[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24897-24898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11836]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[Docket No. 970213030-7030-01; I.D. 020597B]
RIN: 0648-AJ77


Central Title and Lien Registry for Limited Access Permits

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

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment 
period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS extends for 3 months the comment period for an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) about a central title and lien 
registry for limited access fishing permits. Parties responding to the 
ANPR's original comment period requested a 6-month extension.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by August 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Michael L. Grable, Chief, Financial 
Services Division, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Grable at
    (301) 713-2390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act requires a title and lien registry for limited 
access fishing permits. The registry will be the exclusive means of 
perfecting title to these permits. It will also be the exclusive means 
of perfecting security interests in, assignments of, and liens and 
other encumbrances against these permits.
    NMFS wanted the public's guidance before proposing regulations. We 
published the ANPR in the March 6, 1997, Federal Register (62 FR 
10249). The ANPR's comment period ended on April 7, 1997.
    We received five comments. One was from a law firm representing a 
coalition

[[Page 24898]]

of fisheries lenders. One was from another law firm representing a 
group of fisheries investors. One was from a company representing a 
fisheries trade association. Two were from individual citizens.
    Both law firms requested, on behalf of their clients, a 6-month 
extension of the ANPR's comment period in which to submit more detailed 
comments. There was a substantial lack of consensus on many aspects of 
the ANPR.
    We recognize the importance of a collaborative and deliberative 
process. We value consensus. Some of the issues are complex. 
Nevertheless, we believe three months should be a sufficient comment-
period extension. Accordingly, we extend the ANPR's comment period for 
three months.
    We welcome all comments on any Registry aspect.
    This notice's comment-period extension has been determined to be 
not significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.

    Dated: May 1, 1997.
Nancy Foster,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-11836 Filed 5-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F