Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 16614-16616 [2011-7018]
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16614
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2011 / Notices
costs of the research activity, while
minimizing operating expenses. Based
on the preliminary award of 96 DAS and
projected monkfish catch rates, this
would allow a total catch of 345,600 lb
(156,762 kg) of whole monkfish
(104,097 lb (47,218 kg) tail weight).
Operating under this total landings cap,
compensation fishing would continue
until the goal of 345,600 lb (156,762 kg)
of whole monkfish is caught, or until
the awarded DAS have been fully
utilized, whichever occurs first. Aside
from these exemptions, fishing activity
would be conducted under normal
commercial practices. NMFS is
considering imposing a cap on monkfish
DAS possession limit exemptions for
vessels operating under the monkfish
RSA program due to potential effect that
such exemptions may have on monkfish
market price and catch rates for nonRSA vessels.
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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 21, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–7020 Filed 3–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XA269
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.
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
The Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant
Regional Administrator), has made a
preliminary determination that an
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)
application contains all of the required
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:17 Mar 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
information and warrants further
consideration and 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. This EFP would grant
exemptions from monkfish days-at-sea
(DAS) possession limits.
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 April 8, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line ‘‘Comments on GMRI
Monkfish RSA 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 GMRI
monkfish RSA EFP.’’
• Fax: (978) 281–9135.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jason Berthiaume, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978–281–9177.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An
application for an EFP was submitted by
the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
(GMRI) on February 23, 2011, in support
of a project preliminarily selected under
the New England and Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Councils’
Monkfish RSA Program. The project
proposes to use archival tagging and age
validation efforts to assess monkfish
movement, age structure, and growth.
This EFP would grant an exemption
from monkfish possession limits to
facilitate compensation fishing to fund
this research project. GMRI would tag
monkfish using data storage tags that
would record time, pressure (depth),
and temperature. GMRI would charter
fishing vessels to conduct the research.
The vessels would use standard
commercial gear and land monkfish for
sale, but sampling locations and
protocol would be controlled by the
researcher. The research vessels would
not land any fish below the legal size for
commercial purposes.
Compensation fishing for this
research would occur from May 2011
through April 2012, with a possible
extension through April 2013, as
authorized by the Monkfish FMP and 50
CFR 648.92(c)(1)(v). Pending a final
award by NOAA Grants, GMRI has been
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
awarded 368 monkfish DAS under the
Monkfish RSA Program. To facilitate
compensation fishing, the applicant has
requested exemptions from monkfish
DAS possession limits at 50 CFR
648.94(b)(1) and (2). The applicant
stated that these exemptions would
provide the vessels with flexibility to
fulfill the financial needs of the project,
while minimizing vessel operating
expenses. Based on budget needs and an
estimated monkfish price per pound,
the project would need a total catch of
1,324,800 lb (600,919 kg) of whole
monkfish (399,036 lb (181,000 kg) tail
weight). Operating under this total
landings cap, compensation fishing
would continue until the goal of
1,324,800 lb (600,919 kg) of whole
monkfish is caught, or until the awarded
DAS have been fully utilized, whichever
occurs first. Aside from these
exemptions, fishing activity would be
conducted under normal commercial
practices. NMFS is considering
imposing a cap on monkfish DAS
possession limit exemptions for vessels
operating under the monkfish RSA
program due to potential effects that
such exemptions may have on monkfish
market price and catch rates for nonRSA vessels.
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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 21, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–7023 Filed 3–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XA270
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
General Provisions for Domestic
Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Fishing Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM
24MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2011 / Notices
ACTION:
Notice; request for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant
Regional Administrator), has made a
preliminary determination that an
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)
application contains all of the required
information and warrants further
consideration. The EFP would exempt
participating vessels from the following
types of fishery regulations: Minimum
fish size restrictions; fish possession
limits; species quota closures;
prohibited fish species, not including
species protected under the Endangered
Species Act; and gear-specific fish
possession restrictions for the purpose
of collecting fishery dependent catch
data and biological samples that is being
conducted by the Northeast Fisheries
Science Center’s (NEFSC) Study Fleet
Program.
Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act require publication of
this notification to provide interested
parties the opportunity to comment on
EFP applications.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before April 8, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line ‘‘Comments on
NEFSC Study Fleet 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 NEFSC
Study Fleet EFP.’’
• Fax: (978) 281–9135.
SUMMARY:
Carly Knoell, Fisheries Management
Specialist, 978–281–9224,
Carly.Knoell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEFSC
submitted a complete application for an
EFP on February 7, 2011, to conduct
commercial fishing activities that the
regulations would otherwise restrict.
The EFP would exempt 24 Federally
permitted commercial fishing vessels
from the regulations detailed below
while participating in the Study Fleet
Program and operating under projects
managed by the NEFSC. The EFP would
exempt participating vessels from
minimum fish size restrictions; fish
possession limits; species quota
closures; prohibited fish species, not
including species protected under the
Endangered Species Act; and gearspecific fish possession restrictions for
the purpose of at-sea sampling and, in
limited situations for research purposes
only, to retain and land fish.
Crew trained by the NEFSC Study
Fleet Program in methods that are
consistent with the current NEFSC
observer protocol, while under normal
fishing operations, would sort, weigh,
and measure fish that are to be
discarded. An exemption from
minimum fish size restrictions; fish
possession limits; species quota
closures; prohibited fish species, not
including species protected under the
Endangered Species Act; and gearspecific fish possession restrictions for
at-sea sampling is required because
some discarded species would be on
deck slightly longer than under normal
sorting procedures.
Participating vessels would also be
authorized to retain and land, in limited
situations for research purposes only,
16615
fish that do not comply with fishing
regulations. The vessels would be
authorized to retain specific amounts of
particular species in whole or round
weight condition, in marked totes,
which would be delivered to Study
Fleet Program technicians. In addition,
if the EFP is approved, NEFSC and
participatory vessels would be notified
that spiny dogfish and black sea bass
could not be targeted during a quota
closure, and that any live spiny dogfish
or black sea bass that are caught must
be discarded. No spiny dogfish or black
sea bass could be landed for commercial
purposes as part of this research project
during a quota closure. The NEFSC
would require participating vessels to
obtain written approval from the NEFSC
Study Fleet Program prior to landing
any fish in excess of possession limits
and/or below minimum size limits to
ensure that the landed fish do not
exceed any of the Study Fleet Program’s
collection needs, as detailed below.
None of the landed biological samples
from these trips would be sold for
commercial use or used for any other
purpose other than scientific research.
The table below details the
regulations from which the participating
vessels would be exempt. 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. All catch of
stocks allocated to Sectors by vessels on
a Sector trip would be deducted from
the Sector’s Annual Catch Entitlement
for each Northeast multispecies stock
regardless of what fishery the vessel was
participating in when the fish was
caught.
NEFSC STUDY FLEET PROGRAM EFP
24
Possession
Possession for at-sea sampling plus limited landing
Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 ..............................................
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Number of vessels
Size limits:
§ 648.83(a)(3) NE multispecies minimum size.
§ 648.93 Monkfish minimum fish size.
§ 648.103 Summer flounder minimum fish size.
§ 648.143(a) Black sea bass minimum fish size.
Possession restrictions:
§ 648.86(b) Atlantic cod.
§ 648.86(c) Atlantic halibut.
§ 648.86(e) White hake.
§ 648.86(g) Yellowtail flounder.
§ 648.86(g)(1) Southern New England Yellowtail flounder possession limit.
§ 648.86(j) Georges Bank Winter flounder.
§ 648.86(n)(1) Zero retention of SNE Winter flounder.
§ 648.94 Monkfish possession limit.
§ 648.22(c) Incidental possession limit of Loligo.
§ 648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions.
§ 648.141 Black sea bass closure.
§ 648.145 Black sea bass possession limits.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:17 Mar 23, 2011
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E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM
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16616
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2011 / Notices
NEFSC STUDY FLEET PROGRAM EFP—Continued
Number of vessels
24
Possession
Possession for at-sea sampling plus limited landing
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
§ 648.231 Spiny dogfish closure.
§ 648.235 Spiny dogfish possession and landing restrictions.
