0648-BN15 202504 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Amendment 34 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan – Coral Research and Restoration

In accordance with a recommendation from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at their June 2024 meeting, and under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region proposes to implement a closure to commercial groundfish bottom contact gear in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). Specifically, NMFS proposes to implement a groundfish exclusion area for the purposes of coral research and restoration within the MBNMS at the site of Sur Ridge. The purpose of this action is to close the Sur Ridge site within the National Marine Sanctuaries off California to commercial groundfish bottom contact gear in order to protect future deep-sea coral research and restoration projects from the impact of fishing gear. The coral research and restoration projects are intended to restore injuries to natural resources, habitat, and biota resulting from the sinking of the drydock YFD-70 at Pioneer Canyon in the MBNMS, on October 26, 2016. This action is being taken as a result of substantial public engagement through the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage No No Not subject to, not significant 50 CFR 660 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 10/23/2024 89 FR 84511 NPRM Comment Period End 11/22/2024 Final Action 07/00/2025 YES Businesses None No No Yes No Jennifer Quan Regional Administrator - West Coast Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 562 980-4001 jennifer.quan@noaa.gov DC 20230