NMFS publishes final rule and requests comments; protected species hard caps for the California/Oregon large-mesh drift gillnet fishery

NMFS is publishing regulations under the authority of Section 303(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to implement an immediate closure of the California/Oregon drift gillnet (DGN) fishery for swordfish and thresher shark (14 inch (36 cm) minimum mesh size) if a hard cap (i.e., limit) on mortality/injury is met or exceeded for […]

Notice of availability: proposed rule for the 2020 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan

NOAA Fisheries has issued a proposed rule for the Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and annual management measures for Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California.  Comments on the proposed changes to the Catch Sharing Plan and domestic Area 2A Pacific halibut management measures must be received by March 9, 2020. Please see the Federal Register […]

NMFS proposes to approve and implement rebuilding plans recommended by the Council for two overfished salmon stocks

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requesting comments on the proposed rule to implement rebuilding plans recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council for two overfished stocks: Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon and Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 2020. NMFS is requesting comments […]

Pacific Sardine Stock Assessment Review Panel meeting to be held February 24-27 in La Jolla, CA

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel meeting to review the 2020 Pacific sardine stock assessment.  The meeting will be held Monday, February 24, 2020 through Thursday, February 27, 2020.  The meeting will start at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 24, and 8:30 a.m. on each […]

NMFS publishes proposed rule: 2020 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement

On January 23, 2020 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a proposed rule “2020 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement”, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be […]