2006 Monkfish Research Set-aside Program, 43447 [E6-12365]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 147 / Tuesday, August 1, 2006 / Notices incorporate vertical mounted triggers instead of horizontal triggers typically used for cod. Haddock specific baits would also be tested during the project. In addition, an underwater video camera would be used to document haddock behavior in and around each trap design. The camera would be deployed with an onboard auxiliary group from a significant distance from test site, so as not to influence behavior with the lights. A total of 12 traps would be deployed, and 10–14 hauls would be made, with an average soak time of 24 hrs, over 10 days. The gear testing would take place in the Gulf of Maine (GOM), northeast of the Western GOM Closure Area. The researchers intend to target haddock, but anticipate some incidental catch of Atlantic cod, pollock, redfish, and spiny dogfish. Once caught, fish would be sorted by species, measured, weighed, and returned to the water. No fish, shellfish, or other animals would be retained. The researchers estimate that less than 1,000 lb (453.59 kg) of haddock and less than 500 lb (226.80 kg) of all incidental species would be collected and returned to the water. The intent is for this project to take place between August and November 2006. 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. In accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216– 6, a Categorical Exclusion or other appropriate NEPA document would be completed prior to the issuance of the EFP. Further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. After publication of this document in the Federal Register, the EFP, if approved, may become effective following a 15-day public comment period. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 26, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–12271 Filed 7–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:04 Jul 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 050906238–5238–01; I.D. 090705E] RIN 0648–ZB68 2006 Monkfish Research Set-aside Program National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; reallocation of set-aside days-at-sea. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of the reallocation of monkfish research days-at-sea (DAS) as exempted DAS. These are DAS that were set aside under the 2006 Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, but were not distributed through the NOAA grant process. These exempted DAS may be used for the conduct of monkfish related research activities during fishing year (FY) 2006 (May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007). Requests for a monkfish DAS exemption must be submitted with a complete application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP). DATES: Projects involving the use of exempted DAS under this program must be completed prior to the end of FY 2006, on April 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: Applications for an EFP must be sent to the Regional Administrator (RA), NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Ferreira, Fishery Policy Analyst, by phone 978–281–9103, by fax 978– 281–9135, or by e-mail at allison.ferreira@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (70 FR 21927, April 28, 2005), established the Monkfish RSA Program, which annually sets aside 500 monkfish DAS from the total number of monkfish DAS allocated to limited access monkfish vessels to be used for cooperative monkfish research programs. Amendment 2 also established a Monkfish Exemption Program, which requires the RA to reallocate as exempted DAS any monkfish research DAS not allocated through the Monkfish RSA Program. These exempted DAS may be then used by vessels for the conduct of monkfish research activities during the current fishing year (e.g., FY 2006). PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43447 On September 13, 2005, NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the 2006 Monkfish RSA Program (70 FR 54028), and solicited proposals for monkfish research activities to be conducted under this RSA program. Three proposals were received as part of this solicitation, and two were granted awards totaling 137.5 monkfish research DAS. As a result, there are 362.5 DAS available to be reallocated as exempted DAS during FY 2006. Therefore, the RA, pursuant to the regulations governing the monkfish fishery at 50 CFR 648.92(c)(1)(v), reallocates these unused research DAS from the FY 2006 Monkfish RSA Program, as exempted DAS, that may be used for the conduct of monkfish research projects during FY 2006. All requests for monkfish DAS exemptions under the Monkfish DAS Exemption Program must be submitted to the RA along with a complete application for an EFP. The requirements for submitting a complete EFP application are provided in the regulations implementing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at § 600.745(b). Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. This document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The information requested in an EFP application has been approved under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control number 0648–0309. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 26, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–12365 Filed 7–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\01AUN1.SGM 01AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 43447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12365]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 050906238-5238-01; I.D. 090705E]
RIN 0648-ZB68


2006 Monkfish Research Set-aside Program

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

ACTION: Notice; reallocation of set-aside days-at-sea.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of the reallocation of monkfish 
research days-at-sea (DAS) as exempted DAS. These are DAS that were set 
aside under the 2006 Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, but 
were not distributed through the NOAA grant process. These exempted DAS 
may be used for the conduct of monkfish related research activities 
during fishing year (FY) 2006 (May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007). 
Requests for a monkfish DAS exemption must be submitted with a complete 
application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP).

DATES: Projects involving the use of exempted DAS under this program 
must be completed prior to the end of FY 2006, on April 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Applications for an EFP must be sent to the Regional 
Administrator (RA), NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Ferreira, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, by phone 978-281-9103, by fax 978-281-9135, or by e-mail at 
allison.ferreira@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (70 FR 
21927, April 28, 2005), established the Monkfish RSA Program, which 
annually sets aside 500 monkfish DAS from the total number of monkfish 
DAS allocated to limited access monkfish vessels to be used for 
cooperative monkfish research programs. Amendment 2 also established a 
Monkfish Exemption Program, which requires the RA to reallocate as 
exempted DAS any monkfish research DAS not allocated through the 
Monkfish RSA Program. These exempted DAS may be then used by vessels 
for the conduct of monkfish research activities during the current 
fishing year (e.g., FY 2006).
    On September 13, 2005, NMFS published a notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the 2006 Monkfish RSA Program (70 FR 54028), and 
solicited proposals for monkfish research activities to be conducted 
under this RSA program. Three proposals were received as part of this 
solicitation, and two were granted awards totaling 137.5 monkfish 
research DAS. As a result, there are 362.5 DAS available to be 
reallocated as exempted DAS during FY 2006. Therefore, the RA, pursuant 
to the regulations governing the monkfish fishery at 50 CFR 
648.92(c)(1)(v), reallocates these unused research DAS from the FY 2006 
Monkfish RSA Program, as exempted DAS, that may be used for the conduct 
of monkfish research projects during FY 2006.
    All requests for monkfish DAS exemptions under the Monkfish DAS 
Exemption Program must be submitted to the RA along with a complete 
application for an EFP. The requirements for submitting a complete EFP 
application are provided in the regulations implementing the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at Sec.  600.745(b).

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The information requested 
in an EFP application has been approved under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control number 0648-0309. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection 
of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

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

    Dated: July 26, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12365 Filed 7-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.