[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26304]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 600 and 648

[I.D. 092398A]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to Conduct 
Experimental Fishing

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

ACTION: Notification of experimental fishery proposal; request for 
comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator, Northeast 
Region, NMFS, is considering approval of an experimental fishing 
proposal that would allow vessels to conduct operations otherwise 
restricted by regulations governing the Fisheries of the Northeastern 
United States. The experimental fishery would involve fishing for, 
retention, and limited landing of Loligo squid, scup, and various 
bycatch species including, but not limited to, black sea bass, summer 
flounder, sea trout, and butterfish. Regulations under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act provisions require 
publication of this notification to provide interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on the proposed experimental fishery.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Jon Rittgers, Acting Regional 
Administrator, Northeast Regional Office, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
Proposed Experimental Fishery.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Warren, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory of 
Rutgers University, New Jersey, submitted an application for an 
exempted fishery permit (EFP) on May 5, 1998, to investigate the 
species and size selectivity of various codend mesh sizes. A 5-day 
cruise targeting scup and a 5-day cruise targeting Loligo squid will 
occur during the period January 1 to April 30, 1999. Two vessels with 
Federal permits will tow otter trawls with experimental cod-end mesh 
sizes of 1-7/8, 2.0, 2-1/8, and 2.5 inches (47, 50, 53, and 63 mm) and 
a cod-end cover with 1.0-inch (25-mm) mesh to compare the size 
frequency of Loligo squid and the size frequencies and relative 
abundances of species caught as bycatch. The same two vessels will use 
cod-end mesh sizes of 3.75, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 inches (94, 100, 113, and 
125 millimeters) and a cod-end cover with 2.0-inch (50-mm) mesh to 
compare the size frequency of scup and the size frequencies and 
relative abundances of species caught as bycatch. At least 30 tows of 
approximately 1 hour duration will be conducted during each 5-day 
cruise. The commercial species caught will be marketed, and proceeds 
will be used to partially fund the scientific research. Landings for a 
particular species will be limited by all applicable fishery 
regulations, including applicable state or Federal limits in effect at 
the time of the research. Tows will occur in Mid-Atlantic waters 
southeast of New Jersey and the Delmarva peninsula in statistical areas 
616, 622, 623, and 626. EFPs are required to exempt vessels from gear 
restrictions of the Fishery Management Plans for the Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries and for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and 
Black Sea Bass Fisheries and to allow possession of undersized fish 
while data are being collected.

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

    Dated: September 25, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26304 Filed 9-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F