures to reduce harm and monitor the effects on marine life.

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for activities related to construction at the Station Siuslaw River in Florence, Oregon. This authorization allows the USCG to incidentally harass, but not seriously harm, small numbers of certain marine mammals, like harbor seals and sea lions, during pile driving activities. The measures aim to minimize the impact on marine mammals, and the authorization specifies monitoring and reporting requirements. NMFS determined that the project will not significantly harm marine mammal populations or habitats and will not adversely impact any species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species 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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating unused fishing allowances for pollock from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea to help reach the fishing goals for 2025. This change is based on recent data showing that some of the allocated pollock won't be harvested in the Aleutian Islands. The reallocation aims to use these allowances effectively, supporting the goals of the Fishery Management Plan for the region. This temporary rule, effective starting March 10, 2025, allows for adjustments without prior public notice to ensure timely use of the latest fisheries data.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a correction to the 2025-2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in U.S. waters off the West Coast, covering Washington, Oregon, and California. This amendment fixes errors and clarifies management measures, ensuring consistent regulations coastwide. It adjusts quota limits for shortspine thornyheads, corrects mis-specified limits for sablefish, and modifies terms from “Nontrawl” to “Non-trawl.” These corrections aim to prevent confusion among fishery participants and clarify previous regulatory specifications.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a notice about the status of certain fish stocks in the United States. They found that Puerto Rico Caribbean spiny lobster and Mid-Atlantic Coast golden tilefish are currently being overfished. Additionally, Klamath River fall Chinook salmon and Queets Spring/Summer Chinook salmon remain overfished, and the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean Striped Marlin continues to be overfished. The NMFS is taking steps to manage and rebuild these fish populations to meet conservation goals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced public hearings for Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery in the South Atlantic. The hearings will discuss management plans for red snapper and other species. They will be held on various dates in February and March 2025, with locations specified in the document. Special accommodations will be available for persons with disabilities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced a public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) on May 28, 2025. This meeting, conducted via web conference, will advise U.S. Commissioners on issues related to highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The PAC, which supports the U.S. National Section to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), will focus on discussing outcomes from past meetings and preparing for future ones. Public comments are invited, and accessibility accommodations are available upon request by May 21, 2025.