Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Gulf of Mexico Essential Fish Habitat Amendment, 54518-54519 [05-18357]
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54518
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 178 / Thursday, September 15, 2005 / Proposed Rules
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Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
Insurance (221.3) NOT Available
Size Limits (223.2)
Maximum length: 36 inches
Maximum length and girth combined:
79 inches
Return Receipt Service (221.4): NOT
Available
Reciprocal Service Name: There is no
reciprocal service.
Country Code: FM
Areas Served: All
*
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We will publish an amendment to 39
CFR part 20 to reflect these changes if
our proposal is adopted.
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 05–18259 Filed 9–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[I.D. 090905A]
RIN 0648–AS66
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Gulf of
Mexico Essential Fish Habitat
Amendment
VerDate Aug<18>2005
14:58 Sep 14, 2005
Jkt 205001
Availability of fishery
management plan amendment; request
for comments.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the
availability of Generic Amendment 3 to
the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) of
the Gulf of Mexico (EFH Amendment 3)
prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (Council). EFH
Amendment 3 would amend each of the
seven Council FMPs -coral and coral
reef resources, coastal migratory
pelagics, red drum, reef fish, shrimp,
spiny lobster, and stone crab- to
describe and identify essential fish
habitat (EFH); minimize to the extent
practicable the adverse effects of fishing
on EFH; and encourage conservation
and management of EFH. This
amendment would establish additional
habitat areas of particular concern
(HAPC), restrict fishing activities within
HAPCs to protect EFH, and require a
weak link in bottom trawl gear to
protect EFH. The intended effect of EFH
Amendment 3 is to facilitate long-term
protection of EFH, and, thus, better
conserve and manage fishery resources
in the Gulf of Mexico.
Written comments must be
received no later than 5 p.m., eastern
time, on November 14, 2005.
DATES:
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
AGENCY:
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
You may submit comments
by any of the following methods:
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
• E-mail: 0648–AS66.NOA@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line the following
document identifier: 0648–AS66–NOA.
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
• Fax: 727–824–5308, Attention: Peter
Hood.
Copies of the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) and EFH Amendment 3,
which includes a Regulatory Impact
Review (RIR) and Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analyses (IRFA), may be
obtained from the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council, 2203 N.
Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL
33607; telephone: 813–348–1630; fax:
813–348–1711; e-mail:
gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hood, 727–824–5305; fax 727–
824–5308; e-mail: peter.hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFH
Amendment 3 addresses fisheries under
the FMPs for coral and coral reef
resources, coastal migratory pelagics,
red drum, reef fish, shrimp, spiny
lobster, and stone crab. The FMPs were
prepared by the Council, except for the
FMPs for coastal migratory pelagics and
spiny lobster, which were prepared
jointly by the South Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico Fishery Management
Councils. All of these FMPs, except the
spiny lobster and stone crab FMPs, are
implemented under the authority of the
E:\FR\FM\15SEP1.SGM
15SEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 178 / Thursday, September 15, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622. The FMP for the
Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic is
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 640. The FMP for the Stone Crab
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico is
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 654.
EFH Amendment 3 would define EFH
for each FMP and identify the following
HAPCs: the Florida Middle Grounds,
Madison-Swanson Marine Reserve,
Tortugas North and South Ecological
Reserves, Pulley Ridge, and the
individual reefs and banks of the
Northwestern Gulf of Mexico (East and
West Flower Garden Banks, Stetson
Bank, Sonnier Bank, MacNeil Bank, 29
Fathom, Rankin Bright Bank, Geyer
Bank, McGrail Bank, Bouma Bank,
Rezak Sidner Bank, Alderice Bank, and
Jakkula Bank). The amendment also
contains proposed alternatives to
establish the following fishing
restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico: (1)
VerDate Aug<18>2005
14:58 Sep 14, 2005
Jkt 205001
Prohibit bottom anchoring over coral
reefs in the East and West Flower
Garden Banks, McGrail Bank, Pulley
Ridge, and North and South Tortugas
Ecological Reserves HAPCs, and on the
significant coral resources on Stetson
Bank; (2) prohibit the use of trawling
gear, bottom longlines, buoy gear, and
all traps/pots on coral reefs in the East
and West Flower Garden Banks,
McGrail Bank, Pulley Ridge, and North
and South Tortugas Ecological Reserves
HAPCs, and on the significant coral
communities on Stetson Bank; and (3)
require a weak link in the tickler chain
of bottom trawls on all habitats
throughout the Gulf of Mexico exclusive
economic zone. A weak link is defined
as a length or section of the tickler chain
that has a breaking strength less than the
chain itself and is easily seen as such
when visually inspected.
