[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19324]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[Docket No. 980519132-9004-02; I.D. 022498F]
RIN 0648-AK49


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; List of Fisheries and Gear, and 
Notification Guidelines

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

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: NMFS delays the effective date of a section of a final rule 
published January 27, 1999, from July 26, 1999, until December 1, 1999. 
The section dealt with the prohibitions on the use of nonauthorized 
fishing gear under the Magnuson-Stevens Act provisions. The delay will 
allow for revision of the section to add fishing gear currently in use 
in fisheries in the exclusive economic zone.

DATES: Effective July 23, 1999, the effective date of 50 CFR 600.725(v) 
that was published on January 27, 1999 (64 FR 4030) is delayed until 
December 1, 1999. Public comments are invited through September 13, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on the final rule to Gary C. Matlock, 
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Millikin, NMFS, (301) 713-2344.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 27, 1999, NMFS issued a final 
rule, in accordance with section 305(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Act), listing fisheries and fishing 
gear used in those fisheries. After the effective date of 
Sec. 600.725(v), no person or vessel may employ fishing gear or 
participate in a fishery not included in this list without giving 90 
days' notice to the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Council, or 
to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to Atlantic highly migratory 
species within the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Section 
600.725(v) was to take effect on July 26, 1999.
    NMFS has received information within the past few days that the 
January 27 list does not include all gears currently used in a number 
of EEZ fisheries. NMFS is therefore delaying until December 1, 1999, 
the effective date of Sec. 600.725(v), and expects to revise the rule 
before that date to add other authorized gear to the list. NMFS 
welcomes suggestions for revisions to the list of authorized fisheries 
and gears (see ADDRESSES). After the effective date of the revised 
final rule, changes to the revised list may be made only by following 
the procedures specified in section 305(a)(4) and (5) of the Act.

    Dated: July 23, 1999.
Andrew A. Rosenberg,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19324 Filed 7-23-99; 4:53 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F