[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 19364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9543]



[[Page 19364]]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

50 CFR Part 646

[Docket No. 950110009-5009-01; I.D. 041095B]
RIN 0648-AH45


Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Landing 
Gag

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 April 18, 1995, 
that requires selected vessels in the commercial snapper-grouper 
fishery to land gag in a whole condition. NMFS extends the emergency 
interim rule because conditions justifying the emergency action remain 
unchanged. The intended effect of this rule is to facilitate the 
collection of biological data necessary for the management of gag.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The amendments to part 646 published on January 18, 
1995, at 60 FR 3562 are extended from April 19, 1995, through July 17, 
1995, unless terminated earlier by notification in the Federal 
Register.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter J. Eldridge, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Snapper-grouper species off the southern 
Atlantic states are managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was 
prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and 
is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 646 under the 
authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson Act).
    Under section 305(c) of the Magnuson Act, NMFS published an 
emergency interim rule (60 FR 3562, January 18, 1995) that requires 
selected vessels in the commercial snapper-grouper fishery to land gag 
in a whole condition so that their reproductive organs may be collected 
by NMFS port agents for analysis. Such analysis is vital to 
determinations of the reproductive capacity of the resource. Because an 
insufficient number of reproductive organs have been collected, the 
Council requested extension of the emergency interim rule through as 
late as July 17, 1995, with earlier termination if sufficient samples 
for analysis are collected. NMFS concurs with the Council's request. In 
accordance with sections 305(c)(3)(B) and (C) of the Magnuson Act, NMFS 
extends the emergency interim rule through July 17, 1995, unless 
terminated earlier by notification in the Federal Register.
    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: April 13, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-9543 Filed 4-13-95; 4:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F