Search Results for agency_names:"Commerce Department"

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 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has overturned previous decisions from the U.S. Court of International Trade regarding aluminum door thresholds from China. These thresholds, imported by Worldwide Door Components, Inc. and Columbia Aluminum Products, LLC, are now classified as subject to antidumping and countervailing duty orders. This decision means that the Department of Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue holding the thresholds until further instructions are given. Additionally, the cash deposit rates for these items will be determined by the rates applicable to similar products from China.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is temporarily prohibiting specific fishing activities for Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska. Catcher vessels less than 50 feet long using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area are affected by this closure, which is in place from March 17, 2025, to June 10, 2025. This decision aims to prevent exceeding the allowed catch limit for the season. The regulation comes under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is implemented without prior public comment to ensure timely conservation efforts.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a revised rule regarding the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida hispida) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule specifies areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas as critical habitat and identifies essential features such as snow-covered sea ice suitable for birth lairs, sea ice for basking and molting, and primary prey resources like Arctic cod and shrimps. The proposal also considers national security impacts and suggests the exclusion of an area used by the U.S. Navy for training and testing activities. The NMFS seeks public comments on various aspects of this proposed designation to ensure that it is based on the best available scientific data.

The New England Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via an online webinar to discuss issues impacting New England's fisheries. The meeting will take place on Monday, April 9, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Participants will receive a presentation on the 2025 State of the Ecosystem Report from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and discuss how to make the reports more actionable. They will also recommend new leadership for the SSC and cover any other necessary business. The meeting is open to the public and will be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has made a preliminary decision that disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids from China are being sold in the U.S. at prices below their fair value. This determination involves actions like suspending the liquidation of these goods and requiring cash deposits to match the estimated dumping margins. Additionally, critical circumstances have been identified, which means that some storehouse entries may also see retroactive duties. Interested parties are invited to provide comments and feedback on this decision.

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will hold a hybrid meeting for the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) from May 13-15, 2025, in New Bedford, MA, and online. The meeting will include the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of eight Regional Fishery Management Councils to discuss topics such as the implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act and other relevant issues. The meeting is open to the public, with time for comments, and aims to address NOAA Fisheries updates, budgets, future planning, and various policy discussions. Special accommodations will be available for attendees with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the issuance of countervailing duty orders on melamine imported from Germany, Qatar, and Trinidad and Tobago. This decision follows final determinations by both the Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission. According to these findings, the imports from Germany and Qatar have caused injury to U.S. industries, while products from Trinidad and Tobago pose a threat of future harm. Consequently, duties will be assessed on these imports to protect domestic industries.

The Department of Commerce has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review and potentially approve materials related to the SABIT Program. The program involves applications and questionnaires to assess applicants' quality and outcomes, as well as gather alumni feedback. Approximately 3,500 people will participate, and responses range from 1 to 3 hours each. The collection aims to better align the program with its foreign policy goals and minimize the public's reporting burden. Public comments are invited within 30 days via the website www.reginfo.gov.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has started its annual process to develop rules for the 2025 ocean salmon fisheries on the U.S. West Coast. The public is invited to give feedback on these regulations by submitting comments or attending public hearings. The hearings will be held in different locations, with in-person events in Washington and California, and a virtual hearing for Oregon. Detailed information about the schedule and comment submission methods is available on the Council's website.