# Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Gulf of Maine Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan Regulations

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-32474

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Proposed Rule
- **Published:** December 12, 1997
- **Citation:** 62 FR 65402

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[I.D. 042597B]

Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing
Operations; Gulf of Maine Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan
Regulations

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

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On August 13, 1997, NMFS published proposed regulations to
implement a plan to reduce the bycatch and mortality of harbor
porpoises that occur incidental to sink gillnet fishing in the Gulf of
Maine. The public comment period for the proposed regulations ended on
October 14, 1997. NMFS is hereby reopening the public comment period
for an additional 30 days. The comment period will reopen on December
16, 1997, and extend until January 14, 1998.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposed regulations to Chief, Marine
Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or
by calling (301) 713-2322. Copies of the draft Harbor Porpoise Take
Reduction Plan (HPTRP) and Environmental Assessment are available upon
request from Douglas Beach, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, or from Donna Wieting, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Chu, NMFS, 508-495-2291 or Donna
Wieting, NMFS, 301-713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 13, 1997 (62 FR 43302), NMFS
published a proposed regulation to implement a plan to reduce the
bycatch and mortality of harbor porpoises that occur incidental to sink
gillnet fishing in the Gulf of Maine. These regulations were based on a
draft HPTRP submitted by the Gulf of Maine Harbor Porpoise Take
Reduction Team (HPTRT) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The notice indicated that comments must be received by October 14,
1997.
NMFS has decided to reconvene the HPTRT on December 16 and 17,
1997. NMFS has, therefore, decided to reopen the public comment period
on the proposed regulations for an additional 30 days from the first
date of the HPTRT meeting.

Dated: December 8, 1997.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32474 Filed 12-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-32474. Public record. Not legal advice.