Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 19457-19459 [2020-07218]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 67 / Tuesday, April 7, 2020 / Notices information and materials electronically or via mail (see ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the submitter’s name, address, and any association, institution, or business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions will also be accepted. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: April 1, 2020. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division,Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–07243 Filed 4–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XW019] U.S. Stakeholder Meeting on Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Framework; Meeting Announcement National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting; rescheduled meeting. AGENCY: NMFS is holding a meeting to discuss the future management of the U.S. West Coast Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) fishery, including management objectives and a management framework. Given recent developments related to Coronavirus/COVID–19, we have decided to reschedule this meeting originally planned for April 23, 2020. We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution to consider the safety of our visitors. The new date for this meeting is May 19, 2020. DATES: The meeting will be held May 19, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PDT, or until business concludes. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 3400 at the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California 90802. Please notify Eric Poncelet (meeting facilitator), at eponcelet@kearnswest.com or (415) 697–0566 by May 4, 2020, if you plan to attend. If interested members of the public cannot reasonably attend the meeting in person, NMFS may provide for a teleconference phone line or webinar for such members if a request is made to the meeting facilitator. NMFS khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Apr 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 strongly encourages in-person participation in order to facilitate discussion, unless developments related to Coronavirus/COVID–19 restrict attendance in person at that time. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on attendance, participation instructions, and meeting materials. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Barroso, West Coast Region, NMFS, at Celia.Barroso@noaa.gov, or at (562) 432–1850. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS intended to hold a meeting to discuss the future management of the U.S. West Coast PBF fishery, including management objectives and a management framework, on April 23, 2020 (85 FR 11967; February 28, 2020). However, given recent developments related to Coronavirus/COVID–19, we have decided to reschedule this meeting originally planned for April 23, 2020. We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution to consider the safety of our participants. The new date for this meeting is May 19, 2020. Stakeholders have expressed an interest in developing management objectives and a long-term management framework for PBF. In September 2018, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) recommended that its Highly Migratory Species Management Team develop a long-term management strategy for PBF (see the PFMC’s ‘‘September 2018 Decision Summary Document’’ at https:// www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2018/09/0918_Decision_Summary_ DocumentV2.pdf). On May 2, 2019, NMFS held a stakeholder meeting in which participants discussed potential management objectives and strategies to achieve those objectives for the domestic commercial PBF fishery (see the NMFS report to the June PFMC meeting at https://www.pcouncil.org/ wp-content/uploads/2019/06/J2b_Sup_ NMFS_Rpt3_JUN2019BB.pdf). The upcoming meeting that is rescheduled for May 19, 2020, is intended to follow up the discussion from the 2019 stakeholder meeting as well as provide an opportunity for early comments on how to implement a new InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) resolution on PBF conservation and management for 2021–2022 that NMFS anticipates the IATTC will adopt at its annual meeting in August 2020. In order to facilitate discussion, NMFS strongly encourages in-person participation at the meeting location described in the ADDRESSES section, if possible and unless developments related to Coronavirus/COVID–19 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19457 restrict attendance in person at that time. NMFS will email attendance instructions, which may include instructions to attend by teleconference or webinar, and background materials to the meeting participants who notify the meeting facilitator as described in the ADDRESSES section. PBF U.S. Stakeholder Meeting Topics The PBF U.S. stakeholder meeting topics may include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) An overview of international management of PBF and current management of the U.S. PBF fishery; and, (2) Potential management options for 2021–2022 and in the long-term. Special Accommodations The meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Celia Barroso, at Celia.Barroso@noaa.gov or (562) 432– 1850, by April 27, 2020. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. Dated: April 2, 2020. He´le`ne M.N. Scalliet, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–07288 Filed 4–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XX053] 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 in support of the 2020 Study Fleet Program contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt participating vessels from minimum fish sizes and possession limits for species of interest, for sampling purposes only. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1 19458 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 67 / Tuesday, April 7, 2020 / Notices Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit applications. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 22, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘NEFSC STUDY FLEET EFP.’’ • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘NEFSC STUDY FLEET EFP.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Fenton, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9196. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (Center) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) in support of the 2020 Study Fleet Program. This EFP would exempt 19 commercial fishing vessels from minimum fish sizes and possession limits for species of interest, as well as allow temporary retention of species prior to discarding. The Center established the Study Fleet Program in 2002 to more fully characterize commercial fishing operations and provide sampling opportunities to augment NMFS’s data collection programs. As part of the program, the Center contracts commercial fishing vessels to collect biological data and fish specimens for the Center to use in research relevant to stock assessments and fish biology. The Center’s Study Fleet Program trains SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: participating captains and crew to conduct at-sea sampling consistent with Center sampling protocols for survey and observer programs. During EFP trips, crew would sort, weigh, and measure fish prior to discarding. During sampling, some discarded fish would remain on deck slightly longer than they would under normal sorting procedures. Exemptions from minimum fish sizes and possession restrictions would allow vessels to temporarily retain catch for at-sea sampling. Table 1 lists the regulations from which participating vessels would be exempt for at-sea sampling or when retaining and landing fish for research purposes. The exemptions listed in Table 1 are necessary for contracted vessels to acquire the biological samples needed to meet Center research objectives. TABLE 1—LIST OF VESSEL EXEMPTIONS FOR RETAINING AND LANDING FISH 2020 Study fleet program EFP Number of Vessels ....................................................................... Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 ................................... When directed by the Center, participating vessels would also be authorized to retain and land specific amounts of fish exceeding possession limits and/or below minimum fish sizes, 19. Minimum fish sizes § 648.83 Northeast multispecies minimum fish sizes for redfish, yellowtail flounder, and winter flounder. Possession restrictions § 648.86(a) Haddock. § 648.86(g) Yellowtail flounder. § 648.94 Monkfish. for research purposes only. The captain or crew would deliver these fish to Center staff upon landing. In these limited circumstances, the Study Fleet Program would give participating vessels a formal biological sampling request prior to landing. This would ensure that the landed fish do not exceed any collection needs of the Study Fleet, as detailed in Table 2. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES TABLE 2—STUDY FLEET PROGRAM’S BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE COLLECTION NEEDS Species Stock area * Gear types # Collection frequency Acadian redfish ...... GOM .................... OTF ..................... Haddock ................. GOM, GB ............ OTF, DRS ........... Winter flounder ...... GOM, GB, SNE ... OTF, DRS ........... Monthly (Jan–Apr) Yellowtail flounder .. GOM, GB, SNE ... OTF, DRS ........... Monthly (Jan–Apr) Monkfish ................. Butterfish ................ Atlantic mackerel ... Shortfin squid ......... SNE ..................... SNE ..................... SNE ..................... Any Area ............. OTF ..................... OTM .................... OTM .................... OTM, OTF ........... Twice ................... Twice ................... Twice ................... Monthly (Dec– Mar). Monthly (Mar– July). Monthly (Dec– Mar). Individual fish per collection period Maximum weight allowed per trip Maximum allowance 50 per month ....... 150 lb (331 kg) .... 750 lb (1,653 kg). 80 per week (40 from each stock area). 120 per week (40 from each stock area). 120 per week (40 from each stock area). 10 per trip ............ 20 per trip ............ 20 per trip ............ 30 per month ....... 300 lb (661 kg) .... 4,800 lb (10,582 kg). 160 lb (353 kg) .... 3,840 lb (8,466 kg). 90 lb (198 kg) ...... 2,160 lb (4,762 kg). 120 lb (295 kg) .... 10 lb (22 kg) ........ 10 lb (22 kg) ........ 15 lb (33 kg) ........ 240 lb (529 kg). 20 lb (44 kg). 20 lb (44 kg). 60 lb (132 kg). * 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). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Apr 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 67 / Tuesday, April 7, 2020 / Notices All catch would be attributed to the appropriate commercial fishing quota. For a vessel fishing on a groundfish sector trip, all catch of groundfish stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from the vessel’s 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 the sector acquired additional ACE for the stock in question. For common pool vessels, all groundfish catch would be counted toward the appropriate trimester total allowable catch (TAC). Common pool vessels would be exempt from possession and trip limits on EFP trips when directed for sampling by the Center, but would still be subject to trimester TAC closures. If approved, the Center 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: April 1, 2020. He´le`ne M.N. Scalliet, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–07218 Filed 4–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No.: PTO–P–2020–0021] Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 7,534,790; Vernakalant Hydrochloride United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of interim patent term extension. AGENCY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Apr 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 Robert Bahr, Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy,United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2020–07190 Filed 4–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order granting interim extension for a oneyear interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 7,534,790. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ali Salimi by telephone at (571) 272–0909; by mail marked to his attention and addressed to the Commissioner for Patents, Mail Stop Hatch-Waxman PTE, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313– 1450; by fax marked to his attention at SUMMARY: (571) 273–0909; or by email to ali.salimi@uspto.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 156 of Title 35, United States Code, generally provides that the term of a patent may be extended for a period of up to five years if the patent claims a product, or a method of making or using a product, that has been subject to certain defined regulatory review, and that the patent may be extended for interim periods of up to one year if the regulatory review is anticipated to extend beyond the expiration date of the patent. On February 5, 2020, Correvio International Sa`rl, the patent owner of record, timely filed an application under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) for a second interim extension of the term of U.S. Patent No. 7,534,790. The patent claims the human drug product, vernakalant hydrochloride. The application for patent term extension indicates that New Drug Application (NDA) 22–034 was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 19, 2006. Review of the patent term extension application indicates that, except for permission to market or use the product commercially, the subject patent would be eligible for an extension of the patent term under 35 U.S.C. 156, and that the patent should be extended for one year as required by 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5)(B). Because the regulatory review period will continue beyond the once-extended expiration date of the patent, March 31, 2020, interim extension of the patent term under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) is appropriate. An interim extension under 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(5) of the term of U.S. Patent No. 7,534,790 is granted for a period of one year from the extended expiration date of the patent. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meetings 1:30 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. PLACE: This meeting will be convened on a telephone conference call. STATUS: Closed. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Enforcement matters. In the event that TIME AND DATE: PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19459 the time, date, or location of this meeting changes, an announcement of the change, along with the new time, date, and/or place of the meeting will be posted on the Commission’s website at https://www.cftc.gov/. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Christopher Kirkpatrick, 202–418–5964. Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b. Dated: April 3, 2020. Christopher Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2020–07422 Filed 4–3–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6351–01–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application Instructions for AmeriCorps State and National Competitive New and Continuation Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, CNCS is proposing to renew an information collection. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by June 8, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods: (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Attention Arminda Pappas, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20525. (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the CNCS mailroom at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. (3) Electronically through www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available to the public through regulations.gov. For this reason, please do not include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19457-19459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07218]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XX053]


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 in support of the 2020 Study 
Fleet Program contains all of the required information and warrants 
further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt 
participating vessels from minimum fish sizes and possession limits for 
species of interest, for sampling purposes only.

[[Page 19458]]

Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing Permit 
applications.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 22, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``NEFSC STUDY FLEET EFP.''
     Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``NEFSC STUDY 
FLEET EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Fenton, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(Center) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing 
Permit (EFP) in support of the 2020 Study Fleet Program. This EFP would 
exempt 19 commercial fishing vessels from minimum fish sizes and 
possession limits for species of interest, as well as allow temporary 
retention of species prior to discarding.
    The Center established the Study Fleet Program in 2002 to more 
fully characterize commercial fishing operations and provide sampling 
opportunities to augment NMFS's data collection programs. As part of 
the program, the Center contracts commercial fishing vessels to collect 
biological data and fish specimens for the Center to use in research 
relevant to stock assessments and fish biology. The Center's Study 
Fleet Program trains participating captains and crew to conduct at-sea 
sampling consistent with Center sampling protocols for survey and 
observer programs. During EFP trips, crew would sort, weigh, and 
measure fish prior to discarding. During sampling, some discarded fish 
would remain on deck slightly longer than they would under normal 
sorting procedures. Exemptions from minimum fish sizes and possession 
restrictions would allow vessels to temporarily retain catch for at-sea 
sampling.
    Table 1 lists the regulations from which participating vessels 
would be exempt for at-sea sampling or when retaining and landing fish 
for research purposes. The exemptions listed in Table 1 are necessary 
for contracted vessels to acquire the biological samples needed to meet 
Center research objectives.

