[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27450]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 697

[Docket No. 000824246-0288-02; I.D. 062700F]
RIN 0648-AO33


Horseshoe Crab; Interstate Fishery Management Plans

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

ACTION: Stay of declaration of moratorium and interim final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS stays a moratorium and an interim final rule from October 
23, 2000, through October 27, 2000. This action is being taken to allow 
time for Virginia to issue regulations to comply with Addendum 1 to the 
Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crabs (Horseshoe Crab 
Plan), for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to determine 
whether Virginia is in compliance, and for the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) to remove the moratorium and associated regulations if he 
concurs with the Commission's determination.

DATES: Effective October 23, 2000, the moratorium and the amendments to 
50 CFR 697.2 and 697.7 published on October 16, 2000 at 65 FR 61116 are 
stayed through October 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Peria, 301-427-2014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 16, 2000 (65 FR 61116), NMFS 
declared a Federal moratorium on fishing for horseshoes crabs in 
Virginia waters and issued regulations prohibiting the possession of 
horseshoe crabs in Virginia waters and the landing of horseshoes crabs 
in Virginia, regardless of where they were caught, effective October 
23, 2000. the moratorium and regulations would remain in effect until 
the Secretary finds Virginia in compliance with Addendum 1.
    On Tuesday, October 17, 2000, the Virginia Marine Resources 
Commission announced its intention to bring Virginia into compliance 
with the Horseshoe Crab Plan by implementing regulations by October 24, 
2000, that would reduce Virginia's horseshoe crab landing limit to 
152,495 horseshoe crabs, the amount allocated to it under Addendum 1. 
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has stated that it will 
review Virginia's new regulation immediately and will withdraw its 
determination of non-compliance if it finds Virginia has taken the 
necessary steps to comply with Addendum 1. If the Secretary determines 
that Virginia is in compliance with Addendum 1, then he would remove 
the moratorium and associated regulations.
    Because Virgnina hsa agreed to comply with Addendum 1 by issuing 
the necessary regulations by October 24, 2000, the Secretary is staying 
the moratorium and interim final rule through October 27, 2000, to 
allow time for Virginia to take such action, for the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission and Secretary to review it, and for the 
Secretary to remove the moratorium and interim final rule, if 
appropriate.

    Dated: October 20, 2000.
Craig O'Connor,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 00-27450 Filed 10-20-00; 3:58 pm]
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