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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AW84 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: ●Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations: Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations 
Abstract: The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) was implemented in 1997, and has been modified on several occasions since in order to address the continued serious injury and mortality of large whales (North Atlantic right, humpback and fin whales) due to entanglement in commercial fishing gear (gillnet and trap/pot), as required by the 1994 Amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In general, the ALWTRP regulatory program includes broad-based gear modifications and time-area closures. This action is related to RIN 0648-AS01, a final rule which amended the regulations that implement the ALWTRP. The National Marine Fisheries Service is preparing a proposed rule to delay the October 5, 2008, broad-based requirement for sinking groundline requirement for trap/pot fishermen in the Atlantic for an additional six months. Additionally, the proposed rule would delete the "neutrally buoyant line" term from the regulations (whereby only the "sinking line" term would remain) to amongst other reasons, assist enforcement efforts. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/06/2008  73 FR 32278   
NPRM Comment Period End  07/07/2008    
Final Action  09/02/2008  73 FR 51228   
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Kristy Long
Fisheries Biologist
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Room 13738, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 713-2322
Fax:301 427-2522
Email: kristy.long@noaa.gov