Media Coverage

USFWS Proposes Rule to Amend ESA Critical Habitat Regulations

As part of an effort to “provide greater transparency and certainty” for the public and stakeholders, the U.S. Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, Oct. 8 on its proposal to amend Endangered Species Act regulations to establish a process for excluding areas of critical habitat. USFWS said that it

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EGOM, South Atlantic Removed from O&G Leasing through 2032

Exercising authority under Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, President Trump today issued a Presidential Memorandum removing the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning area subject to congressional moratorium through 2022, the South Atlantic Planning Area (South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida), and the Straits of Florida Planning Area from oil and natural gas leasing

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Council Coordination Committee to Hold Public Meeting

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Council Coordination Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Sept. 23-24.  The Committee will address topics including CEQ’s final National Environmental Policy Act rule and aquaculture and the Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. The Committee consists of all Regional Fishery Management Council chairs,

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Nominees Sought for Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking nominations by Monday, Oct. 5 from individuals interested in serving as new members of regional review groups tasked with providing advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues specific to the Atlantic (including the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast, and U.S. territories in the

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Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee to Hold Public Meeting

The Coast Guard today announced that the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a Lifesaving/Man Overboard Voluntary Best Practice Guide. The Committee advises the Homeland Security Secretary on matters related to national commercial fishing safety.

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NMFS Seeks Comments on Marine Mammal Deterrence Guidelines

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Friday, Oct. 30 on a proposed rule providing guidance for safely deterring marine mammals, including prohibitions on certain deterrent methods that NMFS has deemed would have a significant adverse effect on them. NMFS notes the Marine Mammal Protection Act provides protection from liability under the

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State Dept. to Hold Public Meeting Ahead of IMO Gathering

The State Department today announced that it will hold a teleconference meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23 ahead of the 44th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Facilitation Committee, to be held virtually from Sept. 28-Oct. 2.  Agenda items include consideration of descriptions of maritime services in the context of e-navigation, unsafe mixed migration by sea, guidance to address maritime corruption,

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Nat’l Offshore Safety Advisory Cmte. Reschedules Teleconference Meeting

The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee will hold a public teleconference meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30 rather than Wednesday, Aug. 26 as originally scheduled. The Committee will review and discuss the progress of the Lifeboats and Rescue Craft Safety on the Outer Continental Shelf Subcommittee, the Coast Guard’s investigation into the lifeboat accident

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