NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS; HARBOR PORPOISE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN; CHANGE TO GILLNET GEAR REQUIREMENTS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan; Change to Gillnet Gear Requirements.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 2 by Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS is taking a deregulatory action to revise the regulations implementing the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (HPTRP) to ensure the HPTRP is consistent with a gillnet gear requirement previously put in place under the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon. This action is necessary to in...