[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 17279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9713]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 040996C]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of application for an experimental fishing 
permit.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of an application from Mr. David 
Fraser (applicant) for an experimental fishing permit (EFP). If 
granted, the EFP would authorize an investigation about the viability 
of using pelagic trawl gear to conduct directed fisheries on rockfish 
species in the Gulf of Alaska. It is intended to promote the objectives 
of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP application are available by writing to 
Steven Pennoyer, Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Berg, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 
of the Gulf of Alaska and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 
672 authorizes issuance of EFPs to allow fishing that would otherwise 
be prohibited. The procedures for issuing EFPs are contained in the 
regulations at Sec. 675.6. NMFS received a request from the applicant 
on December 26, 1995, that, if approved would provide specified amounts 
of groundfish species for purposes of being harvested with pelagic 
trawl gear to demonstrate the feasibility of catching certain rockfish 
which otherwise are harvested with bottom trawl gear. The requested 
amounts are as follows:
    Pacific ocean perch - 75 metric tons (mt),
    Yellowtail rockfish - 75 mt,
    Widow rockfish - 150 mt, and
    Other rockfish - 75 mt.
    In accordance with regulations, NMFS has determined that the 
proposal warrants further consideration and has initiated consultation 
with the Council by forwarding the application to it. The Council will 
consider the EFP application during its April 17-22, 1996, meeting and 
has invited the applicant to appear in support of the application if 
the applicant desires. The meeting will be held at the Anchorage Hilton 
Hotel, Anchorage, Alaska under agenda item D-1(d).
    A copy of the application is available for review from the NMFS 
Regional Director (see ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seg.

    Dated: April 12, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9713 Filed 4-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F