NOAA's Virtual Dive into Water Maps – Boring or Buoyant?
Published Date: 5/19/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is hosting a virtual meeting on May 29, 2025, to talk about hydrographic services—basically, mapping our waters to keep everyone safe and informed. This meeting affects boaters, fishermen, and coastal communities who rely on accurate water maps. NOAA wants your ideas before and during the meeting, so get ready to share your thoughts and help shape the future of water navigation!
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05599 — Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-10260 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)
NOAA is asking for approval to keep collecting info from 11 groups involved in Regional Coastal Observing Systems. They’re updating the program’s name and cutting down the paperwork time, but the info they collect stays the same. This helps improve ocean safety, protect the environment, and boost the economy, with a small time commitment of about 75 hours per response.
2026-10318 — New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on June 8, 2026, to discuss fishing rules for Atlantic herring and river herring and shad for 2027-2031. Fishermen, environmental groups, and local communities will be affected by these decisions, which could change how much fish can be caught and help protect fish populations. The meeting is open to the public and will be held both in Portsmouth, NH, and online.
2026-10322 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The government is reviewing a special fishing permit request that would let certain boats fish in areas usually off-limits to protect habitats. This permit supports a project by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation to use clam dredges in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. People have until June 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could change how some fishing rules apply, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10317 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of America Trophy Fishery for 2026
Starting May 21, 2026, the Gulf of America trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed for the rest of the year. This affects recreational anglers and charter boats with special permits, stopping them from catching or keeping these giant tunas. The closure helps protect the tuna population and follows international fishing rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-08887 — Certain Flash-Spun Nonwoven Materials and Products Containing Same; Notice of Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting Complainants' Unopposed Motion To Amend the Complaint and Notice of Investigation
The U.S. International Trade Commission is moving forward with a case involving flash-spun nonwoven materials. They’ve allowed the complainants to update their complaint by adding new claims about stolen trade secrets and including a new company, TOBO Group, as a respondent. This means Impak, Jiangsu Tubo, and TOBO Group are now officially in the hot seat, with the investigation continuing on schedule.
Next: 2025-08890 — Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding several closed virtual meetings in June 2025 to review and evaluate grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets, so only invited experts can join. Researchers applying for grants and NIH staff are affected, with no changes to funding but important review deadlines coming up.