Search Results for keywords:"National Marine Fisheries Service"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is conducting a 5-year review of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population as required by the Endangered Species Act. This review aims to ensure that the current listing of the species is accurate and relies on the best scientific and commercial data available. The public, including scientists, environmentalists, and government agencies, are encouraged to submit relevant information about the whales’ status, threats, and recovery efforts by April 26, 2021. This data will aid in determining whether the beluga whales should remain listed as endangered or if their classification should change.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA and the Commerce Department, announced a SEDAR 80 webinar to assess the stock of U.S. Caribbean queen triggerfish. This meeting, scheduled for March 10, 2021, is part of a multi-step evaluation process involving data collection, assessment, and review to understand the status of fish stocks. Public members can attend the webinar by requesting an invitation at least 24 hours in advance. During the webinar, participants will discuss the life history data that should be included in the assessment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a second Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy for a project at the New London Pier Extension at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. The project was delayed, and the activities originally authorized have not yet started. This IHA allows for the incidental, but not intentional, taking of six species of marine mammals with no change in scope, anticipated impacts, or required mitigation and monitoring from the initial authorization. The new IHA is effective from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is proposing Amendment 35 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP). This amendment aims to define specific fish stocks that need conservation and management, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 35 targets eight fish species prioritized for stock assessments due in 2025 or 2027 and is mainly administrative. It does not change fishing schedules or locations but helps in preventing overfishing, rebuilding depleted fish stocks, and achieving optimal yields. Public comments on the amendment are invited until May 4, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has started a 5-year review of the endangered daggernose shark, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This review will determine if the shark should remain listed as endangered, be reclassified, or be delisted, relying on the best scientific and commercial data available. The NMFS is asking for information on the shark's biology, habitat, threats, conservation efforts, and any new findings since the last review completed in 2015. Interested parties need to submit any relevant information electronically by March 3, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) to authorize the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals due to construction activities for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project connecting Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. This project will involve building replacement bridges and may impact marine mammals with increased underwater noise. The authorization, requested for a period of five years starting September 2027, includes activities such as pile driving and rotary drilling, which can lead to marine mammal harassment. NMFS is inviting the public to provide comments and information on this application until April 14, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the University of California Santa Cruz for permission to conduct research that may incidentally affect small numbers of marine mammals along the coasts of Oregon and California over the next five years. This request, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), aims to regulate any potential disturbances during the university's rocky intertidal monitoring work. The public is invited to provide feedback on this request by January 6, 2025. NMFS will evaluate all comments before finalizing any regulations to ensure the protection of marine mammal populations while allowing necessary research activities.

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 has received applications from four researchers requesting permits to study marine mammals. These studies involve research on 58 different species, including endangered or threatened whales and seals, under the authority of laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. The research activities include surveys, tagging, photo-identification, and biological sampling to understand the animals' behavior, health, and ecological roles. Public comments on these applications can be submitted until March 29, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced that North Carolina will transfer a portion of its 2020 summer flounder fishing quota to Massachusetts. This change is being made retroactively due to quota transfer provisions in the Summer Flounder Management Plan and was necessary to cover fish landings by a North Carolina vessel in Massachusetts. The adjusted quotas for 2020 are now 3,026,316 pounds for North Carolina and 802,549 pounds for Massachusetts. This adjustment ensures compliance with fishery management rules and allows for proper calculation of future quotas.