Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 27289-27291 [2015-11470]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 92 / Wednesday, May 13, 2015 / Notices sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at (907) 271–2809 at least 7 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: May 8, 2015. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–11570 Filed 5–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Fishery Products Subject to Trade Restrictions Pursuant to Certification Under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing (HSDF) Moratorium Protection Act National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 2015. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at JJessup@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Kristin Rusello, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, F/IS5, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 427–8376, or kristin.rusello@ noaa.gov. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This request is for extension of a currently approved information collection. Pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act), if certain fish or fish products of a nation are subject to import prohibitions to 17:27 May 12, 2015 Jkt 235001 II. Method of Collection Submissions will be accepted via email or fax. III. Data SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 facilitate enforcement, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires that other fish or fish products from that nation that are not subject to the import prohibitions must be accompanied by documentation of admissibility. A duly authorized official/agent of the applicant’s Government must certify that the fish in the shipments being imported into the United States (U.S.) are of a species that are not subject to an import restriction of the U.S. If a nation is identified under the Moratorium Protection Act and fails to receive a certification decision from the Secretary of Commerce, products from that nation that are not subject to the import prohibitions must be accompanied by the documentation of admissibility. OMB Control Number: 0648–0651. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 60. Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $10 in reporting/recordkeeping costs. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27289 Dated: May 7, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–11490 Filed 5–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD888 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, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit applications. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 28, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.’’ • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.’’ SUMMARY: Liz Sullivan, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–282–8493, Liz.Sullivan@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on March 18, 2015, to enable data collection activities that the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. The EFP would exempt 37 federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1 27290 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 92 / Wednesday, May 13, 2015 / Notices 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. NEFSC would require participating vessels to obtain written approval from the NEFSC Study Fleet Program prior to landing any fish to ensure that the landed fish do not exceed any of the Study Fleet Program’s collection needs. 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 when retaining and landing fish for research purposes. 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. For vessels on a sector trip, all catch of Northeast multispecies stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from the sector’s Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE). Once a sector’s ACE for a stock has been reached, vessels would no longer be allowed to fish in that stock area, unless they acquired additional ACE for the limiting stock. For nonsector vessels, all catch of Northeast multispecies stocks would be counted toward the appropriate quotas. Nonsector vessels would still be subject to applicable trimester total allowable catch (TAC) accountability measures, which state that when 90 percent of the trimester TAC for a stock is projected to be caught, the area where that stock is predominantly caught will close to vessels fishing with a specific gear type for the rest of that trimester. NEFSC STUDY FLEET PROGRAM EFP No. of Vessels 37 Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 ...................................................... asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES NEFSC Study Fleet Program’s Sublegal Biological Sampling Needs As described above, biological samples would only be landed and collected by the Study Fleet Program after a formal request has been issued in writing by the Study Fleet Program. The following are the Study Fleet Program’s sampling needs for retaining sublegal fish. Windowpane flounder—whole fish would be retained for age and growth work to support 2015 windowpane VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 May 12, 2015 Jkt 235001 Size limits: § 648.83 NE multispecies minimum size. § 648.93 Monkfish minimum fish size. § 648.104 Summer flounder minimum fish size. § 648.147 Black sea bass minimum fish size. Possession restrictions: § 648.86(a) Haddock. § 648.86(b) Atlantic cod. § 648.86(g) Yellowtail flounder. § 648.86(j) Georges Bank winter flounder. § 648.86(l) Zero retention of Atlantic wolffish. § 648.86(o) Possession limits implemented by RA. § 648.94 Monkfish possession limit. § 648.106 Summer flounder possession restrictions. § 648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions. § 648.145 Black sea bass possession limits. § 648.235 Spiny dogfish possession and landing restrictions. stock assessment. Otoliths and fish length will be collected to validate ages using marginal increment analysis. Windowpane flounder retained would not exceed 40 fish per month from all stock areas combined (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stock) or 480 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 30 lb (13.6 kg), and total weight would not exceed 360 lb (163.3 kg) for all trips combined. Atlantic wolffish—whole fish would be retained for maturity, fecundity, and life history research. Atlantic wolffish PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 retained would not exceed 40 fish per month or 480 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 160 lb (72.6 kg), and total weight would not exceed 3,500 lb (1587.6 kg) for all trips combined. Cusk—whole fish would be retained or specimen sampled at sea by a Study Fleet scientist for maturity, fecundity, and life history research. Cusk retained would not exceed 40 fish per month or 480 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 100 lb (45.4 kg), and total weight would E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 92 / Wednesday, May 13, 2015 / Notices not exceed 1,440 lb (653.2 kg) for all trips combined. Atlantic halibut—specimen would be sampled at sea by a Study Fleet scientist for age, growth, maturity, fecundity, and diet research. Atlantic halibut retained would not exceed 20 fish per month or 240 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 200 lb (90.7 kg), and total weight would not exceed 5,000 lb (2268.0 kg) for all trips combined. 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 (45.4 kg), and total weight would not exceed 1,200 lb (544.3 kg) for all trips combined. Atlantic cod—potential maturity, fecundity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), food habits, and genetic research. Whole fish retained would not exceed 200 fish per month from each of the three stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/ MA), or 1,200 fish total from each stock area for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 300 lb (136.1 kg), and total weight would not exceed 8,500 lb (3855.5 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 (34.0 kg), and total weight would not exceed 300 lb (136.1 kg) 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 (34.0 kg), and total weight would not exceed 300 lb (136.1 kg) for all trips combined. Black Sea Bass—whole fish would be retained to 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 quarter, or 300 black sea bass total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 250 lb (113.4 kg), and total weight would not exceed 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) for all trips combined. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 May 12, 2015 Jkt 235001 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: May 6, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–11470 Filed 5–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Environmental Compliance Questionnaire for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Financial Assistance Applicants National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 2015. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at JJessup@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Steve Kokkinakis, (240) 533– 9021 or Steve.Kokkinakis@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract This request is for a revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. The National Environmental Policy Act (‘‘NEPA’’; 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370) requires federal agencies to complete an environmental PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27291 analysis for all major federal actions, including funding non-federal projects through federal financial assistance awards where Federal participation in the funded activity is expected to be significant. This Environmental Compliance Questionnaire for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Financial Assistance Applicants (Questionnaire) is used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collect information about proposed activities for NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements associated with proposed projects, such as federal consultations. The Questionnaire is used in conjunction with NOAA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). Applicants are required to provide only the information from this Questionnaire that is specified in the FOA to which they are applying. The FOA may present these questions in one of two ways: (1) The applicable questions can be inserted directly into the FOA with reference to the OMB Control Number (0648–0538) for this form; or (2) The FOA can specify which questions (e.g. 1, 2) an applicant must answer, with the entire OMB-approved Questionnaire attached to the FOA. This Questionnaire has been revised to (1) remove repetitive questions; (2) revise specific questions to use plain language instead of NEPA-specific language; and (3) add questions that would be helpful to a wider range of NOAA programs. The revision reduced the overall number of questions by 22. II. Method of Collection The information may be submitted electronically or on paper (faxed or mailed). III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0538. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (revision and extension of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-profit organizations; not-for-profit institutions; state, local, or tribal government; and federal government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000. Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,000 in recordkeeping/ reporting costs. E:\FR\FM\13MYN1.SGM 13MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27289-27291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11470]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD888


