[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26810]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[Docket No. I.D. 071698B]
RIN 0648-AJ67
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries; Vessel
Monitoring Systems
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Delay of effectiveness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS further delays the effective date of a final rule which
required vessel owner/operators to install a NMFS-approved vessel
monitoring system (VMS) by January 1, 2000. This document delays the
effective date until June 1, 2000.
DATES: On May 28, 1999, NMFS published a final rule amending Sec.
635.69, which established an effective date of September 1, 1999. On
August 9, 1999, NMFS delayed the effective date of this final rule
until January 1, 2000 (64 FR 43101). This document further delays the
effective date until June 1, 2000. The effectiveness of an amendment to
Sec. 635.69 published July 13, 1999 (64 FR 37705) is also delayed until
June 1, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management
Plan (HMS FMP), the final rule and supporting documents can be obtained
from Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Division, Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, NMFS, (301) 713-2347,
or Buck Sutter (727) 570-5447.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final regulations to implement the HMS
FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Plan
included a provision requiring an owner or operator of a commercial
vessel permitted to fish for Atlantic HMS under Sec. 635.4 and that
fishes with a pelagic longline to install a NMFS-approved VMS unit on
board the vessel and operate the VMS unit whenever the vessel leaves
port with pelagic longline gear on board. The VMS requirement of the
final rule was to be effective September 1, 1999.
At the time of publication of the final rule (May 28, 1999), NMFS
indicated that a Federal Register announcement would be forthcoming
listing the hardware specifications for approved VMS units. Due to
unforseen circumstances, NMFS experienced a delay in type-approving
suitable units and service providers. Once the type approval process
was completed, NMFS published a Federal Register document (September 9,
1999, 64 FR 48988) listing NMFS-approved VMS units and communication
service providers. In order to allow affected Atlantic HMS pelagic
longline fishermen an opportunity to receive adequate notification of
approved VMS units, as well as time to purchase and properly install a
VMS unit for operation consistent with provisions provided under
Sec. 635.69, NMFS delayed until January 1, 2000, the effective date of
the final rule (August 9, 1999, 64 FR 43101).
Since that time, NMFS has been developing additional time/area
closures to reduce the incidental catch of fish, marine mammals, and
other species in the pelagic longline fishery. It is unlikely that such
new time/area closures will be implemented prior to June 2000.
Therefore, NMFS delays the effective date of the VMS requirements until
June 1, 2000, consistent with the current time/area closure in the Mid-
Atlantic Bight and any new time/area closures.
Dated: October 7, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26810 Filed 10-8-99; 4:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
