The Federal Register

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Commercial Shark Management Measures

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

This combined final and temporary rule for emergency action establishes the 2007 first trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks (LCS), small coastal sharks (SCS), and pelagic sharks and publishes the opening and closing dates for the LCS fishery based on adjustments to the trimester quotas. The final rule also opens the existing midAtlantic shark closed area in July 2007, pending available quota. This combined rule is needed to address over and underharvests that occurred in the Atlantic shark fishery in the first trimester of 2006.

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2007 Summer

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

NMFS issues final specifications for the 2007 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. This final rule specifies allowed harvest limits for both commercial and recreational fisheries, including commercial scup possession limits. This action prohibits federally permitted commercial vessels from
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landing summer flounder in Delaware in 2007 due to continued quota repayment from previous year's overages.

The actions of this final rule are necessary to comply with regulations of implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as well as to ensure compliance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act).

The intent of this action is to establish harvest levels and other management measures to ensure that target fishing mortality rates (F) or exploitation rates, as specified for these species in the FMP, are not exceeded. In addition, this action implements measures that ensure continued

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf Red

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

This proposed rule would implement interim measures to reduce overfishing of Gulf red snapper. This proposed rule would reduce the commercial and recreational quotas for red snapper, reduce the commercial minimum size limit for red snapper, reduce the recreational bag limit for Gulf red snapper, prohibit the retention of red snapper under the bag limit for captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat, and establish a target level of reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality of red
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snapper. The public comment period on the proposed rule will end on January 26, 2007, to provide the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the public the opportunity to discuss and comment on the rule at the January Council meeting. The intended effect is to reduce overfishing of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is developing Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP to implement a rebuilding plan to rebuild the scup stock to the stock level associated with maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) and make the scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) currently addressed and modified through the annual specification setting process modifiable though frameworks to the FMP.

Availability of Seats for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)) is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council): Boating, CitizenatLarge (upper Keys), Diving (alternate), CitizenatLarge (middle Keys, alternate), Conservaiton & Environment (alternate), Recreational Fishing, Recreational Fishing (alternate), Research & Monitoring (alternate), Elected Official (alternate), Charter Fishing (sports). Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve threeyear terms, pursuant to the Council's charter.

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

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE)
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Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow three commercial fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP, which would enable researchers to invest

Marine Mammals

Thu, Dec 14 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces new criteria developed by the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events (Working Group) to help determine when a marine mammal Unusual Mortality Event (UME) is occurring.