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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AV44 Publication ID: Spring 2007 
Title: ●Amendment 4 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (ISFMP) for Weakfish  
Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) amends it regulations to modify management restrictions in the Federal weakfish fishery in a manner consistent with the Commission’s Weakfish Management Board’s (Board) approved Addendum II to Amendment 4 to the ISFMP for Weakfish. In short, the Federal regulatory change would decrease the incidental catch allowance for weakfish in the EEZ in non-directed fisheries using smaller mesh sizes, from 300 pounds to no more than 150 pounds per day or trip, whichever is longer in duration. The Board’s action was taken in response to a significant decline in stock abundance and increasing total mortality since 1999. As a result of the stock’s overfished status, the Board was required under Amendment 4 to the ISFMP for Weakfish to adjust the management program to help rebuild spawning stock biomass. This issue is compounded by the fact that natural mortality, rather than fishing mortality, has been indicated as the lead cause for stock decline. This regulatory change would not increase or decrease the number of weakfish actually caught, but could reduce by up to 150 pounds the amount of bycatch that could be landed. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 697   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 5101 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2007    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, State 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Thomas Meyer
Fisheries Biologist, Office of Intergovernmental/Recreational Fisheries
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Suite 425, 8484 Georgia Avenue,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 427-2014