National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 20, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes approval for using another type of trawl gear known as the ``eliminator trawl'' in the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program (SAP). Vessels fishing in the Regular B DAS Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must use approved trawl gear in order to reduce the catch of multispecies (groundfish) stocks of concern. The Northeast (NE) Regional Administrator, NMFS, may approve additional gears for use in these programs if research demonstrates that the gear meets specific standards for the reduction of catch of stocks of concern. The intent of this action is to reduce catch of stocks of concern in the NE multispecies fishery.

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 12 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) which would provide protection for all species of krill off the West Coast (i.e., California, Oregon and Washington). This rule would prohibit the harvest of all species of krill by any fishing vessel operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the West Coast, and would also deny the use of exempted fishing permits to allow krill fishing.

NOAA intends to replace the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) program change regulations (15 CFR part 923, subpart H) and associated guidance (OCRM's Program Change Guidance (July 1996)) with new regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart H. This notice requests public comment on the CZMA program change process that NOAA should consider when developing a proposed rule to replace 15 CFR part 923, subpart H.