Right Whale Protection; Southeast U.S. Gillnet Closure

NMFS is prohibiting gillnet fishing or gillnet possession in Atlantic Ocean waters west of 80[deg]00' W. long. between 29[deg]00' N. lat. (just south of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) and 32[deg]00' N. lat. (the approximate state boundary between Georgia and South Carolina) and within 35 nautical miles of the South Carolina coast. An exemption to the prohibition on the possession of gillnet gear is provided for transiting through this area if gear is stowed in accordance with this rule. NMFS is taking this action to prevent a significant risk to the well being of endangered right whales from entanglement in gillnet gear in the core right whale calving area during the calving season.