National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 19, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes to consolidate the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, to change certain FMP management measures, to adjust regulatory framework measures, and to continue the process for updating essential fish habitat. The alternatives described in this proposed rule could impact fishermen and dealers for all Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries. The range of alternatives examined includes those to: establish mandatory workshops for fishermen and dealers; consider methods of modifying and establishing time/area closures; address rebuilding and overfishing of northern albacore tuna, finetooth sharks, and Atlantic billfish; modify bluefin tuna (BFT) General Category subperiod quotas and simplify the management process of BFT; change the fishing year for tunas, swordfish, and billfish back to a calendar year; authorize additional fishing gears; and clarify numerous existing regulations, particularly in 50 CFR part 635. This proposed rule also announces the receipt of a petition for rulemaking regarding bluefin tuna and describes the analyses conducted as part of this rulemaking, in response to the petition, to consider closure areas in the Gulf of Mexico. In this proposed rule, NMFS also formally withdraws a proposed rule published September 17, 2003, to establish an annual domestic recreational landing limit of 250 Atlantic blue and white marlin and other measures.