NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES PROPOSED RULE: ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; REVISIONS TO FISHING GEAR REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a proposed rule called: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Revisions to Fishing Gear Regulations.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 14 by Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS is proposing regulatory revisions to fishing gear requirements in fisheries targeting Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) to increase flexibility and remove inefficiencies, thus increasing fishing opportunities and the ability of HMS fisheries to achieve optimum yield. Specifically, NMFS is proposing changes to buoy gear regulations that include modifying gear deplo...