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

NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational management measures for the 2007 summer flounder fishery and to notify the public that the recreational management measures for the scup and black sea bass fisheries remain the same as in 2006. The actions of this final rule are necessary to comply with regulations implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as well as to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.

On April 20, 2007, NMFS proposed the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. As part of that proposal, NMFS announced a public comment period to end on June 19, 2007. NMFS has received requests for an extension to the comment period and for public hearings on this issue. In response to these requests, NMFS is extending the public comment period for the proposed listing action to August 3, 2007. Additionally, NMFS is announcing that hearings will be held at two locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.