[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26427-26428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12529]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 630

[I.D. 112696C]
RIN 0648-AI23


Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Request for Comments on Drift Gillnet 
Emergency Closure

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

ACTION: Emergency closure; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On December 5, 1996, NMFS published an emergency closure for 
the drift gillnet fishery for swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, 
including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, from December 1, 1996, 
through May 29, 1997. NMFS is requesting comments from the public on 
this emergency closure.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the emergency rule should be sent to Rebecca 
Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Division, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910-3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347 or Mark 
Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.


[[Page 26428]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published in the Federal Register an 
emergency closure of the drift gillnet fishery for swordfish in the 
Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, from 
December 1, 1996, through May 29, 1997 (61 FR 64486, December 5, 1996). 
The emergency closure was made effective while NMFS continues with 
consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for 
Atlantic swordfish fisheries due to new information regarding the 
status of the northern right whale (Eubaleana glacialis). The closure 
was necessary to ensure that, pending consultation on this fishery, no 
irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources is made that has 
the effect of foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any 
reasonable and prudent alternative measures. Additional background on 
the reasons for the action are detailed in the emergency closure and 
are not repeated here.
    This emergency closure is to remain effective until May 29, 1997, 
or until completion of consultation with the issuance of a biological 
opinion on the swordfish drift gillnet fishery, whichever comes first. 
To date, a biological opinion is pending and NMFS is continuing with 
consultation under the ESA.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 7, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12529 Filed 5-8-97; 4:42 pm]
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