The Federal Register

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Bluefin Tuna Season and Size Limit Adjustments

Wed, Dec 24 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Under the framework provisions of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (HMS FMP) governing the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery, NMFS amends the regulations regarding the opening date of the Purse seine category, closure dates of the Harpoon and General categories, and size tolerances of large medium BFT for the Purse seine and Harpoon categories. The intent of this final rule is to further achieve domestic management objectives under the HMS FMP and MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MagnusonStevens Act) and to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) pursuant to the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA).

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Transfer

Wed, Dec 24 2003 11:00:00 GMT

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring 357,867 lb (162,326 kg) of commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia from its 2003 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

Wed, Dec 24 2003 11:00:00 GMT

NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NOAA Fisheries (Assistant Regional Administrator), has determined that an application for EFPs contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant
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Regional Administrator is considering the impacts of the activities to be authorized under the EFPs with respect to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue EFPs. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs in response to an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), and Research, Environmental and Management Support (REMSA). These EFPs would allow up to 17 vessels to fish for haddock using longline gear or jig g

Evaluation of Coastal Zone Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves

Wed, Dec 24 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Texas Coastal Management Program; the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve; the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi; and the Guana/Tolomato/Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida.

The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended, and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L. The National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluations will be conducted pursuant to sections 312 and 315 of the CZMA and regulations at 15 CFR part 921, subpart E and part 923, subpart L.

The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of Coastal Zone Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met

Marine Mammals; Permits No. 774-1437, 914-1470, 782-1438 and 782- 1446

Wed, Dec 24 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given that the following Permits have been amended to extend the expiration dates:

774143706 The National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, CA 92038, (Dr. Robert L. Brownell, Jr., Principal Investigator);

914147002 University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Biological Sciences, USM Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 [Principal Investigator: Dr. Bobby L. Middlebrooks];

782143807 and 782144607 National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 981150070, [Dr. Sue Moore, Principal Investigator (PI)]