AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Change in public hearing date.

SUMMARY:

NMFS published a public hearing announcement and request for comments on May 24, 2000, to receive comments from fishery participants and other members of the public regarding proposed regulations to establish North Atlantic swordfish quotas for the 2000-2002 fishing years and to change trade restrictions for Atlantic bluefin tuna and swordfish. NMFS herewith announces a change in the date of the public hearing to be held in Pompano Beach, FL from June 8, 2000, to July 11, 2000.

To accommodate people unable to attend a hearing or wishing to provide written comments, NMFS also solicits written comments on the proposed rule.

DATES:

The new hearing is scheduled as follows:

1. Tuesday, July 11, 2000, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Pompano Beach, FL.

Written comments on the proposed rule or the draft Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES ) no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard time, on July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

The location for this hearing is as follows:

1. Pompano Beach Civic Center, 1801 NE 6th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.

Written comments on the proposed rule or EA/RIR/IRFA should be sent to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, Office of Sustainable Fisheries (F/SF1), National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments also may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 301-713-1917. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet. For copies of the proposed rules or EA/RIR/IRFA contact Rachel Husted at 301-713-2347, or write to Rebecca Lent.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rachel Husted at 301-713-2347, fax 301-713-1917, e-mail rachel.husted@noaa.gov.