Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

          - 50 CFR Parts 222 and 223
          - [I.D. 062501B]
          - RIN 0648-AN62

# AGENCY:

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

# ACTION: 

Public hearing notice; extension of public comment period.

# SUMMARY:

                        Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, will extend the public comment period, through February 15, 2002, for the purpose of receiving comments on the proposed rule to amend the regulations protecting sea turtles to enhance their effectiveness in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from shrimp trawling in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas of the southeastern United States, published in the                         **Federal Register**                         on October 2, 2001.                    

# DATES:

Written comments should be received by February 15, 2002.

# ADDRESSES: 

Written comments should be addressed to the Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD  20910.  Comments may also be sent via fax to 301-713-0376.  Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Robert Hoffman (ph. 727-570-5312, fax 727-570-5517, e-mail Robert.Hoffman@noaa.gov), or Therese A. Conant (ph. 301-713-1401, fax 301-713-0376, e-mail                         *Therese.Conant@noaa.gov*).                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) have proven to be effective at excluding sea turtles from shrimp trawls; however, NMFS has determined that modifications to the design of TEDs need to be made to exclude leatherbacks and large, sexually mature loggerhead and green  turtles.  Several approved TED designs are also structurally weak and do not function properly under normal fishing conditions.  Additionally, modifications to the trynet and bait shrimp exemptions to the TED requirements are necessary to decrease lethal take of sea  turtles.  These proposed amendments are necessary to protect endangered and threatened sea turtles in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas.

Dated: December 7, 2001.

Donald R. Knowles,

Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 01-30929 Filed 12-13-01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE  3510-22-S