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NOAA has announced its plan to create a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to support the implementation of projects under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Research and Development Program. This program aims to promote, market, research, and develop U.S. Fisheries to help fishing communities, ensuring sustainable and economically beneficial fisheries. As part of the process, NOAA is seeking public input by inviting comments on the potential environmental impacts and alternatives of the proposed projects, and it will hold several public scoping meetings to gather feedback. The deadline for written comments is March 25, 2021.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public feedback on a revision of information collection activities under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information is needed to manage and protect national marine sanctuaries by evaluating permit applications for activities usually prohibited unless permitted. Changes include revising the permit application process and a reduction in the number of permits issued yearly. Comments can be submitted to NOAA's PRA officer, and are encouraged to focus on whether the information collection is necessary, accurate, and effectively minimizes reporting burdens.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making adjustments to the 2021 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quotas for the Purse Seine and Reserve categories. NMFS is reallocating 164.5 metric tons from the Purse Seine category to the Reserve category, and transferring 26 metric tons from the Reserve category to the General category for the January 2021 subquota period. This decision considers the need for continued data collection on BFT, the availability of commercial-sized BFT, and ensures that fishing opportunities align with the regulatory standards while managing resources effectively. The changes are effective from February 8, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning a recovery planning workshop for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of bearded seals and the Arctic ringed seals, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The workshop aims to gather information and insights from experts but will not seek consensus on recovery strategies. Scheduled for January 23-24, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, the event is open to the public, and contributions of information to aid in recovery planning are welcomed. Topics of interest include potential recovery criteria, human-related threats, environmental challenges, and necessary recovery actions.

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 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the final guidance for creating new Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), as authorized by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Coastal states, including territories and Indian Tribes, can form these partnerships to manage ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The guidance outlines the application process, including the necessary elements for a new ROP, who can apply, and how to submit applications to NOAA. Existing ROPs, like the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, are not affected by this new guidance.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the impact of granting an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. This permit would allow the incidental capture of endangered species like sea turtles and sturgeon during fisheries surveys in the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Wind Energy Area. The draft is available for public comment until February 7, 2025. The evaluation considers two options: not issuing the permit or issuing it with specific conditions to minimize harm to the species.

The NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) will hold a virtual public meeting on March 3-4, 2021. This meeting will discuss NOAA's navigation services, including topics like hydrographic surveys, nautical charting, and new cooperative agreements with universities. People interested in these topics can submit comments in advance or during the webinar. The meeting will accommodate special needs for people with disabilities, including sign language interpretation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting the second SEDAR 91 Assessment Webinar for the U.S. Caribbean Spiny Lobster on February 28, 2025. This is part of a series of meetings aimed at assessing the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery, involving various data collection and analysis steps. These assessments are conducted to evaluate the health of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. The meeting is open to the public, and registration can be done by contacting the SEDAR coordinator, Emily Ott.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put out a call for public feedback on information collection practices related to geospatial metadata. This request invites comments on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of collecting such data, with the goal of minimizing the public's reporting burden. Public comments will be accepted until March 30, 2021, and will be considered in the agency's submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. NOAA's tools for collecting metadata support various scientific research fields and aim to enhance understanding and reuse of geospatial data.