The following descriptions detail the
NEFSC Study Fleet Program’s Sampling
Needs:
Haddock—whole fish would be
retained for maturity and fecundity
research. The haddock retained would
not exceed 30 fish per trip, or 360 fish
for all trips. The maximum weight of
haddock on any trip would not exceed
120 lb (54.43 kg) total weight per trip,
and would not exceed 1,440 lb (653.17
kg) for all trips combined.
Yellowtail Flounder—whole fish
would be retained for maturity,
fecundity, bioelectrical impedance
analysis (BIA), food habits, and genetic
research. The yellowtail flounder
retained would not exceed 60 fish per
month from each of the three stock areas
(Gulf of Maine (GOM), Georges Bank
(GB), Southern New England/MidAtlantic (SNE/MA)), or 1,800 fish total
from each stock area for all trips. The
maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 50 lb (22.70 kg) total weight, and
would not exceed 1,500 lb (680.39 kg)
for all trips combined.
Summer Flounder—whole fish would
be retained for maturity, fecundity, BIA,
food habits, and genetic research. The
summer flounder retained would not
exceed 60 fish per month from each of
the three stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/
MA), or 1,800 fish total from each stock
area for all trips. The maximum weight
on any trip would not exceed 100 lb
(45.36 kg) total weight, and would not
exceed 3,000 lb (1,360.78 kg) for all trips
combined.
Winter Flounder—whole fish would
be retained for maturity, fecundity, BIA,
food habits, and genetic research. The
winter flounder retained would not
exceed 60 fish per month from each of
the three stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/
MA), or 1,800 fish total from each stock
area for all trips. The maximum weight
on any trip would not exceed 75 lb
(34.02 kg) total weight, and would not
exceed 2,250 lb (1,020.58 kg) for all trips
combined.
Spiny Dogfish—Whole fish would be
retained for reproductive biology
research. The spiny dogfish retained
would not exceed 50 fish per month
from each of the two stock areas (GOM,
SNE/MA), or 1,200 fish total for all
trips. The maximum weight on any trip
would not exceed 390 lb (176.9 kg), and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:17 Mar 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
would not exceed 9,360 lb (4,245.62 kg)
total for all trips.
Monkfish—whole fish would be
retained for maturity and fecundity
research. Monkfish retained would not
exceed 10 fish per trip, or 120 fish total
for all trips. The maximum weight on
any trip would not exceed 100 lb (45.36
kg) total weight, and would not exceed
1,200 lb (544.31 kg) for all trips
combined.
Cod—whole fish would be retained
for tagging demonstrations and
educational purposes. Cod to be
retained would not exceed 15 fish per
trip, or 60 cod for all trips. The
maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 150 lb (68.04 kg) total weight,
and would not exceed 600 lb (272.16 kg)
for all trips combined.
Barndoor Skate—whole and, in some
cases, live skates would be retained for
age and growth research and species
confirmation. The barndoor skates
retained would not exceed 20 fish per
trip, or 80 skates total for all trips. The
maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 75 lb (34.02 kg) total weight, and
would not exceed 300 lb (136.08 kg)
total for all trips combined.
Thorny Skate—whole and, in some
cases, live skates would be retained for
age and growth research and species
confirmation. Thorny skates retained
would not exceed 20 fish per trip, or 80
skates total for all trips. The maximum
weight on any trip would not exceed 75
lb (34.02 kg) whole weight, and would
not exceed 300 lb (136.08 kg) total for
all trips combined.
Black Sea Bass—whole fish would be
retained for examination of seasonal and
latitudinal patterns in energy allocation.
This effort is in support of an ongoing
study at the NEFSC to evaluate BIA to
measure fish energy density and
reproductive potential for stock
assessment. Black sea bass retained
would not exceed 75 fish per trip or 300
black sea bass total for all trips. The
maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 250 lb (113.40 kg) total weight,
and would not exceed 1,000 lb (453.59
kg) total for all trips combined.
If approved, 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
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
completion of the proposed research
and have minimal impact 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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 18, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–7018 Filed 3–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–BA89
Identification of Nations Whose
Fishing Vessels Are Engaged in
Fishing in Waters Beyond Any National
Jurisdiction That Target or Incidentally
Catch Sharks
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for
information.
