Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 34132-34133 [2023-11235]
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34132
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2023 / Notices
prioritize planned marine conservation
projects. Although no foreign fishing in
the PRIA is being considered at this
time, the Council reviewed and
approved the draft MCP at its March
2023 meeting. On April 5, 2023, the
Council’s Executive Director submitted
the MCP to NMFS for review and
approval.
The MCP contains the following five
conservation and management
objectives that are consistent with the
FEP for the PRIA and the FEP for
Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific:
1. Support quality research and
monitoring to obtain the most complete
scientific information available to assess
and manage fisheries within an
ecosystem approach;
2. Conduct education and outreach to
foster good stewardship principles and
broad and direct public participation in
the Council’s decision making process;
3. Promote regional cooperation to
manage domestic and international
fisheries;
4. Encourage development of
technologies and methods to achieve the
most effective level of monitoring,
control and surveillance (MCS) and to
ensure safety at sea; and
5. Western Pacific Community
Development Program and Western
Pacific Community Demonstration
Projects Program.
In addition, the MCP contains seven
conservation and management
objectives that are consistent with the
FEP for the Hawaii Archipelago:
1. Support quality research and
monitoring to obtain the most complete
scientific information available to assess
and manage fisheries within an
ecosystem approach;
2. Promote an ecosystem approach to
fisheries management including
reducing bycatch in fisheries and
minimizing impacts on marine habitat
and impacts on protected species and
addressing climate change adaptation
and mitigation;
3. Conduct education and outreach to
foster good stewardship principles and
broad and direct public participation in
the Council’s decision making process;
4. Recognize the importance of island
cultures and traditional fishing practices
in managing fishery resources and foster
opportunities for participation;
5. Promote responsible domestic
fisheries development to provide long
term economic growth and stability by
reducing foreign imports and increasing
local seafood production;
6. Promote regional cooperation and
capacity building to manage domestic
and international fisheries; and
7. Encourage development of
technologies and methods to achieve the
most effective level of monitoring,
control and surveillance and to ensure
safety at sea.
Please refer to the MCP for projects
and activities designed to meet each
objective, the evaluative criteria, and
priority rankings.
This notice announces that NMFS has
reviewed the MCP and determined that
it satisfies the requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Accordingly, we
have approved the MCP for the 3-year
period from August 4, 2023, through
August 3, 2026. This MCP supersedes
the one approved previously for August
4, 2020, through August 3, 2023 (85 FR
65389, October 15, 2020).
Dated: May 22, 2023.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–11232 Filed 5–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
The Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
made a preliminary determination that
an exempted fishing permit renewal
application from the Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries contains all
of the required information and
warrants further consideration. The
exempted fishing permit would allow
federally permitted fishing vessels to
fish outside fishery regulations in
support of exempted fishing activities
proposed by the applicant. Regulations
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and
the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
Cooperative Management Act require
publication of this notice to provide
interested parties the opportunity to
comment on applications for proposed
exempted fishing permits.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before June 12, 2023.
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 MA DMF Ventless Trap EFP.’’ If you
cannot submit a comment through this
method, please contact Allison Murphy
at (978) 281–9122, or email at
allison.murphy@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy Analyst,
978–281–9122, allison.murphy@
noaa.gov.
SUMMARY:
The
Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries (MA DMF) submitted a
complete application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) to conduct
commercial fishing activities that the
regulations would otherwise restrict.
This EFP would exempt the
participating vessels from the following
Federal regulations:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[RTID 0648–XD002]
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
Management Act Provisions; General
Provisions for Domestic Fisheries;
Application for Exempted Fishing
Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
AGENCY:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
TABLE 1—REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS
CFR Citation
Regulation
Need for exemption
50 Part 697.21(c)(1) and (2) ....................................
Gear specification requirements for
Lobster Management Area 1 for
Area 2.
Trap limit requirements for Area 1
and 2.
Trap tag requirements ........................
Minimum and maximum carapace
length requirements for Areas 1
and 2.
V-notch possession requirement for
Areas 1 and 2.
To allow for the use of traps without escape vents.
§ 697.19(a) and (b) ...................................................