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, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application submitted by 
the Northeast Fisheries Science Center contains all of the required 
information and warrants further consideration.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing 
Permit applications.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.''
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Liz Sullivan, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-282-8493, Liz.Sullivan@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(NEFSC) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit 
(EFP) on March 18, 2015, to enable data collection activities that the 
regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. The EFP 
would exempt 37 federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from the

[[Page 27290]]

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. NEFSC would require participating vessels to 
obtain written approval from the NEFSC Study Fleet Program prior to 
landing any fish to ensure that the landed fish do not exceed any of 
the Study Fleet Program's collection needs. 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 when retaining and landing fish 
for research purposes. 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. 
For vessels on a sector trip, all catch of Northeast multispecies 
stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from the sector's Annual 
Catch Entitlement (ACE). Once a sector's ACE for a stock has been 
reached, vessels would no longer be allowed to fish in that stock area, 
unless they acquired additional ACE for the limiting stock. For non-
sector vessels, all catch of Northeast multispecies stocks would be 
counted toward the appropriate quotas. Non-sector vessels would still 
be subject to applicable trimester total allowable catch (TAC) 
accountability measures, which state that when 90 percent of the 
trimester TAC for a stock is projected to be caught, the area where 
that stock is predominantly caught will close to vessels fishing with a 
specific gear type for the rest of that trimester.

