[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11778]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 042798D]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Essential Fish Habitat

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

ACTION: Proposed recommendations for essential fish habitat; notice of 
public hearings and request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS requests public comments on proposed recommendations for 
essential fish habitat (EFH) to the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) for its fishery management plans (FMP) for 
bottomfish, crustaceans, pelagics and precious corals. NMFS also 
announces a public hearing on the proposed recommendations.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 22, 1998. The public hearing 
will be held at 7:00pm, May 20, 1998, in Honolulu, HI.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Tokai University, Pacific 
Center, 2241 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI. Send comments or requests 
for a copy of the proposed EFH recommendations for any or all of the 
FMPs to: NMFS, Southwest Region, 2570 Dole Street, Room 106, Honolulu, 
HI 96822-2396.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Naughton, NMFS, Southwest Region, 
Pacific Islands Area Office, (808) 973-2940.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 
amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) to establish new requirements for EFH 
descriptions in FMPs and require consultation between NMFS and Federal 
agencies on activities that may adversely impact EFH for species 
managed under FMPs. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires all Councils to 
amend their FMPs by October 1998 to describe and identify EFH for each 
managed fishery. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS 
published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 
1997 (62 FR 66531), providing guidelines to assist the Councils in 
description and identification of EFH in FMPs (including adverse 
impacts on EFH) and consideration of actions to ensure conservation and 
enhancement of EFH. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires NMFS to 
provide each Council with recommendations and information regarding EFH 
for each fishery under that Council's authority.
    NMFS has developed proposed EFH recommendations for the 
identification of EFH for each of the Western Pacific Council's FMPs 
through a process that has involved input from the Council, its 
advisory bodies, and the fishing industry at the Council's public 
meetings in November 1997, and April 1998. .
    The proposed EFH recommendations for each FMP include a description 
of EFH for the managed species; a description of adverse effects to 
EFH, including fishing and non-fishing threats; and a description of 
measures to ensure the conservation and enhancement of EFH. Copies of 
the proposed EFH recommendations are available (see ADDRESSES). Public 
comments are requested by June 22, 1998.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting will be physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to John Naughton (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 5 working days prior to the hearing date.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 28, 1998.
James P. Burgess,
Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-11778 Filed 5-1-98; 8:45 am]
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