[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-220]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 111998B]
RIN 0648-AM13


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery, Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery, and Atlantic Salmon 
Fishery; Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Amendments

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

ACTION: Amendment to a notice of availability (NOA) of an omnibus 
amendment to FMPs; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On December 1 and again on December 7, 1998, NMFS published 
NOAs of an omnibus amendment that included Amendment 11 to the 
Northeast Multispecies FMP, Amendment 9 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP. The NOAs described the 
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) measures contained in the omnibus 
amendment and initiated the Atlantic salmon overfishing definition and 
a framework provision for aquaculture contained in Amendment 1 to the 
Atlantic Salmon FMP. This notification informs the public of the 
regulations that may be implemented to allow for the framework 
adjustment process for Atlantic salmon. NMFS announces that this new 
management measure is currently under review by the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) and invites public comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the amendment should be sent to Jon C. Rittgers, 
Acting Regional Administrator, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Please mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on Amendment 1 to 
the Atlantic Salmon FMP.''
    Copies of the Amendment, its regulatory impact review and 
environmental assessment are available from Paul J. Howard, Executive 
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, 
MA 01906-1036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie L. VanPelt, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 1, 1998, NMFS published a 
notification in the Federal Register (63 FR 66110) announcing that the 
New England Fishery Management Council submitted for review and 
approval by the Secretary an omnibus amendment containing EFH 
provisions that would implement the requirements of section 303(a)(7) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. On 
December 7, 1998, NMFS published an amended notification in the Federal 
Register (63 FR 67450) announcing that in addition to the EFH measures, 
Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Salmon FMP would include a discussion of 
the Atlantic salmon overfishing definition and an aquaculture framework 
adjustment process for Atlantic salmon. The omnibus amendment describes 
and identifies EFH for specified fisheries, discusses measures to 
address the effects of fishing on EFH, and identifies other actions for 
the conservation and enhancement of EFH.
    A proposed rule that would implement the regulations implementing a 
framework process to allow for Atlantic salmon aquaculture may be 
published in the Federal Register for public comment, following NMFS' 
evaluation of the proposed rule under the procedures of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Because the December 
7, 1998, notification did not specifically indicate that there would be 
any new regulations proposed, this notice informs the public that this 
additional management measure is under Secretarial review for approval, 
disapproval, or partial approval, and invites public comment. Public 
comments on the proposed rule must be received by the end of the 
comment period for the NOA on February 1, 1999, to be considered in the 
approval/disapproval decision on the FMP amendment. All comments 
received by February 1, 1999, whether specifically directed to the FMP 
amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/
disapproval decision. Comments received after that date will not be 
considered in the approval/disapproval decision on the FMP amendment.

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

    Dated: December 31, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-220 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]
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