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This proposed rule outlines the proposed regulatory changes that would occur under the preferred alternatives analyzed in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released on May 10, 2019.
The proposed rule also announces a comment period and locations of public hearings and conference calls.
Who is Affected?
The proposed measures could affect any U.S. pelagic longline commercial fishermen who fish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico.
What Will It Do?
The preferred alternatives are summarized below.
 The full range of alternatives considered can be found in the DEIS available at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/pelagic-longline-bluefin-tuna-area-based-and-weak-hook-management-measures.
Public Hearings
NOAA Fisheries will hold four in-person and two public conference call public hearings for this rulemaking.
Additionally, we will continue to present information on the DEIS and this proposed rule to regional fishery management councils. Please see the councils’ and commissions’ meeting notices for times and locations.
In-Person Hearings
July 16, 2019, 5–7 p.m.
National Marine Fisheries Service
Greater Atlantic Regional Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
July 24, 2019, 5–8 p.m.
Terrebonne Parish Library (Main Branch)
151 Library Dr
Houma, LA 70360
July 30, 2019, 5–8 p.m.
Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch
101 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
August 13, 2019, 5–7 p.m.
Dare County Administration Building
954 Marshall Collins Dr. Commissioners Meeting Room
Manteo, NC 27954
Conference Call Hearings
July 19, 2019, 2–4 p.m.
Phone: 888-989-7692
Passcode: 2664906
Webinar: RSVP at https://noaanmfs-events2.webex.com/noaanmfs-events2/onstage/g.php?MTID=e8963997f0720f8ca85ee2fb56b726f19 to receive login information.
July 31, 2019, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Phone: 888-946-2707
Passcode: 3542964
Webinar: RSVP at https://noaanmfs-events2.webex.com/noaanmfs-events2/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed3603a85564cf407b17a8f31bd261c26 to receive login information.
Public Comments
Written comments, identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2018-0035,” may be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal or sent by mail to
Highly Migratory Species Management Division
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
All comments received are a part of the public record and generally will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (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.
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