[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57930-57931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28877]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 222 and 223

[I.D. 062501B]
RIN 0648-AN62


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation 
Requirements

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

ACTION: Public hearing notice; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce, will extend the public comment period, through 
December 31, 2001, for the purpose of receiving comments on the 
proposed rule to amend the regulations protecting sea turtles to 
enhance their effectiveness

[[Page 57931]]

in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from shrimp trawling in the 
Atlantic and Gulf Areas of the southeastern United States, published in 
the Federal Register on October 2, 2001.

DATES: Written comments should be received by December 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Chief, 
Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments may also be sent 
via fax to 301-713-0376. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via 
e-mail or the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Hoffman (ph. 727-570-5312, fax 
727-570-5517, e-mail [email protected]), or Therese A. Conant 
(ph. 301-713-1401, fax 301-713-0376, e-mail [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) have proven 
to be effective at excluding sea turtles from shrimp trawls; however, 
NMFS has determined that modifications to the design of TEDs need to be 
made to exclude leatherbacks and large, sexually mature loggerhead and 
green turtles; several approved TED designs are structurally weak and 
do not function properly under normal fishing conditions; and 
modifications to the trynet and bait shrimp exemptions to the TED 
requirements are necessary to decrease lethal take of sea turtles. 
These proposed amendments are necessary to protect endangered and 
threatened sea turtles in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas.

    Dated: November 13, 2001.
David Cottingham
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28877 Filed 11-14-01; 2:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S