Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 15329-15331 [2017-06057]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 28, 2017 / Notices Dated: March 22, 2017. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2017–06062 Filed 3–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana Advisory Committee To Discuss Civil Rights Concerns in the State and Determine the Next Topic of Committee Study U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Indiana Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. EST for the purpose of discussing civil rights concerns in the State for future Committee study. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: Public call information: Dial: 800–500–0311, Conference ID: 8736732. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– 8311. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number: 800–500–0311, conference ID: 8736732. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Mar 27, 2017 Jkt 241001 conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Regional Programs Unit Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 55 W. Monroe St., Suite 410, Chicago, IL 60615. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (312) 353–8324, or emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit Office at (312) 353–8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Indiana Advisory Committee link (https://www.facadatabase.gov/ committee/meetings.aspx?cid=247). Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s Web site, https:// www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit Office at the above email or street address. Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Discussion: Civil Rights in Indiana Public Comment Future Plans and Actions Adjournment Dated: March 22, 2017. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2017–06070 Filed 3–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF289 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15329 an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This EFP would exempt participating vessels from the following types of fishery regulations: Minimum fish size restrictions; fish possession limits for species not protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); gearspecific fish possession restrictions for the purpose of at-sea sampling; and, in limited situations for research purposes only, retaining and landing prohibited fish species. 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. Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either 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.’’ DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9232, Spencer.Talmage@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEFSC submitted a complete application for an EFP on February 21, 2017, to enable data collection activities that the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. 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. NEFSC contracts commercial fishing vessels to collect tow-by-tow catch and environmental data, and to fulfill specific biological sampling needs. To collect these data, NEFSC Study Fleet Program obtains an EFP to secure the necessary waivers for these vessels to possess and land fish that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations. The EFP would exempt 31 Federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from the following regulations while participating in the Study Fleet Program and operating under NEFSC managed projects: Minimum fish size E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1 15330 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 28, 2017 / Notices restrictions; fish possession limits for species not protected under the ESA; gear-specific fish possession restrictions for the purpose of at-sea sampling; and, in limited situations for research purposes only, retaining and landing prohibited fish species. Table 1 lists the specific regulations that would be exempted by this permit. The participating vessels would be obligated to comply with all applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, unless specifically exempted in this EFP. Fishing vessel crews trained by the NEFSC Study Fleet Program would sort, weigh, and measure fish that are to be discarded. In the course of sampling, some discarded species would be on deck slightly longer than under normal sorting procedures, which requires an exemption from the following restrictions: Minimum fish size; fish possession limits; prohibited fish species, not including species protected under the ESA; and gear-specific fish possession restrictions for at-sea sampling. Participating vessels would also be authorized to retain and land, in limited situations for research purposes only, fish species and/or sizes that are not in compliance with fishing regulations. The vessels would be authorized to retain specific amounts of particular species in whole or round weight condition, which would be delivered upon landing to NMFS staff. To ensure that the collection needs of the Study Fleet Program are not exceeded, participating vessels are required to obtain a formal Biological Sampling Request in writing from the NEFSC Study Fleet Program prior to landing any sublegal fish. None of the landed biological samples from these trips would be sold for commercial use, or utilized for any purpose other than scientific research. All catch would be attributed to the appropriate commercial fishing quota, and vessels would not be exempt from any inseason quota closure. For vessels on a groundfish sector trip, all catch of Northeast multispecies stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from its sector’s Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE). Once the ACE for a stock has been reached in a sector, vessels would no longer be allowed to fish in that stock area, unless its sector acquires additional ACE for the limiting stock. For common pool vessels, all catch of Northeast multispecies stocks would be counted toward the appropriate trimester total allowable catch (TAC). Common pool vessels would be subject to applicable trimester total allowable catch (TAC) closures. TABLE 1—SPECIFIC REGULATIONS COVERED BY THE PROPOSED EXEMPTED FISHING PERMIT NEFSC Study Fleet Program EFP Number of vessels ................................................................... Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 .............................. NEFSC Study Fleet Program Biological Sampling Needs As described above, participating vessels would only collect and land 36. Size limits: § 648.83 NE multispecies minimum sizes. § 648.93 Monkfish minimum fish size. § 648.147 Black sea bass minimum fish size. Possession restrictions: § 648.86(a) Haddock. § 648.86(b) Atlantic cod. § 648.86(c) Atlantic halibut. § 648.86(d) Small-mesh multispecies. § 648.86(l) Zero retention of Atlantic wolffish and windowpane flounder. § 648.86(o) Possession limits implemented by Regional Administrator. § 648.94 Monkfish possession limit. § 648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions. § 648.145 Black sea bass possession limits. § 648.92(b)(2)(i) Prohibition from landing NE multispecies on monkfish-only dayat-sea. biological samples after the NEFSC issues a formal request in writing. Table 2 details the Study Fleet Program’s sampling needs. TABLE 2—STUDY FLEET PROGRAM’S BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE COLLECTION NEEDS Stock area * Gear types # Collection frequency Individual fish per collection period Maximum weight allowed per trip (lb) Windowpane Flounder. Monkfish ............... GOM, GB ............ OTF, DRS ........... Monthly ................ 40 ea./mo ............ 30 ........................ 360. GOM, GB, SNE ... OTF, GNS, DRS Monthly ................ 9,000. GOM, GB, SNE ... Monthly/Seasonal 320 ...................... 1,600. Atlantic Cod .......... GOM, GB, SNE ... Monthly ................ 120 ea/mo ........... 270 ...................... 7,200. Barndoor Skate ..... Thorny Skate ........ Black Sea Bass .... Atlantic Wolffish .... Cusk ...................... Atlantic Halibut ...... GOM, GB, SNE ... GOM, GB, SNE ... GB, SNE .............. GOM, GB ............ GOM, GB ............ GOM, GB ............ OTF, LLB, GNS, DRS. OTF, LLB, GNS, DRS. OTF, GNS, DRS OTF, GNS, DRS PTF, OTF ............ OTF, GNS, LLB ... OTF,GNS, LLB .... OTF, GNS, LLB ... 15 ea/mo SNE, 15 ea/mo GOM. 40 ea/mo ............. 750 ...................... Haddock ................ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Species Quarterly .............. Quarterly .............. Monthly ................ Monthly ................ Monthly ................ Monthly ................ 20 20 30 40 40 20 150 150 180 160 140 500 600. 600. 2,160. 3,500. 3,600. 6,000. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Mar 27, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ea/qtr .............. ea/qtr .............. ea/mo ............. ea/mo ............. ea/mo ............. ea/mo ............. E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... 28MRN1 Maximum allowance (lb) 15331 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 28, 2017 / Notices TABLE 2—STUDY FLEET PROGRAM’S BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE COLLECTION NEEDS—Continued Species Stock area * Gear types # Collection frequency Individual fish per collection period Maximum weight allowed per trip (lb) Maximum allowance (lb) Butterfish ............... Atlantic Herring ..... SNE, MA ............. Any Area ............. Monthly ................ Monthly ................ 150 ea/mo ........... 100 ea/mo ........... 75 ........................ 100 ...................... 900. 1,200. River Herring/Shad Any Area ............. Monthly ................ Any Area ............. Monthly ................ 100 ea/mo of ea species. 100 ea/mo ........... 100 of ea. species Round Herring ...... 100 ...................... 1,200 of ea. species. 1,200. Silver Hake ........... Any Area ............. Monthly ................ 100 ea/mo ........... 260 ...................... 3,120. Atlantic Mackerel .. Any Area ............. Monthly ................ 100 ea/mo ........... 260 ...................... 3,120. Shortfin Squid ....... Sand Lance .......... Any Area ............. Any Area ............. Monthly ................ Monthly ................ 100 ea/mo ........... 100 ea/mo ........... 75 ........................ 25 ........................ 900. 300. Longfin Squid ........ Any Area ............. OTM .................... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR. OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR. OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR. OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR. OTM, OTF, PTM, HND, PUR. OTM, OTF ........... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR. OTM, OTF ........... Monthly ................ 100 ea/mo ........... 75 ........................ 900. * Stock area abbreviations: Gulf of Maine (GOM), Georges Bank (GB), Southern New England (SNE) # Gear abbreviations: Otter trawl (OTF), bottom longline (LLB), sink gillnet (GNS), sea scallop dredge (DRS), fish pot (PTF), hand lines, auto jig (HND), purse seine (PUR), otter trawl midwater (OTM), pair trawl midwater (PTM). 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 does not change the scope 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 22, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–06057 Filed 3–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing ACTION: Notice of meeting. The public portion of the meeting will be held at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)—Room 1301, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samira Patel, NOAA/NESDIS/CRSRA, 1335 East West Highway, Room 8247, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; (301) 713–7077 or samira.patel@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (FACA) and its implementing regulations, see 41 CFR 102–3.155, notice is hereby given of the meeting of ACCRES. ACCRES was established by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on May 21, 2002, to advise the Secretary of Commerce through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters relating to the U.S. commercial remote sensing space industry and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s activities to carry out the responsibilities of the Department of Commerce set forth in the National and Commercial Space Programs Act of 2010 (51 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.). ADDRESSES: SUMMARY: Purpose of the Meeting and Matters To Be Considered The meeting is scheduled as follows: April 12, 2017, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. There will be two sessions open to the public. The first open session will be from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and a second open session from 12:30 p.m.– 2:45 p.m. A short closed session will be held from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. The first part of the meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Section 10(a)(1) of the FACA. During the open portion of the meeting, the Committee will receive updates on NOAA’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs activities. The Committee will also be available to receive public comments on its activities. The second open session of the meeting will be sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) will meet April 12, 2017. DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Mar 27, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 dedicated to discussing legislative and regulatory reform. After the open meeting, a short follow-on session will be closed to the public pursuant to Section 10(d) of FACA as amended by Section 5(c) of the Government in Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409 and in accordance with Section 552b(c)(1) of Title 5, United States Code, which authorizes closure of meetings likely to disclose matters that are ‘‘specifically authorized under criteria established by Executive order to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or foreign policy and . . . in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order.’’ The part of the meeting which will be closed will address new licensing conditions for the operation of U.S. remote sensing space systems, the ongoing review and implementation of the 2015 U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act and related national security, foreign policy concerns and future technology considerations for NOAA’s licensing decisions. These discussions are likely to disclose matters that are specifically authorized under criteria established by Executive Order 13526 to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order. In compliance with Section 10(d) of FACA and 41 CFR 102–3.155, ACCRES has obtained an agency determination of closure, and the notice of this determination is available upon request. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15329-15331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06057]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF289

