[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 55814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19048]



[[Page 55814]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 051603C]
RIN 0648-AQ65


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery 
Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the 
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Billfish

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

ACTION: Cancellation of a public hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Due to the mandatory evacuation of the Florida Keys for 
Hurricane Rita, NMFS is cancelling a public hearing on the draft 
Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) and proposed rule that was scheduled for September 21, 2005, in 
Key West, FL. NMFS intends to reschedule the Key West public hearing at 
a later date. The draft Consolidated HMS FMP and the proposed rule 
describe a range of management measures that could impact fishermen and 
dealers for all HMS fisheries.

DATES: The hearing scheduled for September 21, 2005, in Key West, FL, 
has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

ADDRESSES: The location of the rescheduled hearing will be announced at 
a later date and published in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt or Karyl Brewster-
Geisz at (301) 713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under 
the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (ATCA). The FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, 
finalized in 1999, and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, finalized in 
1988, are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
    On August 19, 2005 (70 FR 48804), NMFS published a proposed rule 
and draft Consolidated HMS FMP, and scheduled 24 public hearings 
throughout September and October 2005 to receive comments from fishery 
participants and other members of the public regarding the proposed 
rule and draft Consolidated HMS FMP. On September 7, 2005 (70 FR 
53146), NMFS announced two cancellations due to Hurricane Katrina and 
one meeting location change. Due to the mandatory evacuation of the 
Florida Keys for Hurricane Rita, NMFS is cancelling a third public 
hearing that was scheduled for September 21, 2005, in Key West, FL. 
NMFS intends to reschedule the Key West public hearing at a later date, 
and may extend the comment period, if necessary, to ensure adequate 
opportunities for public comment by constituents. Notification of the 
new date and location would be published in the Federal Register. The 
schedule for the other public hearings remains unchanged.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Heather Stirratt, (301) 713-2347, 
at least 7 days prior to the hearing in question.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 19, 2005.
Alan Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19048 Filed 9-20-05; 1:12 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S