[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 16456] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-9199] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Parts 672 and 675 [I.D. 040996A] RIN 0648-AH03 Federal Fisheries off Alaska; Salmon Donation Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of amendments to fishery management plans; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island Area and Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs). These amendments would authorize a voluntary Salmon Donation Program (SDP) for distribution of Pacific salmon taken as bycatch in the groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations through a NMFS authorized distributor. Comments are requested from the public. DATES: Comments on the proposed amendments to the FMPs must be submitted by June 10, 1996. ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed amendments to the FMPs must be submitted to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK, 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK. Copies of the proposed amendments and the environmental assessment/regulatory impact review prepared for the proposed action may be obtained from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, telephone 907- 271-2809. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan J. Salveson, 907-586-7229. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) requires that each Regional Fishery Management Council submit any fishery management plan or plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial disapproval. The Magnuson Act also requires that NMFS, after receiving a fishery management plan or amendment, immediately publish a notice in the Federal Register that the fishery management plan or amendment is available for public review and comment. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period in determining whether to approve these amendments. Amendments 26 and 29 would authorize a voluntary SDP. The SDP's objective is to distribute salmon taken as bycatch in the groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations, thereby reducing waste from discards in the groundfish trawl fisheries. Participants in the SDP would voluntarily retain and process salmon bycatch for delivery to an authorized distributor selected by NMFS. Vessels and processors would incur the costs of handling, processing, storing, and delivering donated salmon to tax-exempt organizations. Vessel operators and processors seeking to participate in the SDP must receive a Salmon Retention Permit from a NMFS-authorized distributor prior to retaining or processing salmon for donation purposes. Federal regulations to implement Amendments 26 and 29 are scheduled to be published within 15 days of the date of publication of this document. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 9, 1996. Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-9199 Filed 4-9-96; 4:51 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F