[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22927]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 638

[Docket No. 940677-4177; I.D. 090794A]

 

Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

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

ACTION: Emergency interim rule; extension of effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: An emergency interim rule is in effect through September 26, 
1994, to prohibit all taking of live rock in the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ) off the southern Atlantic states (South Atlantic) north of 
Dade County, FL; to prohibit the taking of live rock by chipping in the 
South Atlantic EEZ; and to limit the harvest of live rock from the 
South Atlantic EEZ in 1994 to 485,000 lb (219,992 kg). At the request 
of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic 
Council), NMFS extends the emergency interim rule for an additional 90 
days because conditions justifying the emergency action remain 
unchanged. The intended effect is to continue protection of live rock 
resources and fishery habitat in the South Atlantic until a permanent 
rule is approved and implemented.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 1994, through December 25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Copies of documents supporting this action, including an 
environmental assessment, may be obtained from Georgia Cranmore, 
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coral and coral reefs in the South Atlantic 
and Gulf of Mexico EEZ are managed under the Fishery Management Plan 
for Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
(FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Councils and is implemented through regulations at 
50 CFR part 638 under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act).
    Under sections 305(c)(2)(B) and (c)(3) of the Magnuson Act, NMFS 
published an emergency interim rule (59 FR 32938, June 27, 1994) 
effective for 90 days (June 27 through September 26, 1994) to: (1) 
Prohibit all taking of live rock in the South Atlantic EEZ from the 
North Carolina/Virginia boundary to the Dade/Broward County line in 
Florida, (2) prohibit chipping of live rock in the South Atlantic EEZ 
from the Dade/Broward County line in Florida to the Atlantic/Gulf of 
Mexico boundary, and (3) limit the harvest of live rock in 1994 from 
the South Atlantic EEZ to 485,000 lb (219,992 kg).
    The South Atlantic Council requested an extension of the emergency 
interim rule because conditions justifying the emergency action remain 
unchanged and to prevent a lapse in these management measures while 
NMFS considers approval of Amendment 2 to the FMP. Amendment 2 would 
implement the emergency measures on a permanent basis. NMFS concurs and 
extends the emergency interim rule through December 25, 1994, in 
accordance with section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson Act.
    Details concerning the basis for this action and the classification 
of the rulemaking are contained in the initial emergency interim rule 
and are not repeated here.

    Dated: September 12, 1994.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22927 Filed 9-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P