Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), 10074-10075 [E5-829]

Download as PDF 10074 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 2, 2005 / Notices 1, 2005. Persons attending Board meetings are requested to refrain from using perfume, cologne, and other fragrances for the comfort of other participants. Lawrence W. Roffee, Executive Director. [FR Doc. 05–4022 Filed 3–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8150–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 022505A] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of a proposal for EFPs to conduct experimental fishing; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has determined that an application for EFPs contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator is considering the impacts of the activities to be authorized under the EFPs with respect to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue EFPs. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs in response to an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman’s Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with Maine Division of Marine Resources (MEDMR), and Research, Environmental and Management Support (REMSA). These EFPs would allow up to 20 commercial vessels to conduct an experimental demersal longline fishery for haddock in Georges Bank (GB) Closed Area (CA) II and portions of the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area. This fishery would take place at various times from May 2005 through February 2006. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine if hookand-line gear could be used to target haddock with minimal bycatch of cod in order to establish potential future Special Access Programs (SAPs) in these areas as allowed under Amendment 13 to the FMP. The EFPs would also contain a provision authorizing the RA to discontinue the experimental fishery once a specified amount of cod and haddock are caught or at her discretion. DATES: Comments on this action must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before March 17, 2005. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Haddock CA II SAP EFP Proposal.’’ Comments may also be sent via fax to (978) 281–9135, or submitted via e-mail to the following address: da735@noaa.gov. Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA) are available from the NE Regional Office at the same address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Sagar, Fishery Management Specialist, phone: 978–281–9341, fax: 978–281–9135, email: heather.sagar@noaa.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The CCCHFA, in collaboration with MEDMR and REMSA, submitted a request on November 16, 2004, to conduct an experimental fishery for GB haddock within GB CA II and a portion of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine if demersal longline gear could be used to target haddock with minimal bycatch of cod in order to establish potential future SAP. This proposal builds on an ongoing study that began on June 10, 2004, and which ended on January 31, 2005. Preliminary results from this ongoing study demonstrate the viability of utilizing demersal longline gear to reduce bycatch of cod in a portion of Cashes Ledge Closure Area, Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area, GB CA I, and Rolling Closure Area III. The CCCHFA’s most recent proposal requests authorizing a total of 160 trips by 20 commercial longline vessels to fish for and possess haddock in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, including CA II, during the period May 1, 2005, through February 28, 2006. Similar to their initial experiment, days-at-sea (DAS) would be used. Throughout this study, CCCHFA hopes to determine the appropriate season, bait, and location for a directed haddock fishery in the above identified areas that would have minimal impact on other groundfish stocks, particularly GB cod, for the purpose of developing a SAP. Participating vessels would be prohibited from fishing in areas outside of the identified areas during an experimental fishing trip. Participating vessels would also be prohibited from fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, should it be closed due to the attainment of either the cod, yellowtail flounder, or haddock TACs. Finally, participating vessels would be prevented from fishing in CA II during peak spawning for cod and haddock, unless otherwise notified. This study would follow normal fishing practices. PROPOSED STUDY AREAS AND SEASONS Area Closure Type GB CA II Year-Round ....... Eastern U.S./Canada Area TAC Based ........ Vessels used in this study would include both GB Cod Hook Sector (Sector) and non-Sector vessels. All cod VerDate jul<14>2003 15:00 Mar 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 Duration May 2005 through February 2006. May 2005 through February 2006. caught by Sector vessels would count against the Sector’s cod allocation. The applicant estimates that each vessel PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Location # Vessels # Trips Georges Bank CA II. 10 80 (8 per month) Eastern U.S./ Canada Area. 10 80 (8 per month) would average 19,900 lb (9.0 mt) of haddock and less than 1 percent bycatch of GB cod per trip, for a total of E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 2, 2005 / Notices 3,184,000 lb (1,444.6 mt) of haddock and 31,840 lb (14.4 mt) of cod. However, the applicant believes the study can be successfully completed with a bycatch of GB cod of 20,000 lb (9.1 mt). Therefore, to ensure that participating vessels stay within the confines of this experiment, the study will be subject to a poundage cap of 20,000 lb (9.1 mt) of GB cod, and 3,184,000 lb (1,444.6 mt) of GB haddock. Should this cap be caught, the RA would discontinue the experimental fishery. All fish landed would be subject to the minimum fish size. Although all vessels would be exempt from the haddock trip limits, non-Sector vessel would not be exempt from the cod trip limit requirements. Because the target species is haddock, the applicant has requested an exemption from the 3,600- hook limits for non-Sector vessels. Hook limits for longline fishermen were implemented as a means to reduce the catch of cod on Georges Bank. As such, the limit is unnecessary for fishermen targeting haddock. Additionally, EFPs DA–280 and DA–338 have demonstrated that the bycatch rate of cod is less than 1 percent when using fabricated baits. REMSA scientific staff would be present on board each participating vessel, equating to 100–percent scientific data collector coverage for this experimental fishery. Scientific data collectors would be responsible for collecting all biological and environmental data on NMFS observer forms. CCCHFA would develop a full report of results and would submit this information to the NMFS Northeast Regional Office monthly. The EFPs would contain a provision that the RA has the authority to discontinue the proposed experimental fishery at any time, e.g., the RA would terminate the EFP if the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is closed due to TAC-based closures. A draft EA has been prepared that analyzes the impacts of the proposed experimental fishery on the human environment. This draft EA concludes that the activities proposed to be conducted under the requested EFP are consistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP, would not be detrimental to the well-being of any stocks of fish harvested, and would have no significant environmental impacts. The draft EA also concludes that the proposed experimental fishery would not be detrimental to Essential Fish Habitat, marine mammals, or protected species. The applicant may request minor modifications to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate VerDate jul<14>2003 15:00 Mar 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 completion of the proposed research and minimal enough so as not to change the scope or impact the initially approved EFP request. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 25, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E5–829 Filed 3–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Joint Advisory Committee on Nuclear Weapons Surety; Meeting Department of Defense. Notice of Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Joint Advisory Committee on Nuclear Weapons Surety will conduct a closed session on March 30th, 2005 at the Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA. The Joint Advisory Committee is charged with advising the Secretaries of Defense and Energy, and the Joint Nuclear Weapons Council on nuclear weapons surety matters. At this meeting the Joint Advisory Committee will receive classified briefings on nuclear weapons safety and security. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended, Title 5, U.S.C. App. II, (1988)), this meeting concerns matters sensitive to the interests of national security, listed in 5 U.S.C. Section 552b(c)(1) and accordingly this meeting will be closed to the public. Dated: February 25, 2005. Jeannette Owings-Ballard, OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 05–4035 Filed 3–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–M 10075 SUMMARY: The Defense Science Board Task Force on Identifying and Sustaining U.S. Department of Defense/ UK Ministry of Defence Defense Critical Technologies (Study) will meet in closed session on April 1, 2005, at Strategic Analysis, Inc., 3601 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. This Task Force will develop a methodology to identify unique defense technologies as well as commercially developed technologies needing augmentation to fulfill defense niche areas, and then apply the methodology to develop a list of defense critical technologies. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force should focus its effort on high leverage, differentiated and transformational technologies. The Study may then use this list of defense critical technologies to further assess the tools available to the U.S. DoD or UK MoD to develop its critical technology needs. Some of the considerations the Study should examine include mechanisms to develop niches in preexisting technologies, foster new technology until the commercial marketplace takes over, or develop technology without any expectation of commercial development; the analysis should include a review of the applicable acquisition/business case. Finally, the Study should consider the impact of technology development in other countries and the implications that this may have on Anglo-U.S. unique needs. In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92–463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that, accordingly, these meetings will be closed to the public. Office of the Secretary Dated: February 25, 2005. Jeannette Owings-Ballard, OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 05–4034 Filed 3–1–05; 8:45 am] Defense Science Board BILLING CODE 5001–06–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of Defense. Notice of Advisory Committee Meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10074-10075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-829]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 022505A]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Notification of a proposal for EFPs to conduct experimental 
fishing; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator for 
Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional 
Administrator), has determined that an application for EFPs contains 
all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The 
Assistant Regional Administrator is considering the impacts of the 
activities to be authorized under the EFPs with respect to the 
Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, 
further review and consultation may be necessary before a final 
determination is made to issue EFPs. Therefore, NMFS announces that the 
Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs in response to 
an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's 
Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with Maine Division of Marine 
Resources (MEDMR), and Research, Environmental and Management Support 
(REMSA). These EFPs would allow up to 20 commercial vessels to conduct 
an experimental demersal longline fishery for haddock in Georges Bank 
(GB) Closed Area (CA) II and portions of the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area. 
This fishery would take place at various times from May 2005 through 
February 2006. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine if 
hook-and-line gear could be used to target haddock with minimal bycatch 
of cod in order to establish potential future Special Access Programs 
(SAPs) in these areas as allowed under Amendment 13 to the FMP. The 
EFPs would also contain a provision authorizing the RA to discontinue 
the experimental fishery once a specified amount of cod and haddock are 
caught or at her discretion.

