Search Results for keywords:"Great Lakes Fishery

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has updated maps for the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, and New York as required by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. These changes reflect adjustments due to natural events like erosion and accretion, and also correct previous mapping errors. After consulting with multiple stakeholders, including state and local officials, and considering public comments, the final maps have been made available and will take effect on December 19, 2024. Interested parties can view and download these revised maps online or by contacting the service.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has postponed the removal of an exemption that allowed small commercial passenger aircraft to avoid paying certain user fees related to agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services. This delay, effective until June 2, 2025, is due to a regulatory freeze for review. APHIS is seeking public input on whether these small aircraft pose a lesser risk than larger aircraft and if they merit reduced fees. Feedback is also requested on how AQI fees can be structured differently based on risk and service levels.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army aim to involve various stakeholders in discussions about the "waters of the United States" definition due to a recent Supreme Court ruling. The agencies plan to hold listening sessions and are actively seeking written feedback from the public to inform future administrative actions and clarify the Clean Water Act's jurisdiction. They also address concerns regarding the Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States" stemming from the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, impacting the way certain water bodies are regulated under federal law. This effort emphasizes broad public engagement to ensure clear and consistent understanding and implementation.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council and the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center are organizing a virtual pre-assessment workshop to discuss data and modeling methods for groundfish stock assessments. This workshop is scheduled for March 18, 2025, and is open to the public. The primary focus will be on assessing the rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and sablefish stocks. Participants will review data inputs and provide recommendations, but no final management decisions will be made during the meeting.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Ad-Hoc Klamath River Fall Chinook Workgroup (KRWG) will conduct an online meeting on January 13 and 14, 2025. The purpose of this two-day meeting is to guide the management of the Klamath River fall Chinook salmon after recent environmental changes, such as dam removal. Discussions will also cover future planning and other relevant agenda items from the Pacific Council. The meeting is open for public observation, with specific details available on the Pacific Council's website.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a public webinar meeting organized by the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel. This meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2025, and will take place online. Participants will discuss various topics from the upcoming March 2025 meeting agenda. The meeting is open to the public, and details on how to join can be found on the Pacific Council's website.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is hosting an online public meeting on April 1, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (PST) to discuss research and data needs related to the management of U.S. west coast fisheries. The meeting will cover the Pacific Council's priorities for research and data, which are required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Participation details and technical support are available on the Pacific Council's website and through designated contacts. Although additional topics may be discussed, formal action will only be taken on issues listed in the notice or emergency matters as needed.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory bodies will have meetings from March 4-11, 2025, in Vancouver, WA, and online via webinar. These meetings will be open to the public, with a live stream and options for public comment. The council will discuss various topics, including Pacific halibut management, salmon management, and groundfish issues. Special accommodations like sign language interpretation can be requested with advance notice.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Pacific Fishery Management Council are organizing an online pre-assessment workshop to review data and models for a stock assessment of yellowtail rockfish, planned for 2025. This meeting, which is public, aims to discuss the best approaches for assessing the fish stock and will occur on January 30, 2025. Workshop participants will not make management decisions but will develop recommendations for stock assessment teams. The results will later be reviewed at a meeting in Spokane, WA, in September 2025. Special accommodations are available for attendees who request them in advance.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will hold an online meeting of its Ecosystem Workgroup on February 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific Time. The meeting is open to the public and will focus on the 2024-2025 California Current Ecosystem Status Report, which will also be discussed in the March 2025 Pacific Council meeting. While non-emergency topics not listed in the agenda can be brought up, no formal actions will be taken on them unless they require emergency attention and the public is notified. Special accommodations, such as sign language interpretation, can be requested from Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at least ten days before the meeting.