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 (EFP) application
submitted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) contains
all of the required information and warrants further consideration.
This EFP would exempt participating vessels from the following types of
fishery regulations: Minimum fish size restrictions; fish possession
limits for species not protected under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA); gear-specific fish possession restrictions for the purpose of
at-sea sampling; and, in limited situations for research purposes only,
retaining and landing prohibited fish species. 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 12, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either 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: Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978-281-9232, Spencer.Talmage@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEFSC submitted a complete application for
an EFP on February 21, 2017, to enable data collection activities that
the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict.
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. NEFSC contracts
commercial fishing vessels to collect tow-by-tow catch and
environmental data, and to fulfill specific biological sampling needs.
To collect these data, NEFSC Study Fleet Program obtains an EFP to
secure the necessary waivers for these vessels to possess and land fish
that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations. The EFP would exempt
31 Federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from the following
regulations while participating in the Study Fleet Program and
operating under NEFSC managed projects: Minimum fish size

[[Page 15330]]

restrictions; fish possession limits for species not protected under
the ESA; gear-specific fish possession restrictions for the purpose of
at-sea sampling; and, in limited situations for research purposes only,
retaining and landing prohibited fish species. Table 1 lists the
specific regulations that would be exempted by this permit. The
participating vessels would be obligated to comply with all applicable
requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, unless
specifically exempted in this EFP.
Fishing vessel crews trained by the NEFSC Study Fleet Program would
sort, weigh, and measure fish that are to be discarded. In the course
of sampling, some discarded species would be on deck slightly longer
than under normal sorting procedures, which requires an exemption from
the following restrictions: Minimum fish size; fish possession limits;
prohibited fish species, not including species protected under the ESA;
and gear-specific fish possession restrictions for at-sea sampling.
Participating vessels would also be authorized to retain and land,
in limited situations for research purposes only, fish species and/or
sizes that are not in compliance with fishing regulations. The vessels
would be authorized to retain specific amounts of particular species in
whole or round weight condition, which would be delivered upon landing
to NMFS staff. To ensure that the collection needs of the Study Fleet
Program are not exceeded, participating vessels are required to obtain
a formal Biological Sampling Request in writing from the NEFSC Study
Fleet Program prior to landing any sublegal fish. None of the landed
biological samples from these trips would be sold for commercial use,
or utilized for any purpose other than scientific research.
All catch would be attributed to the appropriate commercial fishing
quota, and vessels would not be exempt from any inseason quota closure.
For vessels on a groundfish sector trip, all catch of Northeast
multispecies stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from its
sector's Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE). Once the ACE for a stock has
been reached in a sector, vessels would no longer be allowed to fish in
that stock area, unless its sector acquires additional ACE for the
limiting stock. For common pool vessels, all catch of Northeast
multispecies stocks would be counted toward the appropriate trimester
total allowable catch (TAC). Common pool vessels would be subject to
applicable trimester total allowable catch (TAC) closures.

