National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 18, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement a resolution of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) intended to conserve whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). This final rule would prohibit setting a purse seine net on whale sharks, and would require certain measures to protect whale sharks in the event that a whale shark is encircled in a purse seine net. This rulemaking is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.

On August 7, 2014, NMFS published a proposed rule on Draft Amendment 9 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider management measures in the smoothhound shark and other Atlantic shark fisheries. As described in the proposed rule, NMFS is proposing measures that would: (1) Establish an effective date for previously-adopted smoothhound shark management measures finalized in Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 3) and the 2011 HMS Trawl Rule; (2) increase the smoothhound shark annual quota previously finalized in Amendment 3 using updated landings data; (3) implement the smooth dogfish-specific provisions in the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-348) (SCA); (4) implement the Atlantic shark gillnet requirements of a 2012 Shark Biological Opinion; and (5) modify current regulations related to the use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) by Atlantic shark fishermen using gillnet gear. In this notice, NMFS announces the dates and logistics for two public hearings and two webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment on measures described in the proposed rule and Draft Amendment 9.