Search Results for keywords:"National Marine Fisheries Service"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced that Connecticut has used up its 2024 commercial quota for summer flounder, so boats with federal permits can't land these fish in the state for the rest of the year, unless more quota is transferred from another state. This rule, effective December 10, 2024, ensures that fishing stays within limits to help manage and conserve fish populations. Regulations require that when a state's quota is harvested, a notice must be published to inform those in the fishing industry about the closure and prevent any further landings or sales in that state.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued an in-season order that relinquished regulatory control over specific U.S. treaty tribal and all citizen commercial salmon fisheries in the Fraser River Panel Area in 2024. This decision follows the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada, designed to manage salmon stocks in the region. The order was approved by the Pacific Salmon Commission and is intended to align with domestic legal obligations, allowing fishing activities in designated areas without prior public notice, due to timing constraints. This rule takes immediate effect to ensure that fisheries can operate efficiently when salmon are available.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. David Portnoy at Texas A&M University. If approved, this permit would allow select commercial fishermen to catch a limited number of speckled hind fish in the South Atlantic to study their population, genetic diversity, and life history. Due to the current prohibition on speckled hind fishing, this permit would let researchers gather essential data without additional environmental impact. The NMFS is considering this application and is open to public comments until March 12, 2021.

Charted Marine Consulting has applied for a permit with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins in Texas's coastal waters. The research aims to gather data on dolphin populations, behavior, and habitat use, including potential risks from human activities. The permit allows for the study of up to 8,670 dolphins annually, with some undergoing additional testing like biopsy sampling. Public comments on the application are being accepted until April 28, 2025, and requests for a public hearing can also be submitted.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes a change to an existing Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) issued to Bay State Wind, LLC for marine surveys off Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This modification is necessary because Bay State Wind has encountered more common dolphins than expected and requests an increase in the number they can disturb without harm (Level B harassment). The proposed modification would raise the authorized take of common dolphins from 1,485 to 2,970, with no other changes to the authorization. The public can comment on this proposed modification until December 26, 2024.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is holding free workshops in 2025 for fishermen and shark dealers. These workshops include Atlantic Shark Identification and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops aimed at meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining valid permits. The workshops are mandatory for certain individuals, like shark dealers and vessel owners, who use certain types of fishing gear. Additional online recertification workshops are available for those who have already attended in-person training.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to WesternGeco for conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America. This authorization allows the incidental taking of marine mammals during these activities, under the condition that such impacts are minimal and do not significantly harm the species. The regulations ensure that the activities will have a negligible impact on marine mammal populations and include measures for mitigation, monitoring, and reporting. The authorization is in effect from March 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reviewing an application from the North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation for an exempted fishing permit (EFP). If approved, the permit will allow the testing of new salmon excluder devices during summer pollock fishing in the Bering Sea, particularly aimed at reducing the bycatch of chum salmon. The experiment will involve exemptions from certain regulations to facilitate this testing. Public comments on the application are invited until April 11, 2025, and the application will be considered during a virtual meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in late March and early April 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to implement Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan for the 2025 and 2026 fishing years. This plan includes setting scallop catch limits, allocating fishing efforts, and modifying access area management to protect juvenile scallops. The adjustment also involves seasonal closures, area openings, and a research set-aside for scallop studies. The proposed rule aims to prevent overfishing, increase yield, and optimize the sustainability of scallop fisheries.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule to implement measures for minimizing salmon bycatch in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These measures aim to reduce the incidental catch of Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook and coho salmon. The rule introduces new management tools, including specific area closures and gear requirements, and establishes conditions under which fishery participants can access a Chinook salmon bycatch reserve. The rule also allows for the creation of Salmon Mitigation Plans (SMPs) by groups of fishing vessels to help manage bycatch while providing certain flexibilities to the industry.