National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 13, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. This study would place observers aboard vessels of opportunity in the Gulf of Mexico recreational for-hire fishery to collect reef fish for determination of age structure and sex composition and to tag and release reef fish to evaluate discard mortality. If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicant, within certain conditions, to collect and possess reef fish that would otherwise be prohibited because of existing fishing regulations.

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 that was submitted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) warrants further consideration and should be issued for public comment. The EFP would exempt participating vessels from summer flounder size restrictions and summer flounder minimum mesh size regulations. 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 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made.