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DOC/NOAA

RIN: 0648-BF15

Publication ID: Fall 2016

Title: Prohibition on Fishing for Unfished Forage Fish Species in the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone
Abstract: This action amended federal regulations to prohibit directed commercial fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the U.S. West Coast for several currently unfished forage fish species. Fishing for these species was previously unmanaged and there was no known targeting of any of these species in the Exclusive Economic Zone. This action was intended to protect and preserve the forage base in the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone from unrestricted fisheries' access to benefit the larger marine ecosystem, as well as valuable target fisheries that depend on these forage fish species. Directed fishing for these species could be allowed in the future if the Pacific Fishery Management Council recommends a fishery be allowed. The rule allowed continued retention of these forage species, taken incidentally in fisheries targeting other species.
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)	Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	02/05/2016	81 FR 215
NPRM Comment Period End	02/09/2016
Final Action	04/04/2016	81 FR 19054
Final Action Effective	05/04/2016

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: William Stelle Jr. Regional Administrator, West Coast Region Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115 Phone:206 526-6150 Email: will.stelle@noaa.gov