Comment from Tina Ireland

While understanding that it is believed that a longer closure on fishing for queen conch would prevent overfishing, without understanding the full impact of this rule on the fishing industry, I am not exactly sure if I completely agree with this rule. I have to wonder if the seasonal closure would be served well enough if it were for four months rather than the existing three or the proposed five. As it stands, the rule states “It is unknown whether this proposed rule, if adopted, would have any direct [[Page 3598]] adverse economic effect on any small entities.” That is my only concern about this proposal.