Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 20790-20792 [2012-8374]

Download as PDF 20790 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2012 / Notices measurement traceability, tolerances and other technical requirements for commercial measuring systems, existing standards for testing equipment, field implementation, data analysis, field test and type evaluation procedures, field enforcement issues, training at all levels, and other relevant issues identified by the WG. WG recommendations may result in the revision of current standards or the development of new standards for testing equipment, including documents such as the NIST Handbook 105 Series for field standards; NIST HB 44, Specifications, Tolerances, and Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices; NIST Examination Procedure Outlines; and NIST Handbook 137, Examination of Distance Measuring Devices, as well as proposed changes to requirements and testing procedures for commercial devices and systems used to assess charges to consumers based on time and/or distance measurements. Dated: March 30, 2012. Willie E. May, Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. [FR Doc. 2012–8365 Filed 4–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Open Meeting. AGENCY: NIST announces that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will hold an open meeting on Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. DATES: The meeting will convene on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at 9 a.m. and will adjourn at 5 p.m. the same day. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center, 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821. Please see admission instructions in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Lellock, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Apr 05, 2012 Jkt 226001 Maryland 20899–4800, telephone number (301) 975–4269. This meeting is being held in conjunction with MEP’s Manufacturing Innovations 2012 Conference in Orlando, Florida. The MEP Advisory Board (Board) is composed of 10 members, appointed by the Director of NIST. MEP is a unique program consisting of centers across the United States and Puerto Rico with partnerships at the state, federal, and local levels. The Board works closely with MEP to provide input and advice on MEP’s programs, plans, and policies. This meeting will focus on (1) discussions with local MEP Board members, (2) a national manufacturing strategy, and (3) an update on MEP’s workforce initiatives. The agenda may change to accommodate other Board business. Admission Instructions: Anyone wishing to attend this meeting should submit their name, email address and phone number to Karen Lellock (karen.lellock@nist.gov or 301–975– 4269) no later than April 30, 2012. Individuals and representatives of organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions related to the MEP Advisory Board’s business are invited to request a place on the agenda. Approximately 15 minutes will be reserved for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. Speaking times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of time per speaker will be determined by the number of requests received but is likely to be no more than three to five minutes each. Questions from the public will not be considered during this period. Speakers who wish to expand upon their oral statements, those who had wished to speak but could not be accommodated on the agenda, and those who were unable to attend in person are invited to submit written statements to the MEP Advisory Board, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899–4800, or via fax at (301) 963– 6556, or electronically by email to karen.lellock@nist.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Phillip Singerman, Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services. [FR Doc. 2012–8366 Filed 4–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB148 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. 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 an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) 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; 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. 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 23, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.’’ • Mail: Daniel S. Morris, Acting 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: Brett Alger, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–675–2153, Brett.Alger@noaa.gov. SUMMARY: NEFSC submitted a complete application for an EFP on February 28, 2012, to enable data collection activities that the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. The EFP SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2012 / Notices would exempt 29 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; 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. The NEFSC Study Fleet Program was established in 2002 to more fully characterize commercial fishing operations and to leverage sampling opportunities to augment NMFS data collection programs. Participating vessels are contracted by NEFSC to collect tow by tow catch and environmental data, and to fulfill specific biological sampling needs identified by NEFSC. To collect these data, the NEFSC Study Fleet Program has obtained an EFP to secure the necessary waivers needed by the vessels to obtain fish that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations. Crew trained by the NEFSC Study Fleet Program in methods that are consistent with the current NEFSC observer protocol, while under fishing operations, would sort, weigh, and measure fish that are to be discarded. An exemption from minimum fish size restrictions; fish possession limits; 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 20791 Fleet Program technicians. 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 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Number of Vessels ................................................................................... Possession ................................................................................................ Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 ............................................... 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Apr 05, 2012 Jkt 226001 29. Possession for at-sea sampling plus limited landing. 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(l) Zero retention of SNE winter flounder and Atlantic wolffish. § 648.94 Monkfish possession limit. § 648.22(c) Incidental possession limit of long-finned squid. § 648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions. § 648.145 Black sea bass possession limits. § 648.235 Spiny dogfish possession and landing restrictions. retained would not exceed 120 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 120 fish per month from each of the three stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/ PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 120 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 E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 20792 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2012 / Notices 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 3-month period, 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 3-month period, 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. Atlantic wolffish—whole fish would be retained for maturity, fecundity, and life history research. Atlantic wolffish retained would not exceed 30 fish per month or 360 fish total for all trips. The VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Apr 05, 2012 Jkt 226001 maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 120 lb (54.4 kg) and would not exceed 3,000 lb (1,360.8 kg) total for all trips combined. Cusk—whole fish would be retained for maturity, fecundity, and life history research. Cusk retained would not exceed 30 fish per month or 360 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 100 lb (45.4 kg) and would not exceed 2,300 lb (1,043.3 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: April 3, 2012. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–8374 Filed 4–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB151 New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 3-day meeting from Tuesday through Thursday, April 24–April 26, 2012, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 24th, Wednesday, April 25th and Thursday, April 26th beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355–1900; telephone: (860) 572–0731; fax: (860) 572–0328. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465–0492. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Following introductions and any announcements, brief reports will be presented by the Council Chairman and Executive Director, NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator (Northeast Region), Northeast Fisheries Science Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, as well as NOAA General Counsel, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and staff from the Vessel Monitoring Systems Operations and NOAA’s Law Enforcement offices. During this period, the Council will receive an overview of activities related to the development of a Standard Bycatch Reporting Methodology amendment and the possible establishment of a joint MidAtlantic and New England Council Committee. That discussion will be followed by a review of any experimental fishery permit applications that have been made available since the January 2012 Council meeting. Prior to a lunch break, the Council will discuss revising its list of management priorities for 2012 in the context of an Endangered Species Act listing for Atlantic sturgeon and the Council resources that may be required to address that issue. Following a lunch break, the Council may revise its policies concerning procedures for advisory panel and plan development team operations. The Sea Scallop Committee will ask for approval of research priorities to be used in soliciting proposals funded through the NEFMC’s sea scallop research set-aside program. During this report, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center will present information about future plans for the federal sea scallop survey, including the integration of Habcam (towed underwater camera) results with existing survey technologies. The Enforcement Committee will provide recommendations and ask for approval of comments related to: Amendment 5 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP), NOAA’s revised enforcement priorities, issues related to coral reef protection, sector landings monitoring and correspondence to the Secretary of Commerce requesting NOAA General Counsel/Northeast participation in E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20790-20792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8374]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB148


