Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Implementation of the Shark Conservation Act of 2010; Extension of Comment Period, 40687 [2013-16298]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 40687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16298]



[[Page 40687]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[Docket No. 111014628-3329-01]
RIN 0648-BB54


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Implementation of the Shark 
Conservation Act of 2010; Extension of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS published a proposed rule on May 2, 2013, to implement 
provisions of the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 (SCA) that prohibit 
any person from removing any of the fins of a shark at sea, possessing 
shark fins on board a fishing vessel unless they are naturally attached 
to the corresponding carcass, transferring or receiving fins from one 
vessel to another at sea unless the fins are naturally attached to the 
corresponding carcass, landing shark fins unless they are naturally 
attached to the corresponding carcass, or landing shark carcasses 
without their fins naturally attached. NMFS proposes this action to 
amend existing regulations and make them consistent with the SCA. The 
public comment period for the proposed rule was previously extended, 
and ends on July 8, 2013. NMFS has decided to further extend the public 
comment period for 23 days, until July 31, 2013 to provide additional 
time for stakeholders and other members of the public to submit 
comments.

DATES: The public comment period for the proposed rule published at 78 
FR 25685, May 2, 2013, is extended from July 8, 2013, until July 31, 
2013. Comments must be received no later than July 31, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2012-0092, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To 
submit comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ``submit a 
comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2012-0092 in the keyword search. 
Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and 
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right of that line.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Erin Wilkinson, National 
Marine Fisheries Service (SF3), NOAA; 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.
     Fax 301-713-1193; Attn: Erin Wilkinson
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and 
considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the 
sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will 
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you 
wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be 
accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file 
formats only.
    Electronic copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA), the 
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action are available on the Federal 
e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Wilkinson, 301-427-8561; 
sca.rulemaking@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 2, 2013, NMFS published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 25685) to implement provisions of 
the SCA that prohibit any person from removing any of the fins of a 
shark at sea, possessing shark fins on board a fishing vessel unless 
they are naturally attached to the corresponding carcass, transferring 
or receiving fins from one vessel to another at sea unless the fins are 
naturally attached to the corresponding carcass, landing shark fins 
unless they are naturally attached to the corresponding carcass, or 
landing shark carcasses without their fins naturally attached. NMFS 
proposes this action to amend existing regulations and make them 
consistent with the SCA.

Public Comment Extension

    The public comment period for the proposed rule ends on July 8, 
2013. NMFS is extending the public comment period for an additional 23 
days until July 31, 2013. The extension of the comment period ensures 
that NMFS provides adequate time for stakeholders and members of the 
public to comment on the proposed rule to implement the provisions of 
the Shark Conservation Act of 2010.

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

    Dated: July 2, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and 
duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16298 Filed 7-5-13; 8:45 am]
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