[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 20155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10769]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 042197F]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surf Clam 
and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

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

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of interest.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is soliciting participation by surf clam and ocean quahog 
industry members in a study to calibrate the surf clam dredge employed 
by the NOAA R/V DELAWARE II to conduct surf clam and ocean quahog 
abundance surveys. The study will involve the use of three surf clam 
dredge vessels working in conjunction with the R/V DELAWARE II on or 
about May 12-23, 1997, in a circumscribed area off Northern New Jersey.

DATES: Prospective participants must apply by telephone to Dr. Steven 
Murawski on or before May 2, 1997 (see below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Steve Murawski, Chief, Population 
Dynamics Branch, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, (508) 495-2303.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
(NEFSC) last conducted a research vessel survey of the surf clam and 
ocean quahog resource in 1994. The catch of surf clams and ocean 
quahogs during the 1994 survey greatly exceeded the amounts caught in 
prior surveys. These results proved inexplicable as an examination of 
the various aspects and components of the survey dredging operation 
identified no apparent discrepancies between the 1994 survey 
methodology and that of previous surveys. Developing a methodology to 
explain these results has been a high research priority of the 
Invertebrate Subcommittee (Subcommittee) of the Northeast Regional 
Stock Assessment Review Committee. Many industry members are also 
anxious to have an explanation of the 1994 survey results, since these 
results could have implications for the level of the quotas that are 
set each year.
    One of the Subcommittee members, Dr. Eric Powell, Rutgers 
University, presented three research proposals to the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council) at its April 1997 meeting. The 
Council supported a dredge calibration study as its top priority. Since 
then, some industry members have offered the use of their vessels to 
aid the NEFSC with the research survey. The information collected will 
be a first step in attempting to explain the 1994 survey results. NMFS 
wishes to take advantage of the industry's offer of assistance and is 
requesting expressions of interest from industry members to participate 
in a dredge calibration study to take place on or about May 12-23, 
1997. Three commercial surf clam dredge vessels are needed for the 
study.
    The study will occur at three sites within a circumscribed area off 
Northern New Jersey where clam dredging will take place. The R/V 
DELAWARE II will make initial tows at each site and mark the study 
locations with buoys and differential Global Positioning System. The 
commercial vessels selected for the study will then commence fishing, 
one vessel at each site, to re-sample the study area initially sampled 
by DELAWARE II. The vessels will conduct fairly normal dredging 
operations within the sites. The participants must carry a scientific 
observer for the day(s) on which they participate in the study. Each 
tow must be conducted at a specified speed and for a specified 
distance. NMFS personnel will designate the starting point for each 
tow. The industry participants must be willing to continue fishing the 
sites until the NMFS observer determines that a statistically 
significant decline in catch per tow has occurred. This will require 
making multiple passes over the entire experimental area at each site. 
For each tow, the observer will estimate the total volume of surf clams 
caught and, prior to their deposit in cages will collect a subsample of 
the catch to measure length for estimating age frequency composition. 
Measurements by the observer will be recorded in the vessel's logbook 
in place of the normal estimates recorded by the vessel operator. 
Industry members will tag these cages as required by the regulations. 
Any amounts of surf clams that will not be retained must be discarded 
outside the experimental area.
    To apply, applicants must telephone Dr. Steve Murawski at (508) 
495-2303 on or before May 2, 1997. Vessels will be selected based on 
their suitability for the study. Preference will be given to single 
dredge vessels, as double dredge vessels unnecessarily complicate the 
calibration process. The size and configuration of the vessel will also 
be considered in selecting the participating vessels. Preference will 
be given to those vessels whose size and configuration allow the 
observer to function without impeding the normal fishing operation of 
the vessel. NEFSC will select the vessels to participate and notify all 
of the prospective participants of the selections.

    Dated: April 22, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10769 Filed 4-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F