Search Results for keywords:"Magnuson-Stevens Act"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the 2025 fishing limits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish to prevent overfishing and manage fisheries sustainably. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission worked with NMFS to set these limits based on scientific data. Most public comments supported these limits, although some expressed concerns about overfishing, particularly for black sea bass. NMFS clarified that the new limits are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and are not expected to harm fish populations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a temporary rule to close directed fishing for Pacific cod using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This closure is necessary to ensure the total allowable catch for the 2021 A season is not exceeded. The rule is effective from February 3, 2021, until June 10, 2021, as the limit of 1,060 metric tons has been reached, with an additional 8 metric tons reserved for bycatch. This action is based on the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is hosting an online meeting for its Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee on February 26, 2025. The meeting is open to the public and will cover topics like the draft update stock assessment for Pacific sardine, which will be reviewed for setting the 2025-2026 harvest specifications. Participants can join the meeting through instructions on the Pacific Council's website or seek assistance from Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt. Special accommodations are available upon request if made at least 10 days in advance.

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.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering a request for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would allow fishing boats to operate outside the usual fishery regulations. This permit, requested by the Northeast Seafood Coalition in partnership with Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, aims to study the effectiveness of cod protection areas and gather biological data on cod. The project will also help fishermen access underutilized groundfish stocks while ensuring that cod spawning thresholds are not exceeded. Public comments on the proposal are welcome until April 28, 2025.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has started its annual process to develop rules for the 2025 ocean salmon fisheries on the U.S. West Coast. The public is invited to give feedback on these regulations by submitting comments or attending public hearings. The hearings will be held in different locations, with in-person events in Washington and California, and a virtual hearing for Oregon. Detailed information about the schedule and comment submission methods is available on the Council's website.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a final rule to establish harvest specifications and management measures for the 2025-26 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This rule sets limits on how much groundfish can be caught each year and revises management measures to prevent overfishing and help rebuild stock. Key changes include implementing a rebuilding plan for California quillback rockfish and updating allocation frameworks and fishing regulations. The rule also introduces a new permit system for the directed open access fishery and includes technical corrections and modifications to existing regulations.

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 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are holding a joint public meeting on February 1, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted via webinar, with details available on the Council's website. The agenda includes discussing the Recreational Management Reform Initiative and considering a Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment for final action. Special accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities upon request.

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.