0648-BL64 202310 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Modification to the General Requirements for Vessels Fishing in the Northwest Atlantic Fishery Organization's Regulatory Area

At its June 2022 meeting the New England Fishery Management Council requested NMFS propose a rulemaking that was initially in response to an industry request to make modifications to the general requirements for vessels fishing in the Northwest Atlantic Fishery Organization’s Regulatory Area for the 2022 fishing year.  NMFS further analyzed the request and concluded that allowing additional flexibility will provide an overall benefit to current and future vessels that participate in this fishery. Pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NMFS is drafting a proposed rule to modify the gear stowage requirement and considering allowing a vessel to conduct gear maintenance while steaming through the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone which is currently prohibited.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 50 CFR 648 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 11/00/2023 No Businesses None No No No Michael Pentony Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 978 281-9283 michael.pentony@noaa.gov 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester MA 01930