                                          NEFSC Study Fleet Program EFP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        No. of Vessels                                                 37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exempted regulations in 50     Size limits:
 CFR part 648.
                                  Sec.   648.83 NE multispecies minimum size.
                                  Sec.   648.93 Monkfish minimum fish size.
                                  Sec.   648.104 Summer flounder minimum fish size.
                                  Sec.   648.147 Black sea bass minimum fish size.
                               Possession restrictions:
                                  Sec.   648.86(a) Haddock.
                                  Sec.   648.86(b) Atlantic cod.
                                  Sec.   648.86(g) Yellowtail flounder.
                                  Sec.   648.86(j) Georges Bank winter flounder.
                                  Sec.   648.86(l) Zero retention of Atlantic wolffish.
                                  Sec.   648.86(o) Possession limits implemented by RA.
                                  Sec.   648.94 Monkfish possession limit.
                                  Sec.   648.106 Summer flounder possession restrictions.
                                  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 Sublegal Biological Sampling Needs

    As described above, biological samples would only be landed and 
collected by the Study Fleet Program after a formal request has been 
issued in writing by the Study Fleet Program. The following are the 
Study Fleet Program's sampling needs for retaining sublegal fish.
    Windowpane flounder--whole fish would be retained for age and 
growth work to support 2015 windowpane stock assessment. Otoliths and 
fish length will be collected to validate ages using marginal increment 
analysis. Windowpane flounder retained would not exceed 40 fish per 
month from all stock areas combined (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank 
stock) or 480 fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip 
would not exceed 30 lb (13.6 kg), and total weight would not exceed 360 
lb (163.3 kg) for all trips combined.
    Atlantic wolffish--whole fish would be retained for maturity, 
fecundity, and life history research. Atlantic wolffish retained would 
not exceed 40 fish per month or 480 fish total for all trips. The 
maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 160 lb (72.6 kg), and total 
weight would not exceed 3,500 lb (1587.6 kg) for all trips combined.
    Cusk--whole fish would be retained or specimen sampled at sea by a 
Study Fleet scientist for maturity, fecundity, and life history 
research. Cusk retained would not exceed 40 fish per month or 480 fish 
total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 
100 lb (45.4 kg), and total weight would

[[Page 27291]]

not exceed 1,440 lb (653.2 kg) for all trips combined.
    Atlantic halibut--specimen would be sampled at sea by a Study Fleet 
scientist for age, growth, maturity, fecundity, and diet research. 
Atlantic halibut retained would not exceed 20 fish per month or 240 
fish total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not 
exceed 200 lb (90.7 kg), and total weight would not exceed 5,000 lb 
(2268.0 kg) for all trips combined.
    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 (45.4 kg), and total weight would not exceed 1,200 lb 
(544.3 kg) for all trips combined.
    Atlantic cod--potential maturity, fecundity, bioelectrical 
impedance analysis (BIA), food habits, and genetic research. Whole fish 
retained would not exceed 200 fish per month from each of the three 
stock areas (GOM, GB, SNE/MA), or 1,200 fish total from each stock area 
for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 300 lb 
(136.1 kg), and total weight would not exceed 8,500 lb (3855.5 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 (34.0 kg), and total weight would not exceed 300 lb 
(136.1 kg) 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 (34.0 kg), and total weight would not exceed 300 lb (136.1 
kg) for all trips combined.
    Black Sea Bass--whole fish would be retained to 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 quarter, or 300 black sea bass 
total for all trips. The maximum weight on any trip would not exceed 
250 lb (113.4 kg), and total weight would not exceed 1,000 lb (453.6 
kg) 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: May 6, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-11470 Filed 5-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.