Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures, 5153 [E8-1559]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2008 / Proposed Rules 1664, fax number (617) 918–0664, e-mail Burkhart.Richard@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State’s SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment. For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal Register. Dated: January 16, 2008. Robert W. Varney, Regional Administrator, EPA New England. [FR Doc. E8–1418 Filed 1–28–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 070717340–7550–01] RIN 0648–AV40 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule, reopening of comment period. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:28 Jan 28, 2008 Jkt 214001 SUMMARY: NMFS reopens the comment period on the proposed rule to implement 2008 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB) fisheries for 7 days. DATES: The deadline for written comments on the December 28, 2007 (72 FR 73749), proposed rule is reopened to no later than 5 p.m. on February 5, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648–AV40, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal https:// www.regulations.gov; • Fax: (978) 281–9135, Attn: Carrie Nordeen; • Mail to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on 2008 MSB Specifications’’. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (e.g., name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Nordeen, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978- 281–9272, fax 978–281–9135. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background NMFS is required to publish proposed specifications for the MSB fisheries, after reviewing recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). At its June 12–14, 2007, meeting in Hampton, VA, the Council recommended 2008 MSB specifications and management measures. For butterfish, the Council recommended reducing the butterfish quota to levels approximating recent landings while a butterfish rebuilding program is being developed in Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 5153 Management Plan. Consistent with the lower butterfish quota recommended for 2008, the Council also recommended lowering the butterfish incidental possession limit from 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per day to a scaled incidental possession limit, such that a 250–lb (0.11–mt) incidental possession limit would be associated with a fishery closure prior to October 1 and a 600–lb (0.27–mt) incidental possession limit would be associated with a fishery closure on or after October 1. However, incidental possession limits for butterfish apply not only during a fishery closure, but also year-round to vessels issued butterfish incidental possession permits. At its June 2007 meeting, the Council did not explicitly recommend an incidental butterfish possession limit for vessels issued a butterfish incidental catch permit. Therefore, in the proposed rule for the 2008 MSB specifications and management measures (72 FR 73749, December 28, 2007), NMFS proposed a year-round, 250–lb (0.11–mt) butterfish possession limit for vessels issued incidental butterfish catch permits, similar to the Council’s recommended incidental butterfish possession limit during a fishery closure, and invited the Council to comment on whether this measure is consistent with the Council’s intent. On January 11, 2008, NMFS received a letter from the Council requesting that NMFS reopen the comment period on the proposed rule for the 2008 MSB specifications and management measures for 7 days. Reopening this comment period will enable the Council to consider the 2008 MSB management measures at its January 29–31, 2008, meeting, and develop a position and formal comments on the butterfish incidental possession limit for vessels issued a butterfish incidental catch permit. Therefore, consistent with the Council’s request, NMFS is reopening the comment period on the 2008 MSB specifications and management measures proposed rule to 5 p.m. on February 5, 2008. Dated: January 24, 2008 Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–1559 Filed 1–28–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\29JAP1.SGM 29JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1559]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 070717340-7550-01]
RIN 0648-AV40


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures

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

ACTION: Proposed rule, reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS reopens the comment period on the proposed rule to 
implement 2008 specifications and management measures for Atlantic 
mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB) fisheries for 7 days.

DATES: The deadline for written comments on the December 28, 2007 (72 
FR 73749), proposed rule is reopened to no later than 5 p.m. on 
February 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648-AV40, by any 
one of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal https://
www.regulations.gov;
     Fax: (978) 281-9135, Attn: Carrie Nordeen;
     Mail to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 2008 MSB 
Specifications''.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (e.g., name, address, 
etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted 
in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Nordeen, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978- 281-9272, fax 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NMFS is required to publish proposed specifications for the MSB 
fisheries, after reviewing recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council). At its June 12-14, 2007, meeting 
in Hampton, VA, the Council recommended 2008 MSB specifications and 
management measures. For butterfish, the Council recommended reducing 
the butterfish quota to levels approximating recent landings while a 
butterfish rebuilding program is being developed in Amendment 10 to the 
Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. 
Consistent with the lower butterfish quota recommended for 2008, the 
Council also recommended lowering the butterfish incidental possession 
limit from 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per day to a scaled incidental possession 
limit, such that a 250-lb (0.11-mt) incidental possession limit would 
be associated with a fishery closure prior to October 1 and a 600-lb 
(0.27-mt) incidental possession limit would be associated with a 
fishery closure on or after October 1.
    However, incidental possession limits for butterfish apply not only 
during a fishery closure, but also year-round to vessels issued 
butterfish incidental possession permits. At its June 2007 meeting, the 
Council did not explicitly recommend an incidental butterfish 
possession limit for vessels issued a butterfish incidental catch 
permit. Therefore, in the proposed rule for the 2008 MSB specifications 
and management measures (72 FR 73749, December 28, 2007), NMFS proposed 
a year-round, 250-lb (0.11-mt) butterfish possession limit for vessels 
issued incidental butterfish catch permits, similar to the Council's 
recommended incidental butterfish possession limit during a fishery 
closure, and invited the Council to comment on whether this measure is 
consistent with the Council's intent.
    On January 11, 2008, NMFS received a letter from the Council 
requesting that NMFS reopen the comment period on the proposed rule for 
the 2008 MSB specifications and management measures for 7 days. 
Reopening this comment period will enable the Council to consider the 
2008 MSB management measures at its January 29-31, 2008, meeting, and 
develop a position and formal comments on the butterfish incidental 
possession limit for vessels issued a butterfish incidental catch 
permit. Therefore, consistent with the Council's request, NMFS is 
reopening the comment period on the 2008 MSB specifications and 
management measures proposed rule to 5 p.m. on February 5, 2008.

    Dated: January 24, 2008
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1559 Filed 1-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.