[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43101-43102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20354]
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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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS delays the effective date of the Vessel Monitoring System
established by 50 CFR 635.69, published May 28, 1999, from September 1,
1999 until January 1, 2000.
DATES: The effective date of the addition of 50 CFR 635.69, published
May 28, 1999 (64 FR 29090), is delayed until January 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 vessel
monitoring system (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 is 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 has experienced a delay in type approving
suitable units and service providers. Once the type approval process
has been completed, NMFS will publish a Federal Register document
listing NMFS-approved VMS
[[Page 43102]]
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 (the swordfish fishery is
currently active, and trips in excess of 4 weeks are typical of this
fishery), as well as time to purchase and properly install a VMS unit
for operation consistent with provisions provided under Sec. 635.69,
NMFS is delaying until January 1, 2000, the effective date of
Sec. 635.69.
Dated: August 3, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock, Director,
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20354 Filed 8-3-99; 4:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
