National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 1, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes to establish an inspection program for modified pound net leaders in the Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay. Current regulations require modified pound net leaders, as defined in the regulations, in a portion of the Virginia Chesapeake Bay, and allow them to be used in a different portion of the Chesapeake Bay. This proposed action would ensure that leaders used in those areas do in fact meet the definition of a modified pound net leader. This action, taken under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended, is intended to facilitate compliance with the existing regulation, which is designed to help protect threatened and endangered sea turtles.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) and its Administrative Committee will hold meetings.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and- line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.