[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70678-70679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32780]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[I.D. 120699A]
RIN 0648-AK96


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 17

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of Amendment 17 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management 
Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for 
review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 17 would extend 
the commercial reef fish vessel permit moratorium for 5 years to 
December 31, 2005. The current moratorium is scheduled to expire on 
December 31, 2000. The purpose of the moratorium is to provide a stable 
environment in the fishery for evaluation and development of a more 
comprehensive controlled access system for the entire commercial reef 
fish fishery.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard 
time, on February 15, 2000 at the appropriate address or fax number 
(See ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: Written comments must be mailed to the Southeast Regional 
Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. 
Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to 727-570-5583. Comments 
will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet.
    Requests for copies of Amendment 17, which includes an 
environmental assessment and a regulatory impact review, should be sent 
to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 
North, Suite 1000, Tampa, Florida 33619-2266; phone: 813-228-2815; fax: 
813-225-7015; e-mail: Gulf.C[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael C. Barnette, NMFS, 727-570-
5305, fax 727-570-5583, e-mail Michael.B[email protected].


[[Page 70679]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each Regional 
Fishery Management Council to submit a FMP or amendment to NMFS for 
review and approval, disapproval, or partial approval. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an amendment, 
immediately publish a document in the Federal Register stating that the 
amendment is available for public review and comment.
    Amendment 4 to the FMP, as approved and implemented by NMFS on May 
8, 1992, initiated the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial 
reef fish vessel permits, which was intended to last for 3 years. It 
was subsequently extended twice, the second of which was in 1995 for a 
duration of 5 years terminating on December 31, 2000. The Council and 
NMFS deemed the moratorium necessary to moderate short-term future 
increases in fishing effort and to stabilize fishing mortality while 
the Council considered a more comprehensive effort limitation program 
for the reef fish fishery. During the moratorium, the Council developed 
an individual transferable quota system for red snapper. However, 
before it was implemented, Congress prohibited individual fishing 
quotas (IFQs) under sections 303(d) and 407 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act. The current Congressional prohibition of IFQs will lapse on 
October 1, 2000.
    The Council intends to evaluate a broad range of controlled access 
systems, including IFQ, for the commercial reef fish fishery. 
Development and implementation of a comprehensive controlled access 
system is expected to extend past the period of the current moratorium. 
Without the benefit of a moratorium, open access in the reef fish 
fishery is bound to increase fishing effort and complicate allocation 
of fishing privileges, thereby creating an unstable fishery 
environment.
    NMFS will consider comments received by February 15, 2000, whether 
specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, in its 
decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the amendment. 
NMFS will not consider comments received after that date in this 
decision. NMFS will address all comments on the amendment or the 
proposed rule received during their respective comment periods in the 
final rule.

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

    Dated: December 13, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32780 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F