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.

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 submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(NEFSC) 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; 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.
    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 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.''
     Mail: Daniel S. Morris, Acting 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: Brett Alger, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-675-2153, Brett.Alger@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEFSC submitted a complete application for 
an EFP on February 28, 2012, to enable data collection activities that 
the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. The EFP

[[Page 20791]]

would exempt 29 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; 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.
    The NEFSC Study Fleet Program was established in 2002 to more fully 
characterize commercial fishing operations and to leverage sampling 
opportunities to augment NMFS data collection programs. Participating 
vessels are contracted by NEFSC to collect tow by tow catch and 
environmental data, and to fulfill specific biological sampling needs 
identified by NEFSC. To collect these data, the NEFSC Study Fleet 
Program has obtained an EFP to secure the necessary waivers needed by 
the vessels to obtain fish that would otherwise be prohibited by 
regulations.
    Crew trained by the NEFSC Study Fleet Program in methods that are 
consistent with the current NEFSC observer protocol, while under 
fishing operations, would sort, weigh, and measure fish that are to be 
discarded. An exemption from minimum fish size restrictions; fish 
possession limits; 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. 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..................  29.
Possession.........................  Possession for at-sea sampling plus
                                      limited landing.
Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part  Size limits.
 648.
                                     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(l) Zero retention of
                                      SNE winter flounder and Atlantic
                                      wolffish.
                                     Sec.   648.94 Monkfish possession
                                      limit.
                                     Sec.   648.22(c) Incidental
                                      possession limit of long-finned
                                      squid.
                                     Sec.   648.322 Skate possession and
                                      landing restrictions.
                                     Sec.   648.145 Black sea bass
                                      possession limits.
                                     Sec.   648.235 Spiny dogfish
                                      possession and landing
                                      restrictions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 120 
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 120 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 120 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

[[Page 20792]]

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 3-month period, 
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 3-month period, 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.
    Atlantic wolffish--whole fish would be retained for maturity, 
fecundity, and life history research. Atlantic wolffish retained would 
not exceed 30 fish per month or 360 fish total for all trips. The 
maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 120 lb (54.4 kg) and would 
not exceed 3,000 lb (1,360.8 kg) total for all trips combined.
    Cusk--whole fish would be retained for maturity, fecundity, and 
life history research. Cusk retained would not exceed 30 fish per month 
or 360 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would 
not exceed 100 lb (45.4 kg) and would not exceed 2,300 lb (1,043.3 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: April 3, 2012.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-8374 Filed 4-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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