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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-28-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0648-AX20</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200904</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0648</CODE>
            <NAME>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>NOAA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>0600</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Commerce</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>DOC</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Modification to the Requirements for Chain-Mat Modified Dredges in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS) is currently developing a proposed rule that would modify the existing requirements related to the use of chain mats in the Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery.  Under the current regulations, sea scallop dredge vessels that enter waters south of 41° 9 N latitude, from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone, are required to have each dredge configured with a chain mat from May 1 through November 30 each year.  Vessels that enter these waters are required to have the chain-mat configuration on all dredges for the duration of the trip.  The chain-mat modified dredge is necessary to help reduce mortality and injury to endangered and threatened sea turtles in scallop dredge gear and to conserve sea turtles listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  This rule proposes to make minor modifications to the existing requirements by: (1) further defining where on the dredge the horizontal and vertical chains comprising the chain mat should be hung; (2) excluding the sweep from the requirement that openings in the chain mat be 14 inches (35.5 cm) or less per side; and (3) adding a definition of the sweep.  This action would be implemented under the ESA.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Substantive, Nonsignificant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>50 CFR 222</CFR>
            <CFR>50 CFR 223</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>16 USC 1531 et seq.</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>11/00/2009</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Kristy</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Long</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE> Fisheries Biologist</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0648</CODE>
                    <NAME>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>NOAA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>301 713-2322</PHONE>
                <FAX>301 427-2522</FAX>
                <EMAIL>kristy.long@noaa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Room 13738, 1315 East-West Highway,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Silver Spring</CITY>
                    <STATE>MD</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20910</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