§ 697.19(i) .................................................................
§§ 697.20(a)(2) 697.20(b)(2), 697.20(a)(3), and
697.20(b)(3).
§ 697.20(g)(1) and (3) ...............................................
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To allow for trap limits to be exceeded.
To allow for alternatively-tagged traps.
To allow sub-legal and over-sized lobsters to be
landed for research purposes.
To allow landing of female lobsters for research
purposes.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2023 / Notices
34133
TABLE 1—REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS—Continued
CFR Citation
Regulation
§ 697.20(d)(1) and (3) ...............................................
§ 697.20(h)(1) ...........................................................
§§ 697.20(h)(2)(i) and (ii) ..........................................
Need for exemption
Berried female possession requirements.
Minimum carapace width requirements.
Berried female possession requirement.
To allow landing of egg-bearing female lobsters
for research purposes.
To allow sub-legal Jonah crabs to be landed for
research purposes.
To allow landing of egg-bearing female Jonah
crabs for research purposes.
TABLE 2—PROJECT SUMMARY
Project title
2023 MA DMF Ventless Trap Survey
Institution .........................................
Principal Investigator .......................
Division action number ...................
Funding source ...............................
Continuing project (yes/no) .............
Project objectives ............................
MA DMF.
Tracy Pugh.
DA23–045.
State funded.
Yes.
To provide fishery-independent data on lobster growth and abundance within Massachusetts State waters
of statistical areas 514 and 538.
May 3, 2023.
N/A.
June 2023.
October 2023.
Statistical Areas 514 and 538.
Up to 4.
Approximately 10.
1.
Approximately 40.
Lobster traps.
n/a.
3 days soak time.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Initial application date .....................
Final application date ......................
Project Start ....................................
Project End .....................................
Project location ...............................
Number of vessels ..........................
Number of trips ...............................
Trip duration (days) .........................
Total number of days ......................
Gear type(s) ....................................
Number of tows or sets ..................
Duration of tows or sets ..................
Project Narrative
The purpose of this survey is to
provide fishery-independent data on
lobster growth and abundance within
Massachusetts State waters of statistical
areas 514 and 538. MA DMF funds this
lobster abundance survey through their
commercial and recreational lobster
license fees. This survey has occurred
annually since 2006. At least one MA
DMF scientist would be on board for the
sampling trips. MA DMF personnel
would not be on board when traps are
baited and deployed. Exemptions would
not substantively chance vessel
operations. All catch during sampling
trips would be retained temporarily to
collect biological data. MA DMF staff
may collect lobster and/or Jonah crab,
including undersized, oversized, vnotched, and egg-bearing lobsters.
Collected samples would be used for
research projects on growth and
maturity. No catch from the
experimental traps would be landed for
sale. All gear would be Atlantic Large
Whale Take Reduction Plan compliant.
Survey traps will be separate from each
vessel’s commercial lobster traps and
would be tagged as, ‘‘MADMF Research
Traps.’’
If approved, the applicant may
request minor modifications and
extensions to the EFP throughout the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:14 May 25, 2023
Jkt 259001
year. EFP modifications and extensions
may be granted without further notice if
they are deemed essential to facilitate
the completion of the proposed research
and have minimal impacts that do not
change the scope or impact of the
initially approved EFP request. Any
fishing activity conducted outside the
scope of the exempted fishing activity
would be prohibited.
All comments received are a part of
the public record and will generally be
posted for public viewing in https://
www.noaa.gov/organization/
information-technology/foia-readingroom without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name,
address), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive
information submitted voluntarily by
the sender will be publicly accessible.
NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ‘‘anonymous’’ as the
signature if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 22, 2023.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–11235 Filed 5–25–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD040]
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
The New England Fishery
Management Council (Council) is
scheduling a public meeting of its
Herring Advisory Panel via webinar to
consider actions affecting New England
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ). Recommendations from this
group will be brought to the full Council
for formal consideration and action, if
appropriate.
SUMMARY:
This webinar will be held on
Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES: Webinar registration URL
information: https://
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
8047175401522362205.
