NOAA’s Fisheries Service issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register to prohibit the future harvesting of krill between three and 200 miles of the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. Krill are a small shrimp-like crustacean and a key source of nutrition in the marine food web.
While there is currently no commercial fishing for krill, this proposed rule would prohibit any future harvesting or permitting of any fishing for krill in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the West Coast.
“This is a proactive measure designed to ensure the stability of our marine ecosystem by protecting its fundamental food source,” said Rodney McInnis, NOAA’s Fisheries Service southwest regional administrator. “We are very pleased to work with the Pacific Fishery Management Council to provide this protection.”
NOAA Fisheries Service has issued this proposed rule to implement Amendment 12 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. The Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the amendment to ensure the preservation of key nutritional relationships in the California Current ecosystem by protecting krill resources off the West Coast.
Comments on the proposed rule should reference “I.D. 012607A-PR” and may be submitted in any of the following manners before June 19, 2008:
Email: 0648-AU26.SWR@noaa.gov
Federal e-Rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov
Mail:
Rodney R. McInnis
Regional Administrator, Southwest Region
National Marine Fisheries Service
501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200
Long Beach, Calif., 90802
Fax: 562-980-4047
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.
On the web:http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11253.pdf