Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 20737-20738 [E5-1880]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 76 / Thursday, April 21, 2005 / Notices 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Receive the SSC Selection Committee Report (CLOSED SESSION). 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. - Receive the SEDAR Committee Report (CLOSED SESSION). 4:45 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Receive the Joint Budget/Personnel Committee Report (CLOSED SESSION). Thursday, May 12, 2005 8:30 a.m. – 8:35 a.m. - Receive the AP Selection Committee Report. 8:35 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. - Receive the SSC Selection Committee Report. 8:40 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. - Receive the SEDAR Committee Report. 8:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Receive the Joint Budget/Personnel Committee Report. 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. - Receive the Reef Fish Management Committee report. 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. - Receive the Joint Administrative Policy/Budget/ Personnel Committee Report. 9:45 a.m. – 10 a.m. Receive the Habitat Protection Committee Report. 10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. - Receive the Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel Committee Report. 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Receive the Data Collection Committee Report. 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. - Receive the NMFS Billfish and HMS AP Meeting Report. 10:45 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Receive Enforcement Reports. 11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. - Receive the NMFS Regional Administrator’s report. 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - Receive Directors’ Reports. 11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. - Other Business. Committee Monday, May 9, 2005 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. - The Advisory Panel (AP) Selection Committee will meet in closed session to appoint AP members. 10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. - The Scientific and Statistical (SSC) Selection Committee will meet in closed session to appoint SSC members. 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - The Joint Budget/Personnel Committee will meet in closed session to make recommendations to Council on the selection of an Ecosystem Facilitator and then open session to review the Council’s operational budget for CY2005. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. - The Shrimp Management Committee will review public hearing summaries, public letters, AP recommendations, LEAP recommendations, SEP comments, SSC recommendations and committee recommendations on Final Shrimp Amendment 13/EA, which addresses VerDate jul<14>2003 14:55 Apr 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 20737 limited access in the shrimp fishery in order to make recommendations to the Council. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. - The Joint Administrative Policy/Budge/Personnel Committee will meet to review the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) revision to the SOPPs. 4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. - The Habitat Protection Committee will hear reports on the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Coordinators’ Meeting and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) Meeting. They will then hear an update on liquefied natural gas (LNG) Facility Permitting. 4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. - The Data Collection Committee will receive a presentation on the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System. agenda items. In order to further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the date established in this notice. Tuesday, May 10, 2005 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. - The SEDAR Committee will meet in closed session to select panel participants for SEDAR workshops for amberjack, vermilion snapper and gray triggerfish. 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon - The Reef Fish Management Committee will meet to review Public Hearing Draft Reef Fish Amendment 18A/EA, which addresses the grouper fishery and receive a demonstration of bycatch release gear. The Committee will then receive the red grouper 2004/2005 landings data and hear a status report on the interim red grouper rule. The Committee will review a revised options paper for the Red Grouper Regulatory Amendment providing for commercial vessel trip limits and a revised total allowable catch (TAC) and then discuss the red grouper industry buy-out business plan. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. - The Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel Management Committees will review a public hearing draft of a Generic Amendment for Extension of Charter Vessel Permit Moratorium. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-SFCMA), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the Council and Committees will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Dawn Aring at the Council (see ADDRESSES) by May 2, 2005. Dated: April 18, 2005. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E5–1873 Filed 4–20–05; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 041805B] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject application to modify an existing Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued to modify a recently approved EFP by allowing additional exemptions from the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would add an exemption from the FMP as follows: The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closure Area III; Western GOM Closure E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM 21APN1 20738 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 76 / Thursday, April 21, 2005 / Notices Area for the month of May 2005; and the minimum gillnet mesh size for the month of May 2005. