Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 3, 1995 / Rules and Regulations 21741

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

No. 83.100, ‘‘Flood Insurance.’’)

Issued: April 25, 1995.

Frank H. Thomas,

Deputy Associate Director, Mitigation

Directorate.

[FR Doc. 95–10859 Filed 5–2–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–12–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Parts 217 and 227

[Docket No. 950427119–5119–01; I.D.

042495C]

RIN 0648–AH98

Sea Turtle Conservation; Restrictions

Applicable to Shrimp Trawling

Activities; Additional Turtle Excluder

Device Requirements Within Certain

Statistical Zones

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary additional

restrictions on fishing by shrimp

trawlers in nearshore waters along two

sections of the Texas and Louisiana

coast to protect sea turtles; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS is temporarily

imposing additional restrictions on

fishing by shrimp trawlers in Gulf of

Mexico offshore waters out to 10

nautical miles (nm)(18.5 km) from the

COLREGS line, along 2 sections of the

Texas and Louisiana coasts, between 27°

N. lat. and 28° N. lat. and between

95°13’ W. long. and 93°20.5’ W. long. for

a 30-day period. This area includes

nearshore waters in shrimp fishery

statistical zones 18 and 20, the western

portion of zone 17 east to Calcasieu

Pass, Louisiana and the extreme

northeastern portion of Zone 19. The

restrictions include prohibition of the

use of soft turtle excluder devices

(TEDs), the use of bottom opening TEDs,

the use of webbing flaps that completely

cover the escape opening of TEDs, and

the use of try nets by shrimp trawlers,

unless the try nets are equipped with

NMFS-approved TEDs other than soft or

bottom-opening TEDs. This action is

necessary to prevent the continuation of

high levels of mortality and strandings

of threatened and endangered sea

turtles.

DATES: This action is effective 12:01

a.m. (local time) on April 30, 1995,

through 11:59 p.m. (local time) on May

29, 1995. Comments on this action must

be submitted by May 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action

and requests for a copy of the

environmental assessment (EA) or

supplemental biological opinion (BO)

prepared for this action should be

addressed to the Chief, Endangered

Species Division, Office of Protected

Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Charles A. Oravetz, 813–570–5312, or

Russell Bellmer, 301–713–1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

All sea turtles that occur in United

States (U.S.) waters are listed as either

endangered or threatened under the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).

The Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys

kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys

coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys

imbricata) are listed as endangered.

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green

(Chelonia mydas) turtles are listed as

threatened, except for breeding

populations of green turtles in Florida

and on the Pacific coast of Mexico,

which are listed as endangered.

The incidental take and mortality of

sea turtles, as a result of shrimp trawling

activities have been documented in the

Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic

Seaboard. Under the ESA and its

implementing regulations, taking sea

turtles is prohibited, with exceptions set

forth at 50 CFR 227.72. The incidental

taking of turtles during shrimp trawling

in the Gulf and Atlantic Areas is

excepted from the taking prohibition, if

the sea turtle conservation measures

specified in the sea turtle conservation

regulations (50 CFR part 227, subpart D)

are employed. The regulations require

most shrimp trawlers operating in the

Gulf of Mexico and Southeast U.S.

Atlantic to have a NMFS-approved TED

installed in each net rigged for fishing,

year round.

The conservation regulations provide

a mechanism to implement further

restrictions of fishing activities, if

necessary to avoid unauthorized takings

of sea turtles that may be likely to

jeopardize the continued existence of

listed species or that would violate the

terms and conditions of an incidental

take statement or biological opinion (50

CFR 227.72(e)(6)). Upon a determination

that incidental takings of sea turtles

during fishing activities are not

authorized, additional restrictions will

be imposed to conserve listed species.

These restrictions are effective for a

period of up to 30 days and may be

renewed for additional periods of up to

30 days each.