A proposed rule that would
implement the measure outlined in EFH
Amendment 3 has been received from
the Council. In accordance with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is
evaluating the proposed rule to
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
54519
determine whether it is consistent with
the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
and other applicable law. If that
determination is affirmative, NMFS will
publish the proposed rule in the Federal
Register for public review and
comment.
Comments received by November 14,
2005, whether specifically directed to
the FMP or the proposed rule, will be
considered by NMFS in its decision to
approve, disapprove, or partially
approve the amendment. Comments
received after that date will not be
considered by NMFS in this decision.
All comments received by NMFS on the
amendment or the proposed rule during
their respective comment periods will
be addressed in the final rule.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 9, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–18357 Filed 9–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\15SEP1.SGM
15SEP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54518-54519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18357]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[I.D. 090905A]
RIN 0648-AS66
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Gulf of Mexico Essential Fish Habitat Amendment
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Availability of fishery management plan amendment; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of Generic Amendment 3 to the
Fishery Management Plans (FMP) of the Gulf of Mexico (EFH Amendment 3)
prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council).
EFH Amendment 3 would amend each of the seven Council FMPs -coral and
coral reef resources, coastal migratory pelagics, red drum, reef fish,
shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab- to describe and identify
essential fish habitat (EFH); minimize to the extent practicable the
adverse effects of fishing on EFH; and encourage conservation and
management of EFH. This amendment would establish additional habitat
areas of particular concern (HAPC), restrict fishing activities within
HAPCs to protect EFH, and require a weak link in bottom trawl gear to
protect EFH. The intended effect of EFH Amendment 3 is to facilitate
long-term protection of EFH, and, thus, better conserve and manage
fishery resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern
time, on November 14, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
E-mail: 0648-AS66.NOA@noaa.gov. Include in the subject
line the following document identifier: 0648-AS66-NOA.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263
13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Fax: 727-824-5308, Attention: Peter Hood.
Copies of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and EFH
Amendment 3, which includes a Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analyses (IRFA), may be obtained from
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue,
Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: 813-348-1630; fax: 813-348-
1711; e-mail: gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, 727-824-5305; fax 727-824-
5308; e-mail: peter.hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFH Amendment 3 addresses fisheries under
the FMPs for coral and coral reef resources, coastal migratory
pelagics, red drum, reef fish, shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab.
The FMPs were prepared by the Council, except for the FMPs for coastal
migratory pelagics and spiny lobster, which were prepared jointly by
the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils. All
of these FMPs, except the spiny lobster and stone crab FMPs, are
implemented under the authority of the
[[Page 54519]]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The FMP for the Spiny
Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic is implemented
by regulations at 50 CFR part 640. The FMP for the Stone Crab Fishery
of the Gulf of Mexico is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 654.
EFH Amendment 3 would define EFH for each FMP and identify the
following HAPCs: the Florida Middle Grounds, Madison-Swanson Marine
Reserve, Tortugas North and South Ecological Reserves, Pulley Ridge,
and the individual reefs and banks of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
(East and West Flower Garden Banks, Stetson Bank, Sonnier Bank, MacNeil
Bank, 29 Fathom, Rankin Bright Bank, Geyer Bank, McGrail Bank, Bouma
Bank, Rezak Sidner Bank, Alderice Bank, and Jakkula Bank). The
amendment also contains proposed alternatives to establish the
following fishing restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico: (1) Prohibit
bottom anchoring over coral reefs in the East and West Flower Garden
Banks, McGrail Bank, Pulley Ridge, and North and South Tortugas
Ecological Reserves HAPCs, and on the significant coral resources on
Stetson Bank; (2) prohibit the use of trawling gear, bottom longlines,
buoy gear, and all traps/pots on coral reefs in the East and West
Flower Garden Banks, McGrail Bank, Pulley Ridge, and North and South
Tortugas Ecological Reserves HAPCs, and on the significant coral
communities on Stetson Bank; and (3) require a weak link in the tickler
chain of bottom trawls on all habitats throughout the Gulf of Mexico
exclusive economic zone. A weak link is defined as a length or section
of the tickler chain that has a breaking strength less than the chain
itself and is easily seen as such when visually inspected.
A proposed rule that would implement the measure outlined in EFH
Amendment 3 has been received from the Council. In accordance with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the proposed rule to determine
whether it is consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and
other applicable law. If that determination is affirmative, NMFS will
publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register for public review and
comment.
Comments received by November 14, 2005, whether specifically
directed to the FMP or the proposed rule, will be considered by NMFS in
its decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the
amendment. Comments received after that date will not be considered by
NMFS in this decision. All comments received by NMFS on the amendment
or the proposed rule during their respective comment periods will be
addressed in the final rule.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 9, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18357 Filed 9-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
