Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 19938-19939 [2010-8713]

Download as PDF 19938 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 73 / Friday, April 16, 2010 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Title: Fish and Seafood Promotion. OMB Control Number: 0648–0556. Form Number(s): NA. Type of Request: Regular submission. Number of Respondents: 3. Average Hours per Response: 106 hours and 40 minutes. Burden Hours: 320. Needs and Uses: In response to renewed fishing industry support for marketing and promotion-related activities, NMFS enacted regulations to implement the Fish and Seafood Promotion Act (FSPA) of 1986 for the establishment, organization, and operation of Seafood Marketing Councils (Councils). Council marketing and promotion plans will be designed to increase the general demand for fish and fish products by encouraging, expanding, and improving the marketing and utilization of fish and fish products both in domestic or foreign markets, through consumer education, research, and other marketing and promotion activities. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Frequency: Annually. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395–3897. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, FAX number (202) 395–7285, or David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov. RIN 0648–XV59 Dated: April 13, 2010. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–8743 Filed 4–15–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:07 Apr 15, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has made a determination that the activities authorized under this EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue an EFP. The EFP will allow commercial fishing vessels to conduct compensation fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. This EFP, which would enable vessels to harvest monkfish in accordance with the provisions of the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, would grant exemptions from the monkfish days-atsea (DAS) possession limits in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). 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. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 3, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on Monkfish RSA Harvest EFP.’’ • Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on monkfish RSA harvest EFP, DA10–056.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Macan, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9165. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An application for an EFP was submitted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute on February 16, 2010, for a project selected under the New England and MidAtlantic Fishery Management Councils’ Monkfish RSA Program. The final grant is pending a review by NOAA Grants. The project would involve tagging monkfish to investigate migratory patterns and mixing between management areas. This EFP would grant an exemption from monkfish possession limits to vessels for the purpose of harvesting RSA to fund this research project (i.e., compensation fishing). Compensation fishing for this research would occur from May 2010 through April 2011. The fishing industry collaborators would have access to 313 monkfish DAS that would be awarded to the project through the Monkfish RSA Program. The applicant states that these vessels must be able to land at least 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) of whole monkfish (1,084 lb (492 kg) tail weight) per trip. This amount is based on the way the participating vessels typically fish, which is to land a ‘‘double limit’’ (6,652 lb (3,017 kg)) using 24 hours and 1 minute of DAS. In order to achieve this target catch, these fishing activities would require an exemption from the monkfish SFMA DAS possession limits at § 648.94(b)(2). This exemption would provide these vessels with the flexibility they need to generate sufficient income to meet projected costs of the research activity, while minimizing operating expenses. Based on the preliminary award of 313 DAS and the fishing practice described above, this would require a total catch of 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish (339,398 lb (153,948 kg) tail weight). Operating under this total landings cap, compensation fishing would continue until the required goal of 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish is met, or until the awarded DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. Aside from this exemption, fishing activity would be conducted under normal commercial fishing practices. The participating vessels would be required to comply with all other applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, unless specifically exempted in this EFP. Upon implementation of approved measures in Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, all participating vessels would be required to comply with any other applicable requirements E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 73 / Friday, April 16, 2010 / Notices in regulations implementing the amendment. The applicant may request 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 have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. If the research project is terminated for any reason prior to completion, any unused funds collected from catch sold to pay for research expenses may be refunded to NOAA. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 12, 2010. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–8713 Filed 4–15–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XV60 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES 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 determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has made a determination that the activities authorized under this EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue an EFP. The EFP would allow commercial fishing vessels to conduct research and compensation fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:07 Apr 15, 2010 Jkt 220001 States. This EFP, which would enable vessels to harvest monkfish in accordance with the provisions of the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, would grant exemptions from the monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) possession limits in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) and the monkfish minimum fish size limits for research purposes only. 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. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 3, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on Monkfish RSA Harvest EFP.’’ • Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Monkfish RSA Harvest and Gillnet Study EFP, DA10–031.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Macan, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9165. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A complete application for an EFP was submitted by GMRI on March 19, 2010, for a project selected under the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils’ Monkfish RSA Program. The final grant is pending a review by NOAA Grants. The project would involve testing tiedown lengths in gillnets and evaluating their effect on monkfish and bycatch retention. This EFP would grant an exemption from monkfish possession limits to vessels for the purpose of harvesting RSA to fund this research project (i.e., compensation fishing) and the monkfish minimum size restrictions for research purposes only. Research and compensation fishing activities for this project would occur from May 2010 through April 2011. The fishing industry collaborators would have access to 162 monkfish RSA DAS. The applicant states that these vessels must be able to land at least 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) of whole monkfish (1,084 lb (492 kg) tail weight) per trip. This amount is based on the way the participating vessels typically fish, which is to land a ‘‘double limit’’ (6,652 lb (3,017 kg)) using 24 hours and 1 minute of DAS. In order to achieve this target catch, these fishing activities PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19939 would require an exemption from monkfish SFMA DAS possession limits at § 648.94(b)(2). This exemption would provide these vessels with the flexibility they need to generate sufficient income to meet projected costs of the research activity, while minimizing operating expenses. Based on the preliminary award of 162 DAS and the fishing practice described above, this would require a total catch of 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish (175,663 lb (79,679 kg) tail weight). Operating under this total landings cap, compensation fishing would continue until the required goal of 609,000 lb (276,238 kg) of whole monkfish is met, or until the awarded DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. The research portion of this project would involve testing tiedown lengths in gillnets and evaluating their effect on monkfish and bycatch retention while under normal commercial fishing conditions. Monkfish gillnets would be configured according to standard commercial requirements with the only modification being the tiedown lengths. Tiedown lengths would consist of 6– inch (15.2 cm) increments of 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 42 inches (30.5, 45.7, 76.2, 91.4, and 106.7 cm). Upon haul back of the experimental gear, all catch would be separated and measured. All legalsized monkfish would be retained and landed for sale. Any legal-sized monkfish landed above the possession limit would be retained and counted against the landings cap described above. Undersized monkfish would be carefully removed from the net, measured, and returned to the sea as quickly as possible. An exemption from the monkfish minimum size restriction is necessary because the participating vessels may retain fish on board longer than under normal sorting procedures in order to collect catch data. The total number of days fishing will not exceed 162. The total number of hauls per day will be four, with a total of 50 nets per vessel, and a soak time of 72 to 120 hr. The research and compensation fishing would occur May 2010 through April 2011. The participating vessels would be required to comply with all other applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, unless specifically exempted in this EFP. Upon implementation of approved measures in Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, all participating vessels would be required to comply with any other applicable requirements in regulations implementing the amendment. The applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 73 (Friday, April 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19938-19939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8713]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XV59


