Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provision; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 13343-13344 [2025-04882]
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 54 / Friday, March 21, 2025 / Notices
their responsibility concerning the
return or destruction of proprietary
information disclosed under APO in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3),
which continues to govern business
proprietary information in this segment
of the proceeding. Timely written
notification of the return or destruction
of APO materials, or conversion to
judicial protective order, is hereby
requested. Failure to comply with the
regulations and the terms of an APO is
a sanctionable violation.
Notification to Interested Parties
We are issuing and publishing this
notice in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19
CFR 351.221(b)(5) and 19 CFR
351.213(h)(1).
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XE778]
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
Management Act Provision; 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 renewal
application from the Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF)
contains all of the required information
and warrants further consideration. The
exempted fishing permit (EFP) 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
SUMMARY:
Dated: March 17, 2025.
Christopher Abbott,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and
Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive
functions and duties of the Assistant
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2025–04875 Filed 3–20–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
13343
Cooperative Management Act require
publication of this notification to
provide interested parties the
opportunity to comment on applications
for proposed EFPs.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before April 7, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by email at nmfs.gar.efp@
noaa.gov, subject line ‘‘MA DMF 2025
Ventless Trap EFP.’’
All comments received are a part of
the public record and may be posted for
public viewing 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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christine Ford, Fishery Management
Specialist, christine.ford@noaa.gov,
978–281–9185.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MA
DMF submitted a complete application
for an 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
50 CFR 697.21(c)(1) and (2)
Gear specification requirements for Lobster Management Areas 1 and 2.
Trap limit requirements for Areas 1 and 2 ......................
Trap tag requirements .....................................................
Minimum and maximum carapace length requirements
for Areas 1 and 2.
To allow for the use of traps without escape vents.
V-notch possession requirement for Areas 1 and 2 .......
To allow landing of female lobsters for research purposes.
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.
50 CFR 697.19(a) and (b) ...
50 CFR 697.19(i) .................
50 CFR 697.20(a)(2),
697.20(b)(2), 697.20(a)(3),
and 697.20(b)(3).
50 CFR 697.20(g)(1) and (3)
Need for exemption
50 CFR 697.20(d)(1) and (3)
Berried female possession requirements .......................
50 CFR 697.20(h)(1) ............
Minimum carapace width requirements ..........................
50 CFR 697.20(h)(2)(i) and
(ii).
Berried female possession requirement .........................
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.
khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES
TABLE 2—PROJECT SUMMARY
Project
Project
Project
Project
title ..........................................................
start .........................................................
end ..........................................................
objectives ................................................
Project location ...................................................
Number of vessels ..............................................
Number of trips ...................................................
Trip duration (days) ............................................
Total number of days ..........................................
Gear type(s) ........................................................
Number of tows or sets ......................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:34 Mar 20, 2025
Jkt 265001
2025 MA DMF Ventless Trap Survey.
05/26/2025.
10/31/2025.
To provide fishery-independent data on lobster and Jonah crab growth and abundance within
Massachusetts State waters.
Statistical Areas 514 and 538.
Up to 6.
Up to 70.
1.
Up to 70.
Lobster traps.
16 per trip.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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21MRN1
13344
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 54 / Friday, March 21, 2025 / Notices
TABLE 2—PROJECT SUMMARY—Continued
Duration of tows or sets .....................................
Project Narrative
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The purpose of this survey is to
provide fishery-independent data on
lobster and Jonah crab 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 change 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.
Each trawl consists of six traps, with
three vented and three ventless traps
alternated along the string. Survey traps
would be tagged as, ‘‘MA DMF Ventless
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
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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Dated: March 18, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES
3 day soak.
[FR Doc. 2025–04882 Filed 3–20–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:34 Mar 20, 2025
Jkt 265001
[RTID 0648–XE739]
Draft 2024 Marine Mammal Stock
Assessment Reports
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments
and new information.
AGENCY:
NMFS reviewed the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine
mammal stock assessment reports (SAR)
in accordance with the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA). SARs for
marine mammals in the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regions were
revised to include new information.
NMFS is soliciting public comments on
the draft 2024 SARs and requesting new
information for strategic stocks that
were not updated in 2024.
DATES: Comments must be received by
June 20, 2025.
ADDRESSES: The 2024 draft SARs are
available in electronic form via the
internet at https://www.fisheries.
noaa.gov/national/marine-mammalprotection/draft-marine-mammal-stockassessment-reports.
You may submit comments or new
information, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2025–0019, via electronic
submission through the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and type
NOAA–NMFS–2025–0019 in the Search
box (note: copying and pasting the
FDMS Docket Number directly from this
document may not yield search results).
Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete
the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Zachary Schakner, Office of Science and
Technology, 301–427–8106,
Zachary.Schakner@noaa.gov; Nancy
Young, 206–526–4297, Nancy.Young@
noaa.gov, regarding Alaska regional
stock assessments; Jessica McCordic,
508–495–2396, jessica.mccordic@
noaa.gov, regarding Atlantic regional
stock assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858–
546–7171, Jim.Carretta@noaa.gov,
regarding Pacific regional stock
assessments.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1361 et seq.) requires NMFS and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
to prepare stock assessments for each
stock of marine mammals occurring in
waters under the jurisdiction of the
United States. These SARs must contain
information regarding the distribution
and abundance of the stock, population
growth rates and trends, estimates of
annual human-caused mortality and
serious injury (M/SI) from all sources,
descriptions of the fisheries with which
the stock interacts, and the status of the
stock. Initial SARs were completed in
1995.
The MMPA requires NMFS and
USFWS to review the SARs at least
annually for strategic stocks and stocks
for which significant new information is
available and at least once every three
years for non-strategic stocks. The term
‘‘strategic stock’’ means a marine
mammal stock: (A) for which the level
of direct human-caused mortality
exceeds the potential biological removal
level or PBR (defined by the MMPA as
the maximum number of animals, not
including natural mortalities, that may
be removed from a marine mammal
stock while allowing that stock to reach
or maintain its optimum sustainable
population); (B) which, based on the
best available scientific information, is
declining and is likely to be listed as a
threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) within
the foreseeable future; or (C) which is
listed as a threatened species or
endangered species under the ESA or is
designated as depleted under the
E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM
21MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 54 (Friday, March 21, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13343-13344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04882]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE778]
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provision;
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 (MA DMF) contains all of
the required information and warrants further consideration. The
exempted fishing permit (EFP) 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 notification to provide interested parties the
opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by email at
[email protected], subject line ``MA DMF 2025 Ventless Trap EFP.''
All comments received are a part of the public record and may be
posted for public viewing 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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Ford, Fishery Management
Specialist, [email protected], 978-281-9185.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MA DMF submitted a complete application
for an 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 CFR 697.21(c)(1) and (2). Gear specification To allow for the use
requirements for of traps without
Lobster Management escape vents.
Areas 1 and 2.
50 CFR 697.19(a) and (b).... Trap limit To allow for trap
requirements for limits to be
Areas 1 and 2. exceeded.
50 CFR 697.19(i)............ Trap tag To allow for
requirements. alternatively
tagged traps.
50 CFR 697.20(a)(2), Minimum and maximum To allow sub-legal
697.20(b)(2), 697.20(a)(3), carapace length and over-sized
and 697.20(b)(3). requirements for lobsters to be
Areas 1 and 2. landed for research
purposes.
50 CFR 697.20(g)(1) and (3). V-notch possession To allow landing of
requirement for female lobsters for
Areas 1 and 2. research purposes.
50 CFR 697.20(d)(1) and (3). Berried female To allow landing of
possession egg-bearing female
requirements. lobsters for
research purposes.
50 CFR 697.20(h)(1)......... Minimum carapace To allow sub-legal
width requirements. Jonah crabs to be
landed for research
purposes.
50 CFR 697.20(h)(2)(i) and Berried female To allow landing of
(ii). possession egg-bearing female
requirement. Jonah crabs for
research purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Project Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project title................ 2025 MA DMF Ventless Trap Survey.
Project start................ 05/26/2025.
Project end.................. 10/31/2025.
Project objectives........... To provide fishery-independent data on
lobster and Jonah crab growth and
abundance within Massachusetts State
waters.
Project location............. Statistical Areas 514 and 538.
Number of vessels............ Up to 6.
Number of trips.............. Up to 70.
Trip duration (days)......... 1.
Total number of days......... Up to 70.
Gear type(s)................. Lobster traps.
Number of tows or sets....... 16 per trip.
[[Page 13344]]
Duration of tows or sets..... 3 day soak.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Narrative
The purpose of this survey is to provide fishery-independent data
on lobster and Jonah crab 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 change 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. Each trawl consists of six traps, with three vented and
three ventless traps alternated along the string. Survey traps would be
tagged as, ``MA DMF Ventless 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 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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 18, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-04882 Filed 3-20-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
