NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has decided to extend the comment period for the interim final rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the Aleutian Islands. The main purpose of this rule is to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely to jeopardize the population of western Steller sea lion.
As per law the public comment period for the interim final rule ends Wednesday, January 12, 2011. NOAA’s Fisheries Service filed with the Federal Register a notice extending the public comment period for an additional 45 days, to February 28, 2011. In the month of December 2010 NOAA Fisheries has published an interim final rule to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to restrict primarily Atka mackerel and Pacific cod harvest in Bering Sea and Aleutina islands management area.
The comment period occurred over the holiday season, limiting the number of work days available to the public for developing a response to this action. After a request NOAA Fisheries provide adequate time for various stakeholders and other members of the public to comment on the interim final rule.
