Department of Commerce February 24, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues 2006 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. The intent of these specifications is to establish the allowable 2006 harvest levels and possession limits to attain the target fishing mortality rate (F), consistent with the stock rebuilding program in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action will publish final specifications that are modified from those contained in the proposed rule.

Notice is hereby given that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA (CNMI), Division of Fish and Wildlife [Paul Hamilton, responsible official], P.O. Box 10007, Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

Ukraine has implemented economic and institutional reforms since gaining independence in 1991. The government of Ukraine (``GOU'') has undertaken substantial reforms relating to the factors examined by the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') under section 771(18)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''). See memorandum to David Spooner from Lawrence Norton, Shauna Lee-Alaia, and Anthony Hill, Decision Memorandum Regarding Ukraine's Status as a Non- Market Economy Country for Purposes of the Antidumping Duty Law Under a Changed Circumstances Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Ukraine (February 16, 2006) (``Decision Memorandum''). Based on the preponderance of evidence on reforms in Ukraine to date, analyzed as required under section 771(18)(B) of the Act, the Department determines that (1) revocation of Ukraine's non-market economy (``NME'') status under section 771(18)(B) of the Act is warranted, and (2) the effective date of this decision is February 1, 2006. Accordingly, Ukrainian producers and exporters will be subject, to the antidumping rules applicable to market economy countries with respect to the analysis of transactions occurring on or after February 1, 2006.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allocation of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

NMFS proposes initial 2006 fishing year specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and to set effort controls for the General category and Angling category. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS will hold public hearings to receive comments on these proposed actions.