Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States, 43715 [E6-12411]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 43715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12411]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 072706C]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) from Scott Baker on behalf of the North Carolina 
Sea Grant Extension Program. If granted, the EFP would authorize the 
applicant, with certain conditions, to collect limited numbers of black 
sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters off the coast of North 
Carolina. The purpose of the study is to quantify fish size selectivity 
by sea bass pot type and determine regulatory discard mortality rates.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard 
time, on September 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application may be sent via fax to 727-824-
5308 or mailed to: Mark Sramek, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Comments may also be 
submitted by E-mail. The mailbox address for providing E-mail comments 
is Black.Sea.Bass@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the E-mail 
document the following text: Comment on NC Sea Grant EFP Application. 
The application and related documents are available for review upon 
written request to the address above or the E-mail address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Sramek, 727-824-5311; fax 727-
824-5308; E-mail: Mark.Sramek@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted 
fishing.
    According to the applicant, the North Carolina Sea Grant Extension 
Program receives federal funding through the National Sea Grant College 
Program, as well as state appropriations. Through research, education 
and outreach programs, North Carolina Sea Grant works with individuals, 
groups, government agencies and businesses to develop an understanding 
of the state's coastal environment and promote the sustainable use of 
marine resources.
    The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic Region 
(FMP).
    The applicant requires authorization to harvest and possess black 
sea bass for scientific research activities during the period from 
October 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007. Specimens would be collected 
from Federal waters off the coast of North Carolina during the 
specified sampling period. Fish would be captured using standard and 
experimental modification designs to Council-approved sea bass pots 
used for the harvest of black sea bass in the South Atlantic region.
    Three types of sea bass pots would be employed during the study: 
One standard-type pot constructed of 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) mesh with a 2-
inch (5.1-cm) mesh back panel; a second, experimental-type pot 
constructed entirely of 2-inch mesh (5.1-cm) (both pot types are 
currently approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
(Council) for commercial fishing for black sea bass); the third, 
control-type pot constructed entirely of 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) mesh with no 
escape vents. The purpose of the control-type pot is to provide an 
indication of the number and range of size classes of black sea bass 
present at each sample location. To avoid continued fishing activity 
and subsequent fish mortality in the event of lost pots, all three pot 
types will include a wire panel affixed with degradable fasteners. 
Control-type pots, as outlined above, will only be employed as part of 
this study and will not be utilized during normal commercial fishing 
operations. The study will employ a randomized fishing location design, 
or block, of three sea bass pots per block (one control-type, an 
experimental-type, and standard-type pots) within 10 blocks per trip. 
Individual pots will be randomly placed approximately 10 to 30 meters 
apart within each block; a total of 13 sampling trips will be performed 
from October 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007. All captured fish will be 
identified by species, measured, and released if undersized. Prior to 
release, the presence of barotraumatic effects on black sea bass will 
be recorded. No undersized fish will be retained in this study.
    NMFS finds that this application warrants further consideration. 
Based on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible 
conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed 
granted, include but are not limited to: Reduction in the number of sea 
bass pots to be employed; restrictions on the placement of sea bass 
pots; prohibition of the harvest of any fish with visible external 
tags; and specification of locations, dates, and/or seasons allowed for 
collection of particular fish species. A final decision on issuance of 
the EFP will depend on a NMFS review of public comments received on the 
application, consultations with the affected states, the Council, and 
the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with 
all applicable laws. The applicant requests a 6-month effective period 
for the EFP.

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

    Dated: July 28, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12411 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
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