DATES: Comments on this action must be received at the appropriate 
address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before March 17, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
Haddock CA II SAP EFP Proposal.'' Comments may also be sent via fax to 
(978) 281-9135, or submitted via e-mail to the following address: 
da735@noaa.gov. Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA) are 
available from the NE Regional Office at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Sagar, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone: 978-281-9341, fax: 978-281-9135, email: 
heather.sagar@noaa.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The CCCHFA, in collaboration with MEDMR and REMSA, submitted a 
request on November 16, 2004, to conduct an experimental fishery for GB 
haddock within GB CA II and a portion of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. 
The purpose of the proposed study is to determine if demersal longline 
gear could be used to target haddock with minimal bycatch of cod in 
order to establish potential future SAP. This proposal builds on an 
ongoing study that began on June 10, 2004, and which ended on January 
31, 2005. Preliminary results from this ongoing study demonstrate the 
viability of utilizing demersal longline gear to reduce bycatch of cod 
in a portion of Cashes Ledge Closure Area, Western Gulf of Maine 
Closure Area, GB CA I, and Rolling Closure Area III.
    The CCCHFA's most recent proposal requests authorizing a total of 
160 trips by 20 commercial longline vessels to fish for and possess 
haddock in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, including CA II, during the 
period May 1, 2005, through February 28, 2006. Similar to their initial 
experiment, days-at-sea (DAS) would be used. Throughout this study, 
CCCHFA hopes to determine the appropriate season, bait, and location 
for a directed haddock fishery in the above identified areas that would 
have minimal impact on other groundfish stocks, particularly GB cod, 
for the purpose of developing a SAP. Participating vessels would be 
prohibited from fishing in areas outside of the identified areas during 
an experimental fishing trip. Participating vessels would also be 
prohibited from fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, should it be 
closed due to the attainment of either the cod, yellowtail flounder, or 
haddock TACs. Finally, participating vessels would be prevented from 
fishing in CA II during peak spawning for cod and haddock, unless 
otherwise notified. This study would follow normal fishing practices.

