[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