View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML
DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AV65 Publication ID: Spring 2008 
Title: Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan 
Abstract: With this action, the National Marine Fisheries Service would implement the Draft Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan in order to reduce serious injuries and mortalities of long-finned pilot whales, short-finned pilot whales, and Risso's dolphins in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery to insignificant levels approaching a zero mortality and serious injury rate, within 5 years of its implementation. The draft plan was prepared by the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (Team) and includes including both regulatory and non-regulatory measures. Regulatory measures include: (1) Limiting the mainline length to 20 nautical miles or less within the Mid-Atlantic Bight; (2) designating a special research area offshore of Cape Hatteras, NC; (3) requiring all longline fishery owners and operators to complete a mandatory certification program on marine mammal bycatch; and (4) requiring all pelagic longline vessels to post an informational placards on careful handling and release of marine mammals in the wheelhouse and working decks of the vessel. Non-regulatory measures of the plan include: (1) Providing for 12 to 15 percent observer coverage throughout all Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries that interact with pilot whales or Risso's dolphins; (2) encouraging vessel operators throughout the fishery to maintain daily communications with other local vessel captains; (3) updating guidelines for careful handling and release of entangled or hooked marine mammals; and (4) distributing quarterly reports of bycatch of marine mammals in the pelagic longline fishery to the Team. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Statutory  Final must be issued no later than 60 days after close of comment period.  12/07/2006 
NPRM  Statutory  NPR must be published no later than 60 days after draft plan submission.  08/07/2006 
Other  Statutory  Comment period must not exceed 90 days from proposed rule publication.  10/07/2006 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  11/00/2008    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
James H. Lecky
Director, Office of Protected Resources
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 713-2332
Fax:301 427-2520
Email: jim.lecky@noaa.gov