Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Extension of Exempted Fishing Permits, 19749-19750 [2011-8447]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices following the normal fishing schedule of the participating vessels. The gear would be compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan; therefore, impacts to protected resources would be negligible. Subsequently, AOLA will provide data necessary to assist in better future management of the lobster fishery. The activities occurring in Area 3 statistical areas are not anticipated to have any more environmental impacts than those already occurring as part of a commercial lobster trap trawl deployed under usual industry conditions. Impacts to the lobster resource would be negligible. Given the small mesh and entrance heads, the modified gear is not expected to catch legal lobsters. Any sublegal lobsters caught would briefly be retained onboard only for the purposes of recording their size, sex, and presence of shell disease, before being promptly released back into the ocean. There should be minimal impact to bycatch species due to the use of small mesh and small entrance heads and, in addition, all bycatch species hauled from modified gear would be returned promptly to the ocean. Likewise, there would not be significant impacts on benthic habitats. As the gear would be compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and would be deployed under usual industry conditions, impacts to protected resources would be negligible. 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 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. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Dated: April 4, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–8451 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA290 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Extension of Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that two requests for extensions to exempted fishing permits (EFPs) contain all of the required information and warrant further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator previously made a determination that the activities authorized under the initial EFPs, issued on June 17, 2010, are 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 grant extensions to the original EFPs. The EFP extensions would enable vessels to harvest monkfish granted through the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, and grants exemptions from the monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) possession limit in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). The EFP issued to the gillnet tie-down study also exempts vessels from the monkfish minimum fish size limits for research purposes only. NMFS is soliciting comment from interested parties on these EFP extension requests. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 25, 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 Extensions.’’ • 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 Extensions.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Berthiaume, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9177. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19749 On February 22, 2011, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) requested an extension to EFPs issued to GMRI in support of two projects funded under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program. The EFPs authorize vessels to conduct compensation fishing in the SFMA using 2010 monkfish RSA DAS and to temporarily retain undersize monkfish for data collection purposes. The applicant requests an extension because the participating vessels were unable to use all of their allocated RSA DAS awarded to GMRI for the 2010 fishing year (FY). GMRI states the vessels were unable to use all of their RSA DAS because the EFPs were not issued until June 17, 2010, and the fishermen thereby missed the peak of the spring fishing season. Additionally, the fall monkfish fishery was less productive than expected because of skate bycatch issues. As a result, fishermen used fewer 2010 monkfish RSA DAS than expected. In addition to compensation fishing, research would be ongoing and, therefore, the previously authorized exemption from monkfish minimum size limits for the gillnet tie-down project would be extended as well. The scope and scale of the original exemptions will not change. Regulations at 50 CFR 648.92(c)(i)(v) allow unused monkfish RSA DAS to carry-over into the following FY. The tagging project was awarded 313 monkfish DAS under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings cap of 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing would be extended through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA landings for this project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. The tiedown project was awarded 162 monkfish DAS under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings cap of 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing would be extended through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA landings for this project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. This would extend the expiration date of the EFPs from April 30, 2011, to April 30, 2012. No further extensions to these EFPs would be made. Additionally, NMFS is considering imposing a cap on monkfish DAS possession limit exemptions for vessels operating under the monkfish RSA program due to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 19750 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices potential effects that such exemptions may have on monkfish catch rates for non-RSA vessels. A detailed description of the initial EFP proposals were provided in previous Federal Register notices (April 16, 2010, 75 FR 19938) and is not repeated here. The applicant may request minor modifications to the EFPs throughout the year. EFP modifications 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 requests. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 4, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–8447 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA357 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Reef Fish Advisory Panel. SUMMARY: The meeting will convene at 9 a.m. on Monday April 25, 2011 and conclude by 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES DATES: Mr. Steven Atran, Population Dynamics Statistician; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Reef Fish Advisory Panel will meet to review and provide recommendations to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 Council on Reef Fish Amendment 32. This amendment contains actions to establish a rebuilding plan for gag, set recreational bag limits, size limits and closed seasons for gag/red grouper in 2012, consider a commercial gag and shallow-water grouper quota adjustment to account for dead discards, make adjustment to multi-use IFQ shares in the grouper individual fishing quota program, reduce the commercial gag size limit, modify the offshore time and areas closures, and establish gag, red grouper, and shallow-water grouper accountability measures. The Panel will also review and provide recommendations on the Generic Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Amendment. This amendment contains actions to delegate management of selected species to other agencies, remove selected species from the fishery management plans, group species for purposes of setting annual catch limits and annual catch targets, establish an acceptable biological catch control rule, establish an annual catch limit/annual catch target control rule, establish a generic framework procedure for implementing management changes, establish the initial specification of annual catch limits and annual catch targets for stocks and stock groups still in need of such specification, establish the apportionment of the black grouper, yellowtail snapper, and mutton snapper stocks between the Gulf and South Atlantic Council jurisdictions, set a commercial and recreational allocation of black grouper within the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction, and establish accountability measures to keep catch levels within their annual catch limits or take corrective action if they exceed the limits. Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling (813) 348–1630. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for I certify that the following action will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: April 4, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–8351 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. ACTION: Proposed additions to and deletions from the Procurement List. AGENCY: The Committee is proposing to add a product and services to the Procurement List that will be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities, and deletes products and services previously furnished by such agencies. Comments Must Be Received on or Before: 5/9/2011. ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Jefferson Plaza 2, Suite 10800, 1421 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–3259. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT: Barry S. Lineback, Telephone: (703) 603–7740, Fax: (703) 603–0655, or e-mail CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov. This notice is published pursuant to 41 U.S.C 47(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its purpose is to provide interested persons an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed actions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additions If the Committee approves the proposed additions, the entities of the Federal Government identified in this notice will be required to procure the product and services listed below from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19749-19750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8447]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA290


