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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 622

RIN ID: RIN 0648-AN09

DOCUMENT ID: [I.D. 041906B]

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Availability of Amendment 18A to the reef fish resources of the Gulf of Mexico; request for comments.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 18A

DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on June 26, 2006.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 18A) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendment 18A would resolve several issues related to monitoring and enforcement of existing regulations, update the framework procedure for setting total allowable catch (TAC), and reduce bycatch mortality of incidentally caught endangered sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. The intended effect of Amendment 18A is to support the Council's efforts to achieve optimum yield in the fishery, and provide social and economic benefits associated with maintaining stability in the fishery.
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SUMMARY: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic fisheries—; Amendment 18A; reef fish resources of the Gulf of Mexico,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Amendment 18A, if implemented, would: (1) Prohibit vessels from retaining reef fish caught under the recreational size and bag/possession limits when commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish are onboard; (2) adjust the number of persons allowed onboard when a vessel with both commercial and charter vessel/headboat permits is fishing commercially; (3) prohibit use of Gulf reef fish, except sand perch or dwarf sand perch, as bait in any commercial or recreational fishery in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico, with a limited exception for crustacean trap fisheries; (4) require a NMFS approved vessel monitoring system on board vessels with Federal commercial permits for Gulf reef fish, including charter vessels/ headboats with such commercial permits; (5) require owners and operators of vessels with Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf reef fish to comply with sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release protocols, possess on board specific gear to ensure proper release of such species, and comply with guidelines for proper care and release of incidentally caught sawfish and sea turtles; and (6) revise the TAC framework procedure to reflect current practices and terminology.

A proposed rule that would implement the measure outlined in Amendment 18A has been received from the Council. In accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act), NMFS is evaluating the proposed rule to determine whether it is consistent with the FMP, the MagnusonStevens Act, and other applicable law. If that determination is affirmative, NMFS will publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register for public review and comment.

Comments received by June 26, 2006, whether specifically directed to the FMP or the proposed rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the amendment. Comments received after that date will not be considered by NMFS in this decision. All comments received by NMFS on the amendment or the proposed rule during theirrespective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule.

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

Dated: April 21, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E66272 Filed 42506; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Peter Hood, 727-824-5305; fax 727-824- 5308; email: peter.hood@noaa.gov.