Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on a new information collection effort conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand research surveys in untrawlable habitats along the Pacific Coast. The surveys aim to gather data on groundfish stocks, like various types of rockfish and lingcod, to better manage these resources and address gaps in existing data. Public input, especially from recreational and commercial fishing communities, is being requested to identify potential sampling locations and techniques. This initiative is part of NOAA’s efforts to use the best scientific information for sustainable fishery management, as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

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 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 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 Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is requesting an extension and revision of an existing information collection. This collection involves requiring federally managed fisheries in the Southeast Region to submit logbooks detailing their fishing activities. The data collected, including details about species caught and economic factors, helps support fishery management and conservation efforts under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The public is invited to comment on this proposal within 30 days of the notice's publication.

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 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 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) 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 (NMFS) is temporarily stopping directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska from January 20, 2021, to May 31, 2021, to prevent exceeding the designated catch limit for the A season. This closure is because the 2021 total allowable catch of 799 metric tons for this area has been set aside to support other groundfish fisheries as incidental catch. The NMFS determined that reaching the directed fishing limit was necessary and acted quickly to implement the closure based on recent data to avoid surpassing the allowable catch limits. This action is in accordance with the regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.