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Extension of 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 preliminary determination that two requests for extensions 
to exempted fishing permits (EFPs) contain all of the required 
information and warrant further consideration. The Assistant Regional 
Administrator previously made a determination that the activities 
authorized under the initial EFPs, issued on June 17, 2010, are 
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 grant extensions to 
the original EFPs. The EFP extensions would enable vessels to harvest 
monkfish granted through the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, 
and grants exemptions from the monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) possession 
limit in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). The EFP issued to 
the gillnet tie-down study also exempts vessels from the monkfish 
minimum fish size limits for research purposes only.
    NMFS is soliciting comment from interested parties on these EFP 
extension requests.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 25, 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 Extensions.''
     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 
Extensions.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Berthiaume, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9177.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 22, 2011, the Gulf of Maine 
Research Institute (GMRI) requested an extension to EFPs issued to GMRI 
in support of two projects funded under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program. 
The EFPs authorize vessels to conduct compensation fishing in the SFMA 
using 2010 monkfish RSA DAS and to temporarily retain undersize 
monkfish for data collection purposes. The applicant requests an 
extension because the participating vessels were unable to use all of 
their allocated RSA DAS awarded to GMRI for the 2010 fishing year (FY). 
GMRI states the vessels were unable to use all of their RSA DAS because 
the EFPs were not issued until June 17, 2010, and the fishermen thereby 
missed the peak of the spring fishing season. Additionally, the fall 
monkfish fishery was less productive than expected because of skate 
bycatch issues. As a result, fishermen used fewer 2010 monkfish RSA DAS 
than expected. In addition to compensation fishing, research would be 
ongoing and, therefore, the previously authorized exemption from 
monkfish minimum size limits for the gillnet tie-down project would be 
extended as well. The scope and scale of the original exemptions will 
not change. Regulations at 50 CFR 648.92(c)(i)(v) allow unused monkfish 
RSA DAS to carry-over into the following FY.
    The tagging project was awarded 313 monkfish DAS under the 2010 
Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings cap of 1,126,800 lb 
(511,108 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing would be extended 
through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA landings for this 
project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole 
monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 DAS have been fully 
utilized, whichever occurs first. The tie-down project was awarded 162 
monkfish DAS under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings 
cap of 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing 
would be extended through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA 
landings for this project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 583,200 lb 
(264,535 kg) of whole monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 
DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. This would extend 
the expiration date of the EFPs from April 30, 2011, to April 30, 2012. 
No further extensions to these EFPs would be made. Additionally, NMFS 
is considering imposing a cap on monkfish DAS possession limit 
exemptions for vessels operating under the monkfish RSA program due to

[[Page 19750]]

potential effects that such exemptions may have on monkfish catch rates 
for non-RSA vessels.
    A detailed description of the initial EFP proposals were provided 
in previous Federal Register notices (April 16, 2010, 75 FR 19938) and 
is not repeated here. The applicant may request minor modifications to 
the EFPs throughout the year. EFP modifications 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 requests. Any fishing 
activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity 
would be prohibited.

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

    Dated: April 4, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8447 Filed 4-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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