Federal Register #NOAANMFS20250044

NMFS Proposed Regulatory Changes to Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries for 2026

This notice announces proposed regulatory changes by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2026 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA): - Government buyer: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce - Regional offices in Silver Spring, MD; Gloucester, MA; St. Petersburg, FL; Long Beach, CA; Juneau, AK; and Honolulu, HI - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is not a procurement action - No products or services are being requested or procured - The notice details: - Updated classifications of commercial fisheries based on new data about interactions with marine mammals - Impacts on fishery registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements - Request for public comment on the proposed changes - Unique aspects: - This is a regulatory update, not a solicitation for goods or services - The changes may affect compliance obligations for commercial fisheries nationwide

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is publishing proposed changes to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2026 as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The changes reflect new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS classifies each fishery into one of three categories based on incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals, which affects registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. The notice invites public comments on the proposed changes until June 4, 2026.

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