National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2005 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California and the 2006 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2006. Specific fishery management measures vary by fishery and by area. The measures establish fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ)(3- 200 nm) off Washington, Oregon, and California. The management measures are intended to prevent overfishing and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among treaty Indian, non-treaty commercial, and recreational fisheries. The measures are also intended to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement and to provide for inside fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters).

NMFS announces changes to management measures in the commercial and recreational Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. NMFS also announces regulations for the retention of Pacific halibut landed incidentally in the limited entry longline primary sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N. lat.). This document also contains notification of a voluntary closed area (also called an ``area to be avoided'') off Washington for salmon trollers. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This action also corrects the trawl gear regulatory language for chafing gear and selective flatfish trawl gear.

The NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) established a contracting policy for mapping and charting services in 1996 that the NOAA Hydrographic and Shoreline Mapping Programs have followed since that time. NOAA seeks public comment on this policy in accordance with the FY 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act request to work with the private mapping community to develop a strategy for expanding contracting with private entities to minimize duplication and take maximum advantage of private sector capabilities in fulfillment of NOAA's mapping and charting responsibilities. Comments on the contracting policy and strategies to expand contracting will be factored into the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (https:// nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/hsrp.htm) Federal Advisory Committee's (HSRP FAC) recommendations to NOAA on the same issues. NOAA will consider both HSRP FAC recommendations and comments from the public in its update of the current contracting policy. NOAA will publish a draft revised policy and seek a second comment period before publishing the final contracting policy by March 2006.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold hearings on fishery data collection management options in Hilo, HI and Honolulu, HI. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific times, dates, and agenda items).

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Marine Mammal Advisory Committee (MMAC) to discuss issues relating to the interactions of marine mammals with pelagic fisheries in the Hawaiian Islands.

NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has determined that an application for revised Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator is considering the impacts of the activities to be authorized under the EFPs with respect to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue EFPs. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to issue revised EFPs in response to an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with Maine Division of Marine Resources (MEDMR), and Research, Environmental and Management Support (REMSA). Previous public comment was solicited on these EFPs, which would allow up to 20 commercial vessels to conduct an experimental demersal longline fishery for haddock in Georges Bank (GB) Closed Area (CA) II and portions of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. This action would revise these EFPs by including an exemption from the May GB Seasonal Closure Area. This fishery would take place at various times from May 2005 through February 2006. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine if hook-and-line gear could be used to target haddock with minimal bycatch of cod in order to establish potential future Special Access Programs (SAPs) in these areas as allowed under Amendment 13 to the FMP.

Notice is hereby given that the following individuals and institutions have been issued permits to conduct research on northern right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and other marine mammals in the North Atlantic: Robert DiGiovanni, Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, 467 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York 11901 (File No. 1036-1744); the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program, Coastal Office, Brunswick, GA (File No. 594-1759); and the Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA (File No. 633-1763).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) will hold a work session, which is open to the public. The CPSMT will meet Wednesday, May 18, 2005 from 8 a.m. until business for the day is completed.

NMFS issues this final rule to amend the electronic reporting and recordkeeping regulations for federally permitted seafood dealers participating in the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Atlantic sea scallop, Northeast (NE) multispecies, monkfish, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, Atlantic herring, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, tilefish, Atlantic bluefish, skate, and/or spiny dogfish fisheries in the NE Region. This action reduces the submission schedule for dealer reports from daily to weekly, eliminates duplicate reporting of certain species, and clarifies existing reporting requirements. This action will also allow vessel operator permits issued by the Southeast Region to satisfy NE vessel operator permitting requirements. The purpose of this action is to reduce the reporting burden on seafood dealers, improve data quality, simplify compliance, and clarify existing requirements.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received two scientific research permit applications and two modification requests relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to issue an EFP that would allow four vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would allow for exemptions from the NE multispecies rolling closure area restrictions and the NE multispecies minimum mesh size requirements. The applicant proposes to conduct a study of an inclined separation panel, a bycatch reduction device, in order to examine the effectiveness of this type of gear at separating the catch of Atlantic cod, and other roundfish, from flatfish. The EFP would allow these exemptions for four commercial vessels for a combined total of 23 days at sea. All experimental work would be monitored by Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (Manomet) personnel. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

This rule establishes the second and third trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks (LCS); small coastal sharks (SCS); and pelagic, blue, and porbeagle sharks based on over- or underharvests from the 2004 second semi-annual season. In addition, this rule establishes the opening and closing dates for the LCS fishery based on adjustments to the trimester quotas. This action could affect all commercial fishermen in the Atlantic commercial shark fishery. This action is necessary to ensure that the landings quotas in the Atlantic commercial shark fishery represent the latest landings data.

NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be closed effective 0001 hours, April 25, 2005. Vessels issued a Federal permit to harvest Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo squid per trip for the remainder of the quarter (through June 30, 2005). This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Quarter II quota and to allow for effective management of this stock.

Notice is hereby given that a request for a modification to scientific research permit No. 1247 submitted by Thomas F. Savoy, CT Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, Connecticut, 06371, has been granted.

Notice is hereby given that Andre Landry, Sea Turtle and Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 5007 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77553, has applied in due form for a permit to take Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) for purposes of scientific research.

NMFS announces that it has approved the request of the Commonwealth of Virginia to transfer 68,214 lb (30,941 kg) of commercial summer flounder quota to the States of Maine, Connecticut, New York, Delaware, and Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Addendum XV to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The recipients of the transferred quota, and the amount transferred, are as follows: Maine 1,273 lb (577 kg); Connecticut17,799 lb (8,073 kg); New York13,270 lb (6,019 kg); Delaware3,924 lb (1,780 kg); Maryland17,983 lb (8,157 kg); and Massachusetts13,965 lb (6,334 kg). By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject application to modify an existing Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued to modify a recently approved EFP by allowing additional exemptions from the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would add an exemption from the FMP as follows: The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closure Area III; Western GOM Closure Area for the month of May 2005; and the minimum gillnet mesh size for the month of May 2005. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene public meetings. See SUPPLEMRNTARY INFORMATION for specific meeting schedule.

We, the FWS and NMFS (collectively the Services), announce a 5-year review of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). A 5-year review is a periodic process conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. It is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. New data are available since the last reviews were completed in 1985 for the green turtle and in 1995 for the hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley turtles. Therefore, the Services are initiating a 5-year status review and soliciting information and comments pertaining to these species from any interested party. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite findings under the ESA.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Community Demonstration Project Program Advisory Panel (CDPP-AP) will meet on May 10 and 11, 2005, in Honolulu, HI. At the meeting, the Advisory Panel will select and rank proposals to be recommended for Council review. The Advisory Panel will develop criteria, objectives and priorities for recommendation to the Council for a subsequent solicitation for the Community Demonstration Project Program.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability for public review of the Draft Interim Regional Recovery Plan (Plan) for portions of three Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of salmon and steelhead Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Columbia River Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), and Lower Columbia River Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) within the Washington Lower Columbia Management Unit. NMFS is soliciting review and comment on the Plan from the public and all interested parties.

Notice is hereby given of the next meeting of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (MPAFAC) in Portland, Maine.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the ALWTRP's implementing regulations. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,052 square nautical miles (nm\2\) (3,608 km\2\) in April and 1,235 nm\2\ (4,236 km\2\) in May, southeast of Chatham, MA, for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of northern right whales (right whales).

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Crab Plan Team will meet in Seattle, WA May 16-18, 2005 at the Traynor Room at the Alaska Fishery Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg 4, Seattle, WA.