Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, 53146-53147 [05-17749]

Download as PDF 53146 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 7, 2005 / Proposed Rules defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act (§ 303(e)(4)). As anticipated in the rebuilding plan, implementation includes periodic adjustments based on new scientific information. The 2005 red snapper stock assessment indicates the level of reduction necessary to eliminate overfishing is dependent on the objectives and rebuilding scenario selected. The Council will need to evaluate those factors carefully prior to taking action to implement appropriate reductions to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. Finally, emergency and interim regulations are not appropriate for addressing such actions as changes to BRDs, because these changes would require substantial time for gear development, manufacturing, and training and distribution for re-outfitting of shrimp nets. Emergency and interim measures can only be implemented for 180 days and can be extended for an additional 180 days if necessary conditions are met. It is likely that such measures would result in a regulatory lapse before longer-term measures could be implemented. NMFS believes additional management measures to achieve reductions in bycatch mortality should take into account the results of the most recent red snapper stock assessment and would best be addressed through Council regulatory amendment and development of a plan amendment. The Council directed staff during their August 2005 Council meeting to begin immediately working on a regulatory amendment to modify certification procedures and protocols for BRDs, including decertification of ineffective BRDs and certification of new BRDs capable of achieving necessary reductions in finfish bycatch. This regulatory amendment is expected to be completed in mid–2006. The Council also directed staff to begin developing a joint reef fish and shrimp plan amendment that revises the red snapper rebuilding plan and addresses bycatch in both the directed red snapper fishery and shrimp fishery. This plan amendment is expected to be completed by late–2006. By addressing bycatch mortality, management measures, and the red snapper rebuilding plan in this way, the public will be afforded more opportunities to comment and participate in the rulemaking process, and long-term measures to address the issues can be implemented. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Aug<18>2005 15:04 Sep 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: August 31, 2005. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–17713 Filed 9–6–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [I.D. 051603C] RIN 0648–AQ65 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Cancelling and changing the location and time of certain public hearings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is cancelling two public hearings on the draft consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and proposed rule that were scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, respectively. NMFS intends to reschedule the September 6 Orange Beach and September 8 New Orleans public hearings at a later date. In addition, NMFS has changed the location and time of the public hearing that was scheduled to be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 3, 2005, at the African American Arts and Cultural Center Research Library. The draft consolidated HMS FMP and the proposed rule describe a range of management measures that could impact fishermen and dealers for all HMS fisheries. DATES: The Fort Lauderdale public hearing will still be held on Monday, October 3, 2005. However, the new time will be from 7 - 10 p.m. The hearings scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, have been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date. ADDRESSES: The new location of the Fort Lauderdale public hearing will be the Broward County Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt or Karyl Brewster-Geisz at (301) 713–2347. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). The FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, finalized in 1999, and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, finalized in 1988, are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. On August 19, 2005 (70 FR 48804), NMFS published a proposed rule that, among other things, announced the availability of the draft consolidated HMS FMP. Included in this proposed rule was a list of 24 public hearings throughout September and October 2005. These hearings are scheduled for NMFS to receive comments from fishery participants and other members of the public regarding the proposed rule and draft HMS FMP. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is cancelling two public hearings that were scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, respectively. NMFS intends to reschedule the public hearings once the amount of damaged caused by Hurricane Katrina in the affected Gulf region has been assessed and the appropriate locations can be determined. NMFS may extend the comment period, if necessary, to ensure adequate opportunities for public comment by constituents in the affected Gulf region. Notification of the new dates and locations would be published in the Federal Register. In addition, NMFS has changed the location and time of the public hearing that was scheduled to be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 3, 2005, at the African American Arts and Cultural Center Research Library (see DATES and ADDRESSES). This change was due to concerns raised by a constituent regarding public safety. NMFS verified these concerns with local law enforcement. The schedule for the other public hearings remains unchanged. The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at the public hearings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each public hearing, a NMFS representative will explain the ground rules (e.g., alcohol is prohibited from the hearing room; attendees will be called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and attendees should not E:\FR\FM\07SEP1.SGM 07SEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 7, 2005 / Proposed Rules interrupt one another). The NMFS representative will attempt to structure the hearing so that all attending members of the public will be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the controversial nature of the subject(s). Attendees are expected to respect the ground rules, and, if they do not, they will be asked to leave the hearing. VerDate Aug<18>2005 15:04 Sep 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 53147 Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Heather Stirratt, (301) 713–2347, at least 7 days prior to the hearing in question. Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 1, 2005. John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–17749 Filed 9–1–05; 4:03 pm] PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\07SEP1.SGM 07SEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53146-53147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17749]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 051603C]
RIN 0648-AQ65


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the 
FMP for Atlantic Billfish

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

ACTION: Cancelling and changing the location and time of certain public 
hearings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is 
cancelling two public hearings on the draft consolidated Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and proposed rule 
that were scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange 
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, respectively. NMFS intends to 
reschedule the September 6 Orange Beach and September 8 New Orleans 
public hearings at a later date. In addition, NMFS has changed the 
location and time of the public hearing that was scheduled to be held 
in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 3, 2005, at the African American 
Arts and Cultural Center Research Library. The draft consolidated HMS 
FMP and the proposed rule describe a range of management measures that 
could impact fishermen and dealers for all HMS fisheries.

DATES: The Fort Lauderdale public hearing will still be held on Monday, 
October 3, 2005. However, the new time will be from 7 - 10 p.m. The 
hearings scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange 
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, have been cancelled and will be 
rescheduled at a later date.

ADDRESSES: The new location of the Fort Lauderdale public hearing will 
be the Broward County Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort 
Lauderdale, FL 33301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt or Karyl Brewster-
Geisz at (301) 713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under 
the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (ATCA). The FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, 
finalized in 1999, and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, finalized in 
1988, are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
    On August 19, 2005 (70 FR 48804), NMFS published a proposed rule 
that, among other things, announced the availability of the draft 
consolidated HMS FMP. Included in this proposed rule was a list of 24 
public hearings throughout September and October 2005. These hearings 
are scheduled for NMFS to receive comments from fishery participants 
and other members of the public regarding the proposed rule and draft 
HMS FMP. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is 
cancelling two public hearings that were scheduled for September 6 and 
September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, 
respectively. NMFS intends to reschedule the public hearings once the 
amount of damaged caused by Hurricane Katrina in the affected Gulf 
region has been assessed and the appropriate locations can be 
determined. NMFS may extend the comment period, if necessary, to ensure 
adequate opportunities for public comment by constituents in the 
affected Gulf region. Notification of the new dates and locations would 
be published in the Federal Register.
    In addition, NMFS has changed the location and time of the public 
hearing that was scheduled to be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on 
October 3, 2005, at the African American Arts and Cultural Center 
Research Library (see DATES and ADDRESSES). This change was due to 
concerns raised by a constituent regarding public safety. NMFS verified 
these concerns with local law enforcement. The schedule for the other 
public hearings remains unchanged.
    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at the public 
hearings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each 
public hearing, a NMFS representative will explain the ground rules 
(e.g., alcohol is prohibited from the hearing room; attendees will be 
called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to 
speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and 
attendees should not

[[Page 53147]]

interrupt one another). The NMFS representative will attempt to 
structure the hearing so that all attending members of the public will 
be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the controversial 
nature of the subject(s). Attendees are expected to respect the ground 
rules, and, if they do not, they will be asked to leave the hearing.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Heather Stirratt, (301) 713-2347, 
at least 7 days prior to the hearing in question.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 1, 2005.
John H. Dunnigan,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17749 Filed 9-1-05; 4:03 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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