Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on the Commercial Operator's Annual Report (COAR) as part of a routine information collection review. The COAR is mandated for certain fish processors and collectors in Alaska to report on their purchasing and production activities. This information helps assess the value of fisheries resources and is used by federal and state agencies for fisheries management. Comments are invited to evaluate the necessity, efficiency, and usefulness of this information collection and to explore ways to reduce the reporting burden.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Highly Migratory Species Management Team will have an online meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. This meeting is open to the public and will address issues like research and data needs, council operations and priorities, and coordination with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Although topics not on the agenda may be discussed, formal action will only be taken on specified items or urgent issues requiring emergency action. Special accommodations, like sign language interpretation, can be requested by contacting Kris Kleinschmidt at least ten days before the meeting.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public input on its information collection activities related to vessel identification requirements in the West Coast region. This initiative, guided by the Paperwork Reduction Act, aims to minimize the reporting burden on businesses while ensuring regulatory compliance. Fishing vessels must display identification numbers in specific locations to assist with enforcing conservation laws. Public comments will help evaluate the necessity of this information, its data accuracy, and ways to improve collection and minimize respondent burden.

The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting of its Scallop Advisory Panel via webinar on January 21, 2021. The panel will discuss upcoming changes to scallop fishery regulations, such as catch limits and fishing areas for the 2021 and 2022 fishing years. They will also address issues with certain fish species and consider changes to scallop work priorities. The panel's recommendations will be presented to the full Council for potential action.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a temporary closure of the red snapper recreational private angling component in federal waters off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. This closure will be in effect from January 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025, to ensure that the annual catch limit (ACL) set for Texas is not exceeded and to help prevent overfishing. This decision was made following a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is based on the authority given by the Fishery Management Plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. During this period, it will be illegal for private anglers to catch or possess red snapper in these federal waters, regardless of where they are from or where they plan to land.

The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, announced a webinar for the SEDAR 101 assessment of the HMS sandbar shark. This assessment will include a Data Workshop and an Assessment Workshop as part of a larger process to evaluate the fish stock's status. The webinar will take place on March 19, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time, and is open to the public via invitation. Participants will discuss what data might be available for the assessment, and only issues mentioned in the notice or those requiring emergency action will be addressed during the meeting.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting on March 18, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, to discuss the Ad Hoc Red Snapper Grouper/Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs. During this meeting, topics such as IFQ Permit Requirements and Distribution Issues will be reviewed, along with active participation in these programs. The meeting is open for public comment and can be attended in person or via webinar. Special accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has set a 3.0% fee percentage for 2024 under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for halibut and sablefish in the North Pacific. This fee helps cover the costs involved in managing and enforcing the program. Fishermen must calculate their fees based on this percentage and the value of their catch, which they need to pay by January 31, 2025. Although management costs decreased, a significant drop in total fishery value keeps the fee percentage at this capped rate.

The Department of Commerce is seeking comments on a new information collection regarding the evaluation of Southeast Catch Shares Programs, conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This evaluation is mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and involves surveying catch share participants in the southeast region for socio-economic data. The collected information will help improve fishery management decision-making and comply with various legal requirements. Public comments on this proposal are invited and must be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule to stop directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This action, effective from March 10 to June 10, 2025, is necessary to ensure the Pacific cod catch does not exceed the allowed limit for the 2025 season. The imposed closure responds to recent data indicating that the catch quota is nearing its limit. The rule was implemented without prior public notice or delay to quickly address the situation as per the guidelines of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.