[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 14744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8150]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 960322090-6090-01; I.D. 032696A]


Weakfish; Interstate Fishery Management Plan

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

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

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act of 1993 (Act), NOAA announces the cancellation of the 
planned Federal moratorium on weakfish in the coastal waters of 
Maryland that would have become effective on April 15, 1996. The intent 
to impose the moratorium was cancelled upon notification to the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) by the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission (Commission) that Maryland is in compliance with 
the provisions of the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) for weakfish, and after NOAA determined that the State of 
Maryland is now in compliance.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The determination to impose the moratorium is cancelled 
on March 29, 1996.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 20, 1996, the Secretary published a notice in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 6351) that the State of Maryland was not in 
compliance with the Commission's FMP for weakfish. The notice document 
declared a moratorium on fishing for this species in the State waters 
of Maryland, effective April 15, 1996, if the State of Maryland was not 
in compliance by April 1, 1996. Details were provided in the February 
20, 1996, Federal Register 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 6, 1996, the Secretary received a letter (dated March 5, 
1996) from the Commission stating that the State of Maryland had now 
implemented regulations for the weakfish fishery which meet the 
provisions of the Commission's FMP, and, therefore, the Commission was 
withdrawing its determination of noncompliance.

Cancellation of Moratorium

    Based on the Commission's March 5, 1996, letter, and information 
received from the State of Maryland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, NOAA has determined that Maryland 
is now in compliance with the Commission's FMP for weakfish. 
Accordingly, the declaration of a moratorium on Maryland is cancelled.

    Dated: March 29, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-8150 Filed 3-29-96; 3:47 pm]
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