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DOC/NOAA | RIN: 0648-AV44 | Publication ID: Fall 2007 |
Title: Amendment 4 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commissions (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 Commissions Weakfish Management Boards (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 exclusive economic zone 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 Boards action was taken in response to a significant decline in stock abundance and increasing total mortality since 1999. As a result of the stocks 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: Substantive, Nonsignificant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage |
Major: No | Unfunded Mandates: No |
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 697 | |
Legal Authority: 16 USC 5101 et seq |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Timetable:
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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: 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 |