[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 14427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7799]
[[Page 14427]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No.; I.D.112197A]
Draft Comprehensive Research and Monitoring Plan for Atlantic
Highly Migratory Species
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed plan.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a proposed plan for
research and monitoring to support the conservation and management of
Atlantic highly migratory species as required by the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS has prepared this draft plan based on
extensive consultation with relevant Federal and state agencies,
scientific and technical experts, commercial and recreational
fishermen, and other interested persons, public and private. Members of
the public are encouraged to respond to this opportunity for further
comment on research and monitoring priorities for Atlantic highly
migratory species.
DATES: Comments on the proposed plan must be submitted on or before May
11, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the proposed plan should be sent to:
Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/
SF1), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910. This office will provide copies of the draft
Comprehensive Research and Monitoring Program for Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species upon request.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Husted, telephone (301) 713-
2347; FAX (301) 713-1917.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS currently undertakes a broad range of
actions to address research and monitoring priorities, including
rulemaking, scientific activities within the agency, and external
partnerships that extend research capabilities. The agency has
developed its existing research and monitoring program for HMS through
a process of consultative reviews and public meetings with relevant
Federal and state agencies, scientific and technical experts,
commercial and recreational fishermen, and other interested persons,
public and private. NMFS proposes to continue following this same
public process, which has proven to be an effective means of consulting
all interested parties.
The proposed plan is based upon the existing research and
monitoring program at NMFS as well as suggestions for future
initiatives based on domestic and international priorities. It has been
prepared pursuant to Section 971i(b) of ATCA, which directs the
Secretary of Commerce to develop and implement a comprehensive research
and monitoring program to support the conservation and management of
Atlantic bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species. Section
971i(b) requires that the comprehensive research and monitoring program
for HMS shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Statistically designed cooperative tagging studies;
(b) Genetic and biochemical stock analyses;
(c) Population censuses carried out through aerial surveys of
fishing grounds and known migration areas;
(d) Adequate observer coverage and port sampling of commercial and
recreational fishing activity;
(e) Collection of comparable real-time data on commercial and
recreational catches and landings through the use of permits, logbooks,
landings reports for charter operations and fishing tournaments, and
programs to provide reliable reporting of the catch by private anglers;
(f) Studies of the life history parameters of bluefin tuna and
other highly migratory species;
(g) Integration of data from all sources and the preparation of
data bases to support management decisions; and
(h) Other research as necessary.
Dated: March 19, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7799 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
