All Protected Resources Regulations & Actions
Determination on the Designation of Critical Habitat for Giant Manta Ray
We, NOAA Fisheries, have determined that a designation of critical habitat is not prudent at this time. Based on a comprehensive review of the best scientific data available, we find that there are no identifiable physical or biological features that are
Published
12/05/2019
Final Rules to Revise Endangered Species Act Regulations
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and NOAA Fisheries jointly finalized revisions to regulations that implement portions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In 2017, we sought public input on how the Federal government can improve upon the
- Final Rule to Revise Endangered Species Act Reg Part 424 Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat (84 FR 45020, August 27, 2019)
- Final Rule to Revise Endangered Species Act Reg Part 402 Interagency Cooperation (84 FR 44976, August 27, 2019)
- Delay of effective date for Regulations for Interagency Cooperation (84 FR 44976)
Effective
09/26/2019
Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups
As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Secretary of Commerce established three independent regional scientific review groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues. NOAA Fisheries has
Published
08/19/2019
Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) Sonar (beginning in
OAA Fisheries, upon request from the U.S. Navy, issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the use of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor Systems Low Frequency Active (SURTASS
Effective
08/12/2019
2018 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports Available
NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of the final 2018 Marine Mammal Stock assessment reports. The Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) were reviewed in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Published
06/18/2019
List of Fisheries for 2019
NOAA Fisheries publishes its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2019, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2019 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries must
Effective
06/17/2019
Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT)
NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area for a period of seven years,
Published
03/15/2019
2019 Temporary Area Closure of the Southern Exclusion Zone
NOAA Fisheries announces the publication of a temporary rule to close the Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ) to Hawai'i-based deep-set (tuna) longline fishing.
NOAA Fisheries is closing the SEZ to deep-set longline fishing for all vessels
Effective
02/22/2019
Proposed Policies and Procedures for the National Inventory of Marine Mammals
The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires NOAA Fisheries to establish and maintain an inventory of marine mammals in zoos and aquariums (including cetaceans and pinnipeds, excluding walrus).
The NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected
Published
02/15/2019
Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) (2018-2023)
NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) to extend the expiration date from December 2023 to December 2025 for Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and
Effective
12/21/2018