71 FR 211 pgs. 64213-64214 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Commercial SharkManagement Measures
Type: PRORULEVolume: 71Number: 211Pages: 64213 - 64214
Docket number: [I.D. 091106B]
FR document: [FR Doc. 06-9008 Filed 10-27-06; 2:36 pm]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[I.D. 091106B]
RIN 0648-AU84
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Commercial SharkManagement Measures
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Proposed rule; extension of commentperiod.
SUMMARY:
This action extends the comment period for 12days on an October 5, 2006, proposed rule regarding the first 2007 fishingseason for Atlantic sharks. Due to late dealer reports that maysubstantially change landings estimates of large and small coastal sharksduring the first trimester of 2006 for the Gulf of Mexico, NMFS isextending the comment deadline on that proposed rule from November 1, 2006,until November 13, 2006.
DATES:
The deadline for written comments on the October5, 2006 (71 FR 58778) proposed rule has been extended from November 1 to nolater than 5 p.m. on November 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES:
Written comments on the proposed rule may besubmitted to Michael Clark, Highly Migratory Species Management Divisionvia:
• Email: SF1.091106B@noaa.gov .
• Mail: 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.Please mark on the outside of the envelope "Comments on Proposed Rulefor 2007 1 st Trimester Season Lengths and Quotas."
• Fax: 301-713-1917.
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . Include in the subject line thefollowing identifier: "I.D. 091106B".
Copies of the associated draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and otherrelevant documents are available on the Highly Migratory Species ManagementDivision's website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms or bycontacting Michael Clark (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONCONTACT ).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Clark orKaryl Brewster-Geisz by phone: 301-713-2347 or by fax:301-713-1917.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Atlantic shark fisheryis managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservationand Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS recently finalized aConsolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (HMS FMP)that consolidated and replaced previous FMPs for Atlantic Billfish andAtlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (October 2, 2006; 71 FR 58058). TheHMS FMP is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
On October 5, 2006 (71 FR 58778), NMFS published a proposed rule thatrequested comments on the draft EA and scheduled three public hearingsthroughout October 2006 to receive comments from fishery participants andother members of the public regarding the first 2007 fishing season forAtlantic sharks. Based on late dealer reports that may substantially changelandings estimates of large and small coastal sharks in the Gulf of Mexicoduring the first trimester of 2006, NMFS is extending the comment period onthis proposed rule. NMFS is still updating the landings estimates and willrelease them in a future Federal Register notice. At thistime, NMFS does not expect the landings estimates or the proposed measuresto change substantially in the South Atlantic or North Atlantic regions. Inorder to incorporate these updated landings and to provide adequateopportunities for public comment by constituents, NMFS is extending thepublic comment period on the proposed rule and draft EA to 5 p.m., November13, 2006.
Authority:
16 U.S.C. et seq. ; 16 U.S.C.1801 et seq.
Dated: October 26, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine FisheriesService.
[FR Doc. 06-9008 Filed 10-27-06; 2:36 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S