[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 5, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41426-41427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16934]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 000504124-0124-01; I.D. 011900B]
RIN 0648-AK11


Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Prohibition on the Use of Set Net 
Fishing Gear

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

[[Page 41427]]


ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reopens the public comment period on a proposed rule to 
prohibit the use of setnet (gillnet and trammel nets) fishing gear to 
take groundfish species in portions of the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) adjacent to state waters at four areas off California. NMFS is 
reopening the comment period to ensure that affected fishers are aware 
of the proposed changes and have an opportunity to provide comments. 
This action is intended to avoid unnecessary bycatch and is expected to 
promote consistent conservation of groundfish stocks and species 
managed by California throughout their range.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed rule should be sent to Rodney R. 
McInnis, Acting Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 
West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Svein Fougner, Sustainable Fisheries 
Division, Southwest Region, NMFS, 562-980-4040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule that would prohibit the 
use of set nets in portions of the EEZ was published in the Federal 
Register on May 19, 2000 (65 FR 31871). Groundfish fisheries on the 
west coast are managed under the authority of the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish Fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California. 
California has jurisdiction over fishing for groundfish and other 
species within State waters and, with respect to State registered 
vessels, in the EEZ off California as long as State regulations are not 
in conflict with Federal regulations. This action would achieve 
consistency between regulations governing waters under California's 
jurisdiction and those of the EEZ. NMFS is reopening the comment period 
to ensure that affected fishers are aware of the proposed changes and 
have an opportunity to provide comments.

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

    Dated: June 29, 2000.
Andrew A. Rosenberg,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16934 Filed 7-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F