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Request for comments: Amendment 5 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago; American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery Rebuilding Plan (Comments due by March 22, 2022)

Federal Register Notices, News and Updates

Action

Announcement of availability of fishery ecosystem plan amendment; request for comments.

Summary

NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP). If approved, Amendment 5 would establish a rebuilding plan for the American Samoa bottomfish stock complex. The Council recommended Amendment 5 to rebuild the bottomfish stock, which is overfished and experiencing overfishing.

Dates

NMFS must receive comments on Amendment 5 by March 22, 2022.

Addresses

You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2022-0006, by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0006, in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

• Mail: Send written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

• Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. All comments received are a part of the public record, and NMFS will generally post them for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information ( e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

Amendment 5 includes a draft environmental assessment (EA) and regulatory impact review (RIR) that analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives considered. Copies of Amendment 5, including the EA and RIR, and other supporting documents, are available at https://www.regulations.gov or the Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, www.wpcouncil.org.

For Further Information Contact

Heather Cronin, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS PIR, 808-725-5179.

 

Click here for complete FR Notice.
Click here for Amendment 5.

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