Department of Commerce December 20, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Commerce (the Department) is rescinding its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain in- shell raw pistachios from Iran for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.

The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) requests public comments on Amendment 15 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Fisheries Management Plan (Plan) in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action is intended to provide management flexibility in times of low Klamath River fall-run Chinook (KRFC) abundance, while preserving the long-term productive capacity of the stock and thereby ensuring it continues to contribute meaningfully to ocean and river fisheries in the future. The plan amendment would allow the Council to implement de minimis fisheries in years of low abundance, which: permit an ocean impact rate of no more than 10 percent on age-4 Klamath River fall Chinook, if the projected natural spawning escapement associated with a 10 percent age- 4 ocean impact rate, including river recreational and tribal impacts, is between 22,000 and 35,000. If the projected natural escapement associated with a 10 percent age-4 ocean impact rate is less than 22,000, the Council would further reduce the allowable age-4 ocean impact rate to reflect the status of the stock.

NMFS proposes a regulation to require vessels in state and federal fisheries operating in the territorial seas or exclusive economic zone of the United States that are identified through the annual determination process specified in the rule to take observers upon NMFS request. NMFS proposes this measure to learn more about sea turtle interactions with fishing operations, to evaluate existing measures to reduce sea turtle takes, and to determine whether additional measures to address sea turtle takes may be necessary. NMFS will pay the direct costs of the observer. NMFS also proposes to extend the number of days from 30 to 180 that the agency may place observers in response to an appropriate determination by the Assistant Administrator under its existing regulations.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its SSC Selection Committee via conference call to select several (2 or 3) of the Standing SSC members to serve on a select committee. The committee members will monitor the actions of the NMFS design and analysis group and report to the Council.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a public meeting of the Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public meeting of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort Management Advisory Panel (AP).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Ad Hoc Shoreside Whiting Alternative Group (Ad Hoc Group) will hold a work session via conference call, which is open to the public.