[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 241 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30929]


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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 
February 15, 2002, for the purpose of receiving comments on the 
proposed rule to amend the regulations protecting sea turtles to 
enhance their effectiveness 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 February 15, 2002.

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 also structurally weak 
and do not function properly under normal fishing conditions. 
Additionally, 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: December 7, 2001.
Donald R. Knowles,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30929 Filed 12-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S