[Federal Register: December 14, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 241)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64793]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de01-22]
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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.
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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
February 15, 2002, 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 February 15, 2002.
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 also structurally weak
and do not function properly under normal fishing conditions.
Additionally, 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: December 7, 2001.
Donald R. Knowles,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30929 Filed 12-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S