[Federal Register: October 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 198)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 55633]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14oc99-8]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. I.D. 071698B]
RIN 0648-AJ67

 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries; Vessel 
Monitoring Systems

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Delay of effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: NMFS further delays the effective date of a final rule which 
required vessel owner/operators to install a NMFS-approved vessel 
monitoring system (VMS) by January 1, 2000. This document delays the 
effective date until June 1, 2000.

DATES: On May 28, 1999, NMFS published a final rule amending Sec.  
635.69, which established an effective date of September 1, 1999. On 
August 9, 1999, NMFS delayed the effective date of this final rule 
until January 1, 2000 (64 FR 43101). This document further delays the 
effective date until June 1, 2000. The effectiveness of an amendment to 
Sec. 635.69 published July 13, 1999 (64 FR 37705) is also delayed until 
June 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan (HMS FMP), the final rule and supporting documents can be obtained 
from Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Division, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, NMFS, (301) 713-2347, 
or Buck Sutter (727) 570-5447.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final regulations to implement the HMS 
FMP, and Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Plan 
included a provision requiring an owner or operator of a commercial 
vessel permitted to fish for Atlantic HMS under Sec. 635.4 and that 
fishes with a pelagic longline to install a NMFS-approved VMS unit on 
board the vessel and operate the VMS unit whenever the vessel leaves 
port with pelagic longline gear on board. The VMS requirement of the 
final rule was to be effective September 1, 1999.
    At the time of publication of the final rule (May 28, 1999), NMFS 
indicated that a Federal Register announcement would be forthcoming 
listing the hardware specifications for approved VMS units. Due to 
unforseen circumstances, NMFS experienced a delay in type-approving 
suitable units and service providers. Once the type approval process 
was completed, NMFS published a Federal Register document (September 9, 
1999, 64 FR 48988) listing NMFS-approved VMS units and communication 
service providers. In order to allow affected Atlantic HMS pelagic 
longline fishermen an opportunity to receive adequate notification of 
approved VMS units, as well as time to purchase and properly install a 
VMS unit for operation consistent with provisions provided under 
Sec. 635.69, NMFS delayed until January 1, 2000, the effective date of 
the final rule (August 9, 1999, 64 FR 43101).
    Since that time, NMFS has been developing additional time/area 
closures to reduce the incidental catch of fish, marine mammals, and 
other species in the pelagic longline fishery. It is unlikely that such 
new time/area closures will be implemented prior to June 2000. 
Therefore, NMFS delays the effective date of the VMS requirements until 
June 1, 2000, consistent with the current time/area closure in the Mid-
Atlantic Bight and any new time/area closures.

    Dated: October 7, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26810 Filed 10-8-99; 4:56 pm]
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