Table 1--Specific Regulations Covered by the Proposed Exempted Fishing
Permit
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEFSC Study Fleet Program EFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels...................... 36.
Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 Size limits:
Sec. 648.83 NE multispecies
minimum sizes.
Sec. 648.93 Monkfish 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(c) Atlantic
halibut.
Sec. 648.86(d) Small-mesh
multispecies.
Sec. 648.86(l) Zero retention
of Atlantic wolffish and
windowpane flounder.
Sec. 648.86(o) Possession
limits implemented by Regional
Administrator.
Sec. 648.94 Monkfish
possession limit.
Sec. 648.322 Skate possession
and landing restrictions.
Sec. 648.145 Black sea bass
possession limits.
Sec. 648.92(b)(2)(i)
Prohibition from landing NE
multispecies on monkfish-only
day-at-sea.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEFSC Study Fleet Program Biological Sampling Needs

As described above, participating vessels would only collect and
land biological samples after the NEFSC issues a formal request in
writing. Table 2 details the Study Fleet Program's sampling needs.

Table 2--Study Fleet Program's Biological Sample Collection Needs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual fish Maximum weight
Species Stock area * Gear types Collection per collection allowed per trip Maximum allowance
frequency period (lb) (lb)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windowpane Flounder............. GOM, GB........... OTF, DRS.......... Monthly........... 40 ea./mo......... 30................ 360.
Monkfish........................ GOM, GB, SNE...... OTF, GNS, DRS..... Monthly........... 15 ea/mo SNE, 15 750............... 9,000.
ea/mo GOM.
Haddock......................... GOM, GB, SNE...... OTF, LLB, GNS, DRS Monthly/Seasonal.. 40 ea/mo.......... 320............... 1,600.
Atlantic Cod.................... GOM, GB, SNE...... OTF, LLB, GNS, DRS Monthly........... 120 ea/mo......... 270............... 7,200.
Barndoor Skate.................. GOM, GB, SNE...... OTF, GNS, DRS..... Quarterly......... 20 ea/qtr......... 150............... 600.
Thorny Skate.................... GOM, GB, SNE...... OTF, GNS, DRS..... Quarterly......... 20 ea/qtr......... 150............... 600.
Black Sea Bass.................. GB, SNE........... PTF, OTF.......... Monthly........... 30 ea/mo.......... 180............... 2,160.
Atlantic Wolffish............... GOM, GB........... OTF, GNS, LLB..... Monthly........... 40 ea/mo.......... 160............... 3,500.
Cusk............................ GOM, GB........... OTF,GNS, LLB...... Monthly........... 40 ea/mo.......... 140............... 3,600.
Atlantic Halibut................ GOM, GB........... OTF, GNS, LLB..... Monthly........... 20 ea/mo.......... 500............... 6,000.

[[Page 15331]]

Butterfish...................... SNE, MA........... OTM............... Monthly........... 150 ea/mo......... 75................ 900.
Atlantic Herring................ Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 100............... 1,200.
River Herring/Shad.............. Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR Monthly........... 100 ea/mo of ea 100 of ea. species 1,200 of ea.
species. species.
Round Herring................... Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 100............... 1,200.
Silver Hake..................... Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 260............... 3,120.
Atlantic Mackerel............... Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 260............... 3,120.
HND, PUR.
Shortfin Squid.................. Any Area.......... OTM, OTF.......... Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 75................ 900.
Sand Lance...................... Any Area.......... OTM, OTF, PTM, PUR Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 25................ 300.
Longfin Squid................... Any Area.......... OTM, OTF.......... Monthly........... 100 ea/mo......... 75................ 900.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Stock area abbreviations: Gulf of Maine (GOM), Georges Bank (GB), Southern New England (SNE)
Gear abbreviations: Otter trawl (OTF), bottom longline (LLB), sink gillnet (GNS), sea scallop dredge (DRS), fish pot (PTF), hand lines, auto jig
(HND), purse seine (PUR), otter trawl midwater (OTM), pair trawl midwater (PTM).

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 does not change the scope 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 22, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06057 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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