[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19902-19903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10993]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 673

[I.D. 042496B]
RIN 0648-AF81


Scallop Fishery off Alaska; Implementation of Federal Management 
Measures

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce

ACTION: Notice of availability of an amendment to a fishery management 
plan; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has 
submitted Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop 
Fishery off Alaska for Secretarial review. Amendment 1 would establish 
a Federal management regime for the scallop fishery in Federal waters 
off Alaska. Comments from the public are requested.

DATES: Comments on Amendment 1 must be submitted on or before June 28, 
1996.


[[Page 19903]]


ADDRESSES: Comments on Amendment 1 should be submitted to Ronald J. 
Berg, Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. 
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to 
the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK. Copies of 
Amendment 1 and the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis prepared for the amendment are 
available from the Council, 605 West Fourth Avenue, Anchorage, AK 
99501-2252; telephone 907-271-2809.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Lind, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson Act) requires that each Regional Fishery 
Management Council submit any fishery management plan (FMP) or plan 
amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or 
partial disapproval. The Magnuson Act also requires that NMFS, upon 
receiving an FMP or amendment, immediately publish a document that the 
FMP or amendment is available for public review and comment. NMFS will 
consider the public comments received during the comment period in 
determining whether to approve the FMP or amendment.
    The management measures proposed under Amendment 1 include: (1) 
Gear and efficiency restrictions, (2) scallop registration areas and 
districts, (3) procedures for specifying total allowable catch and crab 
bycatch limits, (4) time and area closures, (5) inseason management 
authority, (6) fishing seasons, and (7) observer coverage requirements.
    NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment 
period in determining whether to approve the proposed amendments. A 
proposed rule to implement Amendment 1 has been submitted for 
Secretarial review and approval. The proposed rule to implement this 
amendment is scheduled to be published within 15 days of this document.

    Dated: April 29, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10993 Filed 4-29-96; 4:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F