[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7933]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 651

[Docket No. 931243-3343; I.D. 032594B]

 

Northeast Multispecies Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Emergency interim rule, extension of effective dates.

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SUMMARY: An emergency interim rule in effect through April 2, 1994, to 
protect overfished stocks of haddock is extended from April 3, 1994, 
through June 30, 1994, because conditions warranting the emergency 
still exist. The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) extends the 500-lb 
(226.8-kg) possession limit of haddock for all vessels permitted under 
the regulations governing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery and for 
all vessels in possession of haddock from or in the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ), except for scallop dredge vessels, which are prohibited 
from possessing or landing haddock; and the closure of the area known 
as Closed Area II. Extension of other measures contained in the 
emergency rule is not necessary, since these were permanently 
implemented on March 1, 1994, under Amendment 5 to the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The intended effect of this 
rule is to provide protection to depleted haddock and cod stocks.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Section 651.9 paragraphs (a) (11) and (12), (e) (33) 
and (34); and Sec. 651.27(b), as published on March 1, 1994 (59 FR 
9872), remain effective from April 3, 1994, through June 30, 1994. 
Section 651.21(b)(3)(i) is temporarily suspended and Sec. 651.21(b)(6) 
is temporarily added effective April 3, 1994, through June 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA) supporting this 
action may be obtained from Richard B. Roe, Regional Director, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan A. Murphy, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, Northeast Region, NMFS, 508-281-9252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 305(c) of the Magnuson Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act), the Secretary 
promulgated an emergency interim rule (59 FR 26, January 3, 1994) that 
implemented cod and haddock protective measures for the Northeast 
multispecies fishery for the period January 3, 1994, through April 2, 
1994. The emergency interim rule implemented: (1) A 500-lb (226.8-kg) 
possession limit of haddock for all vessels permitted under 50 CFR 
651.4 and for all vessels in possession of haddock from or in the EEZ, 
except scallop dredge vessels, which are prohibited from possessing or 
landing haddock; (2) an early closure of the area known as Closed Area 
II, except for lobster pot vessels and scallop dredge vessels; (3) an 
expansion of Closed Area II by 20 minutes longitude to the west and 15 
minutes latitude to the south, along its existing western and southern 
boundaries, intersecting with the Regulated Mesh Boundary line; (4) a 
suspension of the closure of the area known as Closed Area I, except 
for vessels using sink gillnet gear; (5) a prohibition on transfer of 
fish at sea; and (6) a ban on pair trawling in the multispecies 
fishery. With the agreement of the New England Fishery Management 
Council, the Secretary extends the emergency interim rule under 
provisions of section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson Act because 
conditions warranting this emergency still exist. The 500-lb (226.8-kg) 
haddock possession limit, except for scallop dredge vessels, which are 
prohibited from possessing or landing haddock, and the closure of 
Closed Area II, are extended from April 3, 1994, through June 30, 1994.
    With the implementation of Amendment 5 to the FMP on March 1, 1994 
(59 FR 9872), five of the measures contained in the emergency interim 
rule published January 3, 1994 (59 FR 26), were permanently added to 50 
CFR part 651, and are therefore not included in this extension. These 
measures are: (1) The expansion of Closed Area II; (2) the closure of 
Area II from February through May in 1994 and 1995, and from January 
through June in 1996 and after; (3) the suspension of the closure of 
the area known as Closed Area I, except for vessels using sink gillnet 
gear; (4) a prohibition on transfer of fish at sea; and (5) a ban on 
pair trawling in the multispecies fishery.
    This action is not subject to review under E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 651

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: March 29, 1994.
Nancy Foster,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 651 is amended 
as follows:

PART 651--NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY

    1. The authority citation for part 651 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 651.21, paragraph (b)(6) is temporarily added and 
paragraph (b)(3)(i) is temporarily suspended, effective April 3, 1994, 
through June 30, 1994, to read as follows:


Sec. 651.21  Closed areas.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) Duration. No fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may 
fish or be in Closed Area II during the months of February through 
June.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 94-7933 Filed 3-30-94; 11:53 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P