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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AY71 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: ●To Open a Portion of the Georges Bank Closed Area to the Harvest of Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs 
Abstract: NMFS proposes to open a portion of the Georges Bank (GB) Closure Area as specified at 50 CFR 648.73(a)(4), to the harvest of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has indicated that recent testing of clams from the GB Closed Area known as Cultivator Shoal has demonstrated that PSP toxin levels are well below the regulatory limit established for public health safety. As a result, the FDA has determined that harvesting of surfclams and ocean quahogs for human consumption from the area described below is once again safe. The FDA requests that NMFS open the Federal waters south of 41° 40' N. latitude, west of 67° 55' W. longitude, north of 41° 25' N. latitude, and east of 68° 25' W. longitude. The remaining portion of the GB Closure Area would remain closed. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/30/2010  75 FR 37745   
NPRM Comment Period End  07/30/2010    
Final Action  12/00/2010    
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:
Patricia A. Kurkul
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
55 Great Republic Way,
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone:978 281-9200
Fax:978 281-9117
Email: pat.kurkul@noaa.gov