Council address: New England
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34132-34133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11235]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD002]
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management 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 renewal application from
the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries contains all of the
required information and warrants further consideration. The exempted
fishing permit would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish
outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities
proposed by the applicant. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal
Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notice
to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on
applications for proposed exempted fishing permits.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 12, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following
methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line
``Comments on MA DMF Ventless Trap EFP.'' If you cannot submit a
comment through this method, please contact Allison Murphy at (978)
281-9122, or email at [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy
Analyst, 978-281-9122, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries (MA DMF) submitted a complete application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) to conduct commercial fishing activities that the
regulations would otherwise restrict. This EFP would exempt the
participating vessels from the following Federal regulations:
Table 1--Requested Exemptions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFR Citation Regulation Need for exemption
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Part 697.21(c)(1) and (2).. Gear To allow for the use
specification of traps without
requirements for escape vents.
Lobster
Management Area
1 for Area 2.
Sec. 697.19(a) and (b)...... Trap limit To allow for trap
requirements for limits to be
Area 1 and 2. exceeded.
Sec. 697.19(i).............. Trap tag To allow for
requirements. alternatively-tagged
traps.
Sec. Sec. 697.20(a)(2) Minimum and To allow sub-legal
697.20(b)(2), 697.20(a)(3), maximum carapace and over-sized
and 697.20(b)(3). length lobsters to be
requirements for landed for research
Areas 1 and 2. purposes.
Sec. 697.20(g)(1) and (3)... V-notch To allow landing of
possession female lobsters for
requirement for research purposes.
Areas 1 and 2.
[[Page 34133]]
Sec. 697.20(d)(1) and (3)... Berried female To allow landing of
possession egg-bearing female
requirements. lobsters for
research purposes.
Sec. 697.20(h)(1)........... Minimum carapace To allow sub-legal
width Jonah crabs to be
requirements. landed for research
purposes.
Sec. Sec. 697.20(h)(2)(i) Berried female To allow landing of
and (ii). possession egg-bearing female
requirement. Jonah crabs for
research purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Project Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project title 2023 MA DMF Ventless Trap Survey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institution....................... MA DMF.
Principal Investigator............ Tracy Pugh.
Division action number............ DA23-045.
Funding source.................... State funded.
Continuing project (yes/no)....... Yes.
Project objectives................ To provide fishery-independent data
on lobster growth and abundance
within Massachusetts State waters
of statistical areas 514 and 538.
Initial application date.......... May 3, 2023.
Final application date............ N/A.
Project Start..................... June 2023.
Project End....................... October 2023.
Project location.................. Statistical Areas 514 and 538.
Number of vessels................. Up to 4.
Number of trips................... Approximately 10.
Trip duration (days).............. 1.
Total number of days.............. Approximately 40.
Gear type(s)...................... Lobster traps.
Number of tows or sets............ n/a.
Duration of tows or sets.......... 3 days soak time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Narrative
The purpose of this survey is to provide fishery-independent data
on lobster growth and abundance within Massachusetts State waters of
statistical areas 514 and 538. MA DMF funds this lobster abundance
survey through their commercial and recreational lobster license fees.
This survey has occurred annually since 2006. At least one MA DMF
scientist would be on board for the sampling trips. MA DMF personnel
would not be on board when traps are baited and deployed. Exemptions
would not substantively chance vessel operations. All catch during
sampling trips would be retained temporarily to collect biological
data. MA DMF staff may collect lobster and/or Jonah crab, including
undersized, oversized, v-notched, and egg-bearing lobsters. Collected
samples would be used for research projects on growth and maturity. No
catch from the experimental traps would be landed for sale. All gear
would be Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan compliant. Survey
traps will be separate from each vessel's commercial lobster traps and
would be tagged as, ``MADMF Research Traps.''
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 the completion of the proposed research and
have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the
initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside
the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.
All comments received are a part of the public record and will
generally be posted for public viewing in https://www.noaa.gov/organization/information-technology/foia-reading-room without change.
All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS
will accept anonymous comments (enter ``anonymous'' as the signature if
you wish to remain anonymous).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 22, 2023.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11235 Filed 5-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
