Publications

This document is a Regulatory Impact Review and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis of an action to revise regulations at 50 CFR parts 679 and 680 amending the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program, the Amendment 80 Program, the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program, and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program.

Analysis of proposed regulations to provide cooperatives and CDQ groups with an option to accomplish inter-cooperative transfers and crab individual processing quota transfers through automated, online submittals.

Biennial report to Congress on the progress and findings of studies of striped bass populations.

Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion - NMFS Consultation Number: SWR-2008/09022

Under the BSAI crab rationalization program, allocations of IFQ to harvesters and IPQ to processors are binding. This action considers allowing harvesters and processors to engage in post-delivery transfer of their respective shares to cover overages.

Analysis of a provision allowing for post-delivery transfer of rockfish cooperative quota.

Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis of a proposed action to allow Amendment 80 vessels to engage in post-delivery transfers of their respective shares, to cover catch overages.

This memorandum summarizes the determination that a proposed rule to implement online quota transfers qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review.

This memorandum summarizes the determination that Amendment 33 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs qualifies to be categorically excluded from further National Environmental Policy Act review.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit and a permit amendment for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Permit No. 14210 would be valid for five years from the date of issuance and would authorize LGL Alaska Research Associates to closely approach up to 375 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) by vessel in Cook Inlet, Alaska annually for photo-identification. The purposes of the research are to identify individual whales and to provide information about movement patterns, habitat use, survivorship, reproduction, and population size. The amendment to Permit No. 782-1719-07 would authorize NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory to conduct aerial surveys of the entire population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska in 2009. The purposes of the surveys are to 1) provide distribution information during June and July; 2) compare distribution changes over time; 3) provide group size estimates for calculations of stock size; 4) estimate fractions of calves and juveniles in the population; and 5) calibrate and improve survey methodology. The amendment would be valid until the permit expires.