Fishery conservation and management: Caribbean, Gulf, and South Atlantic fisheries— Gulf of Mexico reef fish,

[Federal Register: December 18, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 243)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 70093]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr18de98-49]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[I.D. 120998C]

RIN 0648-AK31

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 16A

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an amendment to a fishery management plan; request for comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 16A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Written comments are requested from the public.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 16, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments must be mailed to the Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702.

Requests for copies of Amendment 16A, which includes an environmental assessment, a regulatory impact review, and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis, should be sent to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619-2266, Phone: 813-228-2815; Fax: 813-225-7015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Sadler, 727-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.

Amendment 16A would prohibit the use of fish traps in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico south of 25 deg.03' N. lat. after February 7, 2001; prohibit possession of reef fish exhibiting trap rash on board a vessel that does not have a valid fish trap endorsement; and require fish trap vessel owners or operators to provide trip initiation and trip termination reports and to comply with a vessel/gear inspection requirement. In addition, Amendment 16A proposes that NMFS develop a system design, protocol, and implementation schedule for a fish trap vessel monitoring system.

Availability of and Comments on Amendment 16A

NMFS has prepared a proposed rule to implement Amendment 16A. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the proposed rule and may publish it in the Federal Register for public review and comment.

Comments received by February 16, 1999, whether specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendment 16A. Comments received after that date will not be considered in the approval/disapproval decision. All comments received on Amendment 16A or on the proposed rule during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: December 15, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-33603Filed12-17-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F