[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 19, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 19572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9635]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 950410097-5097-01; I.D. 112294C]


Atlantic Sturgeon, Bluefish, and Weakfish; Interstate Fishery 
Management Plans

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

ACTION: Notice of determination of compliance; cancellation of 
moratoria.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act of 1993 (Act), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) 
announces the cancellation of the planned Federal moratoria on Atlantic 
sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish in the coastal waters of New Jersey 
that would have become effective on April 15, 1995. The intent to 
impose the moratoria was cancelled upon a notification to the Secretary 
from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) that 
New Jersey was in compliance with the provisions of the Commission's 
Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Atlantic sturgeon, 
bluefish, and weakfish, and after the Secretary determined that the 
State of New Jersey is now in compliance.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The determination to impose the moratoria is cancelled 
on April 14, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office 
of Fisheries Conservation and Management, NMFS, 301-713-2334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 8, 1994, the Secretary published a notice document in 
the Federal Register (59 FR 63326) that the State of New Jersey was not 
in compliance with the Commission's FMPs for Atlantic sturgeon, 
bluefish, and weakfish. The notice document declared moratoria on 
fishing for these three species in the State waters of New Jersey, 
effective April 15, 1995, if the State of New Jersey was not in 
compliance by April 1, 1995. Details were provided in the December 8, 
1994, notice, and are not repeated here.
    The Act specifies that, if, after a moratorium is declared, the 
Secretary is notified by the Commission that it is withdrawing the 
determination of noncompliance, the Secretary shall immediately 
determine whether the State is in compliance with the applicable 
plan(s). If the State is in compliance, the moratorium shall be 
cancelled.

Activities Pursuant to the Act

    On March 21, 1995, the Secretary received a letter (dated March 15, 
1995) from the Commission prepared pursuant to the Act. The 
Commission's letter stated that the State of New Jersey had now 
implemented regulations on Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish to 
meet the provisions of the Commission's FMPs, and, therefore, the 
Commission was withdrawing its determination of noncompliance.

Cancellation of Moratoria

    Based on the Commission's March 15, 1995, letter, and information 
received from the State of New Jersey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, the Secretary has determined that 
New Jersey is now in compliance with the Commission's FMPs for Atlantic 
sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish. Consequently, the Secretary no longer 
intends to impose the moratoria on fishing for these species in the 
State waters of New Jersey, and, therefore, the determination to impose 
the moratoria on New Jersey is cancelled.

    Dated: April 14, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-9635 Filed 4-14-95; 11:04 am]
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