Proposed Rules. Public hearing notice; extension of public comment period

Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce
Action: Public hearing notice; extension of public comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 01-28877 · RIN 0648-AN62 · I.D. 062501B · 50 CFR 222, 223

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 December 31, 2001, 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 December 31, 2001.

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 structurally weak and do not function properly under normal fishing conditions; and 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: November 13, 2001. David Cottingham Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 01-28877 Filed 11-14-01; 2:50 pm]