Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has proposed Amendment 23 to update the plan for rebuilding the Pacific sardine population off the west coast, which has been declared overfished. This amendment aims to revise the rebuilding strategy to align with a court order, setting new catch limits based on the sardine population size each year. The proposed plan is expected to rebuild the sardine stock within 17 years, providing stability and growth opportunities for small fisheries. Public comments on this proposal will be considered before the final decision is made.

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.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented a final rule that allows hook-and-line catcher/processors to use longline pot gear when targeting Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea. This regulation aims to improve fishing efficiency, boost economic benefits, and reduce interactions with killer whales, which have negatively impacted this fishery. With the approval of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the rule addresses gear restrictions, whale depredation, and species retention, promoting effective fishery management and conservation. The new rules will be effective from April 28, 2025, and include requirements for gear marking and reporting to aid in monitoring and enforcement.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering giving special permits to some fishing boats, allowing them to go beyond usual fishing rules. This is to support a research project by the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. The project aims to study American lobster genetics to improve how lobsters are managed in specific U.S. regions. Comments on this proposal are being accepted until August 1, 2025.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on an information collection related to observer programs for at-sea processing vessels involved in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This initiative aims to ensure the efficient gathering of data by observers, which is important for monitoring fishery activities and managing resources to prevent overfishing, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The public is invited to submit comments by March 8, 2021, to assist in evaluating the necessity, efficiency, and burden of these data collection activities. The proposed methods of collection involve both electronic and paper forms, as well as interviews and phone calls.

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening applications for permits to use deep-set buoy gear to catch fish like swordfish off the coasts of California and Oregon. This is part of a plan to support sustainable fishing and was authorized by amendments to the fisheries management plan. Applicants have from February 1 to March 31, 2025, to apply for these limited entry permits online. The NMFS will issue up to 25 permits annually on a first-come, first-served basis, and priorities will be given in subsequent years to those who applied but didn't receive a permit in the previous year.