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. DATES: Written comments on this document must be received on or before May 6, 2005. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Revised GOM Gillnet Study.’’ Comments may also be sent via fax to (978) 281–9135 or submitted via e-mail to da660r@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Tasker, Fishery Management Specialist, phone (978) 281–9273. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and Angelica Fisheries, Inc., submitted an application for an EFP on August 13, 2004. The primary goal of the research is to establish gillnet selectivity curves for haddock in the GOM, and to test whether it is possible to catch legal-size haddock with gillnet gear with mesh size that is less than 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) while avoiding catching cod or other species of concern in an area east of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, from January through April 2005. An EFP was granted on January 6, 2005, which allowed for exemptions from the regulations implementing the FMP as follows during 14 days in January through March 2005: The Western GOM Closure Area specified at 50 CFR 648.81(e) and the minimum gillnet mesh size specified at 50 CFR 648.80(a)(3)(iv)(B)(1). Five gillnets of mesh sizes ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 inches (11.4 to 16.5 cm), in 0.5–inch (1.3–cm) increments, would be fished by one vessel in six groups (each group containing one net of each mesh size), for a total of 30 nets. The nets would be of standard commercial length, 300 ft (91.4 m), and approximately two-thirds the standard commercial height, resulting in a height of 7.5 ft (2.3 m). This net size was selected based on the applicants’ belief that cod typically are captured in the upper meshes of standard nets when standard nets are fished in this area. In order to conduct this project, researchers requested, and were granted, VerDate jul<14>2003 14:55 Apr 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 an exemption to the minimum mesh size regulation of 6.5 inches(16.5 cm) in the GOM. Additionally, in the initial EFP application, researchers requested, and were granted, access to fish in an area off of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, between 42°35′ and 42°50′ N. lat. and 69°50′ to 70°15′ W. long. (30 minute squares 131 and 132), including the Western GOM Closure Area. Researchers requested access to a portion of the Western GOM Closure Area during January through April 2005 because historical commercial fishing experience indicates that haddock are present in high densities in this area during the study period. However, because the month of April is a peak spawning period for cod in the GOM, and the Western GOM Closure Area is closed in part to protect spawning cod, this EFP was prevented from occurring in the Western GOM Closure Area and thus was restricted to January through March 2005. On March 14, 2005, and April 11, 2005, researchers submitted requests to modify their EFP in order to allow them the opportunity to collect data in the month of May 2005. The additional time is needed because research could not begin until March due to the experimental gear not being ready until that time. The EFP would continue an exemption from the minimum mesh size requirements for the GOM RMA. In addition, researchers requested to change the study area for the month of May 2005 to an area between 42°35′ and 43°00′ N. latitude and 69°50′ to 70°15′ W. longitude, including access to the Western GOM Closure Area. They also requested an exemption from the regulations pertaining to GOM Rolling Closure Area III. Finally, the number of sea days during which this research would take place is anticipated to increase from 14 days proposed in the initial EFP request to 17 days. The data collection activities aboard the participating vessels would be conducted by observers from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to ensure compliance with the experimental fishery objectives. If the proposed EFP modification is approved, the applicant may place requests for minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and result in only a minimal change in the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. PO 00000 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: April 18, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E5–1880 Filed 4–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 032405A] Endangered Species; Permits No. 1509 and 1522 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of permits. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Michael Salmon (Permit No. 1509) and Kenneth Lohmann (Permit No. 1522) have been issued permits to take endangered and threatened sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (tel: 727/824– 5312, fax 727/824–5517). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay or Ruth Johnson, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 9, 2005, notice was published in the Federal Register (70 FR 11619) that a request for a scientific research permit to take threatened sea turtles had been submitted by Jeanette Wyneken (Permit No. 1509). Ms. Wyneken subsequently requested that the permit be issued to Michael Salmon. On February 23, 2005, notice was published in the Federal Register (70 FR 8767) that a request for a scientific research permit to take endangered and threatened sea turtles had been submitted by Kenneth Lohmann. The requested permits have been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM 21APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 76 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20737-20738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1880]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 041805B]