November 14, 1994—Biological

Opinion

On November 14, 1994, NMFS issued

a biological opinion (Biological

Opinion), which concluded that the

continued long term operation of the

shrimp fishery in the nearshore waters

of the southeastern U.S. was likely to

jeopardize the continued existence of

the highly endangered Kemp’s ridley

sea turtle. This Biological Opinion

resulted from an ESA section 7

consultation that was reinitiated in

response to the unprecedented number

of dead sea turtles that stranded along

the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, and

Georgia in the spring and summer of

1994, coinciding with heavy nearshore

shrimp trawling activity. Pursuant to

section 7(b)(4) of the ESA, NMFS

provided a reasonable and prudent

alternative to the existing management

measures that would allow the shrimp

fishery to continue without jeopardizing

the continued existence of the Kemp’s

ridley sea turtle. In addition, the

Biological Opinion is accompanied by

an incidental take statement, pursuant

to section 7(b)(4)(i) of the ESA, that

specifies the impact of such incidental

taking on the species. The incidental

take statement provides two levels to

identify the expected incidental take of

sea turtles by shrimp fishing. The

incidental take levels are based upon

either documented takes or indicated

takes measured by stranding data.

Stranding data are considered an

indicator of lethal take in the shrimp

fishery during periods in which

intensive shrimping effort occurs and

there are no significant or intervening

natural or human sources of mortality

other than shrimping conclusively

identified as the cause of strandings.

NMFS has established an indicated

take level (ITL) by identifying the

weekly average number of sea turtle

strandings documented in each NMFS

statistical zone for the last three years

(taking into consideration anomalous

years). In Texas and Georgia, where

strandings were anomalously high in

1994, the years 1991 through 1993 were

used to determine historical levels. The

weekly average was computed as a fiveweek running average (two weeks before

and after the week in question) to reflect

seasonally fluctuating events such as

fishery openings and closures and turtle

migrations. The ITL for each zone was

set at two times the weekly three year

stranding average. For weeks and zones

where the historical average is less than

one, the ITL has been set at two

strandings.
21742 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 3, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

The Emergency Response Plan

The reasonable and prudent

alternative of the November 14, 1994,

Biological Opinion and the

accompanying incidental take statement

required NMFS to develop and

implement an Emergency Response Plan

(ERP) to respond to future stranding

events and to ensure compliance with

sea turtle conservation measures. The

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

NOAA, (AA) approved the ERP on

March 14, 1995, and published a notice

of availability on April 21, 1995 (60 FR

19885). The ERP provides for elevated

enforcement of TED regulations in two

areas in which strandings of Kemp’s

ridley sea turtles are historically high.

The first, the Atlantic Interim Special

Management Area includes shrimp

fishery statistical Zones 30 and 31

(northeast Florida and Georgia). The

second, the Northern Gulf Interim

Special Management Area, includes

statistical Zones 13 through 20

(Louisiana and Texas from the

Mississippi River to North Padre

Island). The ERP also establishes

procedures for notifying NMFS of sea

turtle stranding events, and provides

guidelines for implementation of

temporary restrictions to prevent take

levels in the Biological Opinion from

being exceeded.

As described in the ERP, restrictions

in addition to those already imposed by

50 CFR 227.72(e) will be placed on

shrimping in the Interim Special

Management Areas if 75 percent or more

of the ITL is reached for 2 consecutive

weeks. The ERP states that the

restrictions are expected to be:

1. Prohibition of the use of soft TEDs;

2. Prohibition of the use of bottom

opening TEDs;

3. Prohibition of the use of try nets,

unless equipped with NMFS-approved

TEDs other than soft or bottom-opening

TEDs; and

4. Prohibition of the use of webbing

flaps that completely cover the escape

opening of TEDs, as described in the

Requirements section herein.

In addition, when strandings remain

elevated for one month in zones outside

the Interim Special Management Area,

the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS,

may determine that management

actions, similar to those specified for the

Interim Special Management Areas, will

be implemented.

Recent Stranding Events

Sea turtle strandings on offshore

beaches in a number of fishery

Statistical Zones in Texas have been

elevated beyond historical levels in the

spring of 1995.

