[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 5792-5793] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-3125] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [I.D. 020397B] RIN 0648-AJ23 Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Amendment 9 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: NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 9 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan for Secretarial review. Amendment 9 would require a sablefish endorsement on limited entry permits for permit holders to participate in the regular limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery, north of 36 deg.N. latitude (the U.S.-Vancouver, Columbia, Eureka, and Monterey management areas). [[Page 5793]] DATES: Comments on Amendment 9 must be received on or before April 8, 1997. ADDRESSES: Comments on Amendment 9 or supporting documents should be sent to Mr. William Stelle, Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or to Ms. Hilda Diaz-Soltero, Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Copies of Amendment 9, the Environmental Assessment, the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR)/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), and Fishing Impact Statement are available from Larry Six, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 2130 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 224, Portland, OR 97201. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson at 206-526-6140, Rodney McInnis at 310-980-4040, or the Pacific Fishery Management Council at 503-326-6352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens 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 approval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or amendment, immediately publish a notice 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. Amendment 9 would require a sablefish endorsement on limited entry permits for permit holders to participate in the regular, limited entry, nontrawl sablefish fishery north of 36 deg.N. latitude. The Council recommended that the qualifying criteria for a sablefish endorsement be at least 16,000 lb (7,257.5 kg) of sablefish catch in any one calendar year from 1984 through 1994 based on the catch history of the limited entry permit. Limited entry, fixed gear permit holders without sablefish endorsements will still be able to participate in the small, daily trip limit fishery. NMFS invites comments on proposed Amendment 9 through the end of the comment period. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period in determining whether to approve the proposed amendment. A proposed rule to implement Amendment 9 has been submitted for Secretarial review and approval. NMFS expects to publish the proposed rule and request public comment on the proposed regulations to implement Amendment 9 in the near future. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by April 8, 1997 to be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendment 9. All comments received by April 8, 1997 whether specifically directed to Amendment 9 or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/ disapproval decision on Amendment 9. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 4, 1997. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-3125 Filed 2-6-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F