Pelagic Longline Bluefin Tuna Area-Based and Weak Hook Management

2 organizations filed 2 public comments on Pelagic Longline Bluefin Tuna Area-Based and Weak Hook Management, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The comment window closed 1839d ago.

Abstract

NMFS announces its intent to prepare a draft EIS to assess the potential effects of alternative measures under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) for management of the pelagic longline fishery. This notice announces a public process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues relating to the management of Atlantic HMS, with a focus on area-based management measures and weak hook management measures that were implemented to reduce dead discards of bluefin tuna in the pelagic longline fishery. NMFS would use the scoping process and the draft EIS to develop a regulatory amendment applicable to the pelagic longline fishery. The scoping process and draft EIS are intended to determine if the suite of existing measures are the best means of achieving the current management objectives and providing flexibility to adapt to fishing variability in the future, consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and other relevant Federal laws. NMFS is also announcing the availability of a scoping document describing potential measures for inclusion in a future regulatory amendment. NMFS will hold scoping meetings to gather public comment on potential management options for area based and weak hook requirements. The time and location details of the scoping meetings are available in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. NMFS is requesting comments on this NOI and the management of Atlantic bluefin tuna, which includes management options that are described in the scoping document, and relevant options that would meet the purpose and need for this action.

Commenters (2)

• Center for Biological Diversity

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• Triumph Corporationunverified attribution

  1 filing · confidence 70%