Shrimp effort declined in south Texas

waters in early March from unusually

high levels of effort in February, and

strandings were generally low

throughout Texas during March. In

Zone 20, 6 turtles stranded between

January 1 and March 18, 1995; all 6

carcasses exhibited severed flippers or

other straight-edge wounds. During the

2 consecutive weeks beginning on April

9, 1995, 3 turtles stranded per week on

the offshore beaches of Zone 20, where

the ITL was 4 turtles. Of those 6 turtles,

3 were Kemp’s ridleys. One of the

loggerhead turtles recovered in Zone 20

exhibited straight-edge wounds. Most

recently, during the first 2 days of the

week beginning on April 23, 5 turtles,

including 3 ridleys, have stranded in

Zone 20.

Elevated strandings for two

consecutive weeks have been reported

for two additional zones in Texas.

Within Zone 19, strandings were above

historical levels and met or exceeded

the established ITL between March 26,

1995 and April 8, 1995. However, only

one turtle stranded in each of the two

following weeks. In Zone 21, which lies

outside the Interim Special Management

Areas, stranding levels were at or above

the ITL from March 26 to April 15, but

fell to only 1 stranding between April 16

and April 22. Because the most recent

stranding reports from Zones 19 and 21

have been low, no management action

for those zones is being promulgated at

this time, but may be required if

strandings again rise in those zones.

The most severe stranding rates

occurred in Zone 18. Strandings were

low in zone 18 until the week beginning

April 9, when 12 turtles stranded on

offshore beaches, including 9 Kemp’s

ridleys. A headstarted Kemp’s ridley

also stranded. For comparison, from

1991–1993, only 1 turtle stranded in

Zone 18 during the same time period.

During the week beginning April 16, 16

turtles, including 14 Kemp’s ridleys,

stranded.

Shrimping Effort and Enforcement

Comprehensive shrimp effort data are

not yet available. However, preliminary

information regarding activity within

observed ports has been collected from

NMFS Port Agents and Texas state

officials. The data submitted in midApril, based on landings and port

activity, indicated that the fishery active

in Texas and Louisiana did not appear

to be significantly different from

previous years. However, United States

Coast Guard (USCG) personnel

conducting overflights off Texas during

the week of April 23, reported extremely

heavy shrimping effort nearshore in

Zones 18 and 20. The location and level

of effort has varied, and has been

affected, in part, by fluctuating weather

conditions. Beach workers have

reported concentrations of shrimping

vessels in the vicinity of strandings

during the week beginning April 9 and

April 16. Recent turbulent weather may

have shifted effort into nearshore waters

where white shrimp are being targeted.

Enforcement efforts have been

increased in the Northern Gulf Interim

Special Management Area, especially in

Zones 17 through 20. The USCG has

doubled their normal operating level in

response to the increased strandings

reported in early April. NMFS TED Law

Enforcement Team members have been

deployed to the northern Gulf since

April 1. Additional NMFS agents were

added to enforcement efforts in Texas

during the week of April 16–22 due to

the continued strandings.

Enforcement efforts have not

identified any recurring gear problems

in the northern Gulf in 1995. NMFS gear

specialists have been conducting

informational and training workshops to

assist shrimpers use TEDs. They report

encountering soft TEDs with escape

openings that were too small and hard

TEDs with illegal ramps. Two net shops

in Alabama were identified that were

unaware that hard TEDs with ramps

were not legal, and they have stopped

manufacturing TEDs with ramps.

Analysis of Other Factors

NMFS has investigated factors other

than shrimping that may contribute to

sea turtle mortality in the northern Gulf,

including environmental conditions, oil

and gas activities, and other fisheries.

There is no information to suggest that

red tide or other environmental

conditions have contributed to sea turtle

strandings thus far in 1995. There were

no oil platform removals by explosives

during March 1995. One platform was

removed on April 17 and 18, 30 miles

(48.27 km) south of Cameron, LA. No

sea turtles were sighted by the NMFS

observers monitoring the rig removal.

Seismic survey vessels have been

operating throughout the northern Gulf,

primarily beyond 10 nm (18.5 km) from

shore. One vessel was operating from

the beach in the center of the Matagorda

Peninsula (Zone 19) out to 9 nm (16.7

km) between April 16 and April 18,

during a week of low strandings for that

zone. Seismic activities will be ongoing

from Freeport through the southern end

of the Matagorda Peninsula for the rest

of the summer. NMFS has no

information to suggest that seismic

activities result in sea turtle mortalities.

