[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42335-42336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20030]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 072199C]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Notification of a proposal for EFPs to conduct experimental 
fishing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator, Northeast 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), is considering approval of EFPs 
for two vessels to conduct exempted experimental fishing activities 
otherwise restricted by regulations governing the Fisheries of the 
Northeastern United States. These EFPs to conduct experimental fishing 
would involve the possession and retention of Atlantic sea scallops 
(Placopecten magellanicus), including the possible capture and release 
of regulated multispecies and other bycatch (monkfish, skates, 
invertebrates, and elasmobranchs), in the Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh 
Area; specifically, within the Hudson Canyon South Sea Scallop Closure 
Area and the Virginia Beach Sea Scallop Closure Area. Regulations under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act provisions 
require publication in the Federal Register to provide interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed EFPs.

DATES: Comments on this document must be received by August 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Regional Administrator, NMFS,

[[Page 42336]]

Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on Proposed Experimental 
Fisheries.''
    Copies of the Environmental Assessment for these activities are 
available from the Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional 
Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie VanPelt, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Institute of Marine Science 
(VIMS) has submitted a proposal to target and assess Atlantic sea 
scallop resources (density and length frequency distribution), 
commercial sea scallop dredge performance, and harvest efficiencies 
within the Mid-Atlantic Sea Scallop Closure Areas (Hudson Canyon and 
Virginia Beach). This systematic survey would coordinate closely with 
NMFS' Northeast Fisheries Science Center's scallop dredge survey to 
evaluate differences in scallop research dredge performance relative to 
commercial dredge operation by conducting simultaneous tows and/or 
same-station comparative tows. The study also proposes to investigate 
the impacts of scallop dredge activity on bottom habitat and to 
quantify and compare the bio-fouling of scallops in both closed and 
open areas. In addition, the habitat assessment portion of the study 
would look at transitional changes in habitat components from within, 
on the boundary, and outside the closed areas. In this portion of the 
study VIMS would closely collaborate with a Rutgers University habitat 
assessment study being conducted in the Hudson Canyon South Closure 
Area to avoid station overlap and ensure data integrity.
    On a tow-by-tow basis, scientific staff and designated crew members 
would enumerate bycatch and estimate quantities of non-bycatch debris 
(mollusk shells), and would report on their general physical condition. 
The overall objective of the study is to assess the increased 
availability of commercial sea scallop biomass resulting from the area 
closures that commenced 16 months ago. A similar study in Georges Bank 
Closed Area II was not performed until 4 years after the closure. It is 
thought that more knowledge could be gained from a post-dredge survey 
conducted closer to the cessation of mobile gear activity.
    The survey would be conducted during the period mid-August through 
September 1999 and would employ the use of two 15-ft (4.6-m) commercial 
sea scallop dredges at 400 pre-designated stations. Sampling densities 
of approximately one station per 7.5 nm2 in the Hudson 
Canyon South Closure Area and one station of 5.0 nm2 density 
in the Virginia Beach Closure Area are proposed. Sampling frequency 
would be increased to 5.0 nm2 on or near the edges of closed 
area boundaries. Set-tow times of 10 minutes at 4.5 
knots would calibrate area gear coverage (width of gear x 
length of dredge path). The dredge gear used would comply with all mesh 
size and gear configuration provisions of Amendment 4 to the Atlantic 
Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. Therefore, no special twine-top 
configurations or rock chains would be used.
    No other species other than Atlantic sea scallops would be retained 
or landed, except for unusual specimens of interest to scientists and 
only at the discretion of the chief scientist in charge of at-sea 
cruise operations. Participants would be limited to retaining and 
landing no more than 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) (1,000 lb (454 kg) per day) 
of Atlantic sea scallops, and would be required to fish under an 
Atlantic Sea Scallop day-at-sea (DAS) when fishing under the EFP. Based 
on this landing limit, participants would be required to commit a 
maximum of 14 sea scallop DAS to the study.
    Each vessel's crew would be instructed that low value sea scallops 
may not be discarded in favor of retaining high value sea scallops 
(high grading). VIMS' chief scientist would be charged with monitoring 
all stages of the proposed cruise operations in support of the study 
objectives and would ensure maximum integrity of data collection and 
organization of deck operations. EFPs would be issued to participating 
vessels to exempt them from the Mid-Atlantic Closed Areas.

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

    Dated: July 29, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20030 Filed 8-3-99; 8:45 am]
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