    Table 1--List of Vessel Exemptions for Retaining and Landing Fish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          2020 Study fleet program EFP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Vessels....................  19.
Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part    Minimum fish sizes
 648.
                                       Sec.   648.83 Northeast
                                        multispecies minimum fish sizes
                                        for redfish, yellowtail
                                        flounder, and winter flounder.
                                       Possession restrictions
                                       Sec.   648.86(a) Haddock.
                                       Sec.   648.86(g) Yellowtail
                                        flounder.
                                       Sec.   648.94 Monkfish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When directed by the Center, participating vessels would also be 
authorized to retain and land specific amounts of fish exceeding 
possession limits and/or below minimum fish sizes, for research 
purposes only. The captain or crew would deliver these fish to Center 
staff upon landing. In these limited circumstances, the Study Fleet 
Program would give participating vessels a formal biological sampling 
request prior to landing. This would ensure that the landed fish do not 
exceed any collection needs of the Study Fleet, as detailed in Table 2.

                                            Table 2--Study Fleet Program's Biological Sample Collection Needs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Individual  fish
             Species                 Stock  area *       Gear  types         Collection        per  collection     Maximum  weight   Maximum  allowance
                                                                               frequency            period         allowed per  trip
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acadian redfish.................  GOM...............  OTF...............  Monthly (Mar-July)  50 per month......  150 lb (331 kg)...  750 lb (1,653 kg).
Haddock.........................  GOM, GB...........  OTF, DRS..........  Monthly (Dec-Mar).  80 per week (40     300 lb (661 kg)...  4,800 lb (10,582
                                                                                               from each stock                         kg).
                                                                                               area).
Winter flounder.................  GOM, GB, SNE......  OTF, DRS..........  Monthly (Jan-Apr).  120 per week (40    160 lb (353 kg)...  3,840 lb (8,466
                                                                                               from each stock                         kg).
                                                                                               area).
Yellowtail flounder.............  GOM, GB, SNE......  OTF, DRS..........  Monthly (Jan-Apr).  120 per week (40    90 lb (198 kg)....  2,160 lb (4,762
                                                                                               from each stock                         kg).
                                                                                               area).
Monkfish........................  SNE...............  OTF...............  Twice.............  10 per trip.......  120 lb (295 kg)...  240 lb (529 kg).
Butterfish......................  SNE...............  OTM...............  Twice.............  20 per trip.......  10 lb (22 kg).....  20 lb (44 kg).
Atlantic mackerel...............  SNE...............  OTM...............  Twice.............  20 per trip.......  10 lb (22 kg).....  20 lb (44 kg).
Shortfin squid..................  Any Area..........  OTM, OTF..........  Monthly (Dec-Mar).  30 per month......  15 lb (33 kg).....  60 lb (132 kg).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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).


[[Page 19459]]

    All catch would be attributed to the appropriate commercial fishing 
quota. For a vessel fishing on a groundfish sector trip, all catch of 
groundfish stocks allocated to sectors would be deducted from the 
vessel's 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 the sector acquired additional ACE 
for the stock in question. For common pool vessels, all groundfish 
catch would be counted toward the appropriate trimester total allowable 
catch (TAC). Common pool vessels would be exempt from possession and 
trip limits on EFP trips when directed for sampling by the Center, but 
would still be subject to trimester TAC closures.
    If approved, the Center 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: April 1, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07218 Filed 4-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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