While observers on menhaden vessels

have never observed the incidental take

of a sea turtle, interactions with the
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 3, 1995 / Rules and Regulations 21743

menhaden fishery are possible, but not

likely to be fatal. The menhaden fishery

opens the third Monday in April in

northern Gulf waters (April 17 in 1995),

and therefore would not have

contributed to any of the strandings

documented before that time.

A preliminary analysis of satellite sea

surface data for the Gulf of Mexico,

indicates that oceanographic conditions

along the Texas-Louisiana coast are

normal for this time of the year. The

normal current flow from northeast to

southwest along the Texas and

Louisiana coastline is in place.

Restrictions on Fishing by Shrimp

Trawlers

The Biological Opinion provides that

conservation measures are to be

implemented as mortality levels

approach incidental take levels

established in the Incidental Take

Statement in order to ensure that

shrimping is not likely to jeopardize the

continued existence of Kemp’s ridley.

The Biological Opinion specifically

provides that such measures will be

implemented immediately when sea

turtle takings, indicated or documented,

reach 75 percent of the established

levels. These measures are intended to

allow shrimp fishing to continue, while

reducing the likelihood of further sea

turtle strandings. The ERP provides

further guidance on the nature and

geographic scope of such measures. As

noted in the foregoing discussion,

strandings have met or exceeded the 75

percent threshold of the ITL in zones 18

and 20, therefore conservation measures

are being promulgated.

Pursuant to 50 CFR 227.72(e)(6), the

exemption for incidental taking of sea

turtles in 50 CFR 227.72(e)(1) does not

authorize the incidental takings during

fishing activities if the takings would

violate the restrictions, terms or

conditions of an incidental take

statement or biological opinion, and

may be likely to jeopardize the

continued existence of a species listed

under the Act. The AA has determined

that continued takings of sea turtles by

shrimp fishing are unauthorized, and

therefore promulgates this action.

The measures that NMFS is

promulgating include:

1. Prohibition of the use of soft TEDs;

2. Prohibition of the use of bottom

opening TEDs;

3. Prohibition of the use of try nets,

unless equipped with NMFS-approved

TEDs other than soft or bottom-opening

TEDs; and,

4. Prohibition of the use of webbing

flaps that completely cover the escape

opening of TEDs, as described in the

Requirements section herein.

These restrictions are being applied in

the Gulf of Mexico offshore waters

seaward to 10 nm (18.5 km) along 2

sections of the Texas and Louisiana

coasts, between 27° N. lat. and 28° N.

lat. and between 95°13′ W. long. and

93°20.5′ W. long. Under 50 CFR 217.12,

offshore is defined as marine and tidal

waters seaward of the 72 COLREGS

demarcation line (International

Regulations for Preventing Collisions at

Sea, 1972), as depicted or noted on

nautical charts published by the NOAA

(Coast Charts, 1:80,000 scale) and as

described in 33 CFR part 80.

This area includes the nearshore

waters of Zones 20 and 18, where

elevated sea turtle strandings are

occurring, and the western portion of

Zone 17 east to Calcasieu Pass, LA, and

the extreme northeastern portion of

zone 19. This portion of Zone 17 is

included in the affected area for several

reasons. The first is the likelihood that

some of the carcasses documented in

Zone 18 were taken in Zone 17 and

carried into Zone 18 by the westward

flowing current. Secondly, the areas

immediately around Sabine Pass and

Calcasieu Pass have been identified as

high-use habitat for Kemp’s ridley

turtles. They are also the sites of heavy

shrimping effort. Thirdly, limiting the

restricted area to the eastern boundary

of Zone 17 may shift some shrimping

effort to the east, increasing the already

heavy fishing pressure around Sabine

Pass and Calcasieu Pass and increasing

the threat to sea turtles from intensive

shrimp trawling. Finally, in the week

beginning April 16, 1995, 2 Kemph’s

ridley turtles stranded in the Texas

portion of Zone 17, which includes only

about 8.5 nm (14.8 km) of the 58 miles

(93.3 km) of coastline in Zone 17. No

strandings have been reported in the

Louisiana portion of Zone 17, but most

of the shoreline in Louisiana is

inaccessible or poorly monitored for sea

turtle strandings. As described in the

ERP, NMFS may extend conservation

measures in any statistical zone to

portions of contiguous zones as

determined necessary.

