Search Results for agency_names:"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"

The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking comments from the public and other federal agencies on their data collection activities. This request is related to the identification requirements for fishing gear on the West Coast, which are necessary for effective fisheries management and regulatory compliance. The comments are invited to help improve this process and reduce the public's reporting burden. Interested parties have until March 26, 2021, to submit their feedback via email.

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 Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public comments on renewing an information collection program. This program, under the Merchant Marine Act, allows commercial fishing entities to defer taxable income in a Capital Construction Fund for specific vessel-related projects. Comments are invited on the necessity and burden of this collection by May 30, 2025, as part of the review process before submitting information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Respondents, including businesses and organizations, are required to submit information via specified forms to qualify and participate in the program.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is holding a four-day public meeting from January 27 to January 30, 2025, in New Orleans and online. The meeting will address various issues affecting fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, such as budget proposals, habitat protection, and fishery management plans. It includes updates and discussions from committees on topics like shrimp, reef fish, mackerel, and law enforcement. Public comments are encouraged, and accommodations are available for participants with disabilities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced the schedule for upcoming workshops in 2025 concerning Atlantic shark identification and safe handling of protected species. These workshops are mandatory for specific fishermen and shark dealers to comply with regulatory requirements. Three Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are scheduled in Kenner, LA; Fort Pierce, FL; and Wilmington, NC. Three Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will take place in Marathon, FL; Portsmouth, NH; and Houston, TX. Both workshops aim to improve species identification skills and ensure safe handling practices to help sustain marine species.

NMFS, a part of NOAA, has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, seeking authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals during their oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over a five-year period. The request pertains to the incidental impact on 12 marine mammal species, including beluga whales, due to activities like tug operations, pile driving, and pipeline work, which might cause harassment at two levels. The public is invited to comment on this proposal until April 14, 2025. NMFS will use public feedback to develop regulations overseeing Hilcorp's activities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is starting 5-year reviews of six foreign elasmobranch species, including some types of sharks and guitarfish. These reviews, required by the Endangered Species Act, aim to determine if a species should remain on the endangered list or be reclassified based on new data. Public input is requested, and people can provide relevant information electronically until September 15, 2025. The agency will use the best available scientific and commercial data to make their decisions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated a large area in the Pacific Ocean, called the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, to protect its unique marine environment around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary spans about 582,570 square miles and is intended to preserve its invaluable biological, cultural, and historical resources. The rules for this sanctuary involve regulating activities like fishing and anchoring, following existing management frameworks and international guidelines to ensure protection while allowing for some scientific and cultural activities. This designation is in collaboration with various partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii, to enhance the protection and management of this significant marine area.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a final rule to implement Amendment 111, which reauthorizes the Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) Rockfish Program. This rule aims to preserve the program's existing benefits in conservation, management, safety, and economics. Key changes include removing the expiration date for the Rockfish Program, simplifying reporting requirements for fishing participants, and adjusting regulations to improve the program's efficiency. These updates are intended to continue promoting the goals of sustainable fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public feedback on their information collection process associated with the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. In line with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the goal is to revise the application process and gather comments to minimize the public's reporting burden. The NOAA is inviting comments until April 6, 2021, and feedback will help in evaluating the necessity and effectiveness of the information collected. The collected data will assist in the selection of members for advisory councils that provide guidance on the management of marine sanctuaries.