NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast (NE) Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), is increasing the Georges Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder trip limit to 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) for NE multispecies daysatsea (DAS) vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area. This action is authorized by the regulations implementing Amendment 13 to the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this correcting amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to correct typographical errors and update cross references in three sections of the Pacific halibut fishery regulations; definitions, catch sharing plan and domestic management measures in waters in and off Alaska, and prohibitions. This correcting amendment improves

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS proposes to repeal regulations providing for a groundfish vessel incentive program (VIP) that was designed to reduce the rate at which Pacific halibut and red king crab are taken as incidental catch in Alaska groundfish trawl fisheries. The VIP has not performed as intended because of the cost associated with enforcement, the relatively small

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Amendment 11), incorporating the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), for review by the Secretary of Commerce.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

We, NMFS, announce the initiation of a status review for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), and we solicit information on the status of, and factors and threats affecting, the species. The status review is intended to compile and analyze the best available information on the status of and threats to the species and also consider if

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS has received applications from CGGVeritas (Veritas) and Shell Offshore, Inc. (SOI) for Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an onice marine geophysical and seismic programs in the U.S. Beaufort Sea from February to May, 2008. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Crab Committee will meet December 1718, 2007, in Anchorage, AK.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration