66 FR 223 pgs. 57930-57931 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation Requirements
Type: PRORULEVolume: 66Number: 223Pages: 57930 - 57931
Docket number: [I.D. 062501B]
FR document: [FR Doc. 01-28877 Filed 11-14-01; 2:50 pm]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Parts 222 and 223
[I.D. 062501B]
RIN 0648-AN62
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation Requirements
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Public hearing notice; extension of public comment period.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, will extend the public comment period, through December 31, 2001, for the purpose of receiving comments on the proposed rule to amend the regulations protecting sea turtles to enhance their effectiveness in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from shrimp trawling in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas of the southeastern United States, published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2001.
DATES:
Written comments should be received by December 31, 2001.
ADDRESSES:
Written comments should be addressed to the Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments may also be sent via fax to 301-713-0376. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Hoffman (ph. 727-570-5312, fax 727-570-5517, e-mail Robert.Hoffman@noaa.gov ), or Therese A. Conant (ph. 301-713-1401, fax 301-713-0376, e-mail Therese.Conant@noaa.gov ).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) have proven to be effective at excluding sea turtles from shrimp trawls; however, NMFS has determined that modifications to the design of TEDs need to be made to exclude leatherbacks and large, sexually mature loggerhead and green turtles; several approved TED designs are structurally weak and do not function properly under normal fishing conditions; and modifications to the trynet and bait shrimp exemptions to the TED requirements are necessary to decrease lethal take of sea turtles. These proposed amendments are necessary to protect endangered and threatened sea turtles in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas.
Dated: November 13, 2001.
David Cottingham
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28877 Filed 11-14-01; 2:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S