AGENCY:
NMFS is seeking information
regarding nations whose vessels are
engaged in fishing in waters beyond any
national jurisdiction that target or
incidentally catch sharks. Such
information will be reviewed for the
purposes of the identification of nations
pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet
Fishing Moratorium Protection Act
(Moratorium Protection Act).
DATES: Information should be received
on or before August 1, 2011, but will be
accepted up to December 1, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Information should be
submitted to NMFS Office of
International Affairs, Attn.: MSRA
Shark Information, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
E-mail address: SHARK.INFO@noaa.gov
or fax (301) 713–9106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
NMFS Office of International Affairs,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM
24MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16614-16616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7018]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XA270
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 16615]]
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 an Exempted Fishing Permit
(EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants
further consideration. The EFP would exempt participating vessels from
the following types of fishery regulations: Minimum fish size
restrictions; fish possession limits; species quota closures;
prohibited fish species, not including species protected under the
Endangered Species Act; and gear-specific fish possession restrictions
for the purpose of collecting fishery dependent catch data and
biological samples that is being conducted by the Northeast Fisheries
Science Center's (NEFSC) Study Fleet Program.
Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide
interested parties the opportunity to comment on EFP applications.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following
methods:
E-mail: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line
``Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet 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 NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.''
Fax: (978) 281-9135.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carly Knoell, Fisheries Management
Specialist, 978-281-9224, Carly.Knoell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEFSC submitted a complete application for
an EFP on February 7, 2011, to conduct commercial fishing activities
that the regulations would otherwise restrict. The EFP would exempt 24
Federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from the regulations
detailed below while participating in the Study Fleet Program and
operating under projects managed by the NEFSC. The EFP would exempt
participating vessels from minimum fish size restrictions; fish
possession limits; species quota closures; prohibited fish species, not
including species protected under the Endangered Species Act; and gear-
specific fish possession restrictions for the purpose of at-sea
sampling and, in limited situations for research purposes only, to
retain and land fish.
Crew trained by the NEFSC Study Fleet Program in methods that are
consistent with the current NEFSC observer protocol, while under normal
fishing operations, would sort, weigh, and measure fish that are to be
discarded. An exemption from minimum fish size restrictions; fish
possession limits; species quota closures; prohibited fish species, not
including species protected under the Endangered Species Act; and gear-
specific fish possession restrictions for at-sea sampling is required
because some discarded species would be on deck slightly longer than
under normal sorting procedures.
Participating vessels would also be authorized to retain and land,
in limited situations for research purposes only, fish that do not
comply with fishing regulations. The vessels would be authorized to
retain specific amounts of particular species in whole or round weight
condition, in marked totes, which would be delivered to Study Fleet
Program technicians. In addition, if the EFP is approved, NEFSC and
participatory vessels would be notified that spiny dogfish and black
sea bass could not be targeted during a quota closure, and that any
live spiny dogfish or black sea bass that are caught must be discarded.
No spiny dogfish or black sea bass could be landed for commercial
purposes as part of this research project during a quota closure. The
NEFSC would require participating vessels to obtain written approval
from the NEFSC Study Fleet Program prior to landing any fish in excess
of possession limits and/or below minimum size limits to ensure that
the landed fish do not exceed any of the Study Fleet Program's
collection needs, as detailed below. None of the landed biological
samples from these trips would be sold for commercial use or used for
any other purpose other than scientific research.
The table below details the regulations from which the
participating vessels would be exempt. 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. All catch of stocks allocated to Sectors by vessels on a
Sector trip would be deducted from the Sector's Annual Catch
Entitlement for each Northeast multispecies stock regardless of what
fishery the vessel was participating in when the fish was caught.
NEFSC Study Fleet Program EFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels 24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possession for at-sea sampling
Possession plus limited landing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 Size limits:
Sec. 648.83(a)(3) NE
multispecies minimum size.
Sec. 648.93 Monkfish
minimum fish size.
Sec. 648.103 Summer
flounder minimum fish size.
Sec. 648.143(a) Black sea
bass minimum fish size.
Possession restrictions:
Sec. 648.86(b) Atlantic
cod.
Sec. 648.86(c) Atlantic
halibut.