                                        Proposed Study Areas and Seasons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     
              Area                  Closure Type      Duration         Location       Vessels     Trips
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  GB CA II             Year-Round      May 2005    Georges Bank CA          10  80 (8 per month)
                                                        through                 II
                                                       February
                                                           2006
                  Eastern U.S./         TAC Based      May 2005      Eastern U.S./          10  80 (8 per month)
                   Canada Area                          through        Canada Area
                                                       February
                                                           2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Vessels used in this study would include both GB Cod Hook Sector 
(Sector) and non-Sector vessels. All cod caught by Sector vessels would 
count against the Sector's cod allocation. The applicant estimates that 
each vessel would average 19,900 lb (9.0 mt) of haddock and less than 1 
percent bycatch of GB cod per trip, for a total of

[[Page 10075]]

3,184,000 lb (1,444.6 mt) of haddock and 31,840 lb (14.4 mt) of cod. 
However, the applicant believes the study can be successfully completed 
with a bycatch of GB cod of 20,000 lb (9.1 mt). Therefore, to ensure 
that participating vessels stay within the confines of this experiment, 
the study will be subject to a poundage cap of 20,000 lb (9.1 mt) of GB 
cod, and 3,184,000 lb (1,444.6 mt) of GB haddock. Should this cap be 
caught, the RA would discontinue the experimental fishery. All fish 
landed would be subject to the minimum fish size. Although all vessels 
would be exempt from the haddock trip limits, non-Sector vessel would 
not be exempt from the cod trip limit requirements. Because the target 
species is haddock, the applicant has requested an exemption from the 
3,600- hook limits for non-Sector vessels. Hook limits for longline 
fishermen were implemented as a means to reduce the catch of cod on 
Georges Bank. As such, the limit is unnecessary for fishermen targeting 
haddock. Additionally, EFPs DA-280 and DA-338 have demonstrated that 
the bycatch rate of cod is less than 1 percent when using fabricated 
baits.
    REMSA scientific staff would be present on board each participating 
vessel, equating to 100-percent scientific data collector coverage for 
this experimental fishery. Scientific data collectors would be 
responsible for collecting all biological and environmental data on 
NMFS observer forms. CCCHFA would develop a full report of results and 
would submit this information to the NMFS Northeast Regional Office 
monthly. The EFPs would contain a provision that the RA has the 
authority to discontinue the proposed experimental fishery at any time, 
e.g., the RA would terminate the EFP if the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is 
closed due to TAC-based closures.
    A draft EA has been prepared that analyzes the impacts of the 
proposed experimental fishery on the human environment. This draft EA 
concludes that the activities proposed to be conducted under the 
requested EFP are consistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP, 
would not be detrimental to the well-being of any stocks of fish 
harvested, and would have no significant environmental impacts. The 
draft EA also concludes that the proposed experimental fishery would 
not be detrimental to Essential Fish Habitat, marine mammals, or 
protected species.
    The applicant may request minor modifications to the EFP throughout 
the year. EFP modifications may be granted without further notice if 
they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed 
research and minimal enough so as not to change the scope or impact the 
initially approved EFP request.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed EFPs.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 25, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-829 Filed 3-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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