Pelagics Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region

Résumé

NMFS announces its intention to prepare an EIS on Federal management of the fishery for pelagic species in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters of the Western Pacific Region. The scope of the EIS analysis will include all activities related to the conduct of the fishery authorized and managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (FMP) and all amendments thereto. Additionally, NMFS announces its intention to prepare an EA on the fishery for pelagic species in the EEZ waters of the Western Pacific Region. The scope of the analysis of the EA will include all activities related to the conduct of the fishery for the 2- year period NMFS anticipates is necessary to prepare the EIS. Both the EIS and EA will examine the impacts of pelagics harvest on, among other things, sea turtles and seabirds. NMFS will hold concurrent scoping meetings to provide for public input into the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that the EIS and EA should consider. Scoping for the EIS and EA commences with publication of this document. In addition to holding the scoping meetings, NMFS is accepting written comments on the range of actions, altern