0648-BM51 202310 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Framework Adjustment for the Northeast Multispecies, Atlantic Sea Scallop, Monkfish, Northeast Skate Complex, and Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plans

This action proposes to implement the New England Fishery Management Council's Southern New England Habitat Area of Particular Concern framework that would designate a Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) offshore of southern New England. This rule would implement adjustments to the following fishery management plans: Northeast Multispecies; Atlantic Sea Scallop; Monkfish; Northeast Skate Complex; and Atlantic Herring. The proposed Habitat Area of Particular Concern would be within and around wind lease areas in Southern New England, including Cox Ledge, to focus conservation recommendations on cod spawning habitats and complex benthic habitats that are known to serve important habitat functions to Council-managed fishery species. The Council recommended the HAPC designation to NMFS, after voting to approve the proposal in June 2022, due to concerns about the potential adverse impact on essential fish habitat (EFH) from the development of offshore wind energy projects. The proposed designation would provide a conservation focus on important cod spawning grounds and areas of complex habitat, which provide shelter for certain species during their early life history, refuge from predators, and feeding opportunities.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant First Time Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage No No 50 CFR 648 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 09/26/2023 88 FR 65944 NPRM Comment Period End 10/26/2023 Final Action 01/00/2024 No No None No No No No Michael Pentony Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 978 281-9283 michael.pentony@noaa.gov 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester MA 01930