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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AV65 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan 
Abstract: With this action, the National Marine Fisheries Service implements the 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 five years of its implementation. The proposed plan is based on consensus recommendations draft plan was 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; and (3) requiring all pelagic longline vessels 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: Final 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
NPRM  Statutory  NPR must be published no later than 60 days after draft plan submission.  08/07/2006 
Final  Statutory  Final must be issued no later than 60 days after close of comment period.  12/07/2006 
Other  Statutory  Comment period must not exceed 90 days from proposed rule publication.  10/07/2006 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/24/2008  73 FR 35623   
NPRM Comment Period End  09/22/2008    
Final Action  02/00/2009    
Final Rule Effective  03/00/2009    
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: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Kristy Long
Fisheries Biologist
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Room 13738, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 713-2322
Fax:301 427-2522
Email: kristy.long@noaa.gov