Fishery conservation and management: Atlantic swordfish,

[Federal Register: October 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 200)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 55572]

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

[DOCID:fr16oc98-34]

[[Page 55572]]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 630

[I.D. 100798D]

North and South Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

SUMMARY: The Highly Migratory Species Management Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service announces the schedule of public meetings to receive comments on the Atlantic swordfish import ban proposed rule published October 13, 1998.

DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates of the meetings.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for locations of the meetings. Written comments on the proposed rule can be submitted to Rebecca Lent, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, fax: (310) 713- 1917.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, 301-713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The schedules and locations of the meetings are as follows:

1. Monday, October 26, 1998, 7 to 10 p.m. -- Ramada Inn at Kennedy Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430;

2. Monday, November 16, 1998, 7 to 10 p.m. -- Sheraton Biscayne Bay, 495 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131;

3. Wednesday, November 18, 1998, 7 to 10 p.m. -- Holiday Inn Boston Airport, 225 McClellan Highway, Boston, MA 02128;

4. Thursday, November 19, 1998, 1 to 4 p.m. -- Glen M. Anderson Federal Building, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802;

5. Monday November 23, 1998, 4 to 7 p.m. -- Doubletree Hotel, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA.

The proposed rule bans the import of undersized Atlantic swordfish (less than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight), extends dealer permitting and reporting requirements to swordfish importers, and establishes a Certificate of Eligibility program to aid in tracking imports. Copies of the proposed rule and supporting documents can be obtained from Rebecca Lent (see ADDRESSES).

Dated: October 9, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-27815Filed10-13-98; 2:48 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F