[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43101-43102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20354]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. I.D. 071698B]
RIN 0648-AJ67


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries; Vessel 
Monitoring Systems

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

ACTION: Delay of effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: NMFS delays the effective date of the Vessel Monitoring System 
established by 50 CFR 635.69, published May 28, 1999, from September 1, 
1999 until January 1, 2000.

DATES: The effective date of the addition of 50 CFR 635.69, published 
May 28, 1999 (64 FR 29090), is delayed until January 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan (HMS FMP), the final rule and supporting documents can be obtained 
from Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Division, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, NMFS, (301) 713-2347, 
or Buck Sutter (727) 570-5447.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final regulations to implement the HMS 
FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Plan 
included a provision requiring an owner or operator of a commercial 
vessel permitted to fish for Atlantic HMS under Sec. 635.4 and that 
fishes with a pelagic longline to install a NMFS-approved vessel 
monitoring system (VMS) unit on board the vessel and operate the VMS 
unit whenever the vessel leaves port with pelagic longline gear on 
board. The VMS requirement of the final rule is effective September 1, 
1999.

    At the time of publication of the final rule (May 28, 1999), NMFS 
indicated that a Federal Register announcement would be forthcoming 
listing the hardware specifications for approved VMS units. Due to 
unforseen circumstances, NMFS has experienced a delay in type approving 
suitable units and service providers. Once the type approval process 
has been completed, NMFS will publish a Federal Register document 
listing NMFS-approved VMS

[[Page 43102]]

units and communication service providers. In order to allow affected 
Atlantic HMS pelagic longline fishermen an opportunity to receive 
adequate notification of approved VMS units (the swordfish fishery is 
currently active, and trips in excess of 4 weeks are typical of this 
fishery), as well as time to purchase and properly install a VMS unit 
for operation consistent with provisions provided under Sec. 635.69, 
NMFS is delaying until January 1, 2000, the effective date of 
Sec. 635.69.

    Dated: August 3, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock, Director,
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20354 Filed 8-3-99; 4:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F