Search Results for keywords:"National Marine Fisheries Service"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ALDCNR) to allow the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals during fisheries research in Mobile Bay and nearby waters. This request covers activities over the next five years. NMFS is seeking public input on this application and is ensuring that any authorized taking will have a negligible impact on marine mammal species. The public can submit comments until January 27, 2025.

The Commerce Department, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue collecting information related to the Aleutian Islands pollock fishery. This collection involves The Aleut Corporation providing a list of its selected vessels and processors to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to manage pollock fishing and ensure quotas are not exceeded. This renewal does not change the existing procedure but updates the hourly wage rate for participants. Public comments are invited before final approval.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the cancellation of the SEDAR 80 Life History Topical Working Group Webinar I, which was initially set for March 10, 2021. This webinar was part of a series planned for the stock assessment of the U.S. Caribbean queen triggerfish. The cancellation was formally published, and inquiries can be directed to Julie A. Neer, the SEDAR Coordinator.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is announcing the standard prices and the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program for the 2024 fishing year, which runs from May 1 to November 15. The fee percentage is set at 3.00 percent, which is the maximum allowable by law, even though the calculated cost recovery rate was higher. These fees are used to cover management and enforcement costs and must be paid by February 15, 2025. The significant increase in program costs and the decrease in fishery value led to the higher calculated recovery rate.

The final rule by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) introduces adjustments to the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery management measures for 2025-2026. These changes include reducing the sub-bag limit for canary rockfish in Oregon's recreational long-leader fishery from five to one fish and adjusting the incidental halibut limit in the sablefish fishery. The aim is to manage fish stocks sustainably by allowing more vessels to participate without exceeding the catch limits. These modifications are based on recent scientific data and recommendations from relevant advisory bodies and were made effective immediately to ensure timely implementation.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced that the recreational fishing season for black sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters will extend through the entire 2025-2026 fishing year, from April 23, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This decision allows fishers to make the most of the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) while keeping the fish population healthy. Based on data from recent years, NMFS expects that recreational fishers will not exceed this year’s catch limit, so the fishing season is expected to remain open until the end date without any early closure. This rule is part of the regulations aimed at sustaining the black sea bass stock.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is extending the public comment period for a permit application from SeaWorld to conduct research on a non-releasable beluga whale from the endangered Cook Inlet population. This extension is due to additional information received from SeaWorld, which requires more time for review. The current permit allowing SeaWorld to hold the beluga whale is also proposed to be extended for six months. The new deadline for submitting comments is March 3, 2025.

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 Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii, is seeking an enhancement permit to care for captive Hawaiian monk seals. This permit would allow them to have up to two non-releasable monk seals for educational and research purposes, including a seal named Ho'ailona that will be moved from a research facility in Santa Cruz, California. The aquarium plans to offer daily care and medical attention to the seals and will use the opportunity to raise public awareness about monk seals. The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that an environmental assessment is not required for this permit, which would be valid for five years.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would allow certain fishing boats to operate outside of the usual regulations. This permit aims to help small boats from Cape Cod catch and sell smaller quantities of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs more safely and efficiently. The application involves using alternative containers for the catch, which could benefit local fishermen by improving market access and safety. The public can comment on this proposal until April 7, 2025.