KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which if implemented, would modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels during cold weather closures. Comments are due by September 8, 2020.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
- Modify provisions for shrimp trawl vessels transiting through cold weather closed areas with brown, pink, or white shrimp on board in federal waters of the South Atlantic.
- Allow trawl doors in the rack (cradle), nets in the rigging and tied down, and try net on the deck during transit.
- Amendment 11 would update the regulations to more closely align with current fishing practices, reduce the socio-economic impacts for fishermen who transit these closed areas, and improve safety at sea while maintaining protection for overwintering white shrimp.
HOW TO COMMENT ON NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND PROPOSED RULE:
The comment period for the notice of availability is open now through September 8, 2020. The comment period on the proposed rule is expected to fall within this same time frame, and comments on both the amendment and proposed rule will be considered in the final rule. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments received after the end of the comment period may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.
FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 41513, published July 10, 2020
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0066.
2. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Where can I find more information on Amendment 11?
- Amendment 11 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-11-shrimp-trawl-transit-provisions.
- By Mail: Frank Helies
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
By FAX: (727) 824-5308
By Phone: (727) 824-5305
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