AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Proposed rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

NMFS proposes to prohibit the use of wire leaders in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery, and require the removal of fishing gear from any oceanic whitetip shark caught in all of the region’s domestic longline fisheries. The proposed action is intended to increase post-hooking survival of oceanic whitetip sharks.

DATES:

NMFS must receive comments by February 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments on this proposed rule, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2021-0099, by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0099 in the Search box, click 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 Regional Office (PIRO), 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 will generally be posted 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).

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) and regulatory impact review that supports this proposed rule. The draft EA is available at www.regulations.gov, or from the Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, or www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David O’Brien, PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5038.

Click here for complete FR Notice.

Click here for the Regulatory Amendment including a draft Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review.