Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 151110999-5999-01] RIN 0648-BF53 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule, request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2016-2018 specifications for Atlantic mackerel and the river herring and shad catch cap for Atlantic mackerel. NMFS previously set specifications for butterfish, longfin squid, and Illex squid for 3 years in 2015 (2015-2017) and, therefore, new specifications will not be included in this year's specification rulemaking. This action also proposes to adjust the butterfish mesh requirement, clarify the use of strengtheners in the butterfish fishery, and suspend indefinitely the pre-trip notification system requirement in the longfin squid fishery. These proposed specifications and management measures are intended to promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish resources. DATES: Public comments must be received by February 22, 2016. ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents used by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, including the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Regulatory Impact Review (RIR)/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), are available from: Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, telephon…