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 determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) 
application contains all of the required information and warrants 
further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has made a 
determination that the activities authorized under this EFP would be 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Monkfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be 
necessary before a final determination is made to issue an EFP. The EFP 
will allow commercial fishing vessels to conduct compensation fishing 
operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing 
the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. This EFP, which would 
enable vessels to harvest monkfish in accordance with the provisions of 
the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, would grant exemptions 
from the monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) possession limits in the Southern 
Fishery Management Area (SFMA).
    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.

DATES:  Comments must be received on or before May 3, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on Monkfish RSA Harvest EFP.''
     Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE 
Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark 
the outside of the envelope ``Comments on monkfish RSA harvest EFP, 
DA10-056.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Anna Macan, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An application for an EFP was submitted by 
the Gulf of Maine Research Institute on February 16, 2010, for a 
project selected under the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Councils' Monkfish RSA Program. The final grant is pending a 
review by NOAA Grants. The project would involve tagging monkfish to 
investigate migratory patterns and mixing between management areas. 
This EFP would grant an exemption from monkfish possession limits to 
vessels for the purpose of harvesting RSA to fund this research project 
(i.e., compensation fishing).
    Compensation fishing for this research would occur from May 2010 
through April 2011. The fishing industry collaborators would have 
access to 313 monkfish DAS that would be awarded to the project through 
the Monkfish RSA Program. The applicant states that these vessels must 
be able to land at least 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) of whole monkfish (1,084 
lb (492 kg) tail weight) per trip. This amount is based on the way the 
participating vessels typically fish, which is to land a ``double 
limit'' (6,652 lb (3,017 kg)) using 24 hours and 1 minute of DAS. In 
order to achieve this target catch, these fishing activities would 
require an exemption from the monkfish SFMA DAS possession limits at 
Sec.  648.94(b)(2). This exemption would provide these vessels with the 
flexibility they need to generate sufficient income to meet projected 
costs of the research activity, while minimizing operating expenses. 
Based on the preliminary award of 313 DAS and the fishing practice 
described above, this would require a total catch of 1,126,800 lb 
(511,108 kg) of whole monkfish (339,398 lb (153,948 kg) tail weight). 
Operating under this total landings cap, compensation fishing would 
continue until the required goal of 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole 
monkfish is met, or until the awarded DAS have been fully utilized, 
whichever occurs first. Aside from this exemption, fishing activity 
would be conducted under normal commercial fishing practices.
    The participating vessels would be required to comply with all 
other applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 
648, unless specifically exempted in this EFP. Upon implementation of 
approved measures in Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, 
all participating vessels would be required to comply with any other 
applicable requirements

[[Page 19939]]

in regulations implementing the amendment.
    The applicant may request 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 have minimal impacts 
that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP 
request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the 
exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. If the research project 
is terminated for any reason prior to completion, any unused funds 
collected from catch sold to pay for research expenses may be refunded 
to NOAA.

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

    Dated: April 12, 2010.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-8713 Filed 4-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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