Fishery conservation and management: West Coast States and Western Pacific fisheries Precious corals,
[Federal Register: June 29, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 124)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35184-35185]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn98-29]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[I.D. 061898B]
RIN 0648-AK60
Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Western Pacific Precious Corals Fisheries; Amendment 3
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a fishery management plan amendment; request for comments.
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Precious Corals Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (FMP) for Secretarial review. Amendment 3 would establish framework procedures for regulatory changes under the FMP.
DATES: Comments on Amendment 3 must be received on or before August 28, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments on Amendment 3 should be sent to, and copies of Amendment 3 are available from, Kitty Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty Simonds at (808) 522-8220 or Alvin Katekaru, Fishery Management Specialist, Pacific Islands Area Office, NMFS at (808) 973-2985.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each Regional Fishery Management Council submit any fishery management plan or plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial approval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires
[[Page 35185]]
that NMFS, upon receiving a fishery management plan or amendment, immediately publish a notice that the fishery management plan or amendment is available for public review and comment. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period in determining whether to approve the fishery management plan or amendment.
Amendment 3 to the FMP would establish framework procedures for regulatory changes under the FMP. Under the proposed framework procedures, new management measures may be added through rulemaking if new information demonstrates that there are biological, social, or economic concerns in the precious coral permit areas. The framework procedures would authorize the implementation of measures that may affect the fishing season, classification of coral beds, harvest quotas for all management unit species, size restrictions, incidental catches and permit conditions. Each action taken under the framework process would entail documentation of the analysis of impacts of that action. To the extent appropriate, the Council would prepare regulations, regulatory analyses, environmental assessments, or other documents depending on the scope of the action, which framework process is being used, and the types and magnitude of impacts involved. Advance public notice, public discussion, and consideration of public comment would be required.
NMFS invites comments on proposed Amendment 3 through the end of the comment period. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period in determining whether to approve the proposed amendment. A proposed rule to implement Amendment 3 has been submitted for Secretarial review and approval. NMFS expects to publish the proposed rule and request public comment on the proposed regulations in the near future. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by August 28, 1998 to be considered in the approval/ disapproval decision on Amendment 3.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 23, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17167Filed6-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