These restrictions will allow fishing

by shrimp trawlers to continue in these

statistical areas despite elevated rates of

turtle strandings. Gear types that have

the greatest potential for turtle capture

are prohibited. Although soft TEDs and

bottom opening TEDs are generally

approved for use, NMFS believes that

they may not be as effective, under some

conditions, as top opening hard TEDs at

releasing turtles. NMFS has previously

promulgated regulations to address and

discuss problems with bottom-opening

hard TEDs (59 FR 33447, June 29, 1994;

60 FR 15512, March 24, 1995).

Notwithstanding the required use of

floats, turtles may be more susceptible

to capture in bottom-opening TEDs.

Pursuant to 50 CFR

227.72(e)(2)(ii)(B)(1), try nets have been

exempted from the TED requirements,

because they are only intended for use

in brief sampling tows not likely to

result in turtle mortality. Turtles are,

however, caught in try nets, and either

through repeated captures or long tows,

try nets can contribute to the mortality

of sea turtles. Takes of sea turtles in try

nets, including one mortality, have been

documented by NMFS. Finally, webbing

flaps have been permitted to help

reduce shrimp loss with TEDs, but may

be hindering turtle release. In a topopening TED, high pressure is generated

above the trawl net which forces the

webbing flap closed; while in a bottomopening TED, the weight of the TED grid

can pin the webbing flap shut over the

escape opening. Additionally, the

webbing flap can be sewn shut to

disable the TED deliberately. Under

these temporary restrictions, only

NMFS-approved hard or special hard

TEDs with top escape openings may be

used in shrimp trawls in the specified

areas. If flaps are used, they may not

cover the escape opening. Figure 1

illustrates a top-opening hard TED with

a shortened webbing flap meeting the

dimension requirements of this

emergency action.

Requirements

This action is authorized by 50 CFR

227.72(e)(6). The definitions in 50 CFR

217.12 are applicable to this action, as

well as all relevant provisions in 50 CFR

parts 217 and 227. For example,

§ 227.71(b)(3) provides that it is

unlawful to fish for or possess fish or

wildlife contrary to a restriction

specified or issued under § 227.72 (e)(3)

or (e)(6).

NMFS hereby notifies owners and

operators of shrimp trawlers (as defined

in 50 CFR 217.12) that for a 30-day

period, starting 12:01 a.m. (local time)

on April 30, 1995, and ending 11:59

p.m. (local time) on May 30, 1995,

fishing by shrimp trawlers in offshore

waters, seaward to 10 nm (18.5 km)

from the COLREGS line, along 2

sections of the Texas and Louisiana

coast, the first bounded between 27° N.

lat. and 28° N. lat. and the second

bounded between 95°13′ W. long. and

93°20.5′ W. long., is prohibited unless

shrimp trawlers comply with the

following restrictions to the exceptions

for incidental taking in 50 CFR

227.72(e):

1. Use of soft TEDs described in 50

CFR 227.72(e)(4)(iii) is prohibited.
21744 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 3, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

2. Use of hard TEDs with bottom

escape openings and special hard TEDs

with bottom escape openings is

prohibited. Approved hard TEDs and

special hard TEDs must be configured

with the slope of the deflector bars

upward from forward to aft and with the

escape opening at the top of the trawl.

3. Use of try nets with a headrope

length of 20 ft (6.1 m) or less is

prohibited unless an NMFS-approved

top-opening, hard TED or special hard

TED is installed when the try nets are

rigged for fishing.

4. Use of a webbing flap that

completely covers the escape opening in

the trawl is prohibited. Any webbing

which is attached to the trawl, forward

of the escape opening, must be cut to a

length so that the trailing edge of such

webbing does not approach to within 2

inches (5.1 cm) of the posterior edge of

the TED grid (see Figure 1). The

requirements for the size of the escape

opening are unchanged.

