[Federal Register: December 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 246)] [Notices] [Page 74217] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23de03-42] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 121203C] Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); Certification of New VMS Unit for Use in Northeast Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of VMS unit certification. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the approval and certification of the Boatracs FMCT/G (Fisheries Mobile Communications Transceiver/Global Positioning System (GPS) based) VMS unit for use in all fisheries in the northeastern United States in which VMS units are required. DATES: This new FMCT/G VMS unit can be used effective December 23, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Northeast Office for Law Enforcement, VMS Program, telephone 978-281-9213. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations at 50 CFR 648.9 set forth VMS requirements for fisheries in the northeastern United States that require the use of VMS for fishery monitoring and/or reporting. Specifically, Sec. 648.9(b) lists minimum VMS performance criteria that a VMS unit must meet in order to be certified for use. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, has reviewed all components of the FMCT/G and other information provided by the vendor and has certified the following unit for use in all Northeast fisheries in which VMS units are required: Boatracs FMCT/G, available from Boatracs, 1935 Cordell Court, El Cajon, CA 92020-0911, Telephone: (619) 438-6000,1-800-336-8722. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 16, 2003. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 03-31613 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S