Sec. 648.86(e) White hake.
Sec. 648.86(g) Yellowtail
flounder.
Sec. 648.86(g)(1) Southern
New England Yellowtail
flounder possession limit.
Sec. 648.86(j) Georges
Bank Winter flounder.
Sec. 648.86(n)(1) Zero
retention of SNE Winter
flounder.
Sec. 648.94 Monkfish
possession limit.
Sec. 648.22(c) Incidental
possession limit of Loligo.
Sec. 648.322 Skate
possession and landing
restrictions.
Sec. 648.141 Black sea
bass closure.
Sec. 648.145 Black sea
bass possession limits.
[[Page 16616]]
Sec. 648.231 Spiny dogfish
closure.
Sec. 648.235 Spiny dogfish
possession and landing
restrictions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following descriptions detail the NEFSC Study Fleet Program's
Sampling Needs:
Haddock--whole fish would be retained for maturity and fecundity
research. The haddock retained would not exceed 30 fish per trip, or
360 fish for all trips. The maximum weight of haddock on any trip would
not exceed 120 lb (54.43 kg) total weight per trip, and would not
exceed 1,440 lb (653.17 kg) for all trips combined.
Yellowtail Flounder--whole fish would be retained for maturity,
fecundity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), food habits, and
genetic research. The yellowtail flounder retained would not exceed 60
fish per month from each of the three stock areas (Gulf of Maine (GOM),
Georges Bank (GB), Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA)), or
1,800 fish total from each stock area for all trips. The maximum weight
on any trip would not exceed 50 lb (22.70 kg) total weight, and would
not exceed 1,500 lb (680.39 kg) for all trips combined.
Summer Flounder--whole fish would be retained for maturity,
fecundity, BIA, food habits, and genetic research. The summer flounder
retained would not exceed 60 fish per month from each of the three
stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/MA), or 1,800 fish total from each stock area
for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 100 lb
(45.36 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 3,000 lb (1,360.78 kg)
for all trips combined.
Winter Flounder--whole fish would be retained for maturity,
fecundity, BIA, food habits, and genetic research. The winter flounder
retained would not exceed 60 fish per month from each of the three
stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/MA), or 1,800 fish total from each stock area
for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 75 lb
(34.02 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 2,250 lb (1,020.58 kg)
for all trips combined.
Spiny Dogfish--Whole fish would be retained for reproductive
biology research. The spiny dogfish retained would not exceed 50 fish
per month from each of the two stock areas (GOM, SNE/MA), or 1,200 fish
total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed
390 lb (176.9 kg), and would not exceed 9,360 lb (4,245.62 kg) total
for all trips.
Monkfish--whole fish would be retained for maturity and fecundity
research. Monkfish retained would not exceed 10 fish per trip, or 120
fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 100 lb (45.36 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 1,200 lb
(544.31 kg) for all trips combined.
Cod--whole fish would be retained for tagging demonstrations and
educational purposes. Cod to be retained would not exceed 15 fish per
trip, or 60 cod for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 150 lb (68.04 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 600 lb
(272.16 kg) for all trips combined.
Barndoor Skate--whole and, in some cases, live skates would be
retained for age and growth research and species confirmation. The
barndoor skates retained would not exceed 20 fish per trip, or 80
skates total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 75 lb (34.02 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 300 lb
(136.08 kg) total for all trips combined.
Thorny Skate--whole and, in some cases, live skates would be
retained for age and growth research and species confirmation. Thorny
skates retained would not exceed 20 fish per trip, or 80 skates total
for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 75 lb
(34.02 kg) whole weight, and would not exceed 300 lb (136.08 kg) total
for all trips combined.
Black Sea Bass--whole fish would be retained for examination of
seasonal and latitudinal patterns in energy allocation. This effort is
in support of an ongoing study at the NEFSC to evaluate BIA to measure
fish energy density and reproductive potential for stock assessment.
Black sea bass retained would not exceed 75 fish per trip or 300 black
sea bass total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not
exceed 250 lb (113.40 kg) total weight, and would not exceed 1,000 lb
(453.59 kg) total for all trips combined.
If approved, 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 impact 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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 18, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7018 Filed 3-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