All provisions in 50 CFR 227.72(e),

including, but not limited to 50 CFR

227.72(e)(2)(ii)(B)(1) (use of try nets), 50

CFR 227.72(e)(4)(iii) (approval of soft

TEDs), 50 CFR 227.72(e)(4)(i)(F)

(position of escape opening), and 50

CFR 227.72(e)(4)(iv)(C) (webbing flap),

that do not conform to these

requirements are hereby suspended for

the duration of this action.

NMFS hereby notifies owners and

operators of shrimp trawlers in the area

subject to restrictions that they may be

required to carry an NMFS-approved

observer aboard such vessel(s) if

selected to do so by the Director,

Southeast Region, NMFS, upon written

notification sent to either the address

specified for the vessel registration or

documentation purposes, or otherwise

served on the owner or operator of the

vessel. Shrimp trawlers must comply

with the terms and conditions specified

in such written notification.

Additional Conservation Measures

The AA may withdraw or modify the

requirement for specific conservation

measures or any restriction on

shrimping activities if the AA

determines that such action is

warranted. Notification of any

additional sea turtle conservation

measures, including any extension of

this 30-day emergency action, will be

published in the Federal Register

pursuant to 50 CFR 227.72(e)(6).

NMFS will continue to monitor sea

turtle strandings to gauge the

effectiveness of these conservation

measures. If, after these restrictions are

instituted, strandings in statistical areas

17, 18, and/or 20 persist at or above 75

percent of the ITL for 2 weeks, NMFS

will follow the guidance in the ERP to

determine whether to prohibit fishing

by some or all shrimp trawlers, as

required, in the offshore waters of

statistical areas 17, 18, and/or 20

seaward to 10 nm (18.5 km) from the

COLREGS line, for a period of 30 days.

Contiguous statistical areas or portions

of those areas may be included in the

closure as necessary. These restrictions

may apply to gear types/vessels

currently exempted from the TED

requirement at 50 CFR 227.72(e)(2)(ii)

(A) and/or (B). Area closures will be

promulgated through emergency

rulemaking notices pursuant to the

procedures identified at 50 CFR

227.72(e)(6).

Classification

The AA has determined that this

action is necessary to respond to an

emergency situation to conserve and

provide adequate protection for

endangered and threatened sea turtles

pursuant to the ESA and other

applicable law.

Because neither section 553 of the

Administrative Procedure Act (APA),

nor any other law requires that general

notice of proposed rulemaking be

published for this action, and under

section 603(b) of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act, an initial Regulatory

Flexibility Analysis is not required.

This action has been determined to be

not significant for purposes of E.O.

12866.

Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the

APA, the AA finds there is good cause

to waive prior notice and opportunity to

comment on this rule. It is impracticable

and contrary to the public interest to

provide prior notice and opportunity for

comment because unusually high levels

of turtle strandings have been reported

in shrimp fishery statistical areas 18 and

20 and continue to occur as shrimping

continues. Any delay in this action will

likely result in additional fatal takings

of listed sea turtles.

Pursuant to section 553(d) of the APA,

the AA finds there is good cause to

waive the 30-day delayed effective date.

In addition to the need to protect listed

sea turtles, these restrictions are

expected to impose only a minor burden

on shrimp fishermen. The predominant

TED design in use in the affected area

is a bottom-opening hard grid TED.

Bottom-opening hard grid TEDs can be

modified to comply with these

restrictions in one to two hours. Any

webbing flap over the escape opening

can be shortened in less than ten

minutes. Trawlers equipped with soft

TEDs may be required to move out of

the affected area, either offshore or

alongshore, or to equip their nets with

hard TEDs. Hard grid TEDs are available

for as little as $75.00 and take several

hours to install. Finally, some fishermen

may not elect to equip their try nets

with hard grid TEDs. These fishermen

would then be unable to monitor their

catch rate during long tows.

The AA prepared an EA for the final

rule (57 FR 57348, December 4, 1992)

requiring TED use in shrimp trawls and

establishing the 30-day notice

procedures. A supplemental EA has

been prepared for this action. Copies of

the EA and the supplemental EA are

available (see ADDRESSES).

Dated: April 27, 1995.

Gary Matlock,

Program Management Officer, National

Marine Fisheries Service.

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[FR Doc. 95–10796 Filed 4–27–95; 4:48 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–C