Fishery conservation and management: Northeastern United States fisheries— Northeast multispecies, Atlantic sea scallop, and Atlantic salmon,

[Federal Register: December 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 234)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 67450-67451]

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

[DOCID:fr07de98-19]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 111998A]

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery, Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery, and Atlantic Salmon Fishery; Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Amendments

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

ACTION: Amendment to a notice of availability of an omnibus amendment to FMPs; request for comments.

SUMMARY: On December 1, 1998, NMFS published a notice of availability (NOA) of an omnibus amendment that included Amendment 11 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, Amendment 9 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP. The NOA described the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) measures contained in the omnibus amendment. In addition to the EFH measures, Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP includes a discussion of an overfishing definition and an aquaculture framework adjustment process for Atlantic salmon. This notice informs the public that these additional measures are under review by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and invites public comment.

DATES: Public comments must be received on or before February 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this amendment should be sent to Jon C. Rittgers, Acting Regional Administrator, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Please mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on Essential Fish Habitat Amendment.''

Copies of the amendment and the environmental assessment are available from Paul Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-1036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan M. Kurland, Assistant Habitat Program Coordinator, 978-281-9204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 1, 1998, NMFS published a notification in the Federal Register (63 FR 66110) announcing that the New England Fishery Management Council submitted for review and approval by the Secretary an omnibus amendment containing EFH provisions that would implement the requirements of section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The omnibus amendment describes and identifies EFH for specified fisheries, discusses measures to address the effects of fishing on EFH, and identifies other actions for the conservation and enhancement of EFH. The amendment includes no new fishery management measures, so no regulations are proposed.

In addition to EFH information, Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP also contains information related to the overfishing definition for Atlantic salmon and an aquaculture framework adjustment process for the Atlantic Salmon FMP. Because the December 1, 1998 notice did not specifically indicate that these measures were included in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP, this notice informs the public that these additional measures are under Secretarial review for approval, disapproval, or partial approval, and invites public comment. To be considered, comments must be received by February 1, 1999.

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

[[Page 67451]]

Dated: December 2, 1998. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-32532Filed12-3-98; 4:16 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F