Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; National Standard Guidelines

摘要

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is ourreport on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), entitled 'Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; National Standard Guidelines' (RIN: 0648-AJ58). We received the rule on May 14, 1998. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on May 1, 1998. 63 Fed. Reg. 24212. The final rule revises certain guidelines used in the development and review of Fishery Management Plans, amendments, and regulations prepared by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and the Secretary of Commerce under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The final rule implements changes made by the October 1996 amendments to the Act. The rule revises guidelines for optimum yield, scientific information, allocations, efficiency, and costs and benefits and adds guidelines for new national standards concerning communities, bycatch, and safety of life at sea. Enclosed is our assessment of NOAA's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review indicates that NOAA complied with the applicable requirements.