[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 19, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 19572] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-9635] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 950410097-5097-01; I.D. 112294C] Atlantic Sturgeon, Bluefish, and Weakfish; Interstate Fishery Management Plans AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of determination of compliance; cancellation of moratoria. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act of 1993 (Act), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) announces the cancellation of the planned Federal moratoria on Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish in the coastal waters of New Jersey that would have become effective on April 15, 1995. The intent to impose the moratoria was cancelled upon a notification to the Secretary from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) that New Jersey was in compliance with the provisions of the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish, and after the Secretary determined that the State of New Jersey is now in compliance. EFFECTIVE DATE: The determination to impose the moratoria is cancelled on April 14, 1995. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, NMFS, 301-713-2334. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 8, 1994, the Secretary published a notice document in the Federal Register (59 FR 63326) that the State of New Jersey was not in compliance with the Commission's FMPs for Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish. The notice document declared moratoria on fishing for these three species in the State waters of New Jersey, effective April 15, 1995, if the State of New Jersey was not in compliance by April 1, 1995. Details were provided in the December 8, 1994, notice, and are not repeated here. The Act specifies that, if, after a moratorium is declared, the Secretary is notified by the Commission that it is withdrawing the determination of noncompliance, the Secretary shall immediately determine whether the State is in compliance with the applicable plan(s). If the State is in compliance, the moratorium shall be cancelled. Activities Pursuant to the Act On March 21, 1995, the Secretary received a letter (dated March 15, 1995) from the Commission prepared pursuant to the Act. The Commission's letter stated that the State of New Jersey had now implemented regulations on Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish to meet the provisions of the Commission's FMPs, and, therefore, the Commission was withdrawing its determination of noncompliance. Cancellation of Moratoria Based on the Commission's March 15, 1995, letter, and information received from the State of New Jersey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, the Secretary has determined that New Jersey is now in compliance with the Commission's FMPs for Atlantic sturgeon, bluefish, and weakfish. Consequently, the Secretary no longer intends to impose the moratoria on fishing for these species in the State waters of New Jersey, and, therefore, the determination to impose the moratoria on New Jersey is cancelled. Dated: April 14, 1995. Gary Matlock, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-9635 Filed 4-14-95; 11:04 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F