Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Analysis Assessing Potential Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan To Reduce Mortality and Serious Injury of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot and Gillnet Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast

10 organizations filed 11 public comments on Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Analysis Assessing Potential Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan To Reduce Mortality and Serious Injury of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot and Gillnet Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The comment window closed 20d ago.

Abstract

NMFS intends to prepare an environmental analysis in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the impacts of alternatives to amend the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) if determined to be necessary to reduce mortalities and serious injuries of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and other large whales caused by entanglement in commercial trap/pot and gillnet fisheries along the U.S. East Coast. This notice of intent informs the public of an upcoming scoping period to solicit input on potential efforts to reduce the risk of entanglement to right, humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in U.S. East Coast commercial trap/pot and gillnet fishing gear while stabilizing the economic viability of the U.S. commercial fishing industry, protecting coastal community heritage, and minimizing regulatory burdens to meet statutory requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and other laws as well as administration priorities. A complete list of fisheries regulated by the Plan is included below. This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the scoping process, an early and open step designed to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in depth within the environmental analysis. This document is not a notice of proposed rulemaking.

Commenters (10)

• Maine Lobstermen's Associationtrade assoc.

  2 filings · confidence 85%
• Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Center for Biological Diversity

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• Conservation Law Foundationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• IAM Union- Maine Lobstering Union Local 207unverified attribution

  1 filing · confidence 70%
• Massachusetts Lobstermen's Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• New England Fishemen's Stewardship Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen's Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• South Atlantic Fishery Management Counciltrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Sunrise County Economic Counciltrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%