Editor

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are now due by Thursday, Apr. 27 on its proposal rule adding species or groups of species to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) and amending regulations to clarify the responsibilities of the importer of record, revise the definition of importer of record, require that chain of custody records […]

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council’s (MARCO) Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) will hold its 5th annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum in New York, NY on May 17-18.  The event will include panel discussions on ocean planning topics including climate-ocean action, offshore wind energy, conservation, ocean justice issues, and sustainable ocean economies.  Additional details will be available here in the coming

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Apr. 13.  Discussion topics include Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded projects, opportunities for collaboration with regional partners implementing IIJA projects related to ocean planning, ecosystem health, and coastal hazards and resilience, development of the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative’s Integrated Science Plan for Wildlife, Habitat, and

NOAA today announced that the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will hold a public meeting in Washington, DC on Apr. 21.  The meeting will provide a forum for discussion on coordinated planning and action among federal, state, and territorial governments and non-governmental partners. Established by Executive Order in 1998, the Task Force includes representatives of 12 federal agencies, 7

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research today announced that the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (Board) will hold a public meeting in Silver Spring, MD on Apr. 25-26. The meeting will include discussion on the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, status of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, performance indicators for the national Ocean Exploration program, incentivizing data

The Interior Dept. today announced the distribution of over $353 million in FY 2022 energy revenues to the States of Texas ($95.4M), Louisiana ($156.1M), Mississippi ($51.8M), and Alabama ($~49.8M) and their coastal county/parish governments. Derived from offshore oil and gas production revenue, DOI noted that the distribution is the largest disbursement since the revenue-sharing payments began in 2009.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the availability of a peer-reviewed report synthesizing the current state of science on interactions between fisheries and offshore wind. Developed through a partnership involving the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the report was part of a broader project that included a symposium and series

The Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking public input by Wednesday, June 28 on recommendations from the Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan Advisory Group’s recommendations for changes to the Coast Guard’s Vessel Response Plan program and policies.  The recommendations were developed in response to an audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that was conducted pursuant to

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is currently seeking comments on its proposed modernization of regulations to facilitate offshore wind energy development.  Originally due Mar. 31, the comment deadline was later extended to Monday, May 1. The proposal rule includes provisions for incremental funding of decommissioning accounts, more flexible geophysical and geotechnical survey submission requirements, streamlined approval

The Coast Guard today announced the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, AK.  The recertification is effective for Mar. 1, 2023 – Feb. 29, 2024. The Council promotes environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers.