Proposed Rule to Implement Federal Atlantic Tunas Regulations in Maine State Waters
Summary
NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to add Maine to the list of states for which federal Atlantic tunas regulations are applicable within state waters. This action is being considered based on a request by the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
What will it do?
This proposed change would make federal Atlantic tunas regulations applicable in Maine state waters. These regulations include: open and closed seasons, retention limits, size limits, authorized gears and gear restrictions, and permitting and reporting requirements.
Who is affected?
This action could affect:
- Any commercial or recreational tuna fishermen fishing for bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna in Maine state waters.
- Any dealers who buy or sell bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna caught in Maine state waters.
Public Hearing
A webinar and conference call for this proposed action will take place on May 14, 2021.
Webinar information:
May 14, 2021
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. EDT
Join WebEx: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/onstage/g.php?MTID=ea4db7bf9ff15b8be2b130b9ba1a9bc03
Event number: 199 734 6152
Event password: NOAAHMS
Join by phone: 1-415-527-5035
Access code: 199 734 6152
Submit Comments by June 10, 2021:
Written comments, identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2021-0013”, may be submitted electronically
via the Federal eRulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov. All comments received are a
part of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily
submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business
Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. We will accept anonymous
comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit
attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file
formats only.
For further information on this proposed rule and its requirements, call the Highly Migratory
Species Management Division at 301-427-8503 or 978-281-9260.
This notice is a courtesy to the HMS fishery participants to help keep you informed about the
fishery.