Public Comments Requested on a Proposal to Alter Time/Area Closure for Atlantic Sharks NOAA Fisheries Service has received a petition from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries seeking to reduce the extent of the time/area closure for Atlantic sharks off the Mid-Atlantic region. This proposal requests a change to the outer boundary of the closed area from 55 fathoms to 15 fathoms, coastwide for North Carolina. The Petitioner believes that the current closed area severely restricts access to the shark quota off North Carolina, particularly during the first trimester of the fishery. Written comments must be received no later than 5pm on July 11, 2005. Comments may be sent by e-mail to:
Because the rebuilding plan for large coastal sharks was in part based on the existing time/area closure, it is possible that the suggested changes would require an amendment to the rebuilding plan. NOAA Fisheries Service is requesting that the public provide comments on the social, economic, and biological impacts that potential changes to the closed area would have on the large coastal shark rebuilding plan.
For more information, please contact Ja***********@no**.gov.
Public Comments Requested on a Proposal to Alter Time/Area Closure for Atlantic Sharks
NOAA Fisheries Service has received a petition from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries seeking to reduce the extent of the time/area closure for Atlantic sharks off the Mid-Atlantic region. This proposal requests a change to the outer boundary of the closed area from 55 fathoms to 15 fathoms, coastwide for North Carolina. The Petitioner believes that the current closed area severely restricts access to the shark quota off North Carolina, particularly during the first trimester of the fishery.
Because the rebuilding plan for large coastal sharks was in part based on the existing time/area closure, it is possible that the suggested changes would require an amendment to the rebuilding plan. NOAA Fisheries Service is requesting that the public provide comments on the social, economic, and biological impacts that potential changes to the closed area would have on the large coastal shark rebuilding plan.
Written comments must be received no later than 5pm on July 11, 2005. Comments may be sent by e-mail to:
SF*********@no**.gov.For more information, please contact Ja***********@no**.gov.