[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-220]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[I.D. 111998B]
RIN 0648-AM13
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast
Multispecies Fishery, Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery, and Atlantic Salmon
Fishery; Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Amendments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Amendment to a notice of availability (NOA) of an omnibus
amendment to FMPs; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On December 1 and again on December 7, 1998, NMFS published
NOAs of an omnibus amendment that included Amendment 11 to the
Northeast Multispecies FMP, Amendment 9 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop
FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP. The NOAs described the
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) measures contained in the omnibus
amendment and initiated the Atlantic salmon overfishing definition and
a framework provision for aquaculture contained in Amendment 1 to the
Atlantic Salmon FMP. This notification informs the public of the
regulations that may be implemented to allow for the framework
adjustment process for Atlantic salmon. NMFS announces that this new
management measure is currently under review by the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary) and invites public comment.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 1, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the amendment should be sent to Jon C. Rittgers,
Acting Regional Administrator, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Please mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on Amendment 1 to
the Atlantic Salmon FMP.''
Copies of the Amendment, its regulatory impact review and
environmental assessment are available from Paul J. Howard, Executive
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus,
MA 01906-1036.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie L. VanPelt, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978-281-9244.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 1, 1998, NMFS published a
notification in the Federal Register (63 FR 66110) announcing that the
New England Fishery Management Council submitted for review and
approval by the Secretary an omnibus amendment containing EFH
provisions that would implement the requirements of section 303(a)(7)
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. On
December 7, 1998, NMFS published an amended notification in the Federal
Register (63 FR 67450) announcing that in addition to the EFH measures,
Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP would include a discussion of
the Atlantic salmon overfishing definition and an aquaculture framework
adjustment process for Atlantic salmon. The omnibus amendment describes
and identifies EFH for specified fisheries, discusses measures to
address the effects of fishing on EFH, and identifies other actions for
the conservation and enhancement of EFH.
A proposed rule that would implement the regulations implementing a
framework process to allow for Atlantic salmon aquaculture may be
published in the Federal Register for public comment, following NMFS'
evaluation of the proposed rule under the procedures of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Because the December
7, 1998, notification did not specifically indicate that there would be
any new regulations proposed, this notice informs the public that this
additional management measure is under Secretarial review for approval,
disapproval, or partial approval, and invites public comment. Public
comments on the proposed rule must be received by the end of the
comment period for the NOA on February 1, 1999, to be considered in the
approval/disapproval decision on the FMP amendment. All comments
received by February 1, 1999, whether specifically directed to the FMP
amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/
disapproval decision. Comments received after that date will not be
considered in the approval/disapproval decision on the FMP amendment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 31, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-220 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