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

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) 
has made a preliminary determination that the subject application to 
modify an existing Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) contains all the 
required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant 
Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that 
the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the 
goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be 
necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. 
Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator 
proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued to modify a recently 
approved EFP by allowing additional exemptions from the regulations 
governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP 
would add an exemption from the FMP as follows: The Gulf of Maine (GOM) 
Rolling Closure Area III; Western GOM Closure

[[Page 20738]]

Area for the month of May 2005; and the minimum gillnet mesh size for 
the month of May 2005. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) require 
publication of this notification to provide interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

DATES: Written comments on this document must be received on or before 
May 6, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope 
``Comments on Revised GOM Gillnet Study.'' Comments may also be sent 
via fax to (978) 281-9135 or submitted via e-mail to da660r@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Tasker, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone (978) 281-9273.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and Angelica Fisheries, 
Inc., submitted an application for an EFP on August 13, 2004. The 
primary goal of the research is to establish gillnet selectivity curves 
for haddock in the GOM, and to test whether it is possible to catch 
legal-size haddock with gillnet gear with mesh size that is less than 
6.5 inches (16.5 cm) while avoiding catching cod or other species of 
concern in an area east of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, from January 
through April 2005. An EFP was granted on January 6, 2005, which 
allowed for exemptions from the regulations implementing the FMP as 
follows during 14 days in January through March 2005: The Western GOM 
Closure Area specified at 50 CFR 648.81(e) and the minimum gillnet mesh 
size specified at 50 CFR 648.80(a)(3)(iv)(B)(1).
    Five gillnets of mesh sizes ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 inches (11.4 to 
16.5 cm), in 0.5-inch (1.3-cm) increments, would be fished by one 
vessel in six groups (each group containing one net of each mesh size), 
for a total of 30 nets. The nets would be of standard commercial 
length, 300 ft (91.4 m), and approximately two-thirds the standard 
commercial height, resulting in a height of 7.5 ft (2.3 m). This net 
size was selected based on the applicants' belief that cod typically 
are captured in the upper meshes of standard nets when standard nets 
are fished in this area.
    In order to conduct this project, researchers requested, and were 
granted, an exemption to the minimum mesh size regulation of 6.5 
inches(16.5 cm) in the GOM. Additionally, in the initial EFP 
application, researchers requested, and were granted, access to fish in 
an area off of Cape Ann, Massachusetts, between 42[deg]35' and 
42[deg]50' N. lat. and 69[deg]50' to 70[deg]15' W. long. (30 minute 
squares 131 and 132), including the Western GOM Closure Area. 
Researchers requested access to a portion of the Western GOM Closure 
Area during January through April 2005 because historical commercial 
fishing experience indicates that haddock are present in high densities 
in this area during the study period. However, because the month of 
April is a peak spawning period for cod in the GOM, and the Western GOM 
Closure Area is closed in part to protect spawning cod, this EFP was 
prevented from occurring in the Western GOM Closure Area and thus was 
restricted to January through March 2005.
    On March 14, 2005, and April 11, 2005, researchers submitted 
requests to modify their EFP in order to allow them the opportunity to 
collect data in the month of May 2005. The additional time is needed 
because research could not begin until March due to the experimental 
gear not being ready until that time. The EFP would continue an 
exemption from the minimum mesh size requirements for the GOM RMA. In 
addition, researchers requested to change the study area for the month 
of May 2005 to an area between 42[deg]35' and 43[deg]00' N. latitude 
and 69[deg]50' to 70[deg]15' W. longitude, including access to the 
Western GOM Closure Area. They also requested an exemption from the 
regulations pertaining to GOM Rolling Closure Area III. Finally, the 
number of sea days during which this research would take place is 
anticipated to increase from 14 days proposed in the initial EFP 
request to 17 days.
    The data collection activities aboard the participating vessels 
would be conducted by observers from the Gulf of Maine Research 
Institute and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to ensure 
compliance with the experimental fishery objectives.
    If the proposed EFP modification is approved, the applicant may 
place requests for minor modifications and extensions to the EFP 
throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted 
without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate 
completion of the proposed research and result in only a minimal change 
in the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request.

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

    Dated: April 18, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-1880 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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