[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 4239] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-2107] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 678 [I.D. 092396B] Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS extends the comment period for a proposed rule to adjust quotas and bag limits in the Atlantic Shark Fishery that was published in the Federal Register on December 20, 1996. The proposed rule would establish quotas and bag limits and implement prohibitions and requirements to reduce effective fishing mortality, facilitate enforcement, and improve management. DATES: Written comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before February 7, 1997. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to William T. Hogarth, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- West Highway, Room 14853, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Michael Bailey or John Kelly, 301- 713-2347; fax 301-713-1917. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although NMFS previously extended the comment period from January 21, 1997, to January 24, 1997 (62 FR 1872, January 14, 1997), NMFS has received requests from the affected public that more time is necessary to submit their comments on the Atlantic shark fishery proposed rule (61 FR 67295, December 20, 1996). The proposed rule, as published, would reduce commercial quotas and recreational bag limits; establish a quota for small coastal sharks; prohibit the directed commercial fishing for, and landing or sale of, five species of sharks; establish a recreational tag-and-release only fishery for white sharks; prohibit filleting of sharks at sea; and restate the requirement for species-specific identification by all owners or operators, dealers, and tournament operators of all sharks landed. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: 23 January 1997. George H. Darcy, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-2107 Filed 1-24-97; 10:00 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F