[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7157]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 030598B]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Swordfish Fisheries; 
Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Applications for EFPs; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a pilot program in which swordfish vessel 
owners can apply for an EFP if they have a vessel monitoring system 
(VMS) on board. If granted, these EFPs would authorize delayed 
offloading of Atlantic swordfish after the closure of the directed 
North Atlantic swordfish fishery, expected mid-April 1998.

DATES: Written comments on this program must be received on or before 
April 3, 1998. Applications for EFPs must be received at least 7 days 
prior to the North Atlantic swordfish fishery closure date (to be 
announced in the Federal Register).

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory 
Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Informational materials concerning this pilot 
program and copies of the regulations to which exempted fishing permits 
are subject may also be requested from this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, 301-713-2347; fax: 
301-713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These EFPs are authorized by the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.) and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 concerning scientific research 
activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity.
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is providing all 
Atlantic swordfish permit holders the option of participating in a 
pilot program that would allow offloading following closures of the 
directed fishery in the North Atlantic Ocean. A letter was sent on 
January 23, 1998, to all swordfish permit holders announcing this pilot 
program and inviting interested persons to contact NMFS for further 
information. Permit holders who wish to take part in this voluntary 
program must purchase, install, and properly operate a Standard-C VMS 
on the vessel for which the special permit is issued following 
conditions prescribed by NMFS.
    Based on a very limited response to this program to date, NMFS 
expects that this program will minimally affect the North Atlantic 
swordfish stock. The extra days of fishing that will result from this 
program, which allows EFP holders to fish up until the time of the 
closure and then offload at any time after, will be considered in 
estimating the closure date.
    A final decision on issuance of EFPs will depend on the submission 
of all required information and on NMFS' review of public comments 
received on this notice and of any consultations with any appropriate 
Regional Fishery Management Councils, state, or Federal agencies.

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

    Dated: March 13, 1998.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7157 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F