National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 3, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will conduct a workshop to continue development of the Council's Deepwater Coral Research and Monitoring Plan in St. Petersburg, FL.

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 Atlantic Sea Scallop 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 an EFP be issued that would allow vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. This EFP would exempt participating vessels from the 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) sea scallop access area possession limit. 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.