American Lobster; Interstate Fishery Management Plans

In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Act), NMFS, upon a delegation of authority from the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that the State of Rhode Island is not in compliance with Amendment 3 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) for American Lobster, because the state has failed to implement and enforce a measure that is necessary for the conservation of American lobster. Pursuant to the Act, a Federal moratorium on fishing for American lobster within Rhode Island state waters is hereby declared and will be effective on May 1, 2001. If Rhode Island is found to be in compliance with the ISFMP for American lobster before that date, the moratorium will be withdrawn. The purpose of this action is to support and encourage implementation and enforcement of the Commission's American Lobster ISFMP.