Department of Commerce March 22, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) proposes to recommend that an exempted fishing permit (EFP) be issued in response to an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and NMFS. The EFP would allow up to 20 vessels to retain undersized Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) while fishing in the Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Area from approximately May 2005 through April 2006. The Assistant Regional Administrator has made a preliminary determination that the application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration and that the activities to be authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue an EFP.

NMFS announces the receipt of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application, and the intent to issue EFPs for vessels participating in an observation program to monitor the incidental take of salmon and groundfish in the shore-based component of the Pacific whiting fishery. The EFPs are necessary to allow trawl vessels fishing for Pacific whiting to delay sorting their catch, and thus to retain prohibited species and groundfish in excess of cumulative trip limits until the point of offloading. These activities are otherwise prohibited by Federal regulations. The EFPs will be effective no earlier than April 1, 2005, and would expire no later than May 31, 2006, but could be terminated earlier under terms and conditions of the EFPs and other applicable laws.

In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement further changes to export and reexport controls with respect to Libya. The majority of changes are based on comments submitted to BIS as requested in an earlier interim rule. This rule also corrects an inadvertent error in that interim rule.