Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing Permits, 4691 [07-440]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 21 / Thursday, February 1, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011907C] Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS has decided not to proceed with issuing exempted fishing permits (EFPs) to collect data during Atlantic billfish tournaments to evaluate the impacts of J-style fishing hooks (Jhooks) and heavy tackle on Atlantic blue marlin. NMFS may consider potential strategies or mechanisms to mitigate impacts on tournaments in the future. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Dunn or Randy Blankinship, 727–824–5399; fax: 727–824–5398. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 and 635.32 govern scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity with respect to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). NMFS received EFP applications from five Atlantic billfish tournament operators on behalf of 15 tournaments requesting exemptions from requirements for anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to use non-offset circle hooks when using natural bait and natural bait/artificial lure combinations. The requests were received for tournaments that would operate in the U.S. Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. NMFS has considered public comment received on the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (October 2, 2006; 71 FR 58058); comment received during the October 3–4, 2006, Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meeting (August 30, 2006; 71 FR 51577); and public comment received in response to a notice of intent to issue EFPs (November 27, 2006; 71 FR 68558). Comments received expressed concern over the difficulty of standardizing fishing gear type and use in a tournament setting. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:47 Jan 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 Comments also expressed concern over the quality of data collected in a tournament setting and the data’s scientific applicability given the fishing characteristics of tournaments (fast paced activity, focus on catching and retaining specific species and/or size classes, and varying tournament rules). Finally, comments were received that expressed a general lack of support for conducting research and/or data collection in tournaments for the reasons stated above. NMFS worked with billfish tournament constituents to address the concerns over study design and data collection; however, difficulty continued in resolving many of the concerns. As a result, NMFS has determined that collection of data to evaluate the impacts of J-hooks and heavy tackle on Atlantic blue marlin during billfish tournaments in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico would be problematic because of the varying conditions and methodologies discussed above that would likely occur within tournaments and between tournaments. NMFS will consider potential strategies and mechanisms other than EFPs to mitigate the impacts of specific hook requirements on Atlantic billfish tournaments and tournament participants in future rulemaking. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 29, 2007. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–440 Filed 1–29–07; 2:25 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011807C] Fisheries of the Northeast Region; Fisheries of the Southeast Region; Fisheries off West Coast States; and Fisheries in the Western Pacific National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of determinations of overfishing, and a need to revise a rebuilding plan. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that overfishing is occurring in fisheries for northeast winter skate; Gulf of PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4691 Mexico (GOM) gag and gray triggerfish; and Eastern Pacific Ocean yellowfin tuna. NMFS has also determined that the rebuilding plan for GOM greater amberjack needs to be revised. NMFS notified the respective regional fishery management councils (Councils) responsible for these fisheries of its determinations by letter. The Councils are required to take action within one year following NMFS notification that overfishing is occurring or a stock is approaching overfishing, a stock is overfished or approaching an overfished condition, or existing remedial action taken to end overfishing or rebuild an overfished stock has not resulted in adequate progress. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Millikin, telephone: (301) 7132341. Pursuant to sections 304(e)(2) and (e)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2) and (e)(7), and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(2), NMFS sends written notification to fishery management councils when overfishing is occurring or a stock is approaching overfishing; a stock is overfished or approaching an overfished condition, or existing action taken to end previously identified overfishing or rebuilding a previously identified overfished stock or stock complex has not resulted in adequate progress. On October 11, 2006, the NMFS Southeast Regional Administrator sent a letter, notifying the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GOM Council) that overfishing is occurring in GOM gag and gray triggerfish. Pursuant to section 304(e)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act , NMFS also notified the GOM Council in the same letter that the rebuilding plan for GOM greater amberjack needs to be revised so that it can still rebuild to the stock’s target biomass (Bmsy) by the end of the time frame for that stock’s rebuilding plan. On October 17, 2006, the NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator sent a letter notifying the New England Fishery Management Council that overfishing is occurring in the winter skate fishery. On October 25, 2006, the NMFS Southwest Regional Administrator sent a letter notifying the Pacific Fishery Management Council that overfishing is occurring on the Eastern Pacific Ocean stock of yellowfin tuna. Copies of the notification letters sent to the fishery management councils for the aforementioned determinations are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 21 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 4691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-440]



[[Page 4691]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011907C]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has decided not to proceed with issuing exempted fishing 
permits (EFPs) to collect data during Atlantic billfish tournaments to 
evaluate the impacts of J-style fishing hooks (J-hooks) and heavy 
tackle on Atlantic blue marlin. NMFS may consider potential strategies 
or mechanisms to mitigate impacts on tournaments in the future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Dunn or Randy Blankinship, 
727-824-5399; fax: 727-824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act 
(16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 and 635.32 
govern scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted 
educational activity with respect to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 
(HMS). NMFS received EFP applications from five Atlantic billfish 
tournament operators on behalf of 15 tournaments requesting exemptions 
from requirements for anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and 
participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to use non-offset circle 
hooks when using natural bait and natural bait/artificial lure 
combinations. The requests were received for tournaments that would 
operate in the U.S. Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
    NMFS has considered public comment received on the final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the final Consolidated HMS Fishery 
Management Plan (October 2, 2006; 71 FR 58058); comment received during 
the October 3-4, 2006, Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meeting 
(August 30, 2006; 71 FR 51577); and public comment received in response 
to a notice of intent to issue EFPs (November 27, 2006; 71 FR 68558). 
Comments received expressed concern over the difficulty of 
standardizing fishing gear type and use in a tournament setting. 
Comments also expressed concern over the quality of data collected in a 
tournament setting and the data's scientific applicability given the 
fishing characteristics of tournaments (fast paced activity, focus on 
catching and retaining specific species and/or size classes, and 
varying tournament rules). Finally, comments were received that 
expressed a general lack of support for conducting research and/or data 
collection in tournaments for the reasons stated above. NMFS worked 
with billfish tournament constituents to address the concerns over 
study design and data collection; however, difficulty continued in 
resolving many of the concerns.
    As a result, NMFS has determined that collection of data to 
evaluate the impacts of J-hooks and heavy tackle on Atlantic blue 
marlin during billfish tournaments in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of 
Mexico would be problematic because of the varying conditions and 
methodologies discussed above that would likely occur within 
tournaments and between tournaments. NMFS will consider potential 
strategies and mechanisms other than EFPs to mitigate the impacts of 
specific hook requirements on Atlantic billfish tournaments and 
tournament participants in future rulemaking.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 29, 2007.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-440 